Fully Threaded Radio

Is there more than hot air behind the CBAM regulations now in full effect in the EU? How should the North American fastener industry view these new mandates? Braving conditions created by inevitable climate change, the gas loving Charlie Kerr of Kerr Lakeside offers his views from the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe (1:42:54). Würth Industry USA compliance officer Danielle Riggs provides more sober commentary from the conventional setting of her office (14:52). On the Fastener News Report, Brighton Best International president Jun Xu joins senior news editor Mike McNulty with strong FDI numbers, and plenty of reaction from the market (44:40). Thread guru Carmen Vertullo presents options for meeting non-conformance situations on the Fastener Training Minute (1:32:28). BONUS: Where is the sweet spot in new warehouse space? (38:07) Brian and Eric look ahead to significant warming as they consider who vandalized the Sphynx. Run time: 02:43:50

Real estate advisor Marco Rodriguez has deep roots in the fastener industry. He reveals strategies for getting the upper hand in commercial leasing negotiations, showing why he has become the go to voice for advice on commercial real estate in the fastener industry. He also shares his thoughts on the impact of AI data centers on the commercial real estate leasing market. Run time: 33:52Contact Marco Rodriguez of Cresa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-rodriguez-51b8914/

WIFI Woman of the Year and world traveler Darlene Collis of LSG talks shop and shows why she is the Fastener Ninja (1:05:51). On the Fastener News Report, Birmingham Fastener VP Anthony Crawl joins thread newsman Mike McNulty to marvel at the latest FDI numbers (19:18). Volt Industrial Plastics maven Heidi Volltrauer announces a voyage of her own (10:05). Carmen Vertullo presents his takeaways from the recent bolted joint symposium on the Fastener Training Minute (56:38). PLUS: Is the party really over for industrial property landlords? Brian hangs out with Horus and Eric bids farewell to an icon. Run time: 01:58:55

Tariff news: Just ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court major announcement on tariffs, Canadian fastener men Jason Baines, of J. Lanfranco and Hans Fuller, of Fuller Metric, discuss bewildering new changes to Canada's steel tariffs that could cause serious disruptions.

The year concludes with mixed news from across the fastener industry, as veteran sales rep Rick Rudolph shares his recipe for seasonal cheer (1:40:39). Eurolink president, Craig Penland is bullish on the future, but keeps watch on European CBAM and other environmental regulations that complicate running a fastener business (23:25). On the Fastener News Report, Martin Inc. EVP Scott McDaniel joins news editor Mike McNulty to unpack the surprising shift of the FDI (57:53). Thread guru Carmen Vertullo explains B7 threaded rod markings on the Fastener Training Minute (1:30:26). PLUS: Zech Williams of Würth Industry explains the YFP approach to professional development (47:48) and Marco Rodriguez of Cresa drops more commercial real estate wisdom (42:49). Brian and Eric think deeply about the coming year as they take stock in the present moment. Run time: 02:25:39

Goebel Group CEO Marcel Goebel discusses his life in the fastener industry, expansion across Europe and entering the U.S. market, fastener fitness, finding the right people, and the World Rivet Congress. Run time: 01:03:29

Fastener sales continue to race along, as Star Stainless president Tim Roberto Jr. and news editor Mike McNulty explain as they present the latest high octane FDI results on the Fastener News Report (44:34). Meanwhile, industry journeyman and BBQ connoisseur Tony Martinez of Buckeye Fasteners describes a great place for a pit stop (33:15). Back behind the wheel in the fastener industry, newly appointed All-State Fastener CEO Dan Hill shares his view of the road ahead (15:56). Feature: Dan Walker and Preston Boyd of the Industrial Fasteners Institute describe an exciting new apprenticeship program designed for domestic fastener manufacturing (1:31:55). On the Fastener Training Minute, industry expert Carmen Vertullo looks at hydrogen embrittlement testing (1:20:03). Brian and Eric suspect Sam Altman has a secret fastener fetish. Run time: 02:16:45

Laurence Claus is a widely known and respected fastener engineer, trainer, writer and mentor. With a career in fasteners that began on the manufacturing side, and spanning over 30 years, he continues his work today with the Fastener Training Institute, the Industrial Fasteners Institute and through his company NNI Training & Consulting. His writing appears in American Fastener Journal, Fastener Technology International, Distributors Link and others. Laurence Claus was inducted into the Fastener Industry Hall of Fame in 2025. Run time: 51:31

The fastener industry reports brisk sales, but optimism is slipping. Why is this happening? Abbott-Interfast president Bob "GQ" Baer joins news editor Mike McNulty to mull over the confusing FDI numbers on the Fastener News Report (52:05). Industry legend, Mr. Bruce Darling, is remembered during a heartfelt conversation with Stelfast purchasing manager, Jim Jordan (1:35:36). IFI chairman Larry Spelman speaks from the recent fall conference in Louisville (15:25). On the Fastener Training Minute, guru Carmen Vertullo talks torque to yield fastening (1:25:21). PLUS: Marco Rodriguez of Cresa: buy vs. lease? (35:31) and Parker Jensen of Atlas Distribution and the NFBBQA (39:47). Brian and Eric point out that you don't need a moon roof on a lunar rover. Run time: 02:12:36

Tough Nutters George "GHIII" Hunt of Brighton Best, Bobby "Tater Tot" Wegner of Beacon Fasteners, Bob "GQ" Baer from Abbott-Interfast, and BTM Manufacturing president Jake "Valdez" Davis put on their jerseys to relive highlights of the dirtiest fastener networking event of 2025.  Run time: 47:07

Floor interviews from the International Fastener Expo 2025, the largest fastener industry event of the year. The lovely and talented Lynn Dempsey traveled to Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas to get in on all the action. Golf results, break out sessions, Fastener Hall of Fame, special events and more.  Run time: 01:04:18

Atlas Distribution Services president Scott Camp remembers legendary Fastenal founder, Bob Kierlin.  Scott explains how he came to travel with Mr. Kierlin during the early stage of his career, observing and learning lessons he carries with him as he builds his own company today.  Bob Kierlin was known for his practicality, common sense and efficiency. Scott Camp shares his accounts of their time together which validate Bob Kierlin's stellar reputation and explain why he was so successful in business and in life.  Run time: 35:59

Thinking hard about tariffs, AI tech, reshoring and keeping stock on the shelves, the fastener industry heads to Vegas for its largest annual conference of the year.  Director of strategic sourcing for Würth Industry USA, Brian Schommer explains the critical role of sourcing and the reboot of the Würth Knowing podcast (14:11).  Young Fastener Professional of the Year, Tim Vath of LSG shares his formula for success (37:49). On the Fastener News Report, Hans Fuller of Canadian distributor Fuller Metric joins Mike McNulty to compare notes on the surprising FDI numbers (47:39). Marco Rodriguez of Cresa discloses the 5 hottest markets for industrial warehouse space (1:20:14). Carmen Vertullo talks ASTM A193 B7 on the Fastener Training Minute (1:27:14). PLUS: Ian Heller of Distribution Strategy talks AI from the Applied AI for Distributors conference (1:38:35).  Brian and Eric ignore irritating bird noises and think about their new AI-enabled Scrubber. Run time: 02:00:58

Midwest Fastener Association table top show floor interviews featuring the lovely and talented Lynn Dempsey with Rick and Morgan Rudolph, Tom Blakely, Heidi Voltrauer, Josh Winkler, Tom Buddenbohn, Mallory Nichols, Matt Delawder, Sid Hirsch, Jill Coar, Luke Radtke, TJ Munson, Mike McNulty and many more. PLUS: Golf results including winner of the coveted FTR award. Run time: 55:49

Fastener veteran, metric legend of the midwest, Mr. Rich Cavoto of Metric and Multistandard shares his experiences dealing with tariff confusion (1:36:00). AFC Industries CEO Kevin Godin joins newsman Mike McNulty to question the shocking spike in the FLI on the Fastener News Report (48:42). Joanne Bialas celebrates International Fasteners 30 years in business (39:37). Ali Gonzalez and Kerry Tyler of Emerald preview this year's IFE (18:56). On the Fastener Training Minute, Carmen Vertullo looks at hydrogen embrittlement testing (1:19:21). PLUS: Marco Rodriguez of Cresa explains what to look for in a build to suit commercial lease (15:18). Brian and Eric remember dial-up AOL as they experiment with Chat GPT 5. Run time: 02:08:07

With tariff talk deadlines looming, Canadian locknut provider J. Lanfranco VP and part-time Highlander Jason Baines provides an update on where things stand. He also explains his entry into the realm of Scottish hammer throwing, how Canada could address some of its challenges right now, and the therapeutic aspect of raising chickens.  Run time: 39:08

MW Components VP of sales, Kara Bosse sees the exciting side of the fastener sales game as she works to make manufacturing an attractive career for the next generation (8:07). Meanwhile, pitmaster Rob "Big Country" Reynolds of INxSQL Software explains how his ERP platform has expanded to support fastener manufacturing as well as distribution (1:40:25). On the Fastener News Report, Baird analyst Dave Manthey joins senior editor Mike McNulty to examine the latest surge of the FDI reading (50:23).  Carmen Vertullo highlights conical spring washers on The Fastener Training Minute (1:26:20). PLUS: Ed Smith of Würth Industry USA takes the lead at the NFDA (40:10). Southwest gets Eric to the southwest, but high and dry. Run time: 02:10:10

MWFA FSTNR Week '25 is right around the corner, that means it's time to start prepping for fastener mud racing! Team leaders Bob "GQ" Baer of Abbott-Interfast, Jake "Valdez" Davis of BTM Manufacturing and Bobby "Tater Tot" Wegner of Beacon Fasteners set the stage for another memorable year.  Once again, they hope to avoid electrocution, dehydration, excessive grass stains, and of course, hydrogen embrittlement, and they want you to join the team today! Run time: 25:06

In this episode, Eric Dudas of FCH Sourcing Network is joined by Fastenal veteran turned homesteader Sam Aldinger and ERP code-slinger Anders Green of ALOX4 to dive deep into the evolving world of fastener sourcing, exploring why it’s still very much an art—despite rising interest in AI, B2B e-ecommerce and automation. They discuss the complexity of matching vague inquiries to real-world parts, the limitations of current tech solutions, and how tools like FCH SourceFinder and the “Scrubber” are paving the way. It’s a candid, forward-looking conversation on the digital future of industrial sourcing.Run time: 01:15:18

With a long view on the fastener industry and numerous careers to reflect on, Distributor’s Link Magazine publisher Mr. Leo Coar recounts the launch of his flagship businesses and shares thoughts on a range of topics. From the shift away from domestic manufacturing and rise of the master importers, to the early days of the fastener shows, to the impact of AI tech on fastener distribution, a true legend of the industry tells it like it was, and the way he sees it in the days ahead. Run time: 47:31