Wright Tool and Gogel Fastener have been channel partners for over 20 years but recently experienced exponential growth when they partnered on an apprenticeship tool kit program funded by a government grant. In 2024, they saw a 500% increase in year-over-year sales in those product categories together and look forward to collaborating on future projects.
Gogel Fastener & Industrial Supply Co., based in Toledo, Ohio, is a family-owned industrial wholesale distributor. Founded in 1937, the company began as a label manufacturer, later expanding into fasteners, springs, and MRO supplies. Gogel serves customers in construction, industrial, and manufacturing markets.
Founded in 1927, Wright Tool is internationally known for innovating, engineering, and forging American-made hand
tools, including wrenches, ratchets, sockets, and attachments. Headquartered in Barberton, Ohio, Wright Tool is a privately held manufacturer serving governments, heavy construction, industrial MRO, military, mining, oil fields, power generation, steel mills, and more.
“We were raised south of Cleveland, close to Wright Tool’s headquarters,” said Heather Berry, president of Gogel Fastener.
“Our father worked in the industrial manufacturing sector his entire life. We were always aware of who Wright Tool was; we grew up right down the road. They have amazing, domestically forged products. Working with American-made manufacturers is a big part of our business model. Doing business with them was a natural fit.”
THE PLAN
Berry reached out to Peter Molitoris, regional sales manager at Wright Tool, when they were considering a bid for a government contract that would provide apprentices with a tool kit upon graduation. The kits included sockets, ratchets, pliers, and adjustable wrenches.
“We’ve always had a great partnership and consistent business,” said Molitoris. “When Heather reached out about the apprentice tool kit program, it was a fantastic opportunity to reach young tradespeople early. It’s a prime example of the way business should be.”
One of the stipulations within the potential contract for the National Elevator Industry Education Program (NEIEP) was that
as many tools as possible must be domestically manufactured. Another was that the tools must be manufactured to the highest standards and specifications.
The partners focused on:
- Kitting
- Special educational pricing
- Special delivery terms
RESULTS
Wright manufactured over 350 tool kits that included more than 4,000 pieces.
- Set 711: 11pc combination wrench set
- Set 335: 14pc 3/8dr socket set
- Set 418: 12pc 1/2dr socket set
“It worked out beautifully,” said Berry. “Our customer was so happy with the quality of the tools and the way they were packaged and delivered that they are planning to renew the program next year.”
Not only did this contract provide quality tools to apprentices, but it also opened the door for new revenue streams. “Seeing all those kits go out with our name on it to apprentices joining our local unions was great. We have an opportunity to supply additional kitting for the educational centers and can reach new professionals joining the trades,” Berry added.
Molitoris credited Wright Tool’s nimble approach. “We’re not deeply layered in VPs and executives. We can make decisions
quickly and craft tool sets to meet the students’ precise needs. It’s been a great opportunity, and the credit goes to Gogel for bringing us that opportunity. It worked perfectly on both ends.”
Berry said they were so impressed with the experience that they would never turn down an opportunity to sell their product.
Steven Terrell, vice president at Gogel, agreed. “We share similar values, which makes it extremely easy to do business with them. They understand us, and we understand them.”
WHAT WORKED
Timely Delivery
Being easy to do business with is just one reason Berry enjoyed her experience with Wright Tool. Another is their fast turnaround.
Gregg Futey, assistant vice president at Wright Tool, said they strive to deliver 98% of an order within 36 hours or less.
“We have a robust sales presence with regional managers strategically placed throughout the U.S., ensuring close proximity to the markets we serve.”
Kitting the tools for this contract required careful collaboration and communication.
“This wasn’t a manufacturing run of 100 widgets,” said Molitoris. “These were 13-piece and 18-piece sets that must be
manufactured simultaneously. There are a lot of moving parts. Quite literally, there are 17 stations involved in making a single wrench. To get this to the finish line and continue to fill other business required full commitment from all team leaders and performers.”
The bottom line? Molitoris said Wright Tool was going to get it done.
Building Trust
Berry said she appreciates how quickly Wright Tool went to bat for Gogel. “They made things happen. It’s easier when working with someone you already have a great relationship with. They’ve always been fantastic and ready to help. They’re big on relationships, and that’s something we appreciate.”
In the nearly 100 years that Wright Tool has been in business they’ve only had four presidents. Company leaders, like their
team members, are committed to the company’s long-term success, evident in their ability to serve their distributor partners.
Futey said the feeling is mutual. “Heather recently received the Dan Judge Founder’s Award. That’s a recognizable
accomplishment and a direct reflection of how Heather conducts business.”
American-Made Products
“Our end-users appreciate that the products are made in the USA,” said Berry. “We have a lot of unions and automotive
customers in the area, and they all push for domestic products. Many plants require certain standards and quality and won’t allow products outside of domestic lines.”
Futey said quality is a top priority. “We control the process from beginning to end and do everything under one roof. We’re
a made-in-America manufacturer, we use raw U.S. steel, and our U.S. workforce takes the raw material through 17 departments until it’s ready to be shipped as finished goods.”
“I toured their manufacturing facility,” said Terrell. “It was impressive to see how many people are involved in the manufacturing of their tooling; every person has a hand in ensuring quality control.”
Terrell added: “I’ve been in the business for 16 years. You have no idea how labor-intensive it is until you see the product made start-to-finish.”
Quality Tools
Wright Tool knows that every tool they manufacture serves a greater good.
“There are not many ‘Made in the USA’ hand tools left,” Molitoris said. “There’s value in putting them into the hands of a young apprentice. Think about an oil worker on a platform in the middle of the ocean or hundreds of feet in the air, miles from anywhere. They need their tools to perform safely and reliably. That’s the difference in USA-made tools.”
