fidelis afj article
TRANSCRIPT
warriors who have traveled through
more than 27 states in the last three
months, they have seen first-hand the
challenges that companies are facing
in today’s trying economic climate.
Offering a free product quote to
prospective clients, the Fidelis
partners have responded with cost
savings as much as 30%, nearly 50%
in select cases, strictly by working
directly with offshore manufacturers
through their China and India teams.
Berk Fernandez, Managing Partner
of Kyosay Global, a Chicago-based
global sourcing and logistics firm,
sees this new model as a critical shift
in the migration of the industry to the
next phase of outsourcing—managed
inventory and distribution. “It is time
for companies to evaluate their
sourcing structures, resources and
processes within the traditional
model,” Fernandez suggested, “and
evaluate the opportunities for
significant infrastructure cost savings
in this new model—opportunities
that can give them a competitive
advantage. I am impressed by the
momentum Fidelis Fasteners has
in guiding both distributors and
suppliers to achieve that edge.
That kind of change is what is
necessary to survive—and thrive—
today.”
For more information, contact
the Fidelis Fasteners partners at
be challenged to deliver the same
return on investment in these uncer-
tain times,” Lucas explained. “We
have been amazed at the response,
and it comes from both directions.
Asian suppliers request our guidance
in better positioning themselves with
North American customers, and North
American distributors want a better
understanding of which Asian suppli-
ers are qualified and provide the best
cost and quality position. It is com-
plete transparency for the supplier
and the customer.”
In December 2008, the Fidelis
Fastener partners were asked to join
a group of U.S. sourcing, supply chain,
logistics and quality professionals as
contributors to a global business
conference in China’s Guangdong
Province. In cooperation with the
local government and other speakers,
Thomas and Lucas addressed more
than 70 Chinese manufacturers,
advising them in how to better
position their businesses for
increased visibility in the midst of
the economic downturn. They have
been invited back to participate in
a series of conferences for Chinese
manufacturers to be held throughout
2009.
Strategically positioned in the U.S.
and internationally, including quality
engineering teams in both China and
India, in-country warehousing and
logistics capabilities, and customer
service offices in the U.S., China and
India, Fidelis has become the new
model in low-cost country product
sourcing—all for less than the cost
of a full-time sourcing employee or
contract with a major importer.
In the past six months, Thomas
and Lucas have worked with several
fastener distributors and end
customers to identify cost-saving
opportunities and deliver significant
reductions in fixed sourcing costs as
well as product costs. Two road
American Fastener Journal May/June 2009 xx
COVERSTORY
“The only certainty in life
is change.” Yes, it may
be a cliché, but if the
fastener industry is an
indicator, might we
suggest that you not
get too comfortable.
Following decades of
retrenchment and an
increasing presence
from suppliers in rapidly
growing economies,
distributors worldwide
face increasing pressures
to lower costs and
outperform delivery
expectations. While
this current state of the
industry is not new news
to most in the market,
one of the latest-thinking
approaches to over -
coming these challenges
is getting some attention.
xx American Fastener Journal May/June 2009
New Model Redefines theGlobal Fastener Supply Chain
FIDELIS FASTENERS TURNS OPPORTUNITY INTO TRUSTED PERFORMANCE
Formed last year by two industry
executives, Larry Thomas and Rob Lucas,
Fidelis Fasteners was conceptualized on
one key founding principle. “We are often
asked about our name,” Thomas said.
“As many may know, Fidelis is the Latin
word for faithful or trustworthy. Trust in
our business is earned; it is not a given.
This truly defines who we are. We are
redefining the traditional fastener supply
chain model in order to gain the trust of
our customers. And it’s working.”
Each offering more than 20 years
of experience in the fastener industry,
Thomas and Lucas combined their
unique backgrounds—expertise including
manufacturing, distribution, import/export,
and product development—to develop
a hybrid model that focuses on both
supplier and distributor—a truly unique
strategy. An important part of this Fidelis
strategy is a global network of sourcing,
logistics, product engineering, and
contract manufacturing partners.
“The traditional model used by master
importers and industrial distributors will
Larry Thomas (left) and Rob Lucas (center) field questions from China companies attending a December 2008 global business seminar in the Guangdong Province of Southern China.
Larry Thomas talks with Chinese manufacturers about how they can better meet the requirements of potential customers.
VOLUME 26 ⁄ NO 3MAY ⁄ JUNE 2009
25 YEARS1984–2009
The Leading Sourceof Information for
Fastener Professionals
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