Business name: Vancouver Bolt and Supply Inc.
Owners: Craig and Diane Johnson.
Address: 805 W. 11th St., Vancouver; second location, 420 California Way, Longview.
o Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
What the business does: Vancouver Bolt and Supply is an industrial distributor of nuts, bolts, screws, hand tools, cutting tools, power tools and supplies. The company maintains a stock of more than 27,000 products. It’s customers come from the aluminum industry, railroads, paper mills, fabricators, contractors, lumber mills, steel mills, schools, government and local businesses.
Steps to build the business: Craig Johnson said he is always looking for new ways to grow and sustain his business. With the advances in technology since the company was founded 34 years ago, he said, the company invests in equipment and computer systems that use less paper and are more efficient for its customers.
Greatest challenge: With the ever-changing business economy, the most challenging aspect is determining what the new “normal” is, he said. Changes in the company’s market make it difficult to manage inventory, he said.
