Online Learning Library

There is just something different, interesting and FUN about being able to process a special fastener opportunity. It takes a higher level of skill, resource, partnering and most importantly - ATTITUDE to maximize the opportunity for making profit from non-standard fasteners. In this webinar we explore the reasons SPECIALS are such a dynamic and exciting way to grow your business and secure your customer base. It is appropriate for all levels of experience in the fastener industry, but it is particularly important for technical salespeople, managers and owners. It is also recommended for those new to the industry who want to develop a passion for specials. Processing Specials, Opportunities for Profitability is presented by Carmen Vertullo, owner and founder of Carver Labs. Read more

Self-Drilling Screws (SDS) are the most amazing multi-function fasteners ever invented! Every fastener supplier should be offering the amazing value-added benefits that come with them. High profits and grateful customers are yours for the asking when you ask the right questions about SDS. Many users and suppliers of SDS do not get the full benefit of the amazing SDS simply because they do not know how they work, nor do they know the extreme added value that SDS bring to the manufacturing assembly process and the job site. This webinar will help you to help your customers spot the opportunities to put SDS to work for profit and value. This is a technical webinar, but the content is appropriate for all levels of experience and positions in the fastener industry. Self-Drilling Screws is presented by Carmen Vertullo, owner and founder of Carver Labs. Read more

Ah, the lowly Sheet Metal Screw – not even a proper term for this most ubiquitous fastener in all assemblydom! If you are a fastener nerd, then you know the proper term is “Tapping Screw”, but what else do you know – or not know – about holding sheet metal together with screws? In this webinar, we explore the ins and outs of sheet metal screws. There is more to know about sheet metal screws than you may think! This is a technical presentation, but very appropriate for all levels of experience in the fastener industry. Sheet Metal Screws is presented by Carmen Vertullo, owner and founder of Carver Labs. Read more

What do you need to know to safely sell, use and process high-strength and high precision fasteners? Socket Products are some of the most popular and profitable fastening products in our fastener arsenal. The more you know about them, the better you can serve your customers and realize business opportunities.  This is a technical webinar but is appropriate for all levels of experience in the fastener industry. Sales, purchasing, and quality assurance personnel should attend. Have your IFI Book of Fastener Standards available. Socket Products is presented by Carmen Vertullo, owner and founder of Carver Labs. Thank you to Parker Fastener for sponsoring this webinar. Read more

In this webinar we discuss some of the must-know changes in structural bolting specifications and new products. We will cover many of the important technical, sales, engineering and quality principles applicable to all fastener applications. It’s not just for structural bolting people. BUT – if you are involved in structural bolting this is a must-not-miss 90 minutes of training that could easily save you thousands and thousands of dollars on problems prevented. Structural Bolting is presented by Carmen Vertullo, owner and founder of Carver Labs. Thank you to Stelfast for sponsoring this webinar. Read more

When it comes to Quality Management Systems for suppliers, most suppliers focus on paper – test reports, certifications, lot numbers, vendor qualifications and so on. For inspection, they may have the receiving department check if the item and the quantity is correct and do a minor inspect-to-identify process with simple plastic screw checkers. These are all administrative activities requiring no special equipment.  Going one step beyond requires some dimensional inspection such as checking threads with ring gages, measuring heads and lengths - things we can check with calipers, and maybe recess and drive conformance. However, the most advanced suppliers will have some mechanical testing capability in house. That is the subject of this webinar. Most suppliers think that mechanical testing is out of reach for their budget or technical expertise. This is not so. In fact, mechanical testing capability is the most value-added risk management tool that any fastener Quality Management System can employ. There are a variety of useful and easily available testing capabilities at our fingertips.  We discuss the equipment needs, the expertise involved, the testing standards, sampling plans, and how to get started on a Fastener Mechanical Testing Program. We also discuss those tests that are beyond the realm of suppliers, but are must-have for manufacturers and importers, and when an independent testing laboratory is needed. The differences and similarities between inch and metric testing requirements, and fastener testing technical resources will be presented. This is a technical program. It is primarily intended for quality professionals at all levels, technical sales and purchasing, and managers or owners. However, anyone who has a technical interest in fasteners - at any level - will benefit greatly from this webinar. Testing for Suppliers is presented by Carmen Vertullo, owner and founder of Carver Labs. Read more