Podcast Transcript:

INTRO By Cris Young: Hello, fastener enthusiasts and industry professionals, Cris Young here LIVE in the FastenerTV studio! Welcome to your weekly roundup of the latest in fasteners—industry news, trends, upcoming events, and scholarships. Let’s dive into this week’s episode of In the News with Fastener News Desk!

HOST: Lisa Kleinhandler

Thank you, Cris, I’m Lisa Kleinhandler, Editor-in-Chief at Fastener News Desk reporting the latest news making headlines the week of January 27, 2025.

Watch new episode now on FastenerTV at YouTube (10:08)


IN THE NEWS

Threadline Products Expands with Wurth/Atlantic Fasteners Greensboro, NC Facility Acquisition.  Assuming the facility’s production capacity and operations, marking a strategic enhancement in their manufacturing and distribution capabilities. With Würth exiting the manufacturing space, this acquisition includes all assets from the facility—materials, production equipment, and a highly skilled workforce. The expansion broadens Threadline’s operational footprint while strengthening their commitment to delivering superior service and products to their customers. Read more:

Threadline Products Expands with Greensboro Facility Acquisition


Fastenal (FAST) reported its Q4 2024 financial results with net sales increasing 3.7% to $1,8 billion. The company’s daily sales grew 2.1%, reflecting a continued soft manufacturing environment throughout 2024. The company signed 56 new Onsite locations in Q4, bringing the total to 358 for 2024. Fastenal’s eBusiness and FMI Technology accounted for 62% of sales in 2024 up from 58.1% in Q4 2023, with a goal of increasing digitally driven sales to 66–68% in 2025. Fastenal’s sales for 2024 were $7.546 billion, a 2.7% increase from 2023. Read report: 

Fastenal Company Reports 2024 Annual and Fourth Quarter Earnings


Würth Group’s largest logistics investment is now operational with a 37% increased order picking and stock capacity. The inauguration of the new facility marks a significant milestone in the Group’s logistics strategy and further secures their competitive edge. The primary goal is to ensure reliable deliveries to their customers in the industry and the skilled trades, with over 25,000 products from stock, avoiding delivery splits. The usage of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics are being used to continuously increase automation and digitalization of their logistics.

 


Optimas, a global leader in industrial supply chain solutions, has surpassed sustainability goals. their exceptional progress in their Net-Zero Strategy, achieving emissions reductions initially set for the end of 2025—two years ahead of schedule. Moving forward, Optimas will focus on scaling renewable energy use, electrifying heating systems, and engaging suppliers to ensure long-term decarbonization. 

 


Listen Up Threadheads and FasteNerds! It’s time for Fully Threaded Radio Episode 209 The Skidmore-Wilhem Story. Join Eric Dudas & Brian Musker with their guests Skidmore-Wilhelm expert and proprietor Mr. John O’Brien and industry guru Carmen Vertullo as they delve deeply into the applications, uses and origins of tension bolting’s most unique and essential tool.  Tune in at FullyThreaded.com


The Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) survey for December 2024.  The FDI rose modestly to 48.1 last month, after sinking to 46.4 in November, seasonally adjusted. Sentiment dipped slightly but remained positive as the Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) read in at 51.4 vs 52.3 in November. The FDI is brought to you by the FCH Sourcing Network. Read report:

Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) | December 2024


Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in December for the ninth consecutive month and the 25th time in the last 26 months, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®. The U.S. manufacturing sector contracted for the ninth consecutive month in December, as the Manufacturing PMI® registered 49.3 percent, 0.9 percentage point higher compared to the 48.4 percent reported in November. Read full report:

Manufacturing PMI® at 49.3%; December 2024 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®


FASTENER INDUSTRY VIP’S


AuvecoAuveco Appoints Ed Gerber as New CEO


 

Chapman Revercomb New President of Würth Industry USA

Betsy Troyer Promoted to Director of Sales Support & Corporate Communications Würth Industry USA

Drew McCormick Promoted to Senior Director Account Management Würth Industry USA


 

 

WIFI Woman in Business Jennifer Sturm, Chief Operations Officer Empire Bolt & Screw Inc.


George Hunt III, MBA Promoted to Vice President of Sales, Industrial for North America, Brighton-Best International

Scott Gibson promoted to Vice President of Sales, Construction, NA, , Brighton-Best International

Steve Andrasik Promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales, Brighton-Best International


Young Fastener Professionals

IFE GROUP

Georgievski, IFE Elected Young Fastener Professionals 2025 President


ARaymond Celebrating 160 Years!


Endries International celebrates 55 years of excellence!


FASTENER INDUSTRY EVENTS – 2025


MAFDA Annual Top Golf Event Thursday, February 27th from 6:30 – 9:30 pm in Mount Laurel Township, NJ. More info & registration: MAFDA.com


Get ready for the 2025 Pac-West Spring Conference and Tabletop Show, March 12-14, 2025 in Anaheim, CA. Register: pac-west.org


50-logo-sefa

SEFA Spring Conference 2025 | April 29 – May 1 | Saddlebrook Resort Tampa, FL More info: TheSEFA.com


2025 NFDA Annual Meeting and ESPS | June 11-13, 2025 | Le Meridien Charlotte. Charlotte, NC More info: NFDA-Fastener.org 


Save thew Dates: MWFA 2025 FSTNR WEEK | August 23-29, 2025 | Lincolnshire, IL More info coming soon: MWFA.net


The stories featured in this week’s episode of IN THE NEWS can be found at Fastener News Desk or in our fee|@FastenerNews at X.com the twitter rebrand, on LinkedIn in the Fastener News Group and @FastenerNews at Threads!

If you would like to share your company’s news or events contact me, lisa@fastenernewsdesk.com. 

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of ‘IN THE NEWS’ with Fastener News Desk.

Until next week, be well and keep it fastenating!

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