The year concludes with mixed news from across the fastener industry, as veteran sales rep Rick Rudolph shares his recipe for seasonal cheer (1:40:39). Eurolink president, Craig Penland is bullish on the future, but keeps watch on European CBAM and other environmental regulations that complicate running a fastener business (23:25). On the Fastener News Report, […]
Fastener Distributor Index – Report #167 November 2025 Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 12/5/25 Key Takeaway: This month, the seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) retreated to just below 50, coming in at 49.5. The m/m pullback (October 55.3) mainly reflected a retrenchment in the seasonally adjusted sales index. […]
Goebel Group CEO Marcel Goebel discusses his life in the fastener industry, expansion across Europe and entering the U.S. market, fastener fitness, finding the right people, and the World Rivet Congress. Run time: 01:03:29 Show Notes: Goebel Fasteners website World Rivet Congress LinkedIn post The WRC K-Whopper […]
Fastener sales continue to race along, as Star Stainless president Tim Roberto Jr. and news editor Mike McNulty explain as they present the latest high octane FDI results on the Fastener News Report. Meanwhile, industry journeyman and BBQ connoisseur Tony Martinez of Buckeye Fasteners describes a great place for a pit stop. Back behind the […]
Fastener Distributor Index – Report #166 October 2025 Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 11/6/25 Key Takeaway: Coming off a 2025 high, the seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) was slightly lower m/m but mostly stable at 55.3 (September 55.8). On a seasonally adjusted basis, the selling index was […]
Laurence Claus is a widely known and respected fastener engineer, trainer, writer and mentor. With a career in fasteners that began on the manufacturing side, and spanning over 30 years, he continues his work today with the Fastener Training Institute, the Industrial Fasteners Institute and through his company NNI Training & Consulting. His writing appears […]
The fastener industry reports brisk sales, but optimism is slipping. Why is this happening? Abbott-Interfast president Bob “GQ” Baer joins news editor Mike McNulty to mull over the confusing FDI numbers on the Fastener News Report (52:05). Industry legend, Mr. Bruce Darling, is remembered during a heartfelt conversation with Stelfast purchasing manager, Jim Jordan (1:35:36). […]
Fastener Distributor Index – Report #165 September 2025 Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 10/7/25 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) saw solid m/m improvement to 55.8 (August 51.3). Stronger sales and customer inventories drove the improvement. The Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI), however, dipped for the […]
Tough Nutters George “GHIII” Hunt of Brighton Best, Bobby “Tater Tot” Wegner of Beacon Fasteners, Bob “GQ” Baer from Abbott-Interfast, and BTM Manufacturing president Jake “Valdez” Davis put on their jerseys to relive highlights of the dirtiest fastener networking event of 2025. Run time: 47:07 — Listen to the podcast here Important Links Bob “GQ” Baer on LinkedIn George Hunt III […]
Floor interviews from the International Fastener Expo 2025, the largest fastener industry event of the year. The lovely and talented Lynn Dempsey traveled to Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas to get in on all the action. Golf results, break out sessions, Fastener Hall of Fame, special events and more. Run time: 01:04:18 — Listen to the […]
