About

Our CEO, Jim Ruetz has spent 40 years in a leadership role in distribution. He has firsthand experience taking a business to the second generation, working with private equity investors, acquiring add-on businesses, selling the business, and developing strategic direction for a family business. Jim has made more than 30 sourcing trips to China, Taiwan, and many other SE Asian countries, as well as numerous sourcing trips to Europe.

Jim’s Background Includes:

• Bridging the gap between Private Equity and Family Business continuation strategies
• Thirty-five plus years running family businesses as both an owner and manager
• Bought and sold multiple businesses through strategic and private equity partners
• Developed Asian, European, and North American sources for OEM fasteners, tools, and industrial MRO products
• Thirty manufacturing sourcing trips to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, and European manufacturing partners

Education & Service Experience:

• MBA – University of Chicago: 1989
• PhD - Oklahoma State University – Business with an emphasis in Executive research and entrepreneurialism: 2023
• PhD - Dissertation “Effects of Familiness and leadership constructs on business continuation or exit: Private Equities view of Familiness and leadership constructs in their buy decisions”
• Bachelor in Economic Geography – University of Wisconsin - Parkside
• Chairman of the National Fastener Distributors Association: 2000 - 2001
• City of Oak Creek Alderman: 2012 – 2015, 2023- present