TS:  Carmen Vertullo, so much has already been written about you, where do I begin?  You won the prestigious NFDA Fastener Professional of the Year for 2023, and the NFDA published a thorough and very well-done biography of you and your many accomplishments.  I encourage readers to track down that announcement if they want to find out more about your personal background and accomplishments.  https://www.nfda-fastener.org/fastener-professional-of-the-year To repeat all the details here would take up a lot of space and not leave room for me to ask you about what is new and ex ..read more

Patriot Bolt Unveils Record-Breaking Achievement: The World’s Largest Hex Nut in Houston, TX Houston, TX — November 22, 2023 — Patriot Bolt a leading innovator in the specialty fastener manufacturing industry, proudly announces the successful production of the world’s largest hex nut in the vibrant city of Houston, Texas. This monumental achievement reflects the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of engineering and contributing to the local industrial landscape. The world’s largest hex nut, Big Tex The Incredible Hex, is a symbol of strength and quality and is a testament to the ca ..read more

TS:  First of all, let’s talk about the name JM Tor Par.  Please tell us the meaning behind the name. Jose:  When my father, Jose Janeiro, started the company in 1984, he was manufacturing hot forged bolts, cap screws and suspension parts for a Mercedes Benz Trucks plant close to Mexico City as well as for other truck and trailer suppliers such as Fruehauf and Kenworth.   Originally, the company was called JabaMet. Jabamet was the abbreviation for his family name (Janeiro Barros) and the word metal, all combined together. In 1994 JM Tor Par started as another commercia ..read more

TS:  So, I would like to say “welcome to the fastener industry”.   But, in all fairness, I did get the opportunity to listen to your recent interview on Fully Threaded Radio with Eric Dudas.   And Eric did a wonderful job of introducing you to his audience.  But for the few people who did not get to listen, let’s start with what you were doing before you joined Endries.  You said you came from the electronic components industry.  Tell us a bit more about that. Michael:  Prior to joining Endries I spent the entirety of my career in electronic compone ..read more

TS:  I remember a few years ago you came to a fastener show and set up your guitar in the G.L. Huyett booth.  Now, I am pretty sure that playing at the Country Music Hall of Fame will pale in comparison to playing inside a fastener trade show, but at least you will still be surrounded by fastener people when you play. Have you ever had the chance to play Country music hall of fame before?   Tommy:   I am so excited and honored to play at the Country Music Hall of Fame. I have never played there and it is definitely on my Music Bucket List. As Nashville continues to gro ..read more

TS:   Let’s jump right in and talk about the big topic at hand. Nashville!  Fastener Fair USA 2023 will be held in Nashville. What feedback are you getting so far from the fastener industry? Bob:  It was our exhibitors who first told us they wanted to go to Nashville. And the response has been very positive since we first announced that the 2023 show would be held at the Music City Center right in downtown Nashville. The show is shaping up to be about double the size of the 2022 event with many exhibitors taking larger booths than ever before. TS: Tell us what the schedule ..read more

TS:   You and your company have certainly been making a lot of news this year.  I have seen pictures on various news and social media sights that Volt Industrial is expanding and adding to your facility.  Would you like to fill people in on what is going on and how far along you are in the process?   Heidi:  Yes, 2022 has been a busy year for Volt, and busy in the best way possible. 2021 was our best sales year to date so far, so the demand coming in forced us to expand our facility. We are expanding our production, and warehouse space to give our customers the ex ..read more

Back in 2014, the Fastener Industry Coalition (FIC) in cooperation with the Young Fastener Professionals, sponsored a program recognizing individuals from the fastener industry who were 30 years of age or younger.  The program was held for two years.  Below is a description of the program and a list of the 60 Young Fastener Professionals recognized through that program.   Recently, I sat in on a panel discussion held by the YFP that dealt with the topic of attracting and retaining young talent in our industry.  I would be curious to hear updates on any of those chosen to be ..read more

  TS:  So, to some part of the fastener industry, you are Salim Brahimi, instructor for the Fastener Training Institute (FTI).  That is possibly where a number of people have actually had an opportunity to meet you.  But, I did a little bit of research and see that you have a couple other jobs that occupy your time. Let’s start with your current position as the Director of Engineering & Technology for the IFI – Industrial Fasteners Institute.  That’s not a bad sideline to have in addition to being an instructor for the FTI.  Oh yes, and while you are doing tha ..read more

Patriot Bolt Unveils Record-Breaking Achievement: The World’s Largest Hex Nut in Houston, TX Houston, TX — November 22, 2023 — Patriot Bolt a leading innovator in the specialty fastener manufacturing industry, proudly announces the successful production of the world’s largest hex nut in the vibrant city of Houston, Texas. This monumental achievement reflects the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of engineering and contributing to the local industrial landscape. The world’s largest hex nut, Big Tex The Incredible Hex, is a symbol of strength and quality and is a testament to the ca ..read more