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A friend to many in the home improvement world and an avid supporter of the industry, Mike Martin passed away in Venice, Florida, on February 17, 2023, after a brief illness. Mike spent his career in the hardware and fastener industry and was one of the independent channel’s biggest advocates.
After starting his career at Stanadyne Manufacturing in Chicago, Mike moved to Allied Fasteners for six years before moving on to Midwest Fastener in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He joined Midwest Fastener in 1988, managing the Decatur facility until he joined the sales team in 1992.
Mike served as senior vice president of sales for Midwest Fastener for 25 years and played a critical role in stabilizing the field sales group and developing strong partnerships with distributors and retailers around the country, says Glen Gevaart, Midwest Fastener vice president of hardware sales. During the last few years, Mike enjoyed semi-retirement but still represented Midwest Fastener at industry events.
“Mike was an icon in our industry and friends with countless customers and industry peers,” says Gevaart. “He was a special man and will be missed by all who knew him.”
As a major supporter of the North American Hardware & Paint Association’s (NHPA) Retail Management Certification Program, Mike will be honored and remembered through an annual scholarship for the program sponsored by Midwest Fastener. Donations in Mike’s memory can be made to the NHPA Retail Management Certification Program scholarship here or by sending a check made payable to the North American Hardware & Paint Association (Memo: Mike Martin RCMP Scholarship) to NHPA, Attn: Scott Wright, 1025 E. 54th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46220.
Read Mike’s full obituary here.
