31 minute read
TERRITORY FOCUS > UK
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.
While 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 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
NEW RANGES APPEAR WITH SPECTRE
Advanced features come as standard on screwdriver bits and holesaws, promises brand…
The 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...
SECURE BITS FROM HAFREN
Trying 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.
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...
A 2-Hole
Popular aesthetically pleasing drive for any two‐way application
(level-1 security) B Pin Hex
Hexagon socket screws manu‐factured with an internal pin
(level-1 security) C 6-Lobe Pin
Popular security drive for high torque applications
(level-1 security) D 5-Lobe pin
‘Give me 5’ (lobes) for improved tamper‐resistance
(level-2 security)
A B C D E F G
E Tri Head
Widely used vandal deterrent fixing
(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)
www.hafrenfasteners.com
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TENZ FROM A. PERRY > “TECHNOLOGY WITHOUT COMPROMISE”
TENZ 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
*Minimum Order Value of £500 Full Merchandising Support Available
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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…
Apex 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. 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 Magazineasked 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.”
Apex’s extensive stock range covers over 20,000 items in grades A2 and A4 Stainless Steel. www.apexstainless.com
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…
Despite 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 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.
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.
www.premierdiamondproducts.co.uk
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…
In 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.” 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!”
Gesipa UK recieved a sculpture to celebrate the milestone anniversary
www.gesipa.co.uk
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…
SPIROL 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.
Press-N-Lok: SPIROL’s latest launch is manufactured from lightweight, lead-free and corrosion-resistant aluminium
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 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
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…
Bufab 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 Magazineby 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. 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
// The new ERP system gives us new functionality and the full set of Bufab tools; RFID scanners, VMI tools, vending machines... the full toolbox. //
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
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
Founded 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. 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.
