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The National Fastener Distributors Association announced it would drop its international membership recruitment and inclusion program started in 2009.
 
"When the decision was originally made to expand NFDA membership worldwide, the board believed this would be an effective way to unify the international fastener industry toward a common goal," NFDA executive vice president Mark Lenhart explained. "But as sourcing of products worldwide has become more commonplace, it is not necessary for the NFDA to provide international businesses access to our membership."

Lenhart said that the NFDA will continue to help North American fastener distributors and manufacturers "expand their global footprint."  The NFDA led a delegation to Fastener Fair Stuttgart earlier this year and has a trade mission scheduled with the November 8-9, 2011 Fastener Fair Brazil.

The NFDA is one of three charter members of the Global Platform for Fasteners with the Taiwan Fastener Trading Association and the European Fastener Distributors Association. The GFP goals are to "promote an environment where fastener manufacturers and distributors can work together to achieve a strong and reliable worldwide fastener supply chain." Lenhart said the NFDA will seek to assist members in expanding their businesses both domestically and internationally. Web: nfda-fastener.org