Press Fit Fasteners are among the smallest but most essential piecesin all industrial manufacturing. Nearly every mechanically engineered product—including power tools, vehicles, sporting goods, and even military equipment—relies on the strength and quality of their pins, studs, and dowels to function safely and properly. Sycamore, Illinois- based Driv-Lok has, since 1940, grown from a small operation with only one employee and one machine into a respected leader in the Press Fit Fastener business. Today, they manufacture over 12,000 standard fasteners and have also made a name for themselves designing customized fasteners (over 1,700) for the needs of individual clients.

Gary Seegers, Driv-Lok’s president and CEO, and a Sycamore native himself—has been with the company since 1992, when he started as Director of Finance. He has been in the fastener industry for nearly all
of his professional life, but had actually been unaware that a fastener company existed in his own hometown until a search firm in Boston passed the job listing along to him in Rockford. Gary came to Driv-Lok
from a “screws and bolts” manufacturer but quickly understood how to adjust to press fasteners, noting that he already had significant experience working with the combination of standard and custom parts found at Driv-Lok. After a notable degree of success improving Driv-Lok’s efficiency standards, he was also given the position of Director of Operations, and was ultimately tapped to take over the top job in 2000.

More importantly, Seegers noted, he “shared the same value system”
as his new company. Driv-Lok strives to maintain a corporate culture that rewards its employees for their drive and dedication. They value teamwork, creativity, and a commitment to finding ways to improve both individuals and the company as a whole, and they also attempt to keep the workplace safe, friendly, and fun. This atmosphere fosters integrity, trust in each other, and pride in the products that Driv-Lok makes. Driv-Lok provides jobs for
90 employees, and Seegers states that one of his proudest accomplish- ments has been maintaining a high quality of pay and benefits programs for Driv-Lok employees. Having been with the company himself for nearly 20 years, he states plainly, “It just never occurred to me to be anywhere else.”

Earlier this year, Driv-Lok determined that they would need an accurate audit of their operations, and they turned to KRD. “KRD was referred
to us,” said Seegers. “We were looking for a firm that would be a good fit, that would be honest and engaged with us. [KRD] has done a fine job!” Seegers had especially unreserved praise for KRD Partner Chris Cameron, who conducted Driv-Lok’s review. “Our working relationship with Chris has been excellent!” said Seegers. “We needed a quick review, and he did a great job.”

On the horizon, Seegers intends to tackle the challenge of educating consumers on the work done by Driv-Lok. “People can be ignorant of our processes, but we provide critical solutions for many parts of our country,” he explains. “Things that help people move; things that protect people’s lives. Our customers require reliability.” He hopes to start moving Driv-Lok to interact more with innovators in the manufacturing industry—Driv-Lok, he believes, has “unlimited potential” to help such companies.

KRD is excited to work with industry leaders like Gary Seegers and Driv-Lok, and we look forward to establishing an even more fruitful relationship with them in the months ahead to help them achieve their goals. To find out more about Driv-Lok, visit their website at www.driv-lok.com.