Fully Threaded Radio

Fastener distributors rely on firmly grounded suppliers, especially in stormy seas, so it’s good to know Star Stainless Screw Company has an experienced captain at the helm. President Tim Roberto Jr. opines on the choppy overseas shipping situation, and the benefits of a good float (20:18). With the MWFA’s big week on the horizon, board member Tabitha Herbst , along with Bobby Wegner of Beacon Fas...

Sales activity continues to boom, along with supply chain headaches, so naturally INxSQL founder Bob Reynolds and the uncancelable Joe Truckey of Cal Fasteners turn their thoughts to summer golf (1:41:19). In pursuit of another kind of diversion, EFC International sales manager Paul Musgrove offers pro tips for better BBQ (23:21). Industry editor Mike McNulty welcomes Optimas CEO Marc Strandquist...

It’s safe to say Jake “Valdez” Davis of BTM Manufacturing and Bob “GQ” Baer of Abbott-Interfast have been training with varying degrees of intensity, but will their efforts prove effective during the upcoming Tough Mudder event? They compare notes on race prep, current supply chain craziness, and the MWFA super-event happening this summer. (18:52) George Schrull of Buckeye Fasteners describes new...

From a rural Texas workshop to the minds of fastener users around the world, technical educators Randy Lammers and Aaron Keevan share their vast knowledge on the exciting new webcast, Würth Knowing. They explain their vision for the online series, and also a few behind the scenes details, including the origin of Randy’s legendary Uncle Moe stories (19:21). Also well worth hearing, AIM Test Labs fo...

During a veritable banquet of fastener industry intel and commentary, Mr. Charlie Kerr of Kerr Lakeside serves up a super-sized portion of predominantly fastener-related banter. Who ordered the surcharges? (1:35:17) Brighton Best International president, Jun Xu joins Mike McNulty on the Fastener News Report with shocking FDI results (55:32). Nelson Valderrama of Intuilize explains how distributors...

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 CEO, T...

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,  Würth  I...

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, managing edi...

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 B...

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 should...

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 presentation...

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 imp...

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 Dempsey (1:...

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 explains the...

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...