Earnest has provided Plow Bolts to the industry, since 1948. In fact it was the first product that our founder, Paul Earnest Zehnder, sold. Plow Bolts launched Earnest into the industry and since that time, we’re proud to have developed the knowledge and expertise our customers rely upon. For instance, while your customer may not be too concerned with the relation between tensile strength and shear loads, we are. For over sixty years, we have provided the highest quality Plow Bolts that meet exact specifications.

Our E8 Plow Bolts are manufactured with the precise balance between strength and hardness that meets the SAE J429 specification. This is not the case with all Plow Bolts. Some manufacturers adjust properties to achieve different results.

Let’s take the A9 for example. When compared on a dimensional basis there is no difference between the E8 and A9 products. The threads, diameters and lengths are the same, and the same sized bolts will fit the same applications. However, they will perform and deliver differently.

The A9 bolt deviates from the SAE J429 standard most notably with regard to heat treatment. This deviation creates a hardness level that does not meet the recognized specification. While the intent is to create a harder bolt, the process causes the bolt to become more brittle and the ductility of the bolt is sacrificed. In any application where impact forces are encountered, ductility is more important than hardness in avoiding brittle fractures.

All Grade 9 bolts (A9, F9, L9) are non-standard designations. Subsequently the head markings used (nine radial lines) on the bolt indicate non-conformance to the SAE J429 standard. In some applications this may be a non-issue. For safety sake, Earnest strongly recommends the use of SAE J429 conforming parts in every application that may encounter high impact stresses. When it comes to A9 VS E8, less is definitely more.

Your business is why we’re here. In the past you’ve relied on us to fill your orders for tens of thousands of pieces.  Yet things are different today, and your customers are demanding less.

Today you may need for us to fill your order for ten pieces.

We can do that.

These are times that call for creative solutions in order for partners in business to be successful. We are committed to being flexible with standard operations in order to meet your current needs. Here’s what we know: demand for product is down, pressure is up, choices are tough and everyone (necessarily) is paying attention to even the smallest expense.

Historically, periods of great opportunity and growth emerge from economic downturns – and though the market seems to be stabilizing, we know that recovery will take time.

Looking toward recovery while living in the present – we have eliminated our fixed quantity policy. If you need 17 pieces, we will ship 17 pieces. We look forward to the time when this is no longer necessary – bottom line: your needs have always been, and will always be, a priority in the way we do business.

We are eager to break policies, break boxes and break a sweat to keep your business running right and to keep your customers happy.

When the economy improves, and when you need tens of thousands of pieces once again, we’ll be here as your partner. You are important to us. Our core values are, and always will be, firmly fixed on raising the bar with the purpose to be better: better for our customers, better for our employees, and better for our community. Better – Intentionally.

Let’s make the choice to get through the tough times and to be successful together in to the future.

Kirk Zehnder
President
kpz@earnestmachine.com

Whether you’re reading the paper each morning, watching the evening news, or getting information daily through blogs or online outlets the outlook is the same.
It seems everything is in a constant state of change – the rulebook has been retired and we are calling plays in the huddle.
Though this is a challenging time in business and throughout society; and will most certainly be marked as so in the history books – I believe it’s an opportunity
for a called time out – a much-needed “do-over”. It’s time to examine the way things have been getting done and an opportunity for each of us to take a good hard look at the “now what”.
Earnest is no different. Our business continues to change and respond to our customers. Each day we talk with customers who tell us what they need, what they want and what will make them successful. We value this input and we use it to design services, improve processes and expand our offerings so we are truly “Intentionally Better”.
Over the last 60 years this is the thing that has kept us in the game: our commitment to being “Intentionally Better” in all that we do. You’ve known us for our focus on quality, value and reliability. We’re taking that focus a step further.
This step leads us to today, when as a company, we are unveiling our new Brand and Brand promise. This is an internally grounded philosophy and from this day forward will be reflected in our external identity. We promise to work with intention to be better than the year, the month, the day – and even the moment before.
As we look ahead we see an economy that will improve and evidence that with hope and hard work, opportunities will come. Getting through today is a challenge and we are eager to help our customers in whatever way we can.
If you need a partner in your own quest to be “Intentionally Better”, call us today.
Thank you for your business and thank you for making us Earnest.

Sincerely,

Kirk Zehnder
President
kpz@earnestmachine.com