What does it take to be a success in business? If you ask Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Co., Inc. President John Grabner, he will likely focus on the following three elements: (1) persistence; (2) perseverance; and (3) pit bull (being aggressive is key, he says).
Why should you take Grabner seriously when he offers these remarks? Because the Cleveland based Cardinal Fastener has grown since its founding in 1968 to the largest and most responsive company in the hot forge bolt industry, is becoming an integral part of the renewable energy industry, and received a nod from President Obama himself back in January 2009 when President Obama and members of his transition team visited the plant.
Presenting before the Cleveland Chapter of the Association of Corporate Growth at the monthly breakfast meeting last Thursday, Grabner explained that the company was not always as efficient as it is today. But focusing on the three "Ps" allowed the company to successfully adopt "Lean Thinking," causing the company to now be in a position to provide same-day service on most orders. The company uses raw materials that are mostly made in America, and bolts for wind turbines account for approximately 20% of the company's sales.
If you're a company like Cardinal Fastener, how do you know when you've made it - when you've developed into a truly "great" company? For Grabner and his team, the numbers were telling, but it was likely when they received a call from President Obama's transition team requesting a visit to their plant. After secret service spent days sweeping the premises, President Obama visited and publicly promoted his economic agenda, his focus on renewable energy sources and Cardinal Fastener.
The visit led to worldwide media attention, valued at approximately $22 million for the company. Most importantly, Grabner noted that the occasion was an unforgettable experience for the Cardinal Fastener employees, who now feel like they can change the world and already are doing so one bolt at a time for the wind turbine industry.
Congratulations to Grabner and his team - a true success and leader in Cleveland!
