Fastener Technology International - December 2007/January 2008 - (Page 6)

EDITORIAL Other People’s Money Last month, local reports in Boston, MA, USA, indicated that the special prosecutor hired to head up the investigation of the Big Dig ceiling collapse in Boston has racked up about US$1 million in legal fees. All of that money, to be paid by Massachusetts taxpayers, has led only to the dubious indictment of Powers Fasteners. If convicted on criminal on investment. The bigger prize for Massachusetts would come in a victory in the civil action being brought against several Big Dig construction companies, insurance providers and material suppliers such as Powers. The civil portion is being pursued by three government entities: the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Highway Department and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA). the blame for the ceiling collapse with the state-run MTA, not on Powers Fasteners. The MTA led the 15-year, US$15 billion times more than originally estimated. The extra US$1 million some icing on the cake, a few more dollars to throw on the pile. Something that is easy to do when you are dealing with other people’s money. which was the previous record for NIFS/WEST 1.5 day trade show. If we look at the exhibitors by country, we have the following: Country USA China Taiwan Canada Korea India Europe Southeast Asia Mexico Exhibitors 457 96 78 22 11 7 7 4 2 Share 66.9% 14.0% 11.4% 3.2% 1.6% 1.0% 1.0% 0.6% 0.3% The USA had the biggest gain in total number of exhibiof China, which jumped past Taiwan into second place with above Taiwan in number of exhibitors at NIFS/WEST. Canada posted some decent numbers as it moved past Korea. Exhibitor Explosion in Vegas Most Popular In terms of copies sold, our most popular book each year is the Fastener Technology International Buyers’ Guide edition came out last month, and we sold a the NIFS/WEST show. It is a valuable source for fastener industry professionals. The new edition has new suppliers listed and updated contact information, including emails and The Because of its move to a new and larger venue, the 11th annual National Industrial Fastener Show/West (NIFS/WEST) was much anticipated, and it turned out to be the biggest NIFS our coverage of the show in our “Straight From The Show” additional analysis on this page. For me, the explosion of exhibitors was the big story coming out of Las Vegas. The total number of exhibiting compa- y bookstore at www.fastenertech.com/bookstore.asp. Feet, Inches, Pounds, Gallons, Pint, Mile, Yard—All Saved I recalled the USA’s multiple failed mandates to switch completely to the metric system when I read that the European Union has abandoned plans to ban the use of Imperial weights and measures that are still popular in the UK. The result is that the many units of measure, common and endearing to many British as well as American people, will survive despite government attempts to eliminate them. I like the metric system and prefer it for making calculations, but I don’t like government-forced culture changes. In fact, I miss the Deutsche Mark, Italian Lira and French Franc. ha ndy nc single-source refere ry cto re e di fo r th e en tir e fas tener industry US$50 plus S&H 2008 Buyers’ Guide NIFS/WEST AT MANDALAY BAY CONVENTION CENTER mcnulty@fastenertech.com 6 Fastener Technology International/December 2007 http://www.fastenertech.com/bookstore.asp

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Fastener Technology International - December 2007/January 2008

Fastener Technology International - December 2007/January 2008 Contents Editorial Calendar Industry News 5S – Turbocharged Lean House Cleaning: Principles and Practices for Creating an Efficient Workspace Corporate News Mechanical Properties – Part 7: Strength & Ductility in Bending FTI Technical Achievement Awards — Class of 2007 The Heat Treatment of Fasteners — Practice Melt Shop Provides More Efficient Titanium Wire & Rod Production Spotlight On Simulation Comparing Preparation and Calibration Techniques for Ultrasonic Bolt Tension Measurement – Part 2 Future-Oriented Testing Equipment Wire Handling Roundup What’s Happening at the IFI? Product Showcases Machinery Product Showcases Quality Education & Training in 2008 Fastener Focus Quality Checks on Retaining Rings: Your Recipe for Success Straight From The Show: NIFS/WEST Spotlight on Plastic Fasteners Competence in Stainless Steel Pick More Orders in Less Time With Slotting New Fastener, Drive Systems & Insert Join a Proven Product Line ASTM Update on Fastener Test Methods – The Bolt Doctor Column Advertisers’ Index Classified Advertisements Editorial Index

Fastener Technology International - December 2007/January 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.