Fully Threaded Radio

Jake "Valdez" Davis of BTM Manufacturing and John "Cool Hand" Butler from The Olander Company inadvertently sign up for a grueling obstacle course race. But like the resilient industry they support, they’re sure to make a strong finish. Run time: 4:52

As dark winter storms freeze the country, MWFA president George Hunt III plans for a heated race come summer, and ever expanding product lines for Brighton Best International (1:27:54). Expansion keeps good company as  Würth Industry North America VP of Marketing, Becky McMorrow describes another prime acquisition, and a new digital media offering for the industry giant (13:12). G.L. Huyett C...

The fastener industry reports booming business, while the world at large seems poised for something else. What gives? Tough guys Jake “Valdez” Davis of BTM Manufacturing and John "Cool Hand" Butler of the Olander Company attempt to solve this riddle as they take on the obstacle course that is the screw biz (1:36:35). Case in point: Logistics expert, Chris Donnell of Scanwell, describes the outlook...

As the year winds down, the fastener industry is buoyed with optimism, even as it faces growing market pressures and wild uncertainty. Keeping things jolly, Buckeye Fasteners manager, Larry Kelly shares the frostified back story of Old Rusty Bolt beer, the benefits of employee owned companies, and his deep knowledge of working in the sweet spot (1:27:11). Also joining the reindeer games,  Wür...

If the fastener business sometimes feels like mortal combat, one group seems prepared. YFP president, Jake Glaser leads a wide ranging conversation with fellow youthful thread warriors London Penland , of Eurolink, and Young Fastener Professional of the Year, Jessi Solt , that reveals a true fighting spirit (1:22:06). Meanwhile, the fastener industry inducted the far less bellicose John “Cowboy” W...

Bold strategies and a new leadership direction for industrial fastener supplier Optimas Solutions are the topics as newly appointed CEO, Mr. Marc Strandquist discusses key points of their exciting recently announced initiative, his management approach, the Fastener Distributor Index , and success after personal setback.  Run time: 24:44

The screw biz rebounded sooner than expected, but the customer meeting game still has a long way to go.  Veteran sales pro Jackie "Kind of a Big Deal" Ventura guest-hosts a timely segment that details the current picture, as she welcomes fellow rep John "Cowboy" Wachman , and Christian Reich of Goebel Fasteners (1:25:17).  The Industrial Distribution "Big 50 List" just hit the street, ma...

The one sure bet in the fastener industry is the Vegas show. But with this year’s long-odds cancellation, the FTR boys needed a way to unload their huge supply of giveaway Vegemite . They decided to set up a virtual booth anyway to see if the format could lure in any takers, and to get a reading of the screw biz during the strangest year on record. Bryn Stock , Jake Davis , Mike Topolewski , Matt...

Things don’t seem to fit together the way they once did, but an otherwise ripe market always seems out of whack to the inattentive. So when the circumspect Mr. Andy Cohn , of Duncan Bolt, joins news editor Mike McNulty to discuss the startling FDI results on the Fastener News Report , the ensuing conversation expands into a predominantly fastener-related discussion that fastener distributors shoul...

Feeling right at home in their new roles with LindFast Solutions Group, Bernie Longen and John "OJ" Simpson explain recent developments and things to come as the fastener industry powerhouse supplier hits its stride (1:17:49).  ITR Economics analyst Alex Chausovsky presents a clear, if uneven, path to growth and a key opportunity segment as he summarizes his recent NFDA virtual summit present...

As the “new abnormal” grinds on, industry veteran rep Rick Rudolph relies on his standard cordiality and grace to serve fastener companies in the New England region (10:41). AIM Test Labs founder Carmen Vertullo along with Eurolink vlogger London Penland explore how the market approaches ISO vs. DIN standards (1:34:33). The Fastener Distributor Index battles back, and Marc Strandquist of Optimas j...

Thread game veterans Rich Cavoto and Bob “GQ” Baer explain the origins of the infamous Naperville Fastener Association , share fitness training secrets, and offer ideas for an improved city driving experience (1:32:18). Newer to the field, but aiming to innovate, AJ Strandquist of Würth Industry North America is forging boldy into the realm of additive manufacturing, believing the long-expected im...

Lessons of basic courage and practical survival unfold along with the story of a New York based fastener manufacturer during the outbreak, as told by Jason Wagner and Ilian Dimitrov of The Richard Manno Company, during a supplemental yet essential episode of the podcast. Run time: 31:48

During a novel edition of fastener talk radio, we hear stories from industry insiders across the operational spectrum.  Jun Xu of Brighton Best, Mike Topolewski of Perigee Manufacturing, Joanne Bialas of International Fasteners, and Matt Boyd of Parker Fasteners share their experiences, thoughts and feelings as they face the dramatic impact of COVID-19 with the lovely and talented Lynn Dempse...

The fastener industry was interviewed at the precipice of dramatic upheaval during the recent Pac-West/NFDA joint conference. None could have foreseen what was actually soon to unfold at the time FTR placed its microphone in front of industry fixtures Frank DeVito , Heidi Volltrauer , Jun Xu , Doug Ruggles, John “Cool Hand” Butler , Jim Howard , Hans Fuller, Tracey Lumia, Jake Davis and many more...

Are services the critical factor for distributor survival in the new market? What caused the dramatic shift in the FDI reading? Which fastener association is best dressed? MWFA president Paula Evitts along with fellow officer, the debonair George Hunt III of Brighton Best, share their view of the fastener biz as they preview a quasi-milestone industry event (1:28:24). Distribution Strategy founder...

Largely unavailable on any social media platform, the latest episode of predominantly fastener-related talk radio radiates fresh digital effluvia into the audio stream of a new decade, as Goebel Fasteners makes its podcast debut with North American VP Christian Reich (22:40). The Fastener Industry Coalition doesn’t have much of an online presence, but is under new management so that may change, as...

'Tis the season for wrapping up gifts and another year of predominantly fastener-related talk radio, as Advance Components CEO and chief gingerbread architect Suzy Cravens shares heartwarming details of her recent experience on Food Network's Christmas Cookie Challenge (1:21:36).  Offsetting all the peace and harmony, digital distribution pundit Ian Heller , of Rapid Results Marketing explain...

A screw thread is a helical structure, flowing between the linear and rotational, and when Tim “Action” Jackson along with Jo Morris of Desert Distribution join the podcast it’s a different sort of threadform altogether (1:12:18). With a more precisely pitched dialogue, Würth Industry director of international trade compliance, Danielle Riggs explains key concepts every fastener distributor should...

It’s a festival of fastener facts and flummery as the National Fastener Tour rolls into town, headlined by rock star of the fastener industry, Simmi of Stelfast along with Star Stainless president, Mr. Tim Roberto Jr . (1:14:02) On a digital tour of his own, London Penlan d of Eurolink drives ahead with his non-pedantic knowledge series on ISO (13:20). All-West Components boss, Rick Peterson joins...

Falling in the pool during this year’s International Fastener Expo is something everyone miraculously managed to avoid, despite the intensity of the networking and revelry at the welcome gala extravaganza. Even the life guards were impressed nobody got wet. Show coverage of the fastener industry’s largest trade event features comments from Hall of Fame inductees Mr. Ed McIlhon and Marty Nolan , an...

Time is getting short ahead of the annual International Fastener Expo , in more ways than one, as Bryce Campbell of Bryce Security Fastener explains during a thought provoking conversation touching on screws, T. rex, and the fabric of reality (1:31:26). Baird senior analyst David Manthey describes what goes into producing the monthly Fastener Distributor Index report (22:52). London Penland of Eur...

Sales remain hot for many in the fastener industry as summer sizzles along, yet the FDI shows a dramatic cool down and the outlook isn’t so pretty. Innovative Components chief, Mike O’Connor attests to the mixed signals, and announces a big change at the company he founded as he joins uber-patriot and fastener newsman, Mike McNulty on the Fastener News Report (41:27). Mr. Doug Ruggles explains his...

Is it a national trade policy or a drinking game? The industry speaks out on tariffs during floor interviews from Fastener Fair USA (20:54) and FastenerTech ‘19 (1:27:25) featuring Wayne Wishnew , Jake Davis , GH III , Rob Reynolds , Jackie “Kind of a Big Deal” Ventura , JR Prahl , Chris McCaffrey , GQ , Bill Boak , Joanne Bialas and many more. Brighton Best VP Steve Andrasik joins industry anchor...

Like a true life action figure with a sawhorse and a handshake, Tim Jackson explains how he took Action Fasteners from the garage to an acquisition and beyond (1:45:44). The NCFA Distributor Social was a major success with its own brand of fastener action, including plenty of spirited conversation about tariffs (15:09). Moving away from the fastener fray for his own reasons, Damon Carson of Repurp...