The Dan Judge Founder’s Award was presented to Heather Berry, President of Gogel Fastener and Industrial Supply Co., at the 2024 Annual Meeting in San Antonio. The Dan Judge Founder’s Award is given to a distributor or supplier who exemplifies the group’s core purpose, advocates for NetPlus Alliance, and is passionate about industrial distribution.
NetPlus Alliance recognized Berry for her hard work and dedicated commitment to NetPlus since 2007. Gogel Fastener and Industrial Supply Co. is an Ohio-based distributor offering fasteners, electrical, and MRO supplies. Early in her membership, Berry was instrumental in developing NetPlus initiatives, sitting on the Advisory Council for many years.
“Heather Berry has a positive attitude that drives everything she does in her personal and professional life. Her commitment is reflected in how she leads her team, and how her company makes it so easy to do business with our members,” said Jennifer Murphy, NetPlus President & CEO. We recently sat down with Berry.
NETPLUS: You recently received the Dan Judge Founder’s Award at the Annual Meeting. That’s quite an accomplishment. What do you think led to your success?
BERRY: It’s a huge honor for an industry veteran like Dan Judge to think I am worthy of the award and be recognized for the hard work. As a group, NetPlus makes it so easy to want to advocate for them. They work so hard on the backend and their efforts help us run our business more efficiently and profitably. I’ve spent the last 18 years of my career actively working on growing myself, my company, my knowledge, and experience in this industrial space.
My personal successes come from the support of family and friends, and actively listening and learning from those around me. I strive to use the tools I’ve been given, whether it’s listening to industry veterans’ experiences or attending hands-on trainings and seminars. As a mom, wife, sister, coach, boss, and friend — it’s easy to forget the impact we have on the people, relationships and businesses around us. Knowing that the time and effort we put into NetPlus is seen and appreciated — especially from the caliber of individuals NetPlus has on their team — is an amazing feeling. I’m truly honored, humbled, and grateful for this award.
NETPLUS: You and Jennifer Murphy share a similar story about joining the family business, learning the business, and ultimately taking over.
BERRY: We do mirror each other in those aspects. We both came into the business at about the same time. My father had an extensive background in the manufacturing side of the industrial space, primarily in abrasives and cutting tools. He purchased the business back in 2006. At the time, I was at school in Tennessee when he said, “Hey, we got a project, we’re going to do this.”
At that point, I left Tennessee and moved up to Toledo, Ohio, and we hit the ground running, both of us finding our footing in the industrial market. This is where NetPlus became a huge benefit to us. We’ve always been really big on relationships, raised on the handshake, and your words are your foundation. My dad and Jenn’s dad, Dan Judge, go back many decades. It was a natural fit. In 2015, my brother and I started running the business together, and we purchased it from him in 2017. Fast forward to today, and here we are.
NETPLUS: What’s important to you and your business as you work toward your goals?
BERRY: Our goals are to continue growing our second-generation business and keep our foothold strong in Toledo. My brother and I both have young families. We want to build something substantial to pass on to them, continuing generational growth in the family business. Having solid partnerships like the ones we find in NetPlus engage that thought process within us.
Our business is very focused on the customer experience. We’ll be just as likely to chat with our customers about their families as we are about the product. We have a very active sales counter and an active delivery team. We make things happen the same day because we understand the importance of a quick delivery. If our customer is down, and we can’t get them the product, they aren’t making money. As far as our team goes, there is no differentiation between someone in the back of the business or in the front. Every single one of us started in the warehouse. There isn’t one of us that hasn’t taken out the trash or swept the warehouse. We all work together, wear many hats, and are there to back each other up.
NETPLUS: How has NetPlus strengthened your business?
BERRY: The industrial space was, and sometimes still is, very much a man’s world. Coming in at a young age was an absolute eye-opener and a bit intimidating. Connecting with Jennifer and building that friendship helped me create a strong foundation in the industry. Having a friendly face to talk with about my experiences helped significantly. Early on, you get underestimated. Having friends, mentors, and women like Jennifer as a sounding board helped me gain footing and confidence.
As a smaller distributor, it can be difficult to create relationships with larger suppliers. They often look for the big spends, the big dollars. Having a group like NetPlus in our corner provides the aggregate spend of the group. Instead of being just one business, we become 10 or 15 distributors and channel our buying power. This opens more doors for us on the supplier side. NetPlus negotiates great deals with their supplier programs, whether it be better pricing structures, freight policies, and marketing. Those efforts help keep our costs down. Plus, the NetPlus Portal removes the guesswork. Not only does it organize your contacts and supplier participation, but it also shows suppliers what distributors are dedicated to group growth.
NETPLUS: This year’s theme for the Annual Meeting was “Catalyst for Growth.” What does that mean to you as a member?
BERRY: To be a catalyst for growth, you have to be all in. As a distributor, you must want to convert your business to the group. You must want to drive your spend dollars into the group and make it a primary focus. Being all in is easy because everybody in the group wants to be all in. All the suppliers in the group want your business, and they want the group to grow. Our goal each year is to be a Diamond member, be the most engaged, and get the most out of all the programs that are offered. At the start of every year, my brother and I sit down and plan our trainings, our Growth Plus programs, and who we want to grow with. It’s the perfect time of year because we are fresh off reconciliation, we know where growth is possible, and we have 12 full months to make it happen. Membership sets you on the right path, and with every extra step, every extra role, you’re growing your business, your partnerships, and your relationships. If you use the marketing tools, Growth Plus, and the platform as a whole, you’re all in without even trying. Growth happens. Before you know it, there is a snowball effect with your suppliers and distributor partners. This is the catalyst for growth.