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!
Freshly forged from the news foundry it’s time for 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 February 10, 2025.
Watch it now on FastenerTV at YouTube: https://youtu.be/F9D1CqQWopk (13:11)
IN THE NEWS
Hey fastener friends, we’re kicking off the year with a bit of a soft start, but don’t hit the panic button just yet! 🚦The Fastener Distributor Index (FDI) slid slightly in January to 47.6, staying below the 50 mark. Blame it on the slow post-holiday ramp-up and some weather hiccups. The Forward-Looking Indicator (FLI) also dipped just a notch to 49.9—a slight wobble, but nothing alarming. Here’s the bottom line: This looks more like a case of January blues and tariff jitters rather than a true sign of industry weakness. So, before we start reading too much into the numbers, let’s give February a chance to tell us where we’re really headed!
Read full report:
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in January after 26 consecutive months of contraction, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®. The Manufacturing PMI® registered 50.9 percent in January, 1.7 percentage points higher compared to the seasonally adjusted 49.2 percent recorded in December. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 57th month after one month of contraction in April 2020. (A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.3 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.) Read full report:
Manufacturing PMI® at 50.9%; January 2025 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®
Global Industrial Company, a value-added national distributor of industrial equipment and supplies announced the appointment of Anesa Chaibi as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 17, 2025. Anesa is a proven senior executive with extensive experience in B2B and industrial distribution businesses. Read full release:
Global Industrial Company Announces Appointment of Anesa Chaibi as Chief Executive Officer
SWD, Inc. announced the acquisition of the assets of Metals Technology Corporation, a renowned Commercial Heat Treater based in Carol Stream, Illinois. The strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in SWD Inc.’s growth and commitment to providing comprehensive Metal Processing Solutions. Metals Technology Corporation has been a trusted name in the industry for over 60 years. Read more:
🎙️ Fastener Flash Update – Steel & Aluminum Tariffs: What You Need to Know 🔩⚙️
“Fastener pros, buckle up—steel and aluminum tariffs are back in the news, and they could shake up the supply chain big time. Trump announced a 25% steel and aluminum tariffs, and more import duties are coming 🚨With potential tariff hikes on imported steel and aluminum, we’re looking at rising material costs, tighter supply, and pricing pressure trickling down to distributors and end users. If you’re sourcing imported fasteners, expect some pricing volatility and possible lead time extensions as suppliers adjust.
But here’s the deal: Manufacturers and distributors are already strategizing, looking at alternative sourcing, domestic production boosts, and contract adjustments to stay ahead. So, while the headlines might sound dramatic, industry pros are staying flexible and proactive. Bottom line? Keep an eye on policy changes, talk to your suppliers, and plan ahead—because in this industry, being prepared is half the battle!
That’s your Fastener Flash Update—stay sharp, stay fastened, and stay informed! 🔩💡
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
FASTENER INDUSTRY VIP’S
Jill Lewis, President Associated Fastening Products is the 2025 President of the
Mid-West Fastener Association
Eurolink Fastener Supply Service is celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2025, marking a quarter-century of excellence and unwavering dedication to the fastener industry.
Triangle Fastener Corporation marks 48 years of growth, innovation, and collaboration.
Auveco 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
Hristijan Georgievski, IFE Elected Young Fastener Professionals 2025 President
ARaymond Celebrating 160 Years!
Endries International celebrates 55 years of excellence!
FASTENER INDUSTRY EVENTS – 2025
February 20, 2025, 2:00 PM | Nucor | Metallurgy: How Steel is Made. In this presentation, learn more about the basis of steel and how structures are formed. Understand the difference between tensile and yield strength: Martensite, Pearlite and Bainite. This presentation will also distinguish between the four different types of carbon steel: low carbon, med carbon, high carbon, and ultra-high carbon. Register now: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4851778/71503C108D4BC1A9CED86AF05388AB45
NEFDA Bowling Party | March 6th, 2025 at 6PM | High Rollers at Foxwood Resort & Casino Register today: NEFDA.com https://www.nefda.com/event/bowling-party/#tribe-tickets__tickets-form
MAFDA Annual Top Golf Event Thursday, February 27th from 6:30 – 9:30 pm in Mount Laurel Township, NJ. More info & registration: MAFDA.com https://mafda.com/annual-top-golf-event-2025/
Get ready for the 2025 Pac-West Spring Conference and Tabletop Show, March 12-14, 2025 in Anaheim, CA. Register: pac-West.org
SEFA Spring Conference 2025 | April 29 – May 1 | Saddlebrook Resort Tampa, FL More info: TheSEFA.com https://www.thesefa.com/event/spring-conference/
BTM Manufacturing, ISSCO, Inc., Twin Lakes Insurance Agency, and Wachter, Inc. 5th Annual Bed Build! Sleep in Heavenly Peace | Save the Date: May 3, 2025
2025 NFDA Annual Meeting and ESPS | June 11-13, 2025 | Le Meridien Charlotte. Charlotte, NC More info: NFDA-Fastener.org
Save the 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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Fastener Acquisitions, Fastener Industry, Fastener Industry VIP, Fastener News, Fastener News Desk, Fastener News Podcast, Fastener TVIN THE NEWS with Fastener News Desk the Week of February 3, 2025
