The value of good advice There’s an old proverb that says, “Good advice is beyond all price.” This might be true, but people generally tend to ignore advice, at least the unsolicited kind. For business owners and entrepreneurs, the reason is simple: they’re too busy working. Overwhelm and multi-tasking means there’s little time for heeding…

Mark your calendars When the International Fastener Expo (IFE) launched more than 40 years ago, the aim was to bring manufacturers and distributors of industrial fasteners, precision-formed parts, and machinery tooling together. That goal is still the same. Impressively, IFE was and still is the largest fastener event in North America. What started as a…

In May, I attended my first trade show in nearly three years. After months behind a screen, connecting with others via conference calls and Zoom meetings, it took leaving my home office before I realized how much I missed meeting new people and interacting with others — in person. Kudos to Fastener Fair USA for…

Companies that care Sustainability is on the rise — especially the demand for it. More than ever, companies are asked to show rather than tell, providing evidence of sustainable actions and a reduced carbon footprint. Regulatory standards are also increasing, often requiring businesses to disclose metrics such as emissions. According to the Global Sustainability Study…

A future with clever bolts “Imagine a future with clever bolts that communicate when tensioned?” This was a phrase spoken at a wind-power conference years ago, long before the digital wind farms of today, many of which are remotely connected and monitored to ensure optimal performance. It was before the popularity of “smart” tools and…

Why resiliency matters Operational resilience is a form of risk mitigation and management. How well does your company anticipate, adapt to, and rebound from unexpected stressors or disruptions? Chances are you found out rather quickly in 2020 as the pandemic impacted everyday life and business. Uncertainty has always been a challenge. Manufacturers and suppliers have…

Mark your calendars… “Once you’re in it, it’s tough to leave,” shares Jo Morris, who works with the Fastener Training Institute and Desert Distribution. She’s referring to the fastener industry, which is likely somewhat humorous and mostly true for many working in the sector. Morris has spent her career in fastening, which you can read…

The wisdom of pre-planning It’s unlikely those in the market for a new vehicle are going to ask about the type of fasteners used while on a test-drive (aluminum or steel?), or question the quality of the adhesive used before upgrading to their tablet or smartphone (bonding fi lm or tape?). However, perhaps this should…

Strength in flexibility My grandpa used to tell me how important it was to be flexible in life. “That which yields is not always weak,” he’d say, adding that it took him too long to learn this lesson. It’s been years since he’s passed but I think he failed to give himself enough credit. He…

Why diversity matters in business Lasting businesses endure disruptive changes. This phrase is from an old business and economics college textbook. Our class assignment at the time was to define and solve potentially disruptive changes that could affect a company. This year would’ve certainly made that list, given the ongoing pandemic. Although our instructor preferred…