Field Notes

Fasteners are relatively low cost components compared to other products purchasing professionals, production, and engineering teams manage at manufacturing plants. However, they can be very costly, across functional areas, if they are not thoughtfully and strategically handled.

Fasteners remind me of that kid at camp who does all of the work: puts out the fire, makes sure there’s plenty bug spray packed for the hike, and patches holes in the canoe. This kid carries the load and is happy to get up every day and do it… matter of fact, she likes it! But, for whatever reason, this kid gets ZERO recognition.

While the concepts and benefits of Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) have been relevant for years, both inventory management providers and manufacturers struggle to identify the ROI associated with VMI programs.

There has been much discussion regarding tariff sections 232 and 301, but what do they really mean for the fastener industry? To recap, on May 31, 2018, the Department of Commerce announced the imposition of tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union (EU). The 25 percent tariff on imported steel and the 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum ...

Field, a global innovator of supply chain and engineering based cost savings solutions providing fasteners and other direct materials to the OEM market, announced today that they’ve received a NPS score of 73 from their latest customer survey. 

Take a listen to Field President, Jim Derry, talking to Thor Conklin on his podcast, Peak Performers.

Let’s get real for a minute, shall we? At the beginning of your fiscal year when you are given your cost reduction goals, what’s the first thing you do?  You probably sit back and relax and pour yourself a cup of coffee, right?  Sure, if you do great. But most of us would agree that we sit back and panic for a few minutes.

What is Thread Engagement? Thread engagement has two factors, length of thread engagement and percentage of thread engagement.

Many companies place an emphasis on having suppliers close to their manufacturing facilities. Sometimes that provides advantages, however many times it does not. 

It was a cold Christmas Eve. Two brothers, Billy and Jimmy, were lying in their trundle beds trying to sleep as butterflies fluttered with excitement in their stomachs.

The Rockford Register Star hosted its second annual “What Rocks’  Awards Gala on Wednesday, November 1st.  Miss Illinois, Abby Foster, was on hand to read the winners list.  The categories ranged from best day care to best overall company to work for. Field was nominated in 9 categories under the ‘Employers that Rock’ section.

Congratulations to our Chairman, Bill Derry, on being inducted into the Fastener Hall of Fame. We are very proud of you.