With all the talk about trade restrictions and tariffs, some pallet companies are looking to diversify supply for their pallet nails. Michigan Fastener has become a success story after being in business for only ten years.
The company’s nail manufacturing plant operates from North Branch, about 75 miles north of Detroit on Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. And it has expanded to be able to serve customers nationwide.
Jon Will, company owner and president of Michigan Fastener, reflected on the journey of building his business. He commented, “With hard work and dedication anything is possible. You just can’t give up. I am a first generation owner starting from my garage with one nail machine in 2014.”
Now, the company has multiple lines running to accommodate its current customers and new customers efficiently with on-time deliveries. Michigan Fastener’s latest addition is a wire rod processing system. Jon explained, “We now process our wire all in house starting from rod drawing each specific size to meet our customer needs.”
Growth Focus – Adding Capacity and Capabilities
Just over the last year or so, Michigan Fastener has added more coil nail machines that produce large coil and small coil from 1 1/2 to 3″ in length with diameters ranging from .085, .099, .113, and .120. The company also manufactures hot dip galvanized nails, which has become a big part of its custom nail business for pallet applications.
Logan Will, vice president of Michigan Fastener, outlined the benefits of the new nail lines. He noted, “Our new nail manufacturing equipment has enabled us to streamline our production process, resulting in faster turnaround times and increased capacity. This, in turn, has allowed us to better serve our customers and stay competitive in the market. By leveraging this technology, we’ve been able to reduce our costs, improve our products, and ultimately drive growth.”
Even while some other companies are reducing their capabilities or stockpiles to serve the U.S. market, Michigan Fastener has continued to follow an aggressive growth strategy. Jon said, “Our bulk nail side has grown to new heights over that last year since we put in our new high speed wash plants we built in house that can out produce any type of powder tumbling with a cleaner no dust Viking nail.”
Maintaining quality is a major focus for Michigan Fastener as it expands and modernizes its plant. Some bulk nails contain nail dust and metal shavings, which can get stuck in the rails and bowls of high-speed nailing machines. Will stated, “Our cleaning process helps ensure that our bulk nails run smoothly in automated nailing machines. Over the last few years, we have also invested in a laser retina inspection system that all nails run through kicking out any nail that doesn’t fit the standard for length or quality consistency. These quality control processes allow us to provide consistent, high-nail quality to customers.”
Logan described his company’s nail quality, “We use only the highest-quality steel, sourced domestically, to ensure our nails have superior strength and durability. Our unique manufacturing process, combined with rigorous quality control measures, enables us to produce nails with precise tolerances and consistent performance. Additionally, our nails are coated with a washed-on finish that enhances their corrosion resistance and helps them hold better in various materials. The result is a nail that drives smoothly, holds securely, and withstands the elements, giving our customers a superior product that gets the job done right.”
Michigan Fastener has built special nail headers to produce bulk nails to run in Viking nailers. The same goes for its rotary thread roll machines. Jon said, “We have special thread roll dies to make a deep clean thread that will keep the nail in place without pulling out.” He admitted, “There was a time we had some issues with our Viking bulk nails and after dialing our system in. But now we have worked everything out and can say that we produce high quality nails that run extremely well in Viking nailers.”
Michigan Fastener offers bulk sizes range from 1 1/4-3 1/2 in length and diameters ranging from.113 to .120. or even .131 diameters.
Jon declared, “We produce the cleanest, best-running nails on the market with very competitive prices.”
The company continues to evolve its product line. Over the last few years, it upgraded the hardness of the steel grade utilized to prevent bend and shiners when driving into hardwood. Jon pointed out, “A lot of the automated pallet machines run some hard or frozen wood and to stop shortfalls our wire grade plays a very important role.”
Strong Family Ties Drive Forward Momentum
Michigan Fastener is very much a family business, with Jon’s four children, wife (Charity) and mom (Julia) all actively involved. Jon’s sons (Logan and Marshall) hold important roles in the production plant. Charity, Julia, and Jon’s daughters (Dallas and Sage) run the office. Jon recalled, “My sons started in the business at age 20. Logan is the plant manager, and Marshall is the cold head plant manager. I am very proud of my sons. They work hard and do a good job. We are building this company to be here for the long haul.”
Logan credits his father with setting the pace at the company. He said, “I’m grateful for the business legacy and philosophy my father has shared with me. From a young age, he instilled in me the importance of hard work, integrity and customer satisfaction. He taught me that a company’s reputation is built on the quality of its products and the relationships it fosters. His philosophy of doing things the right way, even when it’s hard, has been a guiding principle for our company.”
Jon’s daughter (Sage) and mom (Julia) handle all the finances. Jon’s other daughter (Dallas) oversees the production schedules, load schedules, and customer invoicing. Jon explained, “Charity and I run the company as owners. I am usually working on the floor teaching and building the company for generations to come.”
The Will family takes pride in their quality focus and reputation. Logan noted, “By choosing Michigan Fastener, our customers are not only getting high-quality products but also supporting a business that’s deeply rooted in American values and tradition.”
Competitive Advantages
Michigan Fastener first started in the industry by offering bulk nails and has expanded by now providing a wide variety of coil nails as well. This includes both small coil for hand nailing and large coils for automated nailing machines. Coil nails come in 4,500-count box, a 9,000-count box, a 14,000-count box and many others. Michigan Fastener offers the hi-load coil nail in all different sizes with all different points, including a no point, a diamond point, a blunt diamond point, even the clinch point. Available sizes vary from 1-inch to 4-inch with any thread type.
When it comes to responsive delivery, selection and quality, Jon will put his company up against any competitor. He acknowledged, “We have a large footprint in the pallet industry making all type of nails for the trade to help customers meet their quotas.
The company has invested heavily in capacity to produce large coil nails for Raycos and Woodpeckers and other machines using hi-load coils. When it comes to pneumatic nail tools, Michigan Fastener offers Mi-Fast (MAX) and Everwin pneumatic tools for customers. Jon said, “We sell our nail guns for cost along with parts if customers purchase nails from us.”
Jon declared, “We offer high quality nails that result in a smooth nailing process. That means no breaks in coil welds. Welding wire is always in the right position to fit the customers nail guns for any brand. All of our nails are 100% tested and quality approved.”
Keeping customer inventory on hand allows Michigan Fastener to provide speedy turnaround on orders. It has several rod companies for the steel processing plant with regularly keeping between 800,000 to 1 million pounds of steel rod in stock. Jon said, “For customers who regularly buy nails from us, we keep inventory for them, so it’s never a question about having stock.”
Looking to the future, Logan commented, “Our focus on innovation and investments in new technology will enable us to stay ahead of the curve. Most importantly, I’m eager to see the opportunities we will create for our team members, from career advancement to professional development, as we continue to build a talented and dedicated workforce.”
Diversify Nail Suppliers
Supply chain concerns that started during the pandemic led many pallet companies to develop both domestic and international sources for nails. It appears now that President Trump is returning to office and threatening strong tariffs and trade policies, smart companies will continue to diversify supply sources.
Since all of its nails are produced in the United States from American steel, Michigan Fastener’s supply should be exempt from any rough trade challenges ahead. Now is a great time to see how Michigan Fastener can help you develop a new source for domestic supply, especially if you rely on international sources. Jon suggested, “You don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket…Overseas supply is never guaranteed.”
For more information on Michigan Fastener, call the office (810) 728-4005 or Jon’s cell (810) 627-1587, visit www.michiganfastener.com, or see the ad on page 59.