Global Fastener News

New England Association Marking 30th Anniversary

John Wolz

The New England Fastener Distributors Association in marking its 30th anniversary during 2009.

The association was incorporated on June 21, 1979, by seven: Richard Ferenchick, Lehigh Metal Products Corp. (now Lehigh-Armstrong Inc.). Today Ferenchick is with Arnold Industries and is vice president of NEFDA; John Gianakouras, Fastener Supply Corporation (now Integratech Distribution). Today he owns a sheet metal show in Methuen, MA; Edward Otto, Fasteners Inc. (no longer in business), retired; and John Sullivan, Accurate Fasteners Inc.

Three of the original seven are deceased: Robert Herman, Jacques Co. (no longer in business); Donald LaRochelle, Eckart & Finard Inc.; and Fred Shuman, Arnold Industrial Supply.

Managing consultant Joe Soja, said Walter Collyer, formerly of Precision Socket Screw, was instrumental in the founding but not one of the incorporators.

William Wisk Sr. is the 2008-09 NEFDA chairman and Rick Rudolph, Lehigh-Anderson, president.

The association started with 30 members and today has 89. Activities include education seminars, one-on-one conferences and product displays. During the 1980s and 1990s NEFDA was active in the development of the U.S. Fastener Quality Act.

The annual Scholarship Golf Outing is the NEFDA’s most popular event and has raised more than $150,000 over the 30 years.

NEFDA is expanding its web presence with online advertising at nefda.com.

John Sutherland, of Sutherland Industrial Supply will be inducted in the NEFDA Hall of Fame this year. Sutherland was the 2003-04 NEFDA president.

NEFDA’s 2009 tabletop show will be September 24 at Sturbridge Host Hotel in Sturbridge, MA. Dan Bielefield of Smith Associates is show chair. The golf outing will be June 4, 2009, at the Oak Ridge Golf Club in Agawam, MA.

For NEFDA information contact Soja. 30 Hedgenow, Wethersfield, CT 06109 Tel: 860 436-4652 Fax 860 436-4113 E-mail: jfs3@cox.net �2009 FastenerNews.com