The Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) remains steadfast in driving value, technical leadership, and strategic advocacy for fastener manufacturers across North American supply chains. 

In this Q&A session, Kevin Vollmert, IFI Chairman, addresses key questions facing the industry today, from workforce development and technical standards to government advocacy and organizational growth. 

Workforce & Technical Development 

Q: The fastener industry continues to navigate economic uncertainty, shifting trade policies, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions. From your perspective, what are the most significant challenges facing North American fastener manufacturers today, and how is IFI helping members prepare for what lies ahead? 

Kevin Vollmert: “You start with a number of challenges that are all very important: uncertainty in the economy, trade, governmental positions, and disruptions in the supply chain. Those are all critical issues. But the one that really needs to be highlighted is the challenge we face with labor and our workforce. 

All of our members need skilled labor, especially in manufacturing mechanical fasteners. To help our members address this head-on, the IFI developed our apprenticeship program in partnership with Marshall University to build a sustainable pipeline of talent.” 

Q: Workforce development remains a top concern for manufacturers across North America. How does IFI’s Department of Labor-approved Fastener Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program help member companies address workforce shortages while building a pipeline of skilled talent for the future? 

Kevin Vollmert: “A big reason for the program, and what companies who have gone down this path are seeing, is a massive boost in retention. Finding people is difficult but keeping them is just as challenging. 

When you publicly have a program where apprentices get recognized, and employees see that you’re actively investing in them, they feel valued. It builds company culture in a very positive way. As you train the skilled people you need, like cold headers and rollers, you’re able to retain them long-term. That retention piece is a core reason why this program works.” 

Q: What barriers do members say concern them about starting or expanding apprenticeship programs, and how does IFI’s program help lower those barriers? 

Kevin Vollmert: “Every IFI member agrees that developing a skilled workforce is critical, but the hesitation usually comes down to resources: Do we have the manpower, funds, and time to build and manage a program like that? 

That’s where IFI and our partnership with Marshall take the weight off your shoulders. The curriculum and training modules are already fully developed. The program is available completely free to member companies through Marshall. There is also no administrative burden. Marshall’s staff handles all the paperwork and compliance tasks that usually act as a barrier to adoption. 

Not all apprenticeship programs are created equal. Ours is unique because onboarding is easier than almost anything else out there, and Marshall handles all that paperwork. As manufacturers, most of us don’t know how to start an apprenticeship program.  With this program, you don’t need to be an apprenticeship expert to get it up and running. If a company is still on the sidelines or unsure whether it has the bandwidth, a pre-apprenticeship is a great, no-obligation way to test the waters. You can engage your team in less formal pre-apprenticeship activities or take advantage of our WorkForge online training seats. Marshall also offers a dozen other apprenticeship tracks, like maintenance, CNC, or warehousing, that companies can start with first, and then easily dovetail into the fastener program with the exact same partners later.” 

Q: What measurable benefits do companies participating in the apprenticeship program report: cost savings, reduced downtime, improved quality? 

Kevin Vollmert: “All of these certainly benefits one could expect from a trained apprentice. Qualified talent that has been trained specific to the machines they will be working on will result in more uptime, quicker changeovers, greater operating efficiency, and higher quality.  

Speaking of my own company, we are working with Marshall right now. Seeing the framework come together and hearing firsthand feedback from other members who have implemented it really reinforces how well-received this investment in people is. It gives companies a proven model for long-term workforce stability.” 

Q: One of IFI’s newest initiatives is Standards Camp. What inspired the creation of this program, and why is developing a deeper understanding of fastener standards so important for the next generation of engineers, quality professionals, and technical leaders? 

Kevin Vollmert: “IFI has always placed a heavy focus on technical development, and our technical committee is constantly working on standards. As we look to the future, developing young talent in this technical space was identified as a critical need. 

Through the leadership and guidance of Salim Brahimi, Standards Camp was created to introduce young engineers to fastener standards, show them why these specifications govern our industry, and walk them through the collaborative, consensus-based process used to build them.” 

Q: Many participants have described Standards Camp as an opportunity not only to learn standards but also to build relationships with experienced industry professionals. How do mentorship and knowledge transfer contribute to the future strength and competitiveness of the fastener industry? 

Kevin Vollmert: “The standards development community isn’t always the easiest to jump into, it can feel like walking into the middle of a movie where people have been talking about a topic for two years, and you might not feel comfortable jumping in. Standards Camp solves that problem by making people feel more comfortable right away. 

Getting young engineers involved earlier in their careers helps ensure standards remain a priority for our member companies. We’re losing our industry’s gurus to retirement, and a lot of institutional knowledge goes with them. While they’re still here, Standards Camp gives them a structured opportunity to mentor the next generation, take young engineers under their wing, and show them the ropes.” 

Industry Standards & Government Advocacy 

Q: IFI is planning to release a new edition of its Book of Fastener Standards in early 2027. What makes this publication such an important industry resource, and how will it help engineers, manufacturers, distributors, and end users operate more effectively in an increasingly complex marketplace? 

Kevin Vollmert: “Standards are the backbone of fastener design and joint engineering. IFI’s Book of Fastener Standards is really the ‘Bible’ that manufacturers, designers, and customers rely on when developing the next automobile, airplane, tractor, or piece of electronics. It governs that critical mechanical relationship within the joint. 

We update the book every three years to keep it relevant. While individual standards don’t all change every three years, many critical ones do, so keeping an updated copy on hand satisfies essential internal quality control programs, like ISO compliance. Having the newest edition as part of your quality program not only provides the most up-to-date data; it also checks a vital, documented box when auditors walk through your door.” 

Q: IFI has made government affairs a strategic priority in recent years. Why is it important for fastener manufacturers to stay informed and engaged on public policy issues, and how does IFI’s advocacy and monitoring efforts help members anticipate regulatory, trade, and economic changes before they affect their businesses? 

Kevin Vollmert: “Government policies have a direct impact on the manufacturing environment. It’s critical for companies, and IFI as an association, to understand those policies, analyze their impacts, and advocate directly to decision makers so our industry stays competitive. 

Our focus on government affairs remains a top priority. We give our members direct access to Washington by organizing Congressional fly-ins where fastener executives can meet face-to-face with their elected representatives. Sitting down in person is one of the single best ways to advocate for North American manufacturing. Our next IFI Washington, D.C. Fly-In is scheduled for April 14–15, 2027.” 

Strategic Leadership & Member Experience 

Q: The IFI Board has been operating under an updated strategic plan. What were the major themes that emerged from that process, and how are those priorities shaping the association’s investments in workforce development, technical leadership, government affairs, and member engagement? 

Kevin Vollmert: “Our strategic plan continues to revolve around three ideas: growing membership value, elevating member engagement, and developing a leadership succession plan. 

Those three areas remain necessary for our long-term success. Meeting attendance continues to be very strong across the board, which is a great measure of how engaged our members are and proves that the content we’re delivering provides real business value.” 

Q: What should a prospective member expect if they attend an IFI meeting as a guest, which specific experiences or resources convince organizations to join? 

Kevin Vollmert: “IFI’s mission of advancing fastener manufacturing is evident at the moment you step into an IFI meeting. You get access to high-level leadership development, industry updates, economic forecasts, and policy discussions, alongside incredible networking in world-class settings. 

More than that, we focus heavily on building relationships. Going to a meeting where you don’t know anyone can be intimidating, but our community goes out of its way to welcome newcomers. We host a dedicated reception to kick-off every meeting specifically to introduce new faces to leadership and peers. You won’t stand in a corner trying to introduce yourself, you’re going to leave with a lot more friends and connections than you expected.” 

Getting Involved 

The IFI is actively seeking eligible fastener manufacturers and supplier partners to join our community and strengthen the industry’s collective voice. Now is the time for your company to join the IFI. 

Next Opportunity: For prospective members, our upcoming meeting in Palm Springs is the perfect opportunity to attend, scheduled for February 26-March 3, 2027.  Join us to experience the networking firsthand and see what the IFI is all about. 

Apprenticeships: To get started with the Marshall University Apprenticeship Program, claim WorkForge online training seats for your team, or to attend the next IFI meeting, reach out to Dan Walker, IFI Managing Director, at dwalker@indfast.org or call (216) 241-1482. 

 

 

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