This article provides a summary of key points made by two speakers on the State of the Industry at the November Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association annual trade show and convention. Les Ireland, vice president at Black & Decker, and Hal Look, the vice president of ProBuild’s specialty building products division, spoke about the challenges their industry has faced in the past year and how STAFDA members should look forward to recovery.

A clear message was presented at the annual State of the Industry addresses at the November meeting of the Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributor Association this year: The recession has changed …