NEWS & EVENTS
February 9, 2009 Lindstrom and Mega Metric launch their new Web site today!
Lindstrom introduces new Technical Manual to Industry
Lindstrom's own Bill Unferth was recently honored by Fastener Technology International for his development and creation of Lindstrom's technical manual. He joins three others in the FTI Technical Achievement Awards, Class of 2008
Here's what FTI wrote about Unferth in their awards newsletter. Feel free to read about the other award winners. More
"William D. Unferth Nominated for his development and creation of Lindstrom Technical Manual, William D. Unferth is Special Projects Manager at Lindstrom Fastener Group, Blaine, MN, USA.
Bill Unferth's career of nearly 50 years began in 1961 at Cleveland Cap Screw Company, Cleveland, OH, USA, where until 1966 he worked as a Salesman responsible for all outside sales activities in the USA states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Focused on selling all types of threaded fasteners to the distribution and end user markets, sales in his territory grew by some 70%.
For the next 10 years, Unferth held the position of Vice President at Universal Fastener Company in Charlotte, NC, USA, where he continued selling threaded fasteners to end users at both the OEM and MRO levels in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. At Universal Fastener Company, Unferth was also responsible for inside sales activities and some branch activity. During his time at the company, sales grew by about 200%.
From 1976 to 1981, Bill Unferth was Regional Manager responsible for 15 southeastern and southwestern USA states including two District Managers for Holo-Krome, West Hartford, CT, USA. At Holo-Krome, Unferth increased sales in his 15 states by 100%.
The next stop for Bill was Metric American Fasteners, Greenville, SC, USA, where from 1982 to 1983, he was Vice President. During just one year, Unferth took a business with no distributor business and only about US$400,000 in other sales, and transformed it into a company selling US$1.2 million in metric fasteners to distributors. His role at Metric American Fasteners was customer as well as supplier-related. In 1983, Unferth was instrumental in the sale of Metric American Fasteners to Bossard International, Inc., now known as Bossard Metrics, Incorporated, Portsmouth, NH, USA.
As Vice President Sales and Marketing at Bossard Metrics from 1983 to 2001, Bill Unferth provided support to national catalog accounts such as McMaster-Carr Supply with regard to stocking new metric products. He developed all formulas for selling new products and created all data to establish list prices for all Bossard catalogs since 1984. All Bossard Service Centers reported to Unferth at one time or another.
He also supported the service centers in their sales efforts to national accounts such as Bowman Products; RB & W, now known as Supply Technologies; Questron, now known as Gexpro; and Lawson Products. Unferth handled all national trade shows for Bossard as well as attended all National Fastener Distributor Association (NFDA) meetings as voting member of Bossard. Unferth served as Associate Chairman for NFDA during 1992-1993. Since joining the company, Unferth was instrumental in growing the company's sales by approximately 900%.
As Vice President Sales from 2001 to the present, and currently as Special Projects Manager, Willian D. Unferth has provided support in developing the Lindstrom Fastener Group's national Rep organization. At Lindstrom Fastener, Unferth has also worked with major catalog houses such as McMaster-Carr Supply and Grainger in order to bring new metric products into their product offerings, both from the sales side as well as the technical side.
Unferth has developed sales and marketing data at Lindstrom to more effectively monitor and grow the company's sales. He has also been instrumental in bringing a new stainless steel program on-line at Lindstrom both from a sales as well as technical side."
Lindstrom Metric, LLC is pleased to announce the latest news regarding its Mega Metric Division located in Greer, SC. With the additional floor space that Mega acquired in the move to their new facility in 2005, plans were put into place to expand the finished product inventory to better serve the large diameter metric market.
After careful thought and a thorough market analysis the product range expansion was finalized, orders were placed with quality manufacturers in the Pacific Rim, and at this time we are ready to accept your orders with our new "Operation Mega" program. With the new expansion in width and depth of inventory based on Pacific Rim manufacturers, you will find the new Mega Metric pricing structure very attractive and competitive. A new brochure has been produced that lists all items in the new "Operation Mega" program. Here is a very condensed version of what the "Operation Mega" program will cover. More
- Socket Head Cap Screws DIN 912 / ISO 4762-12.9 (M20x200 - M48x300)
- Hex Head Cap Screws DIN 931/933 - ISO 4014/4017-8.8 (M20x200 - M48x300)
- Hex Head Cap Screws DIN 931/933 - ISO 4014/4017-10.9 (M20x200 - M48x300)
- DIN 934 Class 8 and Class 10 Hex Nuts (M27 - M100)
- ASTM A194 2H Hvy Hex Nuts (M27 - M48)
- DIN 125 Flat Washers (27mm - 48mm)
- DIN 127 Lock Washers (27mm - 48mm)
- DIN 975 Threaded Rod (1 meter length) Property Class 4.6 (M27 - M48)
- DIN 975 Threaded Rod (1 meter length) ASTM A 193 B7 (M27 - M48)
Be sure to ask your Mega Metric Sales Representative for your personal copy on their next visit, or you can call Mega Metric direct at (800) 697-1010 to speak to one of our experienced Customer Service Reps.
And as always at Mega Metric, you can buy as small a quantity as 1 piece of any item, and now the best part for you Mr. Customer, is that you can buy that item from off the shelf stock. So if you only need I piece or if you need a pallet of some item, Mega Metric is the place to go. While there is no minimum line item charge, so the 1 piece is okay, there is a relatively reasonable minimum order charge.
Minneapolis, MN - Norwest Equity Partners ("NEP"), a private equity firm focused on investments in growing and profitable middle market companies, today announced that it has made a substantial investment in Lindstrom Metric, LLC ("Lindstrom" or "the Company"), a leading Master Distributor of metric fasteners. The transaction, which closed on March 31, 2006, was structured as a recapitalization. Financial terms were undisclosed.
Headquartered in Blaine, Minnesota and founded in 1983, the Company has grown organically and through acquisition to be the largest and most successful competitor in the rapidly developing niche of the Master Distributor metric fastener industry. As the largest Master Distributor of metric fasteners, Lindstrom is able to realize benefits from large purchasing economies and a scalable operating platform. More
Virg Lindstrom, the Company's CEO, shared "NEP is a great partner to help us accelerate our growth. Its focus on the logistics and distribution sector and its expertise in identifying and executing successful add-on acquisitions made joining the NEP family a natural fit for Lindstrom. We are really looking forward to our partnership with the firm."
Lindstrom has attracted a growing list of more than 2,000 blue chip distributor customers who rely on the Company for its breadth of product offering, consistency of delivery and multi-site warehouse locations. Lindstrom has proven its ability to increase sales at existing customers by meeting their growing demand and by offering new products and services, including Mega Metric, a manufacturer of a broad range of specialty metric fasteners that Lindstrom founded in 1994.
Erik Torgerson, NEP partner and Lindstrom board member said, "NEP is very excited about the partnership we've formed with Lindstrom. Virg Lindstrom and his talented management team have built Lindstrom to be the "go to" provider of quality metric products. We expect to see a significant expansion in its market share over the coming years."
In addition to Minnesota, Lindstrom also operates out of strategically located facilities in Greenville, South Carolina; Elgin, Illinois; and Beacon, New York. Over the last two decades, Lindstrom has expanded its business via several acquisitions in various markets to further broaden its geographic footprint. In 2002, Lindstrom acquired Metric Systems International, a smaller metric Master Distributor in upstate New York, to support the Company's expansion into the Northeastern market. Most recently, Lindstrom upgraded its South Carolina facility in 2005 and is currently completing expansion on its Chicago operations. The investment banking firm of Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin served as financial advisor to Lindstrom in the transaction with NEP.
Twenty-five years of dedicated effort and reliable service have brought the Lindstrom Fastener Group to its present preeminent position as a supplier of metric fasteners to the nation's distributors. Over the years, president and founder, Virg Lindstrom, has steadily built an impressive distributor support organization by reinvesting company earnings to expand product lines, increasing domestic inventories, adding new and larger facilities and training and encouraging a knowledgeable customer service organization.
Read more about Lindstrom's past and its plans for the future.
We are excited to report the following expansion programs at Lindstrom. As you read this we will have completed our move in South Carolina into our new 170,000 square foot facility. This new facility replaced the two 40,000 square foot operations that were in place since 1994. By combining both the Lindstrom Metric and Mega Metric operations under one roof, structural and operating efficiencies can be realized. Because Mega does have machining capabilities and some different needs than Lindstrom, they will continue to operate as two separate operations.
But the end result for you, the customer, will be new warehouses for both operations that will have the needed storage space to carry the additional inventory required to support the growth that the Lindstrom Fastener Group is experiencing. On average between Lindstrom and Mega in South Carolina five - six ocean freight containers are received each week, so the additional space is a welcome sight. For your information all phone and fax numbers for both Lindstrom and Mega in South Carolina remained the same as they were. More
In addition the planning is well under way for an expansion in Elgin, IL to replace our 5-year-old outgrown 30,000 square foot facility with a new 90,000 square foot operation. You will recall the Elgin operation was the location for the stainless steel expansion Lindstrom began in January of 2004, and that successful venture along with general business growth makes this expansion necessary.
These completed and planned expansions further enhance for you, the Lindstrom Fastener Group as an excellent choice for long-term business relationships. Contact your account manager; direct, today to learn more about the other perks that you will find quite attractive. You might find blanket orders with scheduled releases to be one way to protect yourself from the price escalation that was so visible in 2004.
We are excited to report the following expansion programs at Lindstrom. As you read this we will have completed our move in South Carolina into our new 170,000 square foot facility. This new facility replaced the two 40,000 square foot operations that were in place since 1994. By combining both the Lindstrom Metric and Mega Metric operations under one roof, structural and operating efficiencies can be realized. Because Mega does have machining capabilities and some different needs than Lindstrom, they will continue to operate as two separate operations.
But the end result for you, the customer, will be new warehouses for both operations that will have the needed storage space to carry the additional inventory required to support the growth that the Lindstrom Fastener Group is experiencing. On average between Lindstrom and Mega in South Carolina five - six ocean freight containers are received each week, so the additional space is a welcome sight. For your information all phone and fax numbers for both Lindstrom and Mega in South Carolina remained the same as they were.More
In addition the planning is well under way for an expansion in Elgin, IL to replace our 5-year-old outgrown 30,000 square foot facility with a new 90,000 square foot operation. You will recall the Elgin operation was the location for the stainless steel expansion Lindstrom began in January of 2004, and that successful venture along with general business growth makes this expansion necessary.
These completed and planned expansions further enhance for you, the Lindstrom Fastener Group as an excellent choice for long-term business relationships. Contact your account manager; direct, today to learn more about the other perks that you will find quite attractive. You might find blanket orders with scheduled releases to be one way to protect yourself from the price escalation that was so visible in 2004.
Jerry Hancock was selected for induction into the National Industrial Fastener Show "Hall of Fame." at the National Industrial Fastener Show/West on November 12, 2004..
Jerry Hancock's 48-year love affair with fasteners began as a teen-ager growing up on a small cotton farm in Louisiana and extended through his service in the Merchant Marines. Following military service with the U.S. Army, Hancock's real education began when he joined Strong, Carlisle and Hammond in Cleveland, Ohio where he rose from warehouse stock picker to inside, then outside sales in seven years. He later persuaded the company to form a fastener division and became the division's first manager. More
Hancock bought The Nut & Bolt House in Greenville, South Carolina in 1964 and built this business into the largest distributorship in the Southeastern USA specializing in textile mills. The Nut & Bolt House later expanded into the construction trade and was a major supplier to the General Electric Turbines plant in Greenville.
Hancock sold The Nut & Bolt House in 1973 and purchased Eastern Equipment and Supply, which specialized in construction equipment and concrete anchors.
Five years later, he sold Eastern and purchased MetricAmerican Fasteners, which had been started by his brother Wayne. Jerry sold this very successful business to the Bossard Group in 1983 and ran the company's Southern division for five years. He and the Bossard Group then created a new corporation named Monster Metrics, which grew from an empty briefcase and no warehouse to a multi-million dollar business over a ten-year period.
Hancock was separated from Monster Metrics at age 60 but decided against retirement. Instead, he and Virgil Lindstrom started a new company called Mega Metric, which started with an empty 15,000 sq. ft. building and grew dramatically in a few years into a thriving business and now occupies a 60,000 sq. ft. warehouse. Jerry sold his interest in Mega Metric to Virgil Lindstrom when he reached age 65. He continues to work as a consultant to Mega Metric, Division of Lindstrom Metric, LLC.
In a past issue of Link, you read about the new stainless steel program at Lindstrom. We are delighted to report that the program - which was kicked off in January of this year - has been well received by you, the distributor. Thanks to all of you that have given Lindstrom a chance to show you what this new offering can do for you.
The initial program started with approximately 1,600 items and has now been expanded to over 2,300 items. In an endeavor to commit to world-class service, a single location was chosen to inventory all stainless products. The stainless steel inventory for this program is stocked in the Elgin, IL distribution center. The goal is to ship all orders the day they are received. Additional staff was added to the newly formed stainless team to assist in the inventory management and shipping of orders.More
A matter of interest may be one product not so common in the marketplace, that being stainless steel hex nuts with external tooth lock washers attached. These are being stocked in A2 stainless in these sizes: M3, M4, M5, M6, M8, and M10.
The sourcing for the new stainless steel program uses a combination of Pacific Rim manufacturers along with a select group of European suppliers. The range of quality products is offered at the competitive market pricing distributors has come to expect. The stainless program is being offered with standard packaged inventory as well as1/8 keg bulk quantities, along with commensurate pricing.
Mega Metric, a subsidiary of the Lindstrom Fastener Group, has also increased their stainless steel blank and finished inventory to support the program. The ability to add metric stainless to the list of your metric product requirements makes the Lindstrom Fastener Group an excellent choice for long-term business relationships. Contact your account manager, direct, today to learn more about the other perks that you will find quite attractive. You might find blanket orders with scheduled releases to be one way to protect yourself from the price escalation that has been so visible this year.
April 2, 2002 Fastener Industry News
Lindstrom Acquires Metric Systems
Lindstrom Fastener Group purchased the assets of Beacon, NY-based Metric Systems International Ltd., president Virg Lindstrom announced.
MSI president Fred Marchak will remain with Lindstrom as vice president of the New York facility. Marchak has been in the metric fastener business for 30 years. Lindstrom said "the addition of MSI to the Lindstrom Fastener Group provides for further expansion into the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions."
Lindstrom supplies metric fasteners from sales/distribution centers in Minnesota, South Carolina, Chicago and now New York and is headquartered at 2950 100th Ct. NE, Blaine, MN 55449. Tel: 763 780-4200 or 800 328-2430 Fax 763 780-0554
©2002 FastenerNews.com.
Lindstrom Fastener Group purchased the assets of Beacon, NY-based Metric Systems International Ltd., president Virg Lindstrom announced.More
MSI president Fred Marchak will remain with Lindstrom as vice president of the New York facility. Marchak has been in the metric fastener business for 30 years. Lindstrom said "the addition of MSI to the Lindstrom Fastener Group provides for further expansion into the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions."
Lindstrom supplies metric fasteners from sales/distribution centers in Minnesota, South Carolina, Chicago and now New York and is headquartered at 2950 100th Ct. NE, Blaine, MN 55449. Tel: 763 780-4200 or 800 328-2430 Fax 763 780-0554 ©2002 FastenerNews.com
Unferth joins and French promoted - Lindstrom Fastener Group Mike French is the new senior vice president of sales and Bill Unferth the new vice president of sales at Lindstrom Fastener Group. French joined Lindstrom in 1999 after 26 years in the fastener industry. French can be contacted at e-mail: mvfrench@cs.com or 317 418-4376.
Unferth has almost 40 years of fastener experience. Before joining Lindstrom, Unferth was with Bossard for 20 years and was vice president of sales & marketing. Previously Unferth was with Cleveland Cap Screw Company, Universal Fasteners and Holo Krome. He was the 1992-93 NFDA associate chair. More
French and Unferth will develop a national sales organization for Lindstrom. Unferth will also handle national accounts and will continue to be based out of Charlotte, NC. Unferth can be contacted at e-mail uswu@aol.com or 704 907-7579.
Lindstrom supplies metric fasteners. Lindstrom's Mega Metric facility is located in Greenville, SC, and recently acquired the assets of Bossard's Monster Metrics. Lindstrom has facilities in Minneapolis, Greenville and Chicago and is headquartered at 8101 Ashton Ave. N.E., Fridley, MN 55432. Tel: 763 780-4200 or 800 328-2430. Fax 763 780-0554.
©2002 FastenerNews.com