Episodes
Aug. 30, 2025
Special Report: MWFA FSTNR Week '25
MWFA table top show interviews with the lovely and talented Lynn Dempsey featuring Josh Winkler, Tom Blakely, Heidi Voltrauer, Tom Buddenbohn, 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.
Aug. 12, 2025
Episode #218 - Tariffic Times
Are tariffs jacking the FDI? Kevin Godin of AFC joins McNulty. Rich Cavoto of Metric and Multi feels the squeeze. International Fasteners turns 30. IFE '25 preview. Vertullo on hydrogen embrittlement testing. PLUS: Buh bye AOL dial-up, hello Chat GPT 5!
July 30, 2025
FTR Unthreaded: Another Throw with Jason Baines
Part-time Highlander and full-time fastener executive Jason Baines of locknut provider J. Lanfranco breaks down the current tariff situation between Canada and the U.S. Tariff strategy update, real world impacts, and thoughts on the politics as deadlines loom.
July 13, 2025
Episode #217 - SW Threaded
MW Components sales VP Kara Bosse sells manufacturing, INxSQL expands with Rob "Big Country" Reynolds. On the Fastener News Report, Baird analyst Dave Manthey and Mike McNulty examine the latest FDI surge. Carmen Vertullo highlights conical spring washers. PLUS: Ed Smith of Würth leads the NFDA.
July 6, 2025
Special Report: The Mud Racers
Mud racers Bob "GQ" Baer, Jake "Valdez" Davis and Bobby "Tater Tot" Wegner join host and fellow mudder Eric "E-Roc" Dudas to prep for another year of the fastener industry's dirtiest networking event, and urge everyone to join the team.
June 30, 2025
FTR Unthreaded: The Art of AI B2B Fastener Sourcing with Sam and Anders
A deep dive into the evolving world of fastener sourcing, exploring why it's still very much an art, despite rising interest in AI and B2B e-ecommerce. With Fastenal veteran turned homesteader Sam Aldinger and ERP code-slinger Anders Green, founder of ALOX4.
June 24, 2025
FTR Unthreaded: Link Magazine Publisher Leo Coar
Legendary publisher of Distributor's Link Magazine, Mr. Leo Coar tells it like it was, and the way he sees it in the days ahead, from the rise of the master importers, and early days of the trade shows, to the coming impact of AI on fastener distribution.
June 12, 2025
Episode #216 - Special Nut Report
Marketing pros Rosa Hearn of BBI and Joe Shoemaker of AFC get the right messaging to the industry. Würth Industry USA director Chapman Revercomb joins Mike McNulty. SPS fire fall out with Perigee Mfg CEO Michael Topolewski. Online standards with Carmen Vertullo.
June 4, 2025
Special Report: Fastener Fair USA 2025 Floor Interviews
Fastener Fair USA in Nashville was a huge success. Attendees interviews by the lovely and talented Lynn Dempsey, including Josh Winkler, Louis Speedon, GHIII, Heidi Volltrauer, Tim Vath, Kim Penland, Bob Chiricosta, Henning Cybulski, John "Cool Hand" Butler and many more.
May 26, 2025
Episode #215 - Dodging Lynn
The fastener industry heads to Nashville for Fastener Fair. NCFA Distributor Social attendees, Gary Graham, Justine Urban, Morgan Wilson speak with Lynn Dempsey, Carmen Vertullo on structural bolt standard changes. PLUS: Who actually won the FTR award?
May 24, 2025
FTR Unthreaded: Fastening to Farming with Sam Aldinger
Fastenal veteran Sam Aldinger jumps into homesteading, discusses why he left a great position, the importance of data, B2B e-commerce, the culture at Fastenal, and sheep psychology.
May 8, 2025
Episode #214 - Tariffs & BBQ
Field president Adam Derry joins McNulty to explain how tariffs are impacting and crashing the FDI. Goebel CEO Christian Reich checks in. John "Cool Hand" Butler announces the biggest bed build ever.
April 15, 2025
Special Report: Stuttgart 2025 with Craig Penland of Eurolink
Eurolink FSS founder and president Craig Penland reviews this year's edition of the world's largest fastener show in Stuttgart, Germany.
April 10, 2025
Episode #213 - The Mike and Jun Show
Brighton Best president Jun Xu and senior newsman Mike McNulty explain strong FDI results amid tariff confusion. Fastener Specialties Manufacturing owner Rick Perkhaus wrestles with an exit plan. Carmen Vertullo: mixing small lots when plating. Plus: Harpo the fastener parrot is back?
April 4, 2025
Special Report: Endries CEO Michael Knight on Tariffs
Endries CEO Michael Knight reacts to the latest tariffs and shares thoughts on what they mean for the fastener industry.
March 27, 2025
Special Report: A Canadian Perspective on Tariffs with Jason Baines
Canadian locknut provider J. Lanfranco Fastener Systems VP Jason Baines discusses his approach to working with partners across the supply chain and shares thoughts on changing political conditions.
March 21, 2025
Special Report: Pac-West Spring Conference '25
Pac-West spring conference coverage, including Paul Vittori, George Martinez, Darlene Collis, Carl Spackman, Michael Chen, Jake "Valdez" Davis, Christian Reich and Steve "The Sasco Man" Dunham. PLUS: Golf tourney winners.
March 11, 2025
Episode #212 - The Price of Eggs
Würth EVP Asia-Pacific Dee Ward with another take on tariffs. Mike McNulty & Martin EVP Scott McDaniel with the surprising new FDI. Fastener Training Minute: ASTM vs. ASME 193. PLUS: Warehouse space leasing update with Marco Rodriguez. Brian and Eric wish the whole tariff thing would be over, easy.
Feb. 21, 2025
Episode #211 - Life of Brian
FTR co-host Brian Musker visits the FBI. Carmen Vertullo explains lot traceability and why you should know your test lab. WTC Managed IT Services senior consultant Will Snyder provides an important Microsoft security tip. PLUS: NFDA tariff web conference details.
Feb. 12, 2025
Episode #210 - So Long Steve
Steve Dunham of Sasco Fasteners looks back at a fastener career well spent. Würth COO Jeff Schmitt joins McNulty to look at dipping FDI numbers. Fastener Training Minute: Nut lubrication on structural applications. MFDA economic meeting take away.
Jan. 24, 2025
Episode #209 - The Skidmore-Wilhelm Story
Skidmore-Wilhelm expert and proprietor Mr. John O'Brien and industry guru Carmen Vertullo delve deeply into the applications, uses and origins of tension bolting's most unique and essential tool. K-factor talk aplenty! Discover simple yet effective lubricating techniques, little known but deadly …
Jan. 17, 2025
Episode #208 - When We Do
Huyett CEO Tim O'Keeffe on the 2024 FDI in review, Tim Roberto Jr. explains the LSG / Big Bolt acquisition, FTM: risks of structural bolt tensioning, Fastener Fair USA preview, huge promotion news, and new mud racing ink for Cool Hand.
Dec. 21, 2024
Episode #207B - MFDA Revealed
MFDA president Robert Rundle of R.W. Rundle Associates, Carmen Vertullo on inspecting plated threads, IronClad Gloves contest winner. PLUS: J.R. Prahl's "The Gift".
Dec. 13, 2024
Episode #207A - FDI Screwge
Star Stainless president Tim Roberto Jr. and news editor Mike McNulty remain positive, despite mixed feelings over probable new tariffs. Goebel Fasteners CEO Christian Reich at the Fastenal Expo. Over the road trucking update with Marco Rodriguez of Cressa. Brian and Eric teach a new AI old tricks.