ANABCO Grows With Focus on Nuts and Bolts
Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
With a new branch opening in Macon, new status as a Bosch Systems Specialist and recent designation as a General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule contractor, business is booming at ANABCO Fasteners, Inc. The company stocks more than 15,000 types of fasteners, anchors, threaded rod, strut, drill bits, taps, dies, bolts and tools.
"We're seeing lots of projects at Fort Benning and Fort Stewart and around the Macon area," said Bill Martin, owner of ANABCO.
Formerly the Albany Nut and Bolt Company, Inc., the company was established 38 years ago with just a small inventory of nuts and bolts. Their inventory grew over time, according to Martin and now ANABCO has developed a reputation "as being the source for fasteners in south Georgia. We have a lot of walk-in business that comes from Home Depot and Lowe's."
"We're blessed to have good people working here who are anxious to serve our customers, whether they are buying one screw or a million. And when customers come in, we have what they need in stock. We don't have to order it."
ANABCO has 19 employees working in three locations – Albany, Columbus and Macon. Each location has extensive warehouse space in order to stock items customers need. The Albany location has 15,000 sq. ft., Columbus 9,000 sq. ft. and Macon 5,000 sq. ft.
Expanding
ANABCO continues to grow its inventory and product lines to better meet customer needs. The company calls on major industries in the region to identify parts to inventory.
"We learn what our larger customers need and we create customer sections in our warehouse. It lets our customers reduce their inventory costs," Martin said.
As a Bosch System Specialist, ANABCO offers the full line of Bosch tools, which includes concrete, pneumatic, woodworking and cordless tools. The tools are available at all three ANABCO locations.
"With three locations, we have enough volume that we can offer pricing that's competitive with retailers like Home Depot. Plus we offer after-sales service: we will replace the tool on the spot if it's under warranty or send it in for repair if it's not at no cost to the customer," Martin said.
Bosch Power Tools grew its North American business by 5 percent in 2011, according to the Bosch Group, which is headquartered in Germany. According to Martin, Bosch is "the largest power tool manufacturer in the world."
Geographic expansion is another avenue for growth for ANABCO. The company started in Albany and opened a Columbus branch in 2010. The Macon branch recently opened and is doing well, according to Martin. "Next on the list is either Valdosta or Savannah."
Earning GSA Schedule Contractor Status
Earlier this year, ANABCO achieved designation as a GSA Schedule contractor. The GSA establishes long-term government wide contracts that provide access to millions of commercial products and services at volume discount pricing. ANABCO worked for three years to get included on the GSA Schedule.
"Now more than 400,000 government purchasers nationwide can buy fasteners and tools from us. We have a separate website and product line just for the GSA," Martin said.
ANABCO has two full-time employees dedicated to government business. Martin believes it could eventually grow to the volume of a separate branch.
More information on ANABCO is available online at www.anabco.com or call 800-622-2016.
