FASTENER SPECIALTIES
MANUFACTURING
7110 Georgia Avenue
West Palm Beach, Florida,
33405-4556 U.S.A.
Phone: 561-582-7022 ● Fax:
561-582-7030
The History of Fastener Specialties Mfg
In the mid-1970's, Rick Sr. and Janie Perkaus started a side business in Chicago to
supplement their incomes. Working during the evenings and weekends, Rick would run the
(emphasis on the singular) turret lathe to make small quantity special bolts. Janie would
then deliver the finished product directly to the buyer, who would often then submit new
inquiries and orders. After some years of strong growth, the number and value of the
orders were sufficient enough to allow it to become a full-time passion. With over a dozen
employees and almost as many manufacturing machines, they thrived in Chicago. Distributors
of fasteners from all over the country knew to call us for their needs.
In 1980, with health problems giving us the perfect excuse to move to Florida, the
family and business were moved to West Palm Beach. Although the economy of the early
1980's was unkind, we managed to build the business steadily. Not only did we have the
ability to manufacture the unusual products that we sold, but we also had set aside plenty
of space for the growing inventory of finished product. This inventory was purchased in
larger volumes to help us compete in the semi-standards market, where we would not have
been competitive otherwise.
Donna and Ricky (Rick Jr.) joined the team full time in the 1980's. With their school
years behind them, they became a part of the day-to-day activities. The year 1990 brought
new ownership to Fastener Specialties Manufacturing. Rick Jr. and Donna purchased the
business. As planned however, Rick Sr. and Janie still arrived at work every day, which
maintained the company's preferred "family-business" style. The younger
generation may have taken the reigns, but we all knew who created the business style that
we chose to follow.
With the exceptions of steady sales growth, some personnel changes, and some new
equipment, the company remains largely unchanged to this date. Janie Perkaus passed away
in 1999, Rick in 2006, but we have defiantly moved on. We have been in business at this location since
1983. 5 out of our current 17 employees have been employees of Fastener Specialties for at
least ten years each. With any luck, we plan to continue to supply special screws and
bolts for a very long time.
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