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Where is there Creativity in the Fastener World?

Traveling Salesman — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:26:00 GMT

The first time I ever saw a large, cold heading machine in a factory just pounding out bolt after bolt I thought to myself, "who thinks of this stuff?" I sell these products but some machine builder or engineer, once upon a time, had the vision of how you could build a machine that could drop out fasteners by the thousands. I marvel at that creativity. I am not mechanically inclined so I am also a little envious of someone that can think and create that way. But, that is only once example of creativity in our industry. There have been numerous examples of industrial creativity, marketing creativity, logistical creativity.

Either in the late 1980's or early 1990's, Vendor Managed Inventory became popular. I think that was a creative change in the marketplace. I think it was creative when Kainbridge came out with the 1/8 keg (which I think they were the first to do in a big way). Kainbridge might also have been the first company to have a computer site where you could purchase online (not sure they were first but I know they were one of the first I heard about and heard that it was "good").

Another concept I thought was creative was creative when I first heard it was "blended inventory". I'll import what you need but I also have machines to make you the parts if the shipment from overseas is late. I'll "blend" them for you. Some companies got a nice sales boost using that strategy.

We really do not see an abundance of new fastener products coming out that frequently. One company that does though is Powers Fastener (or Rawl for you veterans). Evey year or two they come out with the Spike or some new creation and even though not all these product take off you do have to give them credit for continuing to innovate.

The 80/20 concept has been around for a long, long, long time. Some companies use it effectively and others clearly shoot themselves in the foot trying to implement this strategy. To use this concept effectively requires some creativity. You can use it to strengthen your distribution base or you can use it to insult and piss off many of the customers that helped you grow into the company you are when your new accountant/CEO tells you are implementing the program.

Mike McGuire had the first fastener show. Someone answer this form me -- who had the first fastener magazine? Was it LINK?

I welcome other examples of creativity in the fastener world. I'm sure I missed many. But, what I also am interested in hearing about are trends or developments that you see coming down the road in our industry. I realize that you might not share all your thoughts on a public forum because you might be giving away a $1MM idea. But, what trends do you see? What is something missing in our industry that you would like to see someone develop?

This is not specific to fasteners but I look forward to the day when companies can convert their computer systems over to new systems without temporarily crippling their customer service. Many companies have switched computers only to have their service become terrible for months until adjustments are made. We send people to the moon and we cannot make this transition go smoother???? How is that?

OK you creative geniuses in Fastener Talk land, let's hear from you.

NCFA on Facebook

Traveling Salesman — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:11:00 GMT

The North Coast Fastener Association has a Facebook page. You can find it in "groups". Do any other fastener associations have Facebook pages or do they use any other "social media". Twitter? Anything else?

Real Signs That Business Is Improving

Traveling Salesman — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:07:00 GMT

The following headlines have appeared in local newspapers or on line news sources within the last two weeks. These stories are all related to business in Northern Ohio.

"Vallourec & Mannesmannk investing $650 in Youngstown, Ohio For A State-Of-The-Art Small Diameter Rolling Mill" - 2/15/10

"Lordstown Adding 1,200 Workers - General Motors is ready to restart a third shift at its Lordstown, Ohio complex - 2/23/10

"Ford Boosts Brook Par" - Ford has hired back 60 workers and spent $155 million to make a new V-6 engine for the Mustang at Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in Brookpark, Ohio. 2/25/10

And, I have been told that in western Pennsylvania Steel Plants are starting up again. That means a couple things. First, it could mean steel prices are going up and it is worth their while to start producing again. Or, it could mean that demand is picking up and there is a greater need for steel. Either way, if is good to hear reports that steel plants are starting to produce steel again.

These are some good signs and these are not just reports from some analyst trying to predict the future. These are legitimate developments which I hope is just the tip of the iceberg.

You all remember the Flats in Cleveland, correct? Several years back they were touted as being a great place to hang out if you were in Cleveland for business. Everybody went down to the Flats. Well, they have been just about shut down for the last several years but I understand that we are very close to work getting started on rebuilding some of that area with two new office buildings being the foundation for additional development. Heard this direct from an industrial supply house right there in that area.  Before too long there should be a new Medical Mart building as well as a new casino.

That is quite a bit of activity for an area that is anchored by the city that was just labeled by Forbes to be the most miserable city in the country. Certainly, there has to be economic activity churning in other areas of the country too.

I read that a high speed train project is scheduled that will to from Cleveland to Columbus to Cincinnati. Stimulus money is supposed to pay for that one. So....I guess someone will be waiting to pick you up at the other end when you arrive??? Because, if you have to rent a car once you get there you might as well drive in the first place, true?  Ohio readers, please help me out with this one. I am not sure I see the value of this project at all. You want to build me a high speed train that takes me to Hilton Head or Fort Myers, Florida and I might be up for that. But I can hardly get through an entire music CD   going from Cleveland to Columbus. Who's going to be riding on that thing??

While I really like to see economic activity I do have to question those projects where I am providing some of the funds through my tax dollars. I am also aware that a bunch of other states would grab that money and build a train to nowhere if it created new jobs.   Unfortunately, everybody seems to grab what they can when "free money" is being handed out. And THAT is why I am glad to see business dollars being spent by companies investing in the area and not just tax dollars being spent.

What?? Who did you say owns GM???? Never mind.

Tough Business Climate to Figure Out

Traveling Salesman — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:59:00 GMT

I do hear a lot of people say that their business has picked up a bit over the last few months. Some people are really busy. Others still say they will have a few good weeks then a slow week. But, for the most part, everyone seems to agree that the last few months business has been strong than it was at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. But, we are still crawling out of a hole. Not sure when we will see business as strong as it was in the early part of 2008 and before that.

One weird thing that is still different though is the unemployment situation. I had a friend ask me recently, "in your adult life, did you ever know a time when a person who really wanted to find a job just couldn't find one?" I know what he meant. Yes, I knew people that lost their jobs or took a few months off between jobs but, for the most part, guys and ladies I knew that really wanted to find a job could do so within a reasonable period of time. Sometimes the job did not pay what their last job paid but it was generally not like they were taking a job for half of what they used to make. Right now, I know of three former sales managers that I reported to who are out of work. Two in the midwest, one in the east. All were effective, competent and experienced. One is out of work 10 months and the other two about 6 months. And, I don't think they are finding anything.

So, I am very happy to see business pick up. Hope it continues and by 2011 or 2012 we are really rockin' again. But, I know until some of these people I know find work I am going to feel a little skeptical that everything is getting back to normal.

Top 50 Distributor Update

Traveling Salesman — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:12:00 GMT

Compiling the suggestions from all you Fastener Talk contributors, here is what we have so far. Is it scientific? Heck no. At least not yet. But it is a starting point. I do not know some of these companies at all but I am sure I can google them. Which ones belong? Which ones do not? Who else should be on this list? There are still only 45 names here.

Anixter
All-State
General Fasteners
Mid-State Bolt (Flint)
JO King
Active Screw
Supply Technologies
Wurth
Bossard
D.B. Roberts
Century Fasteners
Endries
Hillman
Copper State
Gexpro
Fastenal
Flexalloy (accument)
Barnes Distribution
Kimball-Midwest
American Fastener (Avon, IN)
Arkansas Bolt
ACS (Assembly Component System)
Circle Bolt
Cordova Bolt
Fastec
Mid-State - Columbus, OH
Timberline Fastener
Trinity Logistics
Whitesell Corp.
Davco
Bisco
Tower Fasteners
MSC
B/E Aerospace
Fastbolt
House of Threads
LeJeune Bolt
Haydon/St. Louis Screw & Bolt
Southeastern Bolt
Birmingham Fastenr
Lawson
Hardware Specialty
TR Fastenings
Global Supply Services (Cyclops)
TFC

Let's come up with at least 50

Traveling Salesman — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:56:00 GMT

Anixter

All-State Fasteners

General Fasteners

Mid-State Bolt ( MI )

JO King

Active Screw ( AZ / IL )

Supply Tech formerly ILS

Wurth

Bossard

D.B. Roberts (?)

Century Fastener

Endries

Hillman

Copper State (bunch of branches)

Gexpro (?)

Fastenal (they did start with fasteners)

Flexalloy (Accument - not as big as they used to be but..)

Barnes Distribution

Kimball-Midwest

What other companies have multiple locations or a national sales force?? Help me out folks.

Fastener Top 50 - Not So Simple

Traveling Salesman — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:44:00 GMT

There has been a fair amount of response to people's interest in a ranking of the top 50 fastener distributors. A list was referred to by Andy at ScrewCrew.com Mike McGuire sent me a private note pointing out some of the obstacles to coming up with a definitive Top 50 list. Here are some of the challenges.

Is a company like Fastenal a fastener distributor or an industrial supply house? Do you segregate specific industry sectors like electronic hardware distributors (which would include companies that are PEM or Captive distributors) since some of them do not deal in standard hardware? Where do construction supply houses fit? You know, the Powers or Simpson distributors. Some carry lost of other fasteners but for some their only fastener line might be their anchor line.

Still, there are a bunch of names that one would suppose would end up on the list. Several could be companies with multiple locations. I'm going to list a few here but I do not have sales dollars to back up the list. Maybe down the road I (or someone with better data) can substantiate this or another list. But, for now, let's get this started.

Fastenal
Supply Technologies
Anixter
Wurth
Endries
Copper State
General Fasteners
Barnes ?
D.B. Roberts ?
Bossard

C'mon folks, help me out.

Industrial Distribution Magazine

Traveling Salesman — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:10:00 GMT

I just read a news release that Reed Business Information is closing down its publication of the magazine Industrial Distribution. Please, anyone with more information out there please let me know if I have this wrong. If this is true, I'm very disappointed. This was a decent magazine and I always enjoyed their publication of the top 50 Industrial Distributors. Like I've said before, I wish such a list existed in the fastener industry.

You know what? Maybe that will be a Fastener Talk exclusive. Maybe I'll track down the sales figures for all the largest fastener companies I can think of and print a list. Hey, if anybody has that info, please send it to me and you will save me a whole lot of time.

Welcome 2010

Traveling Salesman — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:35:00 GMT

Happy New Year everybody. 2009 was quite a struggle for a lot of fastener companies so let's all hope that 2010 brings us a more robust economy and some sales growth. Ultimately, it is up to each of us to make it happen but it sure would be nice to have a little momentum from a better economic climate.

Before I mention other things on my mind, I'd like to share with you that this is my 200th post as the moderator of Fastener Talk. I cannot believe I have come up with 200 ways to start a conversation but I guess I have Nucor and the Fastener Shows to thank for many of my post subjects. My New Year's Resolution is to improve this site and I have several ideas on how that can be accomplished. I want to thank my good friend Daniel from Bazibaza search engine for offering me encouragemt and suggestions along the way. I do not want to get all sappy here but we met each other through this site and now have gotten together at the Vegas Show two years in a row and I find it interesting that we can bridge the ocean between the U.S. and France via the internet to compare notes and offer suggestions. Much thanks Daniel. Again, I would encourage you to check out his site at industry.bazibaza.com. It is a worldwide search engine that has more information than you can imagine.

As we look back on the year, and even the decade, one thing jumps out. I think the Chinese influence on the fastener industry is probably the biggest news maker of recent history. I just read on another fastener news site where China is imposing tariffs on EU carbon fasteners. According to this article, China has determined that EU imports have hurt China's domestic producers, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. China started probing EU carbon fastener imports after the European Commission adopted antidumping duties averaging 85% on certain Chinese fasteners. Folks, out here in the Midwestern part of the United States we generally call something like this a "pissing contest". But the stakes are very high here and this is not a game. These are governments getting highly involved in what we usually like to see handled in the free market. Problem is, with the internet and communication being what it is, many American (and probably European) companies have decide to move their business to China. When I was a kid I learned about business cycles and I was taught there would be good times and bad times just because of business cycles. It is possible that 2009 was just a low point on the business cycle that was long overdue. Or. maybe not. I know one thing for sure. In the year 2000, there were not nearly the number of small fastener distributors taking their business directly overseas. Now, it is commonplace. And, in the Midwest there have been countless number of companies that have moved production overseas to where smaller and mid sized distributors have lost a large part of their customer base. Just gone. Ain't coming back.

So, what is our challenge for 2010 and beyond? Are we all going to sell to the windmill manufacturers? How many bridges and roads can be built with our TARP dollars? We never back down from a challenge and we always rise to the occasion. It is our nature. I wish more fasteners were used in I-Pods and on Facebook. We do real well in those products. Some say we are in a new decade and others say it begins next year. Either way, I wish I had a crystal ball to get a glimpse of 2020. We all need to sell to somebody and we all (and I mean ALL including our Chinese and Indian brethren in the industry) have a vested interest in having a vibrant manufacturing base. These are subjects that interest and concern me. I would pay to hear a good speaker who could address these issues...someone with some real insight on the American economy and the erosion or revitalization of the U.S. manufacturing base. Certainly, somebody has to talk about this subject somewhere. STAFDA is having Sarah Palin speak next year at their show. More than likely, I will be in Vegas at the Fastener Show when she speaks. I would be interested in hearing a speaker address the issues that are relevant to me as a member of the fastener industry.

Traveling Salesman's First Grade School work

Traveling Salesman — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Fastener Show West and Nucor back in News

Traveling Salesman — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:01:00 GMT

Thank you to my loyal readers who have been sending me news updates. Clearly, I have been a negligent blogger and have not been posting as frequently as a devoted blogger might. Truth is, I've been really busy with work stuff...and that is a good thing. Throw in things like going to my kid's Choir Concert and I've lost some evening time too. Then, (and this is big) I've had to devote additional time to my fantasy football team as I have made it to the Super Bowl of my fantasy league. It takes place this weekend and with injuries, etc., I've really had to devote some quality time to the "Land Hammers" franchise. Now, don't go stealing the name for your team.

So, back to fastener news. First, I think the fact that I have been extremely busy since the Las Vegas Fastener Show is just great. Last December, everybody was dead. None of my customers were busy and business was coming to a screeching halt leading up to 2009 which has pretty much been one of the worst years in recent fastener history. It is refreshing to be this busy.

Yes, yes, yes...Nucor is back in the news as they appealed the unanimous decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission that rejected their petition for antidumping and countervailing tariffs. Nucor's attorney argued that U.S. production and capacity utilization decreased by 50% and Chinese and Taiwanese imports grew to 56% of the market by "pervasively underselling U.S. fasteners by significant margins". All the publications have come out with the details and you can look up that information on some of those news sites (many of which are listed to the left of this column you are reading). Let's face it. We all knew this was coming. There is no surprise here. The bigger surprise is that the petition was beaten down with a 6-0 decision. I sell import products and I sell domestic products. And, in case you did not know, I'm a good ol', red blooded American Boy. I'd love to see domestic manufacturers do better, stop closing and provide more jobs. I also recognize the value of some of the lower priced import products that we buy and sell and, in the end, give us many products that are lower in cost. But, if anyone, including the government, is going to try to tell me that the domestic manufacturers have not been hurt by the importers then they are just flat our nuts. We know it, they know it, the world knows it. I guess it must come down to how bad have they been hurt and what is a fair and just resolution. Maybe Nucor was not asking for a reasonable resolution. Others can figure that out. But, just using our common sense we know there has been SOME kind of affect.

Next subject - the Las Vegas Fastener Show. In 2011 it will move down the strip to the Sands convention center and it will be in October, not November. For those who do not attend the STAFDA show, I will tell you that it will overlap with the Vegas show in 2010. That is a problem for a lot of companies that exhibit in both. The Fastener Show is in Vegas and STAFDA is in Phoenix and a few of the dates overlap. By moving to October, these conflicts should go away in future years. Folks, that's about all I will say about that right now. Feel free to write in with your own thoughts including my friends from the Fastener Shows. If you would like to share how you chose the Sands or the time of year I would be more than happy to publish all that. I do think that folks in the fastener industry would like to hear more and please use this site as a platform.

Also, I'd like to hear more about how the Columbus show is coming along. And, I have not heard from anyone at the All American Show and I'd like to hear an update on that or any other regional show.

Promise to write more often in the future. There is a lot going on. I suspect that acquisitions will increase and I just read where HD Supply is closing 350 branches. HD Supply is not exactly a fastener house but it is industrial supply and that is a close relative to the fastener house, relatively speaking.

Happy Holidays. Keep plugging because we hold the world together!

Fastenal buying Holo-Krom

Traveling Salesman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:28:00 GMT

Wow. Just when I thought things would slow down for the holidays and there would be no news on fasteners I read this:

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/news.html?d=180020

I invite all gasps and compliments. That is a big name being swallowed up by another big name. Amazing.

Fastener Industry Mentioned in Kiplinger Letter

Traveling Salesman — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:34:00 GMT

One newsletter that I read regularly is The Kiplinger Letter. The forecasts and observations are usually very good. So, wasn't I surprised when I was reading a recent edition (November 25, 2009, to be exact) when I read their prediction that nickel prices will come down about 25% by September and then it said that this will "ease pricing pressure on appliance, machinery and fastener manufacturers". Right there in Kiplinger folks!! We are making it to the big time.

For the record, Kiplinger also predicts that copper with drop 25% by next fall and they say that aluminum with see a nearly 20% slide by fall. The pattern holds for other metals too. They claim lead will plunge 45% or so by September and tin by 20%.

They base these predictions on another prediction --that is that , early next year, investors will lower their expectations for strong economic growth. So, that premise....well it kind of sucks. I think we all are hoping for growth to kick in again but I guess we cannot know when it will come. 2010??? Maybe more in 2011?? I'll be keeping my eyes open for any publications that talk about economic expectations for next year but, if there are any out there floating around, please let me know so I can track them down.

Back To Reality

Traveling Salesman — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:27:00 GMT

Seems like the last month has been surreal in the fastener world. There were a few weeks where everyone was anxiously awaiting to hear about the anti-dumping petition. Then, like magic, it all temporarily went away right before the Las Vegas Fastener Show. It felt like a major league pinch hitter came in during the bottom of the 11th and hit a game winning home run in front of the home crowd. But, since we all know this issue can, and probably will, be resurrected, I guess it was like hitting a home run in the divisional playoffs and not in the World Series.

Then came the Fastener Show. All comments that were posted were extremely positive about the show. Sure, attendance might have been down, but it was still a great show. Nowhere else can you get in front of so many customer or talk with as many industry peers as you can at the fastener shows. As the people who posted wrote, you have to have a plan when you come to a trade show and you have to work the plan once you get there. The people who put on the shows do their best to attract attendees. They want the show to be huge and vibrant. But they cannot really affect what goes on within the walls of the exhibition area. I'm glad that several people posted that they had a good show, because I certainly did.

Then, after all that, you get back home, clean off your desk and it is Thanksgiving. Time for a break and hopefully an opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends. And when you stop and look back you have to ask yourself, "Where did the last month go?"

So, as the title says, it is "Back To Reality" . Back to work on Monday. Christmas is on a Friday this year so we might actually see nearly a whole week of work that week. Nearly. So, you have about four weeks to make your numbers for 2009. Or, you have about four weeks to get yourself ready for 2010. Either way, you'd better use those four weeks wisely.

Not many companies want to see a repeat of 2009. So, get a plan and start putting the pieces together to move your plan forward. As Eminem says, "Snap. Back to Reality". Or as the ancient Buddhist proverb says, "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water". We all had our time off and a little break from the buying and selling fasteners but that is what we all do. We buy and sell fasteners.

I like that. I've got my own proverb. "Before The Fastener Show and Thanksgiving, buy fasteners, sell fasteners. After The Fastener Show and Thanksgiving..." Let's get on with it.

Vegas Fastener Show

Traveling Salesman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:09:00 GMT

I'm still in Vegas and am pretty tired but I wanted to post something before I go to sleep. Early a.m. flight tomorrow. I once again end the show feeling like I accomplished quite a few things I set out to accomplish. I never did hear the final attendance count but, like other shows this year, I'm sure attendance was down. I do not mean to suggest that the show was slow, because I thought it was well attended. And, as usual, it was more heavily attended on Tuesday (the first day) than on Wednesday. Still, attendance did not seem bad.

At every show there are exhibitors that are disappointed by attendance. Then there are others that will say that they felt the attendance was good. Regardless of the numbers, if you get some face to face time with some good customers or if you pick up a new account or a new sales person, then the show could be a success. And yet, I do understand that exhibitors who pay for booths do count on a certain amount of visitors tho justify the investment. I post this note hoping that I will get some feedback from those who attended the show.

I did not attend all the conferences on Monday so anyone who would like to comment on those is certainly welcome. I did attend the anti-dumping meeting. The speaker offered a lot of detail of what went on throughout the process and what it meant. Although there is no predicting what will happen from here, I did hope to hear a bit more about what he expected to happen now that the petition was thrown out and a bit less on what took place to get to this point.

I think I am fading and need sleep so I will post more at another time. Please readers, let's hear your thoughts from the show.

STAFDA Show Over, Hello Las Vegas

Traveling Salesman — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:57:00 GMT

Earlier in the week I attended the STAFDA show for the first time is several years. I really enjoyed it. The cost to attend STAFDA is much higher than the Fastener Show but it is different and probably worth the cost. The night before the trade show began, STAFDA had rented out the Georgia Aquarium and members were served food there catered by Wolfgang Puck (I think) Catering. It was really great food and there was a ton of it. I have been to many aquariums and this one ranked among the best. Very nice venue and I ran into a lot of people at the social. I am not sure if the Vegas Fastener Show could charge more or even if they should. But, the STAFDA show lasted several hours and there was a band playing and it was very well done. In Vegas, the opening celebration is well attended and nice but I do think people are antsy to get out and go to dinner, gamble, go to shows, etc.

The show itself is preceded with an opening "General Session" complete with the National Anthem being sung and many speakers. There was a session on the economy, which was interesting. The president of STAFDA gave an interesting speech about how he sold his company to a larger company and then went on to work with another company. I would imagine there are some people from the fastener industry that might have their own stories to tell. People who sold to Questron, or Wurth or Supply Technologies. So many people end up back in the industry at another company or at a new start-up company. I think if the Fastener Show had a general session a speaker like that might be interesting. There is a bit more pageantry at the STAFDA show. They give out awards at the general session and a lot of people attend. The show is different.

One other observation that I found interesting. AT STAFDA, there would be aisles that were about half full of booths from just a single company. Certainly, there are some big booths at the Fastener Show but at STAFDA, companies like Dewalt have a booth that took up about half of the entire aisle. There were several rows like that where various tool companies spread out their gear and really showed off their products.

I enjoyed the STAFDA show a lot and hope to attend next year. I believe it will be in Phoenix. FYI, the speaker at next year's STAFDA show is going to be Sarah Palin. Love her or hate her, you've got to admit that it a pretty big name to bring in to address your organization. And again, that might be why the cost of the STAFDA show is more. But, for what they delivered, I thought it was well worth it. Executive Director of STAFDA, Georgia Foley, deserves credit for running a fine whow.

And now, on to Vegas. I miss the round bar at the Paris but Mandalay has got its charm. So, is the bar right by the Sushi restaurant one of the new fastener industry hangouts?? Please let me know where the new hang out is. I'm still trying to figure it out.

Anti-Dumping?? Quick Vote?

Traveling Salesman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:43:00 GMT

Just passing along some skuttlebutt that passed by my ears. Like many other people, I thought for certain that there would be some tariff passed along due to the Nucor petition. The speaker at the North Coast Fastener Association meeting suggested that the probability was quite high, based on other cases he had seen. So, what happened?? A 6-0 slam dunk. No questions asked. As the great basketball commentator Austin Carr would say, "Get that weak stuff outa here!"

Most people agree that Nucor asked for too much. Too many products included, maybe too much in tariffs. But few people thought that they had NO case. And, many have suggested that Nucor will again file so the importers and distributors of the nation need to be aware of this.

But why so quick? Why 6-0? Why not a small tariff until it could be examined more fully?

The skuttlebutt I am referring to is that our President is headed to Asia for a week of meetings and the quick rejection of Nucor's petition was in part a political move before the trip.

A news report on Reuters mentions that the U.S. International Trade Commission voted 6-0 to back the Commerce Department's investigation into allegations Chinese and Indonesian companies are selling coated paper used for magazines and greeting cards at unfairly low prices.

It also approved an investigation of charges Chinese producers are "dumping" three types of salts in the United States.

Yet, the article then notes that the Nucor petition was rejected.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSN0617027720091106

I see that the Anti-Dumping meeting is still scheduled for the Las Vegas Fastener Show. Although the storm has seemed to pass for the time being, I think there will be others developing down the road.

Now that the anti-dumping petition is sidelined..

Traveling Salesman — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:49:00 GMT

...what do we concentrate on? Well, it sounds like Nucor can file another petition again and they do not have to wait too long to do so. Maybe next time they will narrow their scope and actually ask for damages that reflect reality a bit more. Hey, I guess they were a proponent of the old saying, "If you're going to walk on thin ice you may as well dance".

But, now we can get back to the subject that we were talking about BEFORE the Nucor petition. And that would be the economy. I'm attending STAFDA this next week and they are having a speaker on The State of The Industry which I hope to attend. I am glad that the Nucor petition is, at least, temporarily settled before Vegas so we can look forward to 2010 with an approach to growing business. And I think that will happen eventually.

Still no one posted much about what I should expect at STAFDA so I'll head out into the unknown and let you know what I fine.

Anti-Dumping Case Dismissed!

Traveling Salesman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:02:00 GMT

In case you have not heard, Nucor's anti-dumping case has been dismissed. On November 6, 2009, the International Trade Commission voted 6-0 that Nucor Fastener Division and other U.S. producers of standard steel fasteners are not materially injured by imports from China and Taiwan. Under U.S. law, "If the Commission finds that imports of the subject merchandise are negligible or otherwise makes a negative determination under this paragraph, the investigation shall be terminated."The report is on the ">

On November 6, 2009, the International Trade Commission voted 6-0 that Nucor Fastener Division and other U.S. producers of standard steel fasteners are not materially injured by imports from China and Taiwan. Under U.S. law, "If the Commission finds that imports of the subject merchandise are negligible or otherwise makes a negative determination under this paragraph, the investigation shall be terminated."

The report is on the International Trade Commission's website.

Accordingly, you can all go back to the way things were . . . . Until Nucor Fastener Division tries again. Petitions that fail at the preliminary injury vote tend to come back a few months or a year or two later. Petitioners have suffered a similar defeats with prior petitions, but refiled the petition and successfully obtained antidumping duty orders.

Nucor may trim low-grade fasteners from the scope and refile the petition focusing on medium- and high-grade fasteners. So learn from this experience, and plan for the future now.

Notes from:
http://www.importerhelp.com/investigations/fasteners/

ITC Injury Vote Friday at 11:00

Traveling Salesman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:35:00 GMT

Thank you for this post from Mark Lehnardt.

The important ITC injury vote is Friday at 11am EST. I will post the result at www.importerhelp.com/investigations/fasteners. The ITC may vote affirmative injury with the scope langauge as is, or may split the scope and find injury only on medium- and high-grade fasteners, or vote no injury (in which case the investigation would terminate). The most likely is the first scenario - but everyone can keep their fingers crossed tomorrow morning.