Global Fastener News

Field Fastener Acquires Rockford OEM Distribution Business

John Wolz

Field Fastener acquired one of the two distribution portions of the Rockford International distribution business of Rockford Products Corporation.

Slow automotive products sales and rising pension costs forced Rockford Products to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 25. Recently MacLean-Fogg Co. expressed interest in Rockford’s cold formed products division, but walked away without making an offer.
Field president Bill Derry told FastenerNews.com said Rockford’s OEM distribution arm offers “a great deal of synergy between what they did and we do.” Rockford promoted their technical expertise in both domestic and importing supply, which Field emphasizes.

Field is located “across town in Rockford” and will eventually move the OEM operations “when we make room for them.” Field’s current Rockford facility is full because “business is booming,” Derry said.

Until then the Rockford OEM business will remain in the current facility and eventually move to Field’s Machesney Park warehouse.

Found in 1976, Field Fastener is a global supplier of fasteners with facilities in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. Field is a Derry Enterprises Company.

“We have a strong financial statement and we are strong in human resources,” said Derry, the 1997-98 president of the National Fastener Distributors Association.
Rockford International also has a consumer goods distribution business which markets to such customers as NAPA Auto Parts and Ace Hardware.

Field is located “cross town in Rockford” and will eventually move the former RI division “when we make room for them.” Field’s current Rockford facility is full because “business is booming,” Derry said.

Rockford’s International Group is the smaller of two Rockford Products segments and distributes mostly third-party overseas parts to automakers and aftermarket auto parts suppliers. The larger cold formed products division is a domestic manufacturer of ball studs and other auto parts.
Field Fastener is headquartered at 9883 N. Alpine Rd. (P.O. Box 2529) Machesney Park, IL 61132-2529. Tel: 815 637-9003 Fax (815) 637-7575 E-mail: billd@fieldfastener.com Web: fieldfastener.com
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