Earnest Machine Completes Acquisition of National Threaded Fasteners
Earnest Machine Products has completed its acquisition of National Threaded Fasteners (NTF), a U.S.-based master distributor of hex flange screws and hex flange nuts. The acquisition was originally announced to customers in February, and all NTF inventory and operations have now been moved from NTF facilities in Perry, OH, to Earnest facilities in Indianapolis and Atlanta.
“We have always grown our business organically,” said Kirk Zehnder, president of Earnest Machine. “This is our first-ever acquisition, and it is a great fit for us. NTF specializes in hex flange products, so this enables us to strengthen our existing product lines and also expand into new products and markets in both the U.S. and the U.K.”
Zehnder said that Earnest Machine previously focused on high-strength, large-diameter fasteners for the heavy truck, agricultural, heavy construction, manufacturing and mining markets. The addition of NTF’s product lines strengthens Earnest’s position in its existing markets and will also enable the company to expand into new markets with the following new products:
- Grade 2 lag bolts
- Grade 5, Case-Hardened, and Grade 8 flange and serrated flange screws and nuts
- ISO 8.8, 10.9, and 12.9 flange and serrated flange screws and nuts
- 18-8 stainless steel flange screws
- JIS flange screws and nuts
“Adding these products enables us to take advantage of the trends toward smaller excavation, agricultural and construction equipment, such as mini excavators and skid steers and medium-duty trucks,” noted Zehnder. “And the addition of 18-8 stainless steel flange screws allows us to serve new markets such as the food processing industries.
“While this enhanced product offering makes Earnest Machine stronger, it also provides our distributor partners with more choices and the opportunity to reduce the number of vendors they need to serve their customers,” added Zehnder. “We understand that consolidating spend to a single vendor may leave some customers feeling like they are on a supply chain island, but we believe that our record of providing the right part in the right quantity at the right time 99.3 percent of the time will provide peace-of-mind to our customers.”
As part of the acquisition, former NTF president and 35-year industry veteran Kathy Marazzi has joined Earnest Machine to help with the transition of accounts and assist with product procurement.