Fastener Training Institute

What Fastener Training Institute does

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is a U.S.-based nonprofit (501(c)(6)) organization that delivers specialized training, education, and professional certification for the fastener and manufacturing industries. Established as a standalone entity in 2014 after originating within the Los Angeles Fastener Association and later Pac-West, FTI operates from Glendale, California with a secondary contact office in Spokane Valley, Washington, and maintains a staff of 1-10.

FTI's core product is the Certified Fastener Specialist (CFS) designation, developed in 1998 in partnership with the International Fasteners Institute (IFI) and held by over 1,400 alumni. The CFS program is offered through two pathways: seven full-day training sessions or the accelerated five-day Fastener Training Week, which includes plant tours of fastener manufacturing facilities. Beyond the credential, FTI delivers in-person training classes across major U.S. cities, monthly live webinars co-hosted with IFI, and an Online Learning Library containing 60+ pre-recorded webinars and 40+ on-demand digital training courses. The organization also publishes the FTI Basic Fastener Handbook (24 pages) and the IFI Fastener Technology Handbook (313 pages).

FTI generates revenue across five streams: (1) tiered corporate subscriptions to the Online Learning Library ($2,000-$5,000 annually), (2) one-time publication sales, (3) video rentals ($79.95-$125 per video), (4) training and certification fees for in-person classes and Fastener Training Week, and (5) a multi-tier sponsorship program ranging from $250 item sponsorships to a $25,000 Online Learning Sponsor tier. Würth Industry USA has been a sustaining sponsor since 2019, and FTI markets customized corporate training through its Marketing Director. Attendance draws from more than 10 countries, giving the program a de facto international footprint despite U.S.-centric delivery.

Name

Fastener Training Institute

Legal name

Fastener Training Institute

Website

https://fastenertraining.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fastener Training Institute is a U.S. nonprofit that delivers specialized training, certification (CFS designation), and education to fastener and manufacturing industry professionals through in-person classes, Fastener Training Weeks, online courses, and monthly webinars in partnership with the Industrial Fasteners Institute.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Training and Certification

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Welding Inspection, QA/QC & NDT Prep Training (e.g., CWI) (EDAOADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Machine Safety, Guarding & Industrial Equipment Safety (EDABAEAG)

Keywords

• Fastener training
• Fastener certification
• Industrial training
• Fastener standards
• CFS designation

Headquarters

HQ city

Glendale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Online Learning Subscriptions: Annual corporate subscriptions for access to online training videos library. Three membership tiers with different view limits and pricing. One-week and two-week video rental options available.
2. Publications Sales: Sale of technical publications including FTI Basic Fastener Handbook (24-page guide) and IFI Fastener Technology Handbook (313-page book). Quantity discounts available for bulk purchases.
3. Sponsorship Programs: Various sponsorship tiers ranging from $250 to $25,000 including program sponsors, series sponsors, signature event sponsors, Fastener Training Week sponsors, textbook sponsors, and item-specific sponsors (AV, USB drives, snacks, etc.).
4. Training and Certification Fees: Revenue from in-person classes, Fastener Training Week (five-day intensive), and Certified Fastener Specialist certification program. Classes offered throughout the year in major U.S. cities.
5. Customized Corporate Training: Developed customized corporate trainings for businesses upon request. Contact through Marketing Director.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) provides technical training, professional certification, and continuing education for the fastener and manufacturing industries. Its core offering is the Certified Fastener Specialist (CFS) designation program, supplemented by Fastener Training Week intensives, in-person classes across U.S. cities, monthly live webinars with the Industrial Fasteners Institute, an on-demand Online Learning Library, and customized corporate training programs. FTI also sells technical publications including the FTI Basic Fastener Handbook and the IFI Fastener Technology Handbook.

Product overview

Fastener Training Institute (FTI) offers a comprehensive training and education platform for the fastener industry, centered around its Certified Fastener Specialist (CFS) certification program developed in 1998. The core offering includes multiple training modalities: (1) the CFS Training requiring seven full-day sessions or the five-day Fastener Training Week intensive; (2) In-Person Classes held across U.S. cities with plant tours; (3) Monthly Live Webinars in partnership with the Industrial Fasteners Institute; and (4) an Online Learning Library with 40+ on-demand video courses available through tiered subscription plans (Corporate, Gold, Basic). Supporting the training programs, FTI publishes the FTI Basic Fastener Handbook (24-page guide) and the IFI Fastener Technology Handbook (313-page reference book). The institute also offers Customized Corporate Training for businesses and an FTI Gear Store. This multi-format approach enables professionals to earn the CFS designation through various pathways depending on their schedule and learning preferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Fastener Specialist (CFS) Training Program An advanced technical training and certification program for fastener industry professionals, completable through seven full-day training sessions or a five-day Fastener Training Week intensive, culminating in the CFS designation awarded upon passing a final exam.
• Fastener Training Week A five-day accelerated intensive combining education and fastener manufacturing plant tours, hosted approximately four times per year in different U.S. cities, attracting on average 30 participants per session.
• In-Person Training Classes Live training classes held across major U.S. cities for fastener and manufacturing industry professionals, including hands-on training, learning labs, plant tours, interactive exercises, and networking with industry experts.
• Live Webinars Monthly live webinars hosted in partnership with the Industrial Fasteners Institute covering popular fastener topics, structured as a 60-minute expert presentation followed by a 30-minute Q&A session.
• Online Learning Library An on-demand digital training library of more than 60 pre-recorded webinars and 40+ digital training courses on fastener specifications, quality assurance, testing, manufacturing, and industry standards, accessible on any internet-enabled device with subscription or rental options.
• Customized Corporate Training Tailored fastener training programs developed on request for individual businesses, arranged through the Marketing Director to address specific organizational training needs.
• FTI Basic Fastener Handbook A 24-page illustrated guide covering fastener basics, parts, sizes, and finishes, designed to onboard new employees in the fastener industry. Sold at $19 per copy with quantity discounts.
• IFI Fastener Technology Handbook A comprehensive 313-page reference book on fastener technology and industry history, sold at $75-$100 depending on association membership status and bulk pricing.
• FTI Gear Store FTI-branded merchandise and promotional items sold to students and industry professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,400 professionals have earned the CFS designation
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered historical/origin, core, flagship, major and minor.

• Pac-West (Pacific-West Fastener Association)historical/originStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014FTI originated from training programs developed by the Los Angeles Fastener Association (LAFA). When LAFA merged with WAFD in 2009 to form Pac-West, FTI became part of Pac-West. In 2014, Pac-West established FTI as a standalone nonprofit corporation under 501(c)(6) status.
• Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly live webinars hosted by FTI in partnership with IFI on popular fastener topics. IFI also provides guidance for the Certified Fastener Specialist (CFS) program developed in 1998. Salim Brahimi serves as Director of Engineering Technology for IFI and Laurence Claus serves as Director of Education and Training for IFI.
• Würth Industry USAflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSustaining sponsor since 2019. WIUSA is a $1+ billion division of the Würth Group, the world's largest industrial distributor. Partnership provides ongoing financial support enabling FTI program development and implementation.
• Birmingham FastenermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading manufacturer and distributor of fasteners for structural steel fabrication, metal building manufacturers, transportation, utilities, OEMs, agricultural equipment, construction, and MRO. Sponsors Fastener Training Weeks.
• SemblexmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWebsite Sponsor. Premier supplier of innovative cold-formed product solutions and key supplier to automotive, lawn & garden equipment, power sports, consumer electronics, and other industries.
• STAR (Stainless Steel Fasteners)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerTradeshow Sponsor. Known as a 'screw company' specializing in exotic metals including stainless steel, silicon bronze, and brass. Wholesaler selling to other screw distributors.
• BTM ManufacturingmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee Break Sponsor for Fastener Training Week. Leading manufacturer of fastening products since 1961, growing from 320 square foot shop to 100,000+ square foot facility in Kansas City, Missouri.
• Brighton Best InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.
• Greenslade and CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.
• Metric & MultistandardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.
• SGS MSi Testing & Engineering IncminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.
• BrikksenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.
• Socket SourceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.
• Proferred RivetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.
• USAnchorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.
• NylokminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.
• Goebel Fasteners Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecent Supporting Sponsor of FTI.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ASTM International: ASTM develops technical standards for fasteners and many other industrial materials and runs paid training/certification programs around those standards. Like FTI, it monetizes deep domain specialization in industrial specifications and operates a standards-adjacent training business — making it the closest analog in terms of business model (standards-led professional training) even though its scope is much broader.
• National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA): NFDA is a U.S. fastener industry trade association that provides educational programming, conferences, and member training for fastener distributors — the same primary customer segment as FTI. It is the most directly relevant trade-association peer even though its training portfolio is more distributed across member-led sessions.
• SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers): SME delivers manufacturing-focused technical training, certifications, and conferences for the same plant engineer / quality professional audience FTI serves. While broader in scope (additive, machining, automation), its certification-based monetization, in-person events, and online learning line up structurally with FTI's offerings.
• ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers): ASME develops mechanical codes and standards (including fasteners and bolting) and runs paid professional development, certifications, and short courses for engineers. It is a direct functional peer in the model of monetizing industry standards through credentialing and continuing education.
• American Welding Society (AWS): AWS is a specialized industry association that runs the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential, multi-day training events, and reference publications — structurally identical to FTI's CFS program, Fastener Training Week, and FTI/IFI handbooks. It is the cleanest cross-trade analog (specialized trade-association training and certification) and the most cited comparable for FTI's model.
• SAE International: SAE develops automotive and aerospace standards (including extensive fastener-related specifications) and sells professional training, certifications, and continuing-education courses to industry engineers. It is a direct functional peer: standards-body monetization through paid technical education aimed at the same manufacturing/engineering buyer.
• ASM International: ASM (formerly American Society for Metals) provides materials engineering education, professional certifications, and specialty courses that overlap heavily with fastener metallurgy and mechanical behavior. It serves a similar industrial technical-professional audience and monetizes continuing education for the same metallurgical/materials-adjacent roles that feed FTI's customer base.
• AMPP (Association for Materials Protection and Performance, formerly NACE): AMPP runs world-leading coatings and corrosion certifications, training courses, and standards-aligned programs; fastener corrosion and protective coatings are embedded topics in its curriculum. Like FTI, it monetizes standards-driven professional certification in a narrow but technically deep industrial niche.

Broad incumbents

• BSI Training (BSI Group): BSI Group operates a global training arm that monetizes ISO and industry standards through paid courses, auditor certifications, and e-learning. Like FTI, its core value proposition is teaching working professionals how to apply technical standards, but it does so across thousands of standards and globally — a much broader incumbent in the same standards-based training category.
• TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD is a global testing, inspection, certification, and training conglomerate that runs industrial training academies (including fastener, materials, and manufacturing courses). It is a broad incumbent that overlaps with FTI in industrial QA training but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FastenerSchool
• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=SB71PBB4pMw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FastenerTrainingInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/18665696

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Fastener Training Institute