What Pac-West does

Pac-West (Pacific-West Fastener Association) is a private, member-based nonprofit trade association headquartered in Seal Beach, California, serving the fastener distribution, manufacturing, and supply industry across the Pacific West region of the United States. The organization provides networking, education, advocacy, and relationship-building services to 150+ member companies through tiered membership dues ($495-$695 standard tiers; $2,900-$14,000 Premier Partnership), annual conferences (Coastal Connection in Monterey, Spring Conference & Tabletop Show in Anaheim), quarterly dinner meetings with vendor showcases, and after-hours networking events.

The association operates the Fastener Training Institute (FTI) as a wholly-owned division, which delivers the flagship five-day Fastener Training Week program awarding the Certified Fastener Specialist (CFS) credential. FTI extends its training nationally through partnerships with Fastener Fair USA (Nashville 2025, Charlotte 2026) and coordinates with industry organizations including the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI), Mid-West Fastener Association (MWFA), and International Fastener Expo. A sustaining sponsorship from Würth Industry USA (since 2019) anchors FTI's financial sustainability, and a new Fastener Training Week Scholarship program has been launched for 2027-2028 cohorts.

The revenue model combines recurring annual membership dues, one-time event registration fees, event sponsorships (General $250 / Premium $350), vendor showcase table fees ($200), and optional activity fees. The association is governed by a Board of Directors elected from member companies, with annual leadership transitions, and operates with a small staff of 1-10 employees. No external parent company, funding rounds, or M&A activity are associated with the organization.

Name

Pac-West

Legal name

Pacific-West Fastener Association

Website

https://pac-west.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pac-West (Pacific-West Fastener Association) is a nonprofit regional trade association serving 150+ fastener industry companies in the Pacific West through membership dues, networking events, conferences, and its Fastener Training Institute division offering Certified Fastener Specialist certification.

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from three tiers: Distributors and Manufacturer's Representatives pay $495/year; Suppliers and Associates pay $695/year; Premier Partnership ranges from $2,900 to $14,000/year with enhanced benefits including free event registrations, marketing pieces, and event sponsorships.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from conference registrations including the Fall Coastal Connection conference (Full Conference: $875-$1,025 for members; $1,025 for non-members), and dinner meeting registrations ($80-$115 depending on membership status and deadline).
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Event sponsorships at General ($250) and Premium ($350) tiers for dinner meetings. Sponsors receive company recognition on event website, email blasts, social media, signage, and podium recognition.
4. Vendor Showcase Tables: Vendor showcase table fee of $200 per company for dinner meetings. Vendors receive one six-foot table with 2 chairs and opportunity to introduce their company during announcements.
5. Optional Activity Fees: Additional fees for optional conference activities including Monterey Bay Kayak Adventure ($85 per person) and Private Whale Watch Charter ($115 per person).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Pac-West is a member-based trade association that serves fastener industry companies in the Pacific-West United States through tiered annual memberships, networking events, advocacy, and educational programs. Its core offerings include the Pac-West membership program ($495-$14,000/year), the signature Coastal Connection and Spring Tabletop conferences, quarterly dinner meetings with vendor showcases, and the Fastener Training Institute division delivering the Fastener Training Week certification program.

Product overview

Pac-West (Pacific-West Fastener Association) is a membership-based trade association serving the fastener industry in the Western United States. The organization operates primarily through its core membership program and the Fastener Training Institute (FTI) division. FTI delivers the flagship Fastener Training Week program, which provides certification (Certified Fastener Specialist) for industry professionals. Additional offerings include the Thread Connections Blog for industry news and a portfolio of networking events (conferences, dinner meetings, trade shows, and social events) that connect fastener industry professionals. The association also administers scholarship programs for member employees to attend training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pac-West Fastener Association Membership

Named customers14 records

Segments5 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, flagship and minor.

• Fastener Training Institute (FTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFTI is a division of Pac-West that provides beginning and advanced training on fastener products, standards, and specifications. Pac-West members receive 20% discount on FTI training programs including Certified Fastener Specialist courses and Fastener Training Week.
• Würth Industry USAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWürth Industry USA has been a sustaining sponsor of Fastener Training Institute since 2019 (eight years as of 2026). Partnership highlights the importance of fastener education for all industry levels. FTI Managing Director Jo Morris leads training initiatives.
• Industrial Fasteners InstitutecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational organization representing North American mechanical fastener manufacturers since 1931. Pac-West coordinates Fastener Training Week programs with IFI events and shares industry resources.
• Mid-West Fastener Association (MWFA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerMWFA serves fastener industry in the Midwest. Pac-West coordinates Fastener Training Week as part of MWFA's FSTNR Week events, enabling cross-regional participation.
• Fastener Fair USAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFastener Fair USA is a major fastener industry trade show. Pac-West's Fastener Training Institute brings Fastener Training Week to Fastener Fair USA (Charlotte 2026, Nashville 2025) with day-long sessions and training programs.
• International Fastener ExpocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual fastener industry trade show held at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas. Pac-West promotes the show to members and coordinates FTI training sessions during the event (September 15 Las Vegas).
• Metropolitan Fastener Distributors Association (MFDA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMFDA serves and promotes the fastener industry. Recommended link partner providing industry resources to members.
• National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNFDA mission is to be the unparalleled resource for members to excel in global markets. Recommended link partner.
• Young Fastener Professionals (YFP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerYFP is a community of young fastener industry professionals. Pac-West recommends this resource to members for next-generation industry engagement.
• Women in the Fastener Industry (WIFI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWIFI provides opportunities for women in the fastener industry to unite, educate, mentor, and advance careers. Recommended link partner.
• Brighton-Best InternationalflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Partner sponsor of Pac-West events including dinner meetings and conferences. Active participant in vendor showcases with multiple representatives attending events.
• LindFast Solutions GroupflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Partner sponsor and Premier Partner. Active supporter of Pac-West events with multiple team members attending dinner meetings and vendor showcases.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Young Fastener Professionals (YFP): Community of next-generation fastener industry professionals. YFP serves a narrower demographic within the same industry, complementing Pac-West's broader regional membership offering.
• Women in the Fastener Industry (WIFI): Membership community advancing women in the fastener industry through education, mentoring, and career development. WIFI is a complementary peer that operates in the same vertical with a niche membership focus.

Broad incumbents

• National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA): National association serving fastener distributors with a mission to be the 'unparalleled resource' for members. NFDA competes for the same distributor membership dollars as Pac-West and is publicly listed as a recommended partner, indicating strong member overlap.
• Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI): National trade association representing North American mechanical fastener manufacturers since 1931. IFI operates one level above Pac-West in scope (national vs. regional) but serves overlapping members and is a Pac-West GTM partner, making it a direct comparable on industry-association economics.

Others

• International Fastener Expo: Annual fastener industry trade show held at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. Pac-West actively coordinates FTI training sessions during this event, making it a key comparable as a fastener industry event-driven ecosystem player.
• Fastener Fair USA: Major fastener industry trade show organizer. Fastener Fair USA is adjacent (event organizer rather than membership association) but deeply comparable, as Pac-West brings its Fastener Training Week to Fastener Fair USA events in Charlotte (2026) and Nashville (2025).

Direct peers

• Mid-West Fastener Association (MWFA): Regional trade association serving the fastener industry in the U.S. Midwest. MWFA is the closest structural peer to Pac-West: same vertical (fasteners), same model (membership + events + training), and explicitly coordinates Fastener Training Week programs with Pac-West.
• Metropolitan Fastener Distributors Association (MFDA): Regional/metropolitan trade association promoting the fastener industry. MFDA is comparable as another geographically defined trade group with overlapping member base and similar event-and-membership economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/vlesterpacwest
• Facebookfacebook.com/PacWestFastener
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-west-fastener-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/pacwestfastener
• Xx.com/PacWestFastener

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Pac-West