Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. has been a fixture in the permanent mechanical fastener industry for over 110 years — and according to Co-Vice Presidents Steven Sherman and Taryn Goodman, the company’s longevity comes down to one thing: family.
Founded in 1912 by Willie Goodman, the Norwood, NJ-based company is now in its fourth generation of family leadership. Bill Goodman, Willie’s grandson, serves as President, while his great-grandchildren Steven Sherman and Taryn Goodman serve as Co-Vice Presidents. Together they oversee one of the industry’s largest inventories of blind rivets, rivet nuts, solid rivets, semi-tubular rivets, lock bolts, and automated riveting tools under the RivetKing® brand.
But running a successful fastener business isn’t enough for Steven and Taryn. Both have made it a priority to give back to the industry that shaped them.
“We grew up in this business,” says Taryn. “Our first jobs were here — and now we’re in a position to do whatever we can to make the fastener industry better, stronger, and more inclusive.”
Steven Sherman and the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI)
Steven serves as Chairman of the Technical Committee for the Industrial Fasteners Institute, and also sits on the IFI’s Strategic Planning Committee and Board of Directors. The IFI is an engineering-focused organization that establishes industry standards in coordination with SAE, ASTM, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It also runs a government affairs program that shapes industry-related legislation through member participation.
For Steven, the appeal of the IFI goes beyond networking. As a fourth-generation fastener professional with over 26 years of hands-on experience — from header operator to product engineering, application engineering, and management — he sees the transfer of knowledge as one of his most important responsibilities.
“The IFI brings thought leaders and engineers together to organize, collaborate, and create content for future generations,” he says. “That’s the only way to keep the industry moving forward without reinventing the wheel.”
Steven began his career referencing the IFI’s 6th Edition standards and is now actively contributing to the release of the 12th Edition — a milestone that reflects both how much the industry has evolved and how central the IFI is to that progress.
Taryn Goodman and Women in the Fastener Industry (WIFI)
Taryn joined the Board of Women in the Fastener Industry in 2016, served five years as Treasurer, and today serves as WIFI’s President. WIFI exists to support and advance women in the fastener industry through education, mentorship, and networking — providing opportunities for women at all career levels to build skills and connections.
The cause is personal for Taryn. Historically, women have been underrepresented at fastener industry events and in leadership roles. Her aunt, Joanne Sherman — Steven’s mother and a former company leader — was one of just a handful of women visible at major trade shows during her time.
“I love that we’re able to give women a place where they belong, where they can meet and learn from women outside their own companies,” Taryn says.
WIFI maintains a presence at major industry events including the International Fastener Expo in Las Vegas, and has grown its scholarship program significantly over the years to help offset the cost of educational programs and trade show attendance for women who might not otherwise have access.
One of those scholarships was established by Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. in honor of Joanne Goodman Sherman (December 8, 1954 – October 10, 2016), recognizing her contributions as a female leader in the fastener industry throughout her career. In 2023, two outstanding recipients received the scholarship.
Growing Reach Through Technology
Both the IFI and WIFI have expanded their reach in recent years through digital platforms. The IFI transitioned its fastener standards from print-only to a fully digital format — making critical technical resources more accessible to members across the industry. WIFI has embraced virtual meeting platforms like Zoom to maintain year-round engagement with members, going well beyond the once-a-year connections that trade shows allow.
“That ongoing engagement is critical for helping women cultivate professional and personal relationships to enhance their experience in the fastener industry,” Taryn says.
For Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co., giving back isn’t a side initiative — it’s built into the company’s identity. With over a century of experience behind them and the next generation already at the helm, Steven and Taryn are committed to ensuring the fastener industry is stronger, more knowledgeable, and more inclusive for the professionals who come after them.
To learn more about Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. and the RivetKing® product line, visit rivet.com or email marketing@rivet.com.
Originally published in Distributor’s Link Magazine, Spring 2024.