Fully Threaded Radio

From Sparta to Los Angeles, the world depends on industrial fasteners. Industry legend,

Mr. Ron Sackheim

, carries the torch for the fastener industry, and shares his thoughts after a lifetime in the business during an encore conversation with hosts Brian Musker and Eric Dudas (59:32). Industry rock star and

Stelfast

president,

Simmi

, discusses her views on the latest FDI numbers, the role of master importers in today’s market, and the upcoming Vegas show (23:02). Plus,

USA Fastener Group

operations manager,

Mike Weaver

, explains his company’s recent expansion announcement on the

Fastener News Report

, with

Fastener Technology International

magazine editor,

Mike McNulty

(39:09). Brian and Eric agree it would be good if 50 was actually 35, but realize that’s as likely as 6 being 9. Run time: 01:43:16

Has the effect of a sizzling hot summer been to cool the outlook for the fastener industry? Where can you go to find hard to get fasteners when you don’t know where to go? And exactly who built the successful businesses that make up the fastener industry?

Don “Solution Man” Shan

, of

Solution Industries

, chimes in and describes how a business about nothing is actually something you should know about (71:30).

BB&T Capital Markets

analyst,

Holden Lewis

, discusses the chilly

July FDI

results along with

Mike McNulty

on the

Fastener News Report

(45:49). Plus,

Specialty Bolt & Screw

and

NFDA

president,

Mr. Jay Queenin

, describes his view of business conditions abroad, and also exciting developments at the largest national fastener trade organization (24:20). Hosts Brian Musker and Eric Dudas celebrate a couple of important milestone birthdays, as they gratefully

build their own

successful business, one thread at a time. Run time: 01:54:51

Brian and Eric encounter a

large mammal

swimming across the lake during their latest

northwoods adventure

. Was it a foreshadowing of softening markets, or of the recent droll headline out of Moscow? Despite lackluster GPS performance, the boys navigate out of the bush to discuss these and other subjects and welcome

Mr. Harry Moser

, of the

Reshoring Intitiative

, and

Mr. Andy Cohn

, of

Duncan Bolt

. An in-depth examination of the reshoring movement and related issues ensues (56:41).

Mike McNulty

breaks industry headlines on the

Fastener News Report

and presents details of the slipping

FDI

numbers from June, along with

BB&T Capital Markets

analyst,

Holden Lewis

(30:58). Also, extended interviews from the

MWFA Expo

and golf outing featuring

Rich Cavoto, John Butler, Vic LaPoma, Jackie Ventura, Matt Delawder, Kameron Dorsey, Don Shan

and more (18:18). Like America’s new healthcare system, this episode of FTR is absolutely

free

. Just don’t expect it to address all your issues in a timely or effective manner. Run time: 01:45:38

Industry consolidation, successful association events, and rising industry index numbers point to a sector that’s doing fine. Or is it?

Mr. Charlie Kerr

, of

Kerr Lakeside

, discusses his view of the fastener world and beyond, just after his recent appearance at the

NCFA Distributor Social

panel discussion (69:59). Industry blogger,

Traveling Salesman

, provides further details on the event, and notes the presence of a very special fastener brew (19:49).

Mike McNulty

presents the

Fastener News Report

, featuring a discussion with

BB&T Capital Markets

analyst,

Holden Lewis

, that explores the

May FDI

numbers and some new trends that seem to be emerging (43:55). It’s a veritable celebration of the private sector, as hosts Brian Musker and Eric Dudas consider counter-rotation and spinnerbaits in advance of their annual pilgrimage to the

Canadian Shield

. Run time: 01:55:07

When anti-NATO protesters from around the world arrive in Chicago to cause havoc, the

Fully Threaded

boys naturally think of anti-corrosive fastener materials.

Mark Alperin

and

Mark Klosek

, of

Vertex Distribution

, share their knowledge of the stainless fastener business, as well as a unique training technique that could be considered positively tasteless (56:45). From the Atlanta office of industry leader,

Stelfast

, branch manager,

Mr. Ted Nieman

, joins in to discuss his impressions of current market conditions (22:18).

Mike McNulty

opens the

Fastener News Report

by pointing out that while the fastener business might not be as exciting as the recent social media IPO mania, at least it doesn’t operate in a soon to burst bubble. Then, he speaks to

Rosa Hearn

, of

Brighton Best International

, about the huge expansion program now under way by the master-importing giant (39:20). Hosts Brian Musker and Eric Dudas note the improvement in dinner meeting table fare, and offer

cutlery suggestions

not like any others you’ve heard before. Run time: 01:36:36

To finish in the money, you need the people, resources and network connections it takes to compete at the highest level. Fastener associations provide many opportunities to bring all the ingredients together.

Joe Peplinski

, of

Beacon Fasteners & Components

, explains how success in the fastener business is much like placing in a bass tournament.

Pacific Warehouse Sales

partner,

Kelly Lehman

, demonstrates this principle on the golf course, during the 3rd annual

Mel Kirsner Memorial Golf Tournament

(25:16). Then,

NFDA Spring Conference

attendees, including incoming president,

Jay Queenin

, along with

Don Haggerty, Robbie Gilchrist

, and others, discuss their thoughts on this year's hugely successful event and the direction of the organization (77:29). Also,

FTI

editor,

Mike McNulty

, and

Holden Lewis

present the April

FDI

survey results, and focus on the numbers and what they mean for fastener distributors (41:43). Hosts Brian Musker and Eric Dudas consider communist propaganda and the epics of Homer. Eric ponders

bass

fishing, while Brian angles for invitations. Run time: 01:41:12

Will

Amazon.com

divert the flow of online sales from industrial suppliers? How will rapidly changing conditions in Asian manufacturing countries impact upcoming quarters for fastener distributors? When is a Din 975 NOT a threaded rod? The always insightful,

Andy Pels

of

ScrewCrew.com

, shares his thoughts, and reveals a shocking change in his mobile computing preference (16:07).

Bruce Darling

, of

Porteous Fastener Company

, wraps up his intensive two-part presentation to the

SFA

, as he describes the many dynamic forces affecting fastener suppliers (66:38). On the

Fastener News Report, Mike McNulty

welcomes

Mark Packard

, sales manager of

Rocknel Fastener

(46:07). Also, he describes a recent heartening occasion that caused him to momentarily shift his keen focus away from fasteners. Hosts, Brian Musker and Eric Dudas, consider radio

gimmickery

and

BBQ

. The subject of glow golf is revisited. Run time: 01:49:13

What happened at the recent

Pac-West

and

SFA

spring conference meetings? Did the Taiwan International Fastener Show live up to expectations? How are forward-thinking fastener companies using technology to better serve customers? And is there even one dish that cannot be improved using bratwurst?

Tom Stocking

, of

Stelfast

, provides some of the answers (21:55), as do fastener warriors from beyond the cheddar curtain,

John Butler and Marty Meyer

, of

K&L Sales

(70:49). Also,

Fidelis Fasteners

president and CEO,

Mr. Rob Lucas

, reports from Hong Kong during

Mike McNulty’s Fastener News Report

(44:16). Hosts Brian Musker and Eric Dudas agree on their favorite single malt scotch from the isle of

Islay

, and they’re feeling pretty good overall, despite some consternation over travel assignments. Run time: 01:50:27

Some view higher gas prices as a vehicle for societal change, while others seek faster ways to get to Des Moines. The fastener industry stays on track despite the profusion of unfortunate ideas, as it strives for success. Special guest,

Mr. Robbie Gilchrist

, of

Capital Marketing

, is a success story in point (66:12). Young fastener entrepreneur,

Tyson Clayton

, of

Desert Fasteners & Supply

, furthers the case in favor of grit and determination in the face of tough operating conditions (20:46). Also,

Fastener Technology International

editor,

Mike McNulty

, discusses the results of the latest

FDI survey

with analyst

Holden Lewis

, and explains how a fastener man makes his

NCAA tournament

picks (43:43). Hosts Brian Musker and Eric Dudas have their own ideas about fundamental change, as they anticipate a high velocity future driven by the wondrous miracle of

internal combustion

. Run time: 01:51:04