T.S. Interview on ThomasNet
OK, I'm not going to lie. I'm pretty amused. A couple months ago I was approached by ThomasNet and asked a few questions about the fastener industry. I'm not saying that this site is some great contribution to the Fastener Industry but it is the first fastener related blog, to my knowledge. And, I am sure there are plenty of people that might be more qualified to answer these questions but....they asked and I answered and now you can read the interview by clicking on the site below.
http://www.thomasnet.com/articles/hardware/fastener-blog-interview
I really would like to thank ThomasNet for recognizing Fastener Talk and giving the site some publicity. I often praise the thomasnet.com site so I am grateful for the acknowledgement.
http://www.thomasnet.com/articles/hardware/fastener-blog-interview
I really would like to thank ThomasNet for recognizing Fastener Talk and giving the site some publicity. I often praise the thomasnet.com site so I am grateful for the acknowledgement.
That is pretty cool, Traveling Salesman.....any attention the industry receives is a psychological boost for all.....good work in representing our field.....
Doc
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Cool, dude!
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Appreciated!
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Hey Traveling Salesman, I read your comments on Thomas Net and thanks for sending me the link to it. I am only in the fastener business for 2.5 years and it is a very daunting challenge. I have gained much experience, however I still have way more questions than answers. I am basically a one man band, providing fasteners for a curtain wall fabricator. I often run into roadblocks and feel lost as I have no colleagues with whom i am able to discuss things, so- i wind up seeking out people to help me. The IFI has been amazing, and they are a wonderful resource. Now I have your blog to look at and that is going to be a fantastic resource as well. Is there an email address where I might contact you privately to ask you a few questions? I am in the process of needing to change vendors, as I am having problems that you mention are common in the fastener business. The latest problem is my client now needs me to send, with each and every order, a certificate of compliance along with lot numbers. It is like pulling teeth to get anyone to provide these, especially on goods manufactured in the orient. I have wondered in the past why no one has ever required these from me previously, as many of the fasteners I supply are structural (Grade 5 HH Bolts, SS HH Bolts). My main supplier is a very big distributor and they print lot numbers on the boxes. However on many items, they have to outsource the orders and the company fulfilling these orders is not willing or caring enough to supply the certificate or the lot number. This supplier is very very big, and they have hard to find fasteners (undercut screws, and some odd sized ss fasteners). Everyone seems to order from them and I have spent weeks looking for another source for these stock items my customer requires me to keep in their bins. This company laughed at me when I called them and asked for the certificate and the lot numbers.
I have spoken with some qc people at fastener companies to get the low down on why obtaining this info is so difficult. It seems that the fastener business may have called the shots in their industry from the get go. I am noticing that everything now is becoming "user-driven" and the end user is starting to exert its needs on it.
It seems like the "good old boys" in the fastener industry do not want to accept this, as they have a cavalier attitude when I ask for things. Whatever happened to customer service?
What about accountability?
It is loads of work for me to now have to document and log things, but I understand where my customer is coming from. They want to be certain that they are getting good materials and that they will not be liable if something goes wrong with a part that has been warrented to comply to safety and other standards. They want to have a clear conscience when they fabricate and install architectural elements so they will perform and hold up to safety standards. I am really lost. HELP!
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I will send you an e-mail to see if I can help. But, one thing I know for sure...for absolutely certain ...is that there are readers of this site that can also help you. In fact, probably better than I can. Your request for help is one of the reasons a site like this should exist. Hope we get you some good answers.
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sounds like a job for "solution-man"!!
the traveling salesman does not want to post his e-mail thus revealing his true identity. send me an e-mail and lets talk. donshan@solutionind.com
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Thank you "Solution Man"! C'mon folks, there have to be more of you out there that can help out this guy.
FYI, Solution Industries is a company that specializes in hard to find specials and should be able to assist you with your issues. The name "Solution Man" is used for marketing but the company is legit and should be able to help you out.
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Thank you Traveling Salesman I will look forward to your email.
Thank you too Solution Man, I will email you today.
I really appreciate your help everyone
There are some pretty amazing people in the fastener industry. I really do appreciate any help I am given!!!
Thanks!!
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Hi Angus,
We can't help you with vendors that won't give you Certs, but we sure can help you maintain lot control and traceability when you do have the Certs.
You might want to take a moment to review our web site www.ci-inc.com to see what our fully integrated Fastener Software can do to make your life easier.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if there is anything at all that I can do for you.
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Dennis, Thank you! I will be in touch.
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Hey!
I wanted to give you a progress report on my quest for a fastener supplier who could give me a certificate of compliance and lot numbers. I really want to thank Traveling Salesman very much for his blog and for his response to me via email. I also want to thank Don Shan from Solution Industries (T.S. recommendation I call him and for Don contacting me also).
I have learned a lot in the last 10 days or so. It has been constant questions and answers. I have met many wonderful people as a result of this blog and I especially want to give a "Shout OUT" to all the people who have made a big impact on me. First, Don Shan who I found to be straight forward, cool and demonstrated all the positive qualities Traveling Salesman mentioned were important to a customer. Not only did I hear from Don right away, but he had my stuff quoted (it seemed effortless) very quickly and he assured me that not only could he supply my stock, but also provide documentation.
I had 12 quotes to plow through and in the middle of this, I had an order and I placed it with Solutions industries.
My regular vendor dropped the ball and caused a delay in a simple spring pin which meant 10 more days to wait. I called Don, and he got it to me in 2 days! I was pleased to make the acquaintance of one of his staff, Laura V. (solutionWOman) who was so wonderful, fun, professional, and just plain great to talk to and correspond with. She got all the paperwork in order, got me all the documentation I needed and even checked to see the status of the package in shipment via tracking in UPS. She gave me a full report the morning they were due. She is very on top of things. Her customer service is top notch.
My experience with Solution Industries was a pleasure. Their prices are also EXCELLENT. I am real happy to have found a new supplier I can rely on, and, enjoy the relationship at the same time. I highly recommend Solutions Industries to anyone who feels that customer service and order fulfillment should be easy and rewarding, I look forward to working with the team there and feel a sense of relief.
THANK YOU!
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Wow, that was some endorsement! Glad things worked out for you.
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