‘Under 40’ Fastener Industry Group Forms
7/28/2014
FEATURE
(l-r) Ryan Kertis, pricing manager, Simmi Sakhuja, Stelfast president, Jackie Hunter, Chicago branch manager
A new industry organization – Young Fastener Professionals – has been formed for under age 40 future industry leaders.
Ryan Kertis, 29, New Jersey-based pricing manager for Stelfast Inc., told FIN the concept of the YFP came through his ventures with Stelfast to regional fastener meetings. At a Women in the Fastener Industry panel discussion, he came up with the idea of starting an under-40 group.
“These powerful industry women shared an immense amount of knowledge and strategic initiatives,” Kertis recalled.
“Through my travels with Stelfast, I have encountered a lot of young people that are either taking over their family’s business or climbing the ranks within their respective organization and I wanted to create a platform for them to share their experiences and ideas.”
Kertis holds an MBA from Monmouth University. His career started in inside sales at Porteous Fastener Co., where he rose to branch manager.
The website describes Young Fastener Professionals as a “non-profit organization that seeks to offer a glimpse of the fastener industry through the perspective of the next generation.”
“While respectfully preserving the industry’s past, the next generation is hastily shaping the future of the business spectrum through technology while implementing the most current business practices. YFP also hopes to serve as forum for networking, referrals and professional support to further improve the fastener industry as a whole.”
YFP lists its goals as: Creating a platform for young professionals to meet and exchange knowledge; providing professional support for companies looking to employ qualified young professionals; engaging and learning from industry veterans; acknowledging and rewarding individuals for accomplishments; and bringing new ideas and better business practices to the fastener industry.
“We want to expose the entire fastener industry to the ideas and concepts developed by younger professionals,” according to the YFP website. “Through events at regional fastener shows, we would like to hold panel discussions, meetings, and guest speaking engagements conducted by ‘the next generation,’ but are open to everyone. We also hope to offer scholarships and provide professional support to member companies.”
YFP is offering gold company memberships providing access to all events and meetings for three people. There is a Platinum membership which includes unlimited attendees and company advertising.
Memberships are open to companies which “directly contributes to the fastener industry.”
The initial company memberships are Stelfast Inc. and Industrial Threaded Products.
YFP is co-producing the first “30 Under 30” program with the Fastener Industry Coalition to identify “up and comers” within the industry.
For YFP information contact Kertis. Tel: 732 512-9208 or 732 930-4600 Email: rkertis@stelfast.com Web: youngfastenerprofessionals.com
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