Down Hill

Eric Dudas
183

Like a bobsled down a frozen precipice, the fastener industry streaks to the close of another blazing fast year. Fresh off the slopes, Mr. Charlie Kerr of Kerr Lakeside discovers a vexing industry development, and shares his approach to achieving top speed on skis (1:39:54).  Metric supplier Eurolink finishes the year with new beginnings, as CEO Craig Penland finds ways to expand during periods of upheaval (17:20).  The FDI changes direction as strong sales push a new rally, but will it last?  Senior news editor Mike McNulty welcomes AFC Industries VP of Sales John Kovatch to the Fastener News Report to discuss the unexpected uptick (56:46). On the Fastener Training Minute, Carmen Vertullo teaches the fine art of monel passivation (1:26:28). BONUS: Scanwell Logistics analyst Chris Donnell explains why the train strike issue may still be an up hill battle (52:22).  Brian and Eric strive for seasonal jolliness even as all runs show black diamonds. Run time:  2:34:11

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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.