Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA 8/5/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for July was 54.6, consistent with improving momentum (above 50 reading) but at a slower rate vs. the improvement seen in June (FDI decreased m/ m). As a diffusion index, the 54.6 reading indicates the trajectory […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA 7/6/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for June was 56.9, surging m/m as the economic re-opening continued. Sales trends were better than seasonally expected for a majority of respondents, the first time that has occurred since January. The six-month outlook further improved […]
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA 6/4/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for May was 45.0, showing signs of recovery as states began reopening and some manufacturing/construction customers resumed operations. Sales trends on a seasonally adjusted basis improved m/m, albeit off a very low base. The six-month outlook […]
Wednesday, May 13 1:00 p.m. ET. The world is a very different place today. With the constant demands of this ever-changing environment, suppliers and buyers in the fastener and industrial products industry have had to pivot in real time. So, how have businesses in the industry dealt with the challenges brought about by this crisis? […]
Read More… from IFE webinar talks State of the Fastener Industry
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA 5/6/20 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for April was 40.0, deteriorating further as the full brunt of COVID-19 customer shutdowns was felt. Sales trends on a seasonally adjusted basis were again much weaker. The six-month outlook encouragingly showed some signs of stabilization, […]
As the U.S. continues the battle against COVID-19, much has been made about the country’s over-reliance on personal protective equipment, medicine and other medical products manufactured abroad. During the April 2020 edition of Fully Threaded Radio – the voice of fastenersclearinghouse.com – Harry Moser from the Reshoring Initiative drew a parallel between the lack of […]
The first months of 2020 were great for precision fastener manufacturer Richard Manno based in West Babylon, New York. With the rest of the country, however, executive vice president Jason Wagner and general manager Ilian Dimitrov watched business take a turn as news of a global novel coronavirus outbreak turned into actual confirmed cases in […]
Read More… from Managing through COVID-19 in the Fastener Industry
The Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) in March asked respondents to weigh in with their feelings about operating conditions as the COVID-19 hysteria began to hit North America. With stronger than average survey participation, 62% of respondents said there would be either a minor or major shift of manufacturing back to the U.S. as a result […]
Read More… from Distributors Expect Rise in U.S. Manufacturing
Economic distress in the wake of the COVID-19 shutdown suggests deteriorating trade relations between China and the U.S. according to the newest Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) survey, completed April 3, 2020. The survey of North American privately held distributors of industrial fasteners also revealed that respondents feel the turmoil would result in only minor shifting […]
Fastener Fair USA 2020 Moved to July 13-15 Originally scheduled for May, Fastener Fair USA 2020 has been postponed to July 13-15, 2020, at the Charlotte Convention Center. In a press release, Randy Field, Group Vice Presnt, Reed Exhibitions states, “Our number one priority is the health and safety of our exhibitors, attendees, industry partners […]