Sizzler

Pickle ball and the data center boom heat up the fastener industry

Eric Dudas
229 Fully Threaded Radio

Fastener sales are sizzling as much as the summer heat, but is the data center boom really driving all the business? AFC Industries EVP John Kovatch and VP of marketing Joe Shoemaker explain how they view the current market and what they’re doing to approach it. Ed Smith of Würth Industry USA looks back at his tenure as NFDA president. On the Fastener News Report, Advance Components president Gary Cravens joins senior news editor Mike McNulty to look at the latest scorching FDI numbers. Industry educator Carmen Vertullo explains non-destructive inspection testing techniques, on the Fastener Training Minute. Brian and Eric marvel at AI on ludicrous speed mode, and remember to order more Vegemite. Run time: 02:30:58

Show Links:

Craig Penland on The Journey to CEO Success podcast

Risk Management for the Fastener Industry presented with Carmen Vertullo Sept. 24-25 San Diego

Ed Smith speaks at the Taiwan International Fastener Show as NFDA president

Würth Knowing Point of Contact podcast on fastener standards

International Fastener & Assembly Summit at IFE ’26

Tough Mudder Race Info – contact Bob “GQ” Baer for registration info

The Pretenders “Message of Love”

Sponsors

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.