The FIN Fastener Stock Index declined 3.5% in the third quarter of 2022, besting a 5.8% drop by an index of related industrial stocks during a quarter when the market plunged on recession fears.
HEADLINES
Tuffy started in fasteners at age 16 in the warehouse packing nuts and bolts; Harms’ experience is with supply chains.
The first keynote speaker at an International Fastener Expo cited eliminating second shift as an example of the people-focused future of distributors.
Just 9% of respondents anticipate activity levels will be higher six months from now. Conversely, 43% expect lower activity levels after two years of double-digit gains.
The externally threaded fasteners segment has the highest share, with a revenue of $42.9 billion in 2021 and expected to reach $63.7 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5%.
Ask questions and then “ask a few extra questions of your customer,” Rich Pease of RK Precision Products advised a Mid-West Fastener Association conference session.
Ask people consistently “What do you like about working here?” and “What don’t you like?” Eric Chester told the Pacific-West Fastener Association. “Give them a chance to talk.”
The seasonally adjusted Forward Looking Index “suggests the recovery may be short lived, with the index coming in at just 47.4 as employment softened, customer inventories crept up and the six-month outlook was less positive.
As geopolitical tensions rise between the U.S. and China over the fate of Taiwan, GlobalFastenerNews.com examines a list of top fastener companies on the island.
“No one wants to get their hands dirty. No one wants to work in a warehouse 80 hours a week.”
Fasteners played a prominent role in the development of the composite Dreamliner as supply disruptions and improper installation plagued its test aircraft fleet.
Exhibits up from 2021 for the October 17-19, 2022, trade show at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, but not yet back to pre-Covid levels.
The FIN Fastener Stock Index declined 13.4% in the second quarter of 2022, besting a 14.1% drop by an index of related industrial stocks during a quarter of market volatility and ongoing supply disruptions.
Shipping has improved but Star Stainless Screw president Tim Roberto said “ports can’t handle” the shipping as is and “any little bump down the road” creates larger problems.
“Demand remains strong for now but softening ahead seems to be the consensus,” according to R.W. Baird analyst David Manthey.
“We at ITR Economics don’t see a recession coming,” economist Lauren Saidel-Baker told the National Fastener Distributors Association. There may be a “soft landing” from today’s strong economy, but not a recession.
Facing the highest price hikes in 40 years, President Joe Biden is deciding whether to roll back some of the tariffs imposed on Chinese goods, including fasteners, in 2018, according to senior administration officials.
The Vogelsang name entered the North American fastener industry in 1972 distributing Rollpins made in Europe by Joerg Vogelsang.
Three Derrys have been president of the National Fastener Distributors Association since Jim Derry and Bill Derry acquired Field Fastener in 1990 from Dick Field.
Founded in 1984, Store Room provides VMI, sub-assemblies and kitting and has been ISO 9001 accredited for 14 years.