The Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is honored to announce Würth Industry USA (WIUSA) will continue as its sustaining sponsor in 2026. The partnership is now eight years strong. 

“Training for all levels of fastener industry professionals is crucial to maintaining a knowledgeable and safe workforce,” said Jo Morris, FTI’s managing director. “We are incredibly grateful for Würth’s commitment to our mission.”

The Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is pleased to announce its 2026 Fastener Training Weeks are scheduled for February, May and August/September. All sessions will be teamed with fastener events or industry partners.

“We put together an exciting Fastener Training Week schedule for 2026,” said Jo Morris, Managing Director for FTI. “We start earlier in the year and are also combining the weeks with Industrial Fasteners Institute, Fastener Fair USA and Mid-West Fastener Association.”

Mallory Nichols of Advance Components (Carrollton, Texas) was elected to serve as president of the Pacific-West Fastener Association at a recent meeting of the Pac-West Board of Directors. 

Ryan McCaffrey of Pacific Coast Bolt (Santa Fe Springs, California) was elected as the association’s vice president, and Ryan Shannon of Nylok (Anaheim, California) was elected as secretary/treasurer. Carl Spackman of Copper State Bolt & Nut Co. (Phoenix, Arizona) will serve as the immediate past president.

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) will present its final Fastener Training Week of 2025 in Los Angeles, November 17-21.

“We’ll end the year in Los Angeles - excited to teach more fastener professionals what it takes to become a Certified Fastener Specialist,” said Jo Morris, Managing Director for FTI. “The more CFS trained fastener employees there are, the safer and more robust our industry will stay.”

Congratulations to Angela Norman of Empire Bolt & Screw, the 2025 Pac-West Fastener Training Week Scholarship Winner!

Angela has earned a scholarship covering tuition to Fastener Training Week, one of the industry’s most respected training programs.

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) will host Fastener Platings, Coatings and Corrosion, a full-day workshop during International Fastener Expo (IFE). The training is Monday, September 15, at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. 

Carmen Vertullo, FTI instructor, and owner and founder of Carver Labs, will lead the workshop. Attendees who invest in this professional development will gain extensive knowledge about corrosion in fasteners.

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) heads to Chicago, IL to host its next Fastener Training Week from August 25-29 as part of Mid-West Fastener Association’s FSTNR Week.

“We love being in Chicago. It’s a great opportunity for industry professionals to complete Fastener Training Week while having the chance to engage with the MWFA,” said Jo Morris, Managing Director for FTI.

Are you interested in becoming a Certified Fastener Specialist, but unable to take a full week off from work? Fastener Training Institute offers a series of seven classes and plant tours to allow you to spread training out over time. Pac-West members are eligible to receive a 20% discount on single day classes.

Learn more about this program here.

Become a Certified Fastener Specialist™ (CFS) with Fastener Training Institute’s series of one-day classes and plant tours. Students who pursue a CFS with these individual classes have the flexibility to spread training out over time. After completion, students are eligible to test for CFS designation. 

“It’s a great solution for those who are unable to take an entire week off for Fastener Training Week,” said Jo Morris, Managing Director for Fastener Training Institute. “CFS classes can be taken in any order and at any time.”

The Fastener Training Institute (FTI) will present Fastening 101 ahead of Fastener Fair USA in Nashville on Tuesday, May 27. Come for the class and stay for the show – or come to the show and take the class.

“Our Fastening 101 class has really evolved. The content is extensive and offers much more than the basics,” said Jo Morris, Managing Director for FTI. “It’s the perfect way to kick-off the show.”

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) will host its next Fastener Training Week, April 7-11, in Cleveland, OH. Fastener Training Week, sponsored by Birmingham Fastener, is FTI’s flagship training program that earns students Certified Fastener Specialist™ (CFS) designation after completion and passing a final exam. 

“We look forward to welcoming our next class of Fastener Training Week students! Completing the class and becoming a Certified Fastener Specialist™ is a significant accomplishment,” said Jo Morris, Managing Director for FTI. “We are proud to make our industry safer and more reliable through advanced training.”

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is pleased to announce Würth Industry USA (WIUSA) will continue as its sustaining sponsor once again in 2025. 

The union highlights the significance of training. “Since 2019, Würth has been by our side prioritizing the importance of fastener education for all levels in our industry,” said Jo Morris, Managing Director for FTI. “We are humbled by Würth’s ongoing commitment and truly value our partnership.”

We are pleased to announce that R&S Industrial Supplies has acquired Sasco Fasteners of Medford, Oregon, effective 1/1/2025. This acquisition marks an exciting chapter for our company as we expand our capabilities and commitment to serving our valued partners with an even broader range of products and services.

As a trusted vendor, your continued collaboration is integral to our success. The transition will be seamless, and you can expect the same level of excellence and professionalism in our interactions. All operations, including purchasing, billing, and communications, will now be handled under the R&S Industrial Supplies name.

Carl Spackman of Copper State Bolt & Nut Co. (Phoenix, Arizona) was elected to serve as president of the Pacific-West Fastener Association at a recent meeting of the Pac-West Board of Directors. 

Mallory Nichols of Advance Components (Carrollton, Texas) was elected as the association’s vice president, and Ryan McCaffrey of Pacific Coast Bolt (Santa Fe Springs, California) was elected again as secretary/treasurer. Hans Fuller of Fuller Metric (Surrey, British Columbia) will serve as immediate past president.

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) will host its final Fastener Training Week of 2024 in Cleveland, OH, November 18-22. This five-day advanced fastener training program will be held at Industrial Fasteners Institute and is presented by Birmingham Fastener. 

FTI offers three Fastener Training Weeks each year. Graduates are eligible for Certified Fastener Specialist™ (CFS) designation upon class completion and passing a final exam. 

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is excited to announce a new Spanish Webinar Series offering dual access for both English and Spanish speaking attendees. 

“Spanish training has been a goal of ours for years. Removing the language barrier for training is important and it will make the perfect training opportunity for entire teams. It’s critical everyone in our industry has access,” shared FTI’s Marketing Director, Jo Morris. 

Congratulations to the 2024 Hy Schatz Memorial Scholarship Winner, Rory Gallagher, Regional Sales Director for Industrial Threaded Products!

The Hy Schatz Memorial Scholarship covers the tuition to attend Fastener Training Week.

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) will host a Fastener Basics and Beyond Workshop during International Fastener Expo (IFE) on Monday, September 9, in Las Vegas – the first day of the 2024 show. 

Carmen Vertullo, FTI instructor, and owner and founder of Carver Labs, will present the workshop. Attendees will invest in professional development by expanding knowledge well beyond the basics. 

Congratulations to the 2024 Pac-West Fastener Training Week Scholarship Winner, Josh Glaser, National Sales Manager for Empire Bolt & Screw!

The Pac-West Fastener Training Week Scholarship covers the tuition to attend Fastener Training Week.