Episode #119 – Higher Ground

Eric Dudas

As the eyes of the world survey the devastation of hurricane Harvey, the fastener industry braces for a different kind of landfall. Purple ponchoed storm rider, Baron Yarborough, of Spring Bolt and Nut reports from Houston, Texas. From higher ground in the midwest, Jake Davis of BTM Manufacturing drops in to share his thoughts on growing the business, the upcoming Vegas show, YFP, and a life in the fastener industry, from the filing cabinet to the warehouse and beyond (18:19). Bob “GQ” Baer joins industry anchorman Mike McNulty to explain the July FDI numbers, and also to note signs of impending price increases (55:58). Plus, Carmen Vertullo examines the important differences between hex bolts and hex cap screws, on the Fastener Training Minute (1:22:04). Meanwhile, Brian and Eric do what they do, and narrowly avoid an embarrassing screw up. Run time: 01:39:20

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About the Hosts

Brian Musker

Brian Musker

Known as the “hardest working man in the online thread game”, Brian Musker earned his advanced engineering degree with a thesis on fastening technology many years before entering the fastener industry with the launch of the FCH Sourcing Network in 2006. Today, he is known as the developer of the industry renowned “FCH Scrubber” software that cleans and cross-matches fastener inventory for distributors across the industry. He is also a strong advocate for his beloved breakfast spread, Vegemite.

Eric Dudas

Eric Dudas

Eric Dudas got the idea of launching Fully Threaded Radio in the early days of podcasting as he pondered how to promote the FCH Sourcing Network to an industry that wasn’t doing much with traditional social media. Fifteen years later, the show has a life of its own and has opened more doors than he could have imagined. More recently, he’s been working to build the NFBBQA (National Fastener BBQ Association) to help fastener professionals better enjoy cooking meat over fire. He also enjoys chicken ranching at his small farm in semi-rural northeast Ohio.