Global Fastener News

Rockford Fastener Inc. was honored as the 2014 Manufacturer of the Year by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Founded in 1977 by Bill Orman with seven people, today with nearly 100 employees, Rockford Fastener manufactures standard screws and bolts, Sems lockwashers, specials, thread forming screws, knurls, collar studs and shoulder screws.
Rockford Fastener, headed by president Bryan Burgy, was nominated by distributor Field Fastener. Field credited Rockford Fastener’s ability to stay competitive by managing stocking programs and reducing lead-times.
The Illinois city 90 miles west of Chicago with a population today of 150,000, was known a generation ago as “the screw capital of the world” with major manufacturers including Rockford Products, National Lock, Elco and Camcar.
While some major fastener manufacturers have left Rockford or changed products lines due to competing imports, smaller companies such as Rockford Fastener carry on the community’s fastener business. Web: RockfordFastener.com
The city’s role in the industry is chronicled in the Fastener History section of GlobalFastenerNews.com:

1988 & 2008 FIN: Rockford’s Role in the Fastener Industry
The U.S. is quickly becoming a service-oriented nation and little can be done to slow the decline in manufacturing as it moves offshore….

2002 FIN – Taylor & Darling: China Production Growing
In 1970 the fastener industry was centered in the Chicago suburb of Rockford, IL. By 1980 Osaka, Japan, had taken over as the single largest source of cold headed products. Taiwan held the title in 1990 and 2000….

2008 FIN – Perspective: “Sweet Smell of Machine Oil”
Rep. Manzullo tells MWFA: “We should look upon manufacturing as the backbone of the American economy.”