Written by R.W.Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 9/7/21 Key Takeaway: The August seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) cooled m/m as raw material, freight, and labor constraints partially hindered growth, although the index remained firmly in expansionary/growth territory at 55.4. Commentary pointed to a strong supply-demand imbalance, labor shortages, accelerating […]
Tag: FCH Sourcing Network
Episode 167 of Fully Threaded is live!
Fully Threaded Radio episode 167 “Pass the Chips” was published August 12, 2021. Fastener industry legend and chip shot artist Mr. Robbie Gilchrist describes current market conditions, the future of the rep business, and how the NFDA found its way (18:28/1:30:25). AIM Testing Labs partner Rob LaPointe explains how hydrogen embrittlement is like an M&M (42:29). On the Fastener News Report, Fastener […]
FTM 166: What do you do when a customer rejects a product?
This edition of the Fastener Training Minute with Carmen Vertullo was originally published July 17, 2021 as “What do you do when a customer rejects a product based on a requirement, that was not part of the original specification? ” during episode 166 of Fully Threaded Radio. Well hello everyone, This is Carmen Vertullo with […]
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FDI June 2021
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 7/7/21 Key Takeaway: The June seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) moderated slightly at 55.8, but remains solidly in expansionary territory. Driving the slight m/m contraction was a decline in both the sales and employment indexes. Respondent commentary focused on broad-based inflationary […]
Episode 165 of Fully Threaded is live!
Fully Threaded Radio episode 165 “Diversions” was published June 19, 2021. Sales activity continues to boom, along with supply chain headaches, so naturally INxSQL founder Bob Reynolds and the uncancelable Joe Truckey of Cal Fasteners turn their thoughts to summer golf (1:41:19). In pursuit of another kind of diversion, EFC International sales manager Paul Musgrove […]
FDI May 2021
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 6/4/21 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) showed market conditions improved at an accelerating rate in May with a reading of 61.8, remaining above 50 and with strong m/m improvement. Respondent commentary focused on continued robust sales/order activity, however, […]
FDI March 2021
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 4/7/21 Key Takeaway: The March seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) was essentially stable m/m at 66.0, implying conditions remained at the strong pace seen in February. The sales index remained at very high levels as respondents continue to report more demand […]
FTM 161: Passivation, what is it?
This edition of the Fastener Training Minute with Carmen Vertullo was originally published February 18, 2021 as “Passivation. What it is, what it isn’t, why it matters to us” during episode 161 of Fully Threaded Radio. Well, hello everyone. Welcome to the Fastener Training Minute. This is Carmen Vertullo coming to you from the Fastener […]
FTM 160: Good and bad Nuts
This edition of the Fastener Training Minute with Carmen Vertullo was originally published January 23, 2021 as “how to tell if a nut is a good nut or a bad nut” during episode 160 of Fully Threaded Radio. Well, welcome to the Fastener Training Minute brought to you by the Fastener Training Institute and the […]
FDI December 2020
Written by R.W. Baird analyst David J. Manthey, CFA with Quinn Fredrickson, CFA 1/8/21 Key Takeaway: The seasonally adjusted Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) for December came in at 62.6, showing nice m/m improvement and signaling a strong end to the year. The sales index saw similar strength with about two thirds of respondents seeing better-than-seasonally […]