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Happy Anniversary

Tue, 31 May 2022 06:15:58 GMT

Congratulations to two of our Western Fastener family

We are very pleased to be celebrating 30 years of service for Bob Rosen and Jo-Anne Chase, seen here with Western Fastener President Scott Sutherland at their 30th anniversary party.

Bob, Jo-Anne, and Scott

Jo-Anne started with Western Fastener in 1973, barely out of her teens. She left in February of ’78 for a short-lived move back east and returned in December. She ventured out to start her own business in 1983, and in 1991 came home to stay. There must be some truth to the adage that the third time’s a charm. Some of the relationships Jo-Anne has developed with her contacts span four decades!

Bob started with another company selling tools and supplies for electronics manufacturing and building relationships before making his way to Western Fastener. We still get calls for Bob from people who worked with him over 30 years ago!

I’ve had the opportunity to work with Bob in the field, and it’s clear he truly enjoys what he does, and that his customers are happy to see him. People are constantly stopping him to chat, sometimes fastener related and sometimes not, and I’m always impressed how he remembers everyone’s name, or where they travelled on vacation.

The overall average length of service of Western Fastener employees is nineteen years, with the sales department having well over twenty years experience.

If you want a fastener supplier with a proven track record and career employees with decades of knowledge and experience, you’ve come to the right place!

Knowledge is Power: The Benefits of Fastener Training

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 06:05:25 GMT

scientia est potentia

[ skee-en-tee-ah est poh-ten-tee-ah; English see-en-shee-uh est poh-ten-shee-uh ]

Latin.

knowledge is power.

Before my current position with Western Fastener, I worked for another fastener company, selling primarily to automotive repair shops and makers of aftermarket accessories.

I had some experience turning wrenches as a hobbyist, and an interest in this sort of thing, so I was somewhat familiar with this type of fastener.

Due in part to this knowledge, I was able to advance quickly from order picking to inspecting outgoing orders for accuracy and quality, as well as receiving and inspecting incoming product. I also started taking phone orders and working in the field calling on customers.

But (and this is key) I only knew what I knew.

If presented with questions about standards and specifications or a specialty fastener, I was lost. Not only because I didn’t know the answers, but rather because I didn’t know where to get the answers.

Soon after being hired at Western Fastener (back to picking orders) I was given the opportunity to enroll in the Certified Fastener SpecialistTM program offered by the Fastener Training Institute.

Some of my co-workers were FTI graduates so I had heard about the benefits of the program. I began attending with two coworkers and I was immediately impressed with the instructors; not only their depth of knowledge but also their ability to present highly technical and sometimes dry information in such a way that it was both interesting and retainable.

The courses are an excellent blend of classroom instruction as well as some plant tours, the highlight of which is the destructive testing lab, where we were able to watch them stretch a 1.5” diameter bolt to the point of a loud and very spectacular failure. I had heard this field trip was not to be missed, and it did not disappoint.

This combination of bookwork and plant tours helps one to not only learn the information, but also to relate it to practical application.

In my current position with Western Fastener, I deal with extremely knowledgeable customers. I still don’t have all the answers, but I no longer panic if an engineer asks a question to which I don’t know the answer.

As a graduate of the Fastener Training Institute’s Certified Fastener Specialist™ program, I now have the knowledge of how and where to obtain the answer.

FTI training of Western Fastener’s staff certainly contributes to our consistent 99.9% accuracy rate.

Knowledge is power.

To impart more knowledge and power to your employees, contact:

Fastener Training Institute 27943 Seco Canyon Rd #508 Santa Clarita CA 91350

Phone : 562-473-5373 Fax : 661-449-3232 Email : info@FastenerTraining.org

Secondary processes for fasteners

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 05:59:12 GMT

Need a fastener with a special finish or other feature? Western Fastener can get you exactly what you need.

We have developed an extensive network of vendors to accommodate most secondary process requirements relating to form, fit, or function.

Some of the many secondary processes we offer include:

Thread Locking : Nylon patch, pellet, or strip, or microencapsulated chemical thread locker.
Plating : To prevent corrosion or improve appearance.
Coatings : To aid in assembly - lubricants, anti-seize, anti-galling compounds.
Cutting : To achieve non-standard lengths.
Drilling/Tapping : To allow venting, or installation of a safety wire, or set screws.
Machining : CNC machining, milling, grinding, threading, finishing, for custom applications.
Cleaning : We can assist you with any cleaning needs from the most basic cleaning or degreasing, to precision cleaning specifications critical to aerospace, defense, medical device, semiconductor, and laser equipment manufacturers.

You need that low-profile stainless-steel socket cap screw in a non-standard length, and you want it to be black with a thread locker?

Simple, you place one order with Western Fastener for the finished part. We will bring in the off-the-shelf part and have it cut to your specified length. We send it to a second vendor for black oxide, then send it out yet again for the nylon locking patch.

After a QC inspection by one of our Certified Fastener Specialists, your finished part is delivered to you.

Based on your usage we can determine accurate lead time(s) and replenishment levels, and stock it for you in our warehouse to ensure that you have the part you need, when you need it.

USMCA: Sweeping changes for NAFTA 2.0

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 05:56:05 GMT

As of July 1, 2020 the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which has been in effect for twenty-five years.

Some key points of the new trade agreement are as follows:

1. Rules for Manufactured Goods

The automotive industry is a focus of the new agreement, with provisions for both certification of origin, as well as labor.

The total North American content of a vehicle must equal 75% (up from 62.5%) by 2023.

70% of the steel, aluminum, and glass used in production of the automobile must originate in North America.

40% of an automobile and 45% of a light truck must be produced by workers earning an hourly wage of at least $16. While this could help North American workers, particularly those in Mexico, many economists are concerned this could drive up car prices and may lead to more cars being produced in Asia rather than North America.

2. Protection for Intellectual Property

The new agreement will increase the terms of copyright from 50 to 70 years beyond the life of the author. According to the USTR, the USMCA will “provide strong patent protection for innovators, enshrining patentability standards and patent office best practices to ensure that U.S. innovators, including small and medium-sized businesses, are able to protect their inventions with patents.” In theory, this will prevent competitors from producing inexpensive knockoffs.

There are also new provisions included to protect digital trade, prohibiting duties on such items as software, music, electronic books, videos, and games, a market in which U.S. manufacturers are typically very competitive.

3. De Minimis Provisions for Small Business

There is a chapter dedicated to smaller businesses which according to the Small Business Administration will “promote cooperation, to increase trade and investment opportunities.”

The USTR states that “New traders just entering Mexico’s and Canada’s markets will also benefit from lower costs to reach consumers.”

The cap under which goods can enter each of the countries duty-free has been increased. The new de minimis thresholds are as follows:

Canada - $150 CAD (customs duties) and $40 CAD (taxes)

Mexico - $117 USD (customs duties) and $50 USD (taxes)

United States - $800 USD

4. Sunset Clause

The terms of the USMCA shall expire after a period of 16 years, and are subject to review every 6 years, at which point the parties can choose to extend the agreement or withdraw altogether.

5. Increased Environmental Protections

The new agreement makes important environmental advancements, particularly regarding the protection of whales, fish, and marine wildlife from pollution and overfishing. Mexico agrees to increased monitoring to stop illegal fishing, and there will be enhanced verification to ensure that only legally harvested goods are coming from Mexico.

6. Documentation

It is worth noting that unlike the original NAFTA, there is no official government issued or approved document for USMCA Certification of Origin, which has created some initial confusion.

Per the text of the agreement, all certifications must contain a set of “minimum data elements”.

We are making forms and instructions available as a service to our customers.

USMCA Certification of Origin WFC - Instructions.pdf

USMCA Certification of Origin WFC - Primary.pdf

USMCA Certification of Origin WFC - Extended Description of Goods.pdf

Thread-lockers: DIY or Pre-apply?

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 05:47:43 GMT

The Dawn of Thread-lockers

Soon after man invented the threaded fastener, we discovered the need to prevent those fasteners from coming loose.

Locking mechanisms are required when vibration or joint movement could cause loss of clamp load and joint failure. Today, thread locking mechanisms in some form are used in virtually every industry.

Thread lockers fall into three general categories:

Free-running
Prevailing torque
Chemical reaction

Comparing Thread-lockers

This comparison will be focusing on the two most widely used, mechanical and chemical. More specifically, pre-applied (which could be either mechanical or chemical) vs. a liquid thread locking compound applied at time of installation.

The Industrial Fastener Institute (IFI) has developed standards for both mechanical and chemical types, IFI standards 124, 124, 524, and 525 cover thread-lockers for externally threaded fasteners, with standards 155, 160, 555, and 560 covering those with internal threads.

The main reason for using a thread-locker is to ensure quality control, avoiding joint failures, warranty claims, and potential liability issues. Engineers can select the best methods for a given application by understanding the capabilities and characteristics of the various types of thread locking mechanisms.

In a production environment, it may be advantageous to use a pre-applied thread-locker for several reasons.

Why Pre-Applied Thread-lockers?

Consistency : Pre-application of thread-lockers is performed in a carefully controlled process, ensuring that the thread-locker is in the correct location, and the correct amount, thereby keeping torque factors constant. Left to individual personnel, the amount and location of the thread-locker will tend to vary and could potentially be forgotten altogether.

Efficiency : Having thread-lockers pre-applied saves time and money, allowing line personnel to focus on assembling products rather than stopping to apply a liquid thread-locker to individual fasteners.

Mechanical vs Chemical Thread-lockers?

There are several factors to consider when choosing the best thread-locker for a specific application.

Chemical Thread-lockers

Chemical thread-lockers are available in multiple strengths, with the higher strength versions requiring heat to remove. These will provide lower installation torque, higher locking strength and breakaway torque but prevent any adjustability and are typically a one-time use.

Nylon Thread-lockers

Nylon thread-lockers will have a higher installation torque (due to the friction created between mating threads) lower breakaway torque, but their locking strength is less than that of a chemical adhesive. The nylon thread-locker however, is adjustable after installation and due to the memory characteristics of nylon, can be removed and reinstalled several times.

Pre-applied Thread-lockers

Pre-applied thread-lockers can be mechanical or chemical.

Chemical in the form of micro-encapsulated beads within a resin. Installing the fastener breaks the beads, releasing the adhesive and setting off the reaction and curing process.The mechanical thread-locker of choice is nylon, available as a patch, pellet, or strip, and can be customized for more or less prevailing torque depending on the number of threads to which it is applied.
Nylon is also the least expensive material, and because it is typically priced as a lot charge the price/ea. drops dramatically as quantity is increased, making it a very cost-effective process at production volume(s). This does need to be outsourced, as the parts must be heated to over 400º for the nylon to adhere to the threads.

As you may have gathered by now, there are many different types of thread-lockers available, as well as many reasons to utilize them on your fasteners.

Keeping it Together

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 05:35:56 GMT

Have you ever thought about how many fasteners are involved in our day-to-day lives, and their importance? If you’re like most people, probably not… Why would you? They’re not exactly the most riveting subject.

Fasteners include everything from nails to rivets to nuts and bolts.

That phone in your hand is held together with about 75 fasteners.

Your car has a few thousand.

A 747-400 has six million parts, half of which are fasteners.

In your average product, about 50% of the total production time is spent fastening parts together. Fasteners cost only about 5% of the total cost of a product, but when you add the cost of assembly, about 30% of the final cost of a product is taken up by fasteners.

Typically, the only time fasteners become expensive, or become the topic of much thought or conversation, is when there’s a failure or you don’t have the one you need.

This is precisely why we spend so much time thinking about fasteners, so you don’t have to.

Western Fastener has been serving our customer’s fastener needs for the last sixty years, and we consistently achieve an accuracy rating of 99.9%. If you want the right fasteners there on time, every time, contact us at Western Fastener and we can make it happen!

New partnership with Elesa USA

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 05:28:52 GMT

To our valued customers,

We are pleased to announce a new partnership between Western Fastener and Elesa USA.

Elesa is a world leader in designing and manufacturing machine operating elements, including handles, knobs, hand wheels and other components for use in machine tool, packaging, medical, construction, electronic, food, pharmaceutical and other applications.

We are excited to expand our product line by working in close partnership with Elesa.

To learn more about the Elesa line of products, just ask your Western Fastener account representative, or contact us directly at (858) 292-5115 or sales@westernfastener.com .

The Nuts and Bolts of U.S. - China Tariffs

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 05:24:13 GMT

On May 10, 2019, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer released the following statement regarding additional action under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974:

"Earlier today, at the direction of the President, the United States increased the level of tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. The President also ordered us to begin the process of raising tariffs on essentially all remaining imports from China, which are valued at approximately $300 billion."

This statement has, quite understandably, created some uncertainty about future cost of goods.

We hear about 25% tariffs and it sounds like the price on a lot of fasteners supplied by distributors like Western Fastener may increase by 25%, but this is not the case, for a couple of reasons.

First and foremost, a relatively small percentage of our inventory is affected by the tariffs. We’ve done the math and determined that only 7% of Western Fastener’s current inventory originates from China, which means that 93% of the fasteners we supply are unaffected by the trade tariffs.

Second, we must remember that the 25% tariff is not necessarily a direct increase in price. The importer pays the tariff based on their cost and may pass some or all of this on to their customers. Most importers and suppliers like Western Fastener are currently bearing some of the burden, netting lower margins rather than passing the entire increase on to customers.

These tariffs are, in many ways, a very big deal. In terms of our customers overall cost of goods however, it will likely have much less impact than one might expect.

Try Our Crossword!

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 05:20:52 GMT

Complete the crossword and submit it with your next order. First ten winners will receive a free Western Fastener T-Shirt!

Western Fastener -Then and now

Sun, 03 Mar 2019 05:14:15 GMT

Fasteners really haven’t changed much over the years.

The fastener business, however, continues to evolve and grow. Likewise, Western Fastener continues to evolve and grow. It’s always interesting to look back and see how things have changed and progressed over the years.

"I wish I had some of these cars!"

- Bruce Relaford

Our current location, centrally located in Kearny Mesa.

Our family of employees has grown right along with the business. Below you can hear from Bruce Relaford on some of the employees and their time at Western Fastener.

Growing with Western Fastener

One of the things that really impressed me about Western Fastener when I started 14 years ago was that people tend to stay here.

Shortly after I was hired, we had a party for Gerania to celebrate her 40 years of service. Gerania was the first Western Fastener employee; she started in the late 60’s, back when the business was housed in the founder’s garage. Working at each of the different locations, Gerania retired a few years ago at the ripe young age of 77!

A couple of weeks after Gerania’s party, there was another one! I remember thinking, “Wow, I think I’m really going to like working here!” This party was to celebrate our friend Ted, and his 25 years of service.

After 38 years with Western fastener, Ted finally decided to retire to enjoy riding his bike or paddling his kayak around Mission Bay.

Sadly, Ted passed away last year and is greatly missed. We still have customers ask, "Where’s the old grouchy guy that used to work the counter?" Ted had a somewhat gruff exterior not quite covering his heart of gold.

Sometimes an employee will leave, and then come back. Joanne started here in 1973, left in February of ’78, and was back in December! She ventured out on her own in 1983, and in 1991 came home to stay.

Evolving Technology

The technology has evolved a bit too, since those early years.

We look forward to growing and evolving with our customers for many years to come and seeing how things continue to change and progress.

Maybe soon our customers will simply think of the part they need, and the Western Fastener replicator will teleport it to them. It should be interesting.

Celebrating 60 Years of Western Fastener

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 04:44:34 GMT

Western Fastener is celebrating over 60 years in business. We started way back in 1958!

Being in business for 60 years is a huge accomplishment, especially when most new businesses fail in the first five years. We are proud of the work we do, the clients we serve, and the employees who choose to work for us.

Thank you for being a part of our journey!

Back to the Beginning

1958 Toyopet Sedan

1958 was a year of change, new technology, and a brand new company: Western Fastener. When Western Fastener started, it was the only fastener company in San Diego. Now, there are too many to count!

A Brand New Company

Bill Vollmer started this business in 1958. As folklore would have it, he was working for Premier Fastener as an outside salesperson stocking bins for Disneyland.

One day, he was called in to see the purchasing manager at Disneyland and was told his services were no longer required. They were looking for a company that could provide the same service with more reasonable pricing.

Bill left the purchasing manager's office and sat in his car for some time thinking he had just lost his biggest account. Instead of leaving, he decided to go back in and talk to the manager since he had a good rapport with her. Bill wanted to know, if he had his own company, would she buy from him. Fortunately, the answer was “YES.” Hence, Western Fastener was born with Disneyland as our first customer.

From the beginning, we've focused on building good relationships, providing superior customer service, and solving problems.

Changing with the Times

Over the years, the parts have remained mainly the same - a screw is still a screw - but their applications and how we sell and fulfill orders has changed to adapt to modern technology.

"You used to be able to tell how well business was doing based on how loud the office was because everyone was on their phones talking to customers and fulfilling orders. Now, most of our orders come through email and the office is much quieter."

- Scott Sutherland, President

We're completely online now with customers being able to email us orders or use our Electronic Data Interchange capability. We can typically fulfill local orders within 24 hours.

We've grown with many companies throughout the years and been able to adapt to their needs while also making sure we provide the best solutions.

The Key to Longevity

Superior Customer Service

The one thing that has never changed with Western Fastener is our commitment to superior customer service. In fact, it’s why we’re still around.

"Western Fastener has thrived because we are able to adapt to our customers’ changing needs. We’re small enough to be flexible yet big enough to compete both locally and internationally."

- Bob Rosen, Account Representative

Our customers know that the parts they ordered will be there before they need them because of our 99.9% order accuracy.

Solving Problems

Our customers rely on us for more than just delivering the right products on time.

Knowledge of the parts, applications, and understanding of compliance standards allow us to help our customers find the most functional, widely available, and cost-efficient fastening solutions.

"One of my favorite customer moments is walking an engineer out to our VMI bins and showing them that they already had a solution, and didn’t need to create/add another unique part when a standard one would work instead."

- Allen Chapman, Account Representative

Over the years, our team has helped multiple companies find the best solutions - even when it means not selling a new part!

Celebrating Our Diamond Anniversary

Thank you for 60 great years. We look forward to serving our customers for decades to come!