Continental-Aero, Since 1948, is famous for and stocks one of the largest Locknut inventories with its branded Purple Color Nylon Tork LokNuts and All-Metal Locknuts and Finished Hex Nuts. Continental-Aero has a history that parallels the growth of Nylon Insert Lock Nuts since the end of World War II. Aero Stop Nut was part of the original Newark, N.J.-based Fastener City, founded in 1945 by the late Sid Greendorfer (Lenny Robinowitz's late father-in-law.) Robinowitz worked with Greendorfer to build Industrial Nut & Bolt. In 1982 Robinowitz acquired Continental-Fasteners of Niles, Illinois and in 1987 took over Aero Stop Nut combining two premier fastener providers thus making Continental-Aero a major international company.

Continental-Aero has always prided itself on its service, service to its customers and its employees. Most on our Continental-Aero staff form long-time relationships with the company and its customer base. This loyalty from employees to company and company to employees is the foundation of today's Continental-Aero. This continuity helps Continental-Aero maintain its premier position in the market place. In addition Continental-Aero is proud of its long- standing relationship with its worldwide suppliers.

Continental-Aero is proud that its Quality Management System have been assessed and registered as meeting the requirements of ISO 9001:2000. Our Niles facility was certified in April 1998 and our Harrison facility in November 1999.

For the entire exciting history of Continental-Aero, please read on...

The Early Years
The year is 1945, World War II is winding down and a young man, the late Sid Greendorfer, embarks on a symbolic journey with $40.00 borrowed dollars. The symbolic journey is really a commercial one, starting with the founding of Industrial Nut & Bolt. Sid begins his fastener business with the peddling, literally door to door, of war surplus parts. Fueled by great drive, hard work and a vision, he was able to turn his fledging business into the Fastener City conglomerate based in Newark, New Jersey.

Fastener City would last under Greendorfer's ownership for 31 years. During this time it became an industry leader by diversifying into such divisions as Cap Screw and Nut; Handi-Man Fasteners and Aero Stop Nut.

Sid, a dedicated family man, would eventually bring his brother, Bob and his son-in-law Lenny Robinowitz, into the business. Bob would become the Vice President of Cap Screw and Lenny the Vice President of Handi-Man.

Lenny guided Handi-Man into a leadership position of blister-packed fasteners for the burgeoning do-it-yourself market. Handi-Man had a product line three times broader than its competitors and would ultimately sell tens of millions of packages through retail distributors worldwide.

Fastener City was sold to HMW Industries in 1976 and Sid retired to live the good life (which through many twists and turns) led to Marty Schneider joining the fastener business. Marty left a successful career in the children's dress manufacturing field, from soft goods to hard goods.

Chapter Two
Aero Stop Nut & the Birth of Imported Nylon Inserted Locknuts -

In 1948, Sid Greendorfer recognized the need for significantly better Locknuts and searched for a Source. He found one, in Firth Cleveland, a British Fastener manufacturer of All Metal and Nylon Insert Locknuts. To market these products, he began the Aero Stop Nut Division. He hired Jerry Badner as its first salesman, who would stay for twenty-two years, culminating as the Division's Vice-President. Aero would grow to become the largest vendor of Nylon Insert Locknuts in the U.S.

Chapter Three
The Birth of Continental-Fasteners:

Ted Jarman, also realized the potential in selling Nylon Insert Locknuts. In 1966, he started Continental Fasteners and was the first to import this item from Japan. Much of the original tooling in Japan came from Continental. When the industry moved from Japan to Taiwan Continental drawings and specs accompanied the tooling.

Continental recognized the marketing potential of making the product with a traceable, fully recognizable color for the insert color. Eureka.... The ROYAL PURPLE TORK LOK NUT was created. The ROYAL PURPLE TORK LOK NUT is registered with the United States Patent office.

Purple was and still is today the premier and premium trade color for Nylon Insert Locknuts worldwide. In a fastener world of commodity products, Continental-Aero's customers are able to reap the benefits of a fully branded, traceable product.

Throughout the late 1960's and 70's, Continental and Aero were worthy competitors for market share. By the end of the 70's changes were about to occur.

Chapter Four
Leonard Robinowitz to the rescue

Please remember that in 1976 Fastener City was sold by Sid Greendorfer to HMW Industries and he left. Sid's relatives, Bob Greendorfer and Leonard Robinowitz would also eventually leave. In 1982, Continental Fasteners, which had been acquired by a Japanese concern, Kobayashi Metals, was sold to Mr. Robinowitz. In 1987, Aero Stop Nut, which at that time was owned by Schaefer Supply, was also purchased by Leonard Robinowitz, but more on that later on.

One week after purchasing Continental, Lenny hired Marty Schneider, (from Bill Giddins's clothing company) son-in-law of Dr. Leonard Birndorf. Dr. Birndorf and Sid Greendorfer were golfing buddies in Florida. By sheer happenstance, Dr. Birndorf mentioned Marty's name to Sid, and being the person he was, Sid jumped into action and got him in touch with Lenny. The rest is, as they say...is history.

Marty sunk his teeth into the business and today is President and Continental-Aero.

Continental Fasteners began to dramatically grow. Catching a rising market throughout the 1980's and 90's, it captured a significant market share of the Nylon Insert Market. As previously mentioned, its ROYAL PURPLE TORK LOK NUT, enjoys its dominant position in North America. Sold only through distributors, it enjoys major sales throughout the industry, especially among the large fastener distributors in America.

Chapter Five
Leonard to the rescue...again:

As mentioned before, Mr. Robinowitz purchased Aero Stop Nut in 1987 from Jack Schaefer of Schaefer Supply.

Mr. Robinowitz recognized the great potential in marrying two former competitors into one. Continental Fasteners and Aero Stop Nut were joined and Continental-Aero was whole.

The Continental-Aero team was in place and expansion of the company continued with the addition of Stocking Warehouses. Pacific Warehouse in Santa Fe Springs (LA Metro) and Assembly Products Arlington (Dallas Metro) These locations allow Continental-Aero customers to speak with sales people from 7:30 am, East Coast time, - 6:00 PM West Coast Time or thirteen-and-a-half hours per day.

In addition, the geographic dispersion of the warehouses minimizes the shipping time and costs. In fact, many customers pick-up at all four locations.

Chapter Six
Continental-Aero today and tomorrow:-

Continental-Aero prides itself upon having the most extensive Nylon Insert Locknut inventory in the nation. From 0 - 80 to 3" plus, they are available in all patterns and materials. Like the famous burger place...".Special orders don't upset us.."

Heat-treated Grade 8's and Grade-C Top Locknuts are particularly popular as well as the miniatures in Brass, Aluminum and Stainless Steel for the computer and electronic fields.

Metrics in DIN 982 and 985 are growing in popularity and availability. Inventory is always available in the NE, NTE, NU, NTU patterns in Steel, Heat-treated Steel, 18-8 and 316 Stainless, Brass, Aluminum and Monel. Nylon Insert Wing Nuts, Miniature and Standard Clinch nuts, reversible, K-lock and serrated flange nuts are also heavily stocked.

Continental-Aero also stocks a full line of Grade 5 and grade 8 Finished hex Nuts in Alsip and Harrison.

If you want 'em, Continental-Aero got 'em.

Continental-Aero is proud that its Quality Management System have been assessed and registered as meeting the requirements of ISO 9001:2000. Our Solon facility was certified in September 2006 and our Alsip facility in 2007. In 2004 Continental instituted strict policies on procurement to ensure that its sources of supply comply with its exacting quality requirements. The founders of Continental Fasteners and Aero-Stop Nut and the current management of Continental-Aero are dedicated to satisfying its customers and keeping its customers happy.

Chapter Seven
Not the final chapter,

Continental-Aero is still evolving and using the same high standards of business that has allowed it to remain a force in the industry since 1948. Lenny Robinowitz is still with the company in a financial role and Marty has put in place a hard working and talented group that is dedicated to growing the business and providing outstanding service.

Sid Greendorfer taught us that if you deliver quality products at fair competitive prices with great service and follow the ABCs of the fastener business you have a chance to survive. Sid also said "change with the times or the times will pass you by." We are still learning and still changing and we haven't forgotten his formula for success -- stay hungry and be customer oriented. I think he'd approve of what we're doing today with Continental-Aero."