Winter 2020 Member.Indd
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“News and Views That Are Out Of This World” Winter 2020 Vol. 20 No. 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN RON FOLTZ CORNERSTONE TOOL & FASTENER TALLAHASSEE, FL So Who Is OCM Really? purposes. Over time, the company developed As we head into 2020, I would first like the first Japanese forming tie, similar to a VICE-CHAIRMAN/SECRETARY to take the opportunity to personally thank snap tie today in the U.S. It was really after the entire Sphere 1 Leadership Team and our World War II that the company experienced TODD KLUTTS Sphere 1 Members for a tremendous 2019! explosive growth to support reconstruction in PIONEER FASTENERS & TOOLS OCM experienced very strong broad base Japan. It started to expand and diversify its EULESS, TX growth among existing members, and grew core product line and penetrated new markets dramatically with many new members as around the world, becoming nearly a $1 bil- TREASURER well. Sphere 1 has created a unique platform lion worldwide conglomerate. The company of access, communication, JOE WIBBENMEYER training, support, and account- NU WAY ability (and I could go on) that ST LOUIS, MO enables us to execute our strat- egy, and thus demonstrate our DIRECTORS value proposition directly to the Sphere 1 membership. MARIA POLIDORO ACE TOOL While calendar year 2020 WANTAGH, NY will mark our 3rd full year as a Sphere 1 Preferred Supplier, many of you still may not have RODNEY STEIER heard of OCM or know much DUO-FAST NORTHEAST about what we do, how we do EAST HARTFORD, CT it, and most importantly, how we benefit Sphere 1 Members. I believe part of the reason is that OCM has also went public during that time to support SCOTT BROWN only been in existence in our current form for this growth. In the late 1970’s, it established HAHN SYSTEMS ten years. In a very mature construction in- a small U.S. division in Chicago called Okabe INDIANAPOLIS, IN dustry, ten years is not a lot of time, because it Inc to sell fasteners, wheel nuts, etc, to major takes a while to establish a name, credibility, truck and trailer companies. Okabe Inc then and brand equity. Within Sphere 1, we sup- ED DAINKO leveraged its product development and sourc- ply under the Concrete Forms and Concrete HUB CONSTRUCTION SPECIALITIES ing to launch into the concrete construction Forming Accessories categories, selling a SAN BERNARDINO, CA industry selling coil nuts and related accesso- wide mix of forming and reinforcing products ries to the likes of Dayton Superior, Meadow for all types of concrete construction. But Burke, and Universal Building Products on SUZANNE BRUNNEMER what do we really do, who is OCM really? As a private label basis from overseas. In 2002, MANN TOOL AND SUPPLY the great Paul Harvey used to say, “And now, Okabe Inc split off a sister company called WEST COLUMBIA, SC the rest of the story…” Okabe Construction Materials (OCM Inc) to The OCM Story focus solely on supplying the concrete con- Ironically, OCM’s history goes back over struction industry, and continued on this same JEFF TANNENBAUM path until 2009. TANNER BOLT & NUT 100 years to 1917 when the original founder, BROOKLYN, NY Mr. Okabe, started the company in his The OCM Difference garage in Tokyo, Japan, tinkering with equip- As stated previously, OCM has only ment and products for every day construction Continued on page 30 1 Sphere 1 Member News Rob Moe President and CEO President’s Message On October 11, 2019 ASI– Wow! Can you believe we are now Auxiliary Service Inc. and in 2020? Metabo - HPT hosted a When I think about entering into a new customer appreciation and sales decade, I get a bit sentimental and a bit event at Colonial Entertain- nostalgic. I think about the last decade, ment in Lawrenceville, NJ. The and not only about how far Sphere 1 has event featured three hours of come, but also what path my personal life bowling, dinner, laser tag, and arcade fun for customers and their families. Customers enjoyed has taken. I just want to say to all that are demoing and learning about the new Metabo-HPT Multi Volt line of tools from Metabo HPT's reading this, I am humbly thankful for this Northeast Regional Manager Franklin Saylor and Territory Sales Representative Michael opportunity. Being a part of Sphere 1, Dagney. Several customers also went home with some great Metabo HPT tools which were alongside Colleen, Kathy, Barb, Joe, Kat, raffled off during the event. ASI - Auxiliary Service Inc. thanks Metabo HPT for their contin- Sharon and Mike, is not only a blessing ued partnership and relationship with our Sphere 1 member companies. to me, but also something I am so grateful for. Our team is amazing, and so are all of you. Again, thank you! Atlantic Hardware Supply is proud to announce that ef- The last decade has been something fective October 18, 2019, they special. We started like everyone else, are offically MDOT certified. in the final stages of a recession. We lost Special thanks to Frances Gray, CEO and Lauren revenue, and while we were still solid, the Van Roon, President. times were tough. Looking at things 10 Certification number 19-587 – The Maryland years later – WOW! This organization Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Office of has grown in every aspect – membership Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE) is pleased size, supplier partners, our platforms to notify you that pursuant to the Minority Busi- (GFG & S1U), our team, and our spend. ness Enterprise (MBE) Program, the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, Rebate values are off the charts. This is a the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program and/or the Airport Concessions Disadvan- true testament to all of you, whether you taged Business Enterprise Program (ACDBE). It has been determined that Atlantic Hard- are a new member or someone that has ware Supply meets the eligibility standards and is certified. been here since day one. This success is also the very reason why being a part of a cooperative in today’s climate is Midway Rentals & Sales is proud to announce the promotion important. You never stand alone, as it’s of Dave Caster to Parts Manager. Dave joined Team Midway about everyone. We are so much stronger in August of 2013, starting as a service tech in our small repairs together. shop. There he worked on various power and pneumatic tools, While the numbers for 2019 are still laser and optical levels, and so much more. Through his hard coming in, we are on the cusp of having work, he quickly proved he excelled our best year ever, with the highest in technological skill and customer service. rates of return to members in the history Dave’s first major project in the position of Sphere 1. This doesn’t happen by has been an ambitious one – rebuilding our accident. It takes everyone working parts department and updating our inven- together - Members, Suppliers, Board of tory. Over the past month, the dusty, grey Directors and your Sphere 1 Team. We storage has been replaced by brilliant blue all make a difference. Lista International shelves and tool boxes. In closing, I would like to wish The time-weathered everyone a fantastic 2020. We, as your wooden counter is gone, management team, are here to support and in its place stands you at every turn. I’d also like to leave a striking diamond- you with a quote that pertains to all of plated and blinged-out our Members here at Sphere 1, regardless wrap-around. The drab, of your size: “Small business isn’t for plyboard walls have the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the been given a fresh coat patient and the persistent. It’s for the of paint, and even the overcomer.” run-down office desks Have a great year everyone! have been replaced with state-of-the-art Uplift standing/sitting Rob desks with dry erase whiteboard tops. Since his promotion, Dave has continued to excel, and we are excited about what he will accomplish in the future. 2 Sphere 1 Member News Vendor Spotlight Mann Tool celebrated DIAMOND their 75th business anni- SPONSOR versary during the annual fall show – The Mann Event, Oct. 1-2, 2019.Vendors on hand included many Sphere1 partners; Makita, Milwaukee, Dewalt, JPW, Stabila, and Simpson-Strong Tie. It was one of the largest events in company history, with customers enjoying special promotions and consuming over 800 barbecue sandwiches. Family and friends from all over also stopped by to help celebrate. man. “But it was its strength in adhesive tapes that had me intrigued. According to Stuart Levy, Owner of Levy Paper Company, “The best part about this partnership is how it will Hartman Independent Company, Canons- mutually benefit our customers.” burg, Pennsylvania, a distributor of fastening Andrew Hartman was and packaging solutions, has acquired the elected to the STAFDA assets of Levy Paper Company, Morgan, Board of Directors dur- Pennsylvania. ing the STAFDA 2019 Levy Paper is a leading distributor of indus- Meeting in November. “I trial packaging products with expertise in the attended my first meet- engineering of specialty pressure-sensitive ing this past convention, tapes. The goal of the purchase is for both coming in on Saturday Levy Paper and Hartman customers to be bet- morning to have the 1/2 day board meeting. Vendor Spotlight ter served by expanding inventory of materi- It’s a great opportunity to learn and to build als and products. bonds in the industry that go beyond the nor- PLATINUM “For years, I heard about Levy Paper and mal commonalities of membership.