Global Fastener News

Jim Ruetz of All Integrated Solutions is heading to Australia for his fifth motorcycle tour raising money for Cure Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Ruetz left September 11, 2018, for a 5,000-mile “Jim’s rideabout Oz 18” four-week trip through east and central Australia.

Ruetz, the 2001 president of the National Fastener Distributors Association and the 2018 NFDA Fastener Professional of the Year honoree, started in the fastener industry 41 years ago in his family’s All Tool Sales.  

As CEO, Ruetz has led the Wisconsin-based AIS growth to eight locations in six states. AIS was acquired by MSC Industrial Supply Co. in May 2018 and now operates as standalone OEM division. Web: AllIntegrated.com

His first Cure Duchenne ride was in 2011 from his home in Wisconsin to Alaska

In addition to motorcycles, football is a hobby for Ruetz and how he found out about the charity.

“I’m a huge American football and Green Bay Packers fan,” Ruetz explained. “When I was planning my first long distance ride back in 2011, I was watching a Packers football game and Clay Matthews, Packers linebacker, did a commercial as a spokesperson for Cure Duchenne. As I learned more about Duchenne, I reflected on the struggles I had being born with a cleft palate, and how blessed I was that both my son and daughter were born healthy. The more I learned about Cure Duchenne and their commitment to find a cure for the disease – the determined I was that I wanted to support this noble cause.”

Ruetz’s daughter, Jennifer Ruetz, recently completed a three-year term on the NFDA board.

Ruetz’s 2018 ride sponsors are MSC Industrial, Crane Worldwide, AIS, and fastener manufacturer AMPG.

Crane Worldwide assisted with shipping the 2018 BMW K1600 GTL. Ruetz discover he needs a “carnet” to ship a bike to a foreign country.

“This document is akin to a passport for your vehicle and requires a boat load of paperwork – in fact much more work than a visa would be for a person. “Crane knows a thing or two about shipping motorcycles around the world, as they were responsible for shipping Harley Davidson’s bikes all over the world for their last big anniversary celebration.”

The bike went by boat to Australia instead of by plane.

“If you ship by plane the battery has to be disconnected and all the fuel must be drained,” Ruetz explained.

“The fastener community worldwide has been a large part of the contributors over the years and have shown to have huge hearts when it comes to supporting worthwhile events like my rides for Cure Duchenne and others,” Ruetz told GlobalFastenerNews.com.

The motorcycle portion of the trip is primarily riding and watching the road. His wife, Karen Ruetz, “is meeting me after the ride and we’ll be doing a lot of the touristy stuff.”

For information on his ride login to his blog: mytb.org/Jimbmw or the Cure Duchenne donation page: CureDuchenne.org/Jimsride.

Harley Vs BMW?
Ruetz will be riding a BMW despite having a son, Jason Ruetz, working for Harley-Davidson and being from the Milwaukee area where Harley is headquartered. BMW is based in Munich, Germany.

Ruetz recalled five Harley riders pulling up around him in 2010 and “one of the guys asked ‘is this here y’er bike?’ I said ‘yes’ figuring I was gonna get some grief. Instead he said ‘I was tellin the fellas here that these bikes are fun (pointing to the Harley’s) But if y’er gonna ride any distance that’s the bike ya want right thar ! (pointing to my bike)’.”

Ruetz agrees “that for riding around town or over to the next town Harley’s are a lot more fun to ride then my BMW. They are typically lower to the ground, louder, and just feel more powerful. But I’ve put on over 700 miles in one day on a Harley and even on their Electra glide I was spent much more than when I rode 850 in one day on my BMW. For distance BMW touring bike – For riding for fun, Harley.”