2000 FIN – Thanksgiving in Palm Springs
FEATURE
April 27, 2000 FIN – In 1972 Robbie Gilchrist graduated from high school and took a summer job with Automotive Fasteners in Greensboro, NC. He intended to go to college, but the summer job lasted 13 years until he went out on his own to start a fastener distributorship.
In 1985 Gilchrist refinanced his house, borrowed from friends and took out a SBA loan to start Capital Fasteners Inc.
Such suppliers as importer Eric Cohn lent inventory.
His wife, Gina Gilchrist, worked outside the industry to provide a household income while Robbie built the distributorship.
Last year Gilchrist sold the thriving High Point, NC-based distributorship with branches in Chesapeake, VA, and Jacksonville, FL, to Questron Technology Inc. for $10.6 million. Gilchrist is now a Questron regional vice president.
Gilchrist never did receive a college degree, but he and his wife, Gina Gilchrist, decided to help future students and other causes by forming the Gilchrist Foundation. A part of that foundation is the Robbie & Gina Gilchrist Trust Fund to provide scholarships for people already in the fastener industry and for students who intend to go into the fastener business. A $100,000 portion of their gift becomes a perpetual fund for scholarships to be administered through the National Fastener Distributors Association.
“We genuinely wanted to give back and give from the heart,” Gilchrist told FIN.
At the NFDA meeting in Palm Springs, members responded to the announcement with a standing ovation for the Gilchrists.
“We have enjoyed tremendous success and opportunity in the fastener industry,” Gilchrist explained to the NFDA. “It was only fitting for us to come up with some idea to give back.”
With their gift, the Gilchrists did more than give thanks. They set an example for others who benefit from the industry. ©2000/2010 Fastener Industry News
For more stories on the fastener industry since FIN was founded in 1979, click on Fastener History section of GlobalFastenerNews.com
For information on permission to reuse or reprint this article please e-mail: FIN@GlobalFastenerNews.com
April 27, 2000 FIN – In 1972 Robbie Gilchrist graduated from high school and took a summer job with Automotive Fasteners in Greensboro, NC. He intended to go to college, but the summer job lasted 13 years until he went out on his own to start a fastener distributorship.
In 1985 Gilchrist refinanced his house, borrowed from friends and took out a SBA loan to start Capital Fasteners Inc.
Such suppliers as importer Eric Cohn lent inventory.
Gilchrist’s wife, Gina, worked outside the industry to provide a household income while Robbie built the distributorship.
Last year Gilchrist sold the thriving High Point, NC-based distributorship with branches in Chesapeake, VA, and Jacksonville, FL, to Questron Technology Inc. for $10.6 million.
Gilchrist is now a Questron regional vice president.
Gilchrist never did receive a college degree, but he and his wife decided to help future students and other causes by forming the Gilchrist Foundation. A part of that foundation is the Robbie & Gina Gilchrist Trust Fund to provide scholarships for people already in the fastener industry and for students who intend to go into the fastener business. A $100,000 portion of their gift becomes a perpetual fund for scholarships to be administered through the National Fastener Distributors Association.
“We genuinely wanted to give back and give from the heart,” Gilchrist told FIN.
At the NFDA meeting in Palm Springs, members responded to the announcement with a standing ovation for the Gilchrists.
“We have enjoyed tremendous success and opportunity in the fastener industry,” Gilchrist explained to the NFDA. “It was only fitting for us to come up with some idea to give back.”
With their gift, the Gilchrists did more than give thanks. They set an example for others who benefit from the industry. ©2000/2011 Fastener Industry News
For more stories on the fastener industry since FIN was founded in 1979, click on Fastener History section of GlobalFastenerNews.com.
For information on permission to reuse or reprint this article please e-mail: FIN@GlobalFastenerNews.com.
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