A Message from NAW:

As you know, in 2011 the Obama Labor Department promulgated a new rule dramatically changing the “advice exemption” from the disclosure requirements under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act – the so-called Persuader Rule.  The Persuader Rule would have made it extremely difficult for companies, especially smaller companies without in-house labor counsel, to obtain legal advice during a union organizing campaign. 

Rotor Clip is expanding the availability of DIN standard parts for the European market using US PH 15-7 stainless steel. Whereas previously, wire-formed DIN parts were only available in the DIN grade of stainless steel, DIN 1.4122, Rotor Clip now offers both stamped and wire-formed parts for DIN sizes in PH 15-7. The DIN equivalent to PH 15-7 is DIN 1.4532.

Source: Inc.

Put these powerful habits to work, and never run out of ideas or inspiration again. READ MORE.

Are you stuck on the “When” of ERP implementation? If you’ve figured out the Who, What, Why, and How but are having difficulty selecting the timing, here’s a secret: you’re not alone. 

Many distributors postpone ERP hoping that some sign will reveal the perfect time to implement. Yet, without a glowing bat signal or the piercing eye of Sauron, companies pursue a wait-and-see method of decision-making. Why? The justifications are fairly common:

• We’ll wait until the new fiscal year
• We’ll schedule it for our slow period
• We’ll do it after we finish hiring
• Maybe after the holidays

Rationalizations like these drive delays, yet time is not on your side. Without the essential improvements of interconnected ERP software, days, weeks, and months equate to lost opportunities for compounding savings, productivity, and growth.

So, when is the right time to implement ERP software? In short, the answer is “Now.” Remember that the longer implementation is put off, the longer your company will be mired in redundant, inefficient processes. Honestly ask yourself these questions:

Researching business software options can seem like a daunting process, and you may have a thousand questions relating to ERP. I thought it would be helpful to share some of the answers for common questions. For instance, have you ever wondered:

EFC International, a leading supplier of engineered fasteners, with corporate office in St. Louis, Missouri, has announced the implementation of their worldwide globalization strategy with the opening of offices and warehouses in China, South Korea, and Germany

Expanding its global footprint and investing in key strategic global markets, EFC ensures both supplier and customer needs are met.   “EFC’s physical presence in these countries enhances our relations, providing local support and value by offering a simpler, more cost-efficient way to manage the supply chain, “ said Guenter Retkowski, Vice President of International Sales.

The FCH Sourcing Network has teamed up with the Fastener Training Institute for a fourth year to announce the promotion and selection of a scholarship candidate who will be awarded full tuition to the Fastener Training Institute course, “Fastener Training Week”. Once completed, the course qualifies students to sit for the Certified Fastener Specialist exam, a distinguished industry credential.

To qualify for selection, candidates must work within the fastener industry and must submit a brief essay, approximately 300 words in length. The essay should address the importance of training in the fastener industry, and the impact of training on the candidate's career. Candidates can be nominated by owners or managers, who are welcome to submit an essay on behalf of a nominated candidate. There is a limit of one nominated candidate per company if the nomination is being made by a manager on behalf of a candidate, however, there is no limit to the number of individual candidates from any given company who submit an essay on their own behalf.

Megliola brings decades of fastener experience honed across sales, marketing, and operations.

Vertex Distribution, a division of HWC (NASDAQ: HWCC), is pleased to announce that Richard "Rich" Megliola has joined the team as President of Vertex Distribution. Rich began his career in the fastener industry after acquiring a degree in Marketing from Kean University when he took an Inside Sales Representative role at Reynolds Fasteners, Inc. During Rich’s long career at Reynolds, he helped grow sales from $29 to $200 million while rising to the role of Vice President of Sales & Operations. He was named president of Reynolds Fasteners’ sister company Atlas Screw & Specialty Corporation after they were acquired by Heads and Threads International, LLC. Following leadership roles with Stelfast Inc.as COO and Titan Fastener Products Inc. as EVP, Rich was named Director of Sales North America for Acument Global Technology, a division of the world’s largest fastener manufacturer with over $1.2 billion in annual sales, Fontana Gruppo Special Fasteners. Rich is married with 2 children and resides just outside of Chicago. Rich is currently serving as a Board Member

 
COMPANY NEWS

Tonawanda, NY May 31, 2017 – Sherex Fastening Solutions, a global leader in engineered fasteners, tooling, and automation, is pleased to announce the launch of a new wedge locking washer product line. 

“The TEC Series product line adds another fastening solution to our portfolio, continuing our 35 year tradition of developing innovative, lowest total installed cost fastening solutions for our valued customers,” says President Adam Pratt, "TEC Series washers are a high quality, high performance, cost-effective solution to the challenge of securing joints that experience severe vibration and load.” 

The 27th Edition of the Distribution Software Guide has become the most used directory for wholesale distributors looking to replace or upgrade their existing business software. The guide provides detailed vendor information including feature matrixes for Enterprise Distribution and Complementary Solutions. Request Print Copies at http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_dist_software_guide_login.aspx 

In response to market demand, the 11th Edition of the Manufacturing Software Guide has been developed to meet the unique needs of the manufacturing supply chain community. This guide includes detailed vendor pages, company demographics, product information, and a feature matrix. Request Print Copies at http://www.software4distributors.com/vendor/resources_manufacturing_software_guide_login.aspx

Mack Brooks Exhibitions Group, organizers of the Fastener Fair exhibitions taking place globally, announce the launch of Fastener Fair USA. The first edition of this unique industrial fastener and fixing show will take place April 11-12, 2018 at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland, OH. 

Fastener Fair USA will be the premier event bringing together manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and end users in the region’s only dedicated fastener, fixing, and joining technology exhibition. The show will offer a first-hand look at the latest solutions and technology available in the marketplace, as well as a top-notch educational program developed and delivered by industry experts. There will also be networking events to facilitate relationships and collaborations with industry peers.

From Distribution One

To many people, the terms “ERP” (Enterprise Resource Planning) and “Accounting Software” are interchangeable. This misconception, however, ends up being a detriment to companies when purchasing decisions are based on the comparison of two distinctly different product categories.

So what is the difference between ERP and accounting software? In short, accounting programs are merely a subset of the core ERP software capabilities and represent a fraction of the functionality provided by comprehensive ERP. This truth, however, is just the tip of the iceberg.

Accounting software
Predictably, accounting software deals with the financial aspect of operations by recording business transactions: AR/AP, journal entries, and general ledger utilized to produce basic financial reports like income statements and balance sheets. Due to this specified but limited focus, the accounting software market has experienced some instability with providers resorting to buyouts or ceasing operations altogether. Why?

Accounting software provides a good snapshot of a company’s financial health today but lacks the ability to anticipate tomorrow. Without data-driven forecasting, companies base business decisions primarily on SWAG (Scientific Wild Assumption Guessing) to predict supply and demand for products and services causing many to fall short of their profitability goals.

ERP software
Accounting functionality comprises just one subset of the overall solution. ERP’s main objective is to facilitate the day-to-day management of business operations by incorporating data from multiple aspects of the business into a seamless and comprehensive information system. ERP encompasses: Order Entry, Financials, CRM, Reporting, Purchasing, Inventory Control, Warehouse Management (automation/scanning), Serial/Lot Control, QC Tracking, Label Generation, Kitting/Assembly, Secondary Processing, and more along with supplementary functionality of E-commerce, API, EDI, and Mobile Apps. 

By accurately processing and analyzing data through these company-wide functions, ERP software delivers forecasting integral to improving the timing of sales and inventory, detecting process deficiencies, and identifying strategic enhancements for growing productivity and competitive advantage. 

What's Best for You?
Because businesses demand a more complete, comprehensive software solution, ERP continues to consume the accounting software market. Understanding the differences in software functionality is critical to your company’s near and long-term success. If you’re currently investigating software options for your enterprise, please contact me with questions on comparing apples to apples.

Steve Monks
Sales Executive