Most would agree that paperwork is a necessary nuisance for any business and the fastener industry is no different. Quality assurance means certifications and technical documentation are essential, particularly for critical parts in critical assemblies.
The SmartCert founders (from left to right): Lyndon Lattie, Lonni Kieffer, and Paul Decker.
“In the fastener industry, there are several required documentation that vary from the supply chain for raw materials to OEM parts certifications and tracking reports,” shares Lonni Kieffer, co-founder of SmartCert. “Paperwork is nothing new for this industry. But what’s been missing until now is a universal digital platform that streamlines this process.”
This is what SmartCert — a company developed by Kieffer and her business partners in 2021 — is delivering… the industry’s first, cloud-based, self-service platform that lets fastener buyers and sellers digitally manage and exchange required quality certs. It connects every company in a supply chain and automates inbound and outbound documentation, allowing for real-time updates.
“The platform creates greater efficiencies, traceability, and sustainability while removing the risk of missing paperwork,” she explains. “Though it’s definitely not where I thought my history in marketing would lead, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with working in and with the fastener industry.”
Kieffer went to the University of Wisconsin for journalism, with an emphasis in advertising and PR. She gained experience working for advertising agencies and, prior to entrepreneurship, spent about half-a-dozen years working for the media company, Gannett.
“Gannett owns several small-city newspapers across the country,” she says. “My job there was primarily focused on digital advertising, where I helped companies analyze their customer base and make decisions on how to best spend their marketing dollars with different media to make the biggest impact.”
Although this might seem like a world apart from fasteners and document tracking, the skills Kieffer gained continue to support her efforts today.
“The translation in skills for me relates to supporting customers in navigating the ideal path to success,” she shares. “My passion begins after someone says, ‘yes,’ and I then get to help companies with the onboarding and training to ensure they make the wisest decisions and expenditures for the best outcomes. It’s so rewarding to experience the impact of those decisions.”
To use Kieffer’s words, it boils down to “change management.” In this sense, SmartCert not only offers an automated solution for managing documents and creating supply-chain efficiencies, but it also supports companies with this digital transformation to ensure success. Given the advancing digital era, going paperless and embracing technology is quickly becoming a must for companies.
SmartCert automates the transfer of required documentation between companies, replacing the use of paper and printing costs, to reduce missing documents and promote sustainability.
“Essentially, we’re competing with the status quo and the way things have been done for decades…and change is hard,” she shares. “I get to support companies in meeting their goals for efficiency and sustainability. Paper is expensive. There’s currently a job shortage. Digitalization done right saves a lot of manual steps.”
SmartCert launched at an ideal time, given the increase in online and remote work since the pandemic. It’s a web-based platform, offering built-in security and redundancy, with no servers to manage. Users can access documents via a mobile device or desktop computer and quickly connect with their supply chain. It can also be integrated into existing ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems.
“The workforce is a changing landscape,” says Kieffer. “More people are working from home and others are nearing retirement. It’s important to offer the tools and technology that’s going to attract someone out of college, who is simply not going to be excited about paper. It’s just not their world.”
Perhaps somewhat ironically, SmartCert developed the way many start-ups do, with a pen and napkin. The initial idea was that of Kieffer’s husband and business partner, Lyndon Lattie. He’s worked in the fastener industry for 20 years, on both the manufacturing and distributing sides of the business.
“What’s interesting is he worked at Century Fasteners, a distributor, before leaving to start SmartCert, which they fully supported and are now one of our customers,” says Kieffer. “But over the years, he experienced first-hand the frustration of waiting on documents that delayed parts and created bottlenecks. He dealt with this as a salesperson and saw how it repeatedly affected supply chains — you’re always at the mercy of how manufacturers or vendors are sending in certs and the same goes with customers.”
When Lattie shared his idea with Kieffer and his long-time friend and colleague, Paul Decker, both agreed it was brilliant. Decker, who has years of experience running industrial technology companies, joined SmarCert as a third founder.
“At first, I worked the sidelines, but once the beta went live, I joined full-time to help onboard our customers and ensure their success with using the platform,” says Kieffer. “And I love that we have smaller, mom-and-pop shops, testing labs, as well as massive fastener corporations that have multiple companies under their umbrella.”
SmarCert’s goal is to become the industry standard for the aerospace and fastener industries and to work with other critical supply chains. The company is already making headway in the automotive, electronics, and food sectors.
“Fasteners have become a quick favorite of mine though,” she says. “It’s such a unique and tight-knit community, yet so welcoming. We were recently at the Mid-West Fastener Show and despite a room full of competitors for many of these companies, everyone comes together to support each other. I’ve never seen anything like it and I’m proud of what we do and to be a part of it.”
Kieffer adds: “We’re taking companies from paper to digital and helping automate processes. That’s a huge leap forward and an exciting one for the future of fasteners.”
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Filed Under: Fastener company profiles