1/19/2014 10:48:00 PM
NEWS BRIEFS
Early Returns: Comments from FIN Survey Participants
“Between the IFI, NFDA and the regional associations we are too splintered. We need a single voice for the industry.”
“Business up & down.”
“China is our biggest threat.”
“Concerned about possible price increases from suppliers due to some mergers in the past year.”
“Consolidation and more to come.”
“Ever changing.”
“Excellent prospects for 2014.”
“Fantastic and great future for many many years to come.”
“Fastener training is a must!”
“Flatish but improving.”
“Getting harder to be a domestic fastener manufacturer.”
“Good automotive prospects both for engineered and commodity fasteners globally.”
“Interesting consolidation occurring in some spaces: Rivets via Avdel and Emhart / Stanley.”
“It could be a golden time to be a manufacturer if Congress/White House can get out of the way of the market.”
“It has its ups and downs like any other industry.”
“It seems that the fastener industry is not developing enough young people that are committed to becoming ‘fastening specialists.'”
“It will continue as long as something needs to be assembled.”
“Little distributor is disappearing … seems like more acquisitions and few startups of future small companies.”
“Love it!”
“Medical costs.”
“Overall sense of cautious optimism.”
“Political leaders have been an absolute disaster – vis-a-vie business growth and employment.”
“Prices will rise with less competition.”
“Quality is taking a backseat to price. It is the customer’s prerogative to make this choice, but we could see more field failures arise as a result.”
“Sales still sporadic from customers due to fluctuations in demand.”
“Server, switch and router flat or down for years poised for an increase – good for engineered fastener companies.”
“Steady.”
“Still an apparent lack of profit motive. Price, price, price!”
“Strong but still dicey.”
“Supply doesn’t seem to be much of a problem.”
“The auto sector is our main customer and is steady and strong.”
“The mainstream generation is getting older. Younger generation just wants profits, not to manufacture.”
“Times are good right now!”
“Very challenging consumer electronics markets.”
“Very challenging environment and difficult to manage customer demands.”
“We have seen a real improvement in willingness to work with the distribution networks.”
“We need to make a more concerted commitment to training and education.”
The full End of 2013 FIN Survey will be published this week for FIN subscribers.
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