Episode #124 – One for the Barbie

Eric Dudas

An exciting new era of fastener distribution appears imminent as Mike Ricciardi of ITW Shakeproof and Bryan Wheeler of Star Stainless report on the YFP Leadership Conference that focused on the disruptive technologies that have begun to impact the industry, launching an all new season of fastener talk radio (1:15:55). Raconteur and Fastener Professional of the Year, Mr. Robbie Gilchrist notes important trends to watch in the coming year (21:31). FTI editor, Mike McNulty hosts Baird analyst, Quinn Fredrickson, closing out the FDI numbers for 2017 and setting expectations for the coming quarters on the Fastener News Report (51:20). Fastener Fair USA show manager, Jessica Boweak presents the latest updates on the industry’s newest expo (43:45). Plus, industry swami, Carmen Vertullo talks torque on the Fastener Training Minute (1:09:40). Brian has returned from his walk-about with fresh supplies of Vegemite, while Eric wonders if that’s what the future really needs. Run time: 02:07:48

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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.