U.S. fastener executives report production and sales figures have dropped as much as 45%, according to an informal May 2020 survey conducted by GlobalFastenerNews.com.

“If it wasn’t for the empty roads, I would barely notice the ‘shut down’,” one fastener distributor observed.  

“Running the full crew full-time, but order quantities lower, so sales down around 10% vs. prior year.”

 • One distributor said his company sanitizes work surfaces and touch points, and work stations have been moved at least six feet apart.

“I would guess that this is the new normal for a least 18 months” until “an inoculation is proven.”

While face masks are optional, “anyone who sneezes or coughs goes home,” he told GlobalFastenerNews.com.  

The distributor is moving some inside sales reps to home offices.  

But another distributor said he has made no safety changes such as distancing to his operation.

 •  Few problems working with customers or suppliers were reported.

“Most companies seem to have embraced working remotely to keep business functioning as smoothly as possible given the environment we are in,” one manufacturer found.

Only one said one customer is “problematic,” but added that suppliers are “very cooperative.”

 • But sales aren’t restarting: “Nothing ramping up,” said one.  “Just managing expectations while end users are shut down.”

 • Most responded with “wait and see” plans to attend the International Fastener Expo September 28-30 in Las Vegas or the November 8-10 Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association convention in Anaheim.

“Yes, unless there is a new wave of the virus,” a distributor responded to his company participating in the two events.

There also was flat rejection of trade show participation this year.  

“Not likely,” noted one.

“No way things will be okay by then,” said one distributor close enough to drive to both events instead of fly.