Global Fastener News

Reittinger, Meyer Lead NFDA

John L. Wolz

Jimmy Reittinger Jr. of Automotive Fasteners Inc. is the new president of the National Fastener Distributors Association and Timothy Meyer of Meyer Retaining Ring Co. Inc. was elected vice president.\
Reittinger succeeds Don Westby of Westby Production Components.
Elected to three-year terms on the board were distributors Jim Derry, Field Fastener Supply Co.; Peter Sullivan, Accurate Fasteners Inc.; and Foster Yeilding, House of Threads; and associate James Sullivan, Chicago Hardware & Fixture Co.
Rick Malson, Ramco Specialties Inc. succeeded Joe Butvin of Bolhoff Rivnut as associate chair. Rebecca Branson of Threaded Rod stepped up to associate vice chair.
Reittinger has been in the fastener industry for 14 years, after experience in the metal working industry and selling medical equipment. Greensboro, NC-based Automotive Fasteners has eight locations and specializes in value-added services for OEM and MRO customers.
The association�s new leader is the son of 1985-86 NFDA president Jim Reittinger.
Meyer was in banking in 1976 when he �became aware of a bankruptcy of a company which specialized in washers, rivets and retaining rings� and acquired the company located in Milwaukee, WI. He refocused the company on retaining rings
Meyer recalled that a decade ago OEMs accounted for 70% of the company�s business and distributors 30%. �Now that is 55% distribution and 45% OEMs,� he noted.
The NFDA has a �good core of members, including younger members. Our challenge is to retain current membership, attract new members and keep all members active. When members are active participants in NFDA programs it makes them feel more involved with the association.�
The future of fastener distribution rests on each distributor�s reputation, which Meyer termed �the key to maintaining customers.�
�Being aware of what your costs are is necessary,� Meyer added. �There may be some business you need to walk away from.�
NFDA membership chair Randy Kemp reported the association has �held steady for three years� at 256 members in 2001 and 2002 and 257 currently.
The NFDA�s next fall city meeting will be October 15-18, 2003, at the Embassy Suites Lakefront in Chicago. It will be the third year for its one-on-one supplier/distributor meetings.
Six new Train the Trainer subjects will be introduced at the Chicago meeting: Thread inserts for after molding insertion into plastic; weld nuts/studs; structural pin/collar bolts: self-drilling screws; miniature fasteners; and spring steel clips and fasteners.
For information contact NFDA executive vice president Dave Merrifield. Tel: 216 579-1571 Fax 216 579-1531 E-mail: nfda@nfda-fastener.org Web: nfda-fastener.org �2003 FastenerNews.com