WAFD and LAFA members approve unification as Pacific-West Fastener Association
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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Posted by: Vickie Lester
By near unanimous consent, the members of the Los Angeles Fastener Association and the members of the Western Association of Fastener Distributors approved the proposed unification of the two associations.
The new association will be known as the Pacific-West Fastener Association. In the coming weeks and months, the LAFA and WAFD identities, programs, products, services and governance will be blended into the new association brand.
This ballot measure is the result of months of discussions and negotiations between the two associations. A unification task force, with representatives from each association, met frequently to deliberate on the merits, processes and desired outcomes, which in turn were presented to association members for further discussion. After a sufficient comment period for member input, a ballot was issued to secure member approval for the unification.
Why unify?
LAFA and WAFD are very successful associations, but each is very small. By unifying into one association, there will be an opportunity for:
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Greater strength
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Increased membership benefits
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Better support to all regions and local networks in the western United States and Canada
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Improved education programs for business owners and their employees
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Deeper leadership resources
LAFA and WAFD tried this before and the negotiations stalled. What’s different now?
In 2008, each association developed its own strategic goals. In order to accomplish those goals, both associations independently realized that additional resources are needed. This unification will make it possible for many of those goals to be realized.
During the last negotiations between LAFA and WAFD five years ago, the leadership did not have the benefit of a planned vision for the future. These strategic goals clearly indicated the need for the unification.
How will the member experience be different with a unified association?
Actually, nothing will change. The vision for the unified association is that there will still be two conferences per year focused on issues of importance to business owners and executives, like WAFD traditionally offered, and local events and training programs still will take place in Southern California, like LAFA has offered. There is no plan to eliminate any programs or events in the unified association. In fact, local events and training programs will be expanded to other metropolitan areas in the West.
Comments from members
LAFA President Kelly Cole of WCL Company (City of Industry, California) said, “This unification of two strong associations will create a synergy that will position us as industry leaders. The alliance will enable the creation of industry-wide training standards, with new and existing training programs delivered to a wider audience in more cities and soon via an on-line platform.”
“There is a bright and exciting future ahead, and the work of the Unification Task Force created a road map that will take us there,” commented task force member Russ Doran of Timberline Fasteners (Commerce City, Colorado). “We are putting together two very good associations, combining great talent that will result in a new association that is even more meaningful, valuable, and purposeful.”
Suzanne Dukes, president of Hayes Bolt & Supply (San Diego, California) and immediate past president of WAFD, says, “As one of the founding members of the Western Association of Fastener Distributors, I am thrilled with the successful unification of the LAFA and WAFD. This is a great fit for both groups and the result of strong collaborative strategic planning by two great Boards of Directors. The preservation of services provided by WAFD and LAFA was an initial goal of the unification. I am happy to report that we were indeed successful! As you know, WAFD historically focused a large effort on collective learning and connecting member companies to better foster innovation in our industry. The new Pacific-West group will indeed continue that tradition while providing world class education and training resources to the fastener industry. This unification provides immediate increased value to our members and a more comprehensive association. Bravo!”
"I am proud to support the unification of LAFA and WAFD. I welcome our esteemed colleges at WAFD and look forward to working with them to overcome the challenges that face our industry. I strongly believe that our efforts under the combined banner of the Pacific-West Fastener Association will do much to improve and strengthen our industry as a whole," said LAFA Board member Robert Lopez of Specialty Sales (Downey, California).
“The new Pacific-West Fastener Association built on the foundation and traditions of WAFD and LAFA, will surely bring great value to our current and future members. Pac-West will also provide the financial resources and leadership to continue the growth of the fastener product training programs now offered through our Fastener Training Institute. FTI has recently expanded its reach with a successful CFS program in Chicago and is also planning expansion of the curriculum,” added Unification Task Force member John Wachman of Desert Distribution (Scottsdale, Arizona).
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