Amid big changes, Huyett has chosen the road less traveled.

In the past year, the Kansas-based fastener master distributor acquired Houston-based Big H Corporation (operating as PacFas and Mobile Fasteners), enabling Huyett to enter the threaded fastener market. The company also purchased Florida-based Palm Labs Adhesives, a manufacturer of user-applied thread locking and high-performance adhesives.

Atop these acquisitions, Huyett continues to invest in its own manufacturing by expanding its Phoenix operations to two shifts, adding capacity and capability, after previously expanding the Minneapolis, KS, location to include turning parts using Swiss lathe machines.

While production and sales growth are central to these acquisitions, the changes have inspired a “culture first” approach to integration to prepare for long-term success over short-term gain.

“We have elected to focus on culture first, instead of our more traditional emphasis on integration of operations and processes,” stated CEO  Timothy O’Keeffe. “We have worked hard to integrate team members in Florida and Texas into our culture.”

Huyett’s culture is driven by ownership’s desire to sustain itself as an “evergreen” company focusing on culture, growth, and internal succession planning.

“The fastener industry is currently being conquered by private equity, a model in which the minute you sell your business, you are for sale in the future,” explained O’Keeffe. “This distorts the use of capital inside the business, and the focus moves from building value to building EBIDTA.

“In the private equity world, employees are not stakeholders but simply social security numbers. You move from care and love to numbers and spreadsheets.”

Conversely, Huyett has doubled down on culture building, professional development, and investment in talent.

Case in point:

In July, long-time sales VP Dan Harriger retired. Dave Audia was a “ready-now” successor and immediately stepped into the role. That same month, Dewey Oxner was promoted to Director of Sales. He now manages key accounts and all of Huyett’s Distribution Support Team on the East Coast and Southeast.

This “next person up” philosophy helps Huyett position itself to gain permanent and exponential traction in both new and existing fastener industry segments.

While this approach has not been easy, Huyett is confident the ends will justify the means.

“If this were easy, everyone would do it,” noted COO Scott Longfellow. “We work hard, and adding value to our customers is among our most cherished achievements.”

Founded in 1906, Minneapolis, KS-based Huyett is a master distributor of non-threaded fasteners. Web: huyett.com