Torque Magazine Issue 53 by stagpublications

WE ARE THE PRODUCER OF HIGH QUALITY WOOD SCREWS

www.klimas.com

STRONG FOR GENERATIONS

• Customer Service Driven • Vertically Integrated • Innovative Products • Global Presence

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES Since 1955 ND Industries has specialized in the development of innovative materials and processes which increase the safety and reliability of fastener assemblies. ND serves a global market with divisions across the continental U.S., Taiwan, and licensees around the world. ND’s core business revolves around the application of a wide variety of materials onto fasteners and assemblies to aid in functions such as locking, sealing, masking, lubricating, and noise and vibration dampening. ND also manufactures a line of bottled products under the Vibra-Tite® brand name for MRO and retail use.

From two base products in 1965 to currently over two hundred twenty, ND continues its tradition of cutting edge research and development with the regular introduction of unique materials along with competitive brand offsets.

ELECTROLOC® High strength encapsulated epoxy threadlocker for use in electrical systems where low halogen materials are necessary. Contains small micrometer microcaps which reduce material extrusion on installation.

THERMOSEAL™ A high temperature, high pressure thread sealant which withstands up to 40MPa. Offering thread locking breakaway torques greater than 20Nm and a maximum temperature of 428°F (220°C). Thermoseal is an extremely versatile product for challenging sealing conditions.

THERMOLOC® 1500 ND’s highest temperature chemical threadlocker. Initially performs like a vibration dampening compound. Once temperatures reach 750°F (400°C), a secondary activation begins, causing the fastener to be permanently locked in place. Tested to over 1500°F (850°C).

AUTHORIZED APPLICATOR Did you know that ND is an approved 3M applicator? Further proof why ND should be your one stop shop for pre-applied fasteners.

ND PATCH® HI-TEMP Highest temperature pre-applied nylon threadlocker in the industry. Unlike the competition, ND’s application process requires only 120°C, preventing plating damage. However, once crosslinked, it can withstand temps up to 260°C. Meets MIL-DTL-18240F / QPL-18240.

THREAD ARMOR® GP Prevents galvanic corrosion in assemblies with dissimilar metals, such as aluminum, and steel, by electrically isolating the fastener. Specially bonded to the fastener, ND Galvanic Patch is durable, chemical resistant, and non-conductive.

THREAD ARMOR® VC An advanced anti-galling and lubricating thread coating designed to extend the life of bolts up to 15 times while under intense torque and high friction loads. Helps to ensure consistent clamp load. Works well on stainless steel fasteners.

EPOXY-LOCK® NUTS This pre-applied threadlocker consists of separated epoxy hardener and expoxy resin. Upon fastener installation, the two materials mix and activate. When fully cured, EpoxyLock provides greater breakaway torque than conventional nylon fastener locking devices.

EXPAND-A-LOCK® A unique pre-applied microencapsulated expanding threadlocking & sealing compound. Increases in volume 20-50% on installation, penetrating the gaps in fastener threads typically unﬁlled by conventional threadlockers.

EXPAND-A-SLEEVE™ Extruded ND Mastics are pre-applied to fasteners (threaded or non-threaded), bound for e-cote cycles. Heat from the process causes the material to expand, sealing large leak paths between fastener and assembly.

SEALTEK™ An acrylic-based sealing material which is applied to the underhead of the fastener. SealTek’s robust seal replaces the need for O-rings, gaskets, or sealing washers.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

WE ARE THE PRODUCER PRODUC OF HIGH QUALITY QUAL WOOD SCRE SCREWS

06 NEWS 12 SEMICONDUCTOR SHORTAGE > TORQUE’S BUSINESS BAROMETER LOOKS AT THIS BURNING ISSUE www.klimas.com

STRONG FOR GENERATIONS

Publisher Jerry Ramsdale jerry@torque-expo.com Editor Jonathon Harker jonathon@torque-expo.com Staff Writer Liberty Sheldon libby@torque-expo.com Sales Manager – UK Claire Warman claire@torque-expo.co.uk Sales Manager – International Harry Whyte harry.whyte@torque-expo.com Sales Manager - USA & International Thomas A. Keenan tom@torque-expo.com Circulation Tracy Howell tracy@torque-expo.com Head of Production Luke Wikner luke@torque-expo.com Designers Dan Bennett dan.bennett@torque-expo.com Tina Ries tina@torque-expo.com Victoria Arellano victoria@torque-expo.com

Published by Stag Publications Ltd 18 Alban Park Hatfield Road St Albans Herts AL4 0JJ tel: +44 (0)1727 739160 fax: +44 (0)1727 739169 Email: info@torque-expo.com Web: www.torque-expo.com Disclaimer

Although the utmost care is taken to ensure that information contained herein is accurate and up to date, 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. 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 of Stag Publications Ltd. Proud member of:

16 WOMEN IN FASTENERS > EUROTEC > DARLEEN WAGNER 18 KLIMAS > IN JUST 30 YEARS, THIS FAMILY BUSINESS HAS GROWN INTO A MAJOR FASTENER PRODUCER AND EXPORTER 22 FASTENER DISTRIBUTION SPECIAL > FEATURING EFDA, PGB-EUROPE, REYHER, FISCHER, OWLETT-JATON, ACCU, BULTE, LEDERER AND HOENDERDAAL 40 TERRITORY FOCUS > UK FEATURING BIAFD, SPECTRE, HAFREN, A PERRY, APEX STAINLESS FASTENERS, PDP, GESIPA UK, SPIROL UK, BUFAB UK, SMITH BULLOUGH & MORE 56 FOCUS > NYLON AND PLASTIC FIXINGS AND FASTENERS 60 TERRITORY FOCUS > TAIWAN VIEWS FROM 8+ TAIWAN FASTENER BUSINESSES 74 BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION > HIGH TENSILE AND BOLT ASSEMBLIES 77 APPRENTICE Q&A > GESIPA

GUEST EDITOR Armin Heß Managing Director Sales & Marketing The Fischer Group of Companies

Entire contents copyright © 2021 Stag Publications. 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.

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Jonathon Harker Editor jonathon@torque-expo.com

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THIS MARCH, the image of super cargo ship Ever Given wedged into – and blocking – the Suez Canal was a neat and simple illustration of how supply chains can go wrong. Generating national headlines (and memes), for a while it seemed that everyone was interested in the fate of this container ship, and whether that tiny digger would be able to shift it. When the Ever Given was released after almost a week (though at time of press, the ship and its contents remain impounded in Egypt) the attention of the general public duly moved on, but this faintly bizarre event has heaped further disruption on the supply chain in a year that was already not exactly lacking disruption thank you very much. This magazine has drawn on expert opinion from around the world to dig into these big issues, most of which are set to impact on price and availability. Our pundits also give their best guesses on how the rest of 2021 will turn out (thankfully no one is predicting another prone cargo ship blocking major international shipping routes, but who would bet against it in a year like this?). Wholesalers and importers handle many headwinds that often go unnoticed (until things go wrong), but the silver lining of the Ever Given’s Suez misadventure was that it reminded everyone of the many challenges of international supply chains and those that operate within them... and also that some things are far beyond the control of any single company.

This issue’s Guest editor is

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EVER GIVEN SUEZ BLOCKAGE ILLUSTRATES SUPPLY CHAIN WOES

As part of our commitment to the environment, Torque Magazine is fully recyclable.

H V B O LT S

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Our part in every solution

GUEST EDITOR COMMENT ARMIN HEß, SPOKESMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD FIXING SYSTEMS AND MANAGING DIRECTOR SALES AND MARKETING OF THE FISCHER GROUP OF COMPANIES IS GUEST EDITOR OF THIS ISSUE OF TORQUE MAGAZINE

“OUR COMPANY WILL EMERGE STRONGER FROM THE CRISIS” GIVEN the pandemic, our company is pushing specific topics in order to emerge stronger from the crisis and be a pioneer in the market, looking at developments in fixing technology and in other industries served by our group. We also focus on megatrends over decades. After all, these megatrends also have a medium and long-term impact on our business and can be combined with our own products and services. Megatopics such as digitisation with e-commerce, smart production, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, start-ups, internationalisation and sustainability have long been a reality in our company and are being further advanced. We view our innovations from the customer’s perspective and develop practical solutions. “Focusing on products that are in high demand” – this is the roadmap for developing our product range. Proximity and responsiveness to the market also increase our internationalisation, currently underway with a new production plant for fixing systems in Vietnam, where we founded a new national subsidiary. We already offer a wide range of plastic fixings, steel anchors, chemical fixing systems, embedded fixing solutions such as cast-in elements and much more from a single source. Moreover, we support our customers with our wide range of services for all their fixing projects. By demonstrating our innovative strength and technological competence, we maintain and expand our brand awareness and ensure our continued economic success. This requires new approaches all the time. Why shouldn’t plugs be able to communicate independently about their environment and their behaviour in the building material? The project business offers enormous growth potential. To ensure greater participation in this, we are

Armin Heß Managing Director Sales & Marketing The Fischer Group of Companies www.fischer.group

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gearing our structures and processes, as well as our products and services, to the relevant markets and customers. Integrated planning in conjunction with BIM is an important prerequisite for further increasing our share of sales in the project business. With the help of the Sales & Operations Planning Process (S&OP), we also synchronise market and customer requirements with our production and supplier capacity. We have also combined product management and development in business units to create suitable structures for innovation – to name one example. This networked knowledge allows us to develop new solutions for customers and the market in an even more efficient and targeted manner. Startups that our company establishes or with which it cooperates also support us with short lead times, from the idea to the market launch of new assortments outside our core business. It is our employees who implement change and renewal and drive our company forward. We therefore create conditions allowing individuals to develop their full potential. The fact that we had already put new forms of communication, such as chats and video conferences, high on our list of priorities proved to be a great advantage at the beginning of the corona crisis. This allows us to easily digitise processes and move them to the home office, further increasing our flexibility. Our employees log into the company network, chat and conduct digital meetings. In this context, we have taken precautionary measures to ensure a high level of IT security through virus protection and firewalls to guarantee data protection. All these measures are accompanied by appropriate training programmes for our employees, such as seminars on the subject of “Agile Working”, in order to prepare the company for volatility.

TURN TO PAGE 26 & 67 FOR MORE ON THE FISCHER GROUP

Stanztechnik

www.puehl.de

Products With a high demand of flexibility, reliability and quality, the mid-sized and in fourth generation family-owned and managed company PÜHL, based in Plettenberg (GER), manufactures standard, ISO-, DIN- and special stamping parts for mechanical connections.

STANDARD PARTS Service State-of-the-art manufacturing technology with 20 stamping machines and pressing forces up to 1,000 tons and a substantial warehouse of raw materials and finished products allow a fast production and delivery to competitive conditions.

SPECIAL PARTS Reliability Wholesalers and end users in the sectors of wind energy, steel construction, traffic engineering, railway engineering, agricultural machines and the automotive supplier industry, value the quality and the competitive conditions of the products.

PARTS ACCORDING DRAWING

NEWS News from the distribution industry… www.torque-expo.com

FASTENING EXCELLENCE CENTER JOINS UP SPANISH FASTENING INDUSTRY BUSINESSES

Fastening Excellence Center ‘fastener valley’ brings 18 Spanish fastener businesses together in a single hub

everal Basque‐based fastener businesses have joined forces to create the Fastening Excellence Center (FEX), mirroring similar ‘hub’ initiatives in other sectors. Designed to promote the “transforma‐ tion and competitiveness of the Spanish fastener industry” over the medium to long term, FEX is located in Bergara (Basque Country, Spain). Bergara has a long fastener industry tradition, with fastener manufac‐ turers (bolts, screws, nuts, washers, etc) to suppliers of raw materials, heat treatment and coating services to companies that provide state‐of‐the‐art technology such as machinery and tooling, as well as technical and R&D support. FEX provides specialised support to companies in the fastener industry interested in generating added value in their current product/service portfolio, with a comprehensive product‐tech‐

nology‐market orientation. It clusters 18 companies within the Spanish fastener industry and it is attracting an increasing number of new local and international partners, according to FEX. The main objectives of FEX are to: Promote the transit from a business model based only on manufacturing parts for third parties to a business model based on self‐developed products and services. Anticipate new business opportunities and potential risks based on an exten‐ sive market knowledge and surveillance of the fastener industry with an interna‐ tional scope. Gain market visibility and brand recognition of the Spanish fastener industry worldwide to help associated companies access to new markets. Gain access to speciﬁc technology and innovation services by connecting asso‐

ciated companies with the Basque Network of Science, Technology and Innovation and other Technology Centres around the world. Generate know‐how about fastening systems and their applications. Boost collaboration strategies to take advantage of the synergies between associated companies and promote new business opportunities based on asso‐ ciated product and services. Connect their partners with other industry clusters that represent poten‐ tial customers in strategic market segments such as railway, automotive, aerospace, or green energy, among others by promoting the Spanish fastening industry internationally, detecting new fastening applications and bringing new business opportuni‐ ties to their associated companies. www.fasteningexcellencecenter.com

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News from the distribution industry

PEOPLE NEWS

Dresselhaus expands management team with Markus Schörg

resselhaus grew its management team with Markus Schörg, effective from 1 March 2021. Schörg is responsible for the management and further development of Joseph Dressel‐ haus GmbH & Co. KG together with Thomas Besch. Schörg has 20 years of experience in B2B wholesale for fasteners, including man‐ agement positions at Würth Group and Theo

Bufab CEO & President Jörgen Rosengren to move on

Dickies Workwear axes UK offices

Förch GmbH & Co. KG. In his last position at Theo Förch, Schörg was responsible for and successfully designed the sales and digital transformation of the division he was respon‐ sible for. A spokesperson for Dresselhaus owner Nimbus said: “Both Managing Direc‐ tors combine the pursuit of customer prox‐ imity and the belief in a real value‐added partnership for industry and trade.”

pparel brand Dickies Workwear is set to withdraw from the UK merchant market, closing its UK operation in Somerset, where approximately 280 staff are employed. US parent com‐ pany VF Corporation – also owner of the North Face, Timberland and Vans – started 2020 exploring the divestiture of its occupa‐ tional workwear business, including certain Dickies products. Reports emerged in October 2020 that all roles at the Midsomer Norton, Somerset location were “at risk of redundancy”. Now there has been confirmation – as well as further trade press reports – that Dickies Workwear will shut imminently.

örgen Rosengren, Bufab CEO and President, has given the Board notice that he intends to leave the company after nine years with the group. Leaving for a similar role in a different industry, Rosengren will remain in the role until September 2021 at the latest and work on recruiting a successor has begun. Rosengren’s tenure has seen the Group through a significant period of expansion, including its IPO in 2014 and a doubling of turnover and profit. The Board thanked Rosengren, wished him success in his future endeavours and is now “focusing on con‐ tinued profitable growth while recruiting a new CEO”.

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SEMICONDUCTOR SHORTAGE SQUEEZES AUTOMOTIVE AND POWER TOOLS MARKETS A

global shortage of semiconductors – items increas‐ ingly used in cars, smartphones, video consoles, TVs and other electrical items – is impacting on produc‐ tion lines globally. Nissan’s UK Sunderland car factory temporarily furloughed 750 workers from its Juke and Qashqai production lines earlier this year, with the firm blaming the scarcity of semiconduc‐ tor parts. It’s the latest in a long line of car factories that have reduced production specifically due to the shortage, including US car giant Ford. Automotive groups are thought to be suffering the most from the shortfall, which is being exacerbated by growing demand from a variety of industries. Semiconductor‐hungry 5G‐ready smart‐ phones and a rise in sales of items like home computers and laptops during the numerous Covid‐related lockdowns have further increased demands on the sector. Lockdowns back in early 2020 affected production, which since resuming has been strug‐ gling to keep up.

The semiconductor sector was placed under further pres‐ sure when significant supplier Renesas suffered a fire on 19 March in one of its subsidiaries in Japan, effectively shutting production. The firm estimates the factory will be back to 100% only by the end of May. While mothballed production lines awaiting semiconductors have obvious implications for suppliers of industrial fasteners to the automo‐ tive and electrical sectors, increasingly advanced power tools used by professional end users and DIYers are also expected to be impacted by the paucity of semiconductors. For power tools that use semiconductors as well as batteries using the increasingly in‐demand Li‐ion, shortages look likely to persist in the market. With just a few countries responsible for the world’s supply of semiconductors, added to the growth in demand and also geopolitical risks, the likes of the European Commission have formed plans to double the EU’s share in global production of semiconductors as part of its ‘Digital Decade’.

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SINCE 1973

INTERVIEW WOMEN IN FASTENERS

// The fastening industry is all around us in the world. And therefore, as interesting for women as for any other gender. //

DARLEEN WAGNER

EUROTEC

Darleen Wagner, Head of Marketing at Eurotec, discusses the increase of digitalisation within the industry, and the importance of removing the fear associated with working in a ‘man’s world’ with Torque Magazine…

How did you get into the industry? I originally completed my commercial training in the health sector. I started as a marketing clerk and faced the classic side of marketing. After I took up my part‐ time studies in marketing & digital media in 2018, I applied to Eurotec GmbH as an Online Marketing Manager. Since then, I have helped to drive digitali‐ sation and the need for online innovation in an inher‐ ently conservative industry. I am now the Head of Marketing and deal with complex target group and market analyses in the fastening industry.

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INTERVIEW WOMEN IN FASTENERS

What does your day-to-day job involve? Regarding my job routine, I have to say: There is none. Which I am very happy about. I never know exactly what to expect at the beginning of the day. Of course, I always have a goal in mind for each day. My daily tasks include controlling general traffic on websites and social channels, strategically deriving new marketing measures and evaluating past activities retrospec‐ tively. In addition, I have to work dynamically on projects for digital innovations every day. What are the biggest changes you have seen in the industry and/or the company since you started? At the moment, but also during the upswing when I started at Eurotec, I see digitalisation on the market and the leading motto: Move away from paper and towards monitors. This covers almost every area in the market. Through my area of expertise, I am close to the news from all over the world in the fastening industry. Here I hear and see more digital activities every day: online seminars, trade fairs that are only conducted online, 360‐degree images that showcase products and amaz‐ ing renderings on YouTube that display and visualise complex engineering in modular construction. The exchange of people with each other and the way they work. BIM was a word I heard two years ago at one of the biggest construction trade fairs in Germany, BAU in Munich, and didn't follow up on. Now it follows me and moves the market and with it the marketing budget and activities for the new possibilities.

// We should break away from the stereotype that only men can be interested in screws and wood fasteners. For as dry as this subject area may sound to some, it is more multi-faceted than almost any other. // Can you share some of your career highlights and milestones so far? In 2019, after just one year in the company, I took the big step of presenting Eurotec's new website to the public. In addition to increased user‐friendliness and optimised product presen‐ tation, I have also focused on the added value for customers. We are currently working on this on an ongoing basis. The biggest milestone, which is less of a milestone and more of a journey of miles, was when I slowly but surely built up an internal marketing competence within the company. In the marketing department, which I have been fully in charge of since the middle of last year, I built up separate small depart‐ ments specialising in specific topics in several steps. We have our own social media department, an online area and our own graphic designers. What is your favourite thing about the fastener industry? What I like most about the fastening industry is the variety and changeability of the topics. There is an incredible amount to discover and learn. The field is constantly growing and devel‐ oping with each passing day.

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Eurotec’s CLT system angle is ideally suited for use in solid wood construction.

What do you think needs to be done to encourage more women to get involved in the fastener industry? You have to take away the fear of a “Man’s World”. That the sector can only fall into the hands of men, "since only men work on construction sites". We have to get rid of the false world view that there are jobs that are only for women and, the other way round, jobs that only men can fill. The fastening industry is the perfect example of the opportunities that come with a work‐ place that is filled with prejudice. We should break away from the stereotype that only men can be interested in screws and wood fasteners. For as dry as this subject area may sound to some, it is more multi‐faceted than almost any other. It embraces almost everything in our environment. We live in a building that contains fastening technology. We walk over bridges that deal with loads we have no idea about. The fastening industry is all around us in the world. And therefore, as interesting for women as for any other gender. If we convey this image, the fastening industry becomes attractive to everyone and makes it easier for women to get a foothold in the industry. How does Eurotec bring in new talent from a variety of backgrounds? Do you think this is a challenge for the industry? Eurotec is constantly looking for new employees due to our strong growth. In doing so, we try to acquire internal compe‐ tences to better understand the market and our customers and to be able to further optimise our products. Of course, this is also a big challenge for companies in the industry at the same time. Any final thoughts? When I think about my work in the fastening industry, I feel a lot of excitement and fun in the daily things I experience and participate in. I would love to see more women enjoying this and realising that this is a gender‐neutral field where we can all develop and learn a lot. www.eurotec.team

THINK BIG

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT. Walt Disney

Ĉńƪ ŕō Ý žŕńĭā ŴÝŸƇōĈŸ Ƥĩŕɕ ğŕŸ ŕƣĈŸ ɀȾ ƪĈÝŸžɕ ĩÝž ùĈĈō Ý ńĈÝāĈŸ ĭō ƇĩĈ ƼĈńā ŕğ ùŕńƇž Ýōā žûŸĈƤž ĭō ƇĩĈ UƇÝńĭÝō Ýōā 1ƍŸŕŴĈÝō ŋÝŸŀĈƇɚ {ƍŸ ûÝƇÝńŕġƍĈ ĭōûńƍāĈžɔ āŸƪƤÝńń žûŸĈƤžɕ ûÝŸŴĈōƇŸƪ Ýōā ûĩĭŴùŕÝŸā žûŸĈƤžɕ āŕŋĈ Ýōā ĈƍŸŕ žûŸĈƤžɕ ŋÝûĩĭōĈ žûŸĈƤžɕ žĈńğɫƇÝŴŴĭōġ žûŸĈƤžɕ ûŕōûŸĈƇĈ žûŸĈƤžɕ ùńŕûŀğŸÝŋĈ žûŸĈƤžɕ žĈńğɫāŸĭńńĭōġ žûŸĈƤžɕ žƇÝĭōńĈžž žƇĈĈń žûŸĈƤžɕ ĩĈƩ ńÝġ žûŸĈƤžɕ ōƍƇžɕ ƤÝžĩĈŸžɕ ùŕńƇžɕ ùńĭōā ŸĭƣĈƇžɚ AMBROVIT: YOUR BUSINESS PARTNER FOR FASTENING SYSTEMS

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COVER PROFILE KLIMAS

KLIMAS > STRONG FOR GENERATIONS Family business Klimas has grown into a major manufacturer and exporter of fasteners, accumulating awards, firsts and a client base that spans over 60 countries. Wojciech Klimas, the founder and the president of the company, shares the 30 year story with Torque Magazine…

limas, a Polish manufacturer of fastening technologies, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020. The sizeable company currently has four production plants totalling over 80,000 m² with more than 300 machines for fastener manufacturing. Its products are sold in at least 60 countries around the world. How did a small family company, established in the 1990s, have such a presence on the domestic and European fasten‐ ing technologies market and is a highly recognisable brand among Polish and international contractors? Its strong position on the fastening market has been confirmed by numerous distinctions, awards and titles. The company has been awarded the prestigious title of Construc‐ tion Brand of the Year eight times, year‐after‐year, based on the ranking of construction contractors' opinions. The manu‐ facturer has been also awarded the following titles on numer‐ ous occasions: the Construction Company of the Year,

The producer has over 300 machines for fastener manufacturing

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awarded by Builder magazine, the Construction Industry Creator, awarded by the Polish Chamber of Civil Engineers, the BCC European Medal, Superbrands, as well as the Forbes Diamond ‐ a distinction granted by Forbes business maga‐ zine. These awards confirm the high brand awareness of Klimas brand among the customers, as well as the profes‐ sionalism and strong market position of the company. Wojciech Klimas, the founder and the president of the company, takes up the story… How was the company established and what have been the key milestones of its development? By initiating the production of screws for quick assembly and fasteners for thermal insulation at the end of the 1990s, we started manufacturing new categories of fasteners. Subse‐ quent investments in the development of machinery, the employment of high‐class specialists and cooperation with

manufacturers from various industries, resulted in solu‐ tions that quickly gained recognition among customers. Our products stood out on the market due to their highest quality parameters and they met all required technical standards. In 2005, the company became the first business in Poland from the construction sector to obtain the Euro‐ pean Technical Approval for its products. After opening a second large‐scale production plant with a warehouse in 2010, the company dynamically increased the sales of its products and expanded its prod‐ uct range including: self‐tapping screws for fixing metal roofing tiles (“Farmers”), construction chemicals, frame fasteners (including SFX), carpentry screws and chemical anchors. The Klimas brand fasteners have proven them‐ selves both in refurbishment and assembly works, as well as in single‐family and residential construction. What does the Klimas product offer look like? There is a comprehensive portfolio of fastening tech‐ nologies and also power tool accessories and construc‐ tion chemicals. This means the entire range of products for the construction industry, from joinery, through insulation, roof fastenings, anchoring up to fastenings for timber structures. Our portfolio has evolved over time. In the 1990s we started with standard solutions and today we supply our products to much more tech‐ nically advanced markets, where not only the product but also service support in terms of calculations (e.g. load‐bearing capacity or wind capacity) play an impor‐ tant role. Applications, such as lightweight cladding, flat roofs and anchoring mentioned above require specialist software, which we offer in order to provide our customers with not only a first‐class product, but also a first‐class service.

What are the key industries Klimas reaches? We are well established in the construction industry and our portfolio includes fastening technologies for many industries. We reach both carpenters and roofers with our range for timber structures and the famous “Farmers” for the roofing. We also reach smaller and larger contractor companies operating in the area of thermal efficiency improvement of walls and roofs. Our portfolio of products for mechanical and chemical anchoring also reaches general contractors as well as architects. We supply the fasteners for the manufacture and installation of joinery, renovation of buildings and large‐scale investments, such as shopping malls, office buildings and hotels. Our product range is available in the largest DIY store chains, reaching not only contractors, but also individual customers. What are the core foundations of your business activity? People have always been and will always be the foundation of our company. We are lucky to have great experts and highly qualified management staff. The involvement of the younger generation who participate in the life of the company from an early age, thus ensuring the continuation of the family busi‐ ness, is another highly important element. A well‐prepared team which continuously raises its qualifications is the best recipe for efficient operation and implementation of precisely defined goals. Moreover, the overriding need that every manu‐ facturer must meet is the guarantee of quality. This element has been the flagship goal of our company from the very begin‐ ning. We develop new products in co‐operation with our part‐ ners, since we believe that jointly developed solutions ensure positive long‐term effects. Yet another important element of co‐operation with partners is broader services, such as coun‐ selling and training, technical calculations, availability and timeliness of deliveries, and tests of our products are the basic tools which the company uses on a daily basis.

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COVER PROFILE KLIMAS

From its Polish-base, Klimas is now serving territories outside Europe

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How does being a family business affect the identity and values of the company? The family character with which we identify our company, is not just about image. Family businesses are the major economic strength, both because of their quantity and because they are more capable of surviving in times of crisis than other compa‐ nies. As owners, we have a sense of responsibility towards the generations that created the company and also towards the successors. Being a family business, we are perceived as more reliable, authentic and determined to deliver the best quality goods and services possible. And because we are focused on a multi‐generational business activity, we develop our structures on a long‐term basis. The trust undoubtedly translates into rela‐ tions with business partners, who perceive the company as a reli‐ able and stable manufacturer. Therefore, the family character of the company is reflected in its mission statement: “Strong for generations”, which greatly emphasises the two key parameters that we have set for ourselves: i.e. the family character of the company and the exceptional quality. The business continues to evolve in terms of products, production capacity and also the ways of reaching customers. How do you cope in this area? Since the beginning, the company has focused on the wide distribution of its products, so that every customer, no matter where they come from, could have the opportunity to buy the product range. In order to keep up with technological progress, we decided to launch a new e‐commerce platform. It is a very important stage in the digital transformation of our company. We are aware that widespread access to the internet has changed the traditional shopping model for good, and although this change is gradual in the construction industry, as the leader in the fastenings category we want to be prepared for the needs of the changing market. Thanks to the

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e‐klimas.com platform, customers receive comprehensive information about the extensive Klimas portfolio in real time. On the platform they can also check prices and availability of the product range, and most importantly, they are able to place an order at any time, even from a mobile phone. An important functionality of e‐klimas.com is a search engine with an advanced filtering and sorting function, which allows our customers to rapidly find a specific product. What role do technology and automation play in your factories? Technology and full automation of production processes is already a standard in our factories, which we are constantly improving. Large production spaces are filled with specialist machinery, as a result of which we can increase production capac‐ ity while minimising costs, which directly affects the competitive‐ ness of our products. Due to the fact that hard work is performed by modern technology, our employees are directed to less stren‐ uous activities, working in a peaceful and orderly manner. I would like to emphasise once again how important staff are; we are aware that a tight team is developed on the basis of good working conditions. It is a challenge we face every day, especially in difficult times when we are subject to the course of the pandemic. For many years you have been operating as a major exporter of fastening technologies. Is export your main line of business? We have been exporting since the end of the 1990s; At first to the Eastern European markets, and later to Southern and Western Europe. The most dynamic development of export sales took place in 2014, which resulted in cooperation with counterparts in 40 countries. Today, the Klimas brand reaches more than 60 countries through various models of product distribution, from

Technology and full automation of production processes is already a standard in Klimas factories and are continually being enhanced

// We are aware that widespread access to the internet has changed the traditional shopping model for good. Although this change is gradual in the construction industry, as the leader in the fastenings category we want to be prepared for the needs of the changing market. // the cooperation with trading partners up to the opening of our own sales branches in selected countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France and India. Over the last five to six years we have started to make conscious, strategic decisions about the areas in which we want to develop. We have focused on develop‐ ing on the Southern and the Eastern European markets, and then on the Western European market, while being aware of the coun‐ tries and continents in which there is demand for our product range. Today we can safely say that we are no longer just a Euro‐ pean player on the fastening technology market. In 2019, we established commercial cooperation with partners in Senegal and Australia. It was a bold move for us to set up a sales company in India, but after 15 months of operation we knew that this was the right decision. We have a sales team working for us in India to make sure that our product range reaches major investments. At the same time, the company has established cooperation with a number of trade partners who are also developing the Klimas export brand on the Indian market. At present we are opening our retail outlets in Prague, the Czech Republic and we are also expanding our business in France. While pushing into overseas markets, you are still strongly focused on your own market through CSR activities... I cannot imagine being indifferent to the problems and needs that exist in every society. We are a part of it, and we are fortu‐ nate to be able to take advantage of opportunities to have a direct impact on creating a better world. We try to support local aid organisations and charities, such as the Noble Parcel,

and support Poland‐wide initiatives addressed at various social groups, including vocational school students, people with disabilities, and the poorest families. We donate our prod‐ ucts to build facilities belonging to the Ronald McDonald Foun‐ dation (where families live while their children are in oncology or haematology wards) and funds for the With My Brother’s Eyes Foundation (care facilities for persons with disabilities). Apart from that, like the vast majority of Poles, we financially support The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, which provides hospitals with medical equipment every year. This is a drop in the ocean of needs, but we are glad that our employees are equally involved in such campaigns. Where do you see the company in five years? We are consistently pursuing our strategic goal of becoming the market leader in fastening technologies production not only in Europe, but also all over the world. Therefore, we keep investing in the further expansion of our production facilities. Through these investments, we will not only be able to meet the demand for our products, which is increasing year‐on‐year, but we will also be able to propose new product solutions, which we will soon offer to our business partners. Of course, we have no influence on the economic condition of the global and Polish construction industry, but based on our experience of over 30 years, we are well prepared for various disruptions on the domestic and foreign markets. www.klimas.com

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FASTENER DISTRIBUTION pgb-Europe

pgb-Europe drives ahead with

DIGITISATION AND AUTOMATION It is said that an efficient supply chain can become a sales argument in itself. Fastener and tool specialist pgb-Europe is arming itself for the future with a robotised pallet warehouse and new ERP and WMS system.

“W

e have gained in efficiency, offer an answer to the demand for traceability and optimise our deliv‐ ery times,” explains Logistics Manager Vincent Pennoit. “These are assets that our customers appreciate.” Since 1956, pgb‐Europe (Pennoit‐Grootaert Bolt Trade) has developed from a one‐man business to a reputable interna‐ tional player. The head office in Melle, near Ghent, functions as a logistics centre for the storage and delivery of fasteners and tools. The company’s own production units are located in Poland (anchors) and Vietnam (wood screws). The sales market from Melle is mainly located in Belgium and the surrounding countries. With Frederik and Vincent Pennoit and Johannes Heye, the third generation is active in the company. pgb‐Europe moved to Melle in 1997. Due to the rapid growth of the company, the storage space of 10,000 square metres soon reached its limits. “We then turned to external warehouses,” says Pennoit. “That turned out not to be the ideal solution, as we lost efficiency when grouping our orders.” An initial expansion of the existing facility provided the solution. With an automated miniload picking system, capable of handling 10,000 order lines per day, pgb‐Europe emerged – not for the last time – as a pioneer in its sector. The next phase of expansion was preceded by a software tran‐ sition. “For a long time, we relied on a self‐built AS/400 system, of which we could do very little to change the core,” explains Vincent Pennoit. “It cost us too much effort and time to link product certificates to specific batch numbers. We therefore made the switch from AS/400 to SAP for ERP. Almost simulta‐ neously, we implemented a new WMS system with Dynaman.” Meanwhile, the opportunity presented itself to buy the adja‐ cent company site. This paved the way for a robot‐controlled high bay warehouse of 5,000 metres², with space for an addi‐ tional 13,000 pallet locations. This expansion brought the total to 28,000 pallet locations over the past three years.

Pennoit adds: “The total layout is now split into three major parts. The high bay warehouse acts as a reserve buffer stock. The miniload section centralises single‐box picking and there is a warehouse for manual overload picking. Three AGVs ensure the pallet replenishment between the high bay and overﬂow warehouse. The WMS system estimates the quantities to be picked, so our warehouse employees never run out of stock.” The high bay warehouse and the software implementations improve shipping speed and accuracy. “This is a must, given the high market expectations,” explains the Logistics Manager. “We deliver mainly to retailers, mainly in the professional segment. A fast execution speed is an important objective there. EDI connections now allow our customers to reduce their stocks. On the other hand, our customers expect us to deliver within 24 hours. If an order reaches us before 3pm, we will handle it before 6pm. Depending on the size of the order and the loca‐ tion, we therefore meet the intended market demand.” To estimate this market demand, pgb‐Europe relies on the fore‐ casting module of the SAP package. “It determines on the basis of history and calculated growth factors which goods – and in which quantities – we should order. Thanks to the close cooperation with our production companies in Poland and Vietnam and, of course, our suppliers in the Far East and Europe, appropriate purchasing management ensures a delivery rate of 97%,” says Pennoit. The pgb‐Europe ScanApp ultimately makes the link between logistics and customer service. “Consumers call up technical data sheets with it via their smartphones. The professional user in turn scans the barcode in his warehouse or shop shelf, after which he automatically reaches our order module. All he has to do is click on the number of copies he wants to order.” In recent years, pgb‐Europe has invested heavily in e‐ commerce. Customers can not only track their deliveries, but also keep track of whether their order has been picked or dispatched. www.pgb-europe.com

// The forecasting module of the SAP package determines which goods – and in what quantities – we should order. //

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EXPERTS IN FASTENING SOLUTIONS

BNT-N

Pneumatic riveting tool for insert nuts Professional high performance riveting tool. Ideal for assembly lines. Adaptable to different thicknesses. Quality in setting and ergonomics. High durability and productivity.

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FASTENER DISTRIBUTION Reyher

The green green grass of Hamburg Improving the sustainability of a fastener distribution business can encompass virtually every aspect of operation. Hamburg’s Reyher has recently turned to a clever corrugated cardboard brand which uses locally-grown grass in manufacture…

very year hundreds of thousands of pallets leave REYHER’s logistics centre heading across the whole world – some 70,000 of them have pallet covers to protect the goods. To save on valuable resources, the Hamburg trading company for fasteners and fixing technology now uses GreenCor® corrugated cardboard made with grass paper. The corrugated cardboard from GreenCor is an innovative resource‐conserving development by packaging producer CARTOFLEX, based in Lüneburg, Germany. The special feature of the packaging material is that it consists of around one third grass. The remaining 70% of the corrugated cardboard is made up of recycled material. Reducing energy, water and chemicals in production The production of grass paper differs in practice only a little from conventional paper production. In addition to used paper, grass fibres are pulped with water. Next, water is removed from the suspension and the fibres build a fleece. In contrast to fresh fibre or recycled fibre processes, grass fibre can be produced purely mechanically. This considerably reduces the use of water and energy during the process. The use of chem‐ icals can also be radically reduced. The danger of allergies is removed due to the special production process using both high pressure and high temperatures.

// Thanks to this innovative development we can make an extra contribution towards saving valuable resources. // Locally sourced raw materials The grass used for the pallets required comes from Schleswig‐ Holstein, a region of north Germany, from local farmers and their grass compensation areas. These areas must be created because of increasing soil sealing. The managed grasslands have to be mowed twice a year. Because of the length and strength of the woody grass it is not suitable for animal fodder and so there is no competition with fodder production. “Cartoflex has supplied us reliably with quality high‐value packaging materials for many years,” reports REYHER CEO, Klaus‐Dieter Schmidt. “We are very pleased that thanks to this innovative development we can make an extra contri‐ bution towards saving valuable resources and reducing the use of chemicals.” www.reyher.de

Reyher CEO Klaus-Dieter Schmidt (left) and Matthias Hebrok, Managing Director of CARTOFLEX

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GESIPA® BIRD PRO SERIES

NOW EVEN MORE VERSATILE! GESIPA relies on the Cordless Alliance System!

NEW

The new Bird Pro series takes full advantage of all the beneﬁts of the CAS system and thus offers real added value. Multiple devices – just one battery system! The proven quality of the Bird Pro series combines all the beneﬁts of BLDC technology and the high-quality GESIPA® jaw system with long service life.

Directly from stock!

Extreme surroundings require special quality characteristics of the used material. So, in the offshore sector, but also for bridges and buildings near the sea, reactor construction and chemical industry, the material D6 | 1.4462 DUPLEX is essential, which distinguishes by its strong resistance and belongs to Corrosion Resistance Class (CRC) IV. We are the specialist in high-quality fasteners made from stainless high-grade steel and special materials. We are used to extreme conditions and face the toughest challenges on a daily basis. We never lose sight of our aim to give the customer just what they want. And we always offer that little bit extra. So, why not contact us? We are looking forward to your call.

TOBSTEEL GmbH

Rudolf-Diesel-Straße 8 | D-74613 Öhringen T: +49 7941 6073-0 | info@tobsteel.com | www.tobsteel.com

In the course of the harmonisation of standards the category of Corrosion Resistance Classes (CRC) has been regulated by the Eurocode 3/DIN EN 1993-1-4, annex A. Many European countries are therefore encouraged to consider these newly determined stainless steel grades for the calculation and construction of steel structures. TOBSTEEL is the only stockholder for fasteners who covers all Corrosion Resistance Classes (CRC) I to V according to Eurocode 3 – annex A.

FASTENER DISTRIBUTION fischer

Powerfast II leaps into action Parkour power > fischer has an action-packed marketing push to promote the PowerFast II screw for its distribution partners…

ischer is launching a new campaign for its award‐winning PowerFast II screw this month, centred on an action‐ packed video of a thrilling timber parkour which a trades‐ man successfully masters with the help of the new chipboard screw. By placing the spectacular images on its social media and online channels, fischer is targeting carpenters, joiners, timber construction specialists and other users. The audience is directed to the retail partner who is actively supported by fischer through the point of sale – both online and in‐store. “Our retail partners’ stores and online platforms give us the opportunity to convince customers with innovations such as our PowerFast II on a daily basis,” says Armin Heß, Speaker of the Board of Directors and Managing Director Sales and Marketing at the fischer Group of Companies. “We support our retail partners with attention‐grabbing sales promotions for the digital and physical point of sale, thereby increasing our mutual commercial success.” The video features lively scenes that show how users can achieve top results within a short space of time even under difficult circumstances thanks to the PowerFast II. The premium screw provides high retention forces and is easy to screw in – advantages that are demonstrated in the video, from fastening ladder spokes without any splitting, or neatly coun‐ tersinking protruding screws in narrow tunnels. Its fast bite and short screw‐in time allow the PowerFast II to be screwed in mid‐jump off a trampoline, so says fischer (though we haven’t tried it). Thanks to its wide range of applications, the

screw can also be used to fasten metal handles to the climbing wall. The final scene shows a roof truss being set up in record time. The Power‐Fast II is suitable for any wood on wood, or wood on metal connections and can be used in fischer’s plastic plugs with verified loads. All of the screw’s technical features are compiled in a consistent overall design which won the 2020 German Design Award and a Red Dot 2020. fischer is providing participating retailers with a test station for their stores from April onwards to allow viewers to expe‐ rience the video in person. Each customer can try out the PowerFast II themselves in different wood materials and under various conditions. Retailers will also have a choice of offers available for an atmospheric store design. Whether that be POS screens showing the film, test stations or many addi‐ tional point of sale design features – the sales promotion rounds out the “PowerFast II Experience” that began online. The customer journey starts on fischer’s social media chan‐ nels such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, where the video and its captions are displayed in the respective formats and versions. The audience is directed to a dedicated website with its own campaign landing page through many different touchpoints and channels, which ultimately lead to the retail partner’s online store via Retail Connect. The fixings specialist thereby directs customers who are willing to buy to the retail‐ ers, providing support across every channel. www.fischer.group

// Our retail partners’ stores and online platforms give us the opportunity to convince customers with innovations such as our PowerFast II on a daily basis. //

Don’t try this at home: fischer’s ad campaign features tricksy parkour stunts

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RIVETS, BOLTS, RIVET NUTS, SETTING TOOLS & METAL SCREWS

METAL ASSEMBLING SOLUTIONS 01785 246539

+33 320 329 818

+48 12 357 15 22

+39 051 011 3437

FASTENER DISTRIBUTION Owlett-Jaton

Smoothing out demand spikes

IN EXCEPTIONAL TIMES It’s been quite the 12 months for the fastener supply chain. For those trading between the UK and EU there’s been Brexit to contend with, as well as the small matter of Covid and its gamechanging effects on the supply chain. Torque Magazine speaks with Ian Doherty, CEO of the UK’s largest fixing and fastener wholesaler, Owlett-Jaton, to assess the state of the market… It has been a hugely disrupted 12 months for fastener distribution and beyond. Do you think that it has highlighted the value of wholesalers and importers in the fastener supply chain? For example in terms of maintaining a consistent supply in a highly disruptive period? I think it has. We have the ability to smooth out demand spikes in the broader supply chain, largely because of the levels of stock that we carry. Industry would have struggled without the wholesalers and our ability to hold broad, deep stocks. There were a whole bunch of factors in the last 12 months, many of which you can lay at the door of Covid. You could argue port congestion was largely a Covid creation; It reduced capacity and then we had all this PPE coming in, although we know there were some other factors, including Felixstowe Port implementing a new IT system. There were massive swings in demand last year. After the Prime Minister made his announcement of lockdown on 23 March last year, the UK completely shut down, but by July in our sector we found that demand had largely come back to normal. And then there were people frantically trying to refill supply chains. Undoubtedly, we were able to meet some of that exceptional demand and I like to think we added value. If everyone had been relying on their own stocks then I think it would have been much worse. Any small importers reacting to the lockdown by cancelling orders found it very difficult to refill the supply chain. Product availability seems to be the greatest challenge right now, is that fair to say? Yes, it is. That is very firmly a Covid impact. I don’t think we were unusual in that we spent 24 March looking at strategic scenarios; We questioned how long will this downturn go on? What happens if business only recovers to 80% or 90%? The first lockdown and subsequent lockdowns have been quite different. That first lockdown saw everyone trying to work out how to run a business with this new set of constraints. Construction sites virtually shut, we saw the major national builders’ merchants shut and we saw sales fall off a cliff at the end of March. They recovered. If, on 24 March, we had said things will be back to normal by summer then we would have been advised to have a lie down in a dark room! Orders were cut and people eventually tried to replace them and we were reasonably successful in replacing orders as demand surged. On top of that there are the port congestion issues and these have been running almost eight months. Then we had the shipping issues towards the end of Q4, which are still an issue. We have had many incidents

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of goods waiting for six weeks to be shipped thanks to container availability and shipping availability. Things were improving, and even allowing for the hiatus caused by Lunar New Year we were seeing stock and availabil‐ ity re‐building. Then the Ever Given decided to park sideways in the Suez Canal! This has really thrown a spanner in the works. There is the immediate impact of ships being delayed whilst the Ever Given was freed and the backlog cleared, this then knocks on into port capacity as a surge of boats arrive – more congestion, more delays. At the same time ships return‐ ing to the Far East were also held up, so we are seeing return sailings from the Far East cancelled. We have a great deal of product which has been produced, container availability has improved, but now there is a shipping capacity shortage and with that price increases for freight. Before the Ever Given fiasco I would have said I was reason‐ ably confident that availability would continue to improve and by Q3 might even have returned to normal levels. However, this latest disruption will take many months to work its way out of the system and I now believe we will see availability as a challenge for most of 2021. A lack of HGV drivers has been an issue, but maybe not significant in the grand scheme of things? There is a driver shortage and you need to book transport well in advance. This becomes complex when you get a boat that has changed its schedule and you then have to try and get a driver for the new date… It is all part of the same mix of disruption in the supply chain. That is one factor I lay at the door of Brexit rather than Covid, due largely to reduced drivers from Europe. There was a shortage before and this really hasn’t helped. We finally ‘got Brexit done’. However, the deal was fairly last minute, with much uncertainty until quite recently. Presumably now there is clarity for importers? Not everything is finalised! You said there was a lack of clarity, but we had assumed that we would have third country status, so we prepared for that regarding imports from Europe. A lot of the product we might have been bringing in from Europe wasn’t necessarily manufactured there, so country of origin has been an important consideration. We prepared for full customs declarations and when the deal came out, it was as we thought. We assumed there would be additional administration required and there would be delays and that is very much what we saw. We assumed the worst case and then it came along!

// The challenges the supply chain is seeing are global issues which will resolve themselves. It is about capacity and balance and that big spike caused by Covid, but it will return to normal. //

Owlett-Jaton set up a subsidiary in Ireland to mitigate the possible problems around Brexit for your Irish customers. Has that decision proved worthwhile already, or will it be a longer-term success? We haven’t actually used our Irish subsidiary. We’ve always been focused on making it as easy for our Irish customers to buy from us as it was pre‐Brexit. We found a way where we could offer that level of customer service, which has been a lot of work at our end, but has proven for our customers to be a much simpler answer. Lead times to Ireland are now longer as the extra adminis‐ tration takes time. Historically we could deliver in as little as 24 hours, now it is at least 48 or 72. Beforehand, you could drive a truck up to the border. Now you have to get a pre‐ boarding notification and a whole bunch of administration done before the truck gets to the port. It works, but it adds time and that is slightly frustrating. So, is this another area where wholesalers and importers have stepped in to try and keep things consistent for customers? I can tell you what we are doing, but I am not sure our competi‐ tors have done the same and offered a similar level of service. We wanted to make it simpler for our customers. We are better placed as an organisation to deal with revenue and customs, clearances and declarations than some of our smaller customers who only have half a dozen people and are not really in a position to become full blown importers. Have any of these import tribulations tempted OwlettJaton to look towards UK manufacturing for certain lines? Not really. The first place you get to is cost. We have reviewed European sourcing and UK sourcing and the cost benefit anal‐ ysis just isn’t there. We haven’t ruled it out indefinitely, but the market just won’t bear the prices and the capacity doesn’t exist for a lot of the standard products. That reflects the whole argu‐ ment that is going on in Europe over anti‐dumping. The challenges the supply chain is seeing are global issues which will resolve themselves. It is about capacity and balance and that big spike caused by Covid, but it will return to normal. The supply chain actually had quite a lot of stock in it when the pandemic struck. You have to ask, has there really been a surge in demand from the end user? Or is it people predicting a shortage and trying to get some extra product on the shelf? I think there have been real shortages in things like wood screws, but there isn’t the wood screw manufacturing capacity in the UK to go anywhere close

Ian Doherty, CEO of the UK’s largest fixing and fastener wholesaler, Owlett-Jaton

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FASTENER DISTRIBUTION Owlett-Jaton

filling that gap. Ultimately, for us it is about making the → tosupply chain work. What are some of the biggest challenges your customers, eg merchants, distributors, etc, are facing right now? A number of the challenges are mainly to do with Covid; The first obvious one is running a secure workplace. We see many staff of customers still on furlough, so will that result in a long‐ term change, working longer hours with fewer people? It has been hard for those more reliant on a trade counter or a physical environment to sell. While people are now pretty good in creating Covid‐secure spaces, are people browsing in quite the same way? Our customers have suffered in terms of stock availability, with many running relatively low stocks. Wood screw demand went bananas – you couldn’t get a decking screw at one point in the summer for love nor money. Everyone had decided to get decking. Once again, in hindsight, if you take 8.5 million people and send them on furlough in the sunshine, what are they going to do? Maybe something in their gardens…? I wish I had thought of that in April 2020! You understand that demand in hindsight. Some of those changes in demand profile were pretty challenging for our customers as well. What didn’t materialise but we were concerned about was major credit issues and business failures and that hasn’t happened. I don’t know to what extent people have been reliant on loans or by using up their own resources. We are extremely fortunate as we are a well‐funded business, it hasn’t been a challenge for us. But payment issues were a concern but we haven’t seen them. What’s your view on the current anti-dumping investigation? I’m the Vice Chair of the British & Irish Association of Fastener Distributors (BIAFD) and I sit on some of the EFDA taskforces on this topic because BIAFD is still very engaged with it. We have Irish members and EFDA is a European association, not an EU association, and we have common interests. Back in 2007, when anti‐dumping duty last came in, there was no investment to create capacity, all it did was add cost into the supply chain. I think that would happen again. Ulti‐ mately the capacity does not exist in manufacturing standard fasteners in Europe so we are against it. Even with massive duties on China, I don’t think you are suddenly going to create

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a European manufacturing industry which would make up for that. Last time imports just moved out of China and into other Far East countries. From my point of view, I can’t see that anti‐ dumping duties achieved anything other than add cost to European industry. Can you give us an overview of where you get the majority of your customer orders? For example, do they mostly come over the phone as in the past, or is email or ERP or webshop orders becoming more prevalent? Owlett‐Jaton offers everything from EDI to webshops and more, but there is still an awful lot of phone interaction in the UK and phone orders are still the norm. There has been a history of negotiating prices so some people think they need to phone to get the best deals. In 1990, I was implementing EDI with major grocery customers for Unilever so 30 years on I thought there would be a bit less phone ordering, but we meet our customer needs and that is the way our customers are most comfortable. Are there any other trends in the fastener distribution business that stand out? In the past I’ve talked about consolidation in the marketplace, I think we will still see that. The distributor market in the UK is still pretty fragmented. I thought that Covid might accelerate acquisitions and roll‐ups, but I haven’t really seen that. That might be because it has become more diﬃcult to execute those deals in Covid conditions and maybe we’ll see a surge afterward. I think we will continue to see a trend towards electronic order‐ ing and more system integration. People wondering if someone at their end placing an order is really the right thing to do. I think the industry has proven historically it moves slowly. We are seeing a lot of cost price upwards trends in the Far East. Steel prices, energy prices, shipping costs… all those are feeding through. There is undoubtedly cost pressure coming to the industry. In the Far East, environmental standards are tightening and that feeds through into costs too. Less eﬃcient factories are pushed out and they have to invest to make improvements in factories. So I think the upwards costs trends will continue. www.owlett-jaton.com

THE WORLD OF

INCHFASTENERS

Y E A R S SCHRODER www.schroederschrauben.de

FASTENER DISTRIBUTION Accu

// Now, manufacturers appreciate that speed is key to embracing new opportunities and bringing things to market profitably. //

Accu > THE NEED FOR SPEED Supplier reinvests and launches AccuPro for pacier deliveries to help engineers bring innovations to market more quickly… all while improving sustainability…

ccu, among the UK’s fastest‐growing component suppliers, has reinvested a significant proportion of its 2020 profits into a new logistics system, to help customers bring innovations to market faster. Having increased sales by 60% to £6‐7m during the pandemic, the company is now offering a premier next day delivery service – named AccuPro – for orders made before 7.15pm. Simultaneously, Accu has reassigned its delivery service from DHL to DPD, to improve reliability of delivery and as part of plans to create a more sustainable supply network. Martin Ackroyd, Co‐Founder of Accu, says: “During the pandemic, many manufacturers around the world ‘pivoted’, which led to an exponential increase in innovation. Engineers were able to cut through needless red tape and move much more quickly than they ever had before. “Now, manufacturers appreciate that such speed is key to embracing new opportunities and bringing things to market profitably. Rapid prototyping is therefore crucial to the devel‐ opment process of new products – which is why we’ve invested in our shipping service. We aid manufacturers in bringing new innovations to market quickly. During prototype phases, clients lean on our inventory of 500,000 specialist parts, which can be shipped by the next day, ready to be engineer‐tested.”

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The move from DHL to DPD as a delivery provider was a decision based on customer feedback during the ﬁrst few months of the pandemic. “Having previously dealt with other precision component suppliers that had used DHL, we’d previously been impressed with their service level, which is why we initially trusted them with our customers’ orders,” Ackroyd explains. “But when the pandemic hit, and online orders soared, their network could not keep apace with the surge in demand, which meant that deliveries were not being distributed as fast as we wanted them to be – nor as our customers needed them to be. “Rather than bury our heads in the sand, we did something about it. Our business is built on supporting the productivity and agility of the engineering sector, so we swiftly assessed the options and, following a rigorous process, we chose DPD. Our world‐class service has resumed, and now we are offering a premier next day delivery too for just £30 per year – similar to the model seen in consumer markets. “Choosing DPD also aligns with our aim to be the greenest component supplier in the market – they have the largest all‐ electric ﬂeet of vehicles in the UK.” www.accu.co.uk

FASTENER DISTRIBUTION Bülte

Bülte > Always on the move With fresh innovations to overcome technical challenges and a new website on its way, Bülte continues to push forward in its 65th year of business, while keeping the customer front and centre…

ounded in 1956, Bülte supplies a huge range of plastic & plastometal fasteners all over the world. 2021 is a significant year for the business: “We are cele‐ brating our 65th Anniversary and we are delighted that our customers are loyal to us, we thank them for this. With 65 years of experience, our family business continues to evolve with its third generation as the founder’s granddaughter is working in the Company.” Bülte continues to build on that tradition with innovation (see below) and range expansion – there are now more than 30,000 references available in the Bülte catalogue, covering a wide range of plastic fasteners and fixings, and also protection parts being manufactured in Europe and mostly in Germany. Bülte is committed to being at the forefront of customer focus with a wide choice of materials and colours (RAL colour chart) available, with standards similar to the French and European ISO, NFE and DIN Standards. The production of customised parts is also at the heart of the Bülte offer. There is a particular focus on this service to tailor product according to the customer’s specifications and whatever the manufactur‐ ing process (injection moulding, extrusion, water jet cutting, etc); Bülte produces parts on demand, respecting the financial and technical constraints of its customers, even in small series.

Present in France, the United Kingdom and Germany, Bülte delivers its products all over the world for a wide range of industries, including food processing, furniture, medical and aerospace. With a follow‐up and personalised service, Bülte strongly favours human contact. Before placing an order, design oﬃces and distributors can contact the sales team. Bülte's technical sales staff ensure a rigorous and personalised follow‐up, from the development of a product to its invoicing, with worldwide delivery. Adding quality of service to "made in Europe" reliability, Bülte has a tool that is particularly rele‐ vant for export and adapted to physical distance imposed by the current global health crisis: its online 3D database. It allows engineers and product designers to implement the part they are considering, as early as the design stage, wherever they are located in the world.

// The prodution of customised parts is at the heart of the Bülte offer. // Latest development > aesthetic and functional lacquer The application of a lacquer on a polyamide product is a real challenge. This technically challenging new Bülte innovation meets many aesthetic and functional requirements. This is why Bülte has recently introduced lacquered nylon knobs into its catalogue. In practice, for a knob, it is important to retain the qualities of the plastic (ergonomic and non‐slip grip, vibra‐ tion absorption, resistance to deformation under impact, absence of magnetism and electrical conductivity) while bene‐ fiting from a metallic appearance. Gold, silver or in a bright, shiny colour, a button will be more visible and therefore more practical for the machine operator. In design too, for a piece of furniture, for example, a lacquered clamping tool adds to the elegance of a finish. What 2021 will bring In a spirit of continued evolution, in order to improve access to the catalogue and the understanding of its business, Bülte is renewing its website this year. The aim is to make it an advanced digital communication tool adapted to the technical, social and economic challenges of the modern world. As always, Bülte strives to offer the best know‐how with a focus on quality, flexibility and adaptability, while remaining faithful to its values. www.bulte.com

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FASTENER DISTRIBUTION Lederer

AUTOMATIC SHIPMENT TRACKING Knowing exactly where your shipment is at any given point is becoming ever more important for the supply chain. Lederer has recently implemented a service that will cleverly give its customers up-to-the-minute shipment information at a glance...

tainless steel fasteners specialist Lederer GmbH has announced that it has taken another step towards the digitalization of the company with a new digital ship‐ ment tracking service available to customers. The new component means that Lederer customers will beneﬁt from an automatic shipment notiﬁcation on the day of dispatch plus a tracking link to the logistics partner. All rele‐ vant data is available at a glance. Markus Gebehenne, Head of Marketing/eBusiness, said: “We’ve put a lot of effort into developing and implementing this new service for our customers. We are sure that this offer will benefit everyone and that it will put us ahead in the industry.” After activation, customers receive all relevant data for the order by e‐mail: package type and weight, number of items contained, order and item numbers, item quantities and the shipping agent / deliverer. The tracking link of the respective

logistic partner is also included, so the shipment status of the expected or already completed delivery can be checked live at any time. Lederer customers can also choose between two options: a message sent only to the individual who ordered the items about the items being shipped. Or a message about all shipped items of the company to a freely selectable email address. Lederer GmbH specialises in high‐quality connecting elements made of stainless steel, individual special and draw‐ ing parts as well as eﬃcient C‐parts management. The Ennepetal company has around 200 employees and was founded in 1970 by Rainer Lederer. The family business is run in the second generation by Dr Volker Lederer and annual turnover is around €66 million euros. The company delivers almost 5.5 million parts around the world every day. www.lederer-tracking.com

// We’ve put a lot of effort into developing and implementing this new service for our customers. We are sure that this offer will benefit everyone and that it will put us ahead in the industry. //

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FASTENER DISTRIBUTION worldwidefastenersources.com

Brush up your fastener knowledge by quizzing

ne of the major goals of worldwidefastenersources.com is a comprehensive fastener training programme where the fastener specialist works at his or her own pace and there is no fee. The Fastener Quiz presently has over 950 true/false or multiple choice questions with explanation for each answer. The second part is the most complete and compre‐ hensive Fastener Glossary ever assembled, Torque Magazine is told. One of the strengths of the Glossary is not only fastener terms, but terms from supporting industries such as heat treaters, industrial platers, and the screw machine industry, among others. Both features or Tabs are located on all three of the geograph‐ ical websites (US, Eurasia and Asian) which make up the World‐ wide Fastener Sources.com family. Both tabs are expanded and updated on a constant basis. The material for the fastener quiz comes from the website developer Mike McGuire and his nearly 60 years’ experience in the fastener industry, the Fastener Library of Technical Articles, and numerous suppliers’ product and technical catalogues. Both the Fastener Quiz and the Fastener Glossary used together for the newcomer to the fastener industry, or the veteran are excellent tools for developing further knowledge about fasteners and engineered fastening applications. Mr. McGuire states for the “Student” if you will, work at a comfort‐ able pace, be it 10‐25 questions a day or a week or even a hundred. Use the Glossary for further expanding one’s technical

knowledge and support to understanding some of the answers. McGuire also comments that if one completes the Fastener Quiz and has used the Glossary to better understand the fastener terms, they will have more knowledge about fasteners and engineered fastening applications than a current graduate of a Mechanical Engineering School because they (sadly) do not teach fasteners and fastening in engineering schools.

McGuire believes in being a lifelong learner and it is valuable to attend either the courses offered by Bolt Science in Europe or the Fastener Training Institute in the United States for further fastener technology training. Read the fastener trade magazines for technical articles and suppliers catalogues whenever made available for the latest in new innovative fasteners, he advises. In the future, Worldwide Fastener Sources.com will be intro‐ ducing a fastener slide training programme which will detail approximately 250 different types of fasteners and their most common uses in application.

www.pasvahl.de

n o i l l i s m w 4 e 3 r c s l a Up to i c spe ! k c o t s m o r f y l t c dire PLUGS according to DIN, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 5586, 7604

Fit bolts, plugs, knurled thumb screws, square head bolts, flat headed screws, hexagon set screws, brass screws and specials.

Fon +49 (0) 40 532 852- 0 Fax +49 (0) 40 532 852-52 info@pasvahl.de

FASTENER DISTRIBUTION Hoenderdaal Fasteners

Challenging supply chain obstacles for fastener businesses in Europe

Increased demand for short lead times and Brexit are a few of the more recent challenges tackled by fastener distributors in Europe. Hoenderdaal’s experience, coupled with savvy investments in the likes of inventory management software, have helped the fastening technology importer neutralise obstacles to efficient logistics…

s one of the leading importers of fastening technology in Holland, Hoenderdaal Fasteners BV faces both difficulties and opportunities in the distribution of fasteners every day. Hoenderdaal buys 95% of its products from Asia and distributes a wide range of fasteners throughout the whole of Europe. The expert fastener distributor is also an expert in premium quality wood screw brand Dynaplus®. SMART INVENTORY MANAGEMENT The demand for short delivery times has been increasing over recent years. The stock in shops is minimalised in an attempt to organise the supply chain as optimally as possible. So, the relia‐ bility of the stock level Hoenderdaal in Veenendaal has become more important. To forecast its stock levels, the business imple‐ mented an inventory management software from Slimstock last year, to attain operational excellence. With several containers arriving every week from the nearby port of Rotterdam, it is of utmost importance that the logistic flow runs smoothly and customers can rely on the stock of fasteners in Veenendaal. NO OBSTACLES Brexit is not an obstacle for Hoenderdaal Fasteners whatsoever, the firm tells Torque Magazine. For several years, Hoenderdaal has been exporting to Switzerland, Norway and Iceland and is aware of the rules and obligations of shipping fasteners to

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customers in countries outside the European Union. There is flexibility and custom service possible; Hoenderdaal works intensively together with 15 different workshops to pack and repack products in their own brands and in private label brands from customers. HEAVY WEIGHTED AND LOW-COST The warehouse is over 9,500 metre² and contains space for over 15,000 pallets. Thousands of order lines per day are being picked by order pickers with voice‐picking headsets and a new smart Warehouse Management System. Hoenderdaal ships daily DDP by carriers to other wholesales, hardware shops and DIY‐ customers throughout whole Europe. Fasteners are relatively heavy weighted and low‐cost; so a lot of the product costs are made in the logistics; so it is Hoen‐ derdaal’s biggest goal to pass on products as efficiently as possible in the total supply chain. Hoenderdaal is able to supply Dynaplus screws and a wide range of other fasteners with short delivery times, in the most cost‐efficient way to customers around Europe. “The logistic and the export sales team of Hoenderdaal Fasteners is ready for Europe! Are you ready for Hoenderdaal?” Contact sales@hoenderdaal-fasteners.nl or visit www.hoenderdaal-fasteners.com

FASTENER DISTRIBUTION

Optimas Service Provides Total Workplace Safety and Efficiency

ptimas OE Solutions has introduced a new contact‐ less managed inventory system to its growing line of value‐added services. The manufacturer and distributor of precision‐made fasteners and supply chain solutions said that the ongoing global pandemic has given rise to an increased focus on safety within the workplace and renewed efforts, industry‐wide, to seek out new and improved methods of productivity. The contactless replenishment system, available now from Optimas, and part of the company’s range of manufacturing solutions, aims to meet this demand by offering customers a new way to keep valued team members safe from challenges posed by Covid‐19, whilst dramatically reducing the time and cost required to reorder components. Using a turnkey, fully delivered and installed rack and bin system, coupled with an advanced hand‐held scanner, staff can scan a barcode to consolidate and reorder the parts required. This smart technology also ensures there is no requirement for dedicated on‐site staffing and elimi‐ nates the need for direct contact with the shelved items. Additionally, Optimas can provide all the necessary staff training virtually, covering all aspects of the replenishment process and best practices. “At Optimas we are continually looking to offer the right services at the right time to our customers in an ever‐ changing environment. We are really excited about this latest value‐added service in our programme that facilitates a secure way of providing a managed inventory service whilst keeping the workplace safe,” says Justin Parker, Senior Director, Business Development & Commercial. With many of the company’s fasteners manufactured in the UK, bolstered by an increased onshore stockholding, Optimas have taken the necessary steps to mitigate impor‐ tation delays and offset tariff uncertainty as a result of Brexit, the firm said, adding that continuity of supply safeguards customers from unexpected lead times and additional costs. www.optimas.com

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FASTENER DISTRIBUTION EFDA

VIEWPOINT

AD INVESTIGATION HITS FASTENER INDUSTRY IN TIMES OF EXCEPTIONALLY TURBULENT MARKET CONDITIONS In an already highly disrupted market, the European fastener industry is undergoing an antidumping investigation into fastener imports from China. Writing for Torque Magazine, the European Fastener Distributors Association (EFDA) provides its view on the current inquiry…

he reliable supply of steel fasteners to the European econ‐ omy is indispensable for it to continue to play its role as a successful manufacturer in Europe and on international markets. Whether manufacturers of machines, components, solar systems or furniture: European industry is used to reliably obtain fasteners of the most diverse types at any time and in any place. The same applies to consumers who demand fasteners for do‐it‐yourself purposes. That this all runs smoothly is thanks to the professional support by fastener importers. But they see themselves less and less in a position to satisfy the customers' needs. The reasons are the Corona pandemic, the shipping crisis, raw material issues, exceptional demand, capacity constraints, etc. All this leads to enormous delays in the supply chain and considerable supply bottlenecks. The initiation of the anti‐dumping investigation concerning the import of steel fasteners from the People's Republic of China into the European Union has led to massive uncertainty in the markets. This is because sources on alternative markets are limited. On the one hand, capacities in other countries have been exhausted as US importers switched to them when the Trump administration imposed anti‐dumping duties on imports from China to the US. European Fastener distributors report delivery times of up to ten months or more for goods that are usually avail‐ able within a few months. But on the European domestic market, too, it is impossible to source relevant quantities of standard fasteners as European manufacturers are focused on producing special parts for the automotive industry and other sectors. They have no intention whatsoever of meeting the demand for stan‐ dard parts, simply because it is not worth it. Even between 2009 and 2016, when AD duties were applicable, they showed no ambi‐

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tion to seriously start producing standard parts. Accordingly, they reject delivery requests for standard fasteners. With their request for anti‐dumping measures, the manufac‐ turers are not even concerned with protecting themselves from imports of standard parts from China. Rather, many are buying standard parts from China themselves. The background is rather the weakness of the automotive industry, which has led to declin‐ ing orders in recent years. In order to ensure that the Commis‐ sion does not have to compare apples and oranges in the

// The development of new sources of supply [due to AD] poses a problem. Pandemic restrictions make it impossible to visit new producers and conduct quality audits. // investigation, EFDA therefore advocates a clear distinction between standard and special parts and has submitted proposals to the Commission for an appropriate deﬁnition. Should the European Commission decide to impose anti‐ dumping duties on steel fasteners from PR China, this would have disastrous consequences for the supply of the European economy and consumers. This is because in addition to the already limited capacities, the development of new sources of

HEICO FASTENING SYSTEMS

The best value to secure and tighten bolted joints!

HEICO-LOCK® WEDGE LOCKING SYSTEMS High quality anti-vibration security for the most demanding of bolted joint applications! supply also poses a problem. For example, the pandemic‐ related travel restrictions make it impossible to visit new producers and conduct audits. However, this is indispensable to verify that quality requirements are being met or to ensure that the provider in question is a manufacturer at all. Other‐ wise, there is a risk of becoming a victim of circumvention traps, which neither the importers nor the European Commis‐ sion can want. In view of the difficult procurement situation, however, many importers will be dependent on sourcing from new suppliers in order to be able to serve their customers. The situation is particularly serious against the background that the Commission could already impose provisional duties during the investigation period, which could be the case within a few months. In view of the exceptional circumstances, it is virtually impossible for buyers of standard fasteners from China to prepare for this situation. EFDA is therefore urging the European Commission to refrain from imposing provi‐ sional duties and to communicate this as early as possible to avoid disruption to the supply chain. In a hearing specially convened on this topic, EFDA and more than 70 representa‐ tives of European fastener distribution companies were able to demonstrate to the Commission, with practical examples, the problems that provisional duties alone would cause for securing the supply chain and the security of supply of the European economy. Of course, this specific request for the non‐imposition of provisional measures in no way relativises EFDA's opposition to the imposition of definitive antidumping duties. It merely indicates the Commission's acute need for action. We sincerely hope that the Commission takes seriously the dangers associ‐ ated with antidumping measures and reacts accordingly. In any case, EFDA and its members are determined to do every‐ thing possible to convince them of this.

HEICO-TEC® TENSIONING SYSTEMS The simple, fast and reliable way to tighten large bolted joints!

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FASTENER DISTRIBUTION BIAFD

Freight and steel costs escalate yet again At the beginning of March, BIAFD members were saying “it’s every bit as bad as it was” but, at least, had tentative hopes of gradual improvement in freight costs and availability. That was before the Ever Given blocked the Suez Canal. The horizon for improvement has categorically receded as a result. Meanwhile, inﬂationary pressure on fastener manufacturing material remains relentless.

hile March PMIs provided welcome confirmation of widespread market recovery, they also confirmed the global impact on manufacturing and construction of rising costs driven by supply chain disruption and raw material shortages. As a vital supply chain to UK and Irish manufacturing and construction industries, members of the British & Irish Association of Fastener Distributors are seeing these pressures all too graphically. The blocking of the Suez Canal, despite being resolved remarkably quickly, nevertheless unleashed a new cycle of container freight disruption and cost escalation. As the second quarter opened, BIAFD conducted an exten‐ sive survey of its members, including asking them to identify their highest concerns for the next quarter. Market demand, Covid‐19 issues and the aftermath of Brexit understandably ranked strongly. However, top of the concerns were product availability, product costs and inbound freight issues. In all three cases, 90% of respondents said they were either extremely or very concerned, even before the full implications of the Suez incident were understood. Now, those consequences are abundantly clear. The main Northern European container hubs, including Felixstowe and Southampton, are experiencing a surge of inbound container freight and consequent disruption, as ships released from the Suez arrive. There are anecdotal reports that, to avoid the congestion and get vessels back on schedule sooner, some shipping lines will off‐load UK‐bound containers in Spanish ports, adding up to a month before they are received in the UK. Container schedules are already severely impacted, with virtually no Asia‐Northern Europe capacity available during April and, at least, early May – as sailings are ‘blanked’ because vessels are out of position. The world’s largest shipping line, Maersk, warned there should be no expectation of a quick return to normal services after the Suez blockage, saying its ramifications will disrupt global supply chains for weeks. Maersk expects ‘ripple effects’ at least into the second half of May. Freight experts reckon ‘ripples’ is euphemistic and the timescale optimistic. The escalation of freight rates has resumed – with a vengeance. Rates, which had shown signs of slowly easing, are

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already resurging to mid‐February peak levels. Asia‐Europe spot rates are at least 400% higher than a year ago, and freight contracts are being signed to secure capacity, that guarantees inflated levels for the coming year. With replacement inventory urgently needed to meet buoy‐ ant demand across many sectors, importers are ‘biting the bullet’ and accepting exorbitant rates. However, there is little prospect of improving on arrival dates that extend daily. That would be bad enough, were it not also for long lead times and continuing cost‐ratcheting the metals used to produce fasten‐ ers. Steel wire and bar availability is critical worldwide. Lead times were already stretching beyond 20 weeks and now some fastener factories are declining orders as they are unable to secure wire at any price. Costs for nickel, a major value element in stainless steel fastener, remain 35‐40% higher than a year ago, and other metals’ inflation means there is no sign of stainless steel wire costs abating. BIAFD members have always invested heavily in inventory to smooth out the impact of the inevitable headwinds that beset long‐range importing. However, these are not head‐ winds: if ‘perfect storm’ was not an appropriate expression before, it certainly is now. There are unavoidable realities for fastener consumers in all sectors. Shortages have already materialised, in some cases for high volume sizes of nuts, bolts or screws. The freight cost inflation cannot be absorbed by importers and wholesalers, and is being passed on as substantial price increases, with more inevitably to follow. These really are unprecedented times, says BIAFD, requiring fastener consumers to adapt to the realities. BIAFD members’ priority, as always, is to ensure continuity of supply for compo‐ nents that rarely account for more than one percent of the total cost of a manufactured product or structure, but when absent will stop lines and projects. No buyer exposed to the steel or imported material supply chains can conceivably be unaware of the extraordinary pressures on availability and costs. Now is the time for buyers to work closely with fastener supply part‐ ners, and jointly focus on protecting critical supply continuity. www.biafd.org

TERRITORY FOCUS

NEW RANGES APPEAR WITH SPECTRE Advanced features come as standard on screwdriver bits and holesaws, promises brand…

he Spectre range – currently including Spectre Advanced Multi‐Purpose Wood and Timber Fixing Screws – is expanding with a comprehensive range of holesaws and screwdriver bits. The Spectre range of screwdriver bits includes nut drivers, bit holders and bit sets covering Pozi, Torx and Philips in 25mm and 50mm lengths. The screwdriver bits are manu‐ factured from two stage hardened steel for high strength and durability. The bits are also shock and wear‐proof with precision machined tips – ideal for the rigours of use and accuracy needed on‐site. Holesaws are also now a key part of the range too, ideal for drilling in pipework and cabling installations as well as for cutting wood, plastics, plasterboard, stainless and mild steel. The Bi‐ metal holesaws are easily recognisable thanks to the yellow and black Spectre branding and have a hardened steel teeth for a killer bite and fast, smooth, clean cuts. As with all of the brand’s products, advanced features are included as standard, it says, and these holesaws are no different – they are heat and wear resis‐ tance for a prolonged life. Spectre also offers a selection of quality arbors too. To make life even easier for the trade, Spec‐ tre has also launched a nine‐piece Plumbers’, Electricians’ and a 16‐piece Universal set of holesaws all packaged in a smart aluminium carrying case. More products are being launched by the company and the range is available from builders’ merchants across the UK. www.spectreadvanced.com

Standard Listed - you know who’s best! But contact us for all the rest... • Non-preferred Metrics • Intermediate Sizes • Short and Long Lengths • Slotted Grub Screws • A4/80 Bolts & Socket Caps • 6 Lobe (TX) Drive Screws • All Metal Self-Locking Nuts • Studding Connectors And many more...

Tel: +44 (0) 117 - 972 8560 Fax: +44 (0) 117 - 972 8570 Email: sales@avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk

Online Product Guide: www.avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk Unit 10, Riverside Business Park, St Anne’s, Bristol, BS4 4ED, UK.

TERRITORY FOCUS

SECURE BITS FROM HAFREN

rying to use a security fastener without the right driver bit is about as effective as trying to use a slotted screwdriver on a Phillips screw, but luckily Hafren Fasteners stocks a complete range of specialist security fastener screwdriver bits, ‘L’‐ keys & screw‐ drivers. Hafren also stocks a range of extra‐long bits (stocked in 50mm length), for those hard‐ to‐reach places, as well as a complete range of security driver sockets tools for Kinmar® Permanent, Kinmar® Removable & Scroll™. Screwdrivers transfer force (or torque) to the screw via the screw drive. The shape and size of the screwdriver tip must correspond perfectly to the security screw you are working on or you will find it near impossible to get any engagement. Hafren’s security tooling is preci‐ sion CNC‐machined which ensures a smooth fit and perfect engagement, increasing installation speed and reducing cam out… (and therefore reducing damage to the face/drive of the screw and surrounding area of the installation).

SPECIALIST SECURITY TOOLING Hafren helps customers select the correct security drive for the application through its own security ratings guide, with level‐1 for entry level security and level‐5 being the maximum security available. A 2-Hole Popular aesthetically pleasing drive for any two‐way application (level-1 security) A

B Pin Hex Hexagon socket screws manu‐ factured with an internal pin (level-1 security)

E Tri Head Widely used vandal deterrent fixing (level-2 security)

C 6-Lobe Pin Popular security drive for high torque applications (level-1 security) E

D 5-Lobe pin ‘Give me 5’ (lobes) for improved tamper‐resistance (level-2 security)

F Power6™ Versatile tamper resistant security drive (level-3 security)

G Solok™ This security drive ensures that each and every customer has their own unique ‘one‐of‐a‐kind’ drive socket (level-5 security)

Hafren bits are manufactured to be durable; stocked in industrial grade S2 steel, hard‐ ened to reduce wear‐outs. Precision CNC‐machined ensures a smooth fit and protec‐ tion for both your bit ends as well as your fasteners. Hafren Security Fasteners are only available through approved distributors. To find out more call +44 (0)1686 621 300 or visit... www.hafrenfasteners.com

Have you tried us for...

Specia Specialist i lis i t Security Securit ity Insert Bits Bit its In Stock

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TERRITORY FOCUS

TENZ FROM A. PERRY > “TECHNOLOGY WITHOUT COMPROMISE”

ENZ from Perry has become one of the go‐to wood screws of choice for industry professionals, the company says, with the screws offering “innovative technology without compromise”. Since it launched in the UK last year, A Perry has seen sales soar for the range that has shaken up the wood screw market, it says. The innovative new wood construction screw with the patented Stairs Thread Technology is also now a multiple award‐winning product that users say has been well thought‐ out from bit to tip. With a host of benefits unique to TENZ, the wood screw range actually reduces energy input by 50% which means in turn, it can drive up to twice as many screws with one battery charge. Unlike conventional wood screws, TENZ reduces the friction along the thread making work more efficient. The wood fibres are gently displaced and not drilled or milled which uses less energy force thanks to the oscillating screw.

The end result is also a contributing factor to the success of the range as its effortless screwing also means the screw opti‐ mally bonds with the wood and this tighter bond becomes more secure over time giving life longevity to the construction project or build. With 27 variants in the range with either a Pozi or Torx head, there is a length and diameter of screw for all woodworking jobs that also comes in plastic‐free packaging. The new technology also brings health benefits to the user too as it requires minimal physical effort when screwing the wood. The hardened steel thread ensures maximum output with minimum effort giving welcome relief to the DIYers as well as professionals as fatigue is reduced and the strain on joints is minimised. With arthritis a common ailment for those in construction, TENZ could have a positive impact on those indi‐ viduals who suffer; which in turn reduces time off they would otherwise be forced to take from their job or self‐employment. www.perrytrade.co.uk

Scan the QR code to see TENZ from Perry in action R

Reduces repetitive strain injury

Reduced Energy Input Drive more screws in one full charge

*Minimum Order Value of £500 Full Merchandising Support Available

Higher Performance

Tighter Bond Between Wood and Screw

TERRITORY FOCUS

KEEPING CUSTOMERS SUPPLIED THROUGH CHALLENGING TIMES David Vahter, Managing Director of Apex Stainless Fasteners, sits down with Torque Magazine to discuss the challenges and triumphs experienced whilst leading the company through the Covid-19 pandemic…

pex Stainless Fasteners is one of the UK’s leading specialist sources of stainless‐steel fasteners, having established a worldwide reputation for an extensive and comprehensive product range. The fastener industry has seen challenges present themselves in the form of supply chain issues and increases to raw material prices as a result of the Covid‐19 pandemic and Brexit implica‐ tions. However, Apex has continued to ensure minimal disrup‐ tion to its first‐rate service levels and works to keep its customers happy. David Vahter, Managing Director of Apex Stainless Fasteners, tells Torque Magazine: “2020 was a difficult year for everyone but Apex has faired well. We continued to give our customers supplies in very difficult times. I think the entire trade experi‐ enced a weak period from March to May, but demand picked up significantly after the summer.” Despite challenges brought about by the pandemic and Brexit, Apex had a record breaking fourth quarter of 2020, with the best recorded December ever in the history of the company. Vahter puts the success of the autumn down to a surge in demand on the back of the coronavirus lockdown. “When you’ve had a lockdown like that, and the demand starts picking up again, everyone needs their goods, and that’s exactly what happened. In addition, our quick service and good stock levels come in handy when demand picks up quickly.” The business has also been subject to the many challenges and external factors that are specific to stainless steel, particularly great volatility in raw material prices. “There is no doubt that there have been significant changes to raw material prices, especially from the summer and onwards.

Apex’s extensive stock range covers over 20,000 items in grades A2 and A4 Stainless Steel.

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When there is a surge in demand, material prices tend to go up. Especially when you go from a level where nickel was very low during March‐May,” says Vahter. With popularity of e‐vehicles growing, Torque Magazine asked Apex whether it thought that the increase in nickel being used for the electric car industry, will impact on stainless steel fastener prices also. “Yes definitely,” Vahter replies. “If you compare nickel prices to five years ago, they are at high levels. However, if you look back 10 years, it was at a low level. Nickel is a very volatile metal and it’s difficult to forecast it and to predict what the future prices would be. When nickel prices go up, all stainless‐steel prices will go up. Tesla recently announced the use of alternative batteries using less or little nickel. Also, the Chinese Steel company Tsing‐ tan will start producing a new type of nickel matte for use in car battery productions. These announcements took the edge off the bullish nickel development from the summer with a sudden $3,000 drop in nickel prices at the start of March this year. My guess is that prices will either continue to go up or they will stabilise. I don’t think the cost of goods will decrease.” With sustainability taking centre stage in many conversations globally, the fastener and fixing industry has placed a newfound importance on finding more environmentally friendly options whilst still ensuring quality of products worldwide. Torque Magazine asked Apex how they might be implementing more environmentally friendly practices into everyday use. “I think it is a very important topic. Climate change effects everyone and we have to do our part at Apex. We updated our sustainability policy in January of this year and we revised our targets and brought in new ones. I think we are doing many things well in terms of sustainability and we take them seriously. I think it will be a big challenge, but we like a big challenge and long‐term it means that our targets are aligned with the Paris agreement. That is what we are aiming for over the next five to ten years.” When it comes to the future of Apex, growth is not off the cards for the company. However, as the world still works to navigate itself out of the coronavirus pandemic and manage global supply chain issues, Apex’s priority is to continue to focus on keeping its staff and customers safe. Vahter says: “I would say, your focus should be as a leader to manage through Covid. That is your number one focus. You will have difficulties in the supply chain and difficulties in the human impact of Covid, on your staff and on your customers. So, my main priority is still the same, to lead the company through the Covid pandemic. Hopefully, we are coming to the end of it.” www.apexstainless.com

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TERRITORY FOCUS

PREMIER DIAMOND PRODUCTS HEADS TO BRIGHT NEW LOCATION With turnover doubling in five years, order fulfilment became increasingly challenging for Premier Diamond Products operating over three different locations. Now, in its 30th year of operations, the supplier has moved into new premises…

espite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic, Premier Diamond Products is finally able to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a move to larger, custom‐ designed premises. Founded in 1990, the company rapidly outgrew its original home, and in recent years was operating from three separate locations, limiting stock holdings as new product ranges were introduced. With the company doubling its turnover in five years, but continuing to guarantee same‐day dispatch for orders up to 4pm, the 500‐yard dash between locations also put considerable pressure on order fulfilment. The move to house everything under one roof was first discussed in 2017, but lack of locally available commercial space meant that the first ideal opportunity didn’t appear until 2019. Just as work was progressing, Covid‐19 closed the site, delaying the planned fit‐out and move‐in date of June 2020, with the company eventually getting the keys to an empty shell in July. A Herculean effort by PDP’s own contrac‐ tors saw the fit‐out completed in November, and the company finally moved in during December. Now, the move to a custom‐fit site quadruples PDP’s pallet locations, picking store and dispatch areas, allowing them to hold bigger stocks of existing products and introduce several new product ranges, as well as streamlining the same‐day dispatch service. June 2021 will see PDP launch a range of bonded abrasive products such as metal cutting and grinding discs and zirco‐ nium and ceramic flap discs. These will complement its

Based in Herne Bay, Kent, PDP is expanding its product line-up for tool shops, fixing suppliers and buying groups

Covid was a hitch in PDP’s plan to open its expanded warehouse, which eventually took place at the end of 2020.

already successful range of super‐thin inox cutting discs and coated abrasive products. The popular Site Tuff trade range will grow from Septem‐ ber 2021 onwards, with many new products added, including additional diamond blade specifications, dry diamond cores and accessories, SDS plus and max products and reciprocat‐ ing saw blades. Steve Webb, Operations Director, says: “In many ways, it seems remarkable that we are able to begin 2021 like this, but I think it is testament to 30 years of hard work by all our team. We also recognise how fortunate we are to be operating in an industry which has been able to keep working when compa‐ nies in so many other sectors have struggled or even been forced to close. We’re delighted to be able to expand our prod‐ uct range in order to offer more to our loyal customers.” Based in Herne Bay, Kent, Premier Diamond Products supplies tool shops, online retailers, tool hire companies, industry buying groups, fixings suppliers, building and plumb‐ ing merchants and electrical wholesalers nationwide. It remains a family‐run business. Founded by Terry Webb, sons Steve (Operations Director) and Stuart Webb (Products Direc‐ tor) have since joined the management team. The company has grown to become an approved supplier to national tool hire companies and major industry buying groups NMBS, THS and Troy, as well independent customers. www.premierdiamondproducts.co.uk

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CAVITY FIXINGS • A blind ﬁxing for connection to hollow section, or where access is limited to one side • Eliminates the need for welding or bolting through • CE Marked • Available in zinc, hot dip galvanised and stainless steel • Various different head types available

Tel: 01384 424767 Fax: 01384 424833 Email: SALES@martynprice.co.uk www.martynprice.co.uk

TERRITORY FOCUS

GESIPA UK CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY As Gesipa UK celebrates 50 years in the fastener and fixing industry, Diana Scholefield, Managing Director, gives Torque Magazine a sneak peek into the company’s celebrations…

n 1955, a small company named “GESellschaft für Interna‐ tionale PAtentverwertung” (International Patent Utilization Company) was founded in Germany. The company’s produc‐ tion then went global in 1971, with the Gesipa UK production site being founded alongside a production site in Brazil. Originally starting with just five employees, Gesipa UK has since seen huge growth and moved on from making tools to rivets and threaded fasteners and has this year celebrated its 50th anniversary in the fixing and fastener industry. As a group, Gesipa the division typically has an annual meet‐ ing where all market organisations come together and meet in February. The group had planned to celebrate the anniversary altogether in Keighley. Unfortunately, due to current restrictions surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a pizza party was off the cards and Gesipa had to find a new way to celebrate. Diana Scholefield, Managing Director at Gesipa UK, says: “We had big plans for this year and that was obviously put to bed. We had the international meeting virtually where we had a ‘Gesipa UK through the years’ presentation showing how and where it all started. It was nothing like what we had planned or wanted it to be, but it was a way of celebrating. “Things like this are an achievement and we want to celebrate that milestone with our employees who are part of that, and who drive this business.” To celebrate the 50‐year anniversary, the company also received a sculpture made by a British sculptor which was presented to Scholefield during the meeting with employees. She says: “It is absolutely beautiful, and it is going to go in our recep‐ tion next to our dragon made of fasteners. We absolutely love it.” As many companies have had to navigate through the storm that has been Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic, employee safety and customer satisfaction has been at the forefront of Gesipa’s mind. “Our biggest concern was keeping our employees safe. It was a very uncertain time and like nothing I had ever experienced before. We stopped certain production sections for a short period, and you don’t realise that the machines aren’t running until you hear the silence. It was also a constantly moving landscape but being members of Make UK was very useful as they kept us very up to date with the government schemes and advised. We worked closely with our Supply Chain to ensure that we could supply our customers that were still running. It was a very stressful and uncertain time, but we are all here and healthy.”

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Gesipa UK recieved a sculpture to celebrate the milestone anniversary

// Things like this are an achievement and we want to celebrate that milestone with our employees who are part of that, and who drive this business. // The company plans to spend the next 12 months managing Brexit and the challenges that it will bring. “We need to ensure that we make it as simple as possible for our customers outside of the UK to continue to work with us. We are also continually improving our process and it is great to see the outcomes of these improvements,” says Scholefield. “It has been a huge administrative job that we were not prepared for – not through our own fault but I don’t think anybody knew the impact it was going to have,” she adds. “There is light at the end of the tunnel, and we hope that maybe October time we can bring our employees together and celebrate, but we won’t be bringing people together until we know it’s safe. We hope to continue to grow and who knows where we are going to end up. It’s quite exciting and here’s to the next 50 years!” www.gesipa.co.uk

Rapid Industrial Fasteners Ltd Honest lead-times you can rely on... Say goodbye to ‘should be’ ISO9001-2015 Manufacturer of special Fasteners M1.6 - M100, Componets and Turned parts • Proudly 40 years old, established 28th November 1980 • Can work from your free issue material • . .7 ERH GIVXMǻGEXMSR EZEMPEFPI • T CARD system for complete visability • Shift work for emergency jobs and break down

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Duplex & Super Duplex • Exotic Materials & Alloys Heat Resistant Materials • Stainless Steel • Carbon & Steel Non-Ferrous • Standard Bolting Grades 4.6, 8.8, 10.9, 12.9 Petrochemical grades B7/L7, B7M/L7M, B8M-1, B8M-2, B8-1,B8-2, B8T-1, B8T-2 Rapid Industrial Fasteners Manufacturing Hub 27 Lye Valley Industrial Estate, Stourbridge DY9 8HX Telephone : 0121 501 3903 Email: manufacturing@rapidfast.com www.rapidfast.co.uk

TERRITORY FOCUS

SPIROL > EXPANDING AND GROWING WITH NEW MARKETS AND INNOVATIONS SPIROL has had a base in the UK for six decades. Since then, the business has expanded with branches in new territories and new range developments, including the new Series BP100 Press-N-Lok Pin, designed to permanently retain two plastic components to each other…

PIROL Industries Ltd was firstly introduced to the UK in 1961 as SPIROL Pins Ltd. The company laid its founda‐ tions at Sunbury‐on‐Thames, Middlesex, and it was the first subsidiary of its US parent company to be established outside the States and was involved in the importation of the SPIROL Pin into the European market. So successful was the introduction of the SPIROL Pin, the company moved to Feltham, Middlesex and later a manufactur‐ ing facility was established at Crediton, Devon. In 1976, both sales and manufacturing combined within a single unit at Corby, Northamptonshire, where the company is sited today. Since the move to Corby the company has continued to grow, adding new products to the range of SPIROL Pins and also a European sales and distribution office in Reims, France, servicing the European mainland. SPIROL’s goal is to continue expanding and growing throughout the world by entering new markets and continu‐ ously improving and innovating, high quality products. INNOVATE WITH AUTOMOTIVE-FOCUSED PRESS-N-LOK PIN SPIROL has expanded its Solid Pin Product Line to include the new Series BP100 Press‐N‐Lok™ Pin. The new Press‐N‐Lok™ Pin was designed to permanently retain two plastic components to each other. The pin has opposing raised barbs on each end that are angled backwards opposite the direction of insertion. As the pin is being inserted, the plastic backfills into the area around the barbs resulting in maximum resistance to axial force providing a secure, tamper resistant assembly. The Press‐N‐Lok Pin is manufactured from lightweight, lead‐ free, corrosion‐resistant aluminium. One major advantage of the Press‐N‐Lok Pin is that assembly time is quicker and it requires lower assembly equipment costs as compared to screws and adhesives. This Pin was designed with the automotive industry in mind, with one exemplary application being in electric vehicle charging handles. One of SPIROL’s customers approached the fastener manufacturer with a problem regarding the charging handle which was previously held together by eight screws. The automotive manufacturer decided they no longer wanted the device to be serviceable due to warranty issues related to consumer inflicted damages to internal components. Furthermore, the customer had been experiencing relatively high scrap rates during assembly due to the screws stripping the plastic host. SPIROL’s solution to this problem was to introduce the customer to the Press‐N‐Lok Pin. These Solid Pins have barbs that provide high retention in plastics, and they are

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Press-N-Lok: SPIROL’s latest launch is manufactured from lightweight, lead-free and corrosion-resistant aluminium

designed to be concealed within the final product after the assembly process is complete. The plastic housing could no longer be separated without visible damage to the charging handle. Therefore, the manufacturer eliminated warranty expenses and activities related to damaged internal elec‐ trical components. Additionally, the new electric vehicle charging handle had a sleek, luxurious appearance now that the fasteners were no longer visible. This new Pin could prove to be very valuable to the UK automotive industry as it provides a simple, high quality solution for many plastic applications, with the main objective of lowering assembly costs and increas‐ ing the lifecycle of your product. SPIROL Engineers will review application requirements and work with design teams to recommend the best solution at the lowest total assembly cost. Shop.SPIROL.com

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TERRITORY FOCUS

“NORMALITY? THAT SHIP HAS SAILED…” While Bufab UK is looking forward to getting its sales staff back to the office and on the road, the business acknowledges that Covid-19 has irreversibly changed some practices and has shifted its plans… Bufab UK Managing Director Liam Wheeler speaks with Torque Magazine about the future as well as Bufab’s new warehouse, moving ERP systems, acquiring high profile customers and how it plans to make its mark in the UK fastener market…

ufab UK boss Liam Wheeler has been one of a six skele‐ ton crew that has been working in the High Wycombe office since the lockdowns first struck over a year ago in March 2020. Most of the team has been working remotely, confirms Wheeler, speaking to Torque Magazine by video from the Buck‐ inghamshire HQ: “It has worked well, but there is a nice dynamic you get in person, and a level of interaction when everyone is on‐site. Salespeople are social animals by nature. “We want everyone back safely. The place for me is too quiet – I don’t like it. But as for ‘normal’ that ship has sailed and I wouldn’t want to go back to it. We have learned a lot in the last year. You don’t have to fly as much or drive to every branch each week. People will still do business essential journeys, but if you are talking about bringing 200 people together just for a conference… maybe that is a bit frivolous? “It’s made everyone think more about sustainability, about people and the environment. There is an opportunity here. Let’s not go back to normal.” CONSOLIDATION AND EFFICIENCY Liam Wheeler is a long termer at the business, having joined back in 2005 at Montrose Group, 11 years before it was acquired by Bufab. A legacy of Bufab’s acquisitions in the UK, also including Thunderbolt and Altiplas, has meant there has been scope for consolidation, to bring systems in line with each other and to boost efficiency.

// The new ERP system gives us new functionality and the full set of Bufab tools; RFID scanners, VMI tools, vending machines... the full toolbox. //

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Making good on that promise, Bufab UK is now one legal entity. The opportunity was also taken to bring ERP systems in line with each other and adopt Bufab’s own system. Work on that project was completed in Q1 2020, Wheeler explains: “We got Montrose on the Bufab system on 1 March and then after three weeks on the new system we had to send everyone home due to the lockdown!” It was an operational challenge to complete the consolidation while training personnel on the new ERP system, forcing the firm to bring more staff on site while the system became live. “Using a different system is always going to be a learning curve. Some bits are faster, some aren’t, but it gave us new function‐ ality and the full set of Bufab tools. Now we have the full reper‐ toire; VMI tools, RFID scanners, vending machines… the full toolbox. And we managed to send out goods from day one.” Despite the difficulties of the lockdown and the major oper‐ ational changes, Bufab globally put in a strong pandemic performance: “Fundamentally we had a good year in terms of performance. The share price tells you everything. Earnings up to Q3 were great – we adjusted quite quickly.” Some parts of the market suffered more than others – and the UK suffered more than many other parts of the EU – but DIY retailers and merchants had “an unbelievable year” notes Wheeler. “The challenge 12 months later is price inflation. We need to work on education. We need to show that price rises are down to market conditions, material prices are up, China Steel is increasing prices, containers are more expensive…” So why did Bufab UK pick the pandemic year to drastically update the business? “We all sat down as a board and discussed what should the business look like in five years. Things were already planned but they probably were not all scheduled to happen in 2020. We simply took the opportunity. “We accelerated elements to get the pain out of the way. Also, we were in suppressed market conditions so we were left with some capacity to do these things. We weren’t exactly scraping the bottom of the barrel for business, but it certainly wasn’t ‘100 miles an hour’. We felt we had the capacity, however by October I don’t think anyone felt like that. By that point it was brutally busy… it was all hands to the pump. “Businesses are more resilient than you think. We are adaptable – there was an opportunity to get ourselves ready so we could be

// We have done the hard part. The UK is a massive fastener market, and we want to be there when the buyer is looking for a category C supply chain partner. We need to be in the front of people’s minds. // in a better position in 2021 than we were at start of 2020. We now have the form, the structure and the platform to grow.” Bufab UK also squeezed a warehouse move into its busy 2020, Wheeler explains: “We had a combined warehouse, with space for raw material of stainless‐steel bar as well as a pallet warehouse. So, we took on an additional 25,000 ft² warehouse and separated these functions. We got the floor skimmed and created a new pallet installation, adding 3,000 pallet spaces to our capacity, all optimally configurated.” Bufab UK also managed to pick up some big‐name clients in 2020: “I can’t name drop, but we acquired some nice customers that are already growing with us. It has been a combined effort and we’ve been proactive in the marketplace. We are trying to take some market share.”

Bufab UK also picked up an internal award for its efforts, honouring its transformation and leadership in the recent period. STAFF, SUSTAINABILITY... AND GROWING SHARE Recent events have thrown the spotlight on its employees. “We are looking forward to welcoming staff back. Remote working will not be a long‐term strategy for us. You miss that hive mind mentality. We want to get everyone back safely.” Sustainability is firmly on the agenda too, including a green car policy and environmentally focused measures (such as installing LED lighting throughout Bufab UK buildings): “We’re trying to be a bit more pragmatic.” Naturally, health and safety is high on the agenda, and Bufab UK is seeking ISO accreditations. “It’s not about just having the piece of paper,” says the Bufab UK boss. “It’s what else you do on top of that. We are thinking about corporate responsibility, working within the community – even things like supporting local charities.” That aside, the business is also focused on making good its recent consolidation and investments – as well as the Bufab name. “We want to establish ourselves more thoroughly in the UK. Bufab has an excellent global reputation but our representa‐ tion in the UK is not proportionate to that.” It sounds like the firm has set itself a number of big chal‐ lenges, argues Torque. “I enjoy this kind of thing. We have done the hard part. The UK is a massive fastener market, and we want to be there when the buyer is looking for a category C supply chain partner. We need to be in the front of people’s minds.” www.bufab.com

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TERRITORY FOCUS

SMITH BULLOUGH > NEW HORIZONS, NEW PRODUCTS Incorporating modern manufacturing and engineering techniques into Smith Bullough’s long-standing methods and systems has opened the door to a wider range of product offerings for its customers…

Smith Bullough is looking to bring more engineering and manufacturing talent in to reach even more niche markets

ounded as a division of Garton Ltd, Smith Bullough has carved out a niche in the fastener market – providing non‐standard and unique products to customers with specific design requirements. Given the age of the company, it is not surprising that one of the key challenges faced by the company has been a reliance on traditional but occasionally outdated manufacturing methods and systems. The adoption of more modernised manufacturing and engi‐ neering techniques has allowed Smith Bullough to consistently expand its roster of available component offerings and fully embrace advances in the field. Expansion into higher grades of material (Inconel, NES833, etc) and expanded confidence in its precision CNC capabilities open the door to a wider range of product offerings, and by extension a wider range of clients looking for unique or specialist turned products. Seeing an opportunity in the market, Smith Bullough started investing in the next generation of engineers through sponsor‐ ships granted to university Formula Student teams, who compete in the annual Institute of Mechanical Engineers competition of the same name. These teams design, build, and race their formula vehicles in search of glory and priceless hands‐on experience. One of the essential (but often neglected) areas of a Formula Student vehicle is the fasteners used throughout the car. By partnering with teams that show progress towards fully electric vehicles, Smith Bullough can offer them lightweight, strong fasteners to very tight tolerances.

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Recently, Smith Bullough provided a set of Grade 12.9 shoulder bolts to one of its sponsored teams for use in testing the new suspension system on their 2021 competition entry, free of charge. These parts needed to be manufactured to tolerances of 0.015mm in order to ensure a snug fit within the test rig – and the challenge was met with flying colours by Smith Bullough’s CNC operators. The growth of the CNC capabilities within the company also aided in securing a contract to deliver NES833 Aluminium Bronze fasteners manufactured to Defence Standards for use on British Navy Destroyer‐class vessels. Tight chemical, mechanical, and geometrical controls allowed Smith Bullough to fully deliver the components on time and in full, with no issues whatsoever. Looking further ahead, Smith Bullough is looking to bring in more engineering and manufacturing talent and use the years of combined industry experience to push forwards to reach even more niche markets; higher material grades, more complex components, and more stringent process monitoring requirements all being within their crosshairs. By freeing itself from outdated practices and mindsets, Smith Bullough is embarking on a journey of consistent self‐ evaluation and self‐improvement in order to provide the best possible service to its clients. www.smithbullough.com

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TORQUE FOCUS NYLON & PLASTIC FIXINGS AND FASTENERS

POSITIONED IN PLASTIC Torque Magazine rounds up the latest innovations in the nylon and plastic fixings sector with help from SD products, JCP and Mechfast… SD PRODUCTS

// SD Products recently introduced several new lines of moulded fasteners for printed circuit board hardware. This includes PCB supports, male and female spacers, posts and card guides //

SD Products Ltd is a third‐generation family‐owned business with over 40 years of experience as a stockist distributor of specialist fasteners. The company currently offer over 13,000 unique fasteners and components on its website and frequently update its catalogue with new ranges. SD Products is proud to hold the largest stocked assort‐ ment of fir tree buttons, button rivets, scrivets, expansion rivets, removable push type rivets, panel type rivets and trim clips in the UK, according to the group. Low profile and a neat appearance make these fasteners perfect for applications where the fastening cannot be concealed. In some cases, even the fastener itself can be a part of the design. The company offer hundreds of sizes and styles in a variety colours with next day delivery on stocked ranges. Plastic cable, hose and pipe management solutions is one of its largest and most popular categories. These fasteners are very common in the motor vehicle manufacture and numerous industrial applications. SD Products’ stocked selection of plastic captive nuts includes a number of different types ‐ standard, inverted, sealed, bathtub, snap‐in and stand‐off. These fasteners can be installed by hand without the need for additional tools. Captive nuts work best on thin materials, especially in blind locations and when the finish of the surface must be preserved. The applications may include electrical equipment and appliances, automotive industry and machinery. SD Products recently introduced several new lines of moulded fasteners for printed circuit board hard‐ ware. This includes PCB supports, male and female spacers, posts and card guides. Products in this cate‐ gory are designed to provide a secure hold and spac‐

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ing between circuit boards and chassis. They can often be found in IT, automotive and telecom applications. Plastic fasteners from SD Products Ltd are produced from high quality RoHS compliant engineering polymers like nylon, polycarbonate and acetal for optimal durability and resilience. Nylon’s non‐corrosive and non‐conductive prop‐ erties make them ideal for use in a wide variety of applica‐ tions, even in extreme conditions. SD Products offers tooling for new products within four to six weeks. Special materials like heat stabilised and flame retardant nylon are available on request on select ranges. Visit the website for pricing and availability or contact our sales team on... www.sdproducts.co.uk

JCP CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS JCP Construction Products supplies a variety of nylon and plastic fixings including its nylon frame anchor. This fixing provides a matched screw and extended plug for anchoring timber to a wide variety of materials. A strong grip in weaker materials is achieved by the use of a high expansion ratio, and heavy ribbing on the expander which digs into materials such as aerated concrete or lightweight aggregate blocks. To support users of the product, the specialist fixings brand has invested in a detailed animation video showing clearly how these fixings should be installed correctly. Its nylon range also includes the recently launched premium nylon wall plug. Since its introduction to the line‐ up, it has grown significantly in popularity across multiple market sectors. Offering superior pull‐out performance, its improved bespoke design offers additional features to its standard nylon wall plugs. A high‐quality PA6 nylon plug, it provides excellent results in many solid base materials including dense concrete blocks, brick, and stone. Its innovative design features a castellated split which guides the screw and keeps it within the plug, whilst anti‐rotation lugs prevent the plug from spinning in the drilled hole. The rimless design provides a clean and tidy flush fit. Available in longer lengths than the standard range, the plug enables deeper embedment. Suitable for use with wood

and chipboard screws they provide improved pull‐out performance over the standard range. For more information, please visit or contact your local Owlett‐Jaton sales office. www.jcpfixings.co.uk

MECHFAST

Nottinghamshire‐based Mechfast has over 40 years’ experi‐ ence in supplying quality fasteners at highly competitive prices and specialise in sourcing and distributing industrial fasteners and fixings to a wide range of industries. Mechfast’s supplier partnerships enable the company to react quickly to its customer requirements ensuring quality and continuity is achieved on all new projects and re‐source. Additionally, the group is constantly identifying opportuni‐ ties for its customers to maximise value, by developing and maintaining operational efficiency. Mechfast produce a variety of plastic fasteners such as Fir

Trees, Scrivets, W Buttons and Drive Rivets. These plastic fasteners offer advantages to using fastenings and fixings manufactured from tougher materials, like steel alloys. Plas‐ tic fasteners are produced from high quality engineering polymers: nylon, polycarbonate and polyoxymethylene, more commonly known as acetal. Scrivets or “Screw Rivets” are a fastening system that is quick and simple to use and has the added benefit of being removable. They are perfect for applications where servic‐ ing or maintenance is required. Fitting is quick and easy simply by driving the integral screw into the body of the rivet. Removal is performed by unscrewing the centre pin with a screwdriver. Typical applications include automo‐ tive, white goods, furniture, audio equipment and marine. Mechfast is able to offer a range of colours including specific RAL numbers where required, however standard colours are Natural and Black. Please check the website for the full range of sizing. Fir Tree Buttons, also known as Pine Tree Buttons, are designed to secure board or sheet materials to a secondary panel or for holding components to panels. The Barbs flex when pushed into the panel hole then spring back to lock securely into place, available in a large range of sizes and styles for different hole diameters and panel thicknesses. Check the website for the full range. Standard colours are natural and black but Mechfast is able to offer different colours on request. www.mechfast.co.uk

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TERRITORY FOCUS

TAIWAN

INTRODUCING KARAT AND KARAT TOOLS KARAT may be an unfamiliar name to some, but the firm works with renowned brands in the US and Europe and is earning a reputation of “German quality, yet Taiwan price”...

ARAT is a professional manufacturer of rivet tools and rivet nut tools based in New Taipei, Taiwan. KARAT offers a wide range of hand rivet tools and rivet nut tools with a one year warranty, while the air‐hydraulic rivet tools and rivet nut tools all have CE Certification, tested and certified by the renowned Germany’s TUV Rheinland. KARAT has a strong R&D Team developing new ranges, while advanced lab equipment, a strict QA system and efficient logistics satisfy the strictest requirements from worldwide customers, most of which are renowned brands in the US and European industrial and professional markets, says KARAT, adding that it enjoys a reputation of “German quality, yet Taiwan price”.

Air-Grip 4H Industrial Super Heavy-Duty Pneumatic-Hydraulic Installation tool

// KARAT offers a wide range of air-hydraulic rivet tools and rivet nut tools, tested and certified by Germany’s TÜV Rheinland. // There are more than 50 models within the wide‐ranging product line‐up, including KARAT’s new Air‐Grip Series of Heavy‐Duty Air‐hydraulic Rivet Tools for setting maximum 6.4 mm or 1/4” High Strength Structural (HSS) Rivets. The new Air‐ Grip 4H Lock Bolt Air Installation Tool is installed with various Nose Assemblies for setting maximum 1/4” or 6.4 mm Lock Bolts and maximum 1/4” or 6.4 mm High Strength Structural (HSS) Rivets. The robust designs utilise a forged aluminum alloy hydraulic cylinder for strength and durability, while the ergonomic handle design with soft plastic hand grip minimises hand fatigue. The powerful traction force can reach a maximum 23.5 kN or 5,280 Lbf and the extra‐long stroke can reach maxi‐ mum 26 mm or 1.024”, depending on different models. Crucially, the KARAT 4H Air Tool can be installed with the original manufacturer’s various nose assemblies and KARAT KUNA‐64 Nose Assembly for wide fastening applications of lock bolts and structural blind rivets as well. The KARAT KUNA‐64 Nose Assembly can benefit users by using a single nose assembly to fasten a wide range of structural blind rivets

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KARAT's experienced R&D team are already working on new iterations of its new range and standard/commercial blind rivets. The unique design was developed by KARAT’s experienced R&D team, which already has further iterations of the range already in development. The firm concludes: “Honest, trusted and long‐term cooperation are the policies of KARAT. Quality, innovation, performance, warranty and service are the features of KARAT Tools. Try KARAT Tools once, you will trust KARAT forever!” www.KaratTool.com

TERRITORY FOCUS

TAIWAN

THE VIEW FROM TAIWAN We asked eight Taiwan fastener companies for their views on the fastener market and gleaned insights on trends, challenges and opportunities that impact on the global market…

Chun Chan Co

Bi-Mirth Are you seeing growing demand from any particular export markets? Since the outbreak of Covid‐19 in 2020, most people have been forced to stay or work from home. This circumstance has given people more time to renovate, build, or DIY in their own houses. As a result, the demand for wood construction screws is rapidly growing in the US market. What kind of developments and investments have you recently made at Bi-Mirth? In the middle of 2020, we began to research and develop a new thread type of chipboard screw. In addition to the high quality of this new design, we have also achieved a low drilling torque, so that the screws can be drilled into wood faster. We also keep refining our manufacturing equipment. We have purchased a multi die bolt former and threading machine to increase our production capacity. In recent years, Bi‐Mirth has committed to being a worldwide significant supplier, especially for full thread and long sized screws. Bi‐Mirth welcomes anyone interested in its screws by email sales@bimirth.com.tw www.bi-mirth.com

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What kind of trends are you seeing? Hybrid and electric cars are slowly replacing traditional cars. We are also seeing people increasingly emphasise the concept of equipment automation. Chun Chan Co., Ltd has developed new automatic equipment, combined with optical and vision techniques to make different kinds of sorting machines that can inspect customer’s parts automatically. Are you seeing raw material shortages? Yes, we have noticed this, the price of raw materials has been getting higher and higher. In addition, a few months ago a container shortage has also reinforced rising prices. Are you seeing growing demand from any particular export markets? We have noticed increased demand from the electronic supply chain, so the price of electronic products could see a dramatic rise. What about developments at Chun Chan Co? At Chun Chan Co., Ltd we have devoted ourselves to research‐ ing automatic equipment and visual inspection, so we combine robot mechanisms with CCD techniques to do inspection for a range of product types. In addition, we have also developed AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle) and auto‐ matic warehouse. If readers are interested in these, they are free to contact via… Ms. Fiona Chang services@cctech.com.tw Tel: +886 7 6235228 www.cctech.com.tw

Art TO

TIV E

Italian

Our 40-year experience meets 4.0 modern production capability, to satisfy requirements of any highly industrialised ﬁeld.

IN G

Whether standard or upon customer drawing, high quality screws are our business.

PLIA HO

www.mecavit.it

NIC A HA EC

NCES

TERRITORY FOCUS

TAIWAN

Easylink What kind of trends are you seeing in the market at the moment? In recent months, after the COVID‐19 impact, we’ve seen increased demand for metal‐made automotive components from the car tier‐1 industrial field, also importers, distribu‐ tors in North America and European markets. Demand from car makers was very strong from end‐Q3 through Q4 2020, so the peak could be Q1 and Q2 2021, which could see demand outstrip supply. Easylink’s production was at full capacity since Q4, 2020 till Q1, 2021. We’ve also seen a rapid spike in shipping costs, notably for container shipments, play their part. This is due to disrupted trade flows globally, and greater port disruption, relating to Covid‐19. Easylink received many back flow purchases of furniture screws from the EU market since Q3 & Q4 2020 after many DIY retailing shops reopened. At the same time, we see the EU’s anti‐dumping investi‐ gation on Chinese fasteners, which is a window of oppor‐ tunity for Taiwan. Easylink has taken a measured approach to reintroducing capacity. Are you seeing raw material shortages? Yes. The answer is positive. Currently, the supplier‐side has suffered shortage of materials and longer lead times than ever. Fortunately, Easylink has not suffered from this prob‐ lem as we have built a long‐term‐relationship with CSC (China Steel Corp), the largest steel maker here in Taiwan. Are you seeing growing demand from any particular export markets? Most Taiwanese suppliers are growing their fastener production after the lockdowns in the EU and North American markets. Have you had any recent business developments? Due to the surge in the automotive and DIY markets, Easylink has got more production facilities, bolt formers, thread tapping machines and advanced optical sorting machines in order to increase capacity and make quality approaching “zero” defect standards. Particularly, automa‐ tion investment like AS/RS system and IOT systems all make our work more efficient than ever. Easylink has also full‐scale replaced the thread rolling die process by using “Cryogenics”, made to extend tool‐life in order to make cost savings in our plant. Easylink continues to upgrade the precision of measur‐ ing equipment to give customers 100% satisfaction. In Q1 2020, Easylink purchased a bend test machine for the Ting Ray factory, our chipboard screw manufacturing plant in Vietnam, which will be able to escalate the qual‐ ity to DIY markets. Sunny Lai, sales manager sunny@easylink.com.tw Tel: +886 7 725 1034, ext. 301

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Funda Fastener What kind of trends are you seeing in the market at the moment? 2020 was a year to remember. There was COVID‐19, a global pandemic that transformed consumer spending habits, an ongoing US‐China trade war in the background, heightened political tensions between Australia and China, and a stock market crash followed by a spectacular 68% rise in the S&P500 by year‐end, amongst other things. The market seem‐ ingly replicated the stock market in its volatility. During May and June 2020, we went through our toughest months, numbers we had not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. However, with the news of vaccinations, etc, the market started to show signs of rebound from September 2020 and orders started to exponentially grow until January 2021, where we set a new record for our highest monthly revenue in 55 years. Although the business is doing well, we are facing another set of challenges such as material and labour shortages, logistical difficulties, exchange rate losses with the Taiwan dollar soaring 5.6% against the US dollar in 2020, steep increase in the raw material prices and urgent orders due the huge spikes in demand from the market. This is the current trend that many industries across Taiwan are facing right now. We have been in the industry for more than 55 years and we haven’t seen anything like this before: 2020 is a year to remember. Are you seeing raw material shortages? Yes, since September last year as the domestic and international markets began to show signs of recovery. We believe the shortages were due to a number of factors, such as slower production in China, the trade war between China and Australia, and booming demand in the shipping industries. As we experienced increased order volumes from pent up demand and foresaw continuing raw material shortages (and rising costs), we strategically increased our raw material inven‐ tory and adjusted our safety stock levels to ensure we could continue to produce and deliver our products to our customers on time. Are you seeing growing demand from any markets? We are seeing growth from all our export markets globally, with a noticeable increase from our US customer base. We believe the demand is coming from retaliatory consumption as the worst of COVID‐19 is behind those in many regions in the world. Fatigued by lockdowns and social distancing requirements, consumers are splurging on a wide range of products within the automotive, marine, recreational vehicle and power generator sectors to make up for their reduced spending during the pandemic. How about recent developments at Funda? We have acquired machines to maximise production and to eliminate CNC processes which is a saving for our customers. We made invest‐ ments to increase capacity for cold forming, threading, lathing, straightening, optical sorting and automatic packaging. Two multi‐ station drilling centres were acquired to meet the demand for union bolt (benjo bolt) production. After the restructuring of our new technical team, we are ready for our next phase of growth. Our team has expertise and capabilities in progression design, FEMA (finite element method analysis), production technology, process optimisation and standardisation. sales@funda-fastener.com www.funda-fastener.com

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Competence in Stainless Steel Visit our shop: shop.schaefer-peters.com

MORE THAN 37,000 STAINLESS STEEL PRODUCTS DIRECTLY FROM S ST STOCK.

TERRITORY FOCUS

TAIWAN

San Shing Are you seeing raw material shortages? Demand has recovered since the second half of 2020 after a big drop in production caused by Covid‐19, but the supply of raw material has not grown accordingly. Also we’ve seen the severe shortage of containers globally. As a result we could see the cost of raw material keep going up.

PATTA What kind of trends are you seeing in the market at the moment? The economy and demand are gradually recovering, which produces instant demand. The market relies on shorter lead times and could accept only around 10‐15% of price increase. However, the market is still looking at the reaction of the vaccine during Q2. Some countries are not yet covered, so the status remains unstable. Are you seeing raw material shortages? We have not personally got much information from our Euro‐ pean customers about shortages in raw materials, except a few customers who reported such shortage issues along with sharp rise in raw material prices. As a fastener supplier, we are perfectly aware of the raw material shortage and we have kept our customers informed. Many of the orders are impacted by extending lead times. The global material (steel) production was immensely reduced during the epidemic period Q2‐Q4 2020 and now the recovery period has caused the large demand and lack of material from suppliers. Are you seeing growing demand from any particular export markets? As mentioned above, there is an overall increase in fasteners demand from Europe compared to last year, but the demand level is still below 2019 or earlier 2020 before Covid‐19. One point we can highlight is the sudden rise in automotive fastener demand, starting in Q4 of last year until now. What kind of developments have you been making at PATTA? We have developed fasteners which are applied in various industries such as solar, telecom, transportation, military, agriculture and even aerospace, mainly heavy‐duty equip‐ ment and high strength products. This is what we are currently engaging in and where we are extending our prod‐ uct line. Since PATTA has been cultivated within the industry for more than 40 years, this is what we want to introduce to our customers and the public, that we have the capability to supply specific fasteners in certain industries. Patta can be reached via the PATTA website, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube and PATTA Group via search engines.

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What developments are ongoing at San Shing? 50 years ago, San Shing tooling department started as a small shop with a traditional lathe and turning machine, staffed by a few technicians and operators who made up the whole production team. Over the years, San Shing’s tooling factory has grown both in production scale and technical level. There are always challenges, but they don’t affect our persistence in seeking innovation. After a phase of overall machine renewal and additions, there was a call for pushing full automation in the production line. The implementation is expected to upgrade the production techniques and effi‐ ciency to a new level. In an effort to bring automation to the production line, new robotised manufacturing systems are being introduced to several workstations including sinker EDM and grinding process. Starting with the electrodes production, the milling machines are paired with an electrode rack and robotic arms, enabling automatic work piece change. It successfully facili‐ tates the machine utilisation rate up to 90%. Sinker EDM machines incorporating CMM inspection systems allow offline calibration of the electrodes and thus offset compen‐ sation can be detected ahead. These could all contribute to prevent human errors and increase accuracy. Partnered with a magazine that stores up to 100 pieces of electrodes and work piece and an automatic tool changer, the sinker EDM machine basically runs 24/7. It fills up almost all the downtime for calibration and positioning work, and largely increases production efficiency with improved accu‐ racy. An integration of inner and outer profile grinding processes is also accomplished by adding a heavy load robotic system that feed and transfer the work piece between the processing cells. With this integration, part accuracy is improved by eliminating multiple setups, and the idling time can be shortened. The integration conduces to higher quality and shorter lead‐time. We have experienced success in our first round of deploy‐ ing robotic systems and will comprehensively introduce automation system in the production line. Our next task will be focusing on building modular in several processing cell, set out for full automation in the next decade. machine.tool@mail.sanshing.com.tw

With thanks to Worldwide Services Co. www.acw.com.tw

Spezialfabrik für Schraubenund Wellensicherungen

Ray Fu Enterprise

Sperrkant spring washer A/Z

DIN 6905 captive

DIN 6796 conical washer

What kind of trends are you seeing in the market? Raw material shortages, increasing steel price and sea freight fee remains high. We are seeing raw material shortages and demand is growing from both Europe and the US. Have you any recent developments at Ray Fu? Ray Fu’s product lines maintain a significant reputation among its respective fields, including construction, automo‐ tive vehicles, machinery and unique aluminium fasteners. To bolster its competitiveness and added‐value, we are also actively implementing smart machinery and AI capabilities into our production. export@ray-fu.com www.ray-fu.com

DIN 127 ASME B18.21.1 A/B RSHQ À DW

DIN 128 A/B convexed / corrugated

Railway washers

Tycoons Group Enterprise What kind of trends are you seeing in the market? For standard small screw series, purchasing behaviour seems to have turned to the drive‐thru style. Suppliers have to provide ready samples and immediate feedback to attract attention. The manufacturing capacity setups are also follow‐ ing in this same direction. Production history records and inspection processes will be the main points that influence the buyer’s future demand.

Contact washer NF E 25-511 S/M/B/K slim / medium / wide / toothed

DIN 74361 limes type conical lockwasher C

Centring ring

Sperrkant spring washer captive

DIN 7993 A/B for shafts / for drillholes

Sperrkant washer S/M/B/K/Z slim / medium / wide / toothed

Are you seeing raw material shortages? Under the imbalance of the global supply and demand envi‐ ronment, trade barriers will cause higher operation costs than in previous stable periods. Internal management and safety stock are more necessary than before. Raw materials for manufacturing will require more attention in the future.

Doubled toothed lock washer

Are you seeing growing demand from any particular export markets? Acute demand is more frequent than usual due to the new trade barriers. When the intensity of demand in the export market slows down, it will gradually return to equilibrium and once again go in the direction of maximising profits. Based on the convenience of the internet, social media channels often provide more functions for users than official websites. Buyers can contact their supply chain members via easy connection in the modern business environment. Users seem to habitually rely more on this kind of immediate inter‐ net connectivity. The Covid‐19 issue has especially pushed this working style to become more mainstream.

DIN 6797 A/I/V outside / inside / countersunk

DIN 6798 A/I/V outside / inside / countersunk

Contact > Roy Yen roy-yen@mail.tycons.com.tw Tel: +886 7 6212191

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DIN 137 A/B curved / crinkled

DIN 7967 row 1 / row 2

Güde GmbH Dieselstraße 8 58840 Plettenberg Germany

+49 2391 - 91 90-0 sales@guede.net

www.guede.net

TERRITORY FOCUS

TAIWAN

FASTENER TAIWAN IS BACK The TAITRA-organised trading platform returns this September

he Taiwan International Fastener Show is back in 2021, scheduled to run 1‐3 September in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Pitched as the only international B2B fastener show in Taiwan, the show serves as a trading platform for sourcing and procurement. It will be a Taiwan Fastener show like no other, as one of the globe’s first fastener shows to get underway after the (literally) show‐stopping coronavirus pandemic. The show had been tabled to run in 2020, before the organisers decided to roll the show – its sixth edition so far – into 2021. While Covid‐19 is still very much with us, the hope is that vaccina‐ tion programmes and precautionary measures will be enough to allow shows to get back to normal soon. And Taiwan has been an exemplar in dealing with the pandemic, with deaths numbering in double figures, rather than in the thousands. The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) organises the Taiwan International Fastener Show, as well as regular fastener industry procurement meetings and the Taiwan Excellence showcase.

TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL FASTENER SHOW > STATS WHAT ARE FASTENER TAIWAN VISITORS LOOKING FOR? Nuts, bolts and screws – 49.15% Fastener manufacturing equipment – 21.04% Fastener tools, meters and instruments – 17.28% Wire and raw materials – 12.53% EXHIBITOR PROFILE > Fasteners > Nuts, bolts, screws, wire and raw materials – 63.6% Machine > Fastener manufacturing equipment, fastener tools, meter and instruments – 20.7% International Pavillions – 15.7%

// Over one fifth of Taiwan Fastener Show visitors come seeking fastener manufacturing equipment. // Taiwan tools saw up market share Taiwan Excellence, an initiative including webinars, awards and conferences, highlights different sectors of Taiwan goods, including the hardware and hand tool industry. According to Taiwan Excellence, the nation’s tool industry earns US $4 billion from exports of OEM wrenches and pliers. Largely (70%) centred in the Taichung and Changhua areas, Taiwanese tools firms are growing in terms of the number of plants and workers, according to Taiwan’s Department of Statistics. As of 2017, there were 2,166 factories and circa 48,000 workers in the sector. The stats reveal that one in three nail guns are from Taiwan. At the foot of Mount Dadu in Taichung City is Taiwan’s “Golden Valley” of precision machinery, with over 300,000 employees and an annual output value of NT$900 billion. It is reported as the world’s number one precision machinery cluster in terms of density and per unit area output value, hosting six industries: machine tools and machinery parts, photovoltaic panels, bicycles and parts, woodworking machinery, hand tools and aerospace www.taitra.org.tw

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FREE SOURCING SERVICES Founded in 1970, TAITRA is a non-profit trade promotion organisation. Headquartered in Taipei, TAITRA has a team of 1,300 specialists and operates five local offices in Taiwan and 63 branches worldwide. The Taiwan Trade Centre London, TAITRA’s Northern European office, offers free sourcing services for local companies. Based on a buyer's requirements, the team can prepare a list of suitable Taiwanese suppliers and arrange online meetings with those they are interested in connecting with. You can visit the Taiwan Trade Centre London website now to submit a sourcing enquiry and check them out on social media for the latest updates about Fastener Taiwan and other related sourcing events.

TERRITORY FOCUS

TAIWAN

FIXING THE KAOHSIUNG SKYLINE

‘F

arglory – THE ONE’ is a new 68‐ storey skyscraper in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. At 268 metres high, it is the tallest residential building in the Taiwanese metropolis and the sixth tallest in Asia. They also squeezed in a private club and an Inter‐ Continental Hotel with 253 rooms, three restaurants and two banquet halls over a space of around 166,200m². The upper structure includes a rear‐venti‐ lated curtain wall façade, clad with natural stone panels made of the Silver Star granite from India and G603 granite from China, each measuring 1700 x 803 x 30 millimetres. Approximately 130,000 fischer FZP II Zykon panel anchors securely anchor the granite panels to the substructure and the support structure, a steel construction with rein‐ forced concrete. “Our undercut anchors achieve higher load values than alternative solutions such as edge

fastenings,” explains Ralf Weber, Market Manager façade systems for the fischer group of companies. The FZP II Zykon panel anchors enable this through form‐fit installa‐ tion without expansion pressure in the coni‐ cal undercut drill holes. “There are further structural benefits that result from the posi‐ tioning of the undercut anchors in the so‐ called 1/5 point of the facade panels. The FZP II thereby achieve lower slab bending moments and higher load‐bearing capacities. This allowed thinner and larger façade panels to be installed during construction of the skyscraper and other projects.” Farglory was designed by Taiwanese archi‐ tecture firm C.Y. Lee & Partners and the façade completed by curtain wall consultancy firm ORIGIN Design & Engineering Co and facade construction specialist Wan Shin Co. www.fischer.group

BOLTED SAFETY In association with BOLTED Magazine, about bolting technologies. Read and subscribe at www.bolted.com

COOPERATION AND CREDENTIALS KEY WHEN CONSTRUCTING THE NEW BRIDGE IN GENOA Constructing a new bridge in record time to replace the one collapsing in Genoa in 2018 was a high-profile project. All companies and suppliers were scrutinised as nothing was allowed to go wrong, explains Nord-Lock...

ragedy struck Genoa, north‐western Italy, on the morning of 14 August 2018. During a torrential rainstorm, the city’s Ponte Morandi (Morandi Bridge) collapsed so suddenly that some thought it had been struck by lightning. The disaster killed 43 people, destroyed homes and businesses, and exposed infrastructure problems that had existed for decades. Videos taken at the time of collapse reveal a flexing of the bridge deck followed by the detachment of cables, breaking of a crossbeam, twisted girders, falling towers, and finally, the buck‐ ling of the 210‐metre central bridge section. All punctuated by the resulting tragedy. “WARNING SIGNS WERE UNHEEDED” Technically, Ponte Morandi was a viaduct, not a bridge – a cable‐ stayed structure 1,182 metres in length, spanning Genoa’s Polcevera Valley. It connected two areas of the city and formed part of the road network linking Italy to France. When it was completed in 1967, its innovative design by engineer Riccardo Morandi – making use of pre‐stressed concrete encasings for its steel cables – was a source of national pride. But traffic in 1967 was about six million transits annually. By the early 2000s, that amount had quadrupled, and the bridge began to show the strain. Warning signs were apparently unheeded due to technical ignorance and political neglect. In the aftermath of the disaster, the government vowed to dismantle what remained of Ponte Morandi and replace it with a new, safe, reliable viaduct. Renowned Genovese architect Renzo Piano offered his services for free, and the construction contract for what was to become Viadotto Genova‐San Giorgio (the Genoa Saint George Bridge) was awarded to PERGENOVA, a consortium created ad hoc for the project. CONSTRUCTION FACED MANY CHALLENGES To save time, there was no bidding process, but PERGENOVA’s credentials were impeccable. Its three participants were Fincantieri Infrastructure, a subsidy of Fincantieri SpA, Italy’s largest shipbuilding company, WeBuild SpA, Italy’s largest engi‐ neering and general contractor group (then called Salini Impregilo), and Italferr, a state‐owned engineering firm focusing on transportation‐related infrastructure. Fincantieri Infrastructure specialises in complex engineering, procurement, and construction projects using steel, such as bridges, port facilities, or stadiums. Its expertise draws from the long‐established shipbuilding heritage of its parent. Safety is always the major consideration in bridge construc‐

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tion, but the circumstances of the Genoa project underscored its absolute priority for PERGENOVA. Suppliers and sub‐contractors were chosen based on stellar credentials, but also competitive cost and speed of implementation. They faced challenges both foreseen and unexpected. The former included the tight timetable and a restricted construction site. Demolition of the remains of the old bridge continued through late June 2019, and residents live nearby. Unforeseen complica‐ tions included more than 100 days of rain – the most in a century – beginning in late 2019. Then in early 2020, COVID‐19 struck. MANY INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS The bridge was designed to be “conceptually simple and safe, fast and easy in production and assembly,” notes Lorenzo Sartori, head of the technical office for Fincantieri Infrastructure. It is 1,067 metres long and consists of 19 steel‐concrete spans supported by 18 reinforced concrete piers. The design deliberately suggests the hull of a ship, a nod to Genoa’s role as a port city and the symbolic impor‐ tance of this project. Sartori adds that his company’s collab‐ oration with Renzo Piano represented “the chance of a lifetime to work with an architectural genius.” AMONG THE INNOVATIONS OF THIS PROJECT > The elimination of many bureaucratic obstacles, thus accelerating completion. Photovoltaic panels to produce the energy used by lighting, sensors, and other systems day and night, lowering environmental impact. A special dehumidification system to avoid the formation of saline condensation that could weaken the structure over time Four robots that run continuously along both sides of the lower surface of the deck. They inspect, identify, and signal any anomalies to a control centre operated 24 hours a day. COOPERATION KEY TO SUCCESS The Saint George Bridge was inaugurated on 3 August 2020, a mere 15 months after construction began. It is too soon to judge the structure’s performance over time, but its beauty, function‐ ality, and symbolic importance are unassailable. Sartori observes that the project was “a personal and profes‐ sional experience for a very large group of people from many backgrounds who gave their all and showed what can be done when everyone is working together toward a shared goal.” www.nord-lock.com

FACTS > FINCANTIERI INFRASTRUCTURE COMPANY > Fincantieri Infrastructure is a subsidiary of Fincantieri S.p.A., the fourth-largest shipbuilding company in the world. OPERATING HEADQUARTERS > Verona, Italy PRODUCT LINES > Suspension bridges, viaducts, arch bridges, cablestayed bridges, railway bridges, towers, building structures, airports, maritime works, floating modular systems.

FACTS > GENOA SAINT GEORGE BRIDGE (VIADOTTO GENOVA-SAN GIORGIO) INAUGURATED > 3 August 2020 ARCHITECT > Renzo Piano TOTAL LENGTH > 1,067 metres WIDTH > 30.80 metres NUMBER OF LANES > 4 (plus 2 emergency lanes)

TECHNICAL INSIGHTS >

A WINNING WEDGE FOR A SYMBOLIC BRIDGE The challenge was daunting for Luca Gheddo, General Manager of Nord-Lock S.r.l., and Lorenzo Sartori, head of the technical office for Fincantieri Infrastructure, when they met in August 2019.

he new bridge that was planned for Genoa needed bolts that would not loosen under stresses, including dynamic loads and traffic vibrations. Moreover, these bolts, once installed, could not be inspected – much less tightened – continually. So, the washers had to be reliable in an elevated setting with diffi‐ cult access in a saline environment. The solution, they decided, lay in Nord‐Lock’s wedge‐lock washers utilising tension instead of friction to secure each bolted joint. Besides, these washers provide high corrosion resistance, confirming their durability in the harsh environmental condi‐ tions of Genoa, Italy’s busiest port. These results are proven by more than 1,000 hours of ISO 9227 salt spray testing. According to Frank Götz, EMEA Industry Manager for Building

and Steel Construction at Nord‐Lock Group, some engineers hesitate to use them for fear they do not meet the exacting stan‐ dards of European construction regulation (EN 1090‐2). But in fact, Nord‐Lock washers do meet these standards, while concomitantly increasing safety and decreasing lifecycle cost. Sartori was convinced, and Nord‐Lock washers were chosen based on specific functionalities. One series helps secure the frames of the deck edges as well as the bridge ramp, with a wedge design ensuring that the bolts they reinforce cannot loosen on their own, despite exposure to the strong vibrations and dynamic loads characteristic of the bridge and ramp. These washers are highly resistant to corrosion in saline conditions. Separately, a series of steel construction washers are specially designed for use on steel constructions and HV/HR sets (high strength structural bolting assemblies for preloading). They can be found on the bridge platforms where the VDC (vehicle dynamic control) robots patrol the lower surface of the deck to spot and report on anomalies. They too are highly resistant to saline corrosion. Fincantieri Infrastructure was pleased not only with the tech‐ nical specifications of the washers but with Nord‐Lock’s speed in providing necessary certification, technical assistance, and product delivery in a timely fashion. The first orders were deliv‐ ered in January 2020, recalls Gheddo.

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SPOTLIGHT PGB-POLSKA

A CONTINUING SHIFT TOWARDS QUALITY PRODUCTS The Polish market has been driving towards higher quality goods in recent years, making the territory all the more interesting to the wider fixing and fastener industry. Pgb-Polska has been well placed to capitalise on the shift towards quality…

gb‐Polska is a division of pgb‐Europe, a leading distributor of fasteners and fixings, founded in 1956 and located in Belgium. pgb‐Europe (Pennoit‐Grootaert Boutenhandel) has evolved from being a sole proprietorship into a renowned inter‐ national player on the market. The head office, which is the logistics centre for the storage and delivery of fasteners and hand tools, is located in Melle near Ghent. pgb‐Polska functions together with a Vietnamese division as the production unit for the group of companies. pgb‐Polska specialises in the production of anchors and the Vietnamese division specialises on the production of wood screws. The sales market from pgb‐Europe is mainly situated in Belgium and neighbour‐ ing countries. pgb‐Europe is a family‐ controlled company and at the moment the third generation is active within the company with Frederik and Vincent Pennoit and Johannes Heye. The polish divi‐ sion is headed by Krzystof Biskup, a 25‐year veteran within the fasteners industry. Biskup notes that he has seen many changes during his years within the indus‐ try, especially within the local Polish market. For example, the Polish market has shifted from a sole focus on producing cheaper basic products towards a market that grad‐ ually started to ask for higher quality prod‐ ucts and a more innovative product range, where pricing is no longer the only determi‐

native factor. Because of this evolution towards quality, a stronger connection has been noticeable between the domestic Polish sector of the fasteners industry and the European markets. This has strength‐ ened all trade and partnership relations.

// pgb-Polska also guarantees a high availability of its products to its customer base. // A focus on European markets combined with membership of the European Union has given pgb‐Polska plenty of commercial opportunities and has also resulted in the unification of product certification systems like ETAs. By focusing more on the European markets, pgb‐Polska has introduced higher standards and improved relations between production, distribution and final customer. pgb‐Polska says its high quality products are up to the standard and expectations of the European markets and are even beginning to set the tone and direction in the innova‐ tion and development of new products. Within pgb‐Polska and pgb‐Europe a vast majority of products have a unified certifi‐ cation and a unified packaging system,

which greatly benefits the customer base. It does not matter if the products are shipped from the warehouse in Poland or from headquarters in Belgium. All products adhere to the same level of quality. In addi‐ tion to the quality and price of the products, pgb‐Polska also guarantees a high availabil‐ ity of its products to its customer base. Through smart warehouse management, pgb‐Polska offers a high availability of its products, full traceability, technical support and quick responses to customer requests. All of this is supported by a modern and IT‐ driven sales system that gives pgb‐Polska the ability to hand out what it says are sharp commercial offers and discover the best prospects for the nearby future. Together with the Belgian mother company, pgb‐Polska focuses primarily on the development and production of new products within the existing pgb‐Europe family of brands. Prime examples of these brands are SMART, PFS+ and HAPAX among others. Besides these brands, pgb‐Polska also services private labels and is able to deliver the products in any kind of packaging as specified by the customer. By working with these private labels and offering them full customisation of a quality product at a sharp rate, pgb‐Polska takes maximum advantage of the growing emergence of these labels withing the European fasteners industry. www.pgb-polska.com

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TECHNICAL SPOTLIGHT DÖRKEN

ZINC FLAKE AGAINST RUST

HIGH-PERFORMANCE SURFACE PROTECTION FOR CONCRETE SCREWS Concrete screws are employed wherever specific components need to be secured in a concrete base. Outdoors in particular, they are exposed to a wide range of stresses and environmental influences. In the case of especially high corrosion protection requirements, the coating of concrete screws with a tailored zinc flake system is a wise choice, explains DÖRKEN… Zinc flake systems offer active cathodic protection of more than 2688 hours against base metal corrosion according to ISO 12944-6 in test programme 2 (cyclical ageing testing)

High stresses on concrete screws: Whether it is fixing crash barrier holders to asphalt on the autobahn, securing façade substructures to the frame of a building or as anchoring for fences, balcony or stair balustrades: Concrete screws – also known as screw anchors – are used in a wide range of areas and are required to withstand numerous stresses. In addition to sometimes extreme envi‐ ronmental conditions such as tempera‐ ture fluctuations, rain, sun rays or salty sea air, there are also often mechanical and chemical impacts – for example from de‐icing salt. A further problem of fasten‐ ing: concrete is a highly alkaline material, making it “toxic” for many surface coatings. If screws are coated with an unsuitable “protective film”, this often leads to premature failure or safety defects with expensive repairs. In view of this, depending on the area of use, the effective protection of the screws against corrosive attack is urgently required. Solutions commonly used for concrete screws In practice, concrete screws made from carbon steel or stainless steel are typically used today. To create corrosion protection, the screws made from carbon steel are either electroplated and passivated or alternatively coated via hot‐dip galvanisa‐ tion. However, these coatings often come up against their limitations, particularly where the corrosion protection require‐ ments are very high and further functional

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requirements also need to be fulfilled. The protective performance achievable with a galvanic coating is comparatively low and unsuitable for use with concrete screws under tough environmental conditions. In many cases, the problem with hot‐dip galvanisation is that the high process temperatures during application place great stress on the parts. In recent years, stainless steel concrete screws have estab‐ lished themselves as a common solution for projects with high corrosion protection requirements. These do not require addi‐ tional surface protection, but are compar‐ atively very expensive. Zinc flake system as an advantageous alternative Zinc flake coatings are a good choice when‐ ever a reliable and capable surface protec‐ tion is required for carbon steel concrete screws. The micro‐layer corrosion protec‐ tion system delivers very high protective performance at low coat thicknesses of just 8–20 μm. The basecoat consists of flake‐like particles embedded in a binder matrix. These cross‐link on the component to gener‐ ate corrosion protection. An additional topcoat provides the coating with multifunc‐ tional characteristics such as defined coeffi‐ cients of friction or chemical resistance, for example against cleaning media or – very importantly – the highly alkaline concrete. The individual coats are dried at low process temperatures of max. 240°C. Zinc flake systems can therefore also fulfil the require‐ ments of ISO 12944 C5 – very high.

Concrete screws are used for tasks such as fixing crash barrier holders to asphalt on the autobahn and need to withstand numerous stresses

Application of the coating is typically using the classic dip‐spin process. Partic‐ ularly important here is also that no hydrogen is generated in the coating process. This means that there is no danger of hydrogen‐induced stress corrosion cracking. For this reason, zinc flake coatings are especially suited for high‐tensile steel (> 1000 MPa). Finally, the wafer‐thin protective film is also advantageous from an ecological and economic viewpoint thanks to the low use of resources. Zinc flake coatings proven in practice Following comprehensive corrosion tests conducted together with DÖRKEN, compa‐ nies such as the fastener specialist Rawlplug have been using the zinc flake systems from Herdecke to coat concrete screws for some time now – whenever very high corrosion protection requirements need to be met. The Rawlplug concrete screws also satisfy the ETA (European Technical Assessment) approval required for use in safety‐relevant areas. The zinc flake coating is advisable for use with carbon steel concrete screws wherever very high requirements of corrosion protection need to be met as well as functional characteristics such as media resistance fulfilled. From an economic viewpoint also, these represent an advantageous alternative to stainless steel concrete screws. www.doerken.com

Tip top: our corrosion protection is thinner than a single hair. And easier to maintain! Despite the wafer-thin coat thickness, our coatings achieve excellent results and offer a high level of protection. And even better: we address your wishes and requirements individually, instead of brushing you off with standard service. www.doerken.com CORROSION EXPERTS

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION

OWLETT-JATON >

YOUR HIGH

TENSILE

PARTNER The huge wholesaler of fasteners and fixings discusses some of the high tensile options available to the market from its comprehensive ranges

hen considering the subject of high tensile fasteners, the immediate product group that springs to mind is ‘bolting’. That is hardly surprising, as there is more ‘choice’ within this range than any other. There are two types of products within bolting ‐ bolts, and setscrews. They are both designed to secure two or more components together, and there are many areas of application in manufacturing and maintenance. Many people would not know the (often distinct) difference between the two, but the difference determines their application. A set screw is fully threaded, right up to underneath the hexagon head. A bolt is partially threaded from the opposite end of the hexagon head, running so far up the shank leaving part of the shank blank. A set screw is commonly applied to a pre‐tapped (threaded) hole. Generally, setscrews are shorter than the piece of the material that they are being applied to; as a result, they rarely protrude on the other side, meaning that they do not need a nut, as they tighten with the thread in the hole. A bolt is designed to be installed with a nut. The thread will protrude on the other side, where the nut is then applied and tightens everything together; therefore, the hole does not require a thread. The application will inevitably determine how much strength the fastener requires. This is referred to by the grade

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of steel, which reflects how tensile (strong) the fastener is. ‘Standard’ entry of high tensile bolting (bolts and setscrews) is grade 8.8; other grades include grade 10.9, and grade 12.9. But bolting is just one category of high tensile fasteners; other categories include assembled bolting, hexagon socket screws, and studding (allthread, or threaded bar), for example. Assem‐ bled bolting usually consists of a high tensile set screw accom‐ panied with a corresponding flat washer and hexagon full nut. These are often used for repeat work, such as construction. Hexagon socket screws have a hexagon indent in the head, driven by a hexagon wrench (key), and are available in many designs. Hexagon socket screws are used in a multitude of appli‐ cations, ranging from furniture found in the home and work‐ place, the automotive industry, and wind turbines, as examples. Studding is a metal bar (the most common length is one metre),

threaded throughout the length. It is commonly used within the construction industry, manufacturing, and maintenance, and is used to help secure two or more components together. Owlett‐Jaton is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading whole‐ sale suppliers of fasteners and fixings to the merchant and distributor trade. When considering the options available on material grades, sizes (diameters and lengths), specifi‐ cations, finishes, branding, and packaging, we offer possibly the most comprehensive range of high tensile and bolt assembly products available to the market sector; all of our assembled bolting is CE approved. It is easy to see why Owlett‐Jaton is recognised within the trade as offering a complete wholesale solution.

MAIN OFFICE

www.fixi.it - info@fixi.it

www.owlett-jaton.com

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market THIS IS THE FUTURE WE NEED TO ACT ACCORDINGLY Despite significant supply chain issues, the market is full of highly positive indicators which demand some long-term thinking from the tools and fixings sector, argues Will Jones, Chief Operating Officer of the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA)…

ack in the first Covid lockdown when sales of all things DIY and garden related started to take off exponentially, the biggest issue for the suppliers who had not foreseen such levels of end user demand was shortage of stock. We also began to see speculation in some quarters about how long this ‘boom’ would last. Surely, there would come a time when all the home and garden improvement tasks were done and / or that everyone would be sick of doing them! With that as a backdrop, we are now re‐emerging from the third Covid lockdown, dealing with the trading complications of Brexit and wrestling with the costs of freight. It is an opportune time to review what short and long‐term plans the industry needs to be making. Despite the current challenges – especially in terms of supply chain and logistics – there are many extremely positive economic indicators. Moreover, taken together those indicators support the view that far from being a boom which will end, what we are witnessing is a fundamental shift in mindset which runs through consumer behaviour to property prices to construction output. The tools and fixings industry needs to plan accordingly. It would after all be tragic – not to mention ironic – if, after all we have been through, we were unable to keep turning that shift in mindset to economic advantage because we failed to gear up to do so. Let us look at where we are now. At risk of stating the obvi‐ ous we have the happy coincidence of retail re‐opening just as the traditional spring weather‐fuelled ‘season’ for home and garden improvement kicks in again, along with the season for house moves. More than 40 million Covid vaccination jabs have been administered to date, boosting business and consumer confidence; and with the Bank of England estimating around £125bn of extra savings in bank accounts, there is a good chance that at least some of that will drive a continuation in consumer‐led demand. The economic indicators reflect this positivity. Job creation rose at the fastest pace since December 2018. The IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI jumped to 61.7 in March 2021, from 53.3 in the previous month and well above market expectations of 54.6. Any reading above 50 indicates growth. This signalled the strongest rate of construction output

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Industrial Bolting Special Metals and Alloys Over 150 Material Grades 10,000 Ton Inventory Over 300 Machines We Service All Quantities Serving Distributors Worldwide growth since September 2014, with housebuilding rising the most since July 2020 and both commercial construction and civil engineering expanding the most since the second half of 2014. According to Duncan Brock, a director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, which jointly compiles the survey, these figures are “spectacular”. New order growth accelerated to its fastest since September 2014 and the rate of job creation was the strongest for over two years. In addition, the latest upturn in input buying was the steepest since November 2020. On the price front, purchasing price inflation was the highest since August 2008. Meanwhile, after a record fall in exports in January, February saw a rebound with export growing 46.6%. Business expecta‐ tions are at their highest level since June 2015, reflecting confi‐ dence in the UK economic outlook, the improving pandemic situation and pent‐up demand. From the tools and fixings perspective, the strength of the housing market must be good news with a boom in moves driven by the stamp duty holiday which has been extended until September, and demand outstripping supply. As we all know, the housing market drives home improvement whatever other factors apply, as householders start work on new abodes or improve old ones for selling or attracting new tenants. Besides which, with housebuilding the best performing part of the construction sector, combined with signs of recovery in civil engineering and commercial – as outlets prepare for reopening and new projects suddenly look more viable and emerge from ‘on hold’ – demand for tools and fixings can only remain high. This combination of factors leads me to believe in long‐term opportunities for the sector. The only negative – and I appreci‐ ate its gravity – is the impact of such huge demand combined with current logistical problems and supply issues, driving up raw materials prices, with the inevitable knock on throughout the supply chain. While I am not saying that any individual supplier, retailer, professional end user or DIY consumer can individually solve the current logistical problems, it is essential that the industry collectively appreciates the opportunity and does its utmost now to plan accordingly – despite the supply chain issues. This demand is not a freak moment. It is an indication of the future if we all respond to it and raise the game accordingly. To find out more about BHETA lobbying, retailer networking and business support, contact Nicola Adams in BHETA Member Services on na@bheta.co.uk or on 07946 078566.

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2021 FEATURES MAY (enhanced digital)

JULY/AUGUST (print)

TERRITORY FOCUS > Nordic countries Special fasteners Structural Engineering & Structural Fasteners

JUNE (print) Nuts, washers and locking systems Tools > Made in Germany Machines & tooling Building & Construction > ETAs and Accreditations Rising Stars > 30 under 30 Renewables > Fasteners and tools TERRITORY FOCUS > Italy

Women in fasteners special > North America QC laboratory focus Oils, sprays and lubricants PREVIEW > International Fastener Expo PREVIEW > Taiwan International Fastener Show Building & Construction > Structural timber fasteners and connectors TERRITORY FOCUS > Netherlands & Benelux

SEPTEMBER (print) Fastener manufacturing special Stainless steel fixings and fasteners Torque tools (torque wrenches, etc) Workwear, PPE and safety Building & Construction > Anchors Fastener Fair Stuttgart preview 1 PREVIEW > Fastener Fair USA TERRITORY FOCUS > China

OCTOBER (enhanced digital) Rivets, rivet tools and rivet technology Plugs, plasterboard and cavity fixings Janitorial supplies > Wipes, cleaners, sprays, etc Fastener Fair Stuttgart preview 2

NOVEMBER (print) C-parts, logistics and Kanban Connected & smart tools Automotive fasteners & tools Surface treatment Building & Construction > Adhesives, tapes, sealants and fillers Turkish manufacturing

DECEMBER (enhanced digital) STUTTGART SPECIAL New products, services and interviews from Fastener Fair Stuttgart 2021

REGULAR FEATURES WOMEN IN FASTENERS & TOOLS BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICE Q&A’S NEW TORQUE TESTED

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Torque Magazine Issue 53

Articles inside

TERRITORY FOCUS > UK

FASTENER DISTRIBUTION SPECIAL

SEMICONDUCTOR SHORTAGE

WOMEN IN FASTENERS

FOCUS

KLIMAS