1/7/2013
HEADLINES
PERSPECTIVE: 2012 Quips of the Year

Industrial Fasteners Institute chair Dave Monti joined the fastener industry in 1999, just in time for the implementation of the U.S. Fastener Quality Act. That led to the question of “Who/when will be the first IFI chair who doesn’t know anything about the FQA?”
IFI managing director Rob Harris replied: “Possibly not born yet! We still get regular questions on the law.”

 

As he approaches 50 years in the fastener business, rep Ed Ambrose of All South Sales responded to a question during a Southeastern Fastener Association meeting about plans to retire: “If I could hunt and fish all year I’d retire.”

 

The economy has been struggling for years since the recession began in 2008. As he began a presentation to the Southwestern Fastener Association, Bruce Darling of Porteous Fastener Co. noted that just their presence indicated a level of success during the recession: “Seeing you here shows you are survivors.”

 

STAFDA president Kramer Darragh opened his State-of-Distribution address expressing reservations about speaking to thousands of members. “There are all kinds of research studies that say the fear of public speaking ranks number one for most people,” Darragh noted. “The technical term term for this fear is ‘Glossophobia’.”  

Fear of public speaking beats out fear of heights, bugs and even fear of death, Darragh added. 

“The comedian Jerry Seinfeld once joked that ‘at a funeral, most people would rather be in the casket than at the podium giving the eulogy.’ Until now, I would not have agreed with Mr. Seinfeld.”

 

One National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo exhibitor noted that the rare rainy Las Vegas weather on the 2012 opening day “was very helpful keeping attendees on the show floor” and suggested, “Perhaps show management can make that an annual event.”

 

When asked which trade shows he will exhibit at in 2013, one industry veteran said, “Yes” to the All American Fastener Show. “I like the concept,” he explained his interest before telling his real reason for going to the Kansas City show: “and I like good barbecue.”

 

In predicting a serious recession or even depression near the end of the 2020s, economist Alan Beaulieu advised NFDA members to:

 Tell your children to:

1.   Live below their means;

2.   Develop multiple income sources;   

3.   Have no debt by 2028;

4.   Be nice to you because they aren’t going to do 1, 2 & 3 and they’ll need you when the depression hits.

 

Executive director Georgia Foley of the Wisconsin-based STAFDA said members “always” ask “What are you hearing from other members across the country?” and then express a “strongly-worded opinion on taxes, healthcare, government regulations and the like.” 

“The ‘only’ time the ‘opinion’ section of the phone calls changed was a month ago when members wanted to vent about the final seconds of the Green Bay Packer/Seattle Seahawks game.”

In September the Seattle Seahawks won a Monday Night Football game 14-12 after replacement referees due to a labor dispute ruled that the Seattle receiver came down with the ball in the end zone after a Hail Mary pass on the game’s last play. Field officials ruled Seattle wide receiver Golden Tate had simultaneous possession with Green Bay safety M.D. Jennings, making it count as a reception. 

Had the play been ruled an interception Green Bay would have won by 5 points.

Foley sidestepped commenting on the ruling: “But we won’t go there,” she said in quickly transitioning to the next topic.

 

Speaking to the Southeastern Fastener Association, retired NFL coach Dan Reeves recalled a post-1994 season comment: After starting out with three wins in his second year as coach for the New York Giants, the team then went on a seven game losing streak. They won their last six games to finish 9-7. A fan told Reeves: “If it weren’t for that seven-game losing streak you’d be undefeated.”

 

Consultant John Hamilton asked National Fastener Distributors Association members: “Raise your hand if you’d like to be sitting next to someone else.”

 

As he started his presentation on healthcare, Mark Holloway of Lockton Inc. promised NFDA members that he’d watch the clock. “Speakers never get shot for finishing early, but can for running over into cocktail hour.” ©2013 GlobalFastenerNews.com