Fastener + Fixing Magazine #145 by Fastener + Fixing Magazine

In this issue… PennEngineering®: Accelerate your innovation Janus Perspective Aerospace CONNECTING THE GLOBAL FASTENER INDUSTRY

Issue 145: January 2024 | fastenerandfixing.com

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CONTENTS 34

134 38 148

120

144

NEWS

10-32 EXHIBITION NEWS

98-104 TESTING

COVER STORY ®

34-36 INSIGHT

106-116 MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS 144-147

JANUS PERSPECTIVE

38-96 CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS 118-130

Financial reports, acquisitions and trade duty news

PennEngineering : Accelerate your innovation

Global players gear up for wire® Düsseldorf

A new era of growth and leadership for Leonix Fasteners TECNOLOGIC 3®, the green revolution!

A retrospective look from the industry on 2023, as well as prospects and challenges for 2024

The safety of mechanical and chemical anchor fastening systems

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY 132-138 CRU launches CHQ wire rod price assessment

FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

Addressing the issue of testing staff shortages

140-142

Don’t forget to manage the surplus

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY 148-155 Aerospace feature

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

Torque wrenches feature

156-171

EDITOR'S NOTE

Will Lowry, content director, Fastener + Fixing Magazine

No need for a crystal ball

Fastener + Fixing Magazine has been connecting the global fastener industry for 26 years and what has kept us as the leading title, is our ability to provide unique and exclusive insights that simply are not available anywhere else. Nowhere is this more apparent than in this January 2024 edition with our very special Janus Perspective.

amed after the Roman God ‘Janus’ – who had the ability to look to the future and to the past, and was often depicted with having two faces – this feature includes a wide cross section of global fastener business leaders from every facet of the industry, and from around the world, who give us their retrospective on 2023, as well as prospects and challenges for 2024. Articles within the Janus Perspective cover a wide range of topics, including the challenges impacting the market, such as geopolitical issues, increased energy prices, high interest rates, overstock, and the slowdown in the market, as well as identifying priorities for the upcoming year – such as reshoring, sustainability, regulations – including CBAM, Artificial Intelligence, automation, as well as Industry 4.0. The feature provides an overview of the sector that simply will not be found anywhere else, enabling our readers to confirm what they are already seeing and predicting in the market, as well as hopefully providing them with some extra information that could lead to potential opportunities.

Part of the Mack Brooks Group

www.fastenerandfixing.com Published by

Managing Director Jamie Mitchell jamie.mitchell@verulammedia.com

Assistant Editor Rebecca England rebecca.england@verulammedia.com Sales Director Mac Rahman mac.rahman@verulammedia.com Business Development Manager – Italy Emiliano Pagliaroli emiliano.pagliaroli@verulammedia.com

Content Director Will Lowry will.lowry@verulammedia.com

Business Development Manager – DACH & Europe Chantal Ridings chantal.ridings@verulammedia.com

Deputy Editor Claire Aldridge claire.aldridge@verulammedia.com

Production & Design Manager Lee Duskwick lee.duskwick@verulammedia.com

10 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

With contributions from global corporations and leading businesses from the USA, Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden and the UK – plus key insights on the US, Taiwanese, Chinese and Brazilian markets, the feature also underlines that Fastener + Fixing Magazine is truly a global publication – guaranteeing that the advertisers who support us are given as much exposure as possible. This international reach is even underlined by our Cover Story for this issue, which focuses on PennEngineering® and how the company can meet customers’ needs thanks to its globally deployed capabilities, with 20 locations worldwide; its ability to provide locally produced parts – including Made in Europe for Europe; as well as its commitment to creating close collaborations with customers that lead to innovative solutions. As always, we have a host of other articles and topics that are covered throughout the magazine, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to read this edition. Enjoy!

Fastener + Fixing Magazine is a dedicated, trade–only publication which is circulated freely throughout the European trade. Disclaimer The Publisher cannot be held responsible or, in any way, liable for errors or omissions, during input or printing of any material supplied or contained herein although the utmost care is taken to ensure that information contained is accurate and up to date. The Publisher also cannot be held liable for any claims made by advertisers or in contributions from individuals or companies submitted for inclusion within this publication. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editor or Verulam Media. Copyright Entire contents copyright © Verulam Media Ltd 2024. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publisher. Annual subscription (6 issues) to non–trade and outside EU is €160.00 Verulam Media Limited, Office 3, 17 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 IDT Tel: +44 (0) 1727 743 882

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NEWS

BREAKING INDUSTRY NEWS AND ANALYSIS

BERNER Group remains on track for success Driven by the strong mobility sector, and strong double digit growth in eCommerce, BERNER Group has made a successful start to its current financial year, with the family run business realising sales of €581 million – a new sales record.

n the core business Omnichannel Trading, the Group increased sales by around 5% to over €548 million with the brands BERNER and BTI by BERNER. The Mobility segment made a significant contribution to this, with the B2B specialist recording turnover growth of 8% in the first six months of the current financial year. The company also remains on the road to success in international key account management, where both existing contracts were extended on a long-term basis and attractive new major customers were acquired. The core of BERNER’s business model is personal consulting with 5,500 sales specialists on-site. Despite difficult conditions in the recruitment of specialised staff, BERNER Group has succeeded in increasing the number of its sales representatives by 4%. At the same time, BERNER Group is increasingly expanding its alternative sales channels. In countries such as France, and Luxembourg, telesales, depots, eProcurement, etc, already account for over 40% of total sales. In the first half of the current financial year, the group once again achieved strong double digit growth in eCommerce. The share of online trade in the BERNER Group has thus risen to a good 17% overall. In an increasing number of business units (including Italy, France and Benelux) at least 20% of income comes from the Internet. The European and, above all, the German political framework conditions have massively curbed demand in the construction sector. The combination of excessive regulation and ecological ideology, together with the energy and inflation/interest rate crises, is impacting the construction industry to an unprecedented extent. In the automotive sector, the hasty and isolated focus purely on eMobility is leading to a massive manufacturing and sales crisis. The inadequate energy policy

is also having a massive impact on the production of raw materials in the chemical industry and is drastically worsening production conditions. “In view of the generally difficult conditions, I am extremely proud of the performance that my team has achieved in the first half of the year. We are still doing well here and are therefore currently still one of the profitably growing players in our industry,” states Christian Berner, CEO at BERNER Group. “The fact is, however, that we are fighting against a massively collapsing market. The economic situation in Germany, and Europe, is extremely dramatic, while international competition is advancing mercilessly. We are threatened by a deindustrialisation tsunami – with serious consequences in terms of prosperity and employment. The current left/green political orientation in Germany and Europe is also jeopardising social peace and social cohesion.”

Bulten establishes Indian joint venture Bulten AB is establishing manufacturing operations in India through a newly formed joint venture company, Bulten Radium Industries Private Ltd. This is being undertaken alongside two partners – Radium Fasteners Private Ltd and ZJK Precision Parts HK.

nders Nyström, president and CEO of Bulten, explains: “Our ambition is to increase sales, primarily of micro screws, to companies in the electronics industry. India is a growing market for this segment, as many international manufacturers of electronics are locating more and more of their Asian production in India.” The operation will be based at a new production plant currently being constructed in Jamnagar, in the western Indian state of Gujarat. The aim is to be fully up and running during the second quarter of 2024, with about 50 employees. The building will be leased by Bulten Radium Industries and, therefore, involves only limited investment costs for Bulten, which has a 51% stake in the newly formed JV company. For its part, ZJK has previously been a partner to Bulten in the manufacture of micro screws in China, while Radium is a newly formed company owned by experienced players in India’s fastener industry. As well as the new joint venture, Bulten also operates in India through its recently acquired distribution company, Exim Mfr & Enterprise.

12 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

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INDUSTRY NEWS PennEngineering® acquires Sherex® Fastening Solutions PennEngineering® has announced the acquisition of Sherex® Fastening Solutions, a global leader in the design, manufacturing and installation of blind rivet nuts and associated fastening solutions.

eadquartered in Buffalo, New York, Sherex® Fastening Solutions is a premier technical provider of blind rivet nuts, with strong application expertise and production capabilities worldwide. Sherex® has achieved an impressive growth trajectory and continues to grow through technical solutions selling – providing best total installed cost solutions along with industry leading rivet nut capabilities. “When combined with our ATLAS ® rivet nut brand, the Sherex® acquisition positions the company to be the premier provider of rivet nuts worldwide. We are extremely excited to be bringing the expertise of Sherex® to the PennEngineering® family,” said Pete George, CEO at PennEngineering®. “Their entrepreneurial spirit and technical acumen, combined with our ATLAS® product line and broader PennEngineering® capabilities, will strengthen our ability to quickly deliver innovative, high-quality fastening solutions to our customers around the globe.” Adam Pratt, president at Sherex® Fastening Solutions, added: “Teaming up with PennEngineering® allows Sherex® to provide our customers with additional global manufacturing capability to meet their demands around the world. Our long-standing customer relationships, combined with the reputation and history of PennEngineering®, will allow us to continue to provide enhanced value to our customers.” Adam Pratt will assume the role of president of Sherex® and ATLAS®, reporting to Pete George, CEO of PennEngineering®. Alex Hsiao will continue as general manager of Sherex® Taiwan. www.pemnet.com

Profits buck sluggish trends

NORMA Group has achieved stable profitability despite sales decline in the third quarter of 2023, with group sales totalling €297.1 million – 6.7% lower than in the same quarter of the previous year (Q3 2022: €318.6 million). Organically, sales were down 1.5% from July to September 2023.

uido Grandi, CEO at NORMA Group, commented: “We delivered a solid performance in the third quarter despite a sluggish market environment. Although our business volume was mixed, we still managed to achieve a sound level of profitability. With our ‘Step Up’ improvement programme, we continue to focus on increasing our operational efficiency and leveraging new market opportunities in the areas of mobility, industry applications and water management.” In the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), sales in the third quarter of 2023 were almost exactly in-line with the previous year at €119.3 million (Q3 2022: €119.9 million). The slight decline of 0.5% is due entirely to negative currency effects. Organically, sales development was stable. Sluggish economic development in both the automotive industry, and industry in general, dampened demand for joining technology in the third quarter. In the Americas region, sales in the third quarter of 2023 fell noticeably by 12.4% year-on-year to €132.9 million (Q3 2022: €151.7 million). Organically, sales were down 5.6% in the period from July to September 2023. Negative currency effects had an additional negative impact of 6.8% on sales. Strikes at US vehicle manufacturers from mid-September affected customer call-offs to an unexpected extent, while demand for general industrial applications was also lower. The water management business, on

14 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

the other hand, recovered after a difficult first half of 2023 and recorded slight organic growth compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the Asia-Pacific region, sales amounted to €45 million in the third quarter – growing by 7.6% organically. Business volume grew particularly well in the area of joining technology for battery cooling systems and other vehicle applications. Due to negative currency effects of 12%, the quarter saw an overall decline of 4.4% compared to the same period of the previous year (Q3 2022: €47 million).

Improvement programme creates additional market opportunities

NORMA Group continues to implement its ‘Step Up’ programme to enhance growth and operational efficiency. To date, more than 300 initiatives have been identified worldwide and around 20 of these have been successfully implemented. In terms of growth, for example, new products have been launched and existing products have been expanded to additional countries or customer groups. In terms of efficiency, production processes have been optimised or production equipment adapted at various locations. The reduction in production backlogs resulted in improved product availability for customers. NORMA Group launched the five year ‘Step Up’ programme in May 2023 to ensure long-term profitable growth.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Solar powered sites chase sustainable manufacturing Essentra, a leading provider of essential components and solutions, has furthered its commitment to making direct operations net zero by 2040, with its manufacturing site in Jiangxi, China, now being powered by solar panels.

upporting its emissions reduction targets, and aligned with science-based thinking, the solar array installation is a significant step towards realising Essentra’s sustainability goals. It will generate up to 1,650,000kWh of energy annually, reducing the site’s reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity and avoiding the unnecessary generation of an estimated 1,000t CO 2 e of emissions each year. The installation follows the commissioning of a 6,000m 2 solar array at Essentra’s manufacturing site in Rayong, Thailand, as part of the company wide pledge to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25%, by 2025. Jennifer Spence, head of sustainability strategy at Essentra PLC, said the panels are a step forward in reducing direct emissions. “The solar array reflects our overarching aim to reduce carbon emissions and practice sustainability in manufacturing across all of our global sites. With ESG targets in mind, and the rising costs of energy prices, being energy independent, and efficient, not only helps us positively impact the environment, but also saves money in the same process.” The installation of solar panels is just one part of a comprehensive programme of measures to reduce carbon emissions and make better use of energy, including the use of more efficient equipment and carrying out regular energy audits to identify where further improvements can be made.

Chequered flag falls on Plalite’s sale to Karnell Karnell has acquired 92.5% of UK-based Plalite’s shares with an option for the remaining stake in 2026. The minority shareholders will stay active in the company post-sale, with Darren Cordell and Tony Bess remaining for a handover period.

precision engineering company whose customers include a Formula 1 team, Plalite Ltd, based in Sittingbourne, Kent, UK, was founded in 1968 and its core business is CNC machining to support the aerospace and motorsport industries – from its purpose built 1,300m2 site. Darren Cordell and Tony Bess, directors of Plalite, decided to sell the business in preparation for their eventual retirement, and strong interest resulted in eight offers being made, which were split between trade and investment acquirers. The successful buyer was Swedishbased Karnell Group, which specialises in owning market leading industrial technology companies, primarily in the Nordic region. “We look forward to developing Plalite through the new collaboration with Karnell,” said Darren and Tony. “They have shown a good understanding of our business and see the same potential as we do. Karnell has solid experience in the field within the group that we believe we can learn from.” Petter Moldenius, CEO of Karnell, added: “We are impressed by Plalite’s technical know-how and robust customer relationships and are convinced there is great potential to continue growing with customers in selected segments – who value Plalite’s qualities.” The UK represents a new venture for Karnell. “In addition to the current focus on the Nordic markets, Karnell has analysed the opportunities for growth in the UK for some time and can conclude it has yielded results,” explained Petter Moldenius. “We are convinced our model, with a long-term ownership perspective and willingness to invest in our companies with a clear growth ambition, should be able to attract successful companies and entrepreneurs to join Karnell.”

16 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

Ahlsell invests in new Norwegian logistics operations Ahlsell’s decision to make a major investment in its Norwegian logistics operations is based on strong confidence in the future and further growth ambitions. The new facility will be based in Holmenga and will cover 160,000m 2 – having the capacity to handle twice the current volume of the existing centre in Gardermoen.

hlsell’s logistics centre at Gardermoen is currently the heart of the Group’s Norwegian operations, with the facility covering more than 100,000m 2 – with a high degree of automation. Since the establishment of the logistics centre in 2010, Ahlsell has experienced strong growth and in order to manage further growth, it was necessary to build the new site in Holmenga. By building new, it will be possible for Ahlsell to further refine efficient production methods adapted to today’s technical possibilities. Another important aspect is the ambition that the new facility will produce more energy than it consumes. Work is already underway on the site and the new logistics centre is estimated to be commissioned in 2026/27. “We continue to develop our current successful business and secure the expansion for a continuously offensive Ahlsell,” explains Runar Hansesætre, CEO of Ahlsell Norway. “By developing the business in Holmenga, we create additional value for our customers and suppliers. This decision is in-line with our value proposition to make our customers’ everyday business easier.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS Würth Industrie Service’s high-bay warehouse on target for April With the excavations having started back in July 2022 to build a new automated high-bay warehouse for Würth Industrie Service, which will include 59,000 additional storage spaces covering more than 4,000m2, the company is now firmly set on commissioning the new facility and machines in April this year.

he Würth Industrial Park in Drillberg, Germany, is considered one of the most advanced logistics centres for industrial supply in Europe, with over 65,000m 2 (equivalent to about nine football fields) devoted to the secure supply of production resources, as well as auxiliary and operating materials, for around 20,000 customers. The park offers modern, fully automated, high-bay and shuttle warehouses with a capacity of more than 650,000 storage locations, which include 34km of conveyor system, autonomous bin shuttles, camera inspection systems, as well as self-learning robots. All of this has the goal, according to the company, of ensuring optimised workplace ergonomics, as well as a sustainably healthy way of working – by taking over physically stressful tasks through this increased level of automation and digitalisation. In order to ensure the long-term supply security for all customers across Europe, and to support its growing product range of currently 1.4 million items, Würth Industrie Service is constantly investing in further warehouse capacity expansion. With its new high-bay warehouse, which is 50m high, 34m wide, 121m long, it has expanded its capacity by 59,000 additional pallet-storage spaces – increasing the overall high-bay capacity at the Bad Mergentheim location by about 33% to 235,000 pallet storage spaces in total. With its silo type shelving system completed, three of six SRMs have been brought in. Over an aisle length of 120m, the rail-guided vehicles will now take over the fully automated storage and retrieval of pallets in the warehouse. They will operate in six aisles with a maximum travel speed of 180m/min and a lifting speed of up to 70m/min. Each SRM has two telescopic forks as load handling attachments, with a total load capacity of approximately 2,400kg. The 46m high SRMs are particularly economical on space thanks to their single column design, and can carry out up to 600 pallet movements per hour – using their two load handling attachments. Helmut Eisenkolb, head of logistics at Würth, commented: “With the new high-bay warehouse, we are realising dimensions that rarely exist in this overall complexity. The logistical expansion will, thus, significantly increase the efficiency and capacity in the entire value added process.”

18 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

The SRMs are from Kardex, an expert in the field of intralogistics solutions and leading provider of automated storage solutions and material flow systems. Lars Wagner, project manager, operations new business refurbishment at Kardex MLOG Logistics, explained: “In a project of this magnitude, it is always impressive to see so many experts, with a wide range of expertise, acting as one big unit in the shortest possible time. In order to safely transport the SRMs from Kardex’s production site in Neuenstadt am Kocher to Bad Mergentheim by heavy goods transport, a total of three 55m long trucks were used to get them to Drillberg. With the utmost precision, the crane operators steered the 22.5 tonne machines over the still open roof into the new high-bay facility. At a height of 100m, it was truly precision work for all those responsible.” With the construction measures being currently implemented and planned, Würth Industrie Service is taking significant steps to ensure seamless supply for its customers in the future, as well as consciously contributing to sustainability targets. How this works in the case of SRMs is that the SRMs power consumption is optimised by means of DC-link coupling, which can divert the energy between two drives intelligently and efficiently. This means that the energy saved by the lift drive during lowering can, in turn, be used for the travel drive. The quality Kardex SRMs are robust, durable and require minimal maintenance. Another contribution to sustainability is the greenhouse gas neutral energy supply to the machinery, with the south façade of the new high-bay warehouse being equipped with a large scale photovoltaic system of solar panels, with an initial total output of 1,028kWp, but which is intended to achieve an eventual total output of over 2,000kWp, as well as a generation volume of around 1,500,000kWh, which can be applied across the whole Würth Industrial Park.

INDUSTRY NEWS

New facility offers local supply chain support for South Wales A new service centre in South Wales to help manufacturers in the region ensure their C-Class components are in the right place at the right time, has been opened by TFC – an AFC Industries company.

he new 900m 2 facility, based in Ebbw Vale, is in striking distance of South Wales’ and South West England’s industrial hotspots, enabling TFC to help local manufacturers drive productivity, profitability and growth with its VMI supply chain solutions. The new facility opening was attended by Bl aen au G went B oroug h Cou nc i l representatives, Councillor John Morgan – executive member for regeneration and economic development, and Muhammad Forouzan, business and innovation manager, together with Morgan Burgoyne, president of TFC, and Craig Spencer, TFC’s continuous improvement lead. With the site open, the company can now manage purchasing, stockholding and handling for a wide range of components and products for loca l manufacturers, with the company’s skilled team designing and operating VMI solutions bespoke to individual customers. These are developed based on comprehensive customer site surveys and by listening to client needs, wh ich helps to sign i f ica nt ly i mprove production performance. “We first came across our new site while working with a customer that was situated in the area, but it has given us the perfect opportunity to grow and expand in South

Wales,” explained Craig Spencer. “Ebbw Vale is renowned for its industry ties and has seen an increase in investment in recent years. By setting up roots here, we’ve opened the door to a wider range of customers that we can potentially service.”

He added that over time the company will be looking to increase the size of its team and that operating a facility local to its customers is critical for connecting them, via TFC, to its global network of suppliers in order to streamline their component supply.

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INDUSTRY NEWS New MD at Bülte Plastiques France In order to maintain the continuity of the new generation at Bülte Group, following the takeover by Fanny Bülte – the granddaughter of the company’s founder, it is now the turn of the French company Bülte Plastiques France to develop its management team, with Florian Kmyta being appointed managing director as of 1st January 2024.

lorian Kmyta has been at Bülte Plastiques France for several years and was trained by Mr Stefan Bülte himself – before gradually taking on responsibilities within the company. He initially started out as a sales apprentice and quickly developed his technical and commercial skills to become sales director. During his many years with the company, he was given the opportunity to take a master’s degree in management thanks to his hard work and perseverance. He has also been the driving force behind the company’s attractive sales policy for the last eight years, alongside Fanny Bülte. Florian Kmyta, who shares the values of the family business, will help to drive Bülte’s success in providing a global offering of solutions – developed to meet the needs of all its customers. “Our team is able to work closely with customers to develop bespoke solutions that meet the specific application requirements. We can also advise customers on the best manufacturing solutions to meet their needs and help them to choose the right raw material for their project,” explains Florian Kmyta. Indeed, Bülte offers a wide range of plastic components and fasteners, such as plastic screws, nuts, washers, spacers, custom moulded parts, and more, which can be used for various industrial applications. “In our business it’s important to be flexible and listen to customers’ expectations. Every day we reshape our strengths and adapt them to new opportunities.” Florian emphasises. www.bulte.com

Winning at MAKE UK Awards 2023 WDS Components has been named regional winner for the ‘Small Medium Enterprise (SME) of the Year in the Northeast, Yorkshire and Humberside’ category at the MAKE UK Manufacturing Awards 2023.

DS Components said that the award recognised its commitment to excellence in the manufacturing sector, where, over the past two years, it has invested in its people, training, new machinery, stockholding and an enhanced online presence. These collective efforts, the company stated, have not only optimised its operational efficiency, but also reinforced its position in the engineering and manufacturing industry. Founded over 70 years ago, WDS Components is known for its innovation, reliability and extensive range of quality manufactured engineering parts. Mark Moody, sales and marketing director at WDS, explains: “To be recognised among such esteemed companies is truly an honour. This award is not just for WDS Components, but for every member of our team whose hard work and dedication have made this possible.” The company has been shortlisted in the national awards, where it is hopeful such an accolade will enhance its brand value and recognition in the wider manufacturing landscape.

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NORTH AMERICA NEWS by Jason Sandefur, editor/publisher, GlobalFastenerNews.com

US Supreme Court declines fastener tariff appeal The US Supreme Court declined to hear an American steel importer’s bid to invalidate tariffs on certain steel products based on the argument that former President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing them in 2020, Reuters reports.

euters’ John Kruzel wrote: “The justices turned away an appeal by Irving, Texas-based PrimeSource Building Products of a lower court’s decision to uphold a 25% tariff on some steel derivatives, such as nails and fasteners, put in place by Trump on national security grounds and now defended by President Joe Biden’s administration.” During Trump’s presidency, the US placed multiple rounds of tariffs on steel products starting in 2018 when Trump invoked a Cold War era trade law in ordering a 25% tariff on various imported steel articles, including flat rolled products, tubes and pipes. In January 2020, he ordered that the tariffs apply also to derivatives of the earlier covered steel articles. PrimeSource, St Louis-based Huttig Building Products and Omani company Oman Fasteners challenged the tariffs on steel derivatives, arguing that “the US Congress never granted the president broad power over foreign trade to impose them”. The US Court of International Trade struck down the steel derivatives tariffs in 2021, but in February the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed that decision, claiming presidents can impose “contingency dependent” tariff increases to fulfill national security objectives. When imposing steel tariffs in 2018, Trump invoked Section 232 of the Trade Act of 1962, which allows a US president to restrict imports of goods critical to national security. President Joe Biden’s administration had urged the Supreme Court not to take up the appeal.

FINdex remains strong despite Q3 decline The FIN Fastener Stock Index dropped in the third quarter of 2023, losing 0.9% of its value in a quarter that saw US industrial fastener demand begin to rebound. An index of related industrial stocks lost 4% during the period.

owever, the markets were simply catching their collective breath before surging to a strong finish in the final quarter, according to market veteran Ed Yardeni. “We see a year end Santa Claus rally back to 4,600, or close to that level,” Yardeni stated, indicating a 7% increase. A rebound would be welcome news for several FINdex companies whose stock dropped in Q 3. Chicago Rivet & Machine Co recorded the largest percentage loss of value in the third quarter as its shares dropped 31% amid a growing UAW strike in Detroit. Other publicly traded fastener companies losing 10% or more in stock price included Grainger (down 12%), Stanley Black & Decker (down 10.7%) and TriMas (down 10%). Only four FINdex companies achieved share gains: Carpenter Technology (up 19.7%), MSC Industrial (up 3%), Park-Ohio (up 1%) and Simpson Mfg (up 8.1%). During the first nine months of 2023, the FINdex gained 23% compared to a 5.6% increase by an index of related industrial stocks.

Fastener veteran to lead TriMas Aerospace TriMas Aerospacec has named Vitaliy Rusakov as president, effective since mid-November 2023, and he will report directly to CEO Thomas Amato. Rusakov has more than 25 years of experience leading global manufacturing businesses in the aerospace, commercial transportation and related sectors.

EO Thomas Amato commented: “I am very pleased to welcome Vitaliy to the TriMas leadership team, as our new president of TriMas Aerospace. He has incredible experience and a remarkable track record of fostering growth and enhancing performance within the aerospace industry. We believe Vitaliy’s background will be instrumental in propelling the growth of TriMas Aerospace.” Most recently, Rusakov worked at Howmet Aerospace, formerly a division of Arconic and Alcoa, where he served as president of Howmet’s Fastening Systems business. Prior to this role, he held the position of COO – engineered products and solutions group at Arconic, where he was responsible for managing the global operations of fasteners, forgings, extrusions and other components, for both aerospace and commercial customers worldwide.

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Rusakov also held multiple operational and leadership roles of increasing responsibility during his tenure at Alcoa, focused on operational excellence and Lean manufacturing. His career in the fasteners industry began when he joined Fairchild Fasteners’ continuous improvement organisation, and earlier in his career, Rusakov held consulting roles with Bain & Company. In connection with this announcement, interim TriMas Aerospace president, William (Bill) Dickey, will assist Rusakov to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Dickey will then return to his position as vice-president of special projects, a key role within TriMas that he has held since August 2021 – where he will continue to focus his efforts within TriMas’ aerospace business and support mergers and acquisitions.

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NORTH AMERICA NEWS

STAFDA president: Labor shortages delay projects Business owners and customers spent 2023 dealing with labor shortages on a large scale, president of the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association said in his State of the Industry speech.

arry Klassen, of Fastek Inc, St Catharines, ON, Canada, observed: “Personnel shortages and lack of skilled labor have made it difficult for many to complete projects on time and on budget.” Klassen highlighted that the province of Ontario has signed 27,000 people to skilled trades – a 24% increase over 2022. Ontario is using an “all hands on deck approach”, which includes building skilled trades training centers across the province, letting trades recruiters into high schools and even loosening rules on how early high school students can start apprenticeships. “ln 2022, the construction industry employed over 1.5 million Canadians, or approximately one of every 13 working Canadians,” Klassen said. The number employed in US construction is over eight million. The Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation predicts the country needs five million more homes by 2030 for housing to be affordable. With retirements, the construction industry needs a “daunting” number of 300,000 workers by 2032. “Ask any developer about supply issues and the availabilty of labor usually tops the list,” Klassen said. “And there is no shortage of statistical evidence of that shortage. With no less than 80,000 job vacancies in the Canadian industry it is of a record high.” Klassen recalled he thought his high school classes offered “no bearing on my future” and was anxious to “get out into the work force”. He learned finish carpentry from his father, including framing houses, concrete work and drywall. “We even built a few homes together.” Klassen said he got his education through “the school of hard knocks”. Classroom learning “is advisable”, Klassen conceded. “The future of construction and distribution lies in the hands of younger people getting involved.” Klassen started a distributorship with “nothing to lose: A 500 square feet office and some crazy dreams. I turned a clothes closet into my repair room and so it began”. He sold to anyone who would come into the store and repaired all of the pneumatic tools and compressors “on my own”. When Klassen started selling pneumatic tools “many guys were still of the point of needing convincing that this was the wave of the

future”. Thirty years ago, “I went to the job sites where I used the tools and showed the doubters the speed and ease of these new systems”. There were “objections like you would not believe!” “They won’t hold!” workers doubted. “To which I replied... The glue on the nails holds better than hand drive nails.” He set-up demos alongside “the fastest guys on-site and crushed them”. He used his 12th grade math skills to show them the payback. “With the long hours and hard work I convinced many to jump on board and a lot of those customers are still with me today.” Klassen also “learned quickly that selling one line of products wouldn’t be sustainable for long or keep customers coming back”. He started to carry hand and power tools and “our product lines grew and grew”. “With the long hours and hard work I convinced many to jump on board and a lot of those customers are still with me today,” he reflected. “What I do know is that in history if times are tough... a slowdown or recession hits, our industry is typically the last one in and the first one out of any economic downturn,” Klassen observed. “That is a statement not too many industries can make.” Klassen predicted problems are going to be solved by being creative, such as “building with better materials and tools and I know that is why we are here... We have seen 3D printing with plastic. How about 3D printing with concrete?” “ln the world of modern construction, technology can help attract young workers who have grown up in a digitally interconnected world and want to make an impact in the industry,” Klassen said. He noted 40% of companies are using AI. “As with the inception of pneumatic nailers, when I started in business and cordless tools in general, technology is changing to increase the speed and ease of completing projects,” Klassen said. “We have learned to adapt and change over the centuries,” Klassen reflected. “And as we navigate this new normal, we will adapt as we learn to create new ways to speed up and improve processes. As we look around this room there are young and old and it will take all of us pushing our industry forward with new tools and technologies to help our customers succeed.”

HPF acquired by Italian machinery firm Houston Precision Fasteners has been acquired by Italian precision machinery company Poggipolini for an undisclosed sum. The deal must be reviewed by the US Committee on Foreign Investment, which is responsible for assessing the national security implications of foreign investment.

ounded in 2001, Houston Precision Fasteners manufactures high strength, fatigue rated, close tolerance fasteners and precision machined components. The company has supplied such customers as SpaceX, Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Bombardier Aerospace, Axiom, Northrop Grumman and Bell. The deal allows Bologna-based Poggipolini to accelerate its growth in the aerospace and defense industries. HPF will bring “invaluable industry knowledge, a rapidly expanding customer base, and a team of experienced professionals”. Michele Poggipolini, CEO of Poggipolini, called the US market “pivotal to our long-term strategic growth”. Poggipolini manufactures critical fasteners and components for such companies as Boeing, Safran and Ferrari.

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ASIA NEWS

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TIFI chairman discusses market As the international situation is changing, the global industrial layout has been affected. In the Taiwanese fastener sector suppliers have, amongst other issues, been facing environmental social governance (ESG), EU carbon tax, Smart manufacturing, and production line upgrades over the past year or so – in addition to a sharp decrease in orders. Here Mr Tu-Chin Tsai, chairman at the Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute (TIFI), offers his qualified views on several of the key issues facing the Taiwanese fastener industry. Taking ESG more seriously

Analysing the current global downturn, Tsai believes this is “mainly due to several factors, including inflation caused by the 25% tariff imposed by the US on China, the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike, China’s closure measures in its major economic centres in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, not to mention the wars between Ukraine and Russia, and Israel and Hamas, which have shaken global economic growth”. He added: “Although the US continues to play the role of economic locomotive, the economic momentum of almost all other countries and regions have been significantly affected.” Tsai said that whilst the Taiwan fastener industry performed well until July 2022, as it was still absorbing orders from overseas customers, it then saw a sharp drop in new orders as demand declined. He predicted that if industry orders do not return before April 2024, the market may enter a period of recession for another two years. However, he remains optimistic that if the demand picks up after 2024’s Lunar New Year, there could still be a chance to stimulate the shaken global economic growth. Until then, he strongly recommends that domestic players accelerate their ESG

planning to prepare for the next wave of market demand. Currently, the Taiwanese government has allocated NT$44 billion (€1.29 billion) for ESG to assist companies in hiring professionals, improving equipment and conducting carbon footprint verification (CFV), which will be a great opportunity for those companies to enter into Smart manufacturing and augment their industrial improvements. TIFI’s Tsai emphasised that “as Europe and the US continue to incorporate ESG into their regulations, Taiwan’s industry can no longer ignore it anymore”.

Security, character, stability

On the subject of Chinese and Taiwanese suppliers setting up factories overseas in response to buyer demands, with many Taiwanese companies having begun to establish plants in Indonesia, Thailand, Viet na m a nd ot her places in order to maintain orders, Tsai, who, himself, has factories in Malaysia and Vietnam, said that “when choosing an overseas factory base, the country’s security, national character and stability are the three major evaluation indicators. In addition to having trustworthy people locally to help with management, their HQs in Taiwan also need to send cadres for supervision”.

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In some emerging markets, he said Taiwanese manufacturers can also consider setting up liaison offices or collaborating with local distributors to expand sales oppor tunities. As for sma ll operations unable to set-up factories overseas, Tsai recommends they rely on large players to help them establish sustainable operations. He also said that “automotive fasteners are an area where Taiwanese companies can further strengthen their presence”. He added that so far, over 30% of Taiwanese companies have invested in this field and although EV growth will reduce fastener demand in the future, their added value is still attractive for investment, at this time.

Expo footnote

The Taiwan International Fastener Show, known as Fastener Taiwan, will be held at the country’s Kaohsiung Exhibition Centre from 5 th – 7 th June. With TIFI as its executive organiser, Mr Tu-Chin Tsai’s chairmanship of TIFI will be extended until the end of the event, in order to make the show as successful as possible. Exhibition dates have also been chosen to avoid clashes with other similar international expos, such as Fastener Fair Global and wire® Düsseldorf, in order to attract more overseas visitors.

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ASIA NEWS

TFTA’s views on Taiwan’s fastener sector

In the following, Josh Chen, chairman at the Taiwan Fastener Trading Association (TFTA), whose efforts have continued to raise the visibility of Taiwanese suppliers in the international marketplace, delivers his thoughts on the country’s fastener sector in these current, challenging times.

osh Chen started by discussing the global market, which he sa id wa s f i l led w it h ma ny u ncont rol lable exter na l factors, especially the Israeli-Palestinian war, which may have a profound impact on the global economy. He said that the industry has not seen signs of recovery yet and “the situation is, indeed, not optimistic”. Fluctuations in steel and oil prices, wars, US interest rate hikes, and exchange rates, have, according to Chen, caused customers to be conservative in their investments – variables, he reminds suppliers, to which they must pay heed. “At the same time,” he also suggests, “that in the midst of the sluggish economy, Taiwanese companies should strengthen their industrial upgrade efforts, and the Taiwanese government should also consider lowering interest rates to provide more incentives for investment”. He added that without affecting the rules of market operation, “the government should appropriately adjust and provide preferential interest rates and favourable measures to help those interested in industrial upgrade to get access to government resources or subsidies more easily, in order to stimulate the economy”.

Looking for a lead from Taiwan CSC

On the current significant order downturn of the industry, TFTA’s Chen believes that a large proportion of 2023’s decreased demand is due to the continuing high-level of customer inventory. “As 2022’s shipping container costs and freight charges hiked,” he said, “worried customers tried to buy beyond expectations, resulting in a scenario that some suppliers are still processing orders made in 2022”. He cited one US customer, which had told him privately that they might not run out of inventory until the middle or end of 2024. Nevertheless, Chen believes that market demand has not disappeared, and that in addition to the production of low carbon steel products, the industry should also strengthen

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Taiwanese suppliers should take the initiative to make customers understand the situation in Taiwan.” the development of medium and high carbon steel products to enhance competitiveness. As for low carbon steel products, still the bulk of demand, Chen believes and hopes that, with many competitors in this area, including from China and southeast Asia, and profit margins that are relatively thin, Taiwan China Steel Corporation (CSC) might offer more favourable packages, in terms of price, to support the industry.

Educating the market

Although a few large factories have indicated that some buyers/ customers from Europe and the USA have requested they set-up factories overseas before they place orders, Chen believes that this is only a short-term phenomenon caused by customers’ lack of understanding of the current situation in Taiwan’s fastener industry. “In order to solve this dilemma,” Chen said, “Taiwanese suppliers should take the initiative to make customers understand the situation in Taiwan. The TFTA also plays a role in helping achieve this goal by inviting European and US customers with operations in Taiwan to become TFTA international members”. He emphasised that the problem of customers switching to other countries may be a major challenge, but the “most important thing for the industry is to continue to take good care of product quality and on time delivery”.

BRAZIL NEWS Sérgio Milatias, editor, Revista do Parafuso, www.revistadoparafuso.com.br

Crossing the oceans Brazilian manufacturers have never truly been an important export player on the international fastener market, mainly due to high costs – even though Brazil is an emergent country. However, is that scenario all about to change?

ast year saw Brazilian fastener manufacturers travel to some key trade shows overseas, with the first being Belenus exhibiting at Fastener Fair Global in March, in Stuttgart Germany. In June it was the turn of washer manufacturer Metalmatrix AbraÇadeiras to attend two events outside of Brazil – the first Exopartes in Colombia and the second Automechanika in Mexico. Finally, in October, two other Brazilian manufacturers made their debut at an overseas show, with Hassmann S.A and Metaltork exhibiting at the International Fastener Expo in Las Vegas, USA. Both companies were founded more than 60 years ago, operating currently as strong domestic fastener players, especially to the heavy automotive sector, wind power energy, as well as others.

TAITRA business mission visits Brazil In October 2023, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) arranged for Taiwanese fastener companies to visit Brazil to hold a roundtable at the Hotel Meliá Paulista, in São Paulo, Brazil.

he event consisted of several hours of business roundtables, in which companies from the Taiwanese fasteners segment, as well as raw materials, were introduced to more than 60 Brazilian business people – who attended in search of new and profitable businesses. “Brazil is a market that occupies an important position for our members, as it can offer incredible commercial potential,” explained Sandra Shih, the local director of TAITRA. “It is a country with a market of more than 203 million people, which has conditions to grow – providing a great opportunity for Taiwanese companies.”

VW’s Brazil division faces recall of trucks and buses

Volkswagen’s Brazilian division started a recall in October 2023 involving its line of trucks – Delivery 11 tonnes (Euro 5 / Euro 6), Delivery 13 tonnes 6x2 (Euro 6), Delivery 4x4 11 tonnes (Euro 5 / Euro 6) – as well as line of buses – Volksbus 9 and 11 tonnes (Euro 6). The models included in the non-sequential chassis range are listed in the official statement.

ccording to VW, a flaw was found in the machining process of the rear axle tip, manufactured by Dana Incorporated, causing a deficiency in the engagement of the rear wheel hub fixation. In this way, there is the possibility of loosening the rear wheel assembly with the risk of complete release of the rear wheel, and risk of possible accidents with physical damage. The solution is to replace the rear wheel hub fixing – maintenance that takes approximately eight hours.

MAXION Structural Compnents awards fastener suppliers In November 2023, MAXION St r uc t u ra l Component s, a division of IOCHPE-MAXION, held an award ceremony for its best suppliers, with numerous fastener companies winning.

AXION Structural Components has an industrial plant in Cruzeiro Town, São Paulo, Brazil, and holds an annual award ceremony for its best providers each year. Although the award ceremony involved several different suppliers from different sources, fastener manufacturers were well represented with several winning awards. Metalac SPS won an award for quality, Ciser won the Project and Innovation award and there were two awards for Rivets Ind.Com

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COVER STORY

PennEngineering®: Accelerate your innovation Founded in 1942, PennEngineering® specialises in the design and manufacture of fastening solutions and installation systems. Operating across 20 global locations, with a team of over 4,000 professionals, the company focuses on globally deployed capabilities, locally produced parts and close collaboration with customers.

EM ® Europe, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is one of PennEngineering®’s leading brands. From here, innovative fastening solutions and installation equipment is designed and manufactured for a range of industries, including automotive electronics, consumer electronics, datacom, telecommunications, electric vehicles and more. Through precision engineering, PEM ® delivers cutting edge products that improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance reliability in manufacturing and assembly processes.

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A unique aspect of PennEngineering® is that more than 10% of its workforce is comprised of qualified engineers, highlighting its commitment to innovation, which was recently recognised by Lean Business Ireland – declaring PennEngineering® as winner of the ‘Medium Lean Business of the Year 2023’ category. “This award is a fantastic achievement and recognition of our commitment to Lean excellence, as well as a testament to our culture of continuous improvement and innovation,” explained Mary Ann Fleming, president of PennEngineering® EMEA.

Made in Europe for Europe

Choosing products ‘Made in Europe’ br ings sign if ica nt advantages. Known for qualit y and craf tsmanship, European f a steners a nd i n st a l lat ion equ ipment present met ic u lou s attention to detail, durability and superior standards. Moreover, they adhere to strict ethical and environmental guidelines – promoting worker safety and eco-friendly production methods. Supporting European manufacturing not only bolsters local economies, preserves jobs, and fosters innovation, it also champions sustainability efforts – aligning with eco-conscious consumer priorities. The transparency of sourcing in Europe, for Europe, and using European manufacturing processes, enhances consumer confidence, while reducing carbon footprints through shorter transportation distances – speaking to concerns about climate change, with the additional benefit of avoiding Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) duty, a measure aimed to address the risk of carbon leakage by ensuring equivalent carbon pricing for imports and domestic (EU) products that are subject to carbon costs under the EU ETS. “At PEM® Europe, we embrace CBAM as an opportunity to further our dedication to sustainable production, fostering innovation and contributing to a cleaner future for generations to come,” reports Mary Ann Fleming. In addition to the CBAM regulation, there is also the European ‘Right to Repair’ (R2R) legislation, which aims to tackle the ‘throwaway tech culture’ by compelling manufacturers to offer consumers and third party repair shops the tools, information, and parts, needed for fixing electronic devices. This law is poised to revolutionise assembly methods, prolong product lifespan, cut carbon emissions, as well as minimise landfill waste. PEM®’s fastening solutions not only make assembly quick and easy, but they streamline disassembly too. This way, parts can be repaired, recycled and reused much more easily. Many manufacturing processes that currently rely on welding, gluing or sealing will benefit from PEM® fastening solutions that withstand R2R procedures.

Get testing support anytime, anywhere

Another key factor that enables PennEngineering® to standout is its ability to offer customers complete testing support through its technical services, as well as through PEMEdge™ – an extensive set of inhouse testing capabilities available under PEM®’s Technical Lab Services portfolio, at no additional cost to customers. These testing services help customers meet industry regulations, develop new products and evaluate the properties and limits of existing parts. These testing services are offered throughout Europe, providing global support at the local level, and include FEA analysis, mechanical testing, tensile and compression strength testing, hardness and micro hardness testing, microstructural analysis, XRF spectroscopy, fastener joint analysis, corrosion and plating testing, as well as cleanliness testing. Technical Cleanliness is a measure of the level of contamination of parts, including a particle size measure and an overall number and mass of particles measured. The PEM® Clean Lab, launched in 2020, is able to provide comprehensive cleaning and testing capabilities using the most advanced equipment in the industry. These Clean Lab operations provide the ability to achieve technical cleanliness of PEM® fastening products per customer specifications and ISO 16232 and VDA volume 19 standards. PEM ® ’s laboratory in Galway also hosts state of the art vacuum leak detection testing capability, replicating IPX7/8 conditions. Ingress Protection Rating testing evaluates enclosures’ protection for electrical components against foreign bodies (dust, dirt, moisture) by subjecting them to various conditions, and measuring their effectiveness in preventing intrusion. Through its PEMedge™ service the company is also able to provide a teardown service that helps customers cut costs and improve assembly times with a free fastener analysis – providing cost savings through

PEM® invented self-clinching fasteners Self-clinching fasteners are designed to be installed into sheet metal and feature a unique design that allows them to be permanently embedded in a metal sheet – creating a strong, durable and f lush attachment point. They are installed into a plain round hole without secondary operations required, and ca n be i nsta l led i nto dissimilar metals – providing g re ate r de s i g n f le x ibi l it y and a clean, economica l and environmentally-friendly alternative to welding.

lighter weight solutions that have a more compact design and provide a streamlined and cleaner assembly and disassembly. Every test at the PEM ® laboratory is carried out according to the relevant accredited testing standards, such as NASM 25027 and NASM 45938, ASTM A380, AS9100, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, IATF 16949, A2LA certification and QSLM approval.

PEM® new product releases

The PEM ® range of fasteners consists of t housands upon t housands of products, but the company is always looking to innovate and provide new solutions, with recent new product developments including PEM® CastSert™ stainless steel press-in inserts for castings and soft metals – i nc lud i ng a lu m i n iu m and magnesium castings. PennEngineering® points out that this means manufacturers working with die cast alloys, and soft metals, now have an innovative, time and labour saving solution to create strong, durable metal threads. PEM® has also introduced the 300 series stainless steel CastSert™ inserts, designed for quick, reliable, and cost-effective installations. The stainless steel CastSert™ inserts help revolutionise installing durable threads into casted materials, offering a simple press-in technique. Unlike helical inserts, which require panel preparation, CastSert™ inserts are installed by simply pressing into an ‘as-cast’ or drilled hole. PEM® highlights that this rapid installation method, using a flat punch and anvil, outpaces traditional methods by approximately 80%.

The transparency of sourcing in Europe, for Europe, and using European manufacturing processes, enhances consumer confidence, while reducing carbon footprints.” WWW.FASTENERANDFIXING.COM

COVER STORY a low profile, ensuring strength, as well as meeting specific dimensions in battery tray design. These components are essential for the seamless operation of electric vehicles. In addition to consulting, development, production, prototyping, testing, and service, comprehensive support for customer specific production planning, considering all the necessary building blocks for process, optimised automation technology, follows PEM®’s goal of 360 degree connection technology.

Better together

Other new solutions from PEM® includes PEM® GHOST™ fasteners, which provide a fully concealed fastener with zero visible evidence of how to disassemble – making it an ideal choice for industries that demand both sleek aesthetics and robust security. Only the user has the knowledge to disengage the fastener using a properly placed magnet or magnets. The gripping fastener utilises a fully concealed pinch-lock mechanism. A magnetic tool is used to actuate internal components, relieving the pinch-lock/grip. PEM ® has further expanded its range of fastener offerings with the launch of RV TB™ threaded rivet bushes, which create robust and reusable threads in ultra-thin panels – making them an ideal choice for a wide range of industries and applications, as they enable installation into high hardness panel materials. PEM ® believes this addition solidifies its position as the primary destination for captive fasteners in thin sheet materials – with the versatility of rivet bushes spanning across non-ferrous metals like aluminium alloy, copper, and brass, extending even to non-metallic materials. PEM ® ’s commitment to ensuring joint integrity is emphasised by also offering trust in the installation process. Utilising a Haeger® or PEMSERTER® installation machine for auto-feeding, customers can meet the industry’s demand for automated rivet bush installation. Notably, PEM® mentions it is the sole company in the market designing and manufacturing both the rivet bush and its specialised installation machinery, reflecting a comprehensive approach to meeting fabricators’ needs and maintaining quality control throughout the process.

PEM® growth campaigns

The electrification of transportation, often referred to as eMobility, is reshaping the automotive industry in unprecedented ways. Once dominated by mechanical engineers, the automotive sector now demands expertise in electrical engineering – as vehicles transform into data-rich, smart machines. This shift is driven by consumer expectations, government regulations, and a desire for sustainable transportation options. PEM® is already playing a pivotal role in the eMobility revolution across EV batter y trays, battery storage, charging stations and 2/3 wheelers. PE M ® ’s i n no v a t i ve s olut ion s address key challenges, such as ensuring watertightness, managing weight, maintaining

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I n add it ion to PE M ® ’s r a n ge of f a s ten i n g solut ion s, PennEngineering ® is a lso able to supply Haeger ® fastener installation equipment – ensuring installation confidence and optimal production performance. “In today’s competitive manufacturing landscape, efficient fastener installation is pivotal,” states Mary Ann Fleming. “The partnership between Haeger ® and PEM ® exemplifies a ‘Better Together’ approach, elevating manufacturing prowess. Haeger® f a stener i n st a l lat ion equ ipment, k now n for autom at i ng installation processes across various materials, seamlessly complements the reliability of PEM ® fasteners. This synergy enhances production efficiency, ensuring uniform placements and elevated product quality. The precision of Haeger® equipment aligns perfectly with the durability of PEM® fasteners, reducing downtime and operational costs.” The ease of use and integrated software also enables ‘real time’ monitoring, production planning, and data acquisition, promoting Industr y 4.0 readiness. The technica l ser v ice prog ra m Haeger Ca re™ a l so provides comprehensive support, ensuring uninterrupted performance.

What’s next for PEM®

PE M ® i s pl a n n i ng to i nc rea se it s presence in Europe with the development of a new 80,00 square foot (7,400m 2) facility located in Galway, Ireland. The new facility will be a ‘centre of excellence’ focusing on developing innovative solutions for the European market. “As we look ahead to the coming year, we acknowledge the challenges presented by uncertain market conditions and global turmoil. Despite these obstacles, we have secured many new projects for 2024 and our commitment remains unwavering – to pursue growth, adaptability and innovation. We stand resilient, ready to navigate through these turbulent times, leveraging our strengths, and fostering a culture of perseverance and creativity. Together, we embrace the opportunities ahead, driving progress and achieving success,” states Ger Quaid, vice-president of sales and marketing PEM® EMEA. www.pemnet.com

Made in Europe. For Europe.

Keep your supply chain connected with PEM® Fastening Solutions LEARN MORE

JANUS PERSPECTIVE

A review and preview of the global fastener market

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Welcome to the 2024 Janus Perspective, a unique feature that includes a wide cross section of global fastener business leaders. Named after the Roman God ‘Janus’ – who had the ability to look to the future and to the past, and was often depicted with having two faces – this feature brings together thought leaders from every facet of the industry, from around the world, to give us their retrospective on 2023, as well as prospects and challenges for 2024.

ince the last Janus Perspective in January 2022, it has once again been a very challenging period for companies, with a multitude of events impacting the market, including geopolitical issues, increased energy prices, high interest rates, overstock and a slowdown in the market. With the level of complexity these factors have created for every business in 2023, Fastener + Fixing Magazine would like to express its gratitude for the precious time and thought invested by so many senior figures within the industry for what is one of our biggest ever Janus features.

Contributors were asked to consider not just economic and financial issues over the last year, but also technology drivers for the fastener industry and to identify priorities for the upcoming year – such as reshoring, sustainability and regulations – the most prominent being CBAM, Artificial Intelligence, overstock, automation, as well as Industry 4.0, to name just a few. With so many articles, covering distribution, manufacturing, machinery, as well as country insights, from companies supplying every market, it is a must read for everybody within the fastener and fixing market.

European Fastener Distributor Association Alexander Kolodzik, secretary general

There is never a dull moment in the fastener industry. As in recent years, the sector is facing many challenges that need to be overcome. In addition to technological innovations, these include geopolitical tensions and compliance requirements for regulating the supply chain – with both gaining momentum.

ortunately, it seems that many fastener distributors across Europe have successfully overcome the hurdles that stood in their way in 2023. Certainly not all of them, but the vast majority. However, this has not been easy, nor will it be in 2024. In this review and outlook, I would like to focus on the hurdles set by the legislator and mention two measures that have kept our industry busy and caused headaches throughout the year. Firstly, there is the ban on the import and purchase of certain

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE iron and steel products from third countries, including fasteners, for the processing of which certain iron and steel products originating in Russia were used, as part of the EU sanctions against Russia. The second is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which also applies to the import of fasteners. Even if the EU legislator is pursuing two completely different goals with these two measures, they still have certain parallels, especially for our industry. Because unlike the anti-dumping duties, this specific import ban and CBAM are aimed at imports of fasteners from all over the world into the EU. The breadth of these regulations gives the administrative effort of the import business a new quality for our trading companies. Regardless of its enormous bureaucratic effort, CBAM also has a targeted financial component that will have a significant impact on the European and probably also the international fastener market from 2026. Incidentally, both measures do not apply to all goods, but rather apply to a very limited range of goods, including iron and steel products, which includes fasteners. Together with the anti-dumping duties on the import of Chinese iron and steel fasteners that have hit fastener business since 2022, our industry is facing a series of challenges that are noteworthy in this concentrated form. As internationally operating trading companies, it is part of the professionalism of our member companies to react f lexibly to imponderables in order to be able to supply the European economy with fasteners at any time and at any place. These imponderables may be due to changes in the market or ordinary regulations that interfere with free trade. This is normal. What, on the other hand, is not normal and must not be accepted as normal is the emerging practice of the EU legislator to design and implement laws that are lacking the required quality or the necessary lead time so that users can apply them correctly. When it comes to the beforementioned import ban and CBAM, the EU, and certainly many member states, have failed to meet both requirements. Already in October 2022, a provision was published in the Official Journal of the EU saying that the import ban on goods from third countries should apply from 30th September 2023. However, until the end it remained unclear how far the ban extended and whether or how appropriate evidence could be provided that the imported goods were not affected by the ban. When in June 2023 the regulation was supplemented with an obligation to provide evidence for importers, it was not clear what kind of evidence was sufficient. Again, it took until mid-July 2023 – 10 weeks before the measures entered into force

What is not normal and must not be accepted as normal is the emerging practice of the EU legislator to design and implement laws that are lacking the required quality or the necessary lead time so that users can apply them correctly.” 40 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

…unlike the anti-dumping duties, this specific import ban and CBAM are aimed at imports of fasteners from all over the world into the EU.” – for the Commission to provide guidelines saying that a Mill Test Certificate should be considered as sufficient evidence. This created so many uncertainties that a few days after the entry into force of the prohibition, the guidelines were partially revised. None of this would have been necessary if the importers’ voices had been listened to better. The situation is similar with CBAM, with the regulation of May 2023 containing many vague provisions that require clarification through implementing regulations. Far too much time passed before the Commission’s Implementing Regulation for the transition period was published on 17 th August 2023 – six weeks before the transition period began on 1 st October 2023. Even after this, it is still not clear how the requirements should be implemented. The first guidelines did not appear until August. The standard values that importers can initially use appeared only a few days before Christmas. Even at the beginning of 2024, it will not be possible in many EU member states to properly register in the CBAM transition register and enter data – including a deadline with extensive reporting obligations being 31 st January 2024. In the meantime, the abundance of provisions and the lack of clarity in the requirements have driven the fastener industry in Europe and exporting countries crazy and caused an incredible amount of work. All of this could have been avoided if the deadlines for the entry into force of the reporting requirements, and the mechanism as a whole, had been postponed and time had been taken to make the rules more user-friendly. It is clear that the EU legislature and the EU member states have overreached themselves in the design and implementation of CBAM. They underestimated the scope of the regulations for everyone involved – European importers, manufacturers and suppliers from third countries, as well as the domestic authorities themselves. EFDA will therefore continue to work with utmost commitment in 2024 to support European fastener distributors in conducting their business in a CBAM compliant manner – so that they can continue to successfully supply the European industry with fasteners. With a series of webinars and other information, we have already informed our members about the current status right from the start – so that they could get prepared in the best way possible. We are also in close contact with representatives of important supplier countries who, too, are hit hard by the EU requirements and have to provide data that very often is simply not available to them. CBAM will be THE theme for our industry in 2024 and in the years to come. What is certain is that the law needs to be improved in many areas in order to function satisfactorily. We will therefore, within the framework of EFDA, push for meaningful improvements to CBAM – improvements that occur with the necessary quality and the necessary timescale – so that importers can provide their service to the European economy in the appropriate manner and the EU can credibly fulfil its role as a representative of the rule of law in the world.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Agrati Paolo Pozzi, CEO 2023 was a recovery year for the economy in general, with significant improvements concerning global GDP, supply chains, as well as raw material and energy prices. The recovery, however significant and welcome, was not enough to be back to pre-Covid-19 levels.

imilar to each year since Covid-19, 2023 had no shortage of challenges. Among the major ones were increasing interest rates and geopolitical tensions, which have threatened the uncertain business environment. However, inflation rates appear to be now much more under control than they were at the beginning of the year – thanks to one of the strongest actions of the ECB and FED that has ever been experienced by the market. The automotive industry met these challenges during a period of great transformation – due to the herculean effort for decarbonisation and the shift towards electrification. This shift is giving a heavy blow to the traditional OEMs, which barely saw it coming and are now running after newcomers that are more agile and very appreciated by the market. Huge investments have been set for electrification and ‘the machine’ cannot be stopped now. However, it is a matter of fact that the market is experiencing some hardships in digesting the high prices of electric and hybrid vehicles and volumes are not as fabulous as expected, as well as being highly reliant on government incentives. As a result, some investments in electric technology have been either postponed or downsized. In the EU the decarbonisation effort is at its strongest. The EU has set very challenging goals and impacting regulations, the results however, are yet to come. EURO 7 limits have been postponed on fear for insignificant environmental benefits versus huge implementation costs. CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) is already in place in its transitory phase and many concerns arise regarding the outcome on raw material prices and procurement availability. However, the major concern related to electrification is that it implies a radical shift of the centre of the automotive industry towards China, which has the technology, the supply chain, and the market, that allows for a development of this strategy and promises a very brilliant future ahead. With more than 25 million cars sold in 2023; 4% estimated growth for the next two coming years; as well as a solid and innovative vehicle offer; China is not only ready to become the most energetic automotive market in the world, but is also ready to launch an attack to the European market, which is unheard of and would have been considered madness not many years ago. While the automotive industry is under pressure, the industrial world comes out of two consecutive years of double digit growth – thanks to the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the improvement of global supply chains and raw material prices. However, H2 2023 already set an end to this recovery period and volumes will adjust consequently in 2024. Additional raw material price falls is not to be expected, on the contrary, there is some risk that some prices (especially for metals) will rebound due to the volatility of the situation. The European fasteners industry will have to manage all these challenges with additional restrictions on the sustainability side. The EU is accelerating on decarbonisation strategy to re-establish competition parity with outside EU partners taking into consideration

42 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

the carbon emissions related costs. The risk is to jeopardise the European manufacturing system by destroying its competitiveness versus the rest of the world. Therefore, we must advocate for a gradual transition that would take into consideration all the aspects of sustainability. The objective, however, is to surf the disruption experienced in each sector and catch all the opportunities by adjusting to the new market requests. In this environment, leveraging on innovation is a must. We have powerful tools for the purpose, digitalisation and AI are just waiting for viable business applications to deliver their full potential. The power of these tools lays a paradox at our feet since on the one hand they could substitute massively the requirement for human labour, but on the other hand we have never seen such a human resources shortage. We need to define policies and set the organisations such that they empower people and give them the right opportunities to deliver results.

The automotive industry met these challenges during a period of great transformation – due to the herculean effort for decarbonisation and the shift towards electrification.”

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Würth Industrie Service GmbH & Co. KG Martin Jauss, general manager 2023 was an intensive year, which, besides many challenges, reached new dimensions. Global challenges affect companies in all market segments, in all countries, and on all continents, and thus also us as an industry partner.

irst and foremost, with the war in Ukraine – with all its geopolitical uncertainties, inflation, and the energy crisis, through to a challenge across all markets, there was a continuing dynamic situation on the global procurement market. Although availability, the transport situation and delivery times largely eased – along with the immediate need to ‘extinguish fires’ decreasing, the situation was still very much in flux with prices remaining very high. In addition, the extensive regulations from the EU and national legislation – such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) or the Supply Chain Duty of Care Act – placed, and are still placing, considerable strain on companies in the fastener supply chain and thus weakening the competitiveness of Europe as a whole. Other major issues of our time, such as the increasing shortage of skilled workers and labour, demographic change, climate change, and sustainability, are also some of the global challenges. In this market situation, the main focus of our global customers remains on reliable supply regardless of the fact where production takes place and what slight decoupling tendencies exist in the global markets – this has not changed. As the European market

44 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

leader in the supply of small parts to industrial customers, our strategy is designed to continuously invest in innovative logistics solutions; the further development of our digital supply systems; in predictive procurement of goods; and further education and training of our employees at all European sites. A solid financial basis and a strong industry network, with longterm supplier partnerships, ensure that we are well positioned in terms of resilience and diversity to provide our customers with intelligent system and product solutions in a reliable and secure way – guaranteed by all colleagues shaping this network. In order to jointly move the ‘right lever’, close and trustful cooperation with our partners and customers is extremely important to me. I believe that the market environment remains fundamentally stable. The global development of slight decoupling and the resulting relocalisation of production are in-line with the business model we have been practicing for many years, which offers the same service in the respective markets of America, Asia and Europe. Therefore, we are able to absorb these market developments and support our customers without losing security of supply. A key factor for that is our purchasing department, which is centrally organised and responsible for the procurement and inquiries regarding new projects

from all our European companies. In the global procurement markets, the multi-supplier strategy is an additional security factor. Proactive action, communication with the customers, comprehensive supplier monitoring, use of alternatives, and appropriate article stocking, ensure that customers in the global production facilities are comprehensively supplied, which is made possible above all by the commitment of all 1,800 employees in Germany and over 6,600 employees worldwide. As a company of the Würth Group, Würth Industrie Service is expected to close 2023 as forecast. After the first half of 2023 was characterised by a very stable market demand, the second half of the year showed a decrease in industrial activity and thus resulted in less order intake. The rate of decline in production was significantly faster than anticipated. It is particularly striking that this trend is not uniform across the market segments, but rather fluctuates from company to company within the same segment in the manufacturing industry. Although availability, transport capacities and delivery times have eased, we are still facing a challenging price situation. Energy prices, labour costs, exchange rate fluctuations, capacity limits, etc, contribute to the fact that raw material price trends are not reflected in the end product. Looking ahead to 2024, the industrial environment will continue to be characterised by uncertainty. Despite these uncertainties, we at Würth Industrie Service are optimistic about the coming months. After all, process optimisation along a holistic C-Parts management is becoming much more important in times of necessary efficiency increase. In order to support industrial companies in Europe, we not only rely on the expertise of our employees, but especially on the necessary tools we have been using over 25 years with more than 20,000 customers. This is the reason why the focus of Würth Industrie Service will remain where it is today. Above all, we will continue to focus on our

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Although availability, transport capacities and delivery times have eased, we are still facing a challenging price situation.” customers, their individual needs and requirements, and thus also on the reliability of supply, customer oriented systems and innovations. It is also important to develop our product portfolio beyond the standard. Over the past 15 years, there have also been clear movements that the process optimisation of small parts does not only include traditional fasteners. In fact, all production relevant parts, such as special and drawing parts or supplier related items, are permanently in focus. Furthermore, production related materials such as occupational safet y materials, tools, and chemical products, are becoming increasingly important for industrial companies in order to ensure security of supply in this segment, as well by providing optimal supply concepts for process optimisation. In the future, however, we will not only focus on traditional fasteners, assembly materials, and indirect materials, but will also develop completely new business areas and technologies – such as additive manufacturing technologies – together with our partners. This puts us in a good position to continue providing our customers with reliable and secure services in the future.

JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Bossard Group Daniel Bossard, CEO 2023 saw a recessionary trend after a boom year in 2022 with subdued prospects for 2024, which will be characterised by shorter delivery times, higher wage costs, inflation and weak demand.

fter strong demand in 2022, with long delivery times and delays, the first quarter of 2023 saw a normalisation. Inventories were reduced on the customer side and the lower customer order volumes were felt globally from the second quarter onwards – raw material and end product prices also steadily fell; and the seller’s market increasingly developed into a buyer’s market. Prices have recovered somewhat since the fourth quarter. 2023 was certainly a challenging year, which was due to a number of main drivers, firstly the localisation of supply chains. Geopolitical tensions between China and the West have led to shifts of more purchasing sources outside China/Taiwan. Sustainability commitments (lower CO 2 emissions in production and transportation) have also led to the expansion of local production capacities in Europe, Asia and the USA. Another driver is wage and cost inflation. The ‘War for Talents’ continued in 2023, which was due to the strong demand for talent in the last two years and the fact that western societies are slowly ageing. For example, in western Europe, and the USA, more older workers are leaving the workforce than younger workers are entering. This has led to significantly higher labour costs and it looks like this trend will continue. In addition, energy and raw material costs, as well as interest rates have risen.

In addition to the challenges, there were several opportunities that emerged during 2023.” An obvious driver was the global recession, which started in Asia in the first quarter of 2023, with the recessionary trends continuing from the second quarter in Europe and from the third quarter in the USA. Looking at the global Purchasing Manager Indices (PMIs), all markets worldwide are now affected, with the exception of India and Mexico, which are benefiting from the relocation of production from China. The final challenge companies had to handle in 2023, and will continue to have to handle going forward, is sustainability and regulatory requirements in Europe. New regulations introduced – relatively short notice – to control CO 2 emissions, such as the Carbon

46 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulation, have led to extraordinary efforts to comply with the rules. In addition to the challenges, there were several opportunities that emerged during 2023. Our global positioning has helped us to absorb shifts in customer inquiries from China to India, Europe or the USA. Our services have also been enhanced with digtalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as our Smart Factory Logistics, helping customers to manage their C-parts inventory virtually, or Smart Factory Assembly, which supports customers with digital work instructions to avoid mistakes, documents assembly processes and helps on-board unskilled labor efficiently – both of which have helped customers to reduce overall costs, particularly at high price locations in the USA and Europe. Finally, the focus on growth industries – in the area of sustainability, particularly renewable energies and electromobility or rail vehicle construction – has helped to cushion the recessionary trends in the market as a whole. Looking forward, it is of course difficult to predict what we can expect this year; in any case, we anticipate a weak demand environment in the first half of the year – globally. We expect prices to stabilise slowly, with a slight upward trend. Besides, the challenges of 2023 will continue to accompany us. In terms of technolog y, AI will shape the entire business environment: Tools such as Microsoft Copilot, which offer ‘generative AI’ in Office applications, will help us to become more efficient and use less manpower in repetitive work (e.g for e-mail customer inquiries that can be answered automatically). Open AI applications will also support us in gaining better market transparency in purchasing. The challenge will be to combine the right mix between AI and natural intelligence, for example the wealth of experience and knowledge of long-standing employees. Ultimately, it is often personal relationships that make up supplier and customer relationships. In general, we must continue to learn how to constantly deal with change and remain agile. At Bossard, we are trying to do this with cultural initiatives that are generally intended to delegate more decision making power to the frontlines in order to be able to respond more quickly to changing conditions. ‘After the rain, the sun shines’ – also this time. Let’s use this time to prepare ourselves – by streamlining, empowering and digitising our organisations, so we are ready for the upswing, whenever it arrives!

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE HECO Schrauben GmbH & Co KG Achim Carstanjen, general manager HECO looks back on a very eventful year in 2023, although well-known geopolitical and economic policy developments did have an impact on our business activities. As expected at the end of 2022, global supply chains stabilised and returned to normality, but at the same time, the economic conditions have changed, particularly in Germany.

hese changes within the economic conditions did have consequences for the construction sector. Instead of a further dynamic market with high growth rates, as in previous years, we saw a stagnating or rather shrinking market in Germany at the end of 2023. The same observation counts for our overall European markets. These effects naturally lead to special challenges for our company, with 2023 extremely unsteady. In the Covid-19 years of 2020 to 2022, the issue of supply assurance was the top criterion for our customers – with warehouses sometimes filled excessively for safety reasons, which lead to the well-known ‘bullwhip effect’ occuring. As a local producer, we at HECO were always able to fulfill our delivery promises despite the adverse circumstances. Today our customers are cautious and hesitant in terms of their planning and ordering. Availability of goods has once again become a matter of course in our markets. For this reason, other aspects such as quality, innovative strength and customer service are back in focus. That’s good for HECO because these values are the embodiment of the HECO brand and our strength. We assume that these aspects will play the dominant role for us again in the future. Finally, we can be happy with how 2023 turned out to our satisfaction. We have continued to grow moderately and thus have a solid financial basis. In addition to the above mentioned aspects of quality, innovation and service, we believe that additional topics are getting more and more

important. Worldwide, the issue of climate and sustainability is constantly receiving greater attention. For HECO, the issue of the environment, as well as safety and health of employees, has always been a matter of course and taken into account. At the same time, we are noticing that our customers are increasingly interested in products that are produced in a way that conserves resources and is environmentally friendly. At HECO we will respond to this request for further information in the future and provide regular updates about our activities. The most recent examples are the expansion of our own energy production and e-mobility, which are also clearly visible for visitors at the plant and online on our new website. As a family business, we have always taken social responsibility for our employees and the region. In this context, last year we took the opportunity to reformulate our mission statement, which describes our corporate culture which we call ‘Our drive’. Our vision: ‘Creating enthusiasm with connections’ expresses what we work on and what we aim for, which is to inspire our customers and create enthusiasm for our products and services. We are also well aware that our HECO team, and every single colleague, is the heart of our success. Not only that, but now that the supply chain has normalised again, we see great advantages in producing in Germany and the EU. The distances to our customers are short in every respect. This means we save significant CO 2 compared to many competitors, due to the short distances, and we are able to communicate quickly and offer, and implement, solutions to our customers’ problems in a timely manner. We assume that despite the current disadvantageous cost position, manufacturing in Germany will offer many advantages in the mid-term. Just one example with long-term effects for our business is the conversion of European steelworks to carbon neutral energy sources. Overall, the energy and CO 2 balance will be very attractive for European suppliers and will be difficult to beat by imported products. We are also well positioned with our standard product range. In timber construction, we at HECO have been leading for decades with our partner SFS. The segment is very attractive, especially since a bright future is predicted for timber construction. However, we notice that in many places people still think traditionally and in terms of wooden construction solutions not yet being widespread, even if the number of projects is constantly increasing. Today, and for the next few years, we would like to see more political support for timber construction, thereby initiating and accelerating the rethinking process among many builders and architects. The topic of digitalisation also continues to be a major challenge for us, especially as a mid-sized company based in the high-tech region of the Black Forest – it is difficult to find adequate talent. We experience that at first glance, the product screw doesn’t seem sexy enough to many, but at second glance many are enthusiastic – excited about processes, about products, about their responsibility, and about the teamwork in the ‘orange team’. In this sense, we also see the future positively in the topic of digitalsation, which is visible on our new website, despite all the adversities.

...the energy and CO2 balance will be very attractive for European suppliers and will be difficult to beat by imported products.” 48 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

National Machinery LLC Andrew Kalnow, CEO

A year ago this time, the big concerns of many American business, including us at National Machinery, were still rising inflation and an impending recession of some magnitude. Fast forward to today, while worries still linger, the long forecasted recession has not appeared on ‘this side of the pond’ and, if it does, the strong consensus is that it will be a forgiving ‘soft landing’.

he American consumer has largely proven to be resilient in the face of continuing inflation and high interest rates. Perhaps this is because most economists and consumers alike believe inflation will continue to abate and interest rates ultimately will fall. Of course, you will recall in 2023 the American automotive industry suffered a long and bitter strike by the UAW (United Automobile Workers) resulting in a 25% wage increase over four years. This bad news for the ‘domestic big three’ was compounded by Tesla smelling blood and lowering its prices. Interestingly, nowadays mostly all automakers have cut back the expectations for EV sales in the American market. The local Ford dealer in Tiffin has had a row of unsold Mustang Mach-E vehicles for more than a couple of months. With petrol prices continuing to moderate at pumps in America, combined with too little mileage distance per tank on an EV, and limited enroute charging stations, the American consumer who doesn’t already own an EV is not too enthused about going electric at this time. Also, the comparatively higher ‘sticker prices’ of EVs compared to similar ICE vehicles is a further hurdle to cross. At National Machinery 2023 was a strong year and 2024 is expected to be higher yet in revenue and profit. Sales levels in America are clearly the driver, while the rest of the world is notably slower. We benefit from a strong domestic customer base of both smaller and larger size manufacturers that more than ever are interested in buying new machines – particularly when it is coupled with a very strong field service and support network. They believe that new equipment, coupled with judicious investment in rebuilds and good maintenance programs, are the main solutions to addressing the endemic problem of labour shortages – while boosting productivity. Outside of a few new cold forming factories by transplants over the years it has been rare for US companies to add new facility capacity. Instead, M&A has been the ticket for expansion. Unfortunately, this generally has been detrimental to the condition of the existing fleet of cold formers and other equipment, as money spent on acquisitions too often is at the expense of modernisation and good machine maintenance. National’s business model of supplying high performance machines, coupled with reliable local service, has recently earned us the opportunity to equip a totally new cold forming factory with FORMAXs. At the 2022 Düsseldorf wire® show, National Machinery unveiled a new smaller diameter combined heading and threading machine, aptly named the Lean Header + Threader. This new machine is very economic for the manufacturer, as it combines the heading and threading process

on a given part. It requires only one operator and is a space saver too. This model has proved very popular and we have received a large multi-year, multiple machine order from a leading European fastener maker for this machine model. This year at the 2024 wire® show we will exhibit the FXH Lightning, a very high speed FORMAX header, which has already had initial installations in customer factories. Finally, the year 2024 marks a very special year for National Machinery as we will be celebrating our 150 th anniversary in late September. There will be a week long celebration with three days reserved specifically for customers. In addition to an open house, there will be various educational seminars and other events.

Interestingly, nowadays mostly all automakers have cut back the expectations for EV sales in the American market.” 50 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Taiwanese market Fastener World Magazine

For this Janus Perspective we will analyse the latest Taiwan fastener export data for the first ten months of 2023, followed by overviewing global economic outlook indicators, combining it with the views of Taiwanese manufacturers, to build an outlook for the Taiwanese fastener industry in 2024.

n quarterly data (Figure One), redirected orders upped Taiwan fastener export weight to 1.55 million tonnes in 2022, a record high. However, by looking closely you will find the beginning of a decline in the two quarters of H2 2022 of which the export weight was less than in H2 2021. This is when Taiwanese manufacturers had mixed feelings, as they felt great about a swarm of incoming orders, but they could already foresee the over piling of goods at customers’ warehouses in 2023. The export weight in the first three quarters of 2023 totaled 904,000 tonnes, down 25.14% when compared to the same period in 2022 – with Q3 of 2023 in particular experiencing a new low of 287,364 tonnes. By product types, all of the main fastener categories fell by double digits in export weight in the first 10 months of 2023 (Table One).

The aim is for Taiwanese fastener manufacturers to be at the forefront of carbon reduction in Asia, making them even more attractive to European and US customers.” Self-tapping screws and bolts had the largest drop (29.05% and 28.02% respectively). Export price growth was relatively minor with wood screws and nuts price showing the largest decline at only 3%, reflecting the pressure of price competition upon Taiwanese companies.

Table One: Taiwan fastener export weight and price change (Jan – Oct 2023) Products

Tonne

450,000 400,000 350,000 300,000 250,000 Ton 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0 2021

Q1 376,312

Q2 381,517

Q3 393,864

Q4 398,761

2022

413,313

402,990

391,156

347,317

2023

311,871

304,660

287,364

Figure One: Taiwan fastener export weight (quarterly)

52 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

Export weight change (%)

Export price change (%)

Wood screws

-15.06

-3.24

Self-tapping screws

-29.05

Bolts

-28.02

0.55

Nuts

-18.32

-3.79

When it comes to export destinations, the ‘Top 5’ destinations for Taiwan’s fastener export in the same period were the USA (489,000 tonnes, down 24.97%, accounting for 45.9%), Germany (86,000 tonnes, down 31.66%, accounting for 8.09%), the Netherlands (72,000 tonnes, down 9.97%, accounting for 6.82%), Japan (43,000 tonnes, down 27.48%, accounting for 4.07%), and Canada (31,000 tonnes, down 32.92%, accounting for 2.99%).

…Taiwanese manufacturers had mixed feelings, as they felt great about a swarm of incoming orders, but they could already foresee the over piling of goods at customers’ warehouses…”

Global economic outlook

When looking forward to the outlook for 2024 there are three key indicators – GDP, PMI and interest rate. Firstly, the IMF upped the USA’s GDP and kept Japan’s GDP flat, indicating that the USA and Japan will lead global economic growth in 2024. Taiwan’s GDP growth rate for 2024 has also been upped to 3.15%. Meanwhile, the Taiwan Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics indicated that Taiwan’s economy bottomed out in the third quarter of 2023 and will perform better in 2024. In Europe, and ASEAN, the GDPs have been revised downward. Nevertheless, both GDPs in 2024 are still higher than the ones in 2023, meaning that both market situations will improve. Regarding PMIs, the indices of the USA, EU, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam, are in the range of 44 to 49, while ASEAN and India have reached above 50. This would suggest that many parts of the world are about to emerge from recession, as PMI values above 50 indicate a period of prosperity. From October 2023 onwards, inflation has also cooled in Europe, the USA and China. The fall in oil prices has driven inflation down faster in many countries. In addition, interest rate hikes in Europe and the USA are coming to an end, and interest rate cuts are already underway in southeast Asia and South America. Europe will possibly cut the rates in the first quarter of 2024 and the USA will possibly do so in the second quarter, according to Taiwan CSC.

Taiwanese manufacturers’ perspective

So how do Taiwanese fastener giants view the market? Mr YongYu Tsai, president of Jinn Her Enterprise, said he has never seen the economy this bad in his 45 years of fastener business – with the company’s electricity bill alone increasing TW$4 million (€117,000) a month. “This is the worst time ever, but it also means a beginning for the best time,” he said. He recalled when shipping costs peaked, there were overseas buyers who would choose air shipping, which was more expensive, just to obtain fasteners from Taiwan. In that regard, he suggests knowing that “the important thing about fasteners

is their value, and price competition is not what is needed”. He suggests running the business on strategies that provide high value added products. Other Taiwanese owners told Fastener World that they are facing higher salary expenditure, challenges in obtaining factory land and higher land cost, as well as talent outflowing to high-tech industries. They are also under pressure from overseas customers who want them to set-up new factories outside of Taiwan, as war sentiment lingers between Russia and Ukraine and in the Taiwan Strait. Therefore, many Taiwanese owners have set-up factories in Vietnam, Thailand and other places, hoping that customers can purchase with peace of mind.

Taiwanese fasteners in 2024

Overall, Taiwanese owners believe the market will ‘bottom out’ in 2024, with some predicting that Taiwan fastener exports will start to return to normal in the second half of the year. However, a bigger challenge lies in front of Taiwanese manufacturers – the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulation. With CBAM currently in its pilot phase, issues with oil, gas, water, and electricity, are out on the table, and the Taiwanese fastener industry is actively meeting regulations to produce environmentally sustainable products. So far, no other Asian countries have been as actively involved in compliance to CBAM as much as Taiwan has within the fastener industr y. The Taiwanese government has commenced CBAM counseling programs and established communications with the European Fastener Distributor Association (EFDA) and the National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) in the USA. The aim is for Taiwanese fastener manufacturers to be at the forefront of carbon reduction in Asia, making them even more attractive to European and US customers. That is why many companies are already actively carrying out carbon inventories and optimising their manufacturing processes, hoping to seize the first opportunity in low carbon emission fasteners, especially when the global economy turns around.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Fontana Gruppo Giuseppe Fontana, CEO

At the beginning of 2023 we hoped the year would not be too penalising and in fact the market was not negative in the first part of the year. However, the scenario changed in the last part of the year, where there was a slight decline due to the loss of confidence in the market. After all, we are living in a fairly confusing period, in which, after Covid-19, we have seen two major conflicts brake out – both of which continue to have important geopolitical repercussions.

hen looking at the market, the value of interest rates influences the performance of the economy in all sectors – with high inflation having an impact on consumption. At a national level, in Italy it was expected that the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) would generate an important driving force, but to date the effects have not been seen. I can anticipate that for 2024 we expect a less than positive start, substantially at the levels of 2023. However, if inflation is contained, we can hope for a recovery by the end of the year.

What are the main market trends?

Our market today is influenced by the environmental problem, which is strongly connected to the issue of energy. In this sense we have moved towards the abandonment of internal combustion engines in favour of electric ones, even if it appears increasingly clear that this will not be the only solution, as there remains considerable infrastructural and energy supply difficulties, as well as various problems related to battery disposal. In general, there remains a certain difficulty, on the market’s part, in choosing one path over another. What we have noted, however, is the social change taking place – especially in Europe. The car is becoming less important, especially among the younger generations, and there is less ambition to own a car. In the big cities, for example, car sharing and rental models are becoming more and more popular, which is having an important repercussion on sales quantities. We have therefore asked ourselves how much the market can change in the coming years. On the other

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hand, other countries and areas of the world are growing, so having a global perspective allows us to implement long-term strategies that take all scenarios into account. This is why we can say that there is no decline at a global level.

Fontana Gruppo’s objectives for 2024

After all these periods of variability and confusion, with the difficulties of choosing the right path, as well as correctly evaluating reactions to different shocks, today we must return to the basis of our business – managing costs, companies, returning to the market, as well as continuing to invest in increasing production and turnover. We must continue to look positively to the future, despite a certain lack of confidence. In this sense, one of this year’s objectives is the consolidation within the group of a recent acquisition through our Fast Trade business – the ownership of Intermétal, a company specialised in the distribution of screws and small metal parts for the general industry, which was founded in 1984 in Nancy, France. This acquisition is part of the Fontana philosophy to invest in entrepreneurial businesses that are already established within the sector. That is how, over the last seventy years, Fontana Gruppo has expanded to now include 16 production plants, offices and branches in 32 locations across Europe, the Americas and India – with more than 4,000 people and a turnover of over €900 million. Another key cornerstone of Fontana Gruppo is its investment within research and development, with the company basing its activity on the belief that every screw and bolt is a product with a high technological content and always subject to improvement. We do this through three research centres around the world, which over the years have developed over 145 high-quality patents for every type of application. It is precisely from this basis that, driven by the desire to revolutionise the fasteners sector, Fontana has developed KRABO ®, a new start-up resulting from the engineering of FONTANA R.D – A Fontana Gruppo company capable of creating intelligent fastening systems. KRABO® fasteners use wireless technology as a driver, which allows access from anywhere in the world to a dedicated platform from which it is possible to monitor the tension status of the bolt. There are countless possible applications, from construction to railway networks, from wind power to earthmoving machinery up to the automotive industry.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Lederer GmbH Dr Volker Lederer, managing director

Most of my European business partners were quite happy about their business development in the first quarter of 2023 when I talked to them at the Fastener Fair Global show, in Stuttgart, in March 2023. In my opinion, however, the mood turned significantly negative over the course of the year.

hat happened? The number of major political conflicts continued to increase in 2023, resulting in f urther growing economic and political uncertainty. The high interest rates following from inflation also slowed down economic activities. China, as an important sales market – especially for the German industry, is in a crisis and is importing less and largely failing as a growth engine. Finally, high energy prices proved a strong burden for many German industries. From my perception, the second half of 2023 can be summarised as ‘high inventory meets falling demand’. The high inventory level is not only a huge challenge for us fastener importers, but many customers also have full warehouses too. On the one hand, this is certainly because the sales markets of our customers have developed weaker than originally planned. On the other hand, I have the impression that quite a few customers subsequently ordered far too much because of the supply chain problems in 2021. However, looking back, I can say that 2023 was still satisfactory for our company. Prices are under heavy pressure, our warehouse is more than full and we see less customer projects than before. Nevertheless, given the difficult economic and political conditions, we are reasonably satisfied with the sales achieved. What economic development can be expected for 2024? According to a survey conducted by the German Economic Institute (IW Cologne), among more than 2,200 companies, 35% of the companies surveyed are pessimistic about 2024. In contrast, only 23% of the companies surveyed had positive expectations for the coming year, according to the employer related institute. Business expectations have fallen back to the level of autumn 2022, which was characterised by energy price

shocks, high inflation and the risk of an energy shortage, the study says. The economic survey thus signals a continuation of the economic paralysis in Germany. That is bad news for the fastener industry. What will be positive in the wholesale business is that inventories will certainly decrease in the next months. That wouldn’t just be good for us but also for many Asian manufacturers. Inflation is slowly falling, and it is to be expected that interest rates will fall too later in 2024. Of course, this could help to influence the economic mood in a positive way. Unfortunately, I have no hope that political uncertainty will decrease. So, we can already say that 2024 will be a very challenging year for us. Anot her impor tant issue is t he grow ing bureaucrac y that is increasingly becoming a burdensome factor. The ban of fastener imports from third countries that were made from Russian steel not only increased uncertainty, but also caused a lot of additional effort in our ad m i n ist rat ive processes. Compared to the huge effort we must make to introduce CBAM, the ban for fastener imports from third countries was only a slight ‘warm up’ program. I can understand the ecological idea behind CBAM, but the implementation is far too complicated for us companies as things stand today. To do this, we must assign staff and adapt processes. Our products will become more expensive, which will generate numerous discussions along the supply chain. Ultimately, we should ask ourselves whether we are depriving European industry of its international competitiveness with such regulations. Despite all this, we are rather optimistic about the future. As a company, we will face all challenges and try to take advantage of the opportunities that arise. It certainly won’t be easy, but we will find our way.

From my perception, the second half of 2023 can be summarised as ‘high inventory meets falling demand’.”

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE Nord-Lock Group Graham Souter, vice-president head of BU Nord-Lock For Nord-Lock Group, 2023 was an exciting, challenging but ultimately successful year. We undertook a significant internal reorganisation that means we are more customer driven than ever and are able to deliver the service that our partners require.

s a business, our focus for 2023 was on growing the USA and APAC market, whilst maintaining our strong position in Europe, and that was something we achieved. We were expecting some interesting challenges during 2023, such as localisation requirements in China 2025, and a likely slowdown in Europe and the USA, and those things did materialise. The European market was particularly difficult during the first half of the year, with distribution partners suffering from very high stock levels caused by previous supply chain problems and some OEM partners slowing down production as demand reduced. However, in the second half of 2023 we did see some of those earlier issues start to resolve and demand from our European partners was back to a positive position by the end of the year. Nord-Lock Group has seen that some volatility in the markets can be good for us. Our customers see us as a ‘safe haven’ and look for a long standing and trusted partner that helps limit any risk that may be seen with less well established businesses. We are also fortunate enough to have a wide ranging portfolio of customers across many segments, meaning that significant downturns in any one industrial area can be offset with gains in another. The same could be said for North America, where some individual project successes certainly helped that situation – as we saw some good growth across that part of the world and here once again there seems to be a stabilisation in our customers outlook moving forward. In APAC, China was challenging and as a Group we need to find the best way of preserving our business levels with current customers – whilst still having the ability to win new business. I think it fair to say, we see demands such as local manufacturing requirements being one of our biggest issues, not just in 2024, but also in future years and as a business we must be ready to deal with that as it arrives. Our strength remains the result of a long-term approach with a clear focus on efficiency, growth and innovation. Our owners, Investment AB Latour, continue to invest heavily to ensure our state of the art production facilities give our colleagues a safe sustainable and efficient environment in which to work and our customers receive the product they want as quickly as they need it. Nord-Lock is a truly global organisation and that means we need to have stock available in all regions for fast deliveries.

Overall, there is a rather optimistic and ambitious outlook for the Nord-Lock Group for 2024, following on from the success of 2023. We are determined to continue to capture organic growth and we will continue to work with our customers and partners to solve bolting issues anywhere in the world. We see opportunities not only in our more mature markets but still have untapped growth areas where we barely scratch the surface – such as having established an office in Turkey during 2023 and improving our presence in the Middle East, and both areas will be good for us in 2024 and beyond. We will not lose focus on our established markets and indeed still see much more achievable growth in these areas. Innovation will be a key driver during 2024 as new fastening requirements come to the fore. As a business we will launch some new products such as Combi nuts and an extension of our X-Series washers, which will help us solve even more of our customers’ problems in the future. Our sister Business Units of Tensioning and Expander will also keep looking at new ways to satisfy market requirements in the coming years and all these actions combined will ensure that the Nord-Lock Group remains an innovative supporter to our customers and partners. So, Nord-Lock Group is looking forward to yet another strong year in 2024. The mixed messages from economic opinion will continue, but the outlook seems positive. The targets we have set ourselves are both challenging and yet achievable and I believe we are in a position to deliver to those targets and ensure our customers continue to get the support that they need. The future in our opinion remains an exciting one. Most of all the entire team take great pride in the knowledge that our work continues to make the world a safer place.

…we see demands such as local manufacturing requirements being one of our biggest issues, not just in 2024, but also in future years and as a business we must be ready to deal with that as it arrives…” 58 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE WAFIOS Umformtechnik GmbH Jens Gutsche, managing director

After an unexpectedly very good financial year in 2022, the aim was not only to take the economic momentum with us, but to build on it. 2023 also marked a significant milestone for our machine construction company in its mission to drive digitalisation forward and shape the industry through innovation, design and development.

articipation at the Fastener Fair Global show in Stuttgart, Germany, in March 2023 proved to be extremely successful. Our exhibition stand, together with our sister company EWMenn (a manufacturer of thread rolling machines), not only attracted the interest of numerous visitors, but also led to promising discussions with customers and a fruitful exchange with industry colleagues. The spring trade fair was also a good indicator for cold and hot forming technology at that time. Over the course of the year, we visited various consumer trade fairs in order to identify potential forming technology products. We are increasingly seeing that it is becoming more common for potential customers to request machined parts in larger batch sizes for cold and hot forming. Our new 2D and 3D simulation programme, which we purchased around three years ago, is very helpful here. Throughout the year we a lso deepened our net work and strengthened existing relationships by participating in in-house events organised by customers, suppliers and business partners. The highlight of our activities was our Wuppertal Fastener Days (WFD), which were held at our site for the first time in September 2023. Together with co-exhibitors and business partners at WFD, we presented our latest machines and applications for single/double stroke (also with the additional equipment of a double stroke machine with preheating up to 300°C and a CO 2 extinguishing system) via a 6 stage press, a thread rolling machine (EWMenn), three machines from our parent company, WAFIOS AG, and, as a highlight, a pre-premiere of our prototype of a newly developed nail press with unique features. We also emphasised the issue of sustainability with, among other things, two customer double stroke machine retrofit upgrades that were currently being assembled. We were also able to show our customers our patented Pneumatic Transport System (PTS), which replaces the parts discharge conveyor, on a type HC 6-75 rotor press demonstration machine. The decisive advantages are the avoidance of part mixing after part type changes, reduction of oil discharge, and thus oil consumption, and the position orientated discharge of the parts. With a view to the increasing digitalisation trend, we have created and implemented iQ functions on one of our machines for the first time and also demonstrated these to our customers. With the iQ Setup Assist function, the set-up of our machines will be even more user-friendly, easier to understand and therefore more reproducible. The Energy Monitor iQ function also provides a centralised overview of the current and total electrical and pneumatic energy consumption for the running machine operation. The development of new iQ functions and HMI visualisation for our future machine generations will be an important part of our continuous progress. For 2024 and beyond, I expect innovation topics such as longevity, digitalisation, sustainability, simplification, and cross-company collaboration in machine construction, to keep us very busy as there is

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For 2024 and beyond, I expect innovation topics such as longevity, digitalisation, sustainability, simplification, and cross-company collaboration in machine construction, to keep us very busy as there is a lot of potential in these topics.” a lot of potential in these topics. Our machines have been characterised by their longevity for many decades, as our customers have repeatedly confirmed with praise. The service life of our machines plays an essential role for our customers. Based on the service life, that is, the period during which systems and machines are fully operational, it is possible, for example, to carry out a risk assessment and forecast future investments. In order to continue to meet the challenges of long-lasting machines, we pay attention to the highest quality of mechanical, as well

as electrical and electronic components, and their optimum interaction in the assemblies through to the finished machine or system – with the corresponding peripherals and automated connections. Joint product development with partners, in an ongoing dialogue with customers, is very important to us. The more knowledge, expertise and experience flow into product development, the greater the potential for success for innovative designs. A team of versatile specialists is more likely to find customised solutions for long-lasting products than a single individual, for example, in terms of cost-efficiency and the correct feasibility study. On the subject of digitalisation, it is common knowledge that everyone is currently calling for digitalisation and digital transformation. In machine construction, too, this is an Industry 4.0 innovation topic with huge potential for value creation. The degree of digitalisation in the product development process is also increasing, for example, through technically required 3D simulations or IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things). The more product developers know about existing technologies and manufacturing methods, the more optimised solutions they can find. Secondar y applications are also an increasingly important innovation topic in machine construction. Thus, for instance, we have an increasing demand for the retrofitting of wire preheating devices to our machines. We not only install preheating devices on our new machines but also, at the customer’s request, prepare the machine in such a way that the later retrofitting of a wire preheating device or the use of a transportable wire preheating device is possible. Another important innovation topic in machine construction is simplification. Turning 20 parts into 7 – a maths problem that significantly simplifies and reduces machines and their components.

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Joint product development with partners, in an ongoing dialogue with customers, is very important to us...” The aim is to achieve lighter, more sustainable and more cost-effective product developments. Cross-company collaboration also has great potential for developing customised solutions in partnership. Of course, this requires courage to open up. Silo thinking and a single track culture of innovation within their own organisations make it difficult for traditionally structured machine construction companies to take the step into partnership-based cooperation. We seek to exchange information with our customers, because the better we understand their requirements and expectations, the more customised the solutions we develop and the associated machines and systems will be. Overall, we are optimistic about the coming year and look forward to continuing our success story as a cold and hot forming machine manufacturer. We will be showcasing our latest developments again at the next wire® and Tube show in Düsseldorf, Germany, in April 2024 and are already looking forward to interesting technical discussions with our customers and business partners.

JANUS PERSPECTIVE

US market Jason Sandefur, editor, Globalfastenernews.com The US fastener market has started 2024 on stable footing, riding a recovery that began in the final quarter of 2023 – amid strong daily sales and higher bookings. In fact, the FIN Fastener Stock Index rose 44.3% in 2023, outperforming the technology heavy NASDAQ composite index that wowed Wall Street with 40% growth in 2023.

op FINdex performers included construction fastener supplier Simpson Mfg (+120%) and specialty metals provider Carpenter Technology (+91%). The uptick in fastener business came through improved sales, employment and customer inventories, according to the Fastener Distributor Index (FDI). The growth appeared uneven however, with some fastener distributors seeing ‘brisk’ sales while others experienced more stabilisation than acceleration. “The slowdown finally steadied,” one distributor reported to FDI. “Incoming orders are starting to pick up a bit. Inventory is arriving at

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the fastest pace in the past three years. Factories overseas are slow, and pricing is coming down, even for stainless.” Looking forward, the consensus seems to be slow growth for the coming year. However, while inflation has eased, other factors continue to cloud the global economic forecast, led by upcoming presidential elections in the US and Taiwan, as well as shipping disruptions from the Israel-Hamas war. Of course there are other variables that remain in play. For instance, the emergency landing of a new Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft in Portland, Oregon, on 5 th January – after an exit panel blew off at 16,000 feet, rekindled questions about the fuselage assembly on the fourth generation of Boeing’s bestselling aircraft. The terrifying accident prompted the FAA to ground more than 170 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for inspection, with each inspection taking 4 to 8 hours per aircraft. Passenger photos and videos show clean metal brackets where the plug would be latched, with no visible breaks, deformations or tears in the metal to indicate hull failure. The airplane side mounts are also intact and undistorted, which suggests a fastener installation problem, but that is yet to be confirmed.

JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Fabory Yves Derycke, CEO

I look back with great satisfaction on my first full year as CEO at Fabory. Some employees I have come to know have been working for twenty, thirty, or even forty years at this company – they breathe Fabory. This demonstrates that something fundamentally strong has been established in the organisation.

he business is more complex than I thought. It’s so much more than moving a box from A to B. We receive inquiries from different customers in different industries. It’s not always a simple ‘one size fits all’ solution. Each industry has its own dynamics, and we map them out. That complexity appeals to me; I enjoy learning something new each day. In recent years, we’ve seen that companies need to be agile, especially in an unstable world situation, as is the case now. In such times, a company must be able to adapt quickly and not sit back. Successful companies are customer oriented, they understand the needs and pain points of customers and provide solutions. In the challenges we face, we must collaborate sustainably, even with competitors. That’s how you make a greater impact. Next year, we plan to release our first ESG report. We are also exploring how the products in our range can be more environmentally friendly.

Rising costs for energy and labour

Until two or three years ago, the biggest concern for companies was product availability. Even if it’s a small part of a machine, when two bolts are unavailable, a machine worth tens of thousands cannot be sold. When restrictions on products from Russia came into effect in 2023, we immediately conducted our due diligence. At such times, it’s reassuring to know that, due to our long history, we have excellent relationships with key suppliers who helped us present all the necessary evidence. We also ensured an adequate stock. In general, product availability is now less of a significant concern. However, we must provide the manufacturing industry with a response to the increased energy and labour costs. If we don’t, more companies will move production elsewhere. Our customers can continue challenging us to make logistics as efficient as possible. Offering a 5% discount is a drop in the bucket. Our strength lies in reducing the total cost of ownership in production and maintenance. We don’t sell products with a discount but we propose our customers a service to improve their cost of production significantly. Before you streamline the logistics process, you must know how it will impact the total cost of ownership. While a solution like Weight Scale works perfectly for one company, an RFID solution may be better for another. That is why we offer MyFabory Insights, which helps customers navigate a maze of data, showing where more inventory is needed and where perhaps less is required.

Exponential growth in multiple markets

We need to reduce manual intervention in the logistics process. Automation is important to efficiently organise logistics processes to

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continue production. This is a challenge for manufacturers in Europe, in order to handle the increased labour costs in the European market. We also shouldn’t want to bring everything in from the Far East; otherwise, we become too dependent. Adaptability remains crucial in 2024 as well. Of course, you will face ups and downs, but structurally, our market is more than healthy, especially compared to other industries. Our market will not change dramatically like the photo or music industry. In several market segments we serve, we expect exponential growth. For instance, the European Commission is strongly supporting renewable energy. The same applies to agriculture, where labour costs are also high and more machines will need to be used to stay competitive in the global market. I expect a lot from eCommerce, smart manufacturing, sustainability, and internationalisation, for the coming year. We also need to better understand how Artificial Intelligence might impact our business. Customers increasingly ask us if what we do in one country can also be done for them in another. We will proactively address this by mapping out the possibilities across different geographies. Sometimes, we need to think beyond a single country, you see opportunities more quickly when you think as a European group.

The foundation of our organisation

I mention people and culture last, but it’s the most important focus. We can say whatever we want about our ‘Masters in Fasteners’ strategy, but if our employees don’t feel it, don’t live it on a daily basis, it won’t work. The right culture is like the cement keeping it all together. People must always be motivated to do the right thing. The foundation will collapse if the cement and bricks don’t fit together well, no matter how good the bricks are.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

NORM Holding

onsequently, production processes, product availability, and delivery times, were also inf luenced by economic uncertainties – such as inflation, currency depreciation and interest rates. All of which made it challenging for manufacturers to understand and predict demand fluctuations. Additionally, trade disputes, changes in government regulations, and geopolitical tensions, have adversely impacted the supply chain process. Despite all these global challenges, we continued to gain new customers, carry out new projects, and maintain our current collaborations, thanks to our over 50 years of experience in the fastener industry. We were very proud to celebrate our 50th year in the industry in 2023 and for the next 50 years we plan to continue with a dual identity as a Full Service Provider (FSP) and a trusted manufacturer. In fact, in addition to our in-house manufactured products, we are also able to offer a wide range of fasteners to meet all the needs of our valued customers. Plus, our comprehensive suite of services, including R&D, design, engineering, production, sourcing, supply chain management, and risk mitigation, position us as the ultimate ‘one stop solution’ for our clients. Through one of our companies, Norm Additive, we are even able to support our customers in enhancing structural parts – allowing for weight reduction and performance improvements while offering cost and supply speed advantages compared to traditional production methods. In 2024, we will continue to invest in additive manufacturing and increase our production capacity. A key trend that has become an advantage for us is deglobalisation, with customers in Europe and neighbouring markets having redirected their preferences toward the Turkish market instead of Asian alternatives. This shift has proven especially beneficial for our automotive sector. On the other hand, the significant decline in prices, due to excess capacity in Asia, presents a challenging process for the distributors within our customer group. In 2023 we also continued our machinery investments to modernise and increase production capacity. Thanks to our production capability, and hi-tech manufacturing processes, we have been able to reduce lead times and keep up with customer demands. In addition, as part of risk management, we have increased the diversity of our products and industries in which we operate.

Fatih Uysal, chairperson

The primary challenge for the fastener industry in 2023 revolved around the political environment and how it continued to impact the global supply chain.

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…we will continue with a dual identity as a Full Service Provider (FSP) and a trusted manufacturer.”

To further support our customers, we are also excited to announce the successful establishment of our new Gölcük logistics centre in Turkey, which will serve as the central hub for managing Europe’s most extensive commercial vehicle program. This critical milestone signifies our commitment to serving our customers efficiently and effectively. With our dedicated and strengthened team, we are poised to make a mark with our professional FSP expertise in forthcoming projects. Looking towards 2024, global economic growth is expected to be slower due to high interest rates, increased energy prices, geopolitical risk, as well as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Also, the automotive industry is one of the sectors most seriously affected by disruptions in the supply chain. The biggest problem is instability, which will probably continue next year. However, there will be a significant increase in the adoption of electric vehicles and by 2030 55% of all cars sold in Europe are expected to be fully electric. From this perspective, in-line with the needs of the sector, we have concentrated on weight reduction R&D activities for our fasteners. This has enabled us to produce innovative products in different forms under the Hexlight® and Extremelight® brands. With the development of new and innovative products, more than 40 patents, utility models, and industrial design applications, we have been able to enhance our competitiveness in domestic and international markets. In the coming years collaborative digital ecosystems with stakeholders will also be preferred over separate companies. The need to quickly implement innovations in business models, with redesigned supply chains, will increase. Corporate diversity, equity and inclusion goals will take center stage in supply chains. An awareness of the sociological and environmental impacts of supply chains will increase in the context of sustainability. Implementing advanced

D S Fasteners Ltd,17 Napier Place, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 3RL

technologies in supply chains will also be crucial for gaining a competitive edge. In addition to our manufacturing capabilities within Turkey, we have sales and logistics centres in nine countries and a robust logistics network. This means we are able to stand alongside our business partners to minimise potential risks in the supply chain. In 2022, we expanded our operations by establishing a new sales centre in Canada and we strengthened our European presence by opening sales and logistics centers in Germany, Poland, Romania and France. In addition, we have started working towards building a production facility in the United States, which, when coupled with the sales centre in Canada, will enable us to access one of the world’s largest markets and grow faster. Adapting quickly to uncertainties in the VUCA climate is possible only with an agile and resilient supply chain. In this context, we foresee that ‘real time’ and end-to-end integration among all stakeholders in our supply chains will continue to grow. Through technology supported processes, it is possible to advance supply chain processes in the analysis of large datasets, prepare for possible scenarios and end-to-end traceability. As Norm Holding, we are continuing our innovative studies intensively to generate a solution that considers the requirements and current state in the industries within the frame of regulatory actions and sustainability. In 2024 it will be a necessity to take bolder steps in the sustainability journey. With the increasing awareness of consumers, and the changing practices in international trade, monitoring and improving supply chains’ sociological and environmental repercussions will be the future megatrend.

JANUS PERSPECTIVE Marposs Group Joachim Krüger, head of sales support forming and stamping Due to several global uncertainties, including the issue of energy costs, we are seeing a shift in production facilities to regions such as southeast Asia and India, with markets in Europe and North America also benefiting from this trend. This shift will continue in the coming years and our customers will invest in new locations, including in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia or in eastern Europe – such as Hungary or Romania.

he global supply chain problems and resulting shutdowns at car manufactures led to an economic downturn across the Eurozone in 2023. Automotive suppliers continue to face major challenges that will continue to accompany us in 2024. The pressure for cost savings on the one hand, and innovative solutions on the other, is still very high. At the same time, however, due to the uncertainty of supply chains and political instability, Germany has become more attractive again for non-complex products. For example, there is a pleasing trend that companies are taking the step of producing fasteners themselves in Germany instead of relying on pure trade. Process monitoring units are a driver of innovation in the field of cold forming. Many fastener manufacturers are constantly pushing ahead with this topic and thus the complete networking of all machine tools. Interfaces such as OPC-UA or MQTT have now established themselves on the market as a standard solution and offer an ideal tool for exchanging production and process data. The evaluation of process data is gradually becoming standard and enables our customers to carry out targeted analyses and evaluations of their process signals. Almost every machine is delivered directly with an interface to the existing IT system and the process monitoring system is always available to the customer – with new functions and connection options. This partnership is leading into new product developments based on the data exchange between monitoring unit and IT infrastructure of the production company. The process monitoring solutions from Brankamp and Schwer + Kopka, which are part of the Marposs Group, are of great importance for

Böllhoff Group Wilhelm A. Böllhoff, co-CEO

Back to reality? There have been many years of too many exceptional situations – Covid-19, war in Europe, broken supply chains, rising focus on patriotism and too high inflation. At the end of these new realities, every company had to analyse its experiences and SWOT to determine the future.

cold forming and are part of the daily manufacturing process. In this way, the monitoring devices provide detailed information about the forming processes, which can be used to further optimise them and thus ensure high-quality production of the fasteners. On the other hand, the stored process data can be used for a complete evaluation of the signals. The monitoring devices from Brankamp and Schwer + Kopka have all of these functions and have become popular worldwide – establishing themselves in customers’ production sites. The proximity to the process enables a corresponding evaluation of the force, acoustics or vibration signals, which is supported by new sensors in the machine part like fillers. The intensive cooperation with our customers is always in the foreground to search for new applications. As the leading trade fair for cold forming, wire® 2024 in Düsseldorf will once again be showcasing new innovations, and Marposs Group will also be presenting new products for the first time at the trade fair. We are very excited and look forward to exchanging ideas with our customers, partners and machine manufacturers in April.

e at B öl l hof f Group managed to ride these w aves of c h a l len ges relatively well. However, what about tomorrow and the future? We believe that every situation has its opportunities. This is why we will focus in 2024 on our mission to offer our customers the ’Böllhoff 360 degree product and service experience’ – which is available across five continents thanks to the group’s 35 regional subsidiaries a nd 3,400 pa ssionate a nd competent employees. By doing this, hopefully supported by a not too bad market environment, we shall reach our customers’ expectations and our individual goals as a business.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Owlett-Jaton Ian Doherty, CEO

Looking back at 2023, we saw lacklustre economic performance as most economies had sought to control inflation with higher interest rates. That has fed into slow or no economic growth and slowdowns in manufacturing and construction – none of which is good news for the fastener and fixings industry.

hilst Covid-19 has not entirely disappeared, it is no longer the huge threat to life and the economy it once was and is rapidly becoming just another illness. Instead, 2023 saw the implementation of two sets of regulations that did have a marked impact on the industry, Russian steel sanctions and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The actual implementation of Russian sanctions in the EU has largely proven to be less draconian than the published regulations suggested – as a degree of pragmatism has been exercised by customs authorities. The UK also introduced sanctions on Russian steel but applied more of a due diligence approach, which led to little disruption. However, in both the UK and EU the sanctions did create new requirements for information on the extended supply chain back to steel manufacture. CBAM has created a similar requirement for information on the extended supply chain in terms of being able to trace a product all the way back to steel manufacture, but it then has the added dimension of determining and reporting the embedded carbon. The extent and type of data now required is a substantial shift from historic data, which was focused on product quality and being able to trace products in the (hopefully unlikely) event of a product failure. This need for extended supply chain data is also being driven by the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) requirements of many larger customers. At Owlett-Jaton in the UK, we have seen increasing demands for audits and information on the extended supply chain – demonstrating that ethical principles are being followed throughout the extended supply chain. The world does seem to have finally woken up to the fact that climate change is serious – an emergency even. We see this most directly in the push for more sustainability in products, which is also linked to ESG initiatives. Given the carbon intensive nature of fastener manufacture, this, in reality, largely comes down to changes in packaging sourcing and formats, as well as energy efficiency initiatives within our operations. In

The drive for sustainability will undoubtedly continue, and with it the need for ever greater information on the supply chain and our products.” 70 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

my view, it will take charging for embedded carbon in products to drive real change in the carbon footprint of the fastener industry. Looking forward to 2024, sadly I fear that the current economic outlook of low or no growth and high interest rates will prevail. There is an expectation that 2024 will see inflation fall and, hopefully, as the year progresses, interest rates start to come down and perhaps growth starts to pick up in the latter part of the year. In the UK, we will likely have an election, the outcome of which, politically or economically, is a matter for speculation. The drive for sustainability will undoubtedly continue and with it the need for ever greater information on the supply chain and our products. 2025 will see the introduction of new regulations, which will affect manufacturers and importers of fasteners into the UK in the form of UKCA Marking for construction products and Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging. I therefore anticipate 2024 as a year of preparation for these changes – and even more product data and information! I am sure 2024 will hold some further, as yet unanticipated, challenges and surprises. Each of the past few years has always seemed to bring us something whether it be Covid-19, the shipping crisis, anti-dumping duties or Russian sanctions. I look forward to 2024 with anticipation and some trepidation, but also with the confidence that whatever does appear on the horizon our resilient industry will cope and prosper.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE Brighton Best International Inc Jun Xu, president 2023 was an interesting year, as it was the year where we had to fight to get back to normal after the wild rides of 2020 to 2022 – where we saw a global pandemic, inventory shortages, and US$20,000 FCL container rates. In comparison, the relative normality of 2023 felt rather... abnormal.

s we all know from eating too much sugar, the ride down is often much harder to manage than the ride up. There are many more difficult challenges ahead, but 2023, relatively speaking, was stable and the US economy continues to be resilient. We are hopeful that 2024 will lead to continued stabilisation and that the US will emerge out of this so far ‘soft landing’, into more growth. We are fortunate to be where we are currently, however we do feel there are major tides affecting our industry. Among these are global warming, demographic shifts and the advancement of Artificial Intelligence. When it comes to global warming there is evidence abounds, from melting of glaciers to the intensity of our summer seasons. Once in a hundred year storms are no longer once in a hundred years, more like every few years. If Floridians do not believe in global warming, they only need to look at their home insurance bills. Florida has become uninsurable for private insurance companies due to repeated damages from flooding and hurricanes. This is just the beginning. Eventually, coastal populations will be displaced and will need to seek refuge on higher ground. This is a literal tidal shift that we are not ready for. Our coastal cities will need to be defended against rising oceans and eventually rebuilt. This will be a major driver for fastener demand going forward. Global warming is also driving entirely new industries, financed by the push to tax carbon emissions. The US is behind in this effort, but with Europe’s CBAM effort and California’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from heavy trucking, value is being created for reducing carbon emissions (by using more renewable sources), and for eliminating carbon entirely (carbon trapping technologies). The main issue will be enforcement, making sure this new taxation will be fair and equitable across countries and companies. For example, if one country is not enforcing these rules, and is thereby creating a cost advantage in production for its domestic products, how will the rest of the countries respond? Could this lead to greater protectionism? How will companies within the same industry trust that everyone is abiding by the same rules? This is a new shift that will grow with time. Enforcement and the transparency of such enforcement will be critical to building trust in this system. Another tidal shift affecting all of us is declining demographics. In a sense, this is good for global warming, but economically, this is a recessionary spiral. As nations develop from agrarian cultures to urbanised cities, children have changed from positive contributors of a family’s economic wellbeing (helpful farm hands) to negative contributors of a family’s economic strength. Simply, families in developed countries are having less children because it is just too

Global warming is also driving entirely new industries, financed by the push to tax carbon emissions.” 72 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

As our demographic profile changes, automation will become an even more important tool to stay globally competitive for countries and companies.” expensive to raise them. This has been going on for 20 – 40 years, so why hasn’t the population fallen in these developed countries? It is because people are also living longer, so we have not experienced a broad decline in our populations yet. However, in the next 10 – 30 years this will change as the baby boomers born after WWII age out, and the rest of the current child bearing population elects to have less children. Economically, everything we have believed to be true will become reversed with population decline. Why do we need all these houses if there are less people living in them? With home prices falling, renting will become more favorable than owning. Developed countries, instead of fighting immigration, will encourage immigration to secure human resources. Rather than inflation, we will worry about deflation from reduced consumption. This will all have wide ranging social, political and economic impacts. As our demographic profile changes, automation will become an even more important tool to stay globally competitive for countries and companies. This is ultimately good for the fastener industry, as increased automation means increased machinery production and maintenance. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be an accelerant in many ways. Rich and industrialised countries will have the resources to develop the technology and have the means to scale them up. Well capitalised companies will be able to afford the capital expenditure to stay competitive. AI will accelerate the already growing gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’. A question is often asked if AI will be used for good or evil. If human intelligence can be used for good and evil, then why should AI, developed by human intelligence, be any different? We can’t afford to be naive about this. AI will have far reaching implications to civilian and military technologies in the future. Drone technology has already changed the way we fight and reduced the number of soldiers needed in conflicts. This is good because less lives are at risk, but it could also reduce the deterrence for future conflicts because of that same shift. These are just some of the many issues that will need to be considered when contemplating the need to regulate AI in the future. Although 2023 was a year of relative stability, we anticipate accelerating change in the future. Many challenges will take a globally coordinated effort to achieve meaningful traction, but I believe that starts with all of us. More thoughtful and practical voices are needed to bring people together, rather than ideological voices who try to draw us apart. We must be able to TRUST one another, to work with one another, to tackle these global issues. There is no alternative.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Brugola OEB Industriale SpA Jody Brugola, president

As 2023 draws to a close, Brugola OEB reflects on a year marked by resilience, growth and a constant commitment to its strategic expansion plan, which will see the company achieve turnover close to €200 million. The company’s dedication to investment, expansion, human resources, and sustainability initiatives, has not only positioned it as a leader in the fastener industry, but has also set the stage for continued success in 2024 and beyond.

n the face of a dynamic business landscape, Brugola OEB demonstrated an unwavering commitment to its growth path throughout 2023. The strategic expansion plan, including machinery, production site, and human resources, unfolded with precision and dedication. The introduction of 11 new machines in 2023 were essential in fortifying Brugola’s commitment to Industry 4.0 principles. This significant investment has pushed the company to higher levels of automation, technological transformation, productivity and energy efficiency. The notable increase of between 10% to 15% in daily production, translating to over 200 tonnes of fasteners, underscores the positive impact of these advancements on Brugola’s production capabilities. The expansion of production spaces, with the addition of a new plant exceeding 1,000m 2 – dedicated to the cold forming phase, reflects Brugola’s strategic approach to enhancing production efficiency. The company’s ability to adapt to changing market trends and embrace innovative technologies positions it as a pioneer in the fastener industry. The company’s expansion plan extends beyond machinery, reaching into the heart of its operations – its people. The addition of around 50 new employees in January 2024 is a demonstration of Brugola OEB’s commitment to promoting a supportive and inclusive workplace. The company’s welfare policies not only support the personal lives of its collaborators, but also reflect a deep sense of responsibility towards the local community of Lissone and its surroundings – to the north of Milan. As Brugola OEB generates new job opportunities, it not only contributes to the economic growth of the region but also strengthens the fabric of the community, recognising that its success is intrinsically tied to the well-being of its employees and the broader community it serves. Amid global concerns about environmental sustainability, Brugola OEB is not merely a producer of fasteners but a conscientious steward of the environment. The company’s commitment to sustainability policies is a proactive step towards a greener future. Since 2019, the company has been implementing a series of projects to reduce its carbon footprint – from decreasing the use of plastic and paper in the production process; energy efficiency projects that aim to decrease electricity; to giant bamboo plantations that offset CO2 emissions. In 2024, Brugola OEB is poised to make further investments that align with its green objectives. The ambitious goal of lowering CO 2 emissions by over 70% by 2030, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, underscores the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable business practices. With a rich history spanning 98 years, Brugola OEB’s journey has been defined by dedication, expertise and a relentless pursuit of innovation. The company’s evolution to adapt to changing market trends and embrace new technologies has positioned it as a leader in the fastener industry, particularly in the automotive sector.

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Beyond being a manufacturer, Brugola OEB is an innovator, consistently developing adaptable solutions to navigate the challenges of the automotive market and its transitions. The key to Brugola OEB’s success lies in its collaborative approach with customers, understanding their specific needs and co-creating advanced products that meet the dynamic demands of the market. As the business looks ahead to 2024, it acknowledges the challenges and opportunities that lie on the horizon. The increase in costs of electricity, gas, inflation, and labour, in 2023 posed challenges for the company and for the entire supply chain. The company’s responsiveness to these challenges, reflected in the adjustment of prices to align with market demands, demonstrated its resilience and adaptability. Brugola OEB and the fastener supply chain will continue to pay attention to economic and financial development. The company is ready to navigate the changing economic landscape, facing challenges and seeking innovative solutions. Moreover, the fastener industry is at the cusp of technological transformations. Brugola OEB recognises the importance of staying ahead of these changes and is committed to prioritising technology and regulatory compliance to ensure its continued leadership in the market. In conclusion, Brugola OEB’s journey in 2023 was one of dynamic growth, innovation and sustainability. The company’s strategic expansion plan has not only enhanced its production capabilities but has also underscored its commitment to people, community and environmental responsibility. As it steps into 2024, the company is poised for continued success, navigating challenges with resilience and embracing opportunities with a forward-thinking vision. The legacy of dedication and innovation pushes Brugola OEB towards a future where it not only leads the industry in the production of fasteners for the mobility market, but also contributes to a sustainable and prosperous global community.

JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Klimas sp. z.o.o. Wojciech Klimas, CEO

To fully illustrate the passing of 2023 in the construction industry, it is necessary to outline the broader context. The economy is like a set of interconnected vessels, any geopolitical change means far reaching consequences for it.

n 2023, we had to face as many as two armed conflicts: one in Poland’s neighbourhood between Ukraine and Russia, the other between Israel and Palestine. Although the latter conflict has been going on basically uninterrupted for nearly seventy years, since October we can basically talk about open war. Regardless, both armed conflicts have had powerful impact on the distribution of power in the world and the formation of more or less official coalitions between the most powerful countries. It has now been known for a long time that war drains the pockets not only of the countries directly involved, but also of the allies of both sides. So, in addition to the fact that the geopolitical situation is unstable, we are also facing a difficult economic situation, which was also in no small part influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. As we all predicted, the pandemic is over, but we will have to deal with its economic consequences for years to come. These geopolitical changes can be seen, for example, in China, which in July 2023 saw the biggest drop of more than 20% in exports to the USA. However, it can be expected that 2024 could bring further perturbations in this regard. This is a year of presidential elections in the United States, and there, a possible change in office usually involves a modification of the country’s internal and external policies. Thus, depending on the election results, the position of the Russian, Chinese or Taiwanese economy may change. The situation we faced in 2023 in Poland was not easy either, in the spring inflation was over 18% and although it has now dropped to single-digit levels (in September it was over 8%, in October it was 6.6%) it had an impact on significant price increases, especially for fuel or utilities. In addition, 2023 was also a year of change on the political scene in Poland. The October elections took away the parliamentary majority from the party that has been in power for the past eight years, changing the country’s political orientation. This, in turn, paves the way for the country to obtain funds from the EU Reconstruction Fund, the disbursement of which the EU has blocked – criticising changes in Polish courts and violations of the rule of law. The cash injection is expected to amount to nearly €134 billion, which will be used to develop the economy, innovations or environmental investments. The entire set of circumstances mentioned above has an overwhelming impact on the economy, in large part because a great deal depends on the supply chain. All it takes is one missing element to force significant logistical changes, even disrupting the flow of supplies and ultimately taking a toll on companies’ budgets. Klimas, as the market leader in construction fasteners in central and eastern Europe, has always been a guarantee of an uninterrupted supply chain for customers. It was no different in 2023, although the economic trends reflected in the industry, such as the significant increase in raw material and product prices, made it necessary for the company to demonstrate even greater flexibility and strategic planning skills. Once again, we have seen that the construction industry here is like a litmus test, immediately picking up global economic trends, which is why Klimas, through 33 years of market activity – first domestic, then European and now global – has adapted to operate in such a

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Once again, we have seen that the construction industry here is like a litmus test, immediately picking up global economic trends…” dynamically changing environment. Despite some of the instability that the industry faced in 2023, the company is setting its next big goals and courses of action. Naturally, one of them is ecology in the broadest sense, which at Klimas has become an impetus for action in two basic fields. On the one hand, we listen to the needs of the market and respond to them with an offer tailored to the needs of investors. On the other hand, we introduced a number of changes inside the company, thanks to which every year we minimise the impact of our activities on the environment. When it comes to observing the market and responding to the changing needs of consumers, an excellent example of this were the two products launched in 2023, the full-threaded screws, which are one of the most versatile solutions for wooden construction. This great return to wood construction is, by the way, one of the most important industry trends we announced for 2023 – not without reason. Back in June, we held an international Mass Timber Meeting conference, because we are convinced that the popularity of large scale timber construction

using CLT technology is only a matter of time. In any case, in terms of products, we are ready for these changes. Ecology is related to another very clear trend, namely energy conservation. Here our ETICS systems have already made themselves well known in the world, enough to mention that in Italy, for example, they are among the top three leading brands in this field. In 2023, we premiered our ThermoDrive V2 thermal insulation stud, which, thanks to its unique design, makes it possible to eliminate minor construction errors during the installation of thermal insulation. We understand how important an element of any modern investment is in the issue of energy savings, which is why we are carrying out further work and research so that our portfolio not only keeps up with customers’ expectations, but even stays one step ahead of them – providing choice and a complete offer. All these activities ref lect the changes brought about by the sustainability strategy on a European scale. At Klimas, we are already working on the most optimal solutions that correspond to the ‘Ready for 55’, which is the legal modification to achieve the European climate target (reducing emission by 55% by 2030). In addition, we make sure that sustainability means, with us, a broad respect for the environment, including the one in which we operate on a daily basis, i.e local communities, associations or informal groups. Thanks to this, Klimas has become recognised as a company willing to support projects aimed at improving the ecological situation (co-financing the construction of a sewage treatment plant), but also levelling the playing field (a number of educational, cultural and charitable activities). To sum up, we are aware that geopolitically and globally we are all at a rather difficult moment, and as a result of political movements the fate of business is again at stake. However, with more than 30 years of experience in the dynamically changing European market,

All these activities reflect the changes brought about by the sustainability strategy on a European scale.” we as a company have been able to cope well even in such a turbulent environment. This is shown, for example, by the number of new products introduced in 2023 – while other companies focused on surviving, we invested resources, constantly developing our offerings and tailoring them to customers’ needs. Our ‘GO GLOBAL’ strategy is unchanged, for several years we have been working diligently to become a leading brand no longer only in Europe, but also in the world. That we have taken the right direction is evidenced by the excellent development of our company in India or the fact that Klimas products are being used, for example, in Canada to build a hostel in the very demanding mountain conditions of Mount Assiniboine. In addition to being fully ready for the 2024 season, and securing the supply chain, we are working on a daily basis to develop offerings that will encourage green solutions in construction. Klimas is also constantly introducing new solutions that bring the company closer to sustainability.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Chinese market

Gracie Wang, editor, China Fastener Magazine In 2023, China’s fastener industry, a key component of the global manufacturing sector, navigated through a complex interplay of policy changes, economic shifts and market dynamics.

irstly, the Chinese government introduced its ‘30:60 Carbon Neutrality Strategy’, aimed at achieving peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, which increased pressure on fastener manufacturers to comply with stricter environmental regulations. This necessitated significant changes in manufacturing processes to reduce carbon footprints, with the industry facing challenges in balancing immediate economic interests with long-term environmental commitments. Implementing environmentally friendly technologies and processes often meant higher initial investments and operational costs for manufacturers. This included investments in cleaner energy sources, waste management systems, as well as energy efficient machinery. To meet the carbon neutrality goals, manufacturers also had to upgrade to more advanced, energy efficient technologies. This shift required not only financial investment but also a re-skilling of the workforce. The continuation of anti-dumping duties on Chinese fasteners by the EU also led to a reorientation of export strategies. These duties, intended to protect European manufacturers, pushed Chinese companies to explore alternative markets and invest in higher quality and technologically advanced products. The impact was particularly felt in regions heavily reliant on European markets – leading to a gradual shift in export focus towards the Americas, Asia and Africa. There has been a noticeable shift from low-end, mass produced fasteners to more specialised, high-end products. This shift was not only a response to the EU tax but also aligned with the global trend towards more sophisticated manufacturing needs. To add to this, China’s industrial policies, promoting technological upgrades and innovation in manufacturing, offered both challenges and opportunities. Companies were encouraged to invest in R&D and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies, positioning themselves for competition in higher end markets.

The export landscape

The year 2023 witnessed a dichotomy in China’s fastener industry. There was an oversupply of low-end products, yet a shortage in high-end offerings. The industry’s total capacity in 2023 was around

8 million tonnes, with a noticeable disparity between low-end (6 million tonnes) and high-end capacities (2 million tonnes). The emphasis on technological advancement aimed to bridge this gap. China’s fastener exports totalled approximately 4.5 million tonnes, with a 5% increase from 2022. However, exports to the EU decreased by about 10% due to anti-dumping duties, highlighting the need for market diversification. China’s main export markets were Europe, America and other Asian countries. When compared to Taiwan and India, China held an advantage in scale and technology. However, it faced competition in cost control and product innovation. Taiwan and India, though smaller in scale, demonstrated competitiveness in niche markets and innovation.

Looking ahead to 2024

The fastener industry in China is poised to continue its growth trajectory in 2024. With government policies and market demand as driving forces, high-end and intelligent fastening solutions are expected to dominate. Companies will increasingly focus on R&D and technological innovation to meet the domestic and international demand for high-quality fasteners. In the meantime, the industry faces intensified global competition, rising raw material costs and stringent environmental regulations. These challenges necessitate strategic adaptations, particularly in enhancing product quality and environmental compliance. The fastener industr y’s evolution towards efficiency and eco-friendliness, after undergoing technological upgrades and market restructuring, presents a promising outlook. Although challenges persist, opportunities in high-end product development and Smart manufacturing are abundant. The industry’s ability to innovate and adapt will be pivotal in maintaining its global competitiveness and meeting the evolving demands of both domestic and international markets. The year 2024 will be crucial in determining how well the industry adapts to the ongoing challenges while capitalising on the emerging opportunities – particularly in the realms of high-end production and intelligent manufacturing. The overall outlook remains optimistic, with a clear focus on sustainable and efficient growth.

There has been a noticeable shift from low-end, mass produced fasteners to more specialised, high-end products.”

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE NORMA Group Guido Grandi, CEO 2023 was a year with a lot of changes in our industry, changes that have brought challenges and new beginnings for NORMA Group. The new year will also open up further business opportunities in our three business areas of mobility, industry and water.

n 2023 we received new orders in the growth markets for drainage, irrigation, water supply and heat pumps, as well as for alternative drives and battery cooling. Our automotive joining technology is suitable for all drives and we were especially proud to receive our, so far, biggest order for hydrogen vehicles a few months ago. These positive developments show that we are strategically well positioned with our focus on the megatrends of resource scarcity and climate change. Our products help our customers reduce emissions and efficiently use scarce resources, such as water. We also supplied our customers with outstanding connector and tube systems for general industry applications over the year. For me personally, the year 2023 marked an important beginning, as I took on the position of CEO at NORMA Group in the middle of the year and I am still impressed by the first meetings with employees, customers, suppliers and investors. It is truly a dedicated and intriguing community working on strong and safe joining technologies. NORMA Group is a technology leader with high strength in innovation for its core business areas. However, there were some tough challenges last year, some of them due to the aftermath of supply chain disruptions, others due to geopolitical tensions. Particularly in the first half of the year, we struggled with inefficiencies at some of our sites in Europe, resulting in production backlogs. We took decisive countermeasures and have now significantly improved our efficiency and product availability.

Water management business to expand

In recent years, we as a society have been facing extreme weather events around the world. Take, for example, the severe droughts in southern Europe last summer that were followed by heavy rain and floods. This reminds us that water is the most precious resource; at the same time, it can bring destruction when not properly managed. We expect that local authorities, as well as private homeowners, will increase measures to mitigate both water scarcity and rain floods. Adequate water management is not only crucial for the future of humankind, it is also our future at NORMA Group. We want to become the global leader in sustainable water management systems. That’s why all signs point to growth in this business unit – through our own efforts and through targeted acquisitions that will give us access to know-how and new markets. For instance, we have recently signed an agreement to acquire Teco Srl, an Italian water management company specialising in micro irrigation products. This method of irrigation is very efficient as it provides plants with a targeted and constant, though limited, amount of water. With this acquisition, we intend to expand our business with efficient drip irrigation in Europe. NORMA Group’s tube systems and joining technology ensure that water is transported to where it is needed without losses. Our expertise in water management goes beyond line systems and joining technology. We also work on systems for collecting rainwater and purifying wastewater. Our stormwater management products protect the landscape and buildings by ensuring efficient drainage and preventing flooding. This year, we will expand our business with stormwater management products globally, using our strong water business in the USA as a model. Our industry keeps changing and we, as a company, need to adapt to these changes. NORMA Group’s established products, strong brands, and ability to innovate, continue to offer promising opportunities for growth. With our three strategic business units – Mobility & New Energy, Industry Applications and Water Management – we are well positioned towards future growth. We will continue to strive to be the best possible partner for our customers, suppliers and business partners – in 2024 and onwards.

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April 15-19 | Hall 16 / D44 Düsseldorf, Germany

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

SACMA Group Valeriano Rampezzotti, owner and president

SACMA Group closed 2023 with a record in terms of sales and number of machines supplied to the worldwide fastener market. This was mainly due to the reshoring strategy operating within certain markets since the Covid-19 pandemic period, as well as the increasing demand for machines to supply more fasteners to the automotive market – supported by the increasing production of EV cars.

uring 2023 we also saw a lower demand for machines from the construction market, due to a decrease in this sector as a result of the impact of higher interest rates. However, heavy construction is still demanding more ‘big size’ machines for structural bolts production in order to support the large scale public works decided by different countries around the world. The aerospace market also demonstrated a dynamic trend allowing us to supply more Ingramatic and SACMA warm forming machines, as well as HS ASPE drilling/tapping machines to run parts with special materials, such as titanium, Waspaloy, A286 and Inconel. The electrics and general industry fields have been very active with a lot of requests for smaller machine sizes. Another aspect is the tendency of our customers to invest in our combined machines – providing the best solution for high-productivity requirements, consolidation of production methods, floor space usage, and workflow in a fastener manufacturing environment, by having a multi-operation ‘all in one’ machine. This also makes the production of our customers much more sustainable, which is today a strategical necessity.

Unique manufacturing

We are a unique manufacturer able to provide all these solutions – with SACMA also providing the combined headers with heading, pointing and threading stations; Ingramatic providing the combined threaders with washer assembly, rotative threading and flat dies threading stations; as well as HS ASPE providing combined secondary operation machines with drilling, chamfering and tapping stations ‘all in one’. For all the above reasons, the portfolio of SACMA Group is pretty busy until mid2025 and we are confident for the future in keeping this strength.

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To support our growth, our strategy to implement our service around the world has also been a key factor to support our customers – especially in China and India where we have provided many machines to new customers in 2023 and where training is essential for a successful investment. We know that we are well positioned to support our customers, but we are determined to provide even more as we know our clients are facing a lack of competence in their field – due to their senior experienced employees, who possess the know-how, retiring from the sector. That is why we are also actively working on an Artificial Intelligence program to help technicians, operators and maintenance people to ‘speak’ directly with their machines, as well as receive instruction from the HMI to guide the engineers on how to act and fix any possible problems. Of course, an operative program will be included to teach the operators directly on board and to guide them when setting up the machine. This AI program is in addition and is actually in its first stage, where our R&D is defining all the topics that will be covered. We are expecting the first AI program to be ready by the end of 2024. 2023 was also an important year for us as we went live with our new SAP software, which was successfully implemented in our sales, purchasing and financial departments. We are already seeing many advantages in working with the SAP program – allowing us to manage and connect the headquarters with the factories and branches worldwide. That is why are already working on Phase Two, which consists of the technical office, manufacturing, assembling and logistic departments. This step forward is a condition to get our group well monitored for at least the next 20 years and it will support our growth steadily, with an optimal governance that is a key factor to challenge the macroeconomic events and the fluctuation of the markets.

New parameters mean new attitude

We are recognising that suppliers of machinery are now evaluated for their approach towards sustainable. For that, we are proud to announce that we launched a ‘Sustainability Evaluation’ during 2023 to show to our customers how our organisation is performing in terms of Kilometer zero (Km0) and CO 2 footprint. In fact, we have created an ecosystem with five interconnected production factories – with the manufacturing and the assembly departments of all of them fully integrated on-site. For decades, instead of outsourcing components, we have strived with our manufacturing plants to run all the mechanical components needed to make our machines. Even regarding the raw material, we are very careful to purchase it from Italy to respect the ‘KM0’ and get the highest quality to the level of the ‘SACMA DNA’, which is today the worldwide benchmark.

Excited for 2024

2024 is starting with a great achievement thanks to the new additional building of Tecno Lift. Since joining the group, Tecno Lift sales have grown by 15% to 20% every year and the addition of this new building will allow the company to increase the number of units made to move fasteners. The layout of the company will also change, as there will now be one building for manufacturing (laser cutting, bending, welding) and one building for assembly and testing. The Tecno Lift division will also continue to provide ancillary equipment to load and unload parts for SACMA Group operating machines and existing equipment. Beside conveyors, the product line of Tecno Lift includes lotifiers, bin tilting units, automatic loaders and vibrating hoppers. For 2024 we will also continue to invest. We have already confirmed the final installation of a brand new Mazak FMS with four machines

and 85 tables – together with a large automatic vertical warehouse for the tool room at the SACMA Plant in Vimercate. This investment will provide a better manufacturing approach with the highest precision and more capacity. To add to this, in our biggest facility where we already have more than 40,000m 2 covered, we have launched an important construction program with brand new offices for the service department and the electrical/software division. Furthermore, for the manufacturing division, we will make a new addition of 4,500m 2 to welcome additional CNC machines in the future. Our Ingramatic division has also made an important investment in creating a new electrical and software dedicated space – including brand new automatic vertical warehouses for components and wires, as well as high-tech desks to make the best working ergonomic conditions for our engineers and for the onboard electrical machine installation, according to the state of heart electrical procedures. It is important also to confirm that the Ingramatic division is also waiting for the final authorisation to proceed with the extension to double the layout of the company and to continue its growth. A range of new products will also be revealed in 2024, including the HS ASPE T10-VT – a brand new taping machine with a vertical architecture to run parts from M3 to M10 – with four spindles at the maximum production speed. The machine has been designed to improve the layout in reducing the needed space and improving the ergonomics. The other products from SACMA and Ingramatic will be divulged during the wire® Düsseldorf show in 2024. We are excited to join wire® 2024 at the Düsseldorf Messe in Germany, which is always well organised and attracts so many visitors. As usual, SACMA Group will host all the specialists coming from the forming industry in our brand new booth – spreading our Winning Technologies®.

JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Fastbolt Group

Ekkehard Beermann, managing director

Having left the extreme times of the Covid-19 pandemic behind us at the end of 2022, the desire, also within the fastener industry, to return in 2023 to market conditions that allowed profound strategic planning, and well managed operations, was noticeable. However, it quite rapidly became obvious that the market would continue to face significant impacts resulting from issues experienced in the years 2020 to 2022.

hile the backorders from times of extreme product shortage had reached and filled European fastener warehouses, the overall market demand started to decrease. The reason was not only more available stock on all steps of the supply chain, but also industries suffering from increased energy prices – resulting from Russia’s war in Ukraine and other industries slowing down, in the course of the European Central Banks’s attempt to fight the extraordinarily high inflation rate by dynamic and significant increases of the interest rate. The result of these developments was an extremely competitive wholesale market for fasteners in 2023, establishing a new price level that reflected the ‘return to normal’ for many factors that inflated the price in 2021 and 2022 – such as raw material price, sea freight and production capacity shortages. This alone would have made 2023 challenging enough but the EU had more to offer. On very short notice the European Commission decided ‘last minute’ to add fasteners to the product scope of the planned introduction of CBAM for Q4 of 2023. While the importance of the principles of CBAM and its attempt to globalise the view on CO2 emissions is more than understandable, it seems though that the timely rush, and lack of quality in the communication on implementation procedures, has created significant issues for entire industries, which depend on predictability in complex global supply chains. At the end of 2023, CBAM became effective and the first reporting of emissions embedded in the products that we have been importing, during the first period, is due in only a few weeks from now. However, the remaining open questions on essential procedural details by far outweigh the limited certainty we have gained so far. Although resources have been made available both to the importer, as well as on the exporter side outside the EU, the market and related EU services still seem to not be ready yet. Obviously the widening of the Russia sanctions in 2023 to also cover the raw material fasteners are made from, imported from third countries, brought another level of complexity to our industry and allowed only very limited time to apply required additions in documentation for the product imported from outside the EU. After the implementation of incomprehensibly high anti-dumping duties for certain fasteners originating from PR China in 2022, the above mentioned regulatory changes, and their rushed implementation in 2023, have continued to add to the high complexity in essential international sourcing of standard fasteners. A fact that made us at Fastbolt increase our efforts in providing solutions to not only consistently supply European fastener distributors with the right product, at the right time, but actually to widen our product range significantly. While the digital transformation of our business at Fastbolt over the past few years has proven to be very successful, and offers remarkable added value to the purchasing processes

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of fastener distributors all over Europe, we are convinced that widening the established solutions we offer to an increased scope of product is the right way forward for our company. Finding efficient and reliable solutions to the increased complexity in international trade is therefore absolutely essential for Fastbolt and its business model. As an increase of product range also requires an increase in stock holding, goods receipt, as well as picking and output capacities, we are also looking on 2024 as a year of upscaling our logistical infrastructure – particularly at our central warehouse location in Germany. Building extensions and the introduction of efficient future oriented automation solutions are on the way and we know already that not only the demanding market environment but also our own agenda, following our long-term strategic planning, will keep us very busy in 2024. We expect in 2024, and the years to come, that it will be more and more challenging for fastener companies to find their way to comply with an increasing amount of bureaucracy and a long-term high-level of regulatory changes. We at Fastbolt see that both as a challenge and as an opportunity to provide efficient supply solutions to fastener distributors in Europe.

We expect in 2024, and the years to come, that it will be more and more challenging for fastener companies to find their way to comply with an increasing amount of bureaucracy and a long-term high-level of regulatory changes.”

Bontempi VIBO SpA Raoul Bontempi, CEO

To sum up 2023 in a few words, we can say it was a year of lights and shadows. After two extraordinary years marked by what we have called the ‘perfect storm’ (major increases in steel, rising sea freight costs, lack of stockpiled material and energy shocks), the reference market reacted with conspicuous bulk orders in markets that had not been touched by these unpredictable events.

he result was that at the turn of the last quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, the European distribution market found itself in a situation of a generalised surplus of stock, purchased at very high prices, facing a demand that was beginning to mark sharp setbacks (especially on the German market) and a steel price that had begun to drop precipitously. The result of this situation, which had the greatest effects in the second half of 2023, was a drastic decline in demand across the board, a lack of visibility into the medium term and a consequent reduction in business on day-to-day requirements. These effects, combined with the restrictive monetary policy applied by the ECB, and geo-political instability caused by the ongoing wars, will also reverberate in the early months of 2024 – making the European economic recovery, which we all hope for, slower and more distant.

Opportunities and challenges in 2024

I cannot predict, as of now, when and under what terms we will see the market restart, but I expect a situation for that period similar to what has been experienced in early 2021, namely very low inventories and very compressed selling prices. I hope that the buyers in the European fastener industry will have treasured the inefficiencies and difficulties experienced back then and will be able to plan now for the activities and partnerships to be achieved, so as to be more responsive when the market starts to grow again. On the other hand, I firmly believe that, as long as there is a mechanical industry in Europe, there will always be the need for reliable and durable European partners able to meet the increasingly complex needs of global bolting distribution. I also expect two major topics to impact our market – sustainability and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regulation. Sustainability is now a topic on every CEO’s desk, in whatever industry they operate. Even the fastener world, always conservative with respect to change, has realised that this will be a challenging and winning topic for years to come. The change of gear that the future of our planet, and the new generations, impose on us will, in my opinion, also be a winner on the global competitiveness of our companies – because consumption, waste reduction and carbon neutrality will not just be legislative dictates to comply with or excellent marketing levers to acquire new customers, but will become barriers to entry into markets; to access financing; and to acquire talents in every field and for every business activity. The CBAM regulation, an essential element of the European Green Deal, will make it possible to make sense of the policies that are set to enable the achievement of climate neutrality by 2050. Indeed, it is difficult to conceive of a project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the European Union, which, as everyone knows, generates only 6.8% of them globally, without considering the continuous increase of these emissions outside its borders for the production of goods to be used later in Europe.

I also expect two major topics to impact our market – sustainability and the CBAM regulation.” Technology drivers for the future

It is undeniable that sustainability will affect the technology behind all our production processes. All the important investments made by Bontempi VIBO in recent years, and that we have planned for the future, have as their guidelines the self-production of energy from renewable sources; the recovery of heat that comes from our industrial activities and its use with a view to saving money and respecting the surrounding environment; and, last but not least, the internal regeneration of oils and lubricants used in production processes – with the consequent reduction of waste produced. Automation and development from an industrial perspective of all the phases of our production processes are also a must for those who, like us, are entering sectors with global competitiveness. We also look with interest at the research activities that are being developed regarding the possibilities of integrating new technologies within our products. I am thinking, among others, of sensor technology combined with fasteners, Artificial Intelligence, and the development of systems designed to shorten the supply chain upstream and downstream of our production process.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

Brazilian market Sergio Milatias, editor of Revista do Parafuso

When living in a country with more than 203 million people it is important to firstly discuss the economic scenario. As everybody knows, Brazil is a traditional global export player of commodities, agribusiness products and iron ore and is one of the largest economies in the world. This has led to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) standing at a total nearing US$1.98 trillion. 2023 saw a slight increase in GDP to 3.3%, a 0.1% increase when compared to 2022 (3.2%).

fundamental part of Brazil’s GDP is the industrial sector, which represents 11.3% of the total GDP and is one of the key sectors where fasteners are concerned. Therefore, by monitoring the markets involved within the industrial sector we can get a good understanding of the current situation with the Brazilian fastener market. Undoubtedly the main market for fasteners within Brazil is the automotive sector, with around 30kg to 40kg of fasteners used per passenger car. Unfortunately, the current Brazilian car production is in stagnation, with only 2.359 million units produced in 2023, significantly down on the 2.944 million units produced in 2019 – according to stats from ANFAVEA (the local Brazilian automotive manufacturers association). In 2024 the association predicts a 4.7% rise, but there are no signs that the numbers will get anywhere near the 2019 figures, at least not for the next three or four years. There are a multitude of reasons why there has been this slowdown, of course the Covid-19 pandemic would have been a factor, but consideration has to also be given to the fact that consumer behaviour is also changing – with the younger generation happier to use ride sharing Apps, rather than invest in a car. The automotive slowdown is also reflected in both bus and truck production. After reaching 193,480 units in 2022 the figures are predicted to not overcome 123,000 in 2023 – a fall of 36% – but with suggestions it could reach 160,000 in 2024 according to ANFAVEA.

Brazilian fastener manufacturers

As not all fasteners made in Brazil are used within the automotive sector, it is important to discuss ‘first hand’ the situation within other markets as well, such as furniture, construction, etc. I therefore spoke to several companies about how they progressed in 2023 and plans for 2024. Ézio Ruocco, vice-president at Belenus, reported: “Our operations abroad are progressing well – little by little. However, sales to Argentina

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suffered a drop of two thirds in 2023. Overall, Belenus’ revenue fell 18%. If I had to rate the year 2022, I would give it a score of 7 out of 10. However, if I had to rate 2023, I would only give it a 4 out of 10, as it was year in which our stocks became high, but prices fell 19%.” Having said that, Ézio believes that due to market behaviour at the end of 2023, he is able to predict 5% growth in 2024. A traditional manufacturer of fasteners for the industrial vehicle sector – from light to heavy, as well as tractors, machines and road and agricultural implements – Hassmann evaluated 2023 as a year of strong retraction, falling 19%; while in tonnage the retraction was around 20%, explained Jaison Tomasi, commercial manager at Hassmann. He added: “However, it was an adjustments time for supply chains, enabling Hassmann to better organise production factors and prepare for a new growth cycle in 2024 onwards. We also continued to pursue advanced exports, taking advantage of the favourable moment for Brazil.” Another important fastener manufacturer within the Brazilian automotive sector is METALÚRGICA FEY LTDA, who will close 2023 with a 5% drop, which it says is a reflection of the agricultural and heavy automotive market. “After two turbulent years, 2023 was a time of recovery in service performance and the external market,” declared Edison Boettcher, CCO at METALÚRGICA FEY. “In addition to expecting a slight recovery, we are optimistic about new projects.” A Brazilian fastener manufacturer that did experience growth in 2023 was JOMARCA, who has a strong connection with the furniture sector, with the company growing 11% compared to 2022. “For 2024, we are predicting growth in volumes, but the prices to be charged are still unknown, I estimate around 5% to 6%,” explains Ricardo M. Castelhano, CEO at JOMARCA. “My rating for 2023 is 8 out of 10, especially because the current federal government has been resilient to internal problems. However, not adopting tax fastener imports to level our competition versus Asian fasteners is a giant wrong. In the current scenario, a simple import office can replace an entire factory in Brazil.”

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE Verbindungselemente ENGEL GmbH Daniel Kamp, head of sales trading What a crazy few years it has been. If anyone had known what would happen worldwide since 2020, no one would have believed it. Similar to many other companies, this period has been more than challenging for ENGEL and we believe it is a feat of strength that we have successfully mastered it together. And 2024? We’ll just say this much: Challenge accepted!

he years of the Covid-19 pandemic have shown us how constant change is. They were exceptional years that shaped humanity and made us realise how precious life is and the time we are allowed to spend together with the people who are important to us. And yet, just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, one dramatic event followed the next – be it the Ever Given container ship accident in the Suez Canal in 2021, the introduction of anti-dumping duties in 2022 or the ongoing political disputes, which naturally have a corresponding impact on the global economy. 2023 was the year in which we breathed a sigh of relief, looking to the future and full of zest for action. However, the economic upturn reached its peak and the euphoria turned into uncertainty. A spiral that never seemed to lose its upward momentum now began to reverse. The market was saturated, stock levels were high and an international price war to reduce the massive storage capacities gradually began. Alongside many companies in the industry, ENGEL had also broken every sales record in the company’s history in recent years. A very high bar that had to be reached in 2023, with what felt like unprecedented economic circumstances and hurdles – but also, with many positive events. 2023 was an unforgettable year for ENGEL. We look back on a successful Fastener Fair Global show in Stuttgart, Germany. Undoubtedly a trade fair highlight with great contacts and many people who, after the many postponements and cancellations, were noticeably back in the mood for trade fairs and sharing ideas. The HANNOVER MESSE industrial fair and LogiMAT also clearly showed that trade fairs are still the linchpin of the industry when it comes to providing new impetus and making important, groundbreaking contacts. In addition to the unusual economic developments, the interaction with our business partners, customers, and suppliers – the personal discussions and joint events – have helped ensure a degree of normality this year. The market launch of our highly successful own brand E-JET X for structural timber construction was a milestone that contributed significantly to our success in 2023 and secured important market shares. The timing could not have been better in times of product shortages and supply bottlenecks. Together with the proven E-JET, the new E-JET X formed the foundation for the steady and targeted expansion of the ENGEL brand family – with the aim of establishing ENGEL as a permanent fixture in international trade. Nevertheless, 2023 was also full of turbulence, which was (fortunately) different from the last two years, but no less present and correspondingly decisive. Competition is challenging, the shortage of skilled workers feels like a global phenomenon and the entire supply chain is in a state of flux. In moments like these, it becomes clear how essential it is to work together, both within the company and with loyal business partners.

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Good relationships need to be nurtured and if looked after they last forever. Nevertheless, we are looking forward to the new year full of euphoria, as 2024 is all about celebrating ENGEL’s 75 th anniversary. Founded in 1949, with a handful of employees specialising in tools and hardware, ENGEL is now a well-known importer and supplier of fastening technology for industry and trade throughout Europe – with the most valuable factor in the company’s success being its employees. Through excellent training, with one of the best reputations in the area, as well as targeted and successful recruiting, plus a strong team spirit, and close exchange between management and the team, ENGEL has become valued as a familiar and courteous employer both nationally and by business partners worldwide. In 2024, ENGEL will emerge stronger from the crisis years with a clear focus on digitalsation, personnel development, sustainability, but also on (product) innovation, modernisation and expansion. This is in addition to the further development of our most important asset, the ENGEL team. We also want to set markers for our business partners and fly the flag for the next successful 75 years of ENGEL.

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JANUS PERSPECTIVE

BRALO Group Daniel Suárez, managing director 2023 turned out to be a very good year to strengthen our relations with customers and introduce new projects – with all our latest investments being activated and leading to us attracting several new opportunities with more complex products and focusing on providing higher value for extended customer needs.

he investment in 2023 included in our production, with the addition of 5 blow and 6 blow stamping machines, as well as new assembly machines, enabling BRALO to have access to more complex products and provide solutions to the latest customer requirements. Last year also saw us set new technology levels in our battery tools range, with us dedicating efforts to a new BT-18N battery tool for blind rivet nuts, which will be launched into the market at the beginning of 2024. At the same time, we implemented new improvements to our BT-20 tool, which was a very successful tool and has achieved sales over our initial plans. This new second generation tool is still a reliable and robust machine, but we’ve added innovative improvements and extended performance so that it can set lockbolts (pin and collar). During 2023 we also attended Fastener Fair Global in Stuttgart, Germany. After four years without meeting customers, partners, media, and the fasteners community, we faced preparation and participation

at the fair with full dedication. We were very happy with the results of the show, as far as we met many relevant members within the fastener community, so much so that we’ve already started preparing for the next edition in 2025. In 2023 BRALO also placed a strong emphasis on the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies. The company recognises the transformative potential of Smart manufacturing, Internet of Things, as well as data analytics in optimising operational processes. By investing in Industry 4.0, we aim to achieve ‘real time’ monitoring of production, enhance predictive maintenance capabilities, and leverage data driven insights for more informed decision making. For 2024, we do expect to see less tension in the raw materials market and more stability in prices, but most powerful economies are still showing a first quarter with a decrease in sales for 2024. Based on this, we will focus on new projects, such as renewing our pneumatic tools portfolio, as well as bringing to market new products that are in the final phase with our R&D team. We will also continue to work on digitisation and the integration of Smart manufacturing, advanced materials, automation and sustainability. When it comes to the latter, BRALO is committed to making sustainability a core component of its technological development strategy. In an era where environmental responsibility is a key concern, the company is prioritising the adoption of eco-friendly materials and energy efficient manufacturing processes. By integrating sustainable practices into its technological advancements, and installing solar panels in its main factory, BRALO aims to reduce its environmental footprint and contribute to a more responsible and socially conscious industry. This focus on sustainability aligns with the company’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility. At BRALO we will embrace these advancements hoping they will not only position our company at the forefront of innovation, but also enhance our competitiveness in an evolving global market.

The company recognises the transformative potential of Smart manufacturing, Internet of Things, and data analytics in optimising operational processes.”

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Keller & Kalmbach GmbH Dr Florian Seidl, chairman of the supervisory board

I love rollercoasters in amusement parks, but I hate rollercoasters in business. Since 2020, there has been a lot of these rollercoaster moments – from Covid-19, then the sudden recovery, stock shortages, supply chain breakdown, inflation and even wars.

he first part of the rollercoaster was the deep downfall because of the Covid-19 crisis; everybody reduced capacities, stocks and labour force. Then there was a sudden recovery of the economy worldwide. This led to there not being enough capacities and stocks, which led to prices rising up to new heights – as it was hard to get goods. This resulted in everybody ordering too much, and the supply chain broke down. Since the beginning of 2023 everybody has tried to sell the overstock, but prices have fallen and the economy, especially in Germany, has slowed down. In addition, China did not recover as far as expected; only the US economy is running at full speed and that is thanks to government spending. The economy has also been impacted by outside influences, and there were a lot. First the pandemic, then the war in Ukraine and now also the Mideast war – both of which have no end in sight.

What will 2024 bring?

It has never been so hard to foresee the future. The prognoses of the economic specialists and professors vary more than ever. Nobody

BRALO

knows how long the war in Ukraine will last; nobody knows how much the climate policy of the EU, and especially Germany, will cost and how much it will damage the European economy. Nobody knows how the tension between China and the USA will develop. Nobody knows what Islamic terrorists will do. Nobody knows if the ‘Ampel’, the German government, will hold through the year and what they will do. There are so many question marks. I guess that we have seen the end of the price spiral downwards. The stronger environment regulations will keep all energy at a high price, and the economies in most countries will grow at a moderate level. Germany will be the last waggon in the European train, but if the politicians reduce bureaucracy and make some decisions, there is good chance that Germany will speed up again. As it is often said: ‘It is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.’ As a business we have endured the last few difficult years very well. We will also endure the coming ones. A crisis always offers a lot of chances, and we will use them. However, economically I would prefer to take a rollercoaster for kids.

JANUS PERSPECTIVE

SARIV Srl Nicola Sartore, CEO

The urgency to adjust our business perspective and development strategy to shorter economic cycles – linked both to the contraction of economic activities and to the overstock in the supply chain – whilst not losing focus on the investments needed to grow, even in a time of business contraction, is what we will recall as the main topic of 2023.

ith this in mind, for 2024 we have already approved a new two year plan with investments for a f u r t her w a re hou se e x pa n sion of approximately 1,500m 2 in Ostrava in the Czech Republic, as well as starting the evaluations to expand from 9,000m 2 to 14,000m2 at our production plant in Italy. In fact, we even invested in the Italian production site in 2023 in order to increase the digitised imprint on all the processes – by completing the full data digitisation for all the development, production and delivery processes. This was a process we started over 10 years ago, with the first implementation of a MES system that has step by step changed completely the way in which we manage the company. Practically everything in the company, from wire, machine data, tools, to operators, are now identified with QR or barcodes, contributing to the data mining needed to analyse and plan actions in a continuous improvement policy. I think the increase of data throughout the supply chain in the coming years will be the key for further improvements, moving a step forward from the present standard of ‘simple’ stock visibility to more advanced systems, both on documents and ‘live’ production data. On the document side, that means that a series of reports that are already basically on demand, such as full traceability reports on the production steps of each batch, will be available online – with ‘live’ production data available for customers. This will give access to a continuous production data flow and ensure control of processes and quality. This will create added value to the continuous request for efficiency in the supply chain, as well as providing a sensible step forward in transparency, which is now more needed then ever with the new European regulations on the sources of the parts. For this reason, we think the availability of data will be a driver, as well as quality and price, in the future of the supply chain, which is why we are trying to head in this direction with the planned investment in R&D. Our mission has always been to focus on customised solutions and on service, so as to become the competence centre for our customers in solving their fastening needs, which is why it was easy to define ‘customisation and digital integration’ as our guiding criteria in defining our R&D budget of 2024. Altogether the planned investments in equipment to increase our portfolio of customised stamped parts, as well as opening a project to empower our design process with the implementation of a software that will enable a more advanced sharing of information with the customer, and will help increase and improve the interaction throughout the design process, decreasing the risk of development mistakes and the lead time to develop customised parts – transparently showing ‘real time’ status for the development of internal tasks.

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I think the increase of data throughout the supply chain in the coming years will be the key for further improvements, moving a step forward from the present standard of ‘simple’ stock visibility to more advanced systems…”

SASPI Talleres S.A Mikel Zaldua, project manager

2023 was a record year for SASPI. We expected a good year because our clients were investing in quality machinery to respond to market growth, but the reality exceeded expectations. In addition to the planned projects, many unexpected orders arrived from new customers – including orders for several machines at the same time.

ASPI is a company that manufactures unique, high-quality machines tailored for each client and we are not used to a customer asking us for several machines that need to be delivered together. This was a challenge that we gladly faced last year. Whilst 2023 was a record year there were also a number of challenges. Firstly, it was a year of transition in which the economy rose and industries returned to pre-covid numbers, but the supply chain did not completely return to its previous normality. This required an extra effort from us to respond to the high demand and meet deadlines as best as possible. Thanks to the hard work of our employees, we were able to meet requirements of this need-filled market, which gave us opportunities to acquire new clients and forge new relationships. We are a family business that has created long-term close relationship with lots of our clients, so we believe that the new relationships will also have a long-term history. When it comes to 2024, we have good expectations, as we have already filled most of the production for 2024 and we expect this trend to continue in the medium term – as the industry continues to invest and at the moment we believe that demand exceeds production availability. We believe that the main reason why companies are investing in new technology is greater productive efficiency. The objective is to produce more with less labour and for one operator to be able to control several machines at the same time. To add to this, implementing predictive maintenance technologies to identify potential problems before they cause downtime will be crucial in the industry. That is why we believe that automation and machine data control is the technology that will make the difference in the coming years.

WELL MADE WONDERS THREAD ROLLING MACHINES - SECONDARY OPERATION MACHINES - COMBINED MACHINES

GLOBAL NETWORK

HEADQUARTERS Insausti Kalea, 20720 Azkoitia, Gipuzkoa (Spain) saspi@saspi.es SHOWROOM WESTCOAST 17605 Fabrica Way, Unit C Cerritos, CA 90703 richard@toolingandmachinerysales.com TECHCENTER SHANGHAI 1st Floor, Building #3, 526 Fute 3rd. (E) Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, 200131 sales@aerofastech.com

JANUS PERSPECTIVE VITAL SpA Luca Bernasconi, purchasing manager Looking back at the end of 2022, I found myself filled with significant concerns about t he i mpend i ng 2023. T he price collapse, including the plummeting transportation costs that had unprecedentedly impacted the final product cost in the preceding months, clashed with incredibly high inventory levels and a critical macroeconomic situation to create a volatile mix – hinting at very dark clouds on the horizon. Nevertheless, coming off two years of extremely positive results, we approached the challenges of 2023 with strength and the awareness of being equipped for adverse conditions.

o v i n g i n t o 202 3 a l s o coincided with the gradual opening of Asian countries. After the prolonged closure due to pandemic-related restrictions, it became possible once again to travel to visit suppliers and rekindle the valuable personal relationships frozen for three years. However, the initial trips and reconnection with Asian manufacturers did little to lighten the outlook. They were undergoing a highly critical phase with massive requests for backorder cancellations and a drastic decline in demand, despite significant investments made during the market surges in the pandemic years. However, as the year unfolded, these apprehensions did not entirely materialise. The Italian market has demonstrated a perhaps unexpected resilience, preventing the market from collapsing but only gradually slowing down. Certainly, market demand was influenced by a drastic decline in apparent demand across Europe and, although we can certainly assert that the market has gradually stabilised to more normal levels compared to the extremes of 2022, the noticeable price drop also contributed to quite significant revenue contractions. The Italian industry though, remained reasonably vital throughout 2023, mainly due

The pandemic and geopolitical instability in the China/Taiwan area have fueled a further push towards deglobalisation in the market.”

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to ongoing infrastructure public investments – as a consequence of the European recovery plan set for Italy during the pandemic emergency – and the tailwind of the booming construction sector, spurred by the massive state subsidies allocated in 2020 by the Italian government. By the end of 2023, we can say that we were able to pass through the dark clouds, certainly experiencing turbulences but, considering the initial concerns, we can be reasonably satisfied with the overall performance of 2023. Coming from the rollercoasters of the pandemic years, the Italian fasteners market certainly experienced a dynamic journey throughout 2023, but not only from the strict market numbers point of view. A new season of M&A operations appears to be unfolding in our country, historically characterised by a certain entrepreneurial individualism and the extreme fragmentation of the fasteners distribution market. Investment f unds have played a leading role in significant transactions aimed at consolidating major

players in the industr y, giving f urther moment u m to a pre v iou sly dor m a nt willingness among Italian distribution company, small or medium size, to join forces or become part of increasingly larger groups. This represents, in my opinion, a significant shif t in the Italian market and supply chain, which could open new scenarios and might compel many small to medium-sized companies to develop a new adaptability or thoughtf ul considerations regarding medium/long-term strategies. T he ma rket uncer ta int ies a nd t he increasing challenges it presents, particularly in the world of fasteners imports, have likely contributed to this momentum. The pandemic and geopolitical instability in the China/ Taiwan area have fueled a further push towards deglobalisation in the market. There are currently around 3,000 protectionist measures worldwide for any kind of goods, including tariffs, sanctions, and export quotas, marking a 714% increase from 2008 to 2023. In Europe, approximately 350 trade protection measures are in effect – 117 of them are definitive anti-dumping regulations, including the one concerning iron and steel fasteners. We need to leave with this, knowing that a large part of the fasteners range is produced only in the Far East and I hardly find

The adaptability and dynamism of distribution companies will be more and more vital to their success in the next year.” clues about how we could do without those sourcing countries in the future. The primary concern for the future though, currently revolves around the CBAM regulation, which came into effect in its transitional period in October 2023. The EFDA task force, of which I am proudly part of, is addressing this matter. After hard working during the anti-dumping investigation, EFDA is once again active in engaging with the European Commission on CBAM. Before delving into the specifics of the new regulations, it is increasingly crucial for the fasteners distribution sector in Europe to make its voice heard – demanding clear and rational regulations from institutional

bodies that do not compromise business operations. Apparently, as we can see from all the uncertainties and delay around the CBAM procedures, there is still much work to be done, but the EFDA task force is once again proving to be very cohesive and extremely determined. In this case, as well as in the M&A activity in the Italian market mentioned before, the willingness to work together to overcome challenges is evident. I believe this is something to be proud of in a historical moment fraught with so many impacting socio-political tensions around the world. In the end, we can certainly say that 2024 will be another complex year, full of elements of uncertainty – represented by international tensions with unpredictable consequences; a not her potent i a l sea f reig ht c r i si s materialising lately in the Suez area; and the new challenge of sustainability, which, with the CBAM regulation, will become a crucial element in the fasteners market. I believe that new key professional roles will come up in our companies, with specific job description related to compliance and sustainability matters, as well as increasing software customisation to follow the new complex regulation. The adaptability and dynamism of distribution companies will be more and more vital to their success in the next year.

JANUS PERSPECTIVE Colombo Special Fasteners Srl Marco Colombo, CEO and owner

We can consider 2023 as a positive year for us, despite the sharp decline in orders that started in the spring. This is because a series of new projects for special fasteners supported sales, contributed to the consolidation of sales and margins, as well as to the continuation of our investment plan.

he substantial increase in energy and raw material costs in 2022 impacted our business, forcing us to revise our costs and sales prices. After the first few months of 2023, the slowdown in price increases created the opposite situation, with partial cost reductions and an immediate demand for price revisions, as well as a market now saturated with commodities and consequently a reduction in volumes of up to 20%. We reacted to this situation by reducing costs as much as possible, stopping some machines and focusing on new special business. One of the characteristics that has always distinguished us is that we are a very dynamic company and, above all, not bound by large volumes. From an energy point of view we are also dynamic, as 60% of our energy needs are covered by solar panels. Throughout 2023 the markets proved to be rather turbulent, due to several factors including the Ukraine/Russia conflict and the resulting import difficulties, which resulted in a real slow down towards the end

of the year. However, whilst 2023 was a complex year for us, it was also a fruitful one. We completed our Industry 4.0 project for the renovation of our Italian plant in Cisano Bergamasco and completed a new plant dedicated exclusively to heat treatment in Usmate Velate, again with an Industry 4.0 perspective. At the same time, we developed new special fastener projects, giving us good opportunities for growth. As for 2024, in my opinion the recovery will be slow and we will only be able to see its signs of growth from the second half of the year. The reason for this is because there are a variety of factors and challenges that companies will need to manage. Firstly, in the face of new emission and consumption containment targets, there is a need for many companies to renovate their environments and facilities, as well as to keep track of emissions on a per-product made basis. These activities entail a range of costs and will have a strong impact on product margins. Another challenge that will have a strong impact, perhaps even in 2025, is the still unclear automotive policy (electric, hybrid, hydrogen, etc). In my opinion, already starting this year, the budgets of fastener manufacturers will be impacted by higher financial costs and reduced revenues. Manufacturers who, like us, invest, despite the complex situation, will face a number of high financial costs in order to cope with the increasingly large sustainable policies in which I personally place great faith. This is why we are letting the advanced technologies in which we are investing to guide the future phases of internalising the stages of our production cycle, with the aim of reducing costs, transportation, and timing, while improving services and quality offered to customers.

Hatebur Metalforming Equipment Thomas Christoffel, CEO

Supply chain disruptions were still one of the main challenges for the entire metal forming industry in 2023. Although the situation improved compared to the years before, uncertainties remained, especially in the electronics sector.

eacting to these uncertainties wasn’t always easy, but at Hatebur and Carlo Salvi our team managed to be especially flexible and handle a high workload throughout the whole year – ensuring that we were able to deliver our formers and machines on time in our key markets all around the world. Of course, not everything always went perfectly smoothly – but all in all we had a good year. 2023 was a lso a year in which we implemented some organisational changes, bringing the two brands of Hatebur and Carlo Salvi closer together – strengthening the group and thus laying the groundwork for a successful future. The expanded sales division is now located at group level and takes care of both brands, improving the efficiency and unlocking important synergy effects. We will continue and deepen this strategic process in 2024 and beyond. Over the course

of the last year, we were able to grow in new market segments, such as the medical devices industry, as well as reduce our dependence on the still very important automotive field. In the fastener industry, we continue to have a strong foothold thanks to the Carlo Salvi machines. We also used 2023 to work tirelessly on new technologies in order to provide added value to our customers. The main R&D focuses were on servo drive technologies and Industry 4.0 applications – with our Hatebur specialists already capable of reliably extracting and processing data in highly dynamic processes. Another emphasis has been on strengthening our daughter companies in global markets – especially in China, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom. Although we had a successful 2023, we did notice economically difficult conditions in many international markets – especially in Europe. However, there are still business

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opportunities and chances for growth, and we aim to make good use of them. We still see a lot of potential in the Chinese market and expect India to continue gaining in importance. We start 2024 with confidence, Hatebur and Carlo Salvi will continue to grow together and we will reinforce our group’s structure. We will also continue to focus on research and innovation, which includes organisational changes to further boost our innovative power. We are also putting a lot of efforts in developing new machines and technologies. During this year, we will also launch a brand new Carlo Salvi machine that will offer new opportunities in the fastener industry and complement the broad Carlo Salvi product range.

A wide range of special fasteners that really make a difference

Copper (ETP) and Aluminium (AL 60616065) with application in the electrical, electromechanical, and automotive fields

Stainless steel (AISI 304 Cu – 3016 Cu – 316L – Duplex) mainly with application in food and window and door industry

Silver plating and anodizing treatments upon request

Cold forming of special alloys and fully automated mechanical machining operations for turning, drilling, tapping and milling

www.colombofasteners.com

EXHIBITIONS

PREVIEWS AND REPORTS FROM INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIRS

IFE 2023: A year of unprecedented success The 2023 International Fastener Expo (IFE) concluded its annual event with resounding success at the end of last year, bringing together over 4,300 industry exhibitors and attendees from around the world.

eld from 9 th – 11 th October at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, USA, the event featured a wide range of activities, including the annual golf tournament, Welcome Reception Party, bustling expo floor, diverse educational sessions and an award ceremony – all designed to facilitate networking and knowledge sharing within the fastener industry. The 2023 edition of IFE kicked off with an unforgettable golf tournament at the scenic Bali Hai Golf Club. Participants, 145 players across 37 teams, enjoyed a day of friendly competition, networking and views of the Las Vegas Strip. The tournament fostered camaraderie among industry professionals, setting the tone for the productive days to come. Held on the eve of the expo floor opening, the Welcome Reception at Mandalay Bay’s Daylight Pool brought over 1,000 fastener professionals out for a night of great networking, drinks and dancing. Poolside cabanas housed gatherings of industry associations, as well as Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional of the Year inductees. During the show, the expo floor was a hive of activity, featuring over 100 first time exhibitors and 700 exhibitors in total – showcasing the latest products, services, and technologies, in the fastener industry. Attendees had the opportunity to explore and see first-hand the cutting edge solutions available, engage with suppliers, and discover new market opportunities. The energetic atmosphere reflected the enthusiasm and forward thinking that defines the fastener industry. One of the standout features of IFE 2023 was its extensive educational programme. The expo hall opened its doors early for a keynote presentation led by Jake Hall, the Manufacturing Millennial, that dove into the future of manufacturing, touching on topics like automation and the new workforce. Industry experts also led informative sessions, including a full day training from FTI (Fastener Training Institute) and discussions on a wide array of subject matter, including innovation in fastener technology, industry trends and best practices. The wide range of educational opportunities ensured that attendees could customise their experience to meet their specific needs and interests. Keeping to tradition, IFE 2023 also featured its Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional of the Year award ceremony. Commenting on the success of the event, Morgan Wilson, show director at IFE, said: “IFE 2023 was one of the largest in the past five years, proving the true testament of face-to-face networking within our fastener community. Our special events left unforgettable memories and our education programs inspired and empowered. The full expo floor was also a marketplace of innovation and opportunity from around the world. Together, we created an impressive experience that set new standards in the industry.” International Fastener Expo will return to Mandalay Bay on 9th – 11th September 2024.

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We cordially invite you to visit

March 20-22 I SHANGHAI, CHINA

2024 3.20-3.22

20,000+

VENUE: NECC (SHANGHAI)

VISITORS

60,000

EXHIBITION AREA

1000+ EXHIBITORS

SCREWS & FASTENING

EQUIPMENTS

ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP 3 FASTENER PROFESSIONAL EXHIBITIONS STAMPING & LATHE PARTS

WIRE & BARS

MOLDS & CONSUMABLES

FES 2024,

Scan to visit

THE FIRST BIG FASTENER EVENT IN ASIA IS COMING NEXT MARCH!

s the world's largest fastener producer, China's huge manufacturing market and complete supply chain system provide broad development space and abundant raw material supply for fastener manufacture. In addition, as China continues to increase

investment in technological R&D and innovation, the technological progress and industrial upgrading of the fastener industry have been greatly improved, helping China's fasteners to form dual advantages in terms of quality and price. Not only the product quality is good, but also the price is relatively low, making Chinese fasteners have a high cost performance in the global market.

1 MORE NEW PRODUCTS More new fasteners and equipment will be unveiled at FES 2024 in next March to provide a complete and detailed display of subdivided categories.

2 MORE INTERNATIONAL MATCHMAKING More accurate international B2B matchmaking will be launched on site for international visitors to meet the one exactly they want on site.

3 DEEPER INDUSTRY INTEGRATION A Fastener+Fixing Solution Zone will be designed to provide overall solutions covering fastener products, technology, At the same time, with the advancement of global division of labor, continuous upgrading and

engineering utility, logistics for end users.

adjustment of industrial structure, and achievement of science and technology, the quality of Chinese fastener made great progress. Enterprises keep innovating in technology to develop high-strength, fatigue-resistant fasteners that better meet market demand and expanding the scope of material utility such as alloy steel and various composite materials.

As one of the world’s top 3 fastener professional exhibitions, Fastener Expo Shanghai has continued to create a high-level fastener professional exhibition with the spirit of "perseverance", and provides a one-stop all-round display of the fastener industry from a localized and international perspective since its establishment in 2010. Fastener Expo Shanghai 2023 (FES2023) attracted more than 850 exhibitors and 15,652 visitors within its 56,000m2 exhibition area and turned out to be a big success.

FES 2024 will be the first big event specialized in fastener held in Asia next March with the most complete fastener categories, the most cost-effective purchasing resources, and the one-stop whole fastener solution platform that you should not miss. Click www.FastenerExpo.cn to explore more.

March 20-22 I SHANGHAI, CHINA

Fastener Expo Shanghai 2024 will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center from March 20 to 22, 2024. As the first fastener professional fair opened in Asia in 2024, FES 2024 will continue to offer large and comprehensive fastener standard products as always and actively build a high-end customized fastener demonstration area in respond to the high-quality development requirements of "Made in China 2025" and will also bring something new.

Event Director:Herry Meng

Marketing Manager:Scylla Zang

+86 186-1683-7551

+86 177-2103-7019

herry.meng@ebseek.com

scylla.zang@ebseek.com

SEE YOU IN MARCH

EXHIBITIONS Global players gear up for wire® Düsseldorf With over 2,000 exhibitors, from 65 countries, already registered for this year’s edition of wire® and Tube, both international trade fairs will once again bring together the key industries of wire, cable, tubes and pipes from 15th – 19th April in Düsseldorf, Germany.

ver 100,000m 2 of fairground space has already been secured by exhibitors, with international exhibitors amounting to around two thirds of the event registrants. wire® will occupy halls 9 to 17 – with hall 16 dedicated to fastener, fixing and spring technologies. Wire and cable products and technologies will be featured in halls 9 to 12, as well as hall 15. ‘Meet China`s Expertise’ can be found in hall 14 and mesh welding machines will be located in hall 17. In addition to the classic themes – such as machinery and equipment for wire, cable and tube production, processing and end products – this year wire® and Tube will place a strong focus on topics such as stainless steel, hydrogen, plastic tubes, cutting and slitting technologies, as well as eMobility. In addition, the topics of fastening and joining technologies, spring manufacturing technology, as well as glass fibre technologies, continue to gain momentum. Numerous specialist forums, congresses, and tours, such as the international meeting of experts from the sectors, a hydrogen and eMobility congress, the ecoMetal-trails, and the daily ‘after business chill’, enrich the range of events in the exhibition halls and on the open air site. “The Düsseldorf trade fair venue is the absolute front place for the wire® and Tube sectors when it comes to presenting innovations from the relevant industries to a broad, international audience,” comments Daniel Ryfisch, director wire®/Tube & flow technologies at Messe Düsseldorf.

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EXHIBITIONS Reuniting the hardware industry From 3rd – 6th March 2024 EISENWARENMESSE – International Hardware Fair Köln will once again open its doors as the place to be for the international hardware industry. With more than 3,000 companies, from 51 countries, presenting their latest products and innovations – from tools, accessories, building and DIY supplies, to fasteners, fixings and fittings – visitors will have the opportunity to experience the future of the industry first-hand.

ISENWARENMESSE organisers are already reporting an impressive number of registrations – with many German companies having confirmed participation, as well as a notable interest from the international hardware sector, with foreign companies making up an impressive 90% of this year’s exhibitors. The trade fair is not only a global showcase of offerings, but is also an important international industry meeting point, with top global players gathering to make important business contacts and exchange ideas. EISENWARENMESSE also provides buyers and retailers worldwide with the unique opportunity to be the first to experience the latest products and trends in the industry. Complementing this variety of global offerings is a diverse programme featuring exciting industry presentations, special events and awards. The highly anticipated 2024 instalment of DIY Boulevard is already enjoying significant popularity, with 56 companies securing spots in the presentation area in Hall 11. Through the DIY Boulevard, EISENWARENMESSE, in cooperation with the German Association of House & Garden Manufacturers (HHG), gives companies the opportunity to present products in a point of sale environment. This ensures an authentic product presentation experience for trade visitors.

EISENaward recognises innovation and technological advancement

Returning for the seventh time, the EISENaward, in collaboration with the Central Association of the Hardware Trade (ZHH), will embark on a search for outstanding new ideas, inventions and solutions in the industry. The joint award honours the most innovative products for tools, industrial supplies, fixing and fastening technology, fittings, and home improvement, in the categories of innovation, design/ergonomics and sustainability. Throughout the trade fair, the ten nominated products will be showcased for industry professionals in a dedicated area in the passage between Hall 10 and 11. The winners will be selected by a jury

of representatives from the trade, research, media, design and retail sectors, with the award ceremony schedule for Sunday 3rd March during the EISENforum.

EISENforum: Discussing the current industry topics

As the central event stage of EISENWARENMESSE, the EISENforum in Hall 10.2 will once again present a well curated event programme – catering to both exhibitors and visitors. It offers a platform for the exchange of industry relevant knowledge on current topics and challenges. Alongside exciting presentations and panels, there will be special ceremonies such as the EISENaward 2024 – powered by ZHH event. The main themes of the upcoming edition are eCommerce, market development, and career, providing valuable insights for those interested in the future of the industry and the latest trends.

Lead+Meet uniting the industry

A new feature of the upcoming event is the trade fair App, Lead+Meet, that exhibiting companies can use to connect with key visitor groups. The digital feature enables exhibitors to directly address their most important visitor target groups at the trade fair and invite them to their stand. When purchasing tickets, visitors voluntarily provide information such as product interests, industry or country of origin. This allows exhibitors to identify which visitors are suitable for their products and services. When entering the exhibition hall, visitors receive a push message with an invitation to the trade fair stand directly on their smartphone via the trade fair App – when they have actively selected this option. Visitors can then use the new indoor navigation function in the App’s hall plan to find their way to the stand quickly and easily, successfully bringing together industry supply and demand.

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WWW.EISENWARENMESSE.COM

TIME TOHARD! ROCK! WORK 4. – 6. MÄRZ 2018

ROCK HARD! EISENWARENMESSE – INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR EISENWARENMESSE, KÖLN Cologne, 3 – 6 March 2024 SECURE YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Köln, Germany Tel. +49 1806-277 766, eisenwaren@visitor.koelnmesse.de

EVENTS CALENDAR wire Düsseldorf Düsseldorf, Germany 15 Apr – 19 Apr 2024 www.wire.de Wire and cable, including fastener manufacturing technology.

Swissbau

EISENWARENMESSE

Basel, Switzerland 16 Jan – 19 Jan 2024 www.swissbau.ch National construction fair.

Köln, Germany 3 Mar – 6 Mar 2024 www.eisenwarenmesse.com Hardware and DIY sector.

BUDMA – International Construction Fair

National Hardware Show

Poznań, Poland 30 Jan – 2 Feb 2024 www.budma.pl Building technology, equipment and materials.

Las Vegas, USA 26 Mar – 28 Mar 2024 www.nationalhardwareshow.com Connects retailers, dealers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturing to the marketplace.

ACMA Automechanika New Delhi

MosBuild

New Delhi, India 1 Feb – 3 Feb 2024 https://acma-automechanika-newdelhi. in.messefrankfurt.com/newdelhi/en.html Trade for the automotive industry.

Moscow, Russia 2 Apr – 5 Apr 2024 www.mosbuild.com Russia’s largest building and finishing materials trade show.

The Hardware Show

Feicon

Dublin, Ireland 18 Feb – 19 Feb 2024 www.haishow.ie Irish hardware, DIY and garden show.

São Paulo, Brazil 2 Apr – 5 Apr 2024 www.feicon.com.br Construction industry fair.

Intersolar India

CONSTRUMA

Gujarat, India 21 Feb – 23 Feb 2024 www.thesmartere.in Exhibition for the Indian solar industry.

Budapest, Hungary 10 Apr – 14 Apr 2024 www.construma.hu International building trade exhibition.

SchraubTec Landshut

MACH

Landshut, Germany 28 Feb 2024 www.schraubtec.com/landshut German regional trade fairs for screw connections.

Birmingham, UK 15 Apr – 19 Apr 2024 www.machexhibition.com The UK’s biggest event for inspiring, innovating and connecting manufacturing.

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fasteners

BERDAN YÜZEY KAPLAMA İŞLEMLERİ BAĞLANTI ELEMANLARI İMALATI LABORATUVAR HİZMETLERİ İTHALAT İHRACAT SANAYİ TİC. A.Ş.

Tarsus - Mersin Org. San. Böl. 11.Cad. No.11 33540, Tarsus / Mersin - Türkiye

0 324 676 48 35

0 324 676 42 40

INSIGHT

Partnering with Paal Alexander Paal has been working in the fastener sector for nearly 80 years, with a philosophy from the very beginning of uninterrupted quality from production until dispatch – considering itself the external production line or warehouse of its customers.

stablished in 1945, with the third generation and the fourth generation still actively represented in the company, Alexander Paal GmbH was initially founded as a dealer for ball bearings and accessories. Around 50 years ago, the company decided to specialise in the field of retaining rings, shims and support washers, as well as disc springs – becoming one of the leading suppliers within the market and building up one of the most impressive portfolios in the metric standard range. With over 60 people in Germany, Paal always strives to help its customers as quickly as possible, whether in terms of the product or service, even in terms of delivery. “With a storage capacity of over 2,000 pallets, there is a high-level of readiness for delivery,” the company explains. “We also have our own laboratory, which helps to ensure that quality is guaranteed internally and allows us to work on constantly improving the solutions we are able to supply.” Alexander Paal also looked to work closely with its customers to make sure that the correct types of products are being added to its product range. “Thanks to consultation with our customers, who we are in continuous contact, we are able to make the correct decisions when supplementing our portfolio – enabling us to offer customers an even wider range from a single source.” A prime example of this is the locking tooth pulleys that have been newly introduced. Furthermore, thread lockers are also currently being tested and will be added to the product range in 2024. “As a business we are also concentrating on sustainability and what steps we can take from an environmental point of view to reduce are

We decided to specialise in the field of retaining rings, shims and support washers, as well as disc springs – becoming one of the leading suppliers within the market…” – Alexander Paal GmbH carbon footprint,” highlights the business. “For instance, several years now, our products have been delivered more and more in recyclable packaging. To add to this, we are also examining which roof areas of our buildings can be equipped with solar panels – meaning our own electricity from solar energy can be used for operation. In addition, the company vehicle fleet is also being converted to electric vehicles, so that in a few years they will also be able to be charged by our own electricity from the solar system.” www.paal.de

Halfmann expansion complete

Since its foundation in 1932, Halfmann Schrauben has acted as a reliable partner for fastener and fixing technology – with a range of over 70,000 DIN parts and 30,000 customer related connective elements. With this in mind, the company recently completed the expansion of its warehouse to cover the rapidly growing needs of the market.

leading international supplier of fasteners, Halfmann Schrauben started the expansion of its warehouse in 2022, with the finished building cover 800m 2 and providing an extra 2,000 pallet spaces. “The new warehouse enables us to continue to grow our capacity and capabilities, as well as ensuring a better availability of

We specialise in procuring everything for our customers, whether trade or industry, and thanks to our large global supplier network, we are a real specialist and the perfect partner.” – Halfmann Schrauben GmbH 106 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

our products for customers,” explains Halfmann Schrauben GmbH. “In addition, with the additional space gained, and the additional loading options, we are able to significantly increase the efficiency of the warehouse organisation, including storage and retrieval.” In fact, streamlining and automating processes across the business is a key goal for Halfmann Schrauben going forward – with a particular focus on eCommerce and EDI technology. “Today’s customers are in a hurry, which is why are always looking at ways in which we can make steps more efficient and improve as a business. For instance, the Halfmann Web Shop provides all 70,000 available items – with ‘real time’ stock levels and customer-specific prices – immediately as a source of information without having to make any further clicks,” mentions the company. At the heart of Halfmann Schrauben, and a vital part of its success, is also its ability to partner with its customers – both trade and industry. “It is the flexibility, service and reliability that characterises us,” concludes Halfmann Schrauben. “We specialise in procuring everything for our customers, whether trade or industry, and thanks to our large global supplier network, we are a real specialist and the perfect partner.” www.halfmann-schrauben.de

INSIGHT

Two is twice as nice: KAMAX opens second production plant in China KAMAX Group, a leading supplier of high strength fasteners for the mobility industry, as well as a developer of complex form parts, precision parts, and assemblies, has opened a new plant in Changzhou, China. The new building expands KAMAX’s production capacity and product range – creating further space for innovations with a new R&D centre.

AMA X’s new 40,000m 2 pl a nt i s a pione er i n sustainability for the group, with solar panels being installed on the factory’s roof, which means that, depending on weather conditions, sunlight can cover more than 50% of the plant’s energy requirements – in-line with KAMAX’s aims to be climate neutral by 2037. The new production plant will pr ima r i ly focus on fasteners a nd precision parts for car engines, vehicle chassis and wheel hubs. In contrast, the second KAMAX production site in China, established for ten years, mainly manufacturers truck components. A total of 24,000 tonnes more production capacity per year, and 200 new jobs for the region, have been created by the new plant. Customers can, therefore, look forward to a broader range of products, faster deliver y t imes a nd greater technical expertise. KAMAX has 19 locations worldwide with 4,000 employees and is represented in all major economic regions. The compa ny has been supply ing t he automotive industry since 1935.

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High Quality Fasteners Kaleliler: Engineering the Future, Connecting the World

From a small workshop to a 10,000 square meter industrial leader, Kaleliler has thrived for 29 years in Ankara's Saray Industrial Region. Founded by Mr. Kazım Kaleli, the company now employs 150 experts, excelling in fasteners with expertise in Hot Forging, Cold Forming, and Special Fasteners. Trusted across Turkey and Europe, Kaleliler is committed to innovation, social responsibility, and total customer satisfaction. With in-house capabilities in Heat Treatment & Hot Dip Galvanize, Kaleliler remains an essential player in the industry, emphasizing environmental sustainability.

kalelilerfasteners

kaleliler-civata-fasteners

www.kaleliler.com.tr

INSIGHT A new era of growth and leadership for Leonix Fasteners Leonix Fasteners announced in October 2023 a strategic equity partnership with Leo1X – an Italian-based family office of American and Italian investors with an extensive expertise in manufacturing and distribution industries – in order to maximise the company’s future prospects.

eonix Fasteners Srl, a family-owned company based in Chiuduno, northwest Italy, has established itself as a leading manufacturer and distributor in the European market – specialising in the production of high-quality, customised stainless steel fasteners that proudly bear the ‘Made in Italy’ hallmark. In the course of 2023, the company’s founders made the strategic decision to seek an equity partner, which resulted in the partnership with Leo1X Srl. “We selected Leo1X as a partner because of their attention to detail; constructive problem solving approach; familiarity with the challenges faced by family-owned businesses; and their in-depth knowledge in our sector,” explains Laura Cattinori, co-founder and CEO of Leonix Fasteners. “By integrating Leo1X into Leonix Fasteners, we are determined to maintain the position as an industry leader in the production of high-quality stainless steel screws and bolts, all under the Leonix name.” The Cattinori family will remain to lead the company’s next exciting phase and the unchanged Leonix team will drive the company’s growth, whilst leveraging the experience and the network of accomplished industry professionals that each member of Leo1X has developed over the years.

An insight into Leo1X

Leo1X was founded by four highly experienced partners – Galeazzo Scarampi, Nicolò Vergani, Giuseppe Grimaldi and Federico Foscale – with the goal of investing in solid, profitable niche middle market businesses in Italy and growing them through acquisitions, operational and commercial improvements, as well as significant capital investments. Each partner at Leo1X brings extensive background and vision to the team, reinforcing the collective resolve to lead Leonix Fasteners towards greater heights and enable it to continue to play a leadership role within the global fastener industry – where customer service, innovation and quality converge to set new standards. Nicolò Vergani envisions a future brimming with possibilities for Leonix Fasteners: “The primary objective is clear – to bolster Leonix’s growth trajectory. We will provide the team with all the necessary resources to expand the company’s geographical footprint, diversify its product range, venture into new target markets, as well as actively seeking complementary acquisitions.”

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A specialist in stainless steel fasteners

Leonix Fasteners specialises in the manufacturing of customised stainless steel screws, ranging in diameters from 4mm to 20mm and lengths up to 350mm. These screws are available with various assembly options, including washers, and can undergo specific thermic and surface treatments, such as anti-corrosion, lubrication and thread-locking. As of now, the company exports approximately 80% of its production, serving a wide range of market sectors such as mechanical, building, petrochemical, nuclear, automotive and the food industry. Its products are meticulously crafted to endure specific environmental challenges across diverse applications. “At Leonix we have established an integrated in-house production model, covering an expansive area of over 5,000m2. Our facilities include a raw material warehouse, a cold forming department with five block machines, a state of the art mechanical workshop, a threading department, a turning/milling department, a packaging department, as well as a fully equipped laboratory with cutting-edge control devices for inspecting incoming goods and monitoring screws at every production stage,” underlines Piermario Cattinori, the company’s co-founder and COO. Leonix Fasteners also has an ISO 9001 certified management system, with the company considering the certification not merely an achievement but as the beginning of a journey toward continuous

improvement. Within this framework, staff training stands out as an essential element for Leonix Fasteners, aligning seamlessly with the interconnected processes guiding the company’s operations. Additionally, the deliberate choice to exclusively collaborate with qualified suppliers reinforces the company’s commitment to quality throughout its operations.

...an automatic turning lathe, set to be integrated into operations from March 2024... will further support the machined screws portfolio.” Investing to meet demand

Leonix Fasteners consistently explores new opportunities, such as responding to market dynamics and customer demands by improving its range of precision machined screws. To show its commitment to Leonix Fastener’s growth and customer satisfaction, Leo1X – right after the closing of the partnership and upon the advice of Leonix’s management team – acquired an automatic turning lathe, set to be integrated into operations from March 2024, which will further support the machined screws portfolio. This tactical decision is expected to significantly enhance the performance of the production department, improving operational efficiency and enabling Leonix Fasteners to more effectively meet evolving customer requirements. “The machined screws in this range undergo initial cold forming and are then finished through machining operations to achieve features such as cone points, rounded ends, reduced shanks and drilling holes,” highlights Laura Cattinori. “The combination of cold forming and machining offers a cost-effective alternative to the turning process from bars on multi-spindle lathes, especially as volumes increase – providing a more replicable product with excellent mechanical properties at a lower cost.” In its continuous pursuit of establishing itself as a top tier partner for clients, Leonix Fasteners also places an unwavering emphasis on sustainability. An exemplary testament to this commitment is the recent investment in a new 250 KW solar panel system – a tangible expression of the company’s dedication to minimising its environmental impact and maximising energy efficiency. The company has also started on the path to obtaining the ISO 14000 certification, a standard designed to establish guidelines for managing and regulating various facets associated with a company’s environmental impact. This certification provides a framework for enhancing and promoting environmentally conscious quality management systems. “Our well considered investments are directed toward seamlessly intertwining emerging technologies with sustainability, ensuring a harmonious and forward-thinking approach to our business practices,” mentions Piermario Cattinori. “In this thrilling new phase, Leonix renews its commitment to excellence, fortified by the strengths of the Leo1X team. With a legacy deeply rooted in family values and a visionary outlook set on a global scale, Leonix is not just a company; it stands as a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and precision within the world of fasteners. Our new strategic partnership is set to steer the company on a dynamic path, propelling it towards new heights of success and recognition.” www.leonix.it

INSIGHT

Growermetal meets aerospace requirements Aviation, space and defense applications are particularly challenging when it comes to providing reliable and durable components. To meet the needs of this sector, Growermetal has combined a certified process with an innovation-oriented strategy to create a range of washers that can face extreme conditions.

rowermetal SpA has taken several steps and made crucial changes over the years in order to reach the point of introducing its latest evolution of aerospace solutions. For instance, in order to build on the commitment to accessibility, Growermetal’s branches started playing a strategic role in addressing new clients from challenging sectors, such as aerospace. The company also looked at aspects that would help in the implementation of the aerospace service, such as new coatings, treatments and technologies – all aimed at enabling Growermetal to manufacturer washers suitable to highly demanding requirements and standards, such as those involved in aerospace. The Italian company focused on investing in its R&D activities, with it obtaining the EN 9100:2015 certification for quality management system according to the aerospace specifications in 2021. Opening the way to customers from the aviation, space and defense industries. Still today, Growermetal continues to focus on upgrading its service, by combining internal services and external resources with participation in important projects, always guided by the purpose of creating innovative and reliable fastening solutions. The company’s commitment to research and innovation is underlined by the Growermetal Innovation Center (GIC), which will come into operation in 2024 and is a new multifunctional building to promote and create opportunities for sharing ideas and studies. The ability to meet the needs of the aerospace sector is highlighted in the company’s product portfolio, with a standout feature the meticulously crafted washer range that offers a wide variety of designs and functions, together with the possibility to create tailor-made geometries for the unique requirements of aerospace applications. Among the products, clients can count on different types of external teethed washers, internal teethed washers, coiled spring washers, flat washers for screws, conical elastic washers, corrugated elastic washers and convexed elastic washers.

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Beyond manufacturing excellence, Growermetal also distinguishes itself through comprehensive in-house services that complement its product line. Ranging from design to quality testing, every step is carried out inside the headquarters to ensure continuous monitoring and an optimisation of resources throughout the production process. The first part of manufacturing involves the design department and the tool shop, where Growermetal’s professionals design and create tools and parts. During production the company is able to carry out both raw material and semi-finished processing, followed by the possibility of adding specific surface treatments, heat treatments, as well as surface finishing and coatings – including mechanical zinc plating and zinc flake coating. To ensure structural integrity, conformity, and flawless washers and blanked parts, the combination of mechanical sorting, optical sorting, testing, as well as internal tech laboratories for quality controls, provide a match of speed and accuracy for high-quality results.

EXPERIENCE ALLOWS US TO FACE THE MOST CHALLENGING AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS.

INSIGHT In a scenario where aerospace companies look for reliability and efficiency, having a robust supply chain management capability allows Growermetal to ensure timely delivery of components. From this point of view, one of the key strengths of the company lies in the automatic warehouse, which enhances the logistic service. With 11,000 storage locations, 17 storage levels and 5 LGV shuttles moving goods in an average of 800 missions per day, the warehouse system handles 4,000 items and includes packaging machines that complete the service. Thanks to this structure, Growermetal meets the demand for flexibility and competitiveness in the aerospace sector, providing cost-effective processes, ‘just in time’ production, order fulfillment and customised solutions – without compromising on quality and compliance. The commitment to excellence is also underscored by Growermetal’s adherence to industry leading certifications, such as the EN 9100 certification for the aerospace industry, IATF 16949 for automotive, ISO 9001 for its quality system and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety. In particular, the desire to create more efficient and sustainable processes has led to the company obtaining ISO 14001 certification for environmental management system and the ISO 50001 certification for energy management. This is also part of the effort to create a system based on energy saving, lower waste production, clean sources, CO 2 reduction and other actions, which is focused on five different pillars: 1. The selection of suppliers that align with the values of sustainability, transparency and efficiency. 2. The choice of innovative and low impact raw materials. 3. The development of durable products with high performance. 4. The delivery of energy saving processes based on the use of clean energies, the correct disposal of waste, and chemicals, and the recovery of energy. 5. Resource optimisation through advanced and high efficiency machines. Shifting the focus to recent achievements, in 2023 Growermetal became a member of the Lombardia Aerospace Cluster – a network of local and international realities involving more than 100 companies, universities, research centres and other players. The objective of this platform is to create value, innovation and competitive growth for the aerospace industry, while providing the Lombardian aerospace system with a united and visible collective identity and working as the interface with institutions and third parties.

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In addition to these projects, the attention paid to the aerospace sector included the participation at important aerospace trade fairs. At the end of November 2023, Growermetal actively took part in Aerospace and Defense Meetings in Turin, Italy, marking a significant milestone in its engagement with the industry. The Italian manufacturer had the opportunity to present the latest fastening solutions and showcase the main innovations of its service, connecting with industry leaders from all over the world. Looking ahead, Growermetal also plans to attend future trade fairs where the company will continue to present its products and connect with other industry leaders, in order to keep being an active participant in the aerospace sector and strengthen its international presence. The first stop will be in the USA at HAI HELI EXPO in Anaheim, California, from 27 th – 29th February 2024. With a forward-looking approach, global presence, innovation strategy, and wide range of washers and components, Growermetal is committed to bringing reliability and flexibility to aerospace companies – driven by the desire to deliver a competitive service and through keeping an eye on the latest trends of the industry. www.growermetal.com

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INSIGHT TECNOLOGIC 3®, the green revolution! The automotive industry, which has always been associated with noisy engines and polluting emissions, is undergoing a momentous transformation. With increasing environmental awareness and growing concern about climate change, automakers are refocusing their efforts toward sustainability and that is where TECNOLOGIC 3® can help provide solutions.

he whole automotive supply chain is adapting and abandoning old p ol lut i n g te c h nolog ies to embrace t he new g reen revolution, not just through the use of electric motors, but also the materials used in vehicle production. Companies are adopting sustainable and recyclable materials to reduce the environmental impact of the car’s entire life cycle. From production to the end of the vehicle’s useful life, the goal is to minimise the impact on the environment. As an undisputed player in the market for reactive and non-reactive coatings for fasteners dedicated to automotive and ot her industries, TECNOLOGIC 3® has always – through innovative chemistr y, specific industrial production and advanced applications – based its success and growth on eco-sustainable and ‘zero impact’ products. That is why its products have been developed to be water-based and also have the ability to reduce the impact on the environment that the extensive use of solvents is having on the planet. In addition to the environmental benefits gained, the water-based solution also allows TECNOLOGIC 3®’s solutions to be physiologically and toxicologically harmless. “In addition, all water-based formulated products promote significant cost and energy reductions and allow the use of products, and application systems, that help reduce the impact on the environment and living things,” underlines the company. TECNOLOGIC 3 ® a lso has its ow n in-house research laborator y t hat suppor t s

all development activities on products – ensuring complete dominance in application, development and technology. A specialised team strives to innovate and offer continuous support to the activities of more than 300 different customers. The scientific know-how and technological equipment of the laboratory enable the characterisation of raw materials, as well as semi-finished and finished products, so as to offer customers only tested and quality certified solutions. Market demands and new industry perspectives, such as specific performance and eco-compatibility, are the guidelines in the design and implementation of new products and preparations, which the R&D centre processes in three stages – laboratory research, application development, testing and certification by relevant bodies. “The recent regulations to abandon products with PFAS from 2026, the so-called ‘forever chemicals’, have also forced some very popular and successful products to exit the market, as they are unable to cope with the new green revolution and renewed market demands. Many market players have run for cover and are looking for new solutions that are more responsive to the demands of car manufacturers and manufacturers of fastening systems,” states TECNOLOGIC 3®. “However, we at TECNOLOGIC 3® have always believed in the importance of eco-sustainable solutions, products, and processes, that respect the environment and nature – so these regulations give us renewed strength.”

Growing internationally

The new green consciousness has strongly contributed to TECNOLOGIC 3®

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becoming an important and indispensable reference point in the adhesive and fixing coatings market, not only locally but also in the international markets – with growth in volumes, turnover and available solutions. In recent months, the interest related to TECNOLOGIC 3®’s products has been very strong and has prompted the company to sign several sales and distribution agreements with relevant market players in major countries, such as Brazil, India, Turkey, Taiwan and Portugal.

Complete innovation

Innovation at TECNOLOGIC 3® does not stop with just its products, the company also designs and engineers application machines to provide its customers with turnkey technology with very high added value – focusing on green processes and products with the best performance on the market. The TECNOLOGIC 3® machines are designed with automated processing parts and dedicated quality controls to prevent the errors associated with manual application. They also have dedicated visual inspection devices to control the in-line process and product quality. “The road is set and there is no turning back; the automotive industry’s commitment to sustainability is concrete and demonstrates how this industry is driving change toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly future,” concludes TECNOLOGIC 3®. “The automotive industry’s green message is also serving as a real catalyst for sustainable change in several other industries and sectors and at TECNOLOGIC 3® we are able to address these global environmental and growth challenges, thanks to the key pillars of our business – collaboration, innovation and environmental awareness.” www.tecnologic3.it

French inventor and manufacturer since 1985 our reputation has been built on constant innovation in the world of fasteners

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

INSIGHT AND NEWS ON THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET

SME INSIGHT FEATURE

Euromac International looking to grow Euromac International is one of the leading manufacturers of foam guns and applicator guns for construction industry chemicals, with the company continuing to increase its business reach by searching for new markets and expanding its product range.

uromac International exports over 70% of its production to EU countries, with it establishing itself as a specialist in chemical applicators for sealants and adhesives – including caulking, foam and spray guns. A few years ago, the company also expanded its offer, based on customer feedback, to include bespoke procured tools, waterproofing solutions and construction accessories. “A core part of our business is our ability to also provide private label and customised products as per clients requests,” states Euromac International. “Thanks to our extensive product range, and twenty years of experience within the industry, we can deliver individual client projects with bespoke designed tools. There is very little we cannot deliver in terms of product customisation and we can also support clients at every stage of the concept, as well as help with design – sharing our expertise and know-how to deliver the perfect solution.”

Investing to progress

To ensure that it is meeting the needs of its customers, Euromac International also continuously invests in R&D, with it recently adding a new employee to the planning team – who will focus on research and development. To add to this, the company has also established long-term relationships with top technical universities in Poland, where it shares and exchanges expertise knowledge regarding the tooling. “By working

with the universities, we can make improvements to our existing models, as well as introduce new solutions,” underlines Euromac International. “For instance, within the last few years we have allocated a significant amount of funds to deliver new solutions for PU foam guns – something we hope to share with current and new clients in the coming months.” Another area the business has been researching is sustainability and how it can reduce the carbon footprint of products. “We are putting a lot of focus and emphasis on reducing our carbon footprint and how we can make more eco-friendly solutions for our clients. This comes at the cost, but we believe it is the right direction to take and provides a mutual opportunity for us if the consumer wants to reduce their impact on the environment.” In order to deliver more sustainable products, and thrive from operation excellence, the company has also worked on obtaining ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification, as well as embracing sustainability principles by achieving an ECOVADIS bronze award.

Going global

Being based in Gdynia, Poland, means the company has significant experience of the EU market – with its warehouse ensuring client stock is available quickly – as and when required – but the business is targeting other markets in order to grow even further. “Our main market is Europe, but we deliver all around the globe,” underlines Euromac International. “Early this year we expanded our operations to the USA and we have been making steady progress – creating meaningful relationships with current and potential clients. We are also exploring if eCommerce may be beneficial for our customer portfolio and whether it can bring an additional level of service. We have also purchased some land, with a view to build a new logistics warehouse and distribution centre in Poland, which will further improve our service and capabilities. Finally, we will go on expanding our product offer, whilst keeping it relevant and comprehensive to the sealant and adhesive industry – therefore meeting individual customer needs for products.” www.euromac.com.pl

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS CHEMICAL ANCHORS + RESINS FEATURE

The safety of mechanical and chemical anchor fastening systems By Maciej Strychalski, director of marketing, Klimas Wkręt-met Safe and reliable fastening of components to concrete or masonry substrates requires the use of fasteners with the highest load bearing capacity and resistance to environmental conditions. The most effective in this regard are mechanical anchors and chemical anchoring systems, which find their application in installations where medium and heavy loads are involved.

echanical anchors and chemical anchoring systems are the invisible, silent protagonists of any building structure. Medium and heavy-duty anchors are used to fix the main structural elements of a building, such as mullion-transom glass faÇades, ventilated faÇades, balcony railings, staircases and even steel structures. The durability of the aforementioned elements depends, among other things, on the correct installation and selection of the anchor or anchor system developed in the design documentation. The design must meet the standards described in the Eurocodes or design guidelines and the contractor should perform the installation in accordance with the principles contained in the European Technical Assessment (ETA) and design requirements. Only then can we speak of a safe connection.

What design errors should be avoided?

The ETA gives the characteristic forces for a single anchor without the influence of the concrete edge and anchor spacing. Structural analysis programs can quickly calculate the force at a given load in the single most loaded anchor for a designed bracket with two or more anchors in the system. Simply comparing this force to the characteristic force given in the ETA is not sufficient. Separate calculations (according to Eurocode 2, EN 1992-4:2018 and TR 054 Annex C for chemical anchors in masonry substrates) should be carried out – taking into account the geometry of the fixing console, distances between anchors, concrete edge distances

and loads occurring in the console such as pull-out, shear and bending moments. All possible failure modes of the connection and their interactions should also be considered. Failure to follow design guidelines can result in weakened anchorage strength and inadequate anchorage performance, which can compromise the safety of the structure. Therefore, it is important to have the anchorage design performed by a specialist or using dedicated software, such as Klimas DesignFiX, which takes into account all factors that affect the proper performance of the anchors and adapts them to the specific working conditions. The program can be downloaded free of charge from the Klimas website.

What installation mistakes should be avoided?

Even the best designed anchorage can fail if the rules of proper installation are not followed. Some of the most common installation mistakes include drilling the wrong hole – whether it is the wrong diameter hole, a hole that is too shallow, or drilling the hole at the wrong angle. Another mistake is skipping the step of cleaning the holes of dust left after drilling. The dust left behind can weaken the anchor’s connection to the concrete by up to 40% of its load bearing capacity. The last important step of installation is to use a torque wrench and tighten the anchor to the correct Tinst torque specified in the ETA for each diameter. Using an ordinary wrench will either pull the clip through the anchor or under-tighten the anchor, and in the case of the chemical anchor system, over-tightening will cause unnecessary internal stresses in the concrete. Therefore, each package of Klimas anchors contains detailed installation instructions that the user should follow. During the installation it is also important to keep the minimum distances of the anchor from the edge of the concrete. The minimum distances set in the project are determined by the ETA and given in the Klimas DesignFiX software report.

What should be considered when choosing an anchor?

An ETA does not allow the use of galvanised anchors in aggressive external conditions. In C4 external conditions (including under polystyrene, ventilated façade, post and beam, etc) an A4 stainless

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STRONG FOR GENERATIONS

TIMBER CONSTRUCTION SCREWS

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European Technical Assessment

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS steel anchor with a service life of 50 years must be used. An exception can be hot dip galvanised or aluzinc coating, which has a shorter life (up to 15 years) in corrosivity Class C4. These types of solutions are suitable for structures with a short temporary life, such as carports. It is also important to pay attention to steel connections. For example, we should not combine aluminium or stainless steel construction with galvanised anchors. The galvanised anchor has a different potential from the stainless steel or aluminium alloy, and if the galvanic joint phenomenon occurs, the corrosion of the red galvanised anchor will be accelerated, which will affect the weakening of the joint. In such cases,

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the LE-A4 Acid Resistant Stainless Steel Anchor or KPGA4 Threaded Anchor should be used. Both the anchor selection and the bar for the KPGA4 Chemical Anchor System should meet the design requirements and all certifications along with the parameters for the project. Cheap mechanical or chemical anchors imitating the appearance of professional anchors can offer a number of issues, such as the use of low performance steel Class 4.8 (the standard is steel Class 5.8), as well as providing low strength parameters, high displacement in the hole under load, low quality nuts and washers, as well as low corrosion resistance due to the minimal thickness of zinc coating. The Klimas brand, now present in almost 70 countries around the world, is making a significant contribution to the development of the entire industry. Experts are actively involved in the development of the various groups of mechanical fixing systems and chemical anchors that meet international requirements. The ‘Klimas DNA’ is reflected in the slogan ‘Powerful for generations’, which carries family values such as trust, peace of mind, protection and safety. They serve as a guiding principle for all the company’s activities, including production. www.klimas.com

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS CHEMICAL ANCHORS + RESINS FEATURE

E-Plus provides 100 year service life ‘A bi-component styrene-free pure epoxy resin that is the next generation of super epoxy’ is how Bossong SpA describes its latest chemical anchor – the E-Plus – which is the newest version of the original Epoxy from the 1990s, with its short new name said to encapsulate 30 years of R&D in the chemical anchor sector.

key characteristic of the E-Plus is its 100 year service life, which is twice that of the standard 50 years of other products and means it’s the ideal solution for major applications. Other key advantages of the new resin include its applicability for use in flooded holes, having passed submergence testing; it’s also fire resistant, meeting R24 requirements. The E-Plus also has a natural ability to penetrate holes and hollow materials thanks to an effective combination of fluidity and adherence, which enable it to achieve up to 2.5 metres of extrusion, without expansion or shrinkage. All these characteristics make E-Plus suitable for use with masonry, wood, and concrete, under a range of temperatures up to +50°C, whilst still maintaining a strong grip on smooth surfaces, such as inside core holes. The new resin has also achieved numerous certifications covering a number of important areas. For instance, in environmental standards – with all Bossong chemical anchors qualified according to the US LEED protocol (which includes the certification of the volatile organic compounds (VOC) content of a product) – E-Plus has obtained the highest qualification level, with an A+ rating. The resin has also obtained EOTA approva l for concrete bonding in accordance wit h EAD 330499-01-0601 and EAD 330087-01-0601. Its aseismic performance is especially notable, as it’s double that of the current product and has obtained the highest C2 rating for M12 and M24; this attribute is the

A key characteristic of the E-Plus is its 100 year service life, which is twice that of the standard 50 years of other products...” 124 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

‘jewel in the crown’ of Learn more this new 3:1 formula, about E-Plus making it capable of reacting efficiently to significant earth movements – t he same trait a s d i s pl aye d b y cer tified 12mm – 32m m aseism ic reba r rods, under similar conditions. While it has been developed to meet construction sector needs, E-Plus also respects the environment, according to Bossong, and offers safety and maximises structural consolidation, which it says are distinctive characters of all its products. The company explains that the E-Plus is the latest step in a journey that started decades ago. Between the 1960s and the 1970s, the company specialised first in the production of rivets and riveting machines for concrete anchoring, then mechanical anchors and plugs. The shift to chemical anchors was made by chemist and founder of Bossong SpA Italia, Luciano Taddei, and marked a decisive and fortunate change of direction. The formulation and filling of these bi-component chemical anchors to fix metal elements in concrete and masonry structures – with epoxy, polyester, and vinylester resins – led to the company’s worldwide success. To add to this, E-Plus, just like the Epoxy21 before it, was developed following the earthquake that devastated L’Aquila in 2009 and Bossong says is the first product in the world to obtain the C2 aseismic certification for fixing standard threaded rods, which it believes is tangible proof of the success of this approach. “This was a great move for us as a business that opened new opportunities for us in the world of qualified constructions, as well as a chance to operate in the art and cultural heritage sector,” explains Bossong. “The strength of our anchors, achieved with sixty years of experience thanks to continuously striving for innovation and the highest level of competencies, now serves universal beauty.” Beyond E-Plus, the recent inauguration of a new logistics centre with a completely automated and connected warehouse, using latest technologies, has left more space in the company’s main building for additional production lines to be added. The premises are also connected using 4.0, next generation technologies and robotics, and 1,250m 2 of photovoltaic panels provide almost 200,000kWh of power – equating to approximately 200kW per year, all of which, Bossong says, highlights “the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint; a circular economy approach that benefits the entire community”. www.bossong.com

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS CHEMICAL ANCHORS + RESINS FEATURE

Choosing the right chemical anchors and resins Wit h a hu ge nu m b e r of appl icat ions requi r i ng t he use of chemical anchors and resins, JCP Fixings, the fixings division of Owlett-Jaton, offers a comprehensive ra nge of products to meet these needs – with its resin portfolio including vinylester, pure epoxy, epoxy acrylate and polyester variants.

ll supported with f ull technical specifications, including CE Marking and European Technical Assessments (ETAs) Option 1, for both cracked and non-cracked concrete, as well as Option 7 for non-cracked concrete only. Injection resins are used in both new build and structural repair projects, covering commercial, industrial and residential scenarios – where, for example, installing threaded studs, rebar or internall threaded sockets is required. One of the biggest advantages of using resin compared to mechanical anchors is that they are expansion free, enabling products to be used closer together, and right to an edge, without risk of substrate failure. To help choose the correct resin for any application, JCP offers a ‘good-better-best’ selection process for its products, covering general purpose polyester resins, mid-range resins, and more recent products, such as its Ultra-Bond 100 epoxy.

An example of a general purpose resin, suitable for brickwork, most natural stone, and concrete, is the J-Fix Polyester, which is TA Option 7 approved and suitable for non-cracked concrete uses, as well as working in dry, wet or even flooded holes. Mid-range resins available from JCP Fixings includes Water Regulations Advisory Scheme approved products, those suited for seismic C1 and C2 projects, those with C20/25 to C50/60 concrete compatibility, as well as winter grade, styrene-free, and fast cure products. As for the latest members of its portfolio, the Ultra-Bond 100 is a formulation derived from pure epoxy, producing the highest bond strength resin available from JCP. It has a 100 year anchor service life, a double shelf life, and has been formulated for use in high

performance structural applications – where loading is critical. It’s also approved for use under C1 and C2 seismic conditions, and is ETA Option 1 approved. JCP Fixings’ resins are complemented by a comprehensive range of associated products and accessories, including an extensive selection of threaded studs and sockets, as well as glass capsules, anchoring cement for external or internal use and expanding foams. In addition, JCP’s website offers technical information on all its resin types and other fixing systems, as well as certification documents, e.g ETA and CE certified products, an anchor calculation program for cracked and non-cracked concrete anchoring, and a resin volume calculator to calculate resin volumes required for any project. www.jcpfixings.co.uk

New KonstruX 13mm with E12 external TX drive Eurotec, a German timber screw and fastening specialist, is continuously working on new innovations for various applications in the constantly advancing, timber construction industry – with one such innovation its new KonstruX 13mm with E12 external TX drive.

he new KonstruX 13mm with E12 external TX drive has a wide range of applications in timber engineering, timber frame construction, hall construction, carpentry, as well as in the renovation of ceilings between floors. The screw’s E12 drive with external TX transfers high forces for setting the screw and facilitates linear power transmission. Using these fully threaded screws, it’s possible to create invisible connections, whilst at the same time providing a high-level of fire resistance. Made of hardened, carbon steel, the screw can be used in service classes 1 and 2, meeting the DIN EN 1995-Eurocode 5 standard, and has a particularly high mechanical load capacity. Unlike a partially threaded screw, where the load bearing capacity of the connection is limited by the lower head pull through resistance in the attachment part, the KonstruX is a fully threaded screw, which means the load bearing capacity of a connection can be increased, due to the high thread pull through resistance in both components. Since timber generally has a low transverse compressive, and low tensile strength, the new fully threaded screw offers a degree of specific reinforcement, acting as an insertion to support and strengthen the wood building material, increasing its stability in doing so. In structural timber engineering, the 13mm screw can, for example, be used primarily as transverse tensile reinforcement of, for instance, warehouse trusses, at notches and openings, as well as at cross connections. It can be used, similarly, in scenarios such as main/secondary beam connections, joist doubling, internal truss screw connections, metal to wood connections in various settings, as well as screw connections in cross-laminated timber ceilings.

126 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS Insulation screws for ETICS and aerated concrete applications A new high-quality, die-cast zinc screw, featuring a pre-mounted EPDM seal, and specifically designed for direct fastening to insulated faÇades, has been launched by international fastener and fixings maker CELO.

ELO states that the new IPSZ insulation screw is versatile and compatible with all common types of insulation and offers optimal performance when secured through standard 8mm through-holes. The company reports that the screws are also ideal for installing light loads, such as wall connection profiles, plinth protection strips, signs, or lamps on insulated and plastered façades. They can also installed directly in ETICS and wood fibre insulation without pre-drilling – due to the sharp drill tip of the screws, in turn saving time. The new screws include two different lengths in order to cover a wide variety of insulation materials. The IPSZ 80 screw, for example, offers secure holds on ETICS insulated faÇades of 80mm thickness and with materials including EPS, mineral wool, polystyrene foam boards, rigid foam boards or polystyrene boards. The IPSZ-H 55, on the other hand, is the shorter version and suited for use with wood fibre insulation boards and perimeter insulation of 60mm thickness. CELO also points out that the IPSZ screws are energy efficient, as they prevent thermal bridges and the penetration of moisture into the façade. In addition, their TX drive ensures good power transmission –

Think Fixing

with the right bit size and means they can be installed with a standard cordless screwdriver. Their pre-mounted EPDM sealing ring also means that no subsequent sealing is necessary, thus reducing the amount of insulation steps required on a job. The strength, durability and corrosion resistance of the new IPSZ screws is also ensured through their zinc die-cast construct.

G&B FISSAGGI, the Italian company

G&B UK warehouse Quality products with a service to match available for next day delivery direct from our branch in Sheffield (UK mainland only). Contact our experienced staff to assist you for all you need.

www.gebfissaggi.com

G&B Fissaggi S.r.l. Italia Corso Savona, 22 10029 Villastellone (TO) tel. +39 011 961 94 33 fax +39 011 961 96 39 info@gebfissaggi.com

G&B Fissaggi UK warehouse Unit 16 Riverside Court Don Road - Sheffield - S9 2TJ (UK) tel. 0114 242 0074 fax 0114 242 0075 uksales@gebfissaggi.com

G&B Fissaggi Vertretung Deutschland johnengebfissaggi@gmail.com MAREFIX marefix@marefix.com G&B Fissaggi Benelux export@gebfissaggi.com G&B Fissaggi France export@gebfissaggi.com

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS Recent European Technical Assessments for fixings Following an agreement with the European Organisation of Technical Assessments, here is a list of recent ETAs published in the last two months on the EOTA website.

t is important to note that existing ETAs may be amended or withdrawn so this list should not be considered definitive. For further information and a full list of valid ETAs visit EOTA’s website. If you have recently received an ETA, and would like to have it included in our table, please email us the full details at editor@verulammedia.com www.eota.eu

ETA NUMBER

TRADE NAME

COMPANY

ETA NUMBER

TRADE NAME

COMPANY

Mechanical fasteners for use in concrete

Bonded fasteners for use in concrete ETA - 23/0144

Geocel Geochem Anchor Resin

Geocel Ltd

ETA - 23/0557

SimePlast Kotwa chemiczna poliestrowa

PHU FARKOM Ireneusz Lasek

ETA - 23/0706

Fibrantiqua Resingel Sismafix,Fibrantiqua Resingel Sismafix-W,Fibrantiqua Resingel Sismafix-T

Opificio Bio Aedilitia Srl

ETA - 23/0773

TCM FX

Trutek Fasteners Polska Sp. z o.o.

ETA - 23/0615

Indo Prime Bolt Zone (IPBZ A4)

INDO SPARK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES (ICFS)

ETA - 23/0707

R-HLX

Rawlplug S.A.

ETA - 23/0715

Anchor DESA-TORK ULTRA

Desarrollos Especiales de Sistemas de Anclaje S.A. (Grupodesa)

ETA - 23/0866

Indo Prime Bolt Zone DP (IPBZ DP)

INDO CONSTRUCTION FASTENING SYSTEMS (ICFS) INDO - SPARK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

Bonded fastener and bonded expansion fasteners for use in concrete

Distance fixing systems for use in concrete and masonry

ETA - 23/0845

ETA - 23/0691

Injection system Hilti HIT-HY 270 in solid bricks

HILTI Corporation

ETA - 23/0800

DESA-CHEM VSF-H

Desarrollos Especiales de Sistemas de Anclaje S.A. (Grupodesa)

Stemax Injection system RFS-PE RFS-PE Tropical RFS-PE Express

LLC Stemax”

Bonded anchor for use in autoclaved aerated concrete slabs ETA - 23/0549

MIT-V 100

Mungo Srl

ETA - 23/0736

NOVIPRO KEMISK FIXERING

SGDS Gruppen AB

ETA - 23/0874

ROCKANY Injection system PASF

ROCKANY FACTORY LLC

ETA - 23/0907

SMART S-IRV – SMART S-IRW – SMART S-IRT

pgb-Polska Sp. z o.o.

Distance fixing systems for use in concrete and masonry ETA - 23/0482

RECA dimos anchor UNI-RT 12 RECA dimos anchor UNI-RT 16

RECA NORM GmbH

ETA - 23/0483

RECA dimos anchor HB-T 37

RECA NORM GmbH

Fasteners for use in concrete for redundant for non-structural systems ETA - 23/0472

FIXALITH VIS BETON

ETANCO SAS

Fastening Screws for Sandwich Panels ETA - 23/0661

Fixing Point Plus • Drilltite Plus • Colortite Plus

ETA - 23/0823

ETA - 23/0611

MIT-V 100 for rebar connection

Mungo Srl

ETA - 23/0686

Injection system Fibrantiqua Resingel Sismafix for rebar connections

Opificio Bio Aedilitia Srl

ETA - 23/0722

Draco DRACOFIX HP Bonded anchor for rebar connections

DRACO Italiana SpA

ETA - 23/0729

NOVIPRO KEMISK FIXERING for rebar connection

SGDS Gruppen AB

ETA - 23/0741

TECHNIFIX SIS

TAM GROUPE

Systems of Mechanically Fastened Flexible Roof Waterproofing Sheets ETA - 23/0651

Eurofast Flat Roof Fasteners

Van Roij Fasteners Europe B.V

Three dimensional nailing plates Fixing Point Ltd

Distance fixing systems for use in concrete and masonry ETA - 23/0660

Post-installed rebar with mortar under seismic action

Fixing Point Plus • Drilltite Plus • Colortite Plus

Fixing Point Ltd

TMS, TMS BIM, TSMS BIM and TSM BIM HF Screws

Sourcing Solutions Fasteners Co Ltd

ETA - 23/0801

KLIMAS angle brackets

Wkret-met Sp. z o. o.

ETA - 23/0802

KLIMAS angle brackets - see types in section A1

Wkret-met Sp. z o. o.

ETA - 23/0803

KLIMAS Joist Hangers

Wkret-met Sp. z o. o.

ETA - 23/0824

Rotho Blaas ALUMEGA connectors

Rotho Blaas Srl

Aptus supports children’s bereavement centre Aptus, an independent UK wholesaler of fixings and fasteners, recently donated its products, from across its extensive range, to the construction of a new children’s bereavement centre at Treetops Hospice in Risley, Derbyshire, UK.

reetops Hospice, which celebrated its 40 th anniversary in 2023, supports individuals and their families from across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire who are affected by life changing illnesses and events. The centre will act as a dedicated facility to provide therapy and counselling services to children who are dealing with the death of a loved one. The services provided by Treetops Hospice, which include nursing care, emotional support, respite care and bereavement support, are all offered free of charge. Every year, it must raise more than GB£4.3 million to meet its running costs, which equates to around GB£12,000 per day. 70% of this sum comes from charitable donations and fundraising events. Speaking of the company’s support, Stewart Taylor, managing director at Aptus Fastener Systems Ltd, said: “Thanks to our ethical approach, and high-levels of integrity, Aptus has become the trusted fastener partner for customers across the length and breadth of the UK. These same attributes also mean we fully recognise the importance of corporate social responsibility and of giving something back to local communities. Our involvement with the project at Treetops Hospice enables us to demonstrate our commitment and we are proud to be involved in a project that focuses on such a worthwhile cause.”

130 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

SPECIAL STAINLESS STEEL

Leading Manufacturer Reliable High Quality

SCREWS & NUTS

Diameter up to 20 mm OFFERING SPECIAL PRICES FOR LONG SCREWS & BIG QUANTITIES

Non-standard Customized OEM Project

Solar Panel Fasteners Chipboard Screws

sales@bimirth.com.tw

www.bi-mirth.com

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT STEEL + ALLOY WIRE ROD BAR FEATURE

CRU launches CHQ wire rod price assessment CRU has launched a new European cold heading quality (CHQ) wire rod price assessment in response to increasing demand for an assessment to support the fastener and fixing industry. The new price series will assess 20MnB4, considering both spot and quarterly transactions to reflect market trade.

RU is already assessing prices for low and high carbon wire rod in Germany, Italy and Spain. With the addition of this new price series, the company will be able to provide clients with a wider variety of wire rod price assessments for Europe. CHQ wire rod is the raw material used for the manufacturing of fasteners and fixings, including bolts, screws and rivets, which serve a variety of markets, including the automotive and construction industries. CRU expect these key end use sectors to grow significantly over the next few years, with light vehicle production growing at a CAGR of 2% from 2024 to 2028. Similarly, spending on construction will grow by a CAGR of 2% during the same period. This new price series is therefore well placed to serve the needs of suppliers to these industries. The new CHQ wire rod assessment will cover the grade 20MnB4 defined by its chemical composition, comprising manganese (0.90 – 1.00) and boron (0.002 – 0.004) amongst other (C, Si, P, S, AI, Cr, N, Ti). The core dimensions for this product are 5mm – 15mm, anything larger would increase the risk of introducing strain into the wire, although select producers have capabilities to offer sizes up to 60mm.

Fastener manufacturing

The CHQ wire rod market is principally contract-based, with quarterly and bi-annual contracts – although monthly negotiations were common during the highly volatile period immediately after the war in Ukraine began. Therefore, CRU will assess the CHQ wire rod market monthly while considering both spot and contract transactions. In-line with CRU’s existing European wire rod prices, the unit and currency for the CHQ wire rod assessment will be Euros per tonne on a delivered basis. Although the market dynamics are mirrored in all LC, HC and CHQ markets, the data for CHQ demonstrates significantly less monthly volatility, which is expected given the contract-based transactions. Looking at 2023, the effects of the war in Ukraine, as well as primarily high inflation and high interest rates, impacted both LC and CHQ demand, as confidence in the construction industry was eroded. Whilst CHQ prices normalised abruptly in the beginning of 2023, they remained stable in Q2 and Q3 of 2023. Most recently, contract prices have been setting in a range of €730 – €780 per tonnes delivered, which represents a €150 – €205 per tonne decrease since the beginning of 2023.

Steel Long Products

The manufacturing process of fasteners comprises of four steps, the first of which is pickling and coating, where surface contaminants are removed to improve formability, as well as prevent corrosion. This is followed by spheroidised annealing to reduce the hardness and increase the deformation potential of the wire rod to achieve the desired mechanical properties of the fastener. The wire is then placed into a die and struck to deform it into the desired shape, known as cold heading. Finally, the rod is heat treated to improve the mechanical properties before cutting, threading or any other machining process takes place. Long Products

JAN 2024

Cold heading quality prices have fallen notably since the beginning of 2022 European Wire Rod Prices; Eur /t, Deliv. 1600

LC ITA

CHQ

HC GER

100

HC GER

LC GER

CHQ

0 1300

-100 -200

1000

-300 700 -400

JAN 2024 400

Cold Heading Quality Wire Rod manufacturing process

European Wire Rod Price m/m Movement; Eur /t

LC GER

-500

DATA: CRU

Cold heading quality prices have fallen Where is CHQ wire rod produced? notably since the beginning of 2022

Wire rod

Pickling & coating

Raw material

Remove surface contaminants Improve formability

Spheroidised annealing Improve toughness and ductility

Prevent corrosion

Cold heading

Heat treatment

Fastener

Wire placed in die and struck to deform into desired shape

Improve mechanical properties before cutting, threading and / or machine processing

Nuts, bolts, rivets, screws

DATA: CRU, ZMD Fasteners

Cold Heading Quality wire manufacturing process We will consider both spot and quarterly transactions The CHQ wire rod market is principally contract-based, with quarterly and bi-annual contracts although monthly negotiations were common during the highly volatile period immediately after the war in Ukraine began. Therefore, CRU will assess the CHQ wire rod market monthly whileFASTENER considering both spot and contract transactions. | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024 132 + FIXING MAGAZINE In line with our existing European wire rod prices, the unit and currency for the CHQ wire rod

The major producers of cold heading wire rod are concentrated around Western and Central Europe and include Voestalpine, Saarstahl, Caleotto, Třinecké železárny and British Steel, amongst others. Major processors of CHQ wire rod – wire drawers and fastener manufacturers – have a large presence in northern Germany but are also located in Western and Southern Europe.

Where is CHQ wire rod produced?

The major produces of cold heading wire rod are concentrated around western and central Europe and include Voestalpine, Saarstahl, Caleotto, Trinecke Zelezarny and British Steel, amongst others. Major processors of CHQ wire rod – wire drawers and fastener manufacturers – have a large presence in northern Germany but are also located in western and southern Europe. CRU’s methodology for European steel prices can be accessed here: https://cruprod.blob.core.windows.net/media/ibsdlgby/cru-pricesmethodology-and-definitions-carbon-steel-august-2023.pdf

Unleash the power of iron and discover new ways to prevent corrosion

Hiron® – a breakthrough technology to protect iron substrates from corrosion This cyanide-free zinc iron electrolyte does not only provide excellent corrosion resistance but is caters as a highly effective adhesion promoter for our sealers, top coats, or any e-coats. MKS’ Atotech Hiron utilizes iron in its alloy to reliably protect plain iron substrates from corrosion. Achieving 1,000 hours in the neutral salt spray test (NSST), Hiron matches the NSST performance of existing technologies on the market. Today, Hiron is the ultimate high-performing nickel substitute, boosting product sustainability.

To find out more about Hiron®, scan the QR-code to the right. info @atotech.com

www.atotech.com

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY STEEL + ALLOY WIRE ROD BAR FEATURE

voestalpine shows solid results despite economic slowdown voestalpine is a leading steel and technology group with a unique combination of materials and processing expertise. Operating globally, voestalpine has around 500 group companies and locations in more than 50 countries on five continents.

ith its premium products and system solutions, the company is a leading partner to the automotive a nd consu mer goods industries, as well as to the aerospace and the oil & natural gas industries. voestalpine is also the global market leader in railway systems, tool steel, and special sections, which gives it a unique perspective on developments within a variety of sectors. voestalpine achieved a solid result in the first half of 2023/24 (1 st April to 30th September) with revenue reaching €8.5 billion, which is 8.4% down from the €9.3 billion achieved the previous year, but they were record figures and this year has seen an overall weaker economic environment. “In a market environment that was challenging at times, voestalpine was able to demonstrate its strengths in the first half of 2023/24 with its focus on high-quality products, particularly for the mobility and energy industries. The present results are in-line with the long-term average and are definitely satisfactory in view of the current economic conditions,” explained Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO of voestalpine AG. For the first half of 2023/24 voestalpine confirmed it saw a decline in demand from the construction, mechanical engineering and consumer goods segments. Exports by Chinese steel manufacturers also placed huge pressure on the international steel markets. Nevertheless, the company’s performance in its most important customer segments remained consistently positive thanks to its strategic focus on the highest quality. In the automotive industry for instance, easing of the global supply chain situation resulted in stable production levels. The rail and aerospace industries, the conventional energy sector (oil and natural gas) and the renewable energy sector (solar industry) also continued to perform very well, defying the overall economic trend. Positive demand also prevailed in storage technology. Looking forward, voestalpine believes the automotive industry should remain largely

robust in the second half of 2023/24. Although the high order backlogs built-up as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic are increasingly being processed by car manufacturers, overall development is expected to remain largely stable until the end of the current business year. The conventional energ y sector lost momentum on the price side in the course of the first half of the business year 2023/24, but this is due to the reduction of material bottlenecks and not to market weakness. Demand for voestalpine products for the oil and natural gas industry has consequently normalised and a largely stable development is anticipated for the second half of 2023/24. The good market environment in the renewable energ y sector is expected to continue for the remainder of the business year 2023/24. In the area of railway systems, t he current ver y good development is expected to continue for the remainder of the business year, although the usual seasonality over the ‘northern winter’ has to be taken into account. The upward trend in the

134 FASTENER + FIXING MAGAZINE | ISSUE 145: JANUARY 2024

aerospace industry will also continue in the second half of the business year 2023/24. voestalpine’s forecasts are therefore largely in-line with previous assessments, although the economic outlook for Europe must now be v iewed somewhat more cautiously. Investment activ it y in t he industrial sector in particular has slowed and is estimated to remain at a low level in the second half of 2023/24. Therefore, assuming no massive economic distortions on account of the central banks’ interest rate policies or geopolitical escalation scenarios, the management board of voestalpine AG expects EBITDA for the business year 2023/24 to be in the region of €1.7 billion, which is in-line with current market expectations. voestalpine underlines that the impact of current geopolitical developments remains difficult to assess. However, it is clear that the war in Europe and the armed conflict in the Middle East have significantly increased the risk of unforeseeable influences on the economic environment, which makes all forecasts more uncertain.

Join us at the WIRE SHOW from 15 – 19 April 2024 in Düsseldorf, Germany

AMBA - Aachener Maschinenbau GmbH All-in-one machinery for metal cold forming

New BM12 screw machine With our new BM12 screw-making machine, we have further expanded the range of our All-in-One machines. The new machine can process up to 18-mm-diameter wire. This makes it the most powerful of all our machines.

AACHENER MASCHINENBAU GMBH Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 17 - 19 | D-52477 Alsdorf | Germany T: +49 2404 551289 - 0 | info@amba.de | www.amba.de

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Hiron® – an environmentally friendly and high performance corrosion protection solution In response to the formal classification of nickel as a toxic substance, industries are now actively seeking safe and effective alternatives for nickel-based coatings. Atotech, a brand within the Materials Solutions Division of MKS Instruments, has therefore introduced Hiron®, an electrolytic base that offers superior corrosion protection similar to that of zinc-nickel deposits.

totech points out that the iron rich deposits of the Hiron® perform exceptionally well in tough corrosion tests, including PV1209 cyclic corrosion, neutral salt spray and automotive driving tests. With its customisable alloy range, heat resistance, and sleek silver appearance, Hiron® is a versatile choice for a broad array of applications.

Unmatched corrosion protection and versatility

Atotech states that Hiron® is a game changing, high iron electrolytic plating process that delivers unparalleled corrosion protection across a range of applications. When paired with trusted Atotech post treatments, its corrosion protection rivals that of zinc-nickel deposits. Furthermore, the process boasts outstanding performance in rigorous corrosion tests, including PV1209 cyclic corrosion, neutral salt spray and official automotive long life driving tests. Its ability to withstand the harshest of conditions makes it an ideal choice for industries seeking robust corrosion resistance.

Customisable performance specifications and appealing aesthetics

The Hiron® electrolyte is not only compatible with both rack and barrel plating lines, ensuring effortless integration into existing plating processes, but it also offers remarkable versatility. Its adaptability allows the iron content to be customised to between 12% and 15%, depending on specific performance requirements. This dynamic feature ensures that the Hiron® process can be tailored to meet the precise needs of various industries, ranging from automotive and heavy machinery to window frames and connectors. At 15% iron content, Hiron® deposits exhibit a remarkable hardness rating of 500 HV, guaranteeing robust protection against wear and tear. Moreover, the Hiron® plating process has an attractive silver appearance, akin to that of traditional zinc-nickel coatings. Its heat resistance and even thickness distribution make it suitable for silver and black coatings. It is therefore an excellent option for products requiring a specific aesthetic finish.

Environmental friendliness and high plating efficiency

One of the standout features of the Hiron® process is its eco-friendliness. Unlike traditional electrolytes, it’s free from toxic materials and does not form cyanide, making it an environmentally responsible choice. Additionally, the Hiron® electrolyte ensures high plating efficiency without the typical efficiency degradation observed in alkaline zinc-nickel electrolytes. As a zinc-nickel alternative, the Hiron® process makes products significantly more sustainable and minimises the use of hazardous materials.

Outstanding adhesion and conductivity performance

Hiron® coatings excel in adhesion, outperforming even zinc-nickel and other electrolytic zinc solutions. The industry has long recognised their superior adhesion performance on ZnFe with 0.5% iron incorporation. These coatings perform exceptionally well in lacquer adhesion, and crosshatch tests, and exhibit remarkable creepage resistance – enhancing their durability for various applications with sealers, topcoats and e-coatings. The exceptional conductivity of Hiron® coatings further amplifies their outstanding performance, making them a reliable choice for emerging markets like eMobilty, as well as for other applications that require conductive layers. In addition, early white haze development poses a challenge for customers and tiers. When combined with suitable passivates under optimal conditions, the Hiron® process can delay white haze formation by up to 600 hours, particularly on silver finishes. The product, with its deep black aesthetic finish and high scratch resistance, also surpasses zinc and zinc-nickel plated parts in terms of appearance and durability. The latest development in black passivates and post-dip for the Hiron® electrolyte imparts an attractive, deep black aesthetic finish to the coatings. Notably, the black Hiron® process sequence demonstrates excellent resistance against corrosion and acidic environments, minimising the occurrence of white haze in corrosion tests. This includes 240 hours or more of white rust resistance in NSST ISO 9227 tests.

The future of corrosion protection

The groundbreaking high iron electrolyte addresses the need for safe and effective alternatives to nickel-based coatings. Its exceptional corrosion protection, adaptable performance specifications, and environmentally friendly nature, position the process as a genuine innovation in the world of corrosion protection solutions. As industries begin to prioritise sustainability and environmental responsibility, the Hiron® process is emerging as a compelling choice for enhancing product longevity and performance. www.atotech.com

Various components plated with Hiron + EcoTri® NC + Corrosil® WF

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Fasteners that are surface finished with Hiron® plus black passivate and post-dip

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Dimac elevates aerospace quality standards In the realm of aerospace, where precision and compliance are paramount, only a handful of companies can meet the stringent standards. As a leading provider when it comes to the inspection and sorting of special parts for the aerospace sector, Dimac Srl is not only able to meet the standards, but elevate them thanks to its cutting edge inspection technology – based on Artificial Intelligence.

imac’s engineers, renowned for their expertise, have harnessed their skills to deliver top tier reliability and repeatability, with the latest addition to the company’s portfolio: The MCV3 rotary table inspection machine – an optimal solution for 12-point aerospace bolts and nuts, as well as similar components. What sets the MCV3 apart is the integration of the MCVx vision inspection software, equipped with intuitive tools designed to acquire the entire profile contour of the inspected bolts. This innovative software detects the smallest damages, nicks, and geometry defects, in a comprehensive 360° inspection – ensuring a high-quality in-process inspection. This advanced model also features dedicated inspection stations for crack detection and heat treatment inspection using Eddy current technology. The MCV3 machine also offers unparalleled ease of use, enabling operators to define measurements with a simple drag and drop interface around the part profile. Additionally, the MCV3 machine controller provides a comprehensive set of statistical data that can be shared online with the company’s ERP network and can be monitored and programmed offline. In response to the challenges posed by the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0, Dimac has also developed a special remote control suite App and Tutorial WebApp. The WebApp assists customers in every aspect of the machine’s installation, start-up, use, and programming remotely, proving to be a valuable advantage appreciated by customers.

Recent advancements

In a recent milestone, Dimac has also commissioned a special machine, the MCV1, which is set to be delivered to PCC Airframe. This cutting edge technology is designed for high-speed, 100% inspection, and sorting of titanium rivets in the aerospace industry. The MCV1 is equipped with a very high resolution camera for dimensional inspection around 360°, achieving accuracy up to 1μn. A special camera for the rivet head surface inspection, backed by an AI algorithm, ensures the detection of minute defects in the coding mark on top of the heads surface and overall aspect of the part. The AI set-up is streamlined by Dimac’s powerful Human Machine Interface (HMI), enabling swift image grabbing and classification for efficient learning processes. This solution also successfully passed MSA tests, validating its status as a state of the art solution for aerospace rivet inspection. “Our commitment to pushing technological boundaries continues to redefine the aerospace industry’s standards for quality control and inspection,” proudly states Dimac.

A year of great change and success for Carlo Salvi Carlo Salvi, a leader within the production of header machines for cold and warm wire forming, concluded 2023 with a series of significant changes and initiatives that attest to its constant evolution and commitment to the future.

he first and most relevant change for Carlo Salvi SpA was the shift in leadership at the helm of the company, with the arrival of Federico Uslenghi as the new CEO, with the appointment representing a strategic move aimed at further strengthening Carlo Salvi’s leadership in the sector – bringing new ideas and perspectives to the already established professionalism of the Italian company. 2023 was also marked by an important season of trade fairs that saw Carlo Salvi expanding further on the international level. Participation in globally renowned events, from Japan to the United States, allowed the company to consolidate its presence in foreign markets, confirming its role as a key player in the industry. This not only represents an interesting achievement for the company, but has also become a source of pride for the Lecco area – where the company has built its 85 years of history, which will be celebrated this year. Looking to the future, Carlo Salvi continues to place sustainability at the centre of its mission. The company is actively engaged in the study and development of increasingly innovative solutions, responding to the needs of an ever evolving sector and one that is increasingly oriented towards environmental responsibility. Despite the forward-looking perspective, Carlo Salvi does not forget its roots and the relationships built over the years. As a trusted partner for numerous Italian entities, and through significant international collaborations, the company continues to be recognised for its professionalism, effectiveness and efficiency. “Carlo Salvi looks confidently to the coming year, certain that the combination of tradition and innovation will continue to position it as a reference point in the global landscape of fastening systems,” stated the company.

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TESTING

ANALYSING TESTING METHODS FOR THE FASTENER SECTOR

Addressing the issue of testing staff shortages By Alan Thomas, marketing at ZwickRoell Ltd Delivery delays, production losses or worldwide product recalls, the consequences of bottlenecks in quality control can quickly have far reaching effects on a business. That is why a well functioning quality control program is crucial for any organisation. Shortages in skilled labour, employee turnover, or high absence rates among workers due to illness are among the biggest challenges faced by laboratory or quality assurance managers. So, how can you take the necessary steps to guarantee optimal quality assurance with limited personnel resources? Identify key positions

Depending on the industry or production sector, a wide range of different testing instruments, machines, and systems, can be used for quality assurance purposes. If we include pre-testing tasks, such as specimen preparation that are required for quality control processes, the number of machine and device options increases even further. For example, a typical testing laboratory in the plastics processing industry uses systems for various testing methods: Mechanical testing, microscopic analysis, spectroscopy, thermal analysis, rheometric analysis and physical analysis. Depending on the testing or analysis method, and manufacturer, these instruments demand diverse levels of operator training. Machine operation can often be elaborate, and in addition a specialist, usually someone with a high-level of experience must also be able to directly assess the test results. In these cases, it may be worthwhile to investigate for which machines or instruments operation can be simplified so that they can be easily used by less experienced or new personnel – while also maintaining the highest level of safety. For example, advanced testing software guarantees simple operation based on a sophisticated user management program. The user only sees relevant operational controls, which enables them to start testing immediately. With the use of predefined test programs, all important parameters and test sequences that are required for standard compliant testing are pre-configured. A modern system configuration

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guarantees consistently identical machine test conditions for tests that are performed on another day or by another user. This helps prevent testing under inadequate conditions and entering incorrect information, and onboarding requirements for new employees are reduced to a minimum. A new user can be ready to, for example, operate a universal testing machine for a standard tensile test after an instructional period of a couple of hours. Intelligent software features and mechanical support tools, such as insertion aids for specimens or automatically attaching extensometers, facilitate tasks that would otherwise have to be manually performed on the machine, even for new or inexperienced personnel. In addition, modern software provides the highest level of safety for both the user and the testing system.

Digitalise processes

Digitalisation has taken on significant momentum in recent years, affecting processes across many industries. This includes the field of materials testing, where the use of digital technologies has greatly increased process efficiencies. Look at your existing systems. It may be time to consider taking advantage of the many available, and nowadays affordable, digital possibilities. The benefits of digitalisation are clear when it comes to testing laboratory processes. Save time: With the use of digital technologies, testing processes can be automated and accelerated. Time consuming manual tasks are replaced with digital solutions, leading to shorter test times. For example, 50% of the time required to manually measure specimens using calipers, and entering the information into the system, can be saved through automated transfer of the specimen dimensions to the testing software, e.g via a test specimen crosssection measuring device. Maximise accuracy: Digitalised testing processes increase precision and accuracy by eliminating sources of human error. In the above mentioned example, you not only save time, but the scatter of test results caused by incorrect measurements of the specimen dimensions is significantly reduced. Automate data management: With digital storage of the test results, data is easily managed and evaluated. This makes it easier to monitor and analyse trends and possible errors or defects. When

FASTENER TESTING it comes to big data, the topic of data management will also continue to gain importance in quality assurance. With an automated export of the test results into a quality assurance system – by means of diverse standard interfaces – employees are relieved of this task. In addition to saving time and having access to data in ‘real time’, this feature eliminates manual data transfer, an additional source of potential errors. Take advantage of pre-configured analysis programs: Through centralised availability of all test results, users can have access to pre-designed analysis formats. It is no longer necessary to export data to Microsoft Excel, merge it manually and subsequently analyse it. This again saves time and reduces errors. Improve collaborative decision making: Digitalisation allows users to access test results from any location, facilitating collaboration and decision making efforts.

Leverage automation for repeatable tasks

In many areas of the world, economically developed countries are faced with sparse labour markets, a situation that will likely not subside in the near future. This includes employee shortages in testing laboratories. Today, many businesses are in a situation where consistent automation of a wide range of quality assurance processes is and remains the most important lever for counteracting the lack of qualified laboratory personnel. Materials testing, with its strictly defined testing standards, offers an ideal business model for the automation of testing processes. Automated systems are less susceptible to human error and can achieve a higher level of accuracy when monitoring processes and results. One example is the scatter of test results, which with the use of a fully automated testing system, such as a universal testing machine with automated specimen feeding system, is reduced by approximately 5% when compared with a similar set-up incorporating manual operation. Through automated functions, errors can also be minimised at the points of data entry, processing, and analysis, ensuring that decisions are always based on precise and reliable data. Automated systems also work faster and more efficiently than human testers, accelerating processes and increasing productivity. When performing a tensile test, it takes up to 35% less time with a

semi-automated machine, when compared with a manually operated machine. In an 8 hour workday, this saves operators close to 3 hours and scarce or skilled workers are free to attend to other important tasks. A positive side effect of an automated solution is saving costs by saving time and resources that would otherwise be used to perform manual tasks. Automation solutions are often accompanied by a stigma of high expense, which is in turn associated with a low return on investment and leads companies to question its efficiency and of course the feasibility of making the investment. There is no doubt that a machine with full or partial automation is more expensive than a manual version. However, with rapidly rising labour costs or costs incurred when laboratory services are outsourced, automation often pays off much faster than first thought. For example, the ROI for many fully automated systems is less than 24 months. With the help of an intelligent calculator that takes all factors into account, ROI can be calculated individually for all test applications and scenarios. Automated systems can monitor processes as they occur, allowing users to quickly react to discrepancies or abnormalities and take appropriate corrective action. At the same time, large amounts of data can be analysed quickly and efficiently to identify trends and patterns that are crucial for quality assurance purposes. In addition to test data, users can also manage and evaluate machine data by incorporating testing machine condition monitoring facilities, which offer brand new possibilities for predictive maintenance of equipment and thereby helping avoid unplanned, unproductive equipment downtime.

New compact automated testing system for mass produced stamped parts The KVC 621 SE automated testing system from Kistler is the ideal solution for mass produced stamped parts, providing the usual standard of precision, plus innovative testing technology.

istler Group points out that the KVC 621 SE testing system has a width of only 600mm, a depth of 900mm, and provides fast throughput times. This means as many as 4,000 parts can pass through this automatic system each minute – and testing of every single one of them is guaranteed. The largely standardised design also means that customers can expect the services and quality they are used to, combined with improved availability for delivery at an attractive cost to benefit ratio. There are many production environments where every square centimetre is crucial. Stamped part manufacturers are among those who have to utilise the space available for their production processes as efficiently as possible. Knowing this, Kistler developed the compact KVC 621 SE automated optical testing system specifically for quality control in mass production. Unlike pneumatic solutions, the KVC 621 SE is not reliant on compressed air thanks to its fully electromechanical drive. A digital feedthrough loop also enables users to save valuable space by positioning the automated testing system closer to the stamping press. The KVC 621 SE comes equipped as standard with up to three integrated camera stations and a sensitive touchscreen, so the system can be delivered and commissioned quickly – within only four to six weeks.

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MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS SYSTEM DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE FASTENER SECTOR

Don’t forget to manage the surplus By Jason Bader, principle, The Distribution Team

Unproductive inventory is just a nice way to say that you have captive money sitting on your shelves instead of being used to make customer centric investments. Whilst it is dead and slow movers that might get all the press, we cannot forget about the money tied up in surplus stock, which can be just as damaging to cash flow as the other two.

here are some that will argue that their slower and surplus inventory levels aren’t all bad because of the rate of inflation we have seen in the past 18 months. News flash, inflation rates are cooling off in 2024. At the current rate of borrowing, which may be getting some relief in 2024, using your warehouse as a savings account is a really terrible practice. My logic is simple on this. More bad things than good things happen to anything we bring into stock. Selling the item is the only good thing. On the flip side, the negative aspects may be damage, theft, obsolescence and even misplacement. The longer an item sits on the shelf, the more the potential for these negative consequences. Conversion of unproductive inventory to cash has been a long-standing best practice in inventory management. Many distributors are seeing record surplus inventory levels at the time of writing. So how did we get here? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist but let me connect the dots. The Covid-19 pandemic caused a very fragile supply chain to temporarily break. In many eyes, reliance on long distance supply was a ‘house of cards’ just waiting for a ‘stiff wind’. The wind blew and our reliance on ocean freight bit us in the posterior. In a panic, distributors cranked out purchase orders in record fashion. The assumption was that they would only get a percentage of what they asked for, so the quantities were inflated. The prevailing thought was that the

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Part of the challenge comes down to a lack of communication between partners in the supply chain.” larger purchase order quantities would entice manufacturers to allocate inventory to these customers first. I can’t argue with the strategy, but we forgot to check our brakes if for some reason the supply chain began to mend. Guess what? The suppliers found a way to eventually ship and in came this rolling tide of inflated purchases. Most of these orders are still gracing the shelves of our distributors. Part of the challenge comes down to a lack of communication between partners in the supply chain. Pretty much every challenge in business can be attributed to some failure in communication. In this case, distributors and suppliers had not established solid lines of

communication – especially when we were seeing pandemic related absenteeism on both sides. As we are able to look back with a critical eye, we need to shore up these lines of communication. How much information are we willing to share with our supplier partners? Are we willing to share usage data with our supplier so that they can be more adequately prepared to fulfill our needs? Again, I think most distributors fall very short on this ideal. I had a great conversation about this with a manufacturer in the plumbing space. We were discussing the benefits of VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory) to both the supplier and distributor. She admitted that they had explored this in the past but couldn’t get anyone to bite. If supplied with usage data, her company could better plan their production runs to meet anticipated demand. Some of you might share data with your top two or three suppliers; but what if you were to provide anticipated usage to your top 20 suppliers? This data isn’t a promise to buy. It just helps your supplier better prepare for the need.

You need to tinker a bit. Every system worth its salt has the option to tweak usage based on current conditions.” Looking down the supply chain, how well are we studying economic market data? I have to roll my eyes when distributors create a sales budget by going out and asking their customers what their next year will look like. Generally, it’s the field salespeople that are tasked with this endeavor. Do we give them any guidelines on what to ask? Come on, these folks are not trained researchers. One could argue that information gathering is one of the core tenants of a successful salesperson; but this might be outside the scope of their experience. What are the key economic indicators that will affect your market? Will a reduction in interest rates, perhaps by more than 100 basis points, drive confidence in capital intensive projects? Is the government planning to continue spending money on infrastructure? I don’t know. If I was a distributor today, I would make it my business to know. The study of economics is way cooler than you thought it was in school. It might just give you the edge over your competitors. Using this data, you need to get your replenishment and inventory levels locked into your software solution. Don’t wait for it to adjust based on historical data. You need to tinker a bit. Every system worth its salt has the option to tweak usage based on current conditions. I remember the inventory guru of the company I grew up in would use the multiplier features to make adjustments up or down depending on current market conditions. Become a student of these powerful tools. Get the system dialed in so that you can be very realistic about the amount of excess inventory you are holding. Make sure that future replenishment decisions are made using an

adjusted usage rate versus the historically calculated one. No need to compound the problem. Now that we know the scope of the problem, we can get down to working on the solution. Good software systems will identify and report your surplus stock. Remember, it is based on the current replenishment parameters, so do your manual repair work first. If your system isn’t giving you many options for identification, I tend to look at a ‘months on hand’ calculation. This comes from looking at your inventory on hand divided by the usage rate per month. I have a simple rule of thumb, anything above 9 months of inventory on hand is something I will question. There may be a valid reason for having it, but I am going to give it a critical eye. Obviously, this is my rule of thumb. Let your conscience, and your market, be your guide. A lot of these same tactics you would use for dead and slow stock liquidations apply, but there might be a few new ones to try. When it comes to vendor returns, most distributors stick to their dead and slow. Successful inventory reduction specialists will add their surplus load to a Return Goods Authorisation (RGA). Be reasonable here, you made the decision to buy it in the first place. Most reasonable suppliers will let you offload some of the problem if you are a customer in good standing. A little ‘humble pie’ goes a long way here. I like some strategic promotions when trying to right-size the inventory. In many cases, the offending item is not a bad seller. You are just a little overstocked. Figure out what your ideal level looks like and blow out the rest. Yes, I mean drop the price and move it for a short period of time. Be careful that this new sales usage is backed out of the replenishment calculation in your software, or you will be right back in the same boat. I know that many of you hate the thought of doing a ‘yard sale’, but don’t overlook the opportunity for a cash grab event. The biggest mistake I see is on the marketing side of the sale. Don’t call it an ‘inventory clearance’ or ‘inventory reduction’ event. This brings in the garage sale kind of customer. Make sure the message is positive. ‘Customer Appreciation Sale’ or ‘Spring Sale’ can be used to drive in the right crowd. Invite your suppliers to participate as well. You probably won’t be wildly successful the first go around, but don’t give up. The ‘home run’ is when customers start to ask when the next event is. The reduction of unproductive inventory is just part of being a distributor. It will always be a part of your operating process, so make a plan and execute. The worst thing you can do is expect to sell your way out of the problem through the normal course of business. Many a failed distributor could have this philosophy written on their tombstone. Good luck and know that I am always here to help.

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MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS

Better tool and equipment tracking with Cloud solutions Here Swiss company Timly focuses on how companies can transform their tool and equipment management through the use of Cloud Asset Tracking – helping to revolutionise inventory management by employing QR technology for instant data recording and access.

ompanies, irrespective of their size, usually have a wide array of assets. At the most basic level these include IT equipment and office furniture, but often extend to small tools, both powered and non-powered equipment, vehicles and heavy machinery. Add to this digital assets, such as contracts, software licences, subscriptions and intellectual property. The broader the scope or larger the size of a company, typically, the greater the number of assets. The challenge lies not in cataloguing these items, but in recording and linking all relevant details – tracking their locations, identifying current users, noting last service dates, scheduling upcoming maintenance, as well as maintaining a log of any reported issues and repair history. Many companies have traditionally relied on spreadsheets for asset tracking, but this method has two main shortcomings – it quickly becomes unwieldy and it’s prone to human error. Consider the challenge of linking physical and digital assets to individuals, offices, sites, and documents, such as maintenance and repair histories. It quickly becomes clear why such complex tasks are unsuitable for managing with spreadsheets. What’s needed is a digital system that allows the seamless integration of these elements, providing a singular repository for all data and information essential to asset management. This is where Cloud-based asset tracking software is revolutionising inventory management – by employing QR technology for instant data recording and access. Companies are now able to use small barcode labels and smartphone cameras for managing equipment data anywhere and anytime. This enables the straightforward allocation of items to staff, recording of any malfunction, and scheduling of maintenance with just a few clicks. With ‘real time’ tracking and data analysis, businesses maintain the overview and insights that are essential for optimising tool utilisation, minimising downtime and reducing operational costs.

Boosting growth to meet increasing customer demand UK-based West Midlands Fasteners, a distributor and stockist of industrial fasteners and fixings, is expanding its growing stock of imported products to both maximise sales channels and meet the ever increasing customer demand. The company recognised a need to switch to an alternative software solution in order to achieve this, one that offered a faster way to produce quotes for customers and to remain ahead of competitors, which is why it chose OGL Software’s Profit4 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

ompetition in the market for super-fast delivery is increasing exponentially thanks to a sharp rise in industrial projects across the UK. As a result, West Midlands Fasteners aims to maximise its sales channels and so has invested in a new range of imported products, hired additional staff to keep on top of increasing demand and also implemented a new ERP system. OGL Software recommended its Profit4 business and stock management software, an ERP system that has been designed to help merchants digitally transform their operations by supporting multi-channel selling. Every facet of the Profit4 software is built around roles and user requirements, with a modern and intuitive user interface built on future-proof technology to manage all core business processes, making it quick and easy to use. Leon Cunnington, sales manager at West Midlands Fasteners Ltd, commented: “Stock control on our previous system, Sage 200, was not as quick or as accurate as needed so, due to the office team being stretched with increasing customer demand, we knew we had to switch from Sage to a more efficient software. OGL Software’s Profit4 has been fantastic as we had extensive training

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on its features and how to use it, but it was so simple to pick up as it is not at all complicated.” Leon added: “Now, using Profit4, we can identify the exact bin location for individual products, which makes life easier. We use it in the warehouse for stock transfers, which are now done in just a few clicks. Using Profit4, we can check whether the stock item requested is available for same day delivery – if that’s what the customer wants – or whether we need to order it in.” In addition to ensuring stock was available for same day delivery if requested, OGL Software offers updates and new features for Profit4 that are based on customer feedback. Leon concluded: “Our customer service is great now, with quotes provided within minutes, which gives us an edge in a fast paced industry. This means there is no need for customers to chase. Using Profit4, we can even send automated acknowledgements to customers, so they know when they are getting what they ordered. There are no separate purchase orders needed, so less mistakes, and we can raise queries and mistakes within orders, which helps us identify where things are going wrong and log how they have been put right.”

PRINZ continues to digitise PRINZ has looked to further digitise its business by introducing a new large interactive digital whiteboard to a central location within its production – providing access to all data and information regarding the production process.

ounded in 1875, PRINZ has achieved its long-term success by creating close relationships with customers and ‘delivering more than promised’. This step in its digitalisation underlines the company’s commitment to constantly evolving and delivering both quality products and services to its customers. Through the new interactive whiteboard, teamwork and communication is improved, as access to drawings and quality documents can be done quickly and easily. In addition, shop f loor meetings between foremen, maintenance engineers, and managing directors, can take place at the heart of PRINZ’s production, on a regular basis. Further boards are planned elsewhere and supervisors will be equipped with tablets. “The new interactive whiteboards provide quick access to data, helping us to say goodbye to paper, and is another step towards optimising our processes,” explains PRINZ. “Digitalisation is a huge topic, which is why we have used ‘digital scouts’ – who inspired the use of the whiteboards and have also had an impact on our document management and the evaluation of data, as well as in the actions of management and in production – helping us be more competitive.” In six workshops, PRINZ has dealt with selected topics together with ‘digital scouts’ from other companies. Within the workshops the inner attitude towards digitalisation was reviewed, along with the evaluation of processes in the company and the collection and visualisation of data. The networking of departments and systems was also discussed, as were funding opportunities. “Experts from research and practitioners from companies accompanied the workshops and other topics were also discussed,” points out PRINZ. “For instance, we are currently dealing more and more with the topic of Artificial Intelligence. This will also be important for us in the near future.” In addition to the steps taken regarding digitalisation, PRINZ has also worked on expanding its product portfolio to include new dimensions – with connecting elements available from 2mm diameter – and in targeting new industries. Plus, the company has added additional manufacturing depth to include small assemblies of ultra high tensile bolts. “We are no longer just a manufacturer of fasteners, we are a specialist and development partner in metal connections – with the ability to offer additional services and application consulting if requested,” highlights PRINZ. www.prinz-h.de

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY FASTENING SOLUTIONS FOR ALL INDUSTRIES

AEROSPACE FEATURE

Now the younger Wooden Wonder By Ian Parker, freelancer, ianparkerwriter@aol.com Aircraft were hugely significant in the Allies’ victory in the Second World War and several types remain close to the hearts of Britons. These include the Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster, but less well known is the De Havilland Mosquito, which outperformed them all. Why? Because it was made mainly of wood.

nitially decried as Freeman’s Folly, after the Air Chief Marshall who defended the design, it later became known as the Wooden Wonder as it flew past every other type in the sky. There are just a few flying examples around the world, but The People’s Mosquito project in the UK is building a new one that is expected to fly as early as 2027 – with the fuselage moulds already complete. Far from being outdated, its structure and manufacture have caught the attention of Airbus, which is contributing to the build, because the techniques are applicable to current aircraft and spacecraft. “Airbus is a strong believer in preserving wider aviation heritage and we are proud to be supporting The People’s Mosquito in this endeavour. For us, the Mosquito is more than a beautiful and iconic aircraft; Airbus has a direct relationship to it – as more than 90 were built at our Broughton factory in Flintshire, UK. That passion and

dedication is reflected today in our skilled workforce – whose talents are focused on building wings for the Airbus commercial aircraft f leet,” explained Jeremy Greaves, vice-president, corporate affairs and strategy, Airbus UK. As the editor of Aerospace Materials magazine in the 1990s, I often looked into how old and new could come together, in terms of the materials and their processing and application. There was a fashion to use the new stuff, but it didn’t always make economic sense. If a new material is 50% better than its predecessor, it’s no good if it costs ten times as much. Engineers often pride themselves on advanced developments. They think they’ve got something completely new, but then a wider view reveals that nature got there millions or sometimes billions of years ago. Composite materials (fibres in a resin) have

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become increasingly popular in aircraft production, in some cases for the whole airframe of carbon, aramid or glass fibre. Wood has been described as nature’s own composite and if different types are put together, they can produce an amazing material combination, particularly for airframes. Since the Wright brothers first flew in 1903, wood has been an important material for aerospace and it continues to be excellent for many applications, with the younger Wooden Wonder proof of that. The aircraft is effectively glued and screwed together, so its fasteners and fixings are part of the reason that it was – and is – a brilliant aircraft. Building a Mosquito also involves many skills outside the aircraft industr y.

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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY A cutaway showing wood and metal components

Furniture makers, cabinet makers, coachbuilders and even coffin makers are being used, with the car industry also playing a vital part 1 . Hence, production spread from the pressed aviation industry to workers who had the availability of time, with skills and abilities to add to the war effort.

Structure

The oval-section fuselage was a frameless monocoque shell built in two vertically separate halves formed over a mahogany or concrete mould – with pressure applied with band clamps. Some of the ½ inch – ¾ inch shell sandwich skins comprised 3/32 inch birch three-ply outers, with 7/16 inch cores of Ecuadorean balsa. In many smaller but vital areas, such as around apertures and attachment zones, stronger timbers, including aircraft quality spruce, replaced the balsa core. The main areas of the sandwich skin were only 0.55 inch (14mm) thick. Together with various forms of wood reinforcement, often of laminated construction, the sandwich skin gave great stiffness and torsional resistance. The separate fuselage halves speeded construction, permitting internal access by personnel working in parallel with others. Work on the separate half-fuselages included installation of control mechanisms and cabling. Screwed inserts in the inner skins that would be under stress in service were reinforced using round shear plates made from a Fabric Bakelite composite. Transverse bulkheads were also compositely built-up with several species of timber, plywood and balsa. Seven vertically halved bulkheads

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were installed within each moulded fuselage shell before the main ‘boxing up’ operation. Bulkhead number seven was especially strongly built, since it carried the fitments and transmitted the aerodynamic loadings for the tailplane and rudder. The fuselage had a large ventral section cut-out, strongly reinforced, that allowed the fuselage to be lowered onto the wing centre-section at a later stage of assembly. For early production aircraft, the structural assembly adhesive was Casein-based. At a later stage, this was replaced by Aerolite, a synthetic urea-formaldehyde type, which was more durable. To provide for the edge joints for the fuselage halves, zones near the outer edges of the shells had their balsa sandwich cores replaced by much stronger inner laminations of birch plywood. For the bonding together of the two halves (boxing up), a longitudinal cut was machined into these edges. The profile of this cut was a form of V-groove. Part of the edge bonding process also included adding further longitudinal plywood lap strips on the outside of the shells. The half bulkheads of each shell were bonded to each other in a similar way. Two laminated wooden clamps were used in the after portion of the fuselage to provide supports during this complex gluing work. The resulting large structural components had to be kept completely still and held correctly until the glue cured. For finishing, a covering of doped madapollam (a fine, plain woven cotton) fabric was stretched tightly over the shell and several coats of red, followed by silver dope, were added – followed by the final camouflage paint. The all-wood wing pairs comprised a single structural unit throughout the wingspan, with no central longitudinal joint. Instead, the spars ran from wingtip to wingtip. There was a single continuous main spar and another continuous rear spar. Because of the combination of dihedral with the forward sweep of the trailing edges of the wings, this rear spar was one of the most complex units to laminate and to finish, by machining after the bonding and curing. It tapered from the wing roots towards the wingtips. Both principal spars were of ply box construction, using in general 0.25 inch plywood webs with laminated spruce flanges, plus a number of additional reinforcements and special details. Spruce and plywood ribs were connected with gusset joints. Some heavy-duty ribs contained pieces of ash and walnut, as well as the special five ply that included veneers laid up at 45 degrees. The upper skin construction was in two layers of 0.25 inch five-ply birch, separated by Douglas fir stringers running in the span-wise direction. The wings were covered with madapollam fabric and doped in a similar manner to the fuselage. The wing was installed into the roots by means of four large attachment points. The engine radiators were fitted in the inner wing, just outboard of the fuselage on either side – giving less drag. The radiators themselves were split into three sections – an oil cooler section outboard, the middle section forming the coolant radiator and the inboard section serving the cabin heater. The wing contained metal-framed and skinned ailerons, but the f laps were made of wood and were hydraulically controlled. The nacelles were mostly wood, although for strength, the engine mounts were all metal, as were the undercarriage parts. Engine mounts of welded steel tube were added, along with simple landing gear oleos filled with rubber blocks. Wood was used to carry only in-plane loads, with metal fittings used for all triaxially loaded components, such as landing gear, engine mounts, control-surface mounting brackets, and the wing-to-fuselage junction. The outer leading edge had to be brought 22 inches (56cm) further forward to accommodate this design. The main tail unit was all wood. The rudder and elevator were aluminium alloy framed and fabric-covered. The total weight of metal castings and forgings used in the aircraft was only 280lb (130kg). 1 https://www.standardmotorclub.org.uk/copy-of-canley-assembly-line-2

Power to the people The People’s Mosquito is a UK-based charity, which plans to put a Mosquito back in the air by working with appointed contractors Aero Vintage Limited, through their Retrotec division. It’s building the UK’s first new Mosquito for over 70 years, designated RL249. In doing so, it’s recreating parts from over 22,000 original De Havilland drawings to ensure the aircraft meets strict CAA airworthiness standards.

nder the expert guidance of Guy Black, Retrotec has established a reputation for delivering some of the most authentic aircraft restorations in the world over the past 30+ years. The business, which is fully accredited by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, offers services including design, parts manufacture and reconstruction of complete aircraft – all delivered by highly experienced engineers. The Retrotec workshops are situated a few miles north of Hastings, East Sussex, where the company employs a small team of dedicated and highly skilled staff. Late last year, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, visited Retrotec and spoke to former ‘Mossie’ pilot 101-year-old Flt Lt George Dunn DFC, LdH. She asked him if it was difficult to fly. He said: “No. The only slight snag with the Mosquito, it would tend to swing on take off.” He said the aircraft was “beautiful, versatile, you had everything – speed, height, you name it, it was there. It was my favourite aircraft. I’ve flown Spitfires and that, but the Mosquito was absolutely out of this world. I can’t believe that the aircraft is being renovated, resurrected and is going to fly again. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll still be here when it is completed”. The Princess Royal said of the rebuild: “The skill sets you had to find to do this are pretty impressive. There’s a lot of boatbuilding techniques here, old skills… and very sensible use of materials.” John Lilley, chairman and managing director of The People’s Mosquito, explains: “Our charity has three pillars – to fly, to educate, to remember. We’re doing it for joy; we’re also doing it for future generations, not only from a heritage point of view, but a British engineering point of view as well.” The project is being funded by public and corporate donations and anyone wishing to help can find out more via the project website: www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk. The charity needs to raise a great deal of money to complete the project and the website details how individuals and companies can assist, so that future generations can wonder at The Wooden Wonder.

The People’s Mosquito latest moulds

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY AEROSPACE FEATURE

Atlas Copco launches drill for aerospace manufacturing Specifically developed to further improve quality and productivity on the aircraft assembly line, whilst also reducing instances of operator injury, Atlas Copco Tools and Industrial Assembly Solutions has introduced an electric drill for the aerospace sector.

ccording to industry research carried out by Atlas Copco, 35% of holes required in airframe construction are drilled using handheld tools, which account for up to 65% of the assembly cost. In addition, the drilling process was found to be the cause of around 85% of quality issues and 80% of lost operator time, due to injuries sustained from legacy tooling. Atlas Copco’s EBB16 cordless drill has been researched and designed to counter these issues, with ergonomics, safety and usability enabling users to drill more identical holes, more accurately and safely. Weighing just over 1kg, the compact sized cordless EBB16 is powered by a lithiumion battery and features a double battery position that enables operators to access tighter locations within the airframe, as well as working with less restriction. Including ten drilling programmes, ranging from 500rpm – 5,500rpm, selected via a user-friendly interface (HMI), the EBB16 replaces the need for ten tools with just one, for a leaner and more cost-efficient assembly line. Selectable programmes ensure the correct cutter speed for specific materials, thereby reducing the risk of drilling oversized holes and a reversible option enables the back-out of drill bits in the

event of a jam. Operator feedback includes a cutter usage indicator and service information via the HMI, whilst WiFi-based tethering can also be provided to prevent tool usage outside a specific assembly area. Available in two models, Standard and Plus, for specific airframe tasks, EBB16 is managed with Atlas Copco’s bespoke ToolsTalk Service 2 software for torque programming and traceability analysis. Carried out by certified technicians, Atlas Copco’s EasyStart installation and user training service is provided, as well as maintenance plans to ensure consistent and accurate drilling performance. Commenting on the introduction of the dedicated aerospace drill, James McAllister, general manager at Atlas Copco Tools and Industrial Assembly Solutions, said: “The human factor is decisive in airframe assembly. Drilling errors can cause major process delays and incur significant costs to rectify. The introduction of Atlas Copco’s latest battery drill, which are specifically designed for use in aerospace manufacturing, aims to address these challenges within an increasingly competitive and quality critical sector. The innovation and development behind EBB16 reflects Atlas Copco’s focus on forging strategic partnerships with aerospace customers in their journey to the ‘Smart Factory’.”

AEROSPACE FEATURE

BUMAX receives fastener order for prototype reusable rocket French spacecraft designer and manufacturer OPUS Aerospace has chosen to use premium screws from Swedish specialist fastener manufacturer BUMAX for its new suborbital rocket and future vehicles designed to send satellites into space.

PUS Aerospace has decided to use BUMAX 88 screws to secure the two domes of a prototype cylindrical fuel tank for the Mesange suborbital rocket. The domes must have high strength screws as they are a critical part of rocket with extremely high-pressure. OPUS Aerospace designs, develops and manufactures economical space launch solutions dedicated to nano-satellites, micro-satellites and mini-satellites, as well as small payloads. The company’s mission is to democratise access to space for as many people as possible and to accelerate space exploration. “We already offer our customers various space systems services and are currently conducting pilot tests for the different parts of our new fully reusable rocket,” explained Safouane Benamer, CEO of Opus Aerospace. “We’re planning a test launch of our Mesange rocket in early 2024, which will pave the way for us to launch sub-orbital payloads of up to 1,000kg and orbital payloads of 250kg. We’ll scale up our offering step-by-step.” Ignacio Amundarain, launcher mechanical engineer at OPUS Aerospace, explains that initial calculations showed that standard

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stainless steel fasteners simply wouldn’t cope with the loads. “We have already tested and validated the design of our fuel tank with BUMAX 88 on the ground – with even more demanding pressurisation tests than we can expect in normal conditions. We are confident that this will ensure the safe operation of our fuel tank.” Crucial properties of BUMAX 88 fasteners are high strength, corrosion resistance, low temperature resistance and reliability. The enhanced properties of the BUMAX 88 are achieved through a combination of unique BUMAX manufacturing processes and the highest quality European steel. OPUS Aerospace has also obtained an excess supply of BUMAX 88 that will be used for other important applications on the prototype rocket, including securely fastening the fuel lines from the fuel tank. “I know how reliable BUMAX are from my previous job of designing satellites,” said Ignacio. “They are also cost-effective compared with other fastener solutions, with similar premium properties, and we are looking forward to continuing our rocket development journey together with BUMAX.”

Lesjöfors gas springs lighten the load Lesjöfors has supplied traction gas springs to Feal Ramps for its iRV loading ramp – a new innovative disability ramp that will provide accessibility solutions to users all over the world.

t is estimated that 131.8 million people use wheelchairs, which is 1.85% of the world’s population – with the number of individuals with mobility access issues only increasing. Feal Ramps has played a central role in developing increasingly user-friendly designs to improve mobility access for its customers, with the newly launched iRV loading ramp taking wheelchair mobility to a whole new level. Daniel Stjernlof, sales manager at Feal, explains: “It has always been our mission to make life easier for wheelchair users. Our ramps are completely manual and work without the reliance on electricity or hydraulics. Our latest design, the iRV, delivers exceptional ease of use because of its lighter handling and the gas springs from Lesjöfors are an essential part of this. Delivering controlled movement, which does the heavy lifting through the load management by the traction gas springs, secures an enhanced level of control for our users. This is where we see a great customer benefit in using gas springs from Lesjöfors.” Feal’s vehicle ramps can be fitted to the back of customers’ cars and vans, offering the wheelchair user greater accessibility to a world beyond the wheelchair. Daniel adds: “We’re so proud of everything Feal represents and has achieved. Partnering with Lesjöfors to deliver a spring solution was an important collaboration for many reasons. It’s

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partnerships like this, where we mutually deliver quality products backed by sustainable values, that delivers a multifaceted relationship that builds benefits for many.” Greg Lehman, product head of Lesjöfors Gas Springs, concluded: “We manufacture millions of gas springs, however, our teams don’t always know for what function. Working with Feal, having the team understand the audience being reached, adds value to the pride of our work. It’s a privilege to partner with such a valued service.”

APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY Agrati and Atotech’s collaborative drive in the EV industry Agrati and Atotech have created a collaborative drive for an innovative test set-up for the conductivity measurement of coatings in bolted joints.

Innovative test set-up for conductivity measurements

he rapid evolution of electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing the need for cutting edge advancements in technology. Among these, the conductivity of bolted joints emerges as a critical factor for both performance and safety, particularly in high voltage applications. To address the growing demands of the EV market, and fill the void in the international standards regarding bolted joints conductivity, a joint team from the Agrati Tech Center and MKS’ Atotech experts has been established. The commitment of the joint venture, and to help face the challenges of the rising demand for EV components, was to design, develop and validate an innovative test set-up for conductivity measurement in bolted joints.

Test set-up design

The design of the test set-up takes a fresh approach, focusing on understanding the impact of coatings, counterpart material and clamping force on conductivity in bolted joints. This advanced method leads the way, providing a deeper understanding to optimise coating solutions tailored to the specific needs of the EV market. The set-up is portable, adopting the four wire Kelvin measurement approach, enabling precise measurements, and provides multiple contact resistance measurements. It also measures conductivity versus clamping force and can change counterpart materials to simulate real applications.

Results and insights

Initial examinations and analyses conducted by means of this test set-up have shown promising results. To date, 62 coating systems have been tested, primarily focusing on electrodeposited systems of various

chemistries. Zinc flake coatings have been also evaluated. Considering the capability of measuring multiple contact resistances, 3,500 pieces of data are available so far. Engaging outcomes have emerged using this set-up, such as the impact of sealer composition on final conductivity performances. Interesting findings were also noted concerning black galvanic coatings and the low conductivity performances of zinc flake systems have been confirmed.

Conclusion

The collaborative efforts of Agrati Tech Center and the MKS’ Atotech Team have revealed valuable insights into the conductivity dynamics of bolted joints, setting the stage to achieve the best cost-effective compromise. Further trials are going on with clients for measurements on different materials like copper and aluminium, followed by conductivity evaluation after corrosion tests and aging.

NORMA supplies joining technology for fuel cell trucks

NORMA Group has won an order to supply various joining solutions for the production of fuel cell drive systems – where the joining components are used in the cooling system for the fuel cell racks, as well as on the electric air compressors. This project, from a major German automotive supplier, is the biggest order for fuel cell vehicles NORMA Group has received so far.

uido Grandi, CEO at NORMA Group, stated: “Hydrogen technology is an important growth area for us. The transformation towards low emission mobility is the major task the automotive industry is facing in this decade. With our profound development experience in the automotive sector, our global production network, and local test laboratories, we can optimally support our customers in the industrialisation of new technologies.” In September 2023 NORMA Group started to deliver the first serial products for installation in trucks of an American manufacturer. Until 2027, a ramp-up of production is planned. More than 170,000 trucks from various manufacturers in the US and China are to be equipped within the next seven years. NORMA Group produces the joining solutions at its plants in Germany, China, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom, and from there delivers them to customer locations in Europe, China and the United States. NORMA Group’s metal clamps and rubber profiled retainers can be used to securely fasten rubber hoses, while quick connectors and hose connectors are suitable for leak-proof connections of plastic pipes. Already in 2018, NORMA Group had started supplying a line system for a fuel cell vehicle to a German car manufacturer. Several projects for hydrogen powered vehicles with different tier customers and OEMs has followed in recent years.

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DELO to expand presence in medical electronics DELO Industrial Adhesives has begun its foray into medical electronics applications, with the company planning to apply its advanced adhesives, miniaturisation, and raw materials expertise, to the development of medical technologies.

German-based, globally present adhesives manufacturer, DELO plans initially to focus on glucose monitoring patches, biosensors, and microfluidics, as well as in producing new medical grade adhesives for future customers’ specific applications and requirements. The medical electronics industry is a rapidly evolving sector, with new and innovative ways to give patients state of the art care to stay on top of their health. Wearable electronics have particularly become a stronghold in this sector, with smart watches coming with integrated health focused capabilities, such as heart rate monitoring, step counting and fall detection. These features and much more demonstrate how medical and consumer electronics industries have begun to merge. As a leading manufacturer of bonding materials, DELO has long partnered with some of the largest companies in the semiconductor and consumer electronics industries. With its stronger focus on medical electronics, the company sees a new opportunity to help customers forge innovations – as it has in other sectors. One such innovation is lab-on-chip technology, which uses semiconductors to detect and monitor the development of diseases. DELO will be able to contribute here with its extensive knowledge in optoelectronics and miniaturisation. “We not only have cutting-edge adhesives with a sharply increasing number of medical certifications for non-cytotoxic products,” said Dr Karl Bitzer, managing director at DELO. “For our future customers, we will also release more specialised medical grade products and, more importantly, bring our semiconductor manufacturing, miniaturisation and equipment expertise to market – enabling and supporting our customers to develop astonishing new products, scaling up production and efficiently mass manufacture them.”

CMY

T: +44 (0)1634 281200 www.jubileeclips.co.uk

PRODUCTS

THE LATEST PRODUCT AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS TORQUE WRENCHES FEATURE

STAHLWILLE: Working safely in live conditions STAHLWILLE has received VDE approval for its MANOSKOP 730 VDE torque wrench in two sizes – making them the only models on the market that can be readjusted without disassembly. The same applies for the approval compliant replacement of the ratchet – without having to carry out a new breakdown test.

TAHLWILLE explains that being able to replace the ratchet in-house without sending the tool out for a new VDE test considerably reduces the effort and costs involved in such testing procedures, as well as making handling the tools in the field much easier.

VDE approval for two versions

Approval was granted for two versions with different measuring ranges and lengths. The MANOSKOP 730R/2.5 VDE has a measuring range from 4Nm to 25Nm and an overall length of 335.5mm. The larger version, the MANOSKOP 730R/5 VDE, is designed for 10Nm to 50Nm with an overall length of 390.5mm. The handle casing of both tools is made of double insulated plastic to enable VDE compliant work at voltages of up to 1,000 volts. The insulation consists of a very slip resistant, glass fibre reinforced polyamide plastic. This is resistant to liquids frequently found in working environments, such as alkaline solutions, fuels and oils – making them ideal for tough usage conditions.

The MANOSKOP 730 VDE is a mechanically setting/ clicking torque wrench. When the set value is reached, a clearly perceptible double stop signal is emitted. As with all tools from this STAHLWILLE series, it is not necessary to reset to ‘0’. Instead of a spring, a low wear trigger system with a switching edge is used. The measuring element is only loaded when it is tightened. The trigger mechanism is not subjected to any further load after triggering, thus reliably preventing damage. There is no switchover function for loosening existing screw connections. This prevents incalculable forces when loosening existing screw connections. Professional features of the MANOSKOP 730 VDE include a square drive with QuickRelease safety lock for reliable locking of the insert tool. Torques can also be set without effort thanks to the QuickSelect quick adjustment. The user simply pulls the adjustment knob and it is set and secure. The double scale with colour-coded display of different units of measurement is also very easy to read and enables precise fine adjustment.

Extensive VDE range

Both torque wrenches are part of an extensive VDE range from STAHLWILLE. Developed with practical everyday use in mind, the selection comprises more than 130 tested VDE products, which feature an ergonomic design, low tolerances and a long service life. The VDE compliant torque wrenches, fine tooth ratchets, combination wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers, are offered individually and in usage oriented sets that are easy to store and transport. In addition to stackable socket set boxes, there are roll cases and a 48 piece VDE tool set in a tool case – especially for applications in the area of electric mobility. The range also includes socket wrench and screwdriver bits, including for TORX® drives and Allen screws. www.stahlwille.com

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TORQUE WRENCHES FEATURE

Wind sector relies on torque technology Renewable energy is the future, with wind power, whether on or offshore, playing an important role – with all signs pointing to growth in the market. At the centre of the sector is ZF Wind Power, a subsidiary of ZF Group, who is among the world’s leading gearbox manufacturers for wind powerplants – with the company partnering with STAHLWILLE for its torque technology needs.

ore than 70 years of experience underpin ZF’s place in this field, with its production and headquarters, located in Lommel, Belgium, one of six production facilities worldwide – producing more than 1,000 high performance gearboxes annually. These are sent to wind powerplant manufacturers for wind turbines with an output of three to six megawatts. Around 800 STAHLWILLE torque wrenches are currently in use by ZF at Lommel, including the MANOSKOP® 730N, MANOSKOP ® 730 Fix, MANOSKOP ® 730D and the MANOSKOP ® 714 – for ts gearbox manufacturing requirements. According to STAHLWILLE, it is the consistent quality of the tools, in combination with their high-level of reliability, that was the deciding factor in their selection. In addition, ZF Wind has invested in one of STAHLWILLE’s motorised perfectControl

calibration systems, which is a software controlled system that guides users through the calibration process – with only approximately 10 minutes required to calibrate a torque wrench. “With some wind turbines standing as high as the famous Cologne Cathedral in Germany, which is 157m tall; blades, today, are 20 times longer than their equivalents of 40 years ago, and gearbox torques, have resultingly, increased by as much as 1,000 times over the same time period,” explains STAHLWILLE. “The gearboxes made by ZF Wind are technical masterpieces and valuable assets. Unsurprisingly, precision, reliability and efficiency in assembly, and quality assurance, are a top priority, which makes the correct choice of tools, particularly torque technology, extremely important.” www.stahlwille.com

Tool solutions for the aviation industry: Torque wrenches in uncompromising quality Individual tool sets and storage solutions Premium quality tools for more than 160 years – Made in Germany Tool Control System for FOD protection www.stahlwille.com

PRODUCTS + TOOLS TORQUE WRENCHES FEATURE

JoltWrench receives patent After announcing the creation of JoltWrench in 2020 – a breaker bar that can transform into a high torque impact wrench – Inventor Mick Carrington has confirmed the JoltWrench has received a full patent.

pproximately five years ago, after the creation of a very crude working prototype of the JoltWrench innovative s p a n n e r, M i c k h a d a n opportunity to prove the concept when he was presented with three seized solid studs on his exhaust front pipes to the manifold on his old Camaro. “I was considering trying to get an oxyacetylene torch into the tight gap between engine and bulkhead, when I tried the JoltWrench prototype and it worked perfectly,” says Mick. The JoltWrench is f undamentally a breaker bar that can be changed into a high torque impact wrench for those having trouble loosening a nut or bolt because they are overtightened or seized due to rust. “The transformation from a breaker bar to a wrench is straight forward, with the user simply removing a ring pull pin – changing the JoltWrench into a vital spanner for those awkward situations, before having to resort to the grinder or burning gear,” explains Mick. “The JoltWrench then provides a quick and easy tightening of a nut or bolt, without the need for overly long, dangerous and often ill-fitting extension bars – making full use of Newtons 2 nd Law of Motion: Force equals mass times by acceleration.” Mick’s initial success with the JoltWrench spurred him on to making a ‘better looking’ prototype, which he then showcased to a UK retailer of car and cycling products and services, which duly led to them offering a contract. “Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic then hit and caused my progress with the JoltWrench to stop in its tracks,” points out Mick. “Instead I used this time to look into finding a way forward, and it appeared that although the UK retailer was a well-known and respected British company, they would only be selling to the UK in their stores – thus cutting out the worldwide sales that I had in my sights. We didn’t agree on the contractual limits laid out, and so I was again looking for a partner willing to help out with manufacture – in order to supply a potential massive customer base.” Mick continues: “I had an article published in Fastener + Fixing Magazine in September 2020 and it caused some interest around the world and I had a Zoom meeting with Mr Black of Blacks Fasteners in New Zealand, who made

...I’m sure it will be a welcome and safer addition to all home mechanics and a useful backup tool for the professionals...” the sage comment that the spanner didn’t look very “sexy”, but he did order 50 items if I had it manufactured in order to try the sales out. I also had interest from Germany, and the USA, but couldn’t follow through with sales because I hadn’t got a manufacturer involved. As most countries were locked down it became impossible to have meetings to demonstrate my spanner and, frustratingly, I could only make appointments to meet after the pandemic.” These hold ups didn’t stop Mick trying to move forward and instead he used the time to make additional prototypes and even managed to get one into a working garage to monitor performance – with the tool working flawlessly for three months. “Although the design I was using was very strong and durable, as I was making it out of

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laminated mild steel – which enabled me to weld it together without the use of expensive machiner y, I couldn’t get any sensible quotations for manufacture in the UK,” highlights Mick. “This made it impractical and expensive to produce myself.” He continues: “When I came up with the original idea I had two versions, both of which achieved the same effect of multiplying torque, and my mind went back to Roger Blacks’ comment about the spanners drab looks. This spurred me on to tr ying to produce a new design prototype that looks professional, as it uses a tube as a base handle – which allowed me to utilise a weight in the end that can also be increased by the removal of an access plug – with the mechanism contained in the other end. I am also working with Derby University to help calculate the torque forces involved, so we can work out what materials to use to best withstand the forces and be safe in operation, etc. This design is simple and uses inexpensive parts, and so I am again seeking a manufacturing partner to help take this newly patented product to market.” Mick concludes: “As this spanner has helped me out with my car restoration and maintenance, as well as proved itself within a working garage, I’m sure it will be a welcome and safer addition to all home mechanics and a useful backup tool for the professionals – as it doesn’t need a battery and can always be on hand, ready to use.” mick.carrington@yahoo.com

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS TORQUE WRENCHES FEATURE

The latest torque technology from HAZET Two flexible torque wrenches with plug-in connections for holding various insertion tools have been introduced by HAZET for rough workshop use. The torque wrench with the insert square of size 9mm x 12mm bears the product number 5290-3CT and is suitable for an application range between 10Nm and 60Nm. For torques between 40Nm and 200Nm, there is 5292-3CT wrench with the 14mm x 18mm insert square.

oth tools are designed for rough workshop use and serve a wide range of applications for controlled screw tightening. The applications in industry and trade are many and varied and, in addition, the wrenches are equally suitable for two wheelers, cars and commercial vehicles – due to the large number of different insert tools. Both wrenches operate with an accuracy of ±3% of the scale value (in actuation direction), with the scale high contrast and easy to read. The laser marking on the scale bush also ensures permanent visibility. Safety is taken into account, on the one hand, palpably by a close gap release and, on the other hand, audibly by a ‘click’ sound. The desired torque value can also be set quickly and easily by turning the handle. Secure locking of the setting values is possible by means of the latching function on the rotary assembly. Lock symbols indicate the respective locking status. The handle also features a lot of grip, which benefits the easier power transmission. Plus, an optimised sealing ring protects against the penetration of foreign bodies. The rotary assembly is also triangular, which prevents uncontrolled rolling away. Finally, small openings provide a practical means of attaching a cable loop. Both torque wrenches are tested according to DIN EN ISO 6789-2:2017 and are supplied with calibration certificate and serial number in a sturdy Hexa plastic box. As with all HAZET torque wrenches of the 5000 and 6000 series, turning back to the smallest scale value, as is still the case with many commercially available wrenches, is no longer necessary.

Extensive complete set

HAZET offers the insert tools suitable for the wrenches as a 29 piece set under the number 6400CD/29. The sturdy case with soft foam insert contains among other things: 6.3 mm = ¼ inch and 12.5 mm = ½ inch insert reversible ratchets, as well as combination and box end wrenches in various widths. All the above mentioned tools have been produced according to high standards with a ‘Made in Germany’ guarantee.

TORQUE WRENCHES FEATURE

Wrench inserts expand range Apex Tool Group’s premier handtool brand, GEARWRENCH, has expanded its Bolt Biter family product line – adding a new product for fastener extraction, Bolt Biter Wrench Inserts, which are designed to access rounded, damaged and rusted bolts in tight, confined spaces.

esigned with innovative features to grip rounded-out, frozen and damaged fasteners, the new bi-directional inserts seat quickly and safely on target fasteners, which can be separated from the inserts easily after use. The slimline inserts not only remove stuck fasteners using traditional wrenches already on hand to a user, but also enable the re-use of specialty fasteners, saving workers time to complete a job. The tapered entry inserts also include minus sizes that combine to allow them to seat easily on any bolt, no matter how rusted or damaged it is, and also feature a magnet on the hex base to hold the insert in place on the wrench. This allows inserts to stay in place while removing or re-using fasteners. Jarrett Wolf, senior product manager at GEARWRENCH, explains: “While conducting research with professional technicians, we heard three consistent pain points – needing a tool to remove rounded and rusted fasteners; a tool to remove fasteners in tight, confined spaces; and one that works with the tools they already have in their toolbox.” He added that the new wrench inserts not only provide more access when used with traditional or ratcheting wrenches, but also sit easily on the fastener without needing to use a hammer or mallet. For versatility, the hex-base design ensures the inserts are able to work with static, ratcheting or open-end wrenches, and high visibility markings not only show SAE and metric sizes, but also the size of wrench corresponding to each insert. The new product sets come in two five piece SAE and Metric sets, as well as a 16 piece and 30 piece SAE/Metric sets.

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

ISO 68-1 – the basics of the metric thread form By Dr Bill Eccles, Bolt Science Ltd

In October 2023 the ISO 68-1 standard, which defines the profile, or shape, of the metric thread, was given its biggest revision in 50 years. This standard is referenced by any metric or unified thread fastener standard.

rior to the release of this latest standard, only the basic thread profile was defined – in which the theoretical profile of the thread is determined by dimensions and angles common to both internal and external threads. This profile is theoretical and forms the basis of the thread before any tolerances or radii are included. The basic profile of a metric thread is shown as the blue line (Figure One).

While the crest contour of internal and external threads is flat, they may be rounded. The ISO inch thread series form (the unified thread) is also defined in the standard ISO 68-2. Originally, the metric and unified design profiles were identical, with the minimum root radius of both threads being 0.108P. In 1975, it was proposed that the minimum root radius for metric threads be increased to 0.125P, except for property classes less than 8.8 – in order to improve the thread’s fatigue performance. Accordingly, the design forms of the inch and metric thread differ dependant on the minimum allowable root radius. One change in ISO 68-1 being that, unless specifically defined otherwise, the minimum radii (R1) for the external thread shall be 0.125P – a condition that prior to the revision only applied to property Class 8.8 and higher. Accordingly, this minimum radius now applies to stainless steels and threads made from other alloys. If, for whatever reason, the committee in charge of the specific standard for a particular fastener material decides that they didn’t want the minimum root radii requirement, it needs to be stated in the standard, but no such exclusion requirements exist at present. Hence, the minimum radius requirement currently applies to all metric fasteners.

Figure One The thread is based upon an equilateral triangle of height (H) and the height of the threads are all based upon the H dimension – while longitudinal dimensions are based upon the pitch (P) of the thread. A key feature of the thread is the pitch diameter, the diameter at which the width of the thread and the width of the space between the threads are equal. The change that the latest version introduces into this standard is the design profile, as unlike the basic profile, the design profiles for the internal and external threads are different. For the internal thread the profile is like a basic profile – that is no radii at the thread root are specified as they are flat. For external threads, the root contour of the thread is rounded. Two types of rounding are defined in the standard – a fully rounded and a partially rounded root – which are illustrated in Figure Two. Figure Two

The root radii are a proportion of the thread pitch (P). For the fully rounded root, radii (R) are 0.144P, and for the partially rounded root, the minimum radii (R1) is 0.125P. The rounding of the root improves both fatigue strength and the life of the tooling used to make the thread.

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Figure Three The design profiles of the internal and external threads are shown mated together in Figure Three. With both threads on the design profile, there is no gap between the threads and so practically could not be mated together – due to deviations in the form and pitch that occur in manufacturing processes. To enable the threads to mate together, the design forms require tolerances to be applied so that a gap exists between the threads. Tolerances are also needed so that threads can be economically manufactured. Such a tolerance system for metric threads is defined in the ISO 965 series of standards. www.boltscience.com

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PRODUCTS + TOOLS STAINLESS STEEL FASTENERS FEATURE

The benefits of 420 chrome stainless steel coiled spring pins By Michael Pasko, application engineer, SPIROL Connecticut

Invented by SPIROL in 1948, coiled spring pins are used in many industries – including automotive, medical, heavy equipment, military, aerospace and consumer products. In applications requiring a combination of high strength, superior fatigue life, and corrosion resistance, 420 martensitic chrome stainless steel offers a host of technical benefits and provides an overall robust cost-effective solution. Strength

SPIROL’s 420 stainless steel coiled spring pins are hardened to values approximating their high carbon steel equivalents and share the same minimum rated shear strength. This process also develops desired spring properties and fatigue resistance. Chrome stainless steel coiled pins also offer good corrosion protection against most common atmospheric and environmental conditions – without the risk of rapid work hardening associated with 302/304 austenitic stainless steel. In most cases, 420 chrome stainless steel coiled spring pins may be used as drop in replacements for high carbon steel pins, assuming galvanic potential has been considered relative to the host material.

Corrosion resistance

When corrosion resistant spring pins are required, there are two common options – carbon steel with a sacrificial protective plating or coating and stainless steel alloys that are inherently corrosion resistant. Whilst platings and coatings provide excellent performance they are consumed over time, whereas stainless steel provides a lifetime of protection (Figure One) – providing free oxygen is available in the environment (free oxygen allows the fastener’s protective chromium oxide layer to reform if damaged). For plated and coated parts, once the plating or coating is depleted, the carbon steel is left unprotected and rapidly corrodes.

and fatigue resistance must equal or exceed that of high carbon steel. Alternatively, 420 martensitic chrome stainless steel provides an exceptional combination of strength and fatigue resistance – in addition to its inherent corrosion resistance.

Fatigue life

420 chrome stainless steel provides enhanced fatigue life – an important consideration given that coiled spring pins are often intended to function as dynamic elements within many applications. A unique characteristic of coiled assemblies by dampening vibration and shock loading. For the purpose of comparison, coiled pins of the same duty (i.e material thickness) produced from material of equal dimensions, were tested in the three standard materials: MBK: Standard duty, high carbon steel, plain finish. MCK: Standard duty, 420 chrome stainless steel, plain finish. MDK: Standard duty, 300 series austenitic stainless steel, plain finish.

Corrosion progress

Exposure time Stainless steel

Coated steel

Figure One: This graph shows how time impacts the corrosion resistance of coated steel compared with stainless steel 420 martensitic chrome stainless steel provides good corrosion resistance in environments, including but not limited to normal atmosphere and humidity, steam, fresh water, alcohol, ammonia, alkalis, mild acids (excluding carbonic), petroleum products (such as gasoline, oil, crude, etc), as well as mild detergents and sterilising solutions. While 302/304 austenitic stainless steel coiled pins provide excellent corrosion protection, this material is not an appropriate solution when the pin will be subject to dynamic loads or where strength

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Figure Two: Data for comparative purposes only – conditions in this test do not infer performance benchmarks in any application as varied load, host materials, hole size, and shear plane quality/ clearance will impact performance Resultant trend lines (Figure Two) demonstrate 420 chrome stainless steels superiority in fatigue when tested at increasing percentages of assigned minimum double shear strength.

Summary

Coiled spring pins manufactured from 420 chrome stainless steel are an excellent material choice where high strength, moderate corrosion protection and superior fatigue life are critical. Additional benefits to consider include excellent cost/benefit relationship in performance applications; good tensile and creep strength at moderately elevated temperatures; high wear resistance; improved component cleanliness as compared to high carbon steel; reduced potential for mixed product and debris as compared to plated and coated carbon steel product; as well as oxidation and erosion resistance. www.spirol.com

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

New press-in inserts for casting and soft metals The PEM® 300 series stainless steel CastSert™ inserts, a labour saving solution to create strong, durable metal threads for manufacturers working with soft metals and die-cast alloys – has been launched by PEM®, a leading brand of PennEngineering®.

ccording to the company, its new inserts are designed for quick, reliable and cost-effective installations – offering a simple ‘press-in’ technique to transform the fixing durable threads into casted materials. “Unlike helical inserts, which require panel preparation, CastSert™ inserts are installed by simply pressing into an ‘as-cast’, or drilled hole, including with low draft angles,” reports PEM®. Other key features of the new solution, include the inserts being engineered for f lush installation using a flat punch and anvil, whether in blind holes or thru-holes, with this rapid installation method outpacing traditional methods by approximately 80%, according to PEM®. The inserts have a pilot for rapid seating and self-alignment, ensuring

accuracy and reliabilit y, and their symmetric design enables an autofeed capabi lit y – st rea m li n i ng a ny product ion processes. “By using the new inserts substantial cost savings compared to helical inserts or thread tapping methods can be realised.” Jay McKenna, global technical marketing manager at PennEngineering®, reiterated the new inserts’ benefits – creating robust threads in soft metals and die-cast alloys and added: “With their quick and efficient installation process, these inserts provide a significant advantage in terms of both time and cost savings.” www.pemnet.com

HEICO wins industry award Nominated in the category ‘Connection Technology’, HEICO Group recently competed in Vogel Communications Group’s annual awards – with its HEICO-LOCK® combi-washers, for the sustainable securing of bolted joints, being announced as the category winner.

or 8 years, the Vogel Communications Group has been honouring new and innovative product developments in 24 different categories. Companies who take part in the award will face the most demanding jury with their products – the specialists and users in the industry. Over a period of five months, people from the industry were allowed to vote for the nominated products of the nominees. As a manufacturer of bolt locking and pre-tensioning systems, HEICO Group competed in the ‘Connection Technology’ category with its HEICO-LOCK ® combi-washers, which effectively and sustainably secure bolted joints against self-loosening. Based on the wedge locking principle, the two-washer locking system prevents bolts from loosening due to vibrations and dynamic loads. Small tabs on the plastic inner ring of the washers enable them to be easily attached to any conventional bolt and thus prevent washers from slipping off the bolt shaft. This allows the user to pre-assemble bolts and bolt locking devices and thus have both hands free for the correct assembly of the components. A

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significant advantage, particularly in difficult installation situations, this ease of use, and fact that the HEICO-LOCK ® combi-washers can be combined with any type of bolt, also convinced the judges. The celebratory award ceremony, to which the top 3 companies in each category were invited, took place on 7 th December 2023 at the Vogel Convention Center in Würzburg, Germany. The award for the best product development in the category ‘Connection Technology’ was gratefully received by Jan Bernd Heimann, CEO of HEICO Group – who attended the ceremony together with Tobias Grobe, head of sales & marketing and Frank Lutter, head of the R&D department. On accepting the award, Mr Heimann said: “We would like to thank everyone who voted for our HEICO-LOCK ® combi-washers. However, my special thanks go to our employees, who work day after day with a high motivation and a great spirit of innovation to develop and manufacture our products. This award not only recognises an innovation but is also an appreciation of a strong team behind a strong product.” www.heico-group.com

We offer a wide range of top quality tools

PRODUCTS + TOOLS The art of safe cable tie removal Cable m a n agement solut ion s s pec i a l i s t , HellermannTyton, has extended its EVO range of ergonomic cable tie application tools with the launch of its EVO cut, a professional cutting tool for safely removing plastic cable ties from cable assemblies and wiring harnesses.

he EVO cut tool is suitable for removing interior and exterior serrated plastic cable ties of different sizes on both flexible and rigid bundles – preventing risk of cable damage to the insulation of bundled cables that can easily occur when cutting through ties with side cutters or knives. Like the professional EVO cable tie guns, the EVO cut is a lightweight cutting tool that is easy to operate with one hand; a simple squeeze of the lever moves the integrated jaw blades effortlessly through the tie band. The tool’s nose piece centres it on the cable tie and ensures that only the tie strap is sliced, not the underlying cable insulation. Jasmina Prill, tool systems product m a n ager at Hel ler m a n nTy ton, repor t s: “ We developed the EVO cut in response to requests for a safer way of removing plastic cable ties from high value cable assemblies.” She added that using the tool helps the company’s customers ensure the integrity of “electrical and data wiring in their critical systems whenever cable ties need to be removed during maintenance, repair or modification”. The new EVO cut is supplied with three interchangeable nose pieces, wh ich cor respond to a w ide ra nge of

HellermannTyton plastic cable ties of different widths and thicknesses, including: Small nose piece: Maximum tie width 3.6mm; maximum strap thickness 1.2mm. Medium nose piece: Maximum tie width 4.8mm; maximum strap thickness 1.3mm. Large nose piece: Maximum tie width 7.8mm; maximum strap thickness 1.8mm. The two nose pieces not in use can be slotted onto the end of the tool for secure, convenient storage.

Fixi introduces new speed rivets line In 2024 Fixi Group, an Italian company focused on fastening systems and related tools, celebrates its 40th anniversary – with the company already starting the celebrations with the introduction of a new line of speed rivets.

ack in October 2023, during the MOTEK Fair in Stuttgart, Germany, the final piece in the very wide range of fasteners available from Fixi Group was presented to the market – with a new line of speed rivets. This line is available in the most requested diameters of 3.2mm, 4mm, and 4.8mm, with other sizes available upon customer request. The speed rivets can be used in aluminium, steel and stainless steel – with standard or countersunk head and coloured type. The speed rivets technology permits the installation of 50 – 60 rivets in a very short time, using a self-feeding concept – which Fixi points out enables users to gain a 60% – 71% advantage in terms of installation time when compared to standard blind rivets. “As a business we have continued to introduce new lines of products as part of our Fixi philosophy, with this new full range of speed rivets a prime example – together with the necessary tools to install them,” underlines Fixi Group. “The new speed rivets line also completes our wide portfolio, which includes blind rivets, threaded inserts, self-clinching fasteners, fasteners for plastic, wire inserts, inserts for tubes, inserts for stones and solid surfaces, as well as the related tools to install.” Founded in 1984, Fixi Group has grown from an Italian company to become a worldwide leader for industrial solutions and fasteners for sheet metal assembly, with the company using its 40 th anniversary as an opportunity to look to the future with optimism and desire to continue developing and growing together with its customers. www.fixi.it

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Workshop tools for all occasions With the large number of different tools required by professionals, who work in all sectors, users must ensure their tools remain effective, reliable and safe to use for the long-term. That is why GEDORE, a German premium tool specialist, has introduced its new Workshop Selection of tool assortments to meet a wide range of applications and user needs.

EDORE’s new Workshop Selection offers tool assortments together with a corresponding, flexible tool storage system for all specialist areas. It also offers choices for young professionals and trainees, with selections tailored to the particular needs of various trades. For instance, professionals in industry and maintenance will find everything they need in the S 1500 ES-02 module assortment, with 207 different items. The S 1500 ES-03 module assortment has 325 items for specific and varied tasks. The new portfolio also includes matching tool trolleys and mobile workbenches for mobile use and storage, available separately, or in combination with the tool sets. T he 207 piece set cont a i n s a comprehensive range of high-quality tools for the most common maintenance tasks, from

corroded screw extraction, to tools suited for hard to reach installation areas. Also included, combination spanners, double open-ended spanners, open-end wrenches with ratchet rings, as well as reversible ratchets with associated sockets. The range also includes PH 1 and 2 slot and offset screwdrivers, with socket wrench inserts, screwdriver inserts screw looseners, assembly pliers, chisels, a 300g locksmith’s hammer, and measuring accessories, completing the toolset. The 325 piece module includes a wide range of tools for tasks ranging from minor repairs to complex maintenance tasks and contains all the tools in the 207 piece range, as well as VDE sets of pliers and screwdrivers; other screwdriving tools such as a set of open and closed double ring wrenches, offset screwdrivers with and without a T-handle,

a socket wrench set with bits, a set of s w ivel-head w renches, a s wel l a s double-ended and other TX screwdrivers. A number of other items in the set provide additional support for maintenance tasks. For safe storage and mobile use, the tools are housed in ASB plastic modules with GEDORE’s tried and tested 2004 tool trolley and the 1504 mobile workbench. The 2004 tool trolley is available both with eight drawers for the 207 piece range, and with nine drawers for the 325 piece set. The mobile trolley, also with nine large drawers and a storage compartment with a door, is also available for the 325 piece range.

Blind Rivets Aluminium Steel Stainless Steel Wood Screws Stainless Steel(A2/A4) Bi-Metal Self-drilling Screws Stainless Steel (A2/A4) Decking Screws Stainless Steel （A2/A4）

3 STAR RIVETS MANUFACTURE

Tel : + 86-510-83571888 Website: http://www.3starrivet.com Email:sxwx@3starrivet.com

PRODUCTS + TOOLS

A first-class offer by FAR A proud Italian manufacturer, FAR has the ability to produce 100% of its product range at its factory in Bologna, in the north of Italy, with cross competences in manufacturing different technologies under the same roof, including blind rivets, rivetnuts, professional portable tools, tools for assembly lines, as well as semi-automated systems.

AR distributes its technologies to several, and quite different, profiles of clients, such as distributors and dealers, as well as system integrators and end user manufacturers – who often require customised technologies and services. “These services are a key part of FAR’s offer, especially when it comes to prompt answers on technical and commercial matters; a first-class stock management service for the shortest lead times; as well as support with logistics and connections with qualified forwarders; plus, consultancy on all documents for export and support with imports as well,” explains Massimo Generali, owner and managing director at FAR Srl. When it comes to customised fastening technologies the team at FAR can also provide consultancy and cross competences on fasteners, tools, and automated systems, to make sure it covers any client application. To guarantee it can provide this level of service to every customer, FAR invests its time, energy and money in ensuring it keeps up to date with the latest developments, which enables it to anticipate the requirements coming from markets in different parts of the world. “FAR managers regularly visit customers and attend national and international exhibitions to check markets, sectors and main competitors’ innovations,” points out Massimo Generali. “New video communication systems, and new after sales methodologies, have also been implemented over recent years to provide technical assistance and training to technicians in different part of the world. The network of tool

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repair service stations has also been further strengthened to make sure original spare parts and solutions can be submitted to clients. In addition, demonstrations of tools and automations are now facilitated in several markets thanks to local FAR showrooms recently activated in the UK, Poland, the USA, Canada and in Oceania,” mentions Pierluigi Cassani, export sales and marketing director. Massimo Generali adds: “A lot of our focus is also being paid to digitalisation in quality control in production, in automatic warehouses, and the entire logistic area – with the aim to increase traceability, detect faulty products and minimise errors. Increasing care is also paid to the selection of suppliers and to validate the entry of the raw materials and components. In fact, the entire FAR organisation is monitored to increase efficiency and productivity in everyday operation.” Massimo Generali concludes: “‘Made in Italy’ means a lot to us but it mainly means to work responsibly; to serve our clients promptly; to continuously innovate our technologies and increase our productivity; as well as to keep our engineers developing new solutions and ensure we are dedicated to the most promising projects. ‘Made in Italy’ means to focus on a high-quality range of products, respect quality protocols and improve services. It means having passion in all we do, everyday. It also means to renew the Italian tradition in manufacturing technologies and serving clients, which was one of the strongest in the world until the 1990s and is now facing new global challenges and changes.” www.far.bo.it

New hoist rings for die-flipping applications Jergens Inc has recently combined key features of its SP2000™ and Shackle-Lok™ hoist rings and introduced a new secure solution to die-flipping (a standard process of rotating and inverting die plates for cleaning oils and metal chips) as well as for routine maintenance, that helps ensure worker safety and meet required clearances. The new hoist rings come in two versions – standard and Lift-Check™.

pencer Wills, commercial and business director for Europe at Jergens, said that die-flipping “is no small task given that these plates can be very large in size and weigh thousands of kilogrammes”. Of the new rings, he added: “The additional clearance offered with the new design also helps customers in their die-flipping applications where lifting and rotating is restricted due to issues like limited available floor space. As a rule of thumb, for the greatest amount of clearance, lifting is best achieved when going from horizontal to vertical, then back to horizontal orientation”. “One of the design drivers,” Spencer continued, “was to make sure users have chain clearance for things like

S.r.l.

die shoes and external plumbing that mount off the ends. Ensuring zero contact is critical to maintaining the precision and functionality of the die. The side pull design of the new hoist rings has an offset neck and provides 360 degrees of swivel and 180 degrees of pivot, to clear all die components.” Jergen’s new die-flipping hoist rings are available in both empirical and metric dimensions as standard, or L if t- Check™ st yle, featuring a proprietar y hex-head bolt with go/no-go identification. The rings are CE certified, constructed of alloy steel, with a black oxide body and zinc plated, gold shackle. They ’re made in the USA , are magnetic-particle inspected, conform to ASME B30.26 and MIL-STD-209, and feature a 5:1 strength factor.

Manufacturer of B LIND RIVETS, RIVETNUTS an d R IV ET ING TOOLS

FAR s.r.l. - Via Giovanni XXIII, 2 Fraz. Quarto Inferiore - 40057 Granarolo Emilia - Bologna - Italy Ph: +39 - 051 6009591 Fax: +39 - 051 768284 e-mail: ex p o r t @ fa r. b o. i t

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AD INDEX

Standard Listed – you know who’s best! 3 Star Rivet ............................................. 169rest Jiangsu But contact us for all the . . .Yongyi Fastener Co .......... 29 310 Express.............................................. 160 Abbey Clamps..........................................15 Achilles Seibert GmbH........................11 Acton..............................................................61 Advance Spare........................................ 55

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And many more...

Avon Stainless Fasteners Ltd.......172

Joker Industrial Co. Ltd................... 117 Jubliee clips ........................................... 155 KALELİLER CİVATA SANAYİ VE TİCARET.............................................109 Klimas Sp. z o.o...................................... 121 Lederer.................................................. 20, 22 Leonix Fasteners Srl............................111 MARPOSS Monitoring Solutions............................................... 69 Mecavit........................................................ 25 National Machinery.............................51 Ningbo Londex....................................... 23 Nögel Montagetechnik...................... 45 Nord-Lock ................................................174 Norm Civata..............................................19

Bäcker GmbH & Co KG....................... 89

OBER Spa................................................... 57

Beijing Jinzhaobo High Strength Fasteners.......................122

Owlett Jaton.............................................. 17 PennEngineering...............................1, 37

Bendfast.....................................................172

Peter Schroder GmbH........................ 57

Berardi Group...........................................47

pgb Europe NV...................................... 6, 7

Berdan Bolt............................................. 105

Pinstructure.............................................15

BHH Mikrohuta Sp. z.o.o...................71

PREBENA Wilfried Bornemann GmbH & Co. KG................................101

Bi Mirth Corp.......................................... 131 Bossong..................................................... 125 Tel: +44 (0) 117-972 8560 Fax: +44 (0) 117-972 8570 sales@avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk www.avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk Unit 10, Riverside Business Park, St Anne’s, Bristol, BS4 4ED

Jiaxing Kinfast Hardware Co Ltd...........................................109, 161

Bralo...............................................................91 Brighton Best International.......... 73 Brugola OEB Industriale S.p.A..... 75 Bülte GmbH Kunststofferzeugnisse................ 83 CEIA............................................................ 139 Chavesbao.................................................. 21 Colombo Special Fasteners............. 97 Continental Parafusos S.A.............. 95 CZ Fasteners parts co ltd...................61 Dell’Era Ermanno E Figlio Srl........71 Don Quichotte B.V................................ 73 DS Fasteners ........................................... 67 Euromac International Sp. Z o.o....119 EW Menn GmbH & Co. KG............... 59 FAR Srl........................................................ 171 Fastbolt........................................................... 2 Fastener + Fixing Magazine............41 FastFixSearch.com.............................115 FastFixTechnology.com...................163 Fixi Srl...........................................................15 Fong Prean Industrial Co Ltd..... 149 G & B Fissaggi Srl..................................128 Gala Precision Engineering.............33 Growermetal........................................... 113 GWI Werkzeug und Stahl Vertriebs GmbH............................. 139 Hafren Fasteners Ltd.......................... 45 Halfmann Schrauben GmbH..........27 HASPL a.s.................................................119 HEICO Befestigungstechnik GmbH...................................................... 77 Hisener...................................................... 4, 5 I.N.G. Fixations...................................... 117 Index................................................................3 Internationale Eisenwarenmesse...103

Prinz Verbindungselemente GmbH.....................................................147 Proton Fasteners S.L. ........................ 65 R+FK Schulte KG................................... 87 Ray Fu..........................................................101 Recense........................................................ 67 Rexlen Corp.............................................143 RLS............................................................... 139 Rosmil Industrial, S.A...................... 149 RUKO GmbH ........................................... 55 SACMA Limbiate S.p.A....................... 81 Saspi Talleres........................................... 93 Schaefer + Peters GmbH................... 65 Schnorr GmbH........................................ 65 Shanghai Ebseek Exibitions....99, 100 Shanghai Fast-Fix Rivet Corporation..........................167 Sheh Kai.....................................................127 Sipa................................................................. 43 Smith Bullough...................................... 57 Spirol Ind.................................................. 155 Stafa Trading BV................................... 49 STAHLWILLE Eduard Wille GmbH & Co. KG............................... 157 Sunco Industries.................................... 31 Tecfi..............................................................173 Tecnologic 3.............................................. 117 Teknoform............................................... 165 The Insert Company.......................... 153 titibi............................................................... 63 UBK................................................................. 21 Valenta ZT s.r.o....................................... 69 Vertex Precision Industrial.......... 129 Wan Iuan Enterprise Co Ltd..........137 WT WINTECH a.s................................167 Yuyao Alfirste Hardware Co Ltd............................................ 79, 123

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THE ONLY CE-MARKED SECURING WASHERS

The CE marking is everywhere. But it’s only now that you’ll find it on one type of securing washers.

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