National Fastener Distributors Association

What National Fastener Distributors Association does

National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1968 and headquartered in Seal Beach, California, serving the North American fastener industry. It operates as a membership-based organization for fastener distributors and manufacturers, with members ranging from small family firms to large multinational corporations. NFDA delivers member services rather than unified software products, with core offerings spanning the Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) — a monthly benchmarking survey delivered with FCH Sourcing Network and analyzed by BB&T Capital Markets — annual financial benchmarking reports (Profit Report, Compensation Report), and a recurring event portfolio that includes the Executive Summit, Annual Meeting & ESPS, International Fastener Expo participation, and quarterly virtual programs on quality, supply chain, and transportation topics.

The organization monetizes through membership dues, a three-tiered partnership program (Silver at $2,950, Gold at $5,800, and Platinum at $8,000 annually), newsletter advertising, and report sales priced at $250 for members and $500 for non-members. Ancillary resources include CBAM regulatory guides co-developed with the European Fastener Distributor Association (EFDA), Section 232 tariff resources, quality standards references (ASTM F16, ASME B18, SAE, ISO TC 2), and a Young Fastener Professionals (YFP) education and mentorship program. Under the leadership of President & CEO Brent Ward, NFDA runs a lean staff (1-10 employees) and distributes its services through its website, the NFDA Today newsletter, and active social media channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube).

Name

National Fastener Distributors Association

Legal name

National Fastener Distributors Association

Website

https://nfda-fastener.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NFDA is a non-profit trade association serving North American fastener distributors and manufacturers, founded in 1968, delivering benchmarking reports, a monthly Fastener Distributor Index, annual events, and regulatory resources through a lean Seal Beach, CA staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seal Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NFDA is a non-profit trade association that serves the North American fastener industry. It provides membership-based services including industry benchmarking reports (Fastener Distributor Index, Compensation Report, Profit Report), educational programs and training, networking events (Executive Summit, Annual Meeting, virtual programs), regulatory compliance resources (CBAM, Section 232 tariffs), quality standards references, and a tiered partnership/sponsorship program for fastener distributors and manufacturers.

Product overview

NFDA is a non-profit trade association serving the North American fastener industry, offering a portfolio of member services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) monthly benchmarking survey, annual Compensation and Profit Reports for industry benchmarking, recurring events (Executive Summit, Annual Meeting, virtual programs), the Young Fastener Professionals (YFP) professional development program, and the NFDA Today newsletter with advertising. Supplementary resources include CBAM and Section 232 tariff guidance, quality standards references, and a tiered partnership/sponsorship program. All services are oriented toward distributor and manufacturer members ranging from small family firms to multinational corporations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) A monthly benchmarking survey that tracks fastener distributor trends in demand, pricing, inventories, and outlook. Conducted in collaboration with FCH Sourcing Network and analyzed by BB&T Capital Markets, it is available to NFDA members and fastener industry participants.
• 2026 Cross-Industry Compensation & Benefits Study An annual compensation and benefits benchmarking study covering 502 distribution companies and 7,646 locations. Available to NFDA members at $250 and non-members at $500; participating companies receive the report at no charge.
• 2025 Profit Report An annual financial benchmarking profitability study of NFDA members, based on income statements, balance sheets, and operating data from 11 participating distributors. Members pay $250; non-members pay $500.
• NFDA Events (Executive Summit, Annual Meeting & ESPS, International Fastener Expo, Virtual Programs) A portfolio of in-person and virtual events including the annual NFDA Executive Summit, Annual Meeting & ESPS, International Fastener Expo, and recurring virtual programs covering quality, transportation, and supply chain topics for fastener industry members.
• Young Fastener Professionals (YFP) Program A professional development program for younger fastener industry members offering mentorship, scholarships, training opportunities, a book club, trade show scholarships, a dedicated board of directors, and networking events.
• NFDA Today Newsletter A periodic newsletter for members featuring industry news, member spotlights, and advertising opportunities. Ad placements are available at various tiers based on partnership level (Silver, Gold, Platinum).
• Education and Training Resources Educational programming including Fastener Training Week, Fastener Training Institute (FTI) course discounts, scholarships, and an education archive covering industry-specific topics such as quality management, ASTM/ASME standards, and professional development.
• CBAM Compliance Resources Resources on the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, including a guide, template, and tutorial created in collaboration with the European Fastener Distributor Association (EFDA) for non-EU fastener suppliers.
• Section 232 Tariffs Resources Information and FAQs on U.S. Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, including guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and details on customs valuation under the Trade Agreements Act.
• Quality Standards Reference Resources Reference materials on fastener quality standards including ASTM International Committee F16, ASME Committee B18 and B1, SAE International Fasteners Committee, ISO TC 2, and IFI standards documentation.
• NFDA Partnership Program (Silver, Gold, Platinum Tiers) A three-tiered sponsorship/partnership program offering event sponsorships, newsletter advertising, website visibility, member discounts, and training week donations. Silver at $2,950/year, Gold at $5,800/year, Platinum at $8,000/year (excluding membership dues).

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LindFast Solutions GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNFDA Platinum Partner for 2026. Provides sponsorship for NFDA events including the Annual Meeting, Executive Summit, and virtual programs. Receives prominent marketing exposure and event benefits.
• Brighton-Best InternationalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNFDA Platinum Partner for 2026. Major sponsor of NFDA events including Annual Meeting, Executive Summit, and virtual programs. Receives premium marketing placement and event registrations.
• Gexpro ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNFDA Silver Partner for 2026. Sponsors NFDA virtual programs and events. Receives Silver-level marketing benefits and event participation.
• J.Lanfranco Fastener Systems IncminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNFDA Silver Partner for 2026. Provides sponsorship for NFDA virtual programs and events.
• Rotor Clip CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNFDA Silver Partner for 2026. Sponsors NFDA virtual programs and events with Silver-level benefits.
• Würth Industry North AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNFDA Silver Partner for 2026. Sponsors NFDA virtual programs and events with Silver-level benefits.
• Sems and SpecialsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual Virtual Program Sponsor for NFDA. Provides ongoing sponsorship for the virtual program webinar series.
• FCH Sourcing NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for the Fastener Distributor Index (FDI). Provides the platform and survey administration for monthly industry trend tracking. Aggregate data is analyzed by BB&T Capital Markets.
• European Fastener Distributor Association (EFDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated CBAM guide, template, and tutorial for non-EU suppliers of fasteners. NFDA provides these resources to members for compliance with EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
• BB&T Capital MarketsminorOthersAnalyzes aggregate data from the Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) monthly survey conducted in collaboration with NFDA and FCH Sourcing Network.
• Fastener Training InstitutecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPresents NFDA virtual webinars including the quality concern webinar. Provides professional education and training for fastener industry professionals.
• Scanwell LogisticsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPresenter for the 2026 NFDA Transportation and Supply Chain Outlook virtual program, providing expert insights on logistics topics.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Industrial Distribution Association (formerly Industrial Supply Association): Trade association serving industrial distributors including MRO, fluid power, and power transmission. Directly comparable to NFDA as a North American distributor trade body offering benchmarking, networking, and education.
• Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA): Trade association for power transmission/motion control distributors and manufacturers. Closely comparable business model to NFDA with industry-specific benchmarking, education, and an annual member directory.
• STAFDA (Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association): Trade association for distributors and manufacturers of specialty tools and fasteners. Most direct peer to NFDA in product category, with overlapping distributor members and similar networking/education offerings.
• HARDI (Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International): Trade association for HVACR distributors. Operates a similar member services model with annual benchmarks, advocacy, and economic indices, making it a structural peer to NFDA.
• National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED): Trade association for electrical distributors in North America. Comparable in scale and structure to NFDA: membership dues, benchmarking reports, regional councils, and an annual conference.
• American Hardware Trade Association (AHTA): Trade association for hardware retailers and wholesalers. Similar member-based model with benchmarking, education, and a trade show footprint, though servicing a different end channel.
• National Fluid Power Association (NFPA): Trade association for fluid power manufacturers and distributors. Comparable association model with industry data programs, networking events, and education.

Regional players

• European Fastener Distributor Association (EFDA): European counterpart trade association for fastener distributors. Has an active partnership with NFDA on CBAM compliance resources, operating in the same niche but outside North America.

Others

• FCH Sourcing Network: Industry partner that co-administers NFDA's Fastener Distributor Index. Comparable as a fastener-industry data and sourcing platform, relevant as an ecosystem partner serving similar distributors.

Broad incumbents

• Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM): Large North American trade association for equipment manufacturers. Larger incumbent in the industrial trade association space with a broader portfolio, but comparable operating model with statistical programs, advocacy, and trade shows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NFDAfastener
• Facebookfacebook.com/nfdafastener
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-fastener-distributors-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/fastenersnfda
• Xx.com/nfdafastener

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Fastener Distributors Association