2025: a focus on innovation, people and sustainability.
Ambrovit welcomes the new year with a campaign dedicated entirely to its employees. Since 1997, the name Ambrovit has been a guarantee for all experts in the screws and bolts sector. Ambrovit has grown constantly over the years, fueled by its passion for innovation and adapting to changing market needs, which have seen it gain an unrivaled reputation in the market. Ambrovit’s hallmark is its meticulous attention to the quality of its products. The company adheres to the highest standards to guarantee the effectiveness and safety of the products it distributes.
Undercover heroes: Ambrovit’s “daily” heroes
Just as in every great story, Ambrovit’s people are its beating heart. This is why the new 2025 campaign, “Undercover Heroes”, celebrates the employees, the real stars of the company’s success, showcasing to the public the value of the work that goes on behind the scenes. “Undercover Heroes” stems from Ambrovit’s desire to tell a genuine story that embraces dedication, professionalism and passion, and to reveal the human side of the company, by giving a voice to and recognizing those who, without much fanfare, contribute daily to its success. One of the most moving aspects of the campaign is the narration of employees’ personal stories. Each one is recounted in an authentic way, the result of genuine, ordinary conversations, in which the speakers had free rein to express themselves, sharing not just details about their jobs but also some personal anecdotes, their hopes and minor worries about the future. The initiative aroused great interest among employees, who felt valued and recognized for their work, and they whiled away a few hours doing something different, including posing for campaign photo shoots. At a time when companies are increasingly trying to humanize their brands, putting the core focus on people, Ambrovit has been a trendsetter, choosing to tell its story through the voices of the people who work in its offices and warehouses every day.
Innovation and growth: Ambrovit looks to the future with Go Easy.
As we’ve mentioned, Ambrovit is a forward-thinking company. It conducts the non-stop research required to always keep pace with the needs of the market, distributing intuitive, safe and longlasting solutions. Over the last three years, the company has focused on expanding its warehouses, creating a cutting-edge logistics system. It is now able to guarantee ultra-fast deliveries in 24-48 hours, thanks to the construction of a second warehouse that allows it to store a larger volume of ready-to-ship products. By contrast, 2024 witnessed the launch of an even more ambitious project: Go Easy. Perfect for those looking for a reliable, safe and easy-to-use product, Go Easy offers customers the possibility to independently purchase a wide range of products at hardware stores, including screws,
bolts, and other fasteners and fixings, certified to the highest standards and sold in three different packaging sizes. The range includes more than thirty products, which are suited to just as many needs, including screws (chipboard screws, machine screws, self-tapping screws), hex lag screws, nuts, rivets, bolts and washers. To ensure greater flexibility and choice, products are available in three different packaging formats, all with a modern and simple design, with the addition of a helpful technical feature: all packaging contains precise illustrations of the screws, with descriptions, sizes, and instructions for use in Italian and English. On the back, an information sheet in nine languages makes it easy for everyone to understand.
Sustainability and the future: an increasingly tangible commitment.
Ambrovit’s ambitions for 2025 definitely include an even firmer commitment on the sustainability front, which has already taken concrete shape in the past through several projects targeted at reducing its environmental impact. It has taken its first step in this direction by adding clear and detailed labels to all products, which not only certify compliance with the relevant regulations in force, but also provide all the necessary information to ensure transparency towards consumers, such as compliance with the CE marking requirements. Throughout its path of innovation, Ambrovit has also invested in modernizing its operating plants. A tangible example of this commitment is the new Proxima warehouse, which, thanks to the installation of 650 photovoltaic panels, is able to produce enough energy to power the entire operating cycle. This is a move that not only reduces operating costs, but also marks an important step in creating an energy self-sufficient plant, bringing the company closer into line with a market keeping an increasingly closer eye on sustainability. However, Ambrovit does not stop at simply optimizing its operating processes. Its vision goes further, always striving to celebrate and value the role of the people who contribute to the success of its projects. With this in mind, the “Undercover Heroes” campaign was launched at the start of the year, with a view to paying tribute to those who, work behind the scenes as the silent heroes of every major success. The new year has just kicked off and Ambrovit is preparing to embrace it as best it can, with a cohesive team geared towards innovation and responsibility.
Editorial“Fair Competition"
2025 is a critical turning point for global industries to enter into an unprecedented mode of competition. Not only will the impact be more far-reaching, but the effects felt by the industries are also expected to be more comprehensive and drastic. Starting from the US-led tariff “drama” that is unfolding globally, it involves not only a wide range of industries, but its non-discriminatory tax practices are also making countries worldwide to keep a close watch on. 2025 is also the very last year before the official implementation of EU CBAM, which means that manufacturers will have an even tighter time to prepare. In addition, that China's dumping of low-price products is destabilizing the global supply chain continues to be an unsolved issue, coupled with other concerns like “Which countries will benefit from the reconstruction opportunities arising from the Russia-Ukraine truce?”, “Is the change in Europe's economic indicators signaling the arrival of recovery?, and “ Will the tense political situation in Taiwan be eased, so as to make measures and policies in favor of manufacturers facing external competition?” These domestic and international changes will certainly have a certain degree of impact on whether related companies can obtain fair competition opportunities in the international market. The term “fair competition” will undoubtedly be a very important factor in the future industrial development.
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A Health Supply Chain Won’t Exist Should Low-Price Dumping Continues
The disorder in the global supply chain caused by the continued dumping of Chinese products at prices below the normal market prices in other countries and the unfair competition created by the tax rebates and subsidies provided by the Chinese government are still urgent and unresolved issues. According to relevant reports, China's crude steel, wire rod and fastener production capacity account for almost half of the world's total, so it naturally has a price advantage in determining market pricing. However, due to China's economic downturn and new obstacles challenging the Belt and Road Initiative in many countries, as well as the pressure of not being able to shut down factories and reduce production, China can only dump its excessive capacity at low prices. While this reduces the pressure on domestic inventories, it also disrupts the original stable supply and demand in other countries. Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and other countries have launched AD investigations or measures to protect their manufacturing. Taiwan, which is mainly an export-oriented country, has also been affected, and has been struggling hard to compete directly with China in terms of similar product categories. If this problem remains unresolved, it could create a vicious cycle in the multinational supply and demand system, which is not conducive to the development of a healthy global supply chain. All countries should address this problem and take appropriate measures to solve it.
No More Time to Waste for Taiwanese Companies in the Face of CBAM
Despite previous calls from some countries for the CBAM measure to be delayed or made more flexible, it is now clear that the CBAM is still on track for a 2026 start date. With this measure on the horizon, whoever is ready first has a better chance of getting the upper hand. Although some people criticize this is a
trade protectionism in the guise of environmental protection, if manufacturers want to get a share of this important consumer market, i.e., the EU, they can no longer be ignorant of it, especially those Taiwanese fastener suppliers exporting 30-40% of their products to the EU. In the January issue of Fastener World Magazine and this issue, our editors have shared the efforts of a number of large, internationally recognized distributors and manufacturers in the preparations for CBAM, which are also worthy of reference by the industry. Taiwanese government should also be a big supporter to the industry and speed up the process of solving the problem of the lack of an EU accredited certification unit in Taiwan and related implementation details. It would be naive for Taiwan to think that it’ll always have an advantage in the CBAM issue when the governments of Japan, S. Korea, and other countries in Southeast Asia are providing necessary resources for CBAM and striving for reciprocal agreements externally with other countries for their domestic industries.
Opportunities or Crises Brought by U.S. Tariffs May Make Taiwan
More Competitive
Although President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports has raised many concerns, Taiwan may still be able to find a competitive edge on the basis of “equal treatment” when the details of the tariff become clearer this March or April. If Taiwan CSC, the largest source of supplies of Taiwanese fastener industry, can also provide wire rod/coil offering more profit margin, it is only a matter of time before Taiwan sees another export boom (note: Taiwan's fasteners export value decreased by less than 5% last year, and its export volume increased slightly by 1.5%). It is important to note that about 50% of Taiwanese fasteners are exported to the U.S., so how much tax its biggest competitor (China) will ultimately be subject to, and whether the countries with deeper interests in the U.S. will be able to obtain exemptions or tax reductions will impact Taiwan's competitiveness in terms of price quotations. In addition, the regional industrial supply chain will become the mainstream of the future, the global fastener industry may plan to set up factories or distribution channels in the U.S., and the U.S. manufacturing industry will also be more willing to do more local investments. The biggest beneficiary will be the local consumers.
Russia-Ukraine Truce and Natural Disasters Will Bring Reconstruction Demands
The war will finally end someday, and H1 2025 will be crucial for the subsequent development of the situation. If Russia and Ukraine sign an armistice under the mediation of various countries, the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine's infrastructure is expected to bring huge demand for iron & steel, building materials and fasteners, and the countries that will ultimately benefit from it will further promote the integration and reorganization of the global supply chain. In addition, reconstruction and rehabilitation after natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods (e.g., the destruction of houses caused by last year's forest fires in California) will also bring astronomical demand for fasteners. It is suggested that the industry can seize the opportunity to actively pursue business opportunities.
Fastener Fair Global- a Barometer of European Market
As Europe's largest fastener industry event, Fastener Fair Global this year will see nearly 170 Taiwanese exhibitors under the call of Fastener World. This Fair has attracted a lot of European leading industry buyers to visit for years and is an important indicator for many industry players to observe the European economy and understand the changes in production and sales of the industries (e.g., automotive, fasteners, hardware and components, fastening tools, and machinery). As Europe has been affected by the uncertain economic outlook for the past 2-3 years, the overall demand for fasteners has been sluggish. Therefore, this year's Fastener Fair Global will be a very important indicator to observe whether the European market is picking up or not and whether there is any positive news. You are welcome to visit Fastener World’s booths at no. 2621 in Hall 5 and no. 4260 in Hall 7 for the latest industry news and supplier information during the 3-day show period.
Taiwanese Industries May be Victimized by Partisan Catfight
Many domestic industry players are concerned about whether the current political conflicts in Taiwan will drag down the international competitiveness of Taiwanese industries, as an unstable political and economic environment will not only make the long-term industrial development lack of support, but also discourage overseas customers interested in deepening cooperation with Taiwan from further investment, not to mention that in the long run it will also be detrimental to the image Taiwan has maintained for years as the best partner in customers’ minds. Although the fastener industry accounts for a relatively small portion of Taiwan’s overall foreign exchange earnings, it is an indispensable part supporting the development of various industries. In the face of an increasingly challenging business environment in the industry (such as worries about adequate water and electricity supply), Taiwanese fastener manufacturers need more support from the government in order to gradually recover their lost capacity and gain more opportunities for international cooperation. As long as the foundation of fair competition remains unchanged, the development of Taiwanese fastener industry still has a good chance.
Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Gang Hao Chang, Vice Editor-in-Chief
Global EV Market and the Impact on Fastener Demand
Copyright owned by Fastener World
Article by Dr. Sharareh Shahidi Hamedani, UNITAR International University
Global Electric Vehicle Production and Sales Trends
The electric vehicle (EV) industry has witnessed remarkable growth in the past decade, driven by environmental concerns, supportive government policies, and technological advancements. However, the production and sales of EVs are not immune to economic cycles, supply chain disruptions, or geopolitical tensions. These fluctuations have a ripple effect on ancillary industries, including the demand for automotive fasteners—a critical component in vehicle assembly.
Almost 14 million new electric cars were registered globally in 2023, bringing their total number on roads to 40 million, closely tracking the sales forecast from the 2023 edition of the Global EV Outlook (GEVO-2023). Electric car sales in 2023 were 3.5 million higher than in 2022, a 35% year-on-year increase. This is more than six times higher than in 2018. In 2023, there were over 250,000 new registrations per week, which is more than the annual total in 2013. Electric cars accounted for around 18% of all cars sold in 2023, up from 14% in 2022 and only 2% in 2018. These trends indicate that growth remains robust as electric car markets mature. Battery electric cars accounted for 70% of the electric car stock in 2023. 1
Regional Overview and 2024 Statistics
• Europe: EV sales remained strong in 2023, growing by 28%, driven by stringent emission regulations and incentives. Countries such as Norway and Germany lead the charge, with Norway's EV penetration reaching 89%.
1. United Kingdom: In 2023 there were 314,684 electric cars sold, as compared to 267,203 in 2022; a growth of 18%. In 2024 there were 381,970 new fully electric cars sold, which was 19.6% market share of all new cars registered that year. 2
2. Germany : (January to December 2024) Battery-electric car sales in Germany contracted by 27.4% to only 380,609 electric cars for a market share of only 13.5% compared to 18.4% in 2023. 3
3. Norway: A record for EV sales in Norway was set in 2024: 88.9 percent of all new passenger cars sold were fully electric, up from 82.4 percent in 2023. Total EVs sold were 826,000 vehicles in 2024 in comparison with 719,000 vehicles in 2023. 4
• United States: Overall, EV sales in the U.S. continue to grow, with more than 2.5 million EVs sold in the past 48 months. In the latest analysis, sales in 2023 were revised upward to 1,212,758 units, a 49% gain from 2022. Sales in 2024 (1,301,411 units) were higher by 7.3% and accounted for 8.1% of total sales, up from 7.8% share in 2023. 5
• China: EV-makers sold an unprecedented number of about 12.5 million EVs in China in 2024, Car News China reported, citing early sales data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Those sales meant a whopping 41.6% jump from the 7.75 million EVs sold in China in 2023. 6
According to Bloomberg, there were 500 Chinese electric car manufacturers in China in 2019. After fierce competition, less than 150 manufacturers remained by 2023. According to Wired, as many as 300 manufacturers, both domestic and international, were offering electric vehicles in China in 2023. And just 19 out of China’s 137 current electric vehicle (EV) brands will be profitable by the end of the decade, leaving the rest to exit the industry, consolidate or battle for a minor market share. 7
Sales Dynamics and Export Trends
China made big strides last year toward an EV-driven future, as domestic sales of all types of electric vehicles rose by 40% in 2024. Sales of gasoline powered cars tumbled, including foreign imports. In 2024, a total of 31.4 million total vehicles were sold in the world’s largest automobile market by sales, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. That marked a 4.5% rise compared with the previous year.
Impact on Automotive Fasteners Demand
The EV industry's evolution has transformed the demand for fasteners’ components due to differences in design, assembly, and materials compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
1. Reduced Fastener Volume
• EVs require fewer fasteners than ICE vehicles because they have simpler powertrains. For example, EV powertrains have fewer moving parts, eliminating the need for certain fasteners used in engines and transmissions.
• On average, an ICE vehicle uses approximately 3,500 fasteners, while an EV requires about 2,800—a reduction of 20%.
2. Shift in Fastener Materials
• EVs rely more on lightweight materials such as aluminium and composites to enhance efficiency. This shift drives demand for specialized fasteners made of corrosion-resistant materials, including titanium and stainless steel.
• The growth of battery packs in EVs has increased the demand for fasteners capable of withstanding high thermal and mechanical stresses.
3. Production Fluctuations and Fastener Demand
• China's EV production has directly impacted fastener manufacturers supplying the industry. CAAM data further showed that in the first nine months of 2024, China's total EV output and sales reached 8.316 million and 8.32 million units, up 31.7% and 32.5%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. 8
Conclusion
The analysis of data trends highlights significant developments in the relationship between electric vehicle (EV) sales and fastener demand, driven by regional and technological dynamics. EV sales growth in Europe and North America has supported steady demand for fasteners, while the remarkable rise in China's EV sales underscores its critical role in shaping global market trends. This growth highlights opportunities for both domestic and export-oriented fastener suppliers. Additionally, the increasing complexity of EVs, particularly with the adoption of advanced battery technologies such as solid-state batteries, has spurred innovation in fastener design to enhance heat dissipation and compact assembly. Fastener manufacturers are adapting by diversifying their portfolios to include solutions optimized for lightweight materials and high-voltage battery systems, while automation, such as robot-assisted fastener installation, is becoming essential to meet the precision requirements of modern EV assembly lines.
Looking ahead, the global EV market is expected to reach 38 million units by 2030, with China continuing to play a pivotal role in driving this growth. Although growth rates are expected to moderate, this underscores the importance of automotive suppliers aligning with evolving trends to remain competitive. The adoption of modular EV platforms will drive the demand for multi-functional fasteners capable of reducing assembly time and costs, while the expansion of charging infrastructure, including fast chargers, will create additional demand for fasteners in associated installations. Furthermore, increasing sustainability pressures and environmental regulations will compel fastener manufacturers to develop recyclable and eco-friendly materials, aligning with the broader sustainability goals of the EV industry.
The future of automotive fasteners lies in specialization, sustainability, and strategic alignment with the evolving needs of the EV sector. By leveraging market insights, embracing technological advancements, and responding to sustainability challenges, the fastener industry can remain resilient and thrive in an era of rapid automotive transformation.
TIFI Holds Speech Focused on Industry’s Concern on U.S. Tariffs
The tariff increase proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump after he took office in January this year has caused a huge upheaval in the global market, and most companies are still waiting to see when the U.S. will announce more specific tariff details for them to facilitate the assessment of the extent of the subsequent impact. In order to help the fastener industry understand the U.S. tariff measures as well as the trend and current situation of the domestic economy, TIFI invited Dr. Chia-Lung Wu, a financial expert, to give a speech on “Taiwan's Overall Economy and Response to U.S. Tariffs and Other Issues” in Kaohsiung (Taiwan) on Feb./25. The speech analyzed the global economic outlook, tariffs, foreign exchange rates, and interest rates, and was attended by reps of many fastener industries.
The highlights of the speech are summarized as below.
Uncertainties to Influence Market Dynamics
The most worrying part of the industry is that the global market is filled with too many uncertainties, which has led to some industry players being at a loss as to what to do. Although President Trump is generally inclined to impose tariffs on all countries, should they do it all at once or in a gradual manner? Will different countries be taxed at the same rate? What are the tax rates for individual industries? Will Taiwan's strong chip industry also be affected? To what extent will the downstream steel products (e.g. fasteners) be affected? The situation is not yet clear. The U.S. Fed may also consider cutting interest rates again in the second half of this year in response to the resurgence of inflation and its impact on the overall economy. Undeniably, the imposition of tariffs will definitely have a certain degree of impact on the economic development. Before the Trump administration announces any new policies, the industry can still think about which part of the tariffs and the exchange rate can still create benefits for themselves from the positive and negative impacts they may bring, and find out the next response strategies.
Who’s the Actual Beneficiary in a Free Competitive Market?
Free competition in the market tends to create the phenomenon of “The strong getting stronger and the weak getting weaker”, and there is an imbalance in the opportunities enjoyed by multinational professionals and the local labor force. Trump's policies are mainly aimed at solving this social division to create jobs for the grassroots, and therefore he advocates cracking down on illegal immigrants, solving the problem of industries moving out of the U.S., and fighting trade wars with major competing countries such as China, in order to bring back to the U.S. the lost job opportunities. The increase in tariffs is an important tool for Trump to resolve trade deficits with a number of countries, with the aim of solving the continuous deterioration of the trade imbalance, which must also imply a lot of national defense and political considerations.
Dr. Wu believes that Trump's tariff measures will have 4 major effects in the long run, including: increasing financial revenue, forcing foreign manufacturers to set up factories in the U.S., protecting strategic industries such as iron & steel and chips, and achieving other political goals (such as stopping illegal immigration, regaining control of the Panama Canal, etc.).
Why is Trump Considering Imposing Tariffs on Chips from Taiwan and What are the Implications?
Trump wants to achieve 4 major goals in the high-end chip industry, including asking TSMC to expand its production capacity in the U.S., bringing advanced process technology to the U.S., and saving Intel to become one of the major high-end chip makers. This is also one of his “America First” promises in the campaign. Taiwan has a strong industrial supply chain in AI and chips, and the one-stop industrial cluster is not only innovative but also a great support to the U.S. On the other hand, TSMC's tech advantage can not only help Intel regain its position as a major chip maker, but also prevent TSMC from falling into the U.S. antitrust investigation.
Dr. Wu believes that “America First” may eventually lead to the development of relevant supply chains in Taiwan, which can be also interpreted as “Taiwan First” from another perspective in exchange for US military and diplomatic support for Taiwan. Although Taiwan may seem to have suffered a bit of a loss at this stage, it does not mean that it will not be able to benefit from it in the future.
Positive U.S. Economic Outlook May Lead to Depreciation of Non-U.S. Currencies.
Under the subversive style of Trump's strong tax hike, foreign companies are bound to invest more and more in the U.S. in order to minimize the impact on their own operations, and many manufacturing industries (e.g., refrigerators, TV, etc.) relying heavily on the U.S. market will have to invest more in the U.S. to set up factories and production. As capital continues to flow back to the U.S., the U.S. employment opportunities increase and the U.S. dollar index strengthens, which will also lead to the depreciation of other currencies such as the Euro, the Japanese Yen, and the New Taiwan Dollar under competitive pressure.
Tariffs May Not Necessarily Impact Prices
Dr. Wu believes that the relevance between tariffs and prices is overestimated, as higher tariffs may not necessarily be reflected in prices, because non-comprehensive tariffs can be sometimes circumvented. For example, Chinese companies have shifted some of their production capacity to countries such as Vietnam, or sent semifinished products to third countries for assembly before exporting to the U.S. That Mexico becomes the first to be influenced by the 25% tariff imposed by the U.S. is also partly related to this pattern of circumvention, which also explains why the U.S. has to synchronize the tariffs on all third countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Middle East countries; furthermore, through the depreciation of the exchange rate, the impact of the tariffs can be minimized. Previously, China, Japan, and other Asian countries once reduced the exchange rate of their currencies against the U.S. dollar by as much as 50% in response to U.S. tariff pressure, and such a depreciation will also lead to a competitive depreciation of other Asian currencies. However, it should be noted that the U.S. often imposes punitive tariffs on countries that are suspected of manipulating the exchange rate, so it is crucial that they are properly adjusted so as not to be penalized.
Dr. Wu believes that Trump's phased increase in tariffs is intended to create “sustained” pressure on inflation, because if tariffs continue to accumulate, exporters will be forced to keep adjusting their prices upward, which will put even more pressure on inflation.
Irreplaceability as a Competitive Edge
Manufacturers are replaced as there are alternatives in the market. If an exporter chooses to raise prices, it must take into account the degree of competition in the market. If there are many alternative choices, there is a risk of losing orders. On the other hand, if a company like TSMC having almost no competitors in the market and demonstrating low substitutability, even if it raises its selling price and passes the cost to customers, it does not have to worry too much about losing orders. This also highlights the importance of irreplaceability in the market.
Are There Still Opportunities for Taiwan?
Dr. Wu noted that it remains to be seen whether Trump's final tariff measures will be comprehensive or partly targeted, and whether they will only target specific industries. If the result is that everyone will be treated equally, there may be less pressure on Taiwan. Although there will be pressure for Asian currencies to depreciate due to the possibility of stronger U.S. dollar, Taiwan's importance in AI and chips is expected to continuously play a key role in boosting Taiwan's economic development, so its pressure for depreciation will be less than that of other Asian countries. In response to the U.S. tariffs, Taiwan's manufacturing supply chains in the short term may adopt a number of significant countermeasures, including: relying on exchange rate depreciation to minimize the impact of tariffs, indirectly exporting through third parties, and setting up factories in the U.S. directly.
In fact, a large part of Taiwan's competitiveness comes from the ability to innovate, and a lot of new blood from the 2nd and 3rd generation in the industry have also joined their companies’ tech R&D, so there is still a great opportunity to obtain more orders in the future due to the order-switching effect. With the AI, robotics and other key development industries continuing to inject strong momentum into the Taiwanese economy, it is not impossible for the Taiwan stock market to reach over 30,000 points in the future like the Hong Kong Hang Seng and Nikkei index one did before. In Taiwan, there is still a lot of room for development in the technology and manufacturing industries under the trends of the order-switching effect and the ever-decreasing significance of the Chinese supply chain. In addition to the Panama Canal, Greenland, the Gaza Corridor and Ukraine issues, which continue to be talk of the town, Taiwan will definitely be also a very important part of Trump's global economic and military strategies.
Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Gang Hao Chang, Vice Editor-in-Chief
▲ Dr. Chia-Lung Wu
Financial Reports of Fastener Companies
U.S.A
's 2024
of USD 60 million in 2024, compared to a
from USD 14,155 million in 2023.
Fastenal's 2024 net sales were USD 7,546 million, up 2.7% from
2023. Net income was USD 1,150.6 million in 2024, down 0.3% from USD 1,155 million in 2023. Total assets increased to USD 4,698 million in 2024 from USD 4,462.9 million in 2023.
Grainger's 2024 net sales were USD 17,168 million, up 4.1% from USD 16,478 million in 2023. Net income was USD 1,909 million in 2024, up 4.3% from USD 1,829 million in 2023. Total assets increased to USD 8,829 million in 2024 from USD 8,147 million in 2023.
Simpson Manufacturing's 2024 net sales were USD 2,232.139 million, up 0.8% from USD 2,213.803 million in 2023. Net income was USD 322.224 million in 2024, down 8.9% from USD 353.987 million in 2023. Total
2,704.724 million in 2023.
Nucor's 2024 net sales were USD 30,734 million, down 11.4% from USD 34,714 million in 2023. Net income was USD 2,027 million in 2024, down 55.2% from USD 4,525 million in 2023. Total assets decreased to USD 33,940 million in 2024 from USD 35,340 million in 2023.
Bossard's 2024 net sales were CHF 986.4 million, down 7.7% (in CHF) or down 5.8% (in local currency) from CHF 1,069 million in 2023. Europe, at 567.5 million, registered the largest sales portion generated within the group in 2024, but down 3.2% from the previous year. America registered the largest drop margin within the group, while Asia registered a sales gain both in CHF and local currencies.
Bufab's 2024 net sales were SEK 8,035 million, down 7.4% from SEK 8,680 million in 2023. Net profit was SEK 551 million in 2024, down 4% from SEK 574 million in 2023. Total assets increased to SEK 9,191 million in 2024 from SEK 8,600 million in 2023.
Bulten's 2024 net sales were SEK 5,807 million, up 0.8% from USD 5,757 million in 2023. Net profit was SEK 135 million in 2024, up 31% from SEK 103 million in 2023. Total assets increased to SEK 5,099 million in 2024 from SEK 4,852 million in 2023.
Würth's 2024 sales were EUR 20,214 million, down 0.8% from EUR 20,396 million in 2023. Operating result was EUR 900 million in 2024, down 38.1% from USD 1,455 million in 2023.
Market Outlook: EU US Housing Starts and Home Improvements &
Introduction
The housing and home improvement markets in the U.S. and the EU have shown resilience and adaptation in 2024 despite ongoing economic challenges. With the entry into 2025, this article provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest housing starts statistics and the outlook for the home improvements market, using actual data from 2024 and projections for 2025 and beyond.
Housing Starts: Current Trends and Outlook
U.S. Housing Starts: 2024 Overview
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, housing starts in the U.S. in 2024 showed a positive trend. As of December 2024, the annualized rate of housing starts was reported at 1.63 million units, reflecting a 4.5% increase compared to December 2023.
Table 1. U.S. Housing Starts: 2024 Data Summary
Projections for 2025 suggest that the U.S. housing market will continue to experience moderate growth, with housing starts expected to reach approximately 1.65 million units in 2025, driven by stabilizing interest rates and continued demand for new homes.
EU Housing Starts: 2024 and Outlook for 2025
The EU housing market faced some challenges in 2024, with overall starts slightly down in comparison to previous years. Eurostat data indicated that housing starts in the EU in 2024 totalled approximately 1.49 million units, a 3% decrease from
the 2023 level. However, a 3.5% increase is projected for the EU housing market in 2025, with the total number of starts reaching approximately 1.55 million units.
The decrease in housing starts in the EU in 2024, especially in the multi-family segment, could be attributed to increasing construction costs and challenges related to building material shortages. These factors have hindered new projects, particularly in urban areas. However, government efforts to stimulate affordable housing construction are expected to drive growth in 2025.
Table 2. EU Housing Starts: 2024 and 2025 Projections
The expected recovery in 2025 is driven by government initiatives, the focus on energy-efficient housing, and urbanization trends.
Home Improvement Market Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
U.S. Home Improvement Market
The U.S. home improvement market grew in 2024, reaching an estimated US$510 billion, a 5% increase from 2023, according to the Harvard Joint Centre for Housing Studies. As we look ahead to 2025, the market is projected to continue growing at a moderate pace, with an estimated market size of US$530 billion by the end of 2025, driven by increased demand for energy-efficient home renovations and smart home technologies.
Table 3. U.S. Home Improvement Market: 2025 Projections
Key factors contributing to the growth in the U.S. home improvement sector in 2025 include:
• Energy-efficient renovations, driven by both consumer demand and incentives such as tax credits for solar panels and energyefficient appliances.
• Aging housing stock, particularly in suburban and older urban areas, will continue to push renovation demand.
EU Home Improvement Mar ket: Outlook for 2025
The EU home improvement market experienced similar moderate growth in 2024, valued at approximately €320 billion. It is projected to expand by 4.5% in 2025, reaching €335 billion by the end of the year, driven by sustainability initiatives and the focus on improving energy efficiency.
As the EU looks ahead to 2025, there will be a marked increase in demand for renovations that improve energy efficiency, including the installation of heat pumps, insulation, and solar power systems. The EU’s push to meet its climate goals is expected to continue driving these trends, as both consumers and policymakers focus on sustainable living practices.
Table 4. EU Home Improvement Market: 2025 Projections
U.S. Market Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
• Housing Starts: Expected to continue growing, with 1.65 million units projected in 2025.
• Home Improvement: The U.S. home improvement market is forecasted to reach US$530 billion by the end of 2025.
• Energy-efficient Renovations: Driven by government incentives, green building technologies, and a continued shift towards sustainable living.
As the U.S. housing market stabilizes and the home improvement market grows, there is likely to be an increased emphasis on sustainable and energy-efficient construction. This trend will not only meet consumer demand but also align with broader national and global efforts to combat climate change.
EU Market Outlook for 2025 and Beyond
• Housing Starts: Projected to rise by 3.5% in 2025, reaching 1.55 million units.
• Home Improvement: The EU home improvement market is expected to grow to €335 billion by 2025.
• Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: There will be a continued push for renovations that focus on carbon reduction, meeting EU energy efficiency goals.
The continued shift towards green building practices, renovations for energy efficiency, and smart home integrations will be key drivers in the EU home improvement market in 2025.
Insights and Key Projections for 2025 and Beyond
As we move on to 2025, the housing and home improvement markets in both the U.S. and the EU show promising signs of recovery and growth. Several critical factors are expected to shape both the housing starts and home improvement markets over the next few years.
Resources:
The EU’s emphasis on energy-efficient housing will continue to have a significant influence on the home improvement market. The Green Deal and Renovation Wave are likely to continue being the primary drivers of these trends, especially as EU regulations around energy use in buildings become stricter.
Conclusion
Both the U.S. and the EU housing and home improvement markets are poised for continued growth in 2025 and beyond, driven by a variety of factors including energy-efficient housing, government incentives, and smart home technologies. While challenges like supply chain disruptions and high material costs may persist, the underlying demand for housing and improvements remains strong, suggesting a positive outlook for the industry in the coming years.
Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Shervin Shahidi Hamedani
The Current Development of Global Aerospace Fastener Market
The aerospace fastener market is undergoing significant transformation, driven by evolving industry priorities and global dynamics. A notable trend is the shift toward lightweight fasteners made from titanium, aluminum, and composite materials, which offer high strengthto-weight ratios and corrosion resistance. This aligns with the aviation industry's focus on fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, the emphasis on sustainable aviation, with the rise of electric and hybrid aircraft, is creating demand for specialized fasteners to accommodate innovative designs and materials.
Global geopolitical events, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have disrupted the supply of titanium, a critical raw material for fasteners. As a result, manufacturers are exploring alternative sources and investing in recycling technologies to ensure supply chain stability. The Asia-Pacific region also stands out as a key growth area, with its expanding aviation sector and partnerships between global manufacturers and local suppliers.
The industry is also witnessing increased consolidation as major players acquire smaller companies to enhance product offerings and expand their global presence. For instance, Stanley Black & Decker's acquisition of Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing highlights this trend, reflecting a competitive landscape shaped by innovation, sustainability, and strategic partnerships.
Overview of Aerospace Fasteners
Aerospace fasteners are essential hardware components used to assemble and secure aircraft structures. They include bolts, screws, nuts, rivets, washers, and pins, which must withstand extreme conditions, such as high stress, temperature variations, and corrosive environments. The market serves commercial aviation, military aircraft, spacecraft, and emerging advanced air mobility platforms.
The aerospace fastener market has grown significantly, driven by increasing aircraft production and technological advancements in materials and designs. According to a 2023 report by Market Research Future, the global aerospace fastener market was valued at US$6.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US$9.5 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.8% during the forecast period. 1
Production and Sales Statistics
Commercial Aviation Sector
The commercial aviation segment is the largest contributor to the demand for aerospace fasteners. Boeing and Airbus, two industry giants, dominate this segment. According to Boeing’s 2023 annual report, the company delivered 480 commercial aircraft in 2022, a significant increase from 340 deliveries in 2021. Airbus, on the other hand, delivered 661 aircraft in 2022, compared to 611 in 2021. This recovery in production and deliveries, following the pandemicinduced slump, has positively impacted the demand for aerospace fasteners.
In 2023, Boeing delivered 528 commercial aircraft, and in 2024 deliveries decreased to 348 aircraft, marking the lowest level since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, in 2023 Airbus delivered 661 aircraft, and in 2024 deliveries increased to 766 aircraft.
Statistics indicate that approximately 1.2 million fasteners are used in a single Boeing 747, while smaller aircraft such as the Airbus A320 uses about 600,000 fasteners. Given the production numbers, it was estimated that over 850 million aerospace fasteners were required for new aircraft in 2024 alone.
INDUSTRY FOCUS
Defence Sector 2
The defence sector has also contributed to the steady demand for aerospace fasteners. Increased military spending by countries such as the United States, China, and India has fuelled the production of fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters. The U.S. Department of Defence’s 2022 budget allocation for aircraft procurement stood at US$56 billion, marking a 3% increase from 2021. As a result, the production of military aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus remained robust. According to the U.S. Department of Defence’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget request, the total procurement funding is approximately US$170 billion, which includes aircraft procurement. This represents an increase from previous years, indicating a continued investment in military aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II and the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus. further driving the demand for aerospace fasteners.
Regional Insights
Regionally, North America leads the aerospace fastener market due to the presence of major aircraft manufacturers and a well-established aerospace supply chain. Europe follows closely, with Airbus’ operations and a growing focus on sustainable aviation contributing to demand. Asia-Pacific is emerging as a lucrative market, driven by rising air passenger traffic and expanding aircraft fleets in countries like China and India.
Analyzing Data Fluctuations: Supply Chain Disruptions (2023–2024)
The global supply chain crisis continued to affect the aerospace fastener market in 2023 and 2024, with geopolitical tensions and lingering effects of the pandemic exacerbating challenges. Raw material shortages, particularly for titanium and high-strength steel, persisted during this period, driving up production costs. For instance, the price of titanium experienced a further 12% increase from 2022 to 2023. These material shortages caused delays in aircraft production and increased the financial burden on manufacturers. To address these challenges, aerospace fastener manufacturers intensified efforts to diversify their supply chains and strengthen local production.
Technological Innovations (2023–2024)
The period from 2023 to 2024 saw significant advancements in materials and manufacturing technologies that shaped the aerospace fastener market. The increasing adoption of lightweight composite materials in aircraft design drove the development of advanced, compatible fasteners. Moreover, the application of 3D printing technology in fastener production gained traction. By 2023, approximately 15% of aerospace fasteners were produced using additive manufacturing techniques, up from 10% in 2022, as reported by Grand View Research. This trend is projected to grow further, with expectations to reach 25% by 2030, driven by the benefits of cost reduction and shorter lead times.
Key Observations
1. Shift Toward Lightweight Fasteners: With the aviation industry focusing on fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, the demand for lightweight fasteners made from titanium, aluminum, and composite materials has increased. These materials offer high strength-to-weight ratios and corrosion resistance, making them ideal for modern aircraft.
2. Rise of Sustainable Aviation: The growing emphasis on sustainability is influencing the aerospace fastener market. The development of electric and hybrid aircraft requires specialized fasteners to accommodate new designs and materials. This shift presents opportunities for innovation and growth in the market.
3. Geopolitical Impact: The Russia-Ukraine conflict and resulting sanctions have disrupted the supply of titanium, as Russia is a major supplier. This has prompted manufacturers to seek alternative sources and invest in recycling technologies to ensure a steady supply of raw materials.
4. Emergence of Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific’s rapid economic growth and expanding aviation sector are creating significant opportunities for the aerospace fastener market. Aircraft manufacturers are increasingly partnering with local suppliers to meet regional demand.
5. Consolidation in the Industry: The aerospace fastener market is witnessing increased consolidation, with major players acquiring smaller companies to enhance their product portfolios and expand their global footprint. For example, Stanley Black & Decker acquired Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing in 2020 to strengthen its position in the market.
Conclusion
The global aerospace fastener market is set to experience steady growth, driven by the recovery in aircraft production, rapid technological advancements, and the expansion of the aviation sector in emerging markets. Key trends shaping the future include the adoption of advanced materials, the increasing use of additive manufacturing, and an industry-wide focus on sustainability.
However, challenges such as persistent supply chain disruptions, raw material price volatility, and stringent regulatory requirements remain critical hurdles. Companies that prioritize innovation, build resilient supply chains, and embrace sustainable practices will be best positioned to seize opportunities in this evolving and dynamic market.
As a vital component of the global aerospace industry, the aerospace fastener market mirrors broader trends and challenges in the sector. With production and sales data pointing toward recovery and growth, the market remains essential in enabling technological advancements and supporting the future of aviation and aerospace innovation.
Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Behrooz Lotfian
Hristijan Georgievski Elected YFP President for 2025
Hristijan Georgievski of IFE Americas has been elected as the 2025 president of the Young Fastener Professionals. Zech Williams of Wurth Industry USA will serve as vice president, and Craig Beaty of Beawest Fasteners will remain on the Board as immediate past president. Continuing on the YFP Board are Jake Glaser of Sherex Fastening Solutions, Mallory Nichols of Advance Components, and Nihar Sinha of AmeriSteel Fastener.
The YFP Board is laying the groundwork to provide YFP involvement and support to all areas of the industry.
Latest on CBAM & Carbon Price
“RE30” Low Carbon Electricity to be Rolled Out in July in Taiwan
To help exporters reduce their carbon tax cost, Taiwan Power Company’s “RE30” low-carbon electricity program will be officially launched on July 1. This batch of electricity contains 1.66 billion KWh, with 30% coming from renewable energy sources, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises for purchase. The minimum purchase amount is 1 million KWh, with a maximum limit of 100 million KWh. The price is expected to exceed NTD 5 per KWh. Taiwan Power emphasizes that this price setting is to avoid competing with the private renewable energy market. Last year, Minister of Economic Affairs introduced the concept of “tiered electricity pricing,” categorizing electricity based on carbon emissions into three types: pure green electricity, low-carbon electricity (containing 30% green electricity), and regular electricity. Taiwan Power’s RE30 low-carbon electricity primarily utilizes its own offshore wind, solar, and small hydroelectric power as green energy sources, blended with fossil fuel-based electricity in a 3:7 ratio. This combination reduces the carbon emission coefficient to 0.337 kg per KWh, lower than the 0.494 kg in 2023.
The initial 1.66 billion KWh of RE30 low-carbon electricity will be available for sale in July, including 500 million KWh of green electricity. The sales method has been changed to corporate registration, with excess portions determined by drawing lots to prevent large corporations from monopolizing purchases. Taiwan Power will set purchasing qualifications to prioritize small and medium-sized enterprises.
The RE30 low-carbon electricity features 24-hour full-time green electricity, guaranteeing that each KWh has a green energy certificate without generating surplus electricity. This product targets two customer groups: exporters such as fastener companies facing the EU’s carbon tax in 2026 and non-exporting companies in the financial and insurance sectors with ESG sustainability goals.
Taiwan Power positions RE30 as supplementary green electricity, encouraging companies to purchase green electricity first from private sources and then buy from Taiwan Power for any shortfall. It is expected that the supply of RE30 will increase to 10 billion KWh by 2027.
Taiwan to Launch Its Own CBAM by Year-end If All Goes Well
Taiwan is expected to initiate its own version of CBAM by the end of this year, following the European Union’s anticipated release of CBAM details in July or August. The Environment Minister announced that the initial focus will be on products like steel and cement, aligning with the EU’s approach. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Affairs will collaborate on the initiative.
Taiwan has been invited to join the EU’s CBAM network, allowing it to synchronize its legal procedures with the EU’s regulations. However, the government is also closely monitoring the US tariff policies to ensure compatibility. CBAM’s relationship with the WTO rules will also be closely examined once the EU releases the final text.
Local steel and cement industries have been advocating for the implementation of a Taiwanese CBAM. The government has already begun compiling a list of products to be included, with imports of cement from Indonesia and Vietnam, which account for about one-third of the domestic market, being a key target.
Starting this year, imported products are required to declare their carbon footprint, mirroring EU regulations. The Ministry of Environment has identified three key challenges: defining high-carbon leakage products, establishing the legal framework through sublaws under the existing Climate Change Response Act, and determining the execution details, such as whether to offer similar carbon fee discounts to imported products as those provided to domestic industries.
Italy, Poland Among Other Nations Submit an Informal Document for CBAM Amendment to EU
To maintain Europe’s competitiveness in key manufacturing sectors, support the green transition of energy-intensive industries, and achieve strategic autonomy while preventing industry exodus, Italy and Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, among others, have submitted an “informal document” proposing amendments to CBAM to the EU. This informal document was jointly promoted by Adolfo Urso, Minister of MIMIT (Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy), and Gilberto Pichetto, Minister of Environment and Energy Security. It suggests that the European Commission advance the clause review to 2025 to allow for improvements before the full implementation of CBAM in 2026. The document addresses four key areas: simplifying administrative burdens, strengthening measures against carbon leakage and dumping practices, avoiding the inclusion of indirect emissions in CBAM—which could lead to increased electricity costs in decarbonization—and introducing mechanisms to protect European exporters to ensure fair competition in markets without a similar “EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).” Additionally, it proposes delaying the gradual elimination of free ETS allowances for energy-intensive industries to mitigate uncertainties and risks associated with the implementation of CBAM. The proposed amendments by the Italian government are also part of a strategy to protect the domestic steel industry, focusing on revitalizing four major steel production bases: Taranto, Terni, Piombino, and Acciaierie del Nord. Italy is now seen as a successful model in Europe, as 85% of its domestic steel production is generated through electric arc furnaces using recycled scrap steel—significantly higher than the European average of less than 50%.
Ukraine May Lose 6.4% of GDP by 2030 Due to CBAM
Ukraine could face significant economic challenges due to the EU’s CBAM, potentially losing 6.4% of its GDP by 2030, according to a recent report from CMD-Ukraine. The export decline may reach 6.3%, with exports to the EU dropping by 9.8%. The steel industry, which constitutes a large portion of Ukraine’s exports, will be particularly affected, as CBAM applies to 15-17% of these exports. In the first year of full CBAM implementation in 2026, export losses could amount to US$202 million, escalating to US$1.4 billion by 2030. The report highlights that the financial burden from CBAM could hinder Ukraine’s recovery and integration into the European economy, especially as it struggles with ongoing war-related challenges. Ukrainian businesses are calling for government support, including staff training and access to low-interest loans, to navigate these new regulations effectively.
Industry Development
Trump Signs 25% Tariff on All Steel and Aluminum Products
On Feb./10, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products imported into the U.S., regardless of the source of import. Trump said there will be no exceptions or exemptions to this order. According to statistics, the U.S. current major steel import partners are Canada, Brazil, Mexico, South Korea and Vietnam. Trump emphasized that the reason for imposing a 25% tariff on all countries is quite simple: “Because they tax the U.S., the U.S. should tax them,” he said.
Previously, the U.S. only imposed additional tariffs on steel and aluminum products from specific countries, such as China. This executive order also represents a major adjustment to the U.S. tariff measures on steel and aluminum products, which will inevitably cause different degrees of impact on many countries that export steel and aluminum products to the U.S. It is worthwhile to observe the ripple effect that will be produced in the future.
Low Priced Fastener Orders Redirected
to Taiwan Due to China-U.S. Trade War
The effects of Trump’s tariff war are intensifying, with concerns in the Taiwanese steel market about the U.S. imposing high tariffs on China. A massive order for 50,000 tons of screws, originally supplied by China, has been redirected to Taiwan. However, the price is only USD 1 per kilogram, which has shocked the Taiwanese market, especially when compared to Taiwan’s usual export price of USD 3 to USD 4 per kilogram. Experts say that this large order being shifted to Taiwan indicates that Trump’s tariff war has disrupted the supply chain structure but in turn has highlighted Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness, allowing Taiwan to secure these orders. Some professionals are concerned that this could damage the image of Taiwan’s fastener industry and believe it’s not worth encouraging. After Trump became president, long-time American buyers who sourced from China grew worried about high tariffs leading to increased costs. They transferred a massive 50,000-ton order, originally intended for China, to Taiwan, distributing it among five Taiwanese companies, including a publicly traded steel factory in southern Taiwan, which have begun shipping the products. Industry insiders point out that this order from an American retailer for household fasteners was originally processed in Taiwan but was later taken over by China at lower prices. Even if Taiwan has reclaimed this order, it’s a “bitter victory,” with prices completely changed, reflecting a struggle among Taiwanese businesses.
Australia Initiates Anti-dumping and Anti-subsidy Investigation into Chinese Friction Bolts
On December 19, the Australian Anti-Dumping Commission initiated an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into friction bolts imported from China. The investigation period spans from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, with a harm assessment period starting from October 1, 2020. The deadline for initial submissions was February 3, 2025. The products under investigation are hollow steel bolts used for ground support in mining, tunnel, and civil engineering projects. These friction bolts, made from hot-rolled coil steel (HRC), have specific dimensions: an outer diameter between 44 mm and 48 mm, lengths between 2.2 m and 2.5 m, and a base metal thickness between 2.8 mm and 3.4 mm. They may include a welded ring and are designed to expand slightly when inserted into rock holes, creating friction to stabilize rock structures. Australian manufacturers claim their products are functionally equivalent and can fully replace Chinese imports. However, bolts with solid core reinforcement and locking systems, known as mechanical anchor bolts, are excluded from this investigation.
India Drops Anti-Dumping Probe on Chinese
Fasteners Due to Lack of Evidence
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), the investigative arm of India’s Commerce Ministry, has terminated its anti-dumping investigation into fastener imports from China. The probe, initiated in September 2023, covered a wide array of fasteners, including screws, bolts, nuts, concrete nails, and various industrial staples and clips used in construction, automotive, and other sectors. The DGTR concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Chinese fasteners were being dumped into the Indian market at prices below their normal value, nor that these imports were causing injury to domestic manufacturers. Dumping, in international trade, refers to exporting products at prices lower than their normal value in the target market, which can harm local industries. Notably, the investigation was self-initiated by the DGTR, rather than prompted by complaints from domestic producers. This unusual move reflected a proactive effort to support India’s fragmented MSME sector, which might lack the resources or knowledge to navigate trade remedy procedures. The DGTR acts as a quasi-judicial body, aiming to ensure fair trade practices and maintain a level playing field for domestic producers. However, the probe was ultimately dropped due to a lack of conclusive data.
Companies Development
Sheh Fung Expects Stable Market Demand in Americas
Sheh Fung noted that despite the influence of the Lunar New Year holiday and fewer working days in January, its revenue was recorded at NTD185 million, marking a monthover-month decrease of 8.1% and a year-over-year decrease of 11.8%. However, major customers in the Americas, particularly in the DIY home renovation and construction industries, continue to show strong demand for bi-metal screws, cement board screws, and other diverse screw product lines. On another front, in response to the reconstruction needs following the California wildfires in the U.S., the company stated that with its Vietnam factory now fully operational, it can flexibly adjust production capacity to meet new order demands there. The company is also actively expanding customer orders in Europe and the Americas, deepening local business operations, and expanding product lines. Sheh Fung further emphasized that in order to fully leverage the competitiveness of its Vietnam factory, it is continuously introducing advanced digital production systems and intelligent customer and supplier support systems. These efforts aim to enhance the overall production capacity utilization and delivery performance of the Vietnam factory.
SPEC Products to Be Listed Over the Counter at Taipei Exchange in March
President Zephyr Chang stated, as a result of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a worldwide 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, as well as “reciprocal tariffs,” with no exemptions for any country, SPEC Products is relatively more competitive. Analysts predict that SPEC Products’ revenue this year will reach a new high, with double-digit growth. The primary beneficiaries of this tariff policy are domestic U.S. manufacturers of screws and bolts. Since the fastener industry is labor-intensive and technologically demanding, many U.S. fastener factories have gradually exited the market over the past 30 years, resulting in about 70% of U.S. demand relying on imports. Under the new tariff, companies worldwide face the same competitive conditions, to which SPEC Products is not concerned. Regarding Trump’s newly proposed “reciprocal tariffs,” the company believes that since automotive fasteners account for 90% of SPEC Products’ exports, and since the U.S. plans to impose higher tariffs on European cars starting in April, customer purchases may increase, benefiting SPEC Products. The company analyzed that Taiwan imposes a 5% tariff on screws imported from other countries, while the U.S. imposes tariffs ranging from 6.5% to 8% on screws imported from Taiwan. If reciprocal tariffs are implemented, Trump might reduce the tariff on screw imports to match Taiwan’s 5% rate, which could actually improve export conditions for Taiwan’s fastener industry. In terms of market strategy, the company has already diversified its risks and is not worried.
Brighton-Best International Likely to Outperform the Previous Year
Brighton-Best International (BBI), a subsidiary of Ta Chen International, has been operating steadily recently after the U.S. Federal Reserve initiated interest rate cuts. Analysts believe that Brighton-Best International is likely to benefit from Trump’s tariff policies and the Fed’s rate cuts, with its operations expected to grow compared to 2024. BBI’s main products include carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy steel fasteners, with its primary business being the trading of screws and bolts. As a major player in the U.S. fastener industry, the company’s sales are predominantly in North America, accounting for over 90% of its market share. Analysts note that BBI was affected by previous interest rate hikes in the past years, causing many of its customers to reduce their inventory levels significantly. Currently, customer inventory levels are only about 1-2 months, far below the typical 5-6 months seen in the past. Additionally, President Trump’s tariff policies are expected to increase demand for domestic manufacturing in the U.S., while the Fed’s rate cuts may encourage downstream customers to replenish their inventory.
SUMEEKO’s
Business Likely to Grow This Year with U.S. Plant Contributing Momentum
SUMEEKO Industries’ revenue in Q4 last year was affected by the European car market’s slow recovery. Q4 profits are expected to be the lowest for 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, SUMEEKO is optimistic that as the contributions from U.S. manufacturers gradually increase, both revenue and profits will grow compared to 2024. SUMEEKO Industries has production bases in Kaohsiung and Pingtung (Taiwan), Germany and the U.S., allowing it to provide localized services to customers. In response to the trend towards flexible production, SUMEEKO’s plant in the U.S. has begun production and is undergoing certification by customers, with revenue contributions expected to start in Q1. The U.S. plant is currently planned to produce highly automated standard products and have secured orders worth approximately USD 10 million. In terms of sales regions, Europe is SUMEEKO’s largest market (including exports from Taiwan and its European operations), followed by the Americas. Other markets account for single-digit percentages.
GWR Fasteners Invests in British Manufacturing with New CNC Machine
Shropshire-based GWR Fasteners, a manufacturer and distributor, has significantly boosted its production capabilities with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Citizen Miyano BNA-42DHY3 7 CNC Machine. This investment underscores the company’s commitment to British manufacturing and its ability to meet the increasing demand for UKmade fasteners and specialist components.
The new CNC machine will enable GWR Fasteners to produce more complex parts and increase overall production capacity.
The BNA-42DHY3 boasts a 42mm bar-fed capacity and compact sub-terrain, enabling superimposition machining that will shorten cycle times and streamline the manufacturing process. Its ease of use and quick changeover times will further contribute to efficiency.
“This upgrade in equipment means we are able to grow with our customers and supply them with more intricate and tailored solutions,” said Tom Ellis, Commercial Manager at GWR Fasteners. “This investment ensures we can meet the demands of our customers. By increasing the efficiency of our manufacturing process, we can ultimately pass on any savings we will make to our customers without compromising on quality.”
A key driver for the investment is the growing demand for GWR Fasteners’ captive screws, which are modified in-house and designed for easy disassembly without complete removal. This feature enhances safety and accessibility, making them increasingly popular.
TriMas Aerospace Secures
Multi-Year
Fastener Contract with Airbus
TriMas Aerospace, a subsidiary of TriMas Corporation, has been awarded a multi-year global contract to supply fastening solutions to Airbus. The agreement encompasses a range of Airbus’s civil and military aircraft, including the A320, A350, and A220 models, marking an expansion of TriMas’ role in Airbus’ supply chain.
The contract includes next-generation fasteners and newly qualified products designed to optimize robotic assembly processes. Manufacturing will take place at TriMas Aerospace facilities in California and Kansas. The company emphasizes its dedication to delivering high-performance fastening solutions and advancing manufacturing technologies.
TriMas Aerospace is known for its precision-engineered fasteners and components used in commercial aircraft and by the U.S. military. Parent company TriMas operates across consumer products, aerospace, and industrial markets, employing approximately 3,400 people globally.
Swiss Automotive Giant Feintool to Close German Factory and Lay Off 200 Employees
On December 4, 2024, Swiss automotive supplier Feintool announced plans to close one of its factories in Germany and lay off up to 200 employees. This decision comes amid weak demand for electric vehicles and uncertainty surrounding the transition to renewable energy. According to Reuters, German automakers and suppliers are facing challenges such as soft demand, high production costs, competition from Chinese manufacturers, and slower-than-expected electric vehicle adoption. Feintool noted that this restructuring will primarily impact its earnings in 2024. The company reported a net loss of CHF 3.2 million for the first half of 2024.
Feintool, founded in 1959 and headquartered in Switzerland, has grown into a leading global fineblanking and tool manufacturing company. It operates 17 production facilities and technical centers across 7 countries on 3 continents, employing approximately 3,500 people worldwide.
Bossard Fastening Solutions (Guangdong)
Now Officially Established
Bossard Fastening Solutions (Guangdong) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Swiss Bossard Group established in China, located in Shenzhen. It is the latest addition following the establishment of Bossard Fastening Solutions (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. and Bossard Fastening Solutions (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. Serving as the regional headquarters for South and West China, it integrates customer service, warehousing and logistics, engineering applications, and quality testing laboratories into a comprehensive provider of fastening and assembly technologies.
The establishment of Bossard Fastening Solutions (Guangdong) marks a significant step for the Bossard Group in the Chinese market, aiming to offer localized product solutions and professional technical services to customers in South and West China more effectively. This move reflects Bossard’s commitment to enhancing its presence in the region and improving service delivery to meet the specific needs of local clients.
Acquisitions
US Anchors Acquired by Kinderhook Industries
US Anchors (USA), a manufacturer of construction anchors and fasteners, has been acquired by private investment firm Kinderhook Industries. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1968, the company is the parent company of well-known brands such as TOGGLER, Wej-It, and Heckmann, along with its distribution division, Gotham Building Supplies. Jordan Eisenberg will become the CEO and partner with the Garfield family, the company’s founders, to continue the success of the company. The Garfield family will retain an ownership stake, and Ted Garfield will join the board of directors. Kinderhook Industries, established in 2003, has raised USD 8.5 billion in capital and completed approximately 450 investments and followon acquisitions. This acquisition marks Kinderhook’s 31st light manufacturing/automotive platform investment. Kinderhook Principal Nate Druckenmiller expressed eagerness to collaborate with the Garfield family and the USA team, with an aim to accelerate the company’s growth through customer service, product availability, and both organic and inorganic geographic expansion. He also emphasized preserving the culture and commitment to excellence, which have been vital to the company’s achievements.
Bossard Completes Acquisition of Ferdinand Gross in Germany
On January 7, 2025, the Bossard Group completed its acquisition of the German Ferdinand Gross Group. Headquartered in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Ferdinand Gross had been expected to achieve net sales of approximately €80 million for the 2024 fiscal year and currently employs around 260 people. The company is one of Germany’s leading distributors of fastening technology and has branches in Hungary and Poland. Through this acquisition, Bossard aims to further increase its market share in Germany and Eastern Europe, solidifying its global presence in the industrial fastening technology sector. The integration of Ferdinand Gross with Bossard Germany will enable the combined entity to offer a more comprehensive range of customized fastening technologies and solutions to customers in Germany and Eastern Europe. This strategic move enhances Bossard’s ability to serve its existing customers more effectively while expanding its offerings in the region.
American
U.S. Economic Forecast: Leading Indicators Are Up
The U.S. economy is at “somewhat of an inflection point,” Lauren Saidel-Baker told the Metropolitan Fastener Distributors Association. The 2025 leading indicators are turning up and there is an accelerating growth trend for the US economy is on the horizon, Saidel-Baker of ITR Economics told MFDA’s annual Economic Forecast.
Seidel-Baker cautioned though that not everything is rosy. ITR predicts that inflation will rise during 2025 into 2026, which may cause the Federal Reserve to either pause lowering interest rates or lower them by a smaller amount than the market was hoping for. The employment issue “not the people that can’t find jobs, the constraint we’re all feeling is the jobs that can’t find people,” Saidel-Baker said. At the low point in 2022 there were two open jobs for every unemployed person actively looking for employment. That number has “improved” to .88 unemployed workers for every open job, she pointed out. Saidel-Baker said employers are going to have to go the “fringes” to find employees who left the workforce for one reason or another – but even that group is smaller. The labor participation rate among the prime working age groups of 25-54 years old is at a 20-year high.
It will take higher wages to encourage people to rejoin the labor force, which will put pressure on prices, Saidel-Baker said. ITR predicts that between inflation, Federal spending – currently above PPP levels during the pandemic and debt – U.S. debt is now over one hundred thousand dollars per person, the next depression will occur during the early 2030s. That will affect all sectors, and ITR’s recommendation is to identify safe assets that can be turned to for protection.
The U.S. is the biggest economy in the world. There is an upside and SaidelBaker told attendees to “be ready to invest at the trough of this cycle - this is going to be the greatest wealth generating event… of our lifetime.”
FINdex Grows Double-Digits in 2024
The FIN Fastener Stock Index rose 17% in 2024, besting a 9% gain by an index of related industrial stocks. Fastener stocks could not keep pace with Silicon Valley. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite index rose to record highs, as investors poured money into artificial intelligence, and investors welcomed the Federal Reserve’s lower interest rates.
But two FINdex company more than doubled their share value in 2024. Carpenter Technology stock jumped 139% as investors liked its stainless steels and corrosionresistant alloys for additive manufacturing. Meanwhile, Howmet Aerospace stock value soared 102%. During
Q3, Howmet’s Fastening Systems revenue rose 13% to USD392 million in the third quarter of 2024 due to growth in the commercial aerospace market, including wide body aircraft recovery. Segment EBITDA improved 34% to USD102 million, while margin increased 420 basis points to 26%.
Other FINdex companies achieving share gains during 2024 included Dorman Products (up 55%); Fastenal (up 11%); Grainger (up 27.3%). FINdex share losses were more widespread and modest. Nucor recorded the largest share decline, with the steel giant’s stock value dropping 33% during the year. Other fastener companies with a declining stock price included Chicago Rivet (down 6.7%); MSC Industrial (down 26.2%); Park Ohio (down 2.5%); Simpson Mfg. (down 16.2%); Stanley Black & Decker (down 18%); Tree Island Steel (down 18.7%); and TriMas (down 2.9%).
Swiss Rail Fastener Producer Relocates U.S. Operations
Swiss railroad fastener manufacturer Schwihag AG has chosen Winfield, KS, as the site of its new U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility, KSNW reports. Schwihag AG has purchased a 30,000 sq ft property, and intends to open in March. “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new factory in Winfield, Kansas,” stated Marc Raymond, Americas for Schwihag general
manager. “With our new facility, we look forward to strengthening our community ties, producing high-quality products, and driving sustainable growth.”
Schwihag says it will hire 15 people in the short term and more as the company grows. Jobs include line workers, machinists and supervisors. Currently, Schwihag bases its U.S. operations in Grandview, MO.
Founded in 1971, Schwihag develops and produces railroad track and switch technology, including fasteners. The group is headquartered in Tägerwilen, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Leipzig (Germany), and Doncaster (UK), as well as the U.S.
Paulussen New Nedschroef Managing Director
Nedschroef Machinery promoted Dries Paulussen to Managing Director. He succeeds Cees Sistermans, who has become VP of Nedschroef BU Machinery & BU CP Tech. “Dries brings over seven years of experience with Nedschroef Machinery and an impressive track record,” the company stated. “As Operational Director, he led significant process optimizations and drove innovation across the organization. His forward-thinking approach embraces new technologies, smarter machines, digitalization, and AI, all while prioritizing long-term relationships.”
Founded in 1961, Nedschroef Machinery supplies multi-station, cold and warm metal forming machines. Belgium-based Nedschroef has sales and service facilities worldwide.
Endries International Adds Texas Center
Endries International Inc. will open a new distribution center in Fort Worth, TX, doubling capacity to 65,000 sq ft. Located near intermodal yards, the new warehouse will provide faster delivery. Additionally, the establishment of a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) within the facility will enable Endries to more easily navigate the increasingly complex environment of import tariffs and duties.
Proximity to West Coast ports and Latin America will benefit Endries’ southern customers and serve as an efficient staging hub to support warehouse operations in Mexico. “Our investment in this new distribution center is driven by our growing business in the region,” stated President Michael Knight.
Fastenal Fastener Sales Fall
Fastenal Co. fastener sales declined 3% to USD2.31 billion in 2024. During the final quarter, fastener sales dropped 1.4% to USD545.5 million. OEM fastener sales increased 0.4% to USD346.7 million, while MRO fastener sales fell 4.5% to USD198.8 million during the quarter.
Fastener sales decreased 2.2% to USD160.1 million in December. “The rate of contraction of our fastener line eased in the fourth quarter of 2024, but continued to lag our non-fastener product lines,” the company stated. Higher fastener container costs in the final quarter caused product margin pressure.
During 2024, consolidated sales gained 2.7% to USD7.55 billion during 2024, with operating income dropping 1.2% to USD1.51 billion and net income slipping 0.4% to USD1.15 billion. Capital expenditures rose 33% to USD214.1 million, while total personnel grew 1.1% to 20,958 during the year. Final quarter sales gained 3.7% to USD1.82 billion, with operating income down 2.6% to USD344.8 million and net income down 1.6% to USD262.1 million.
Brighton-Best International Announces Key Promotions as Company Celebrates 100 Years
Brighton-Best International (BBI), Long Beach, CA, USA, announced several key promotions effective immediately, as follows:
• George Hunt has been promoted to VP of Sales for the Industrial Division. Hunt will oversee BBI’s traditional base of fastener distributors and the company’s range of industrial fasteners.
• Scott Gibson has been promoted to VP of Sales for the Construction Division. Gibson will focus on the company’s Proferred and US Anchor brands, catering to drywall houses and the installer/ contractor market.
• Steve Andrasik has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales, as BBI continues to grow and evolve in its centennial year.
These promotions reflect Brighton-Best International’s commitment to growth and specialization within the company’s key divisions. As the company celebrates 100 years of success, BBI recognizes the importance of having dedicated leadership to drive its future endeavors. BBI has been a trusted partner since 1925. With award-winning Hand Tools, Gloves and Drywall Screws, BBI is a major master distributor of fasteners in the USA.
Women In the Fastener Industry Awards LSG Acquires Big Bolt, LLC
Women In the Fastener Industry (WIFI) has announced the winners of its 2024 awards. Holly McDaniel, Sales Manager at WCL Company has been named Woman of the Year. This award recognizes exemplary leadership and success in the fastener industry. The recipient has a long and distinguished record of advocacy for the professional advancement of women. Jennifer Sturm, Chief Operations Officer at Empire Bolt & Screw Inc. has won the Woman in Business award.
This award honors a champion and advocate who contributes and supports her own organization and community by sharing knowledge, ideas, insights and strength.
These are women dedicated to empowering more women to achieve full potential in all aspects of life. The Man Up award goes to Dan Duffield, Sales Manager at Wyandotte Industries Inc. Man Up is awarded to an individual male or a company that has demonstrated a commitment to supporting women and the WIFI organization. The recipient is a partner that provides tools and resources that empower the women in their organization or industry.
LindFast Solutions Group (LSG) completed the purchase of Big Bolt LLC, a leading domestic manufacturer of specialty fasteners and an end-to-end solution provider with industry leading turnaround times. LindFast management says the company is excited to welcome the Big Bolt team and is confident
that together the Group will continue to offer customers unparalleled service, quality and product availability. Big Bolt supplies highquality, specialty fasteners serving distributor customers across diverse markets. With a focus on quick turnaround times, comprehensive in-house fabrication capabilities and unmatched product quality, Big Bolt is the go-to supplier for highly customized, low-volume orders and more.
LSG looks forward to expanding Big Bolt’s ability to serve its collective customers by leveraging LSG’s significant base of fastener expertise, sales force experience, inventory and physical locations across North America. The company is confident this combination is very powerful and continues to establish LSG as the provider of choice for all fastener needs, focused on creating value for customers, suppliers, employees and all stakeholders.
Big Bolt Acquires Tesker Thread Rolling Machine
Big Bolt, a leading specialty fastener supplier, announced the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Tesker Model 320E 2-Die Thread Rolling Machine for its Bloomingdale, IL, USA, manufacturing site. Big Bolt reports in an online blog post, “This impressive machine underscores Big Bolt’s commitment to providing its customers with the highest quality fasteners and unparalleled production speed. The Tesker 320E is renowned in the industry for its exceptional capabilities in medium-sized thread rolling.
Rotor Clip Launches New Video Showcasing Its Essential Role in E-Mobility Innovation
Rotor Clip’s latest 3D video showcases how its precision-engineered parts are used in key electric vehicle applications, from the electric motor and A/C compressor to the battery pack. From securing connections to reducing weight and managing vibrations, Rotor Clip retaining rings/snap rings, wave springs and hose clamps ensure the functionality and reliability of every EV build, meeting all performance needs. The new video is highlighted on Rotor Clip’s e-mobility page. This resource offers a closer look at how its retaining rings/snap rings, wave springs and hose clamps are powering sustainable transportation today and preparing for future advancements like hydrogen technologies and beyond.
SEFA to Celebrate 50th Anniversary
The Southeast Fastener Association (SEFA) will celebrate 50 years at the 2025 SEFA Spring Conference, April 29, 2025 to May 1, 2025, at the Saddblebrook Resort in Tampa, FL, USA. The event will offer opportunities
for networking, informative sessions, entertainment, social events, 50th celebration and awards, golf and pickleball. The keynote speaker will be NFL Hall of Fame Linebacker, Derrick Brooks. In his career, he pushed himself. He recorded 2198 tackles, which is the most in franchise history. He often proved that defense can turn the tide of a game by scoring eight defensive touchdowns, the second most in Buccaneers history. Fourteen seasons, 25 interceptions, six All-Pro selections and 11 Pro Bowls earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February 2014 and the Capital One Academic All America Hall of Fame in August 2014.
European
New MD at PennEngineering® Europe
PennEngineering® has announced the appointment of Gerard Quaid as the new managing director of PEM® Europe, effective immediately. Gerard Quaid takes on the role with a wealth of experience and a steadfast commitment to continuing the company’s legacy of innovation, operational excellence and customer centric solutions. Quaid comments: “It is a privilege to step into this role. For decades, PEM® has been synonymous with solving customer challenges, empowering
employees and delivering consistent value to stakeholders. I am honoured to lead this remarkable organisation and am committed to building on its strong foundations as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
Under Quaid’s leadership, PEM® Europe is committed to solidifying its status as a global leader in self-clinch fasteners, connection solutions and insertion technology. The company’s strategic vision emphasises robust growth driven by customer centric innovation and collaboration, operational agility, speed to market and a steadfast dedication to manufacturing excellence and environmental accountability. By fostering a culture of curiosity and professional development among employees, embracing advanced system selling approaches, and championing sustainable practices, PEM® Europe is poised to continue delivering exceptional value to its customers while shaping the future of fastening and connection solutions.
PennEngineering® has embraced digital transformation across its operations, most notably at its Galway manufacturing plant, where the integration of cutting edge technology has improved productivity and operational control. These advancements were recently recognised with the Medium Lean Business of the Year Award by Lean Business Ireland. Additionally, the company’s new UK and Poland offices and warehouses strengthen its presence across the region, offering comprehensive fastener stock and a dedicated sales team to enhance customer support and streamline logistics.
“As I take on this role, my focus will be on protecting PEM®’s legacy while advancing our vision for a future of sustainable success,” adds Quaid. “We are where our customers are, and we will continue to prioritise innovation, operational excellence and stakeholder value at every step.” PEM® Europe looks forward to an exciting new chapter under Gerard Quaid’s leadership, advancing its mission to deliver reliable, efficient, and tailored solutions, for a dynamic and ever evolving market.
Bufab Acquires VITAL
Bufab has acquired VITAL SpA, an Italian distributor of C-parts with net sales of €48 million in 2023, headquartered in Milan, as well as two additional branch offices.
VITAL has been family owned since its foundation in 1975 and is today run by the founder’s sons, who will continue to manage the business. Its customers are primarily located in Italy from industries such as electrical, machinery, rail and construction. In recent years, VITAL has achieved excellent growth and profit, with 57 employees and net sales of €48 million in 2023 and an operating profit margin above Bufab’s 2026 profitability target.
The purchase price paid upon closing of the transaction amounts to €31.9 million on a cashfree/debt-free basis. In addition, a deferred purchase price of circa €11 million will be paid in two instalments in 2025 and 2026. Finally, a performance based additional payment (earn-out) of a maximum €11.2 million may occur in 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 conditional on improved operating profit. The acquisition will be financed by Bufab’s existing credit facility.
“I am very happy to announce this acquisition, as we see VITAL as a great opportunity to build up our Italian footprint and increase our service
level to the customers. In the future it can be used as a platform for add-on acquisitions and drive market consolidation in a highly fragmented market. Furthermore, we see that Bufab and VITAL complement each other well. We will also deepen our presence in Italy and southern Europe by learning from the VITAL team with great and long experience in the region,” says Erik Lundén, president and CEO at Bufab.
“Over the past two years, we have gotten to know Bufab very well and are pleased to have found a partner that is a perfect fit for us. This deal comes at a good time in VITAL’s development and will enable us to accelerate our growth journey. We are pleased that we, the previous owners, can continue as managers, and together with the whole VITAL family we look forward to the cooperation with Bufab,” highlights VITAL previous owners Daniele Pesce, Stefano Pesce and Luca Bernasconi.
LeankCo Acquires TITANOX
LeankCo SAS, the holding company of CLUFIX, has announced the acquisition of TITANOX Group – strengthening its position in the technical fastening market and underlining its ambition to become a leading global player in the fastener sector.
TITANOX, through its renowned brands such as RIVELIT® (blind rivets) and TITANOX® (self-clinching components), operates in France, Turkey, and China, boasting over 60 years of expertise in fastening technologies. Through high-quality products, and the technical proficiency of its product managers and sales teams, TITANOX has established itself as a key player in the market, supporting design offices in the search for assembly solutions.
The acquisition of TITANOX will enhance LeankCo’s international presence and innovation capabilities, as well as enable it to drive profitable growth through synergies between the two entities. It will also help strengthen LeankCo’s existing markets and help it diversify into strategic sectors connected to climate and energy transition, including decarbonised mobility, clean energy and sustainable construction.
Further benefits for LeankCo include the expansion of its product portfolio by incorporating complementary solutions, such as blind rivets and self-clinching components. Plus, it will enhance its support for global clients, especially those with a focus on the automotive market, by offering more personalised local services and increased expertise.
“This acquisition aligns with a clear strategic vision shared by the management teams of both CLUFIX and TITANOX, as well as majority shareholder Galiena Capital, to transform LeankCo into a global group able to anticipate market evolutions and meet growing demands of more demanding industries,” explains LeankCo. “By integrating TITANOX we will equip ourselves with the necessary resources to continue innovating and supporting our clients in overcoming technical challenges, while consolidating our growth in rapidly expanding markets.”
Etanco Italia Becomes Part of Friulsider
Since 1st November 2024, the company SI. COP Etanco Srl, also known as Etanco Italia, has been incorporated into Friulsider SpA. The merger is one of the natural consequences of the acquisition of the French Etanco Group, by the American multinational company Simpson Strong-Tie, which took place in 2022. It is part of a series of synergies implemented in order to consolidate the Group’s presence in Europe.
Friulsider’s production and logistics spaces have recently been strengthened, to support growth and accommodate the Etanco business unit, optimising flows and management, while the commercial offices and the operational headquarters will remain in Milan to ensure continuity of service to customers.
SI. COP Etanco is the Italian branch of Etanco Group, specialised in the sector of fixings and accessories for ventilated roofs and façades since 1952. The Etanco business, unlike Friulsider, provides a direct sales model and strong support on the design side. The Group serves over 18,000 customers distributed in more than 50 countries worldwide, generating a turnover of €260 million per year.
Changes on Würth Group’s Board
With effect from 1st January 2025, three positions on Würth Group’s boards have been filled with new members – supervisory board, advisory board and executive vice-president of arts and culture.
Prof. Reinhold Würth, the prominent leader of the Würth Group for decades, will hand over his
position as chairman of the supervisory board to his grandson Benjamin Würth. Benjamin has been working for the company for 25 years and has gained extensive professional experience both at a national and international level. Reinhold Würth will remain honorary chairman of the supervisory board.
Secondly, the advisory board consists of nine members, most of which are non-family members. It has been chaired by Bettina Würth, the daughter of Reinhold Würth, since 2006. Bettina will hand over her position as chair of the advisory board to her nephew Sebastian Würth. Sebastian has been working for the company since 2012 and holds a Master of Arts in Family Entrepreneurship. Bettina is also a member of the supervisory board and will become honorary chairwoman of the advisory board.
Finally, Sylvia Weber, in charge of art and cultural activities, will transfer most of her tasks to Maria Würth, the daughter of Bettina. Maria holds a Master of Arts in Art History from the University of Tübingen and, mentored by Sylvia, has prepared herself for this position since 2018.
NORMA Focuses on Core Business
NORMA Group intends to focus on its core business as a market leader for joining technology, with the initiation of a divestment process for the global business activities of its Water Management business unit.
This step is the result of an in-depth review by the Management Board regarding the further strategic direction of the company. The aim is to strengthen the market position of the remaining Industry Applications, Mobility and New Energy business units.
CEO Guido Grandi comments: “In a persistently difficult market environment, we have reviewed our portfolio and are exploring divestment options for the global Water Management business. In the future, we will concentrate even more strongly on our inherent core business areas including mission critical joining technology for mobility, infrastructure, machinery and other industrial applications. We see high potential for profitable growth, especially in the area of Industry Applications, both organically and through acquisitions.”
The divestment of the water business will enable NORMA Group to free up resources and capacities for further growth in the business units Industry Applications and Mobility & New Energy. These business units have many synergies, including similar or identical product groups that can be manufactured in the same plants. Respective products are metal clamps, pipe couplings, plastic quick connectors, fluid-transport systems and other joining elements.
Brazilian
Fastener Import to Brazil Sets Record
◆ Third time above US$ 1 billion, and the 2024 result outperforms years 2013 and 2022 ◆
In Brazil last year, the significant depreciation of real (R$) was a major factor. On the first business day of 2024, US$ 1.00 was quoted R$ 4.89; on the last business day it was R$ 6.19 (a 26.5% increase). Despite this, the fastener sector saw record imports, but exports did not follow suit.
Exports and Imports of Bolts, Screws, Nuts, Rivets, Nails and Similar Metal Fastening Articles (Made in Iron, Steel, Copper or Aluminum), in Historical Sequence from 2013 to 2024
Import
According to a report by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC), the country achieved a record high in fastener imports during 2024. This marks the third time since 2013 that the billion-dollar threshold has been surpassed, and the first time annual volume has exceeded 250,000 tons:
Regarding the import sources, China remained on top as before, accounting for a share of 28.4%.
Below are the top 10 sources for Brazil’s fasteners in 2024:
1. China: US$ 321 million, 28.4%
2. USA: US$ 189 million, 16.7%
3. Germany: US$ 94.9 million, 10.8%
4. Italy: US$ 84.5 million, 7.4%
5. Japan: US$ 84.3 million, 7.4%
6. France: US$ 66.1 million, 5.8%
7. Taiwan: US$ 35.1 million, 3.1%
8. Sweden US$ 32 million, 2.8%
9. India: US$ 27.7 million, 2.2%
10. UK: US$ 19.6 million, 1.7%
Export
For fastener manufacturers and providers, the situation is quite the opposite. Overseas sales in 2024 reached just over US$161 million, the 6th best revenue result since 2013, but still representing an 11.54% decrease compared to 2023. In terms of
25.5 thousand tons were sold, the 11th best result in history, and a
to 2023.
Below are the top 10 destinations for Brazil’s fasteners in 2024:
1. Argentina: US$ 37.8 million, 23.4%
2. USA: US$ 34.7 million, 21.6%
3. Paraguay: US$ 18.3 million, 11.3%
4. France: US$ 8.49 million, 5.2%
5. Germany: US$ 8.01 million, 4.9%
6. Mexico: US$ 5.9 million, 3.7%
7. Chile: US$ 5.84 million, 3.6%
8. Colombia: US$ 4.79 million, 2.9%
9. Peru: US$ 3.06 million, 1.9%
10. India: US$ 2.9 million, 1.8%
Forte Fixadores in USA
Forte Fixadores is a relatively new Brazilian manufacturer of bolts, screws, and a wide range of metal fasteners designed for use in bolted joints, particularly in largescale structures within industries like wind and hydroelectric energy, oil & gas, mining, alcohol production, and general manufacturing.
Founded in 2012, the company's headquarters and factory are located in Mauá, a town in the São Paulo metropolitan area.
Following some expansions, the company has recently adopted the name Forte Group USA. In January 2024, according to Barbara Silva, the group's marketing head, the Group announced the start of its operations in the USA with the opening of its first business unit abroad.
Auto Parts Should Adapt to New IATF Rules
◆ Including fastener players, Brazil has more than 1.1 thousand automotive part manufacturers ◆
According to Plinio Pereira, a manager at TÜV Rheinland Brazil, adhering to the new International Automotive Task Force (IATF) rules ensures transparency in administrative and manufacturing processes. This includes product traceability, corporate responsibility, and customer protection against quality issues in components.
"In Brazil, there are 1,171 automotive parts manufacturers certified under IATF requirements. To maintain their certification and continue exporting and marketing their products to major automakers, these companies must adapt to the 6th Edition of IATF 16949, which is now in effect, replacing the 5th Edition."
The new rules introduce changes such as adjustments to the maximum audit time, the elimination of preliminary audits, and a prohibition on certification bodies offering consultancy services on quality management systems. Additionally, new deadlines for the audit process have been established. Compliance ensures transparency in administrative and manufacturing processes, including product traceability, corporate accountability, and customer protection regarding component quality.
A single certification body must audit both the production site and any nearby extended sites. Certification bodies are also prohibited from providing consultancy services related to the customer's quality management system. Each production site can have two annual maintenance audits, conducted within an interval of -3/+3 months from the last day of the initial, transfer, or recertification audit.
by Sergio Milatias, ‘Revista do Parafuso’ (The Fastener Brazilian Magazine) revistadoparafuso@revistadoparafuso.com www.revistadoparafuso.com
U.S. Imports & Exports of
Fasteners: The Potential Impacts of Trump's New Tariff Policies
Data note: The data for this article is derived from the US Census trade statistics. US Census trade statistics analyze imports and exports on all modes of transportation. That value is calculated in USD by general FOB for imports and FOB for exports. Fasteners in this article are defined as any product under HS Code 7318 (screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter pins, washers and similar articles, or iron or steel). The volume in terms of mass is recorded in Gross Weight (KG).
The Trump administration recently confirmed the imposition of a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S., which will directly impact U.S. fastener supply chains, effective March 12, 2025. Fasteners, an integral component for industries such as construction, automotive and manufacturing, rely heavily on steel and aluminum. For U.S. companies in these industries, most fasteners are being imported from global trading partners. Manufacturers, especially small business, may face disruptions in sourcing materials, resulting in delays and shortages in production of finished goods. Smaller companies could struggle to absorb the increased costs due to the increased tariffs, challenging their competitiveness in the market and profitability.
The imposed tariffs also risk provoking retaliatory measures from trading partners, further complicating the supply chain landscape. With Canada, Mexico and China being significant suppliers of steel and aluminum, the imposition of tariffs on imports from these countries could lead to an unfortunate ripple effect with additional trade barriers and restrictions on U.S. exports. Fastener manufacturers will need to plan for these upcoming challenges by exploring alternative sourcing strategies in the event they are currently sourcing from China, boost domestic production capabilities or adjust pricing structures to stay competitive and maintain supply chain stability.
U.S. Fastener Trade in 2024 & Major Trading Partners
The U.S. imported a total of 1.7 billion KG of fasteners in 2024 which is 9.2% more than was imported in 2023. The top trading partners supplying the U.S. with fasteners were Taiwan accounting for 36% of the total amount in 2024, followed by China accounting for 34%. Additional amounts of fasteners were imported from countries like Japan, India and South Korea, each accounting for anywhere between 7% and 3% of the total imported amount in 2024. In the case of fasteners, Mexico and Canada were not amongst the top 10 trading partners in 2023 or 2024. Fastener imports are primarily being imported via ocean vessels into several of the major west coast districts such as Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA. On the east coast, ports within the New York City, NY, Savannah, GA and Norfolk, VA districts imported most of the cargo.
In 2024, the U.S. saw the second-largest total amount of fastener imports, with the highest recorded amount occurring in 2022. While the primary trading partners in 2022 were Taiwan and China, the total amount imported was 1.9 billion KG totaling 7.7 billion USD. Historical trend analysis shows a slight decline in 2020 during the height of the global pandemic, and then an upward trend beginning in 2021. Since 2021, the total amount of fastener imports has remained strong in comparison to prepandemic years.
Fasteners within HS 731815 (threaded screws and bolts, with or without their nuts or washers) accounted for nearly half of all imports in 2024, followed by 731814 (self-tapping screws,
Copyright owned by Fastener World Article by Sabrina Rodriguez
threaded), and 731816 (nuts, threaded). 731822 (washers, other than lock washers) and 731829 (non-threaded articles, fasteners) were the two categories of fasteners least imported.
Unlike imports, the U.S. exported fewer fasteners in 2024. Brazil and China were the U.S.’s primary trading partners, each accounting for around 9% of the total exported amount in 2024. Canada was the third largest trading partner in 2024, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. In terms of total value, Canada accounted for 22% of the total trade in 2024 and similarly 24% of the total trade in 2023. Overall, the U.S. exported nearly 4% more in 2024 compared to 2023. Japan, France, Thailand, Australia and India each accounted for 3% to 4% of the U.S. exported number of fasteners in 2024. Fastener exports to top trading partners primarily were exported via air cargo followed by ocean vessel cargo. New York City, NY, Los Angeles, CA, New Orleans, LA, Cleveland, OH and Miami, FL were the top port districts that exported the most fastener cargo to the world in 2024. U.S.
Compared to 2016 through 2019, the U.S. exported less fasteners in 2024. There has been a slight and consistent decline in the amount of fasteners the U.S. has exported since 2019. However, the total values of fastener exports reached all time highs in 2023 and 2024 compared to earlier years. Much like the fasteners being imported, the U.S. exported mostly 731815 (threaded screws and bolts, with or without their nuts or washers) and 731822 (washers, other than lock washers).
Since Trump’s January inauguration, it seems there is a new executive order in the U.S. that imposes a layer of unpredictability to the commerce landscape. These frequent policy shifts are often influenced by the changing political agenda, trade negotiations and economic conditions. As a result, businesses must constantly remain informed and adaptable to stay in compliance with the latest regulations. To prevent a disruption in their supply chains and incur increased costs, trade policies are forcing companies to reassess their strategies. The ever-changing nature of these tariffs is a grim reminder of the first Trump administration and the imposed tariffs on steel, leaving fastener manufactures and importers alike uneasy on what is to come in 2025. While companies continue to plan short term and long term, they face the constant challenge of keeping up with the new rules that can affect everything from raw material costs to international trade relations. The unfortunate reality is the uncertainty of what is in store for the next months as U.S. trade negotiations become solidified by the new administration.
Booth No. B15
INFINIX PRECISION CORP.
www.infinix.com.tw
tooling@infinix.com.tw
infinix precision corp. is dedicated to serving our customers with a full range of forming tools that include punches, dies, pins, cutters and fingers. Our 2000 m2 climate-controlled facility with 50 plus employees is located in southern Taiwan. In order to overturn the conventional manufacturing and management process, we invested in the most advanced facilities and software on site, such as the 5-axis CNC machine from MAZAK Japan and the Wire Cutting EDM from SEIBU Japan, combined with the advanced CAD/CAM software such as NX CAD/CAM, SMARTCAM and SOLIDWORK.
Infinix is always outward looking. To enhance efficiency, we created our own Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system from the start. We ensure greater control over the manufacturing process and promise significant cost savings to be made by streamlining each step of the process with the tailor-made ERP system. Our efficiency in getting the tool right the first time puts our customers into production faster.
Infinix is more than a supplier of tools. Our expertise and attention to detail ensure you receive a tool that will hold up and reliably produce parts throughout the life of the tool. Besides offering high precision custom tools, we are eager to work with our customers on professional consultation such as material suggestions and adjustment on trial feedback.
Dates: May 08-10, 2025
Venue: Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai
Expanding Horizons with India Hardware
Building on the success of its 2024 edition in New Delhi, Fastener Fair India continues to solidify its position as the premier networking platform for the fastening and fixing industry. The 2024 edition delivered outstanding opportunities for distributors, suppliers, engineers, and industry professionals, reflecting the strong growth of key sectors such as automotive, construction, and manufacturing in India.
As the industry gears up for another dynamic edition, Fastener Fair India 2025 is set to take place from 8-10 May 2025 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better with the introduction of a brand-new segment – India Hardware.
What’s New in This Edition?
Unveiling India Hardware – Fastener Fair India 2025 proudly introduces India Hardware, a dedicated segment showcasing India’s flourishing hardware manufacturing industry. Powered by the Make in India initiative, this segment will highlight cutting-edge tools, machinery, and technological advancements, reinforcing India’s position as a global manufacturing hub. Visitors can expect to explore the latest innovations, network with key players, and stay at the forefront of industry developments.
Booth No. B17
HOMN REEN ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
www.homnreen.com
sales@mail.homnreen.com.tw
Homn Reen Enterprise Co., Ltd. established in 1985 is located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Our Vietnam plant founded in 2010 is located in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam.
We have been focusing on producing small screws for over 40 years with extraordinary experience. Our customers are located in USA, Europe and India, etc. Main products cover self-drilling screws, chipboard screws, and drywall screws. Our capacity is 1,300 tons per month. We adopt one-stop production to make customers satisfied.
Our Vietnam factory will gain the BIS certificate by May of 2025.
Booth No. B14A
CHUM YUAN CO., LTD.
www.chumyuan.com
info@chumyuan.com.tw
Chum Yuan Co., Ltd. (CYC), established in 1980 in Taiwan, is a service-oriented leader with over 45 years of expertise in industrial machinery, forming tools, and related products. With a strong global presence across Southeast Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and India, CYC offers comprehensive solutions backed by a network of over 400 suppliers. Under its brand MachEx, CYC operates a specialized used machine exchange platform, streamlining the trading process for fastener, forging, and machine tool industries, particularly for overseas buyers. Additionally, CYC exclusively offers Taiwan’s first High-Speed Bolt Pointing Machine (HC-P14), designed with European standards. This machine excels in speed, flexibility, and versatility, offering pointing, chamfering, facing, and drilling operations for bolts ranging from 3mm to 15mm in diameter. With quick toolchange capability, it caters to both mass production and varied small-batch needs.
Why You Can’t Miss It
For Visitors: Gain direct access to a diverse range of fastening and hardware solutions, meet top suppliers, and experience live product demonstrations. Stay ahead of industry trends and source high-quality products from leading manufacturers.
For Exhibitors: Engage with decision-makers, buyers, and distributors actively seeking new solutions. Showcase your latest innovations, expand your brand presence, and generate high-value business leads.
Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Build valuable connections with industry leaders, suppliers, and potential partners across various sectors, including construction, automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing.
Live Demonstrations & Product Launches: Witness the latest advancements firsthand through interactive showcases and live product demonstrations from top brands in the industry.
Stay Ahead of the Competition: Gain insights into emerging market trends, technological advancements, and new business opportunities shaping the fastener and hardware sector.
A Must-Attend Event for Industry Professionals
Fastener Fair India 2025 is the ultimate platform to explore innovations, forge new business partnerships, and stay updated on industry trends. Whether you are a visitor looking to source high-quality products or an exhibitor aiming to showcase groundbreaking solutions, this event is your gateway to unparalleled opportunities in the fastener and hardware industry.
Join us at Fastener Fair India 2025 and be a part of the future of fastening and hardware technology!
Booth No. B16
HURMG YIEH MACHINERY INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
www.hung-li.com.tw
sales@hurmg-yieh.com.tw
Hurmg Yieh (Hung Li) Machinery established since 1985 and based in Taiwan is a leading manufacturer of various electroplating equipment. Its clients are not only from Taiwan, but also from other countries, such as USA, Germany, Japan, S. Korea, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc.
Automatic gantry type barrel plating equipment is the essential surface treatment equipment for fastener industries. Please visit and contact us at https://www.hung-li.com.tw
SteelFab
“Automated Machinery” Opportunities in the Middle East
High Share of Automated Machinery Exhibitors
The scale of the metal processing industry and the demand for peripheral products in the Middle East have been growing continuously in recent years, and their technological strength and quality have been slowly attracting the attention of international customers. With the 4-day SteelFab 2025 held in Expo Centre Sharjah from January 12 to 16, many exhibitors and professional buyers on-site felt the lively atmosphere of exchange, and could also perceive potential business opportunities arising from the demand for automated processing machines in the Middle East (especially in the UAE), where officials and local companies are investing hundreds of millions of dollars in emerging technologies such as robotics and automation in order to enhance productivity and efficiency.
AI Automation, the Future of Metal Processing
SteelFab, which has been held for 19 years, is a professional exhibition targeting various industrial manufacturing industries in the UAE and the entire Middle East region. In particular, welding & cutting, power tools, machine tools, tubes & pipes processing machines, as well as stainless steel, AI, and robotics were the key highlights of the exhibition this year. It is also one of the main platforms to help relevant industries in the region expand their digital capabilities and gain an edge in a hypercompetitive market. Fastener World Inc. exhibited at the exhibition again this year, hoping to deepen our observation and understanding of the Middle East market, and more importantly, to find more opportunities to enter the local market and gain supply chain cooperation for highquality suppliers wishing to further expand into the Middle East and the surrounding emerging markets in order to diversify geographic risks.
According to the on-site observation of Fastener World's staff, 80-90% of the exhibitors this year were related to the fields of automation machinery and peripheral equipment, and there were a few exhibitors of power tools, nonfastener related dies & molds, powder coating and laser equipment. However, the share of fasteners or hardware products related exhibitors was not high. The exhibitors were mainly from the Middle East, with international pavilions from China, India, Germany and Taiwan. Compared to 2024, the number of exhibitors from China and India was on a decline. Taiwanese exhibitors were mostly in the automation machinery sector.
Benefiting from the geographical advantage, the visitors to Fastener World’s stand this year were mostly professional buyers and traders from Dubai, mostly inquiring about sourcing automated machinery and specifically looking for Taiwanese suppliers. There were also traders looking for thread rolling machines and heading machines. One buyer told Fastener World’s staff that he had purchased machinery and equipment from other countries, but felt disappointed with their quality. He also heard that the quality of Taiwanese machinery and equipment is good, and would be interested in giving it a try if there is any suitable manufacturer to collaborate with.
It is understood that UAE officials have been promoting a number of policies and programs in recent years that seek to promote industrial innovation and R&D, and enhance local supply chains, including the UAEprogramme, covering 1,000 programs in the fields of technology and industry.
According to Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA), Taiwan's total machine tool export in 2024 amounted to US$2.218 billion, and the total critical components export amounted to US$1.511 billion, with the top 5 major export destinations being China, USA, Turkey, India, and Vietnam, indicating that there is still room for effort in the Middle East market. Vendors interested in the Middle East metal processing market are advised to enter these advanced and high-end automated equipment and peripheral parts markets as well, to further strengthen the cooperation opportunities with largescale projects and local supply chain partners in the Middle East countries.
Copyright owned by Fastener World; Article by Gang Hao Chang, Vice Editor-in-Chief
Turkish
Provided by Irem Yaren BAYSAL, Editor of Fastener Eurasia Magazine www.fastenereurope.com
Analysis of Türkiye's Fastener Industry
Since 2015, the number of companies operating in Türkiye's fastener industry has shown a gradual and stable upward trend (Figure 1). In 2015, there were 567 enterprises, surpassing 600 for the first time in 2019, reaching 602. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number continued to rise in 2020, reaching 604.
In 2021, a significant increase brought the total to 638 enterprises. This rise was driven largely by increased foreign demand in the postpandemic conditions. The number of enterprises continued to grow slowly in 2022, reaching 650. However, in 2023, factors such as a slowdown in external demand, earthquakes, elections, and tighter monetary policies took center stage. Under these conditions, the number of enterprises was estimated to reach 660.
Source: TÜİK, Annual Industrial and Service Statistics
Production Value
Production value is another critical indicator of the fastener industry. It is presented in current prices and based on producer prices, reflecting both quantity and pricing factors.
The production value in the fastener industry rose from 2.53 billion TRY in 2015 to 6.52 billion TRY in 2019 (Figure 2). By 2020, it had increased to 7.47 billion TRY. Between 2015
and 2020, producer price increases remained relatively limited, making production value changes primarily quantity-driven.
Between 2021 and 2023, rising inflation significantly boosted the nominal production value. Real production growth also became noteworthy alongside these nominal increases. In 2021, the production value reached 14.27 billion TRY, with substantial real growth. By 2022, the production value surged by 110% to 29.93 billion TRY, accompanied by real growth. In 2023, the production value reached 45.79 billion TRY, though real growth slowed. In U.S. dollar terms, the production value more than doubled between 2015 and 2023.
TURKISH NEWS
Domestic Market for Fasteners
The domestic fastener market size was 369,041 tons in 2015 and showed a gradual increase over the years (Figure 3). By 2023, it had reached 712,524 tons, growing by 343,483 tons during this period. Domestic sales dominated the growing market.
In 2015, imports accounted for 27.3% of the market, totaling 100,688 tons, while domestic sales were 268,353 tons. In subsequent years, the import growth stabilized due to protection measures, dropping to 69,282 tons in 2020. Between 2021 and 2023, imports increased again, reaching 90,567 tons in 2023, but still remained below the 2015 level.
Domestic sales, however, showed rapid growth after 2015, reaching 621,957 tons in 2023, covering 87.3% of the domestic market. Nearly all market growth between 2015 and 2023 was met by domestic supply, with imports remaining stagnant.
Fastener Exports
The fastener industry consists of various sub-product groups, including products made from iron, steel, or copper. In Türkiye's fastener exports (Figure 4), products made of iron or steel account for 99.2% by value, while exports of copper-based fasteners are very limited. As of 2023, iron and steel fastener exports amounted to USD 809.7 million.
Competitive Analysis and Development Dynamics of Türkiye's Fastener Industry
◆ Strengths of the Fastener
Industry
◆
Fasteners are predominantly metal products, and metal products have always been in high demand and widely preferred. Metal fasteners have a wide range of applications, and their usage areas continue to grow steadily. The demand for fasteners remains vibrant in every period. Domestically, the demand and market for fasteners show stable and predictable growth, driven by industrialization and infrastructure investments.
Türkiye has a significant production capacity in iron-steel and non-ferrous metals, which are used in fastener manufacturing. Therefore, the fastener industry can secure sufficient input supply from domestic sources. Ninety-five percent of the inputs come from within the country
The fastener industry has the capability to produce in high tonnage. Additionally, it can fulfill and manufacture all types of orders within short lead times.
The industry's machinery park is very modern and equipped with advanced production technology. Production is carried out in compliance with EU standards and quality. Flexible and fast production, along with a high level of adaptability, are among its other strengths.
The fastener industry offers a wide variety of products and market diversification. The supporting industry is strong and sufficient. The sector exports significantly to developed countries, particularly Germany, and leverages this capability in other markets as well.
◆ Position of Türkiye and Its Competitors in Export Markets
Türkiye is steadily becoming one of the key exporting countries in the global fastener industry by increasing its share in global exports. The country has been gradually boosting its share in the global fastener export market. Türkiye's share in global fastener exports was 0.90% in 2015 and 0.98% in 2016. In 2017, it surpassed the 1% threshold for the first time, reaching 1.06%. During the 2018-2020 period, this share remained stable. The share, which was 1.19% in 2018, stayed at 1.19% in 2020 as well.
In 2021, Türkiye's share in global exports rose significantly to 1.37%. This increase was driven by the rising trends of nearshoring and supply security that emerged after the pandemic, leading to additional demand for supplies from Türkiye. The Türkiye's fastener industry largely met this demand and increased its share in global exports.
Despite the restrictive conditions caused by the war in 2022, both global and Türkiye's fastener exports rose significantly, with rising metal prices also playing a role. As a result, Türkiye's share in global fastener exports climbed to 1.56% in 2022.
In 2023, global fastener exports shrank by 4.3% due to the slowdown in the global economy and the contraction of global merchandise trade. Nevertheless, Türkiye managed to maintain its export levels, achieving a record-high share of 1.63% in the global fastener export market.
Source: Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) Fastener, Wire and Wire Products Industry Report, TradeMap, and Fastener Europe Magazine
2024 Results of Türkiye's Automotive Industry
In 2024, the total automotive production decreased by 7%, while the passenger car production fell by 5% compared to the previous year. During this period, the total production amounted to 1,365,296 units, with the passenger car production reaching 904,513 units. In 2024, the total market remained at a similar level to the previous year, recording 1,285,632 units. During this period, the passenger car market increased by 1% compared to the previous year, reaching 980,341 units.
In the commercial vehicle segment, production decreased by 11% in 2024. The light commercial vehicle group saw a 9% decline, while the heavy commercial vehicle group experienced a 25% drop. Compared to the previous year, the commercial vehicle market decreased by 4%, the light commercial vehicle market by
3%, and the heavy commercial vehicle market by 8%. In 2024, total automotive exports in unit terms remained at a similar level to the previous year, while passenger car exports declined by 1%. During this period, total automotive exports amounted to 1,013,034 units, with passenger car exports at 654,115 units.
According to the Türkiye's Exporters Assembly, total automotive exports increased by 6% in 2024, reaching USD 37.2 billion. According to the Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters' Association (OİB), automotive exports in Euro terms rose by 2% to €33.7 billion. Over the 12-month period, passenger car exports increased by 3% to USD 11.3 billion, while passenger car exports in Euro terms grew by 2%, reaching €10.4 billion.
Fastener
Hydrogen is considered a future clean energy source, but hydrogen embrittlement has long been a major obstacle to its development. National Cheng Kung University(NCKU) has successfully invented a type of stainless steel, known as 416B, which is referred to as "non-hydrogen-embrittlement steel," capable of resisting hydrogen permeation. This innovation is expected to address significant safety concerns in the hydrogen energy sector.
Hydrogen embrittlement occurs when hydrogen atoms easily penetrate materials, causing them to become brittle and crack, which can lead to leaks and explosions in storage tanks or pipelines. Existing hydrogen storing materials, such as 309 and 316 stainless steel or fiberglass, are unable to effectively resist hydrogen embrittlement and may have issues with insufficient strength or carcinogenic risks.
Unlike conventional materials, "non-hydrogen-embrittlement steel" offers superior resistance to acid and alkali corrosion, higher strength, and hardness. It also possesses magnetic properties that can be connected electrically to form non-hydrogen electromagnetic steel. After heat treatment, it can further resist hydrogen permeation, making it suitable for hydrogen storage and the manufacture of hydrogenresistant valves and fasteners. Additionally, the University's team collaborated with a welding rod company in Tainan (southern Taiwan) to find weldable material 420L, solving the problem of welded joints being susceptible to hydrogen attacks.
A Profile Fastener
Fasteners
To validate the hydrogen resistance of "non-hydrogenembrittlement steel," the University established one of the few laboratories nationwide capable of evaluating metal hydrogen embrittlement. The lab conducted hydrogen accumulation and hydrogen embrittlement fatigue tests. The results showed that "non-hydrogen-embrittlement steel" has a significantly better hydrogen permeation resistance compared to other industrial-grade stainless steels.
(News provided by Irem Yaren BAYSAL, Editor of Fastener Eurasia Magazine) Norm Fasteners introduces the utility model issued as "A Profile Fastener", an innovative solution developed by R&D and engineering teams, now granted by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.
Technical Features:
• Specialized Screw Structure: The screw features a drill-bit design, allowing it to drill its own path without the need for pre-drilling.
• Centering Effect: The screw prevents axis misalignment within the material, ensuring a stable and accurate connection.
• Chip Displacement Feature: The design allows chips generated during drilling to be expelled through channels on the screw, enhancing performance.
• Rigid and Reusable: The screw is durable during the connection process and is designed to be reusable.
Hydrogen Embrittlement Resistant Steel Applicable to
▲ Image from NCKU
Benefits:
• Time and Cost Savings: By eliminating the need for pre-drilling, it accelerates the assembly process, providing time and cost advantages.
• Reliable Connection: The screw creates rigid and strong connections without any deformation of the material.
• Versatility: The screw can easily be used to assemble wood, metal, or different materials, progressing without disrupting the connection between various materials.
• Reusability: Since the screw does not suffer any damage during assembly, it offers the possibility of reuse for different connections.
• Industrial Use: It provides high efficiency in industries such as furniture and construction.
ARaymond,
ARP Tiny Bolts
Automotive Racing Products (ARP), renowned for its high-performance fasteners, has announced an expansion of its tiny bolt offerings. These precision bolts are designed for applications where space is limited and high strength is crucial, such as in miniature engines, precision machinery, and specialized automotive components.
ARP's tiny bolts are crafted from premium materials, including stainless steel and chrome-moly steel, ensuring durability and resistance to corrosion. The company's manufacturing process involves precise cold-forming techniques that enhance the bolts' strength and clamping power, making them ideal for demanding environments. In addition to large bolts that range from 1/2” to 1/4” in diameter, ARP offers #10-32, #10-24 and the new #8-32 sizes.
The expansion includes a broader range of sizes and configurations, catering to the diverse needs of engineers and builders who require precise control over fastening solutions. This move reflects ARP's commitment to supporting innovation in both racing and non-racing applications, where precision and reliability are paramount.
ARP's products are widely used in motorsports, including Formula 1, IndyCar, and NHRA drag racing, as well as in aerospace applications. The company's dedication to quality and performance has earned it a reputation as a leader in fastener technology.
AIRYOSA™ Pneumatic System Solutions for Commercial Vehicles
a global leader in fastening and assembly systems, is expanding into the commercial vehicle pneumatics sector with its new AIRYOSA™ line of connectors, fasteners, and tubes. The company is known for its innovative solutions in fluid handling.
The AIRYOSA™ product range is designed to improve the safety, ergonomics, and sustainability of pneumatic systems in commercial vehicles, such as braking and suspension systems. ARaymond leverages its extensive expertise in fluid handling to offer a comprehensive set of products and solutions for the pneumatic market.
A key benefit of AIRYOSA™ is improved ergonomics. The quick connectors (QC) are engineered to reduce insertion force by approximately 30%, a significant advantage given that installers complete over 110 end piece connections and 130 tube insertions per vehicle. This reduction in force minimizes installer fatigue, speeds up the manufacturing process, and lowers the risk of misassembly, enhancing worker health and productivity.
Furthermore, the AIRYOSA™ products are compact and lightweight, delivering a 17% weight reduction compared to industry standards. This contributes to lowering the overall weight of commercial vehicles, which aligns with the sustainability goals of vehicle manufacturers. The products also boast an eco-friendly design using bio-based materials, resulting in a more than 50% reduction in CO2 emissions during the manufacturing process compared to industry standards.
The AIRYOSA™ line is designed for easy servicing, featuring wear-resistant components that allow for simple maintenance even after extended use in harsh environments. Disassembly can be performed with standard tools, further simplifying maintenance procedures. ARaymond also offers customization options, providing customers with a single-source supplier for connectors, tubes, and fastening solutions, including customized parts tailored to specific needs
IPL 90 Insulation Plug
CELO, a leading manufacturer of fasteners and fixings, has introduced its new IPL 90 insulation plug, designed for efficient and secure fastening to mineral wool and Heraklith boards. This innovative plug eliminates the need for pre-drilling, saving significant time during installation.
The IPL 90 features a sharp drilling tip that can reliably penetrate hard ETICS plaster up to 7 mm thick, making it suitable for a wide range of insulation applications. With a length of 90 mm, the plug provides secure anchoring in mineral wool boards, offering better hold than shorter alternatives.
The IPL 90’s innovative thread geometry and slim core allow for easy insertion through pre-punched holes in sheet metal profiles, ensuring a smooth and efficient installation process. The fastener is also energy-efficient, enabling direct fastening in insulation without creating thermal bridges, which helps maintain optimal insulation performance.
Featuring a 25 mm head diameter and a TX40 drive, the IPL 90 is ideally suited for insulation applications, providing a strong and stable hold. Made from high-quality nylon, the plug is resistant to aging and weathering, making it suitable for long-term outdoor use. Its semi-transparent color allows for a discreet appearance, and it can be painted to match the surrounding surface for a seamless finish.
The IPL 90 is specifically designed to handle two particularly challenging fastening applications with ease. It is ideal for securing 10 mm or 12 mm thick Heraklith panels to ceiling panels made of mineral wool or EPS, providing a reliable and stable hold. Additionally, it is well-suited for attaching sheet metal profiles with 18 mm clearance holes to ceiling panels composed of mineral wool or expanded polystyrene (EPS), ensuring a secure and precise installation. The IPL 90 is a versatile and reliable solution for a variety of insulation fastening needs.
EcoCcompact Line with L and XL Variants
Ecoclean, a leading provider of industrial cleaning solutions, has expanded its EcoCcompact line with L and XL variants, designed to meet the diverse needs of the general industry. These single-chamber cleaning solutions handle batch weights up to 150 kg, offering enhanced capacity and cleaning performance tailored to specific company requirements.
The L and XL variants feature working chamber diameters of 650 mm and 750 mm, respectively, allowing for batch sizes of 650 x 470 x 300 mm for the L version and 650 x 470 x 400 mm for the XL version. A key advantage is the ability to switch between hydrocarbons and modified alcohols without conversion work, ensuring flexibility in cleaning processes.
Powerful, frequency-controlled flood pumps enable fast chamber filling and emptying, generating a high mechanical cleaning effect during standard injection flood washing. An optional frequency-controlled rotary drive can further enhance fabric rotation and positioning. The systems can be equipped with various process technologies like ultrasound and PPC to meet specific cleanliness requirements.
The EcoCcompact line is notable for its energy efficiency and sustainability, achieved through optimized system technology. Heat recovered from the distillation process is used to heat the flood tanks, minimizing energy consumption. These systems offer high material compatibility, allowing components of different materials to be cleaned together.
2024 Fastener Trade Statistics of
USA / Canada / Japan / Taiwan / Brazil
Copyright owned by Fastener World
Article
by
Gang Hao Chang, Vice Editor-in-Chief
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce (in million USD), in descending order according to figures of 2024
Import
U.S. imports of fasteners showed signs of a slight recovery in 2024, following a slight decline in 2023. Its major import partners over the past three years have been Taiwan, China, and Japan, with Taiwan and China in particular being the closest trading partners. 32.7% of total imports in 2024 were from Taiwan, and although imports from Taiwan declined slightly in 2024, imports from Taiwan were still nearly twice the size of imports from China. Imports from China accounted for about 18% of total U.S. imports. However, Taiwan was the only one of the top 10 trading partners to show a decline in the value of its imports in 2024.
Export
U.S. fastener exports have grown over the past three years. Mexico and Canada were the two largest U.S. export trading partners, and the two countries represented about 60% of U.S. exports, showing the deep dependence of U.S. fastener exports on Canada and Mexico. Although China was the 3rd largest trading partner of U.S. fastener exports, its annual scale of less than US$300 million was far less than Mexico and Canada. Of the top 10 export destinations, only exports to Canada and China showed a decrease in 2024.
CANADA
Source: Canada.ca (in USD), in descending order according to figures of 2024
Import
8
Despite the slight decrease in 2024, Canada's imports of fasteners have remained roughly constant over the past three years at around US$2 billion. 2024 data show that the U.S. alone accounted for more than 47% of Canada's total imports, while imports from China and Taiwan accounted for about 15% and 13%, respectively. Among the top 10 import origins, imports from the U.S., China, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam decreased in 2024. Among the top 5 partners, only Germany showed growth.
Export
Canada's exports to the world were roughly 1/4 the size of its imports from the world, topping US$650 million in 2024, and its exports have shown annual growth over the past three years. Due to its geographical location and strong economic & trade ties, Canada exported more than 80% of its fasteners to the U.S. Apart from China, the top 5 export trading partners were all European and American countries. Canada also exported nearly US$ 3 million worth of fasteners to the Australian market.
JAPAN
Source: Ministry of Finance, Japan in descending order according to weights of 2024
Japan has about 300,000 tons (equivalent to 150 billion yens) of imported fastener demand a year. Although its demand declined a bit in 2023, it later recovered to near the the 2022 level in 2024. The top 3 import origins were China, Taiwan and Vietnam, which accounted for over 90% of its total imports by weight, with China being the largest import origin. The top 5 import origins were all Asian countries, with only a small amount of higher-value-added fasteners imported from Germany, the U.S., Australia, and Italy.
Japan's fastener export scale (in terms of weight) was comparable to its import scale. Each year it exported around 300,000 tons, with an annual export value of roughly 340-355 billion yens. Its export weight in 2024 was lower than that in the previous year, but the unit price of exports showed signs of increase. Nearly 60% of exports were to the U.S., China, and Thailand. Among the top 10 export partners, with the exception of the U.S. and the UK, all of them are emerging countries where many Japanese manufacturing companies are investing, and the proportion of exports to Europe was relatively small.
TAIWAN
Source: ITA of Taiwan in descending order according to weights of 2024
Import
Taiwan imported about 20,000 tons of fasteners annually in the past 3 years, and the average unit price per kg in 2024 landed at about US$3.48. The top 5 fastener import origins were China, Japan, Vietnam, S. Korea, and Germany, of which imports from China and Japan accounted for about 64%. Taiwan's imports from China, S. Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand grew year by year. Except for Germany and the U.S., Taiwan's fasteners were mainly imported from neighboring Asian countries.
The size of Taiwan's fastener exports exceeded 1.6 million tons (about US$6.1 billion) in 2022, but returned to normal levels of 1.2-1.25 million tons of annual exports in 2023 and 2024. It is worth noting that Taiwan's average unit price per kg of exports declined from US$3.8 in 2022 to US$3.7 in 2023, and then to around US$3.48 in 2024. However, the export performance (in kg) in 2024 showed signs of recovery compared to the downturn in 2023, with exports to the U.S., Germany, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Poland, and Italy all increasing.
BRAZIL
Source: http://comexstat.mdic.gov.br/en/geral in descending order according to weight of 2024
Import
Brazil's fastener imports were about two-thirds the size of Japan's, at around 200,000 tons per year. The total imports in 2024 (in terms of quantity or value) exceeded the levels in 2022 and 2023, indicating a rebound in demand for fasteners in Brazil. China was Brazil's largest source of fasteners, accounting for over 60% of its annual imports. Its imports from Italy, Japan and the U.S. were around 10,000 tons each. Taiwan was Brazil's 6th largest fastener supplier, with an average unit price of US$5.31 per kg in 2024.
Brazil's annual fastener export scale fell between 20,000-30,000 tons over the past 3 years, and its annual export value was about US$ 150-170 million. Among the top 10 export partners, except for Germany and France ranked the 5th and the 6th respectively, all the other countries were in the Americas, including Argentina, Paraguay, the U.S., Uruguay, etc. which were the main purchasing countries of Brazilian fasteners. Brazilian fastener exports in 2024 (in terms of value or quantity) did not outpace its performance in 2022 and 2023, suggesting that the weakening of the Latin American economies has more or less reduced the demand for Brazilian fasteners.
Wrap-up
To analyze the respective total fastener imports in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and Brazil, only Canada's import value revealed a more significant reduction in 2024, and the export values of Brazil and Taiwan both showed a decreasing trend (but Taiwan's export volume was still increasing). To sum up, the global fastener imports and exports varied in different regions, but they are still going towards a slow recovery in the long term.
Water Resource Management in Taiwan Fastener Industry (Part
1)
In early 2025, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) stated that “Prime Minister of the Executive Yuan, considering the fact that Taiwan's water prices have not been adjusted for 31 years, and that the current temporal and spatial environments as well as the cost structure of water supply are much different than in the past, instructed the MOEA that it should conduct a timely review of the reasonableness of water prices; however, whether or not the price of water will be adjusted and how to adjust it has not yet been finalized yet.” This already indicates that there is going to be an increase in water charges which have not been increased for 31 years.
Since the beginning of 2023, Taiwan's fastener export & production has been on a decline, followed by two electricity price increases in 2024, the concern about possible levy of carbon fee in Taiwan in 2025, coupled with the increase in basic wages, the pressure of various cost increases, as well as factories' spare capacity, most of the fastener industry do not dare to raise the prices of products, but rather to absorb the rising costs. Some manufacturers reflected that they could only expect to break even to maintain the basic needs of factory operations and to wait for the early return of export orders. I have recently heard that water rates may go up. Will it influence Taiwanese fastener suppliers? This article will illustrate the impact of Taiwan's water resources on the fastener industry.
Inthe article “Taiwan's Carbon Fee Era - The Future of the Fastener Industry” released in Fastener World Magazine (Issue # 209 and 210), I once mentioned that the beginning and future of Taiwanese fasteners rely on Taiwan CSC. According to the article “Taiwan CSC Increases Percentage of Recycled Water in UseRealizing Corporate Social Responsibility” on the CSC website, “Taiwan CSC is a steel mill that requires a lot of water for cooling, dust suppression, rust removal, lubrication, water sealing, water quenching, etc., in manufacturing processes, so a shortage of water will not only affect the normal operation of production, but also may seriously damage its equipment.” The article also mentions: “In order to stabilize the water supply for production and alleviate the risk of water shortage, Taiwan CSC implements the 4R strategy for water resource management and promotes various water conservation programs, including reducing water consumption in processes, multi-level recycling of water, recycling and purification of wastewater, and replacement of new water with reclaimed water, as well as the promotion of a number of projects to reduce the consumption of raw water.”
According to the article “Comparison of Water Prices in Various Countries” published by Taiwan Water Corporation on Nov. 15, 2024, The average price of water in Taiwan is NT$9.24/m3, the second lowest price following India compared to neighboring countries. Please refer to Figure 2 for the average unit price of water for “domestic water consumers” consuming 200 m 3 of potable water per year in each country (or region) according to IWA statistics.
Figure 2. The Average Unit Price of Water for “Domestic Water Consumers”
With reference to the 2023 Taiwan CSC Sustainability Report, the disclosed items pertaining to environmental aspects of Taiwan in 20192023 are shown in Table 1. Item 11 (Water Intensity) and item 12 (New Water Intensity) show that Taiwan CSC consumes 5.04 m3 of water per ton of steel billet and 2.16 m3 of new water per ton of steel billet. According to Taiwan Water Corporation's Trial Calculation of Water Rates, the water consumption category for Kaohsiung is industrial and commercial, with differences in pipelines. The rate includes NT$4.1 per m3 for removal and treatment fees, NT$10 per m3 for sewerage fees with an extra 5% business tax, so the total amount payable for each m 3 of water consumption is about NT$24.507, and the new water consumption per ton of steel billet is 2.16 m3, and the water price per ton of raw water consumed (excluding the consumption of recycled water, etc.) is NT$52.94. Based on the average price of Taiwan CSC wire rod in December 2024, which is NT$26,550/ ton, the cost of water only accounts for 0.2% of the total cost of water, which is a very small proportion for Taiwan CSC. Thus, it can be seen that the impact of water price increase on Taiwan CSC is minimal, and the real threat to Taiwan CSC's water resources is “water scarcity” rather than the increase in water price.
In the fastener manufacturing process, the higher water consumption is in the pickling process for wire drawing, several washing processes for electroplating, and the cleaning process for quenching oil in heat treatment. Based on the production data collected in the past two years by assisting fastener companies in performing organizational carbon inventory (ISO14064-1:2018) and product carbon footprint (ISO14067:2018), I have compiled the following Table 2 for Water Consumption in the Production of Fasteners in Taiwan, covering from Taiwan CSC’s wire coil to the finished products of screws and nuts. However, the data in this table may vary greatly depending on the equipment and products of each factory, so the data is for reference only.
In Taiwan, the total water consumption per ton of fasteners (from wire rod production of Taiwan CSC to product packaging andshipment) is about 10.853 m3, and if calculated at NT$24.507 per m 3, the water price per ton of fasteners is NT$265.97. Taiwan Customs import/export statistics show that in 2024 the total export weight of Taiwan's steel fasteners is 1,250,320.465 tons, and the total export value is NT$140,281,305,000, which translates to NT$112.196,28 per ton, and the average price of steel fasteners exported per ton is NT$112,000, and the cost of water consumed is NT$265.97, which accounts for about 0.24% of the total. In this regard, the impact of Taiwan's water rate increase on the overall Taiwan fastener industry is very limited, so the real threat of water resources in Taiwan fastener industry is not water price increase but the“ water shortage.”
The temperature of the Earth in 2024 has been 1.5°C higher than that in the Industrial Revolution in 1860, showing that the extreme climate has had an impact on the rainfall of Taiwan. The fastener industry is facing the threat of “water shortage.” Is there any water shortage in Taiwan? Yes, the 2021 drought crisis is a rare and serious incident in Taiwan’s history. The massive drought in the western part of the island in early 2021 caused various regions to experience varying degrees of water supply pressure reduction, water restrictions, farming stoppages, and shutdowns, making it the most severe drought in Taiwan since 1947. In order to strengthen the industry's ability to cope with the risk of water resources, Taiwan’ s Water Resources Agency promoted the “ Water Consumption Charge Policy ” , which has been formally implemented since Feb. 1, 2023.
Taiwan's water price averages NT$9.24, the second lowest in the world.
Table 1. The Disclosed Items Pertaining to Environmental Aspects of Taiwan CSC in 2019-2023
Ps. The water consumption per unit of steel billet of Taiwan CSC is 5.04 m3/ton.
In response to these external environmental challenges, the ISO46001:2019 Water Management System becomes a key tool for enterprises to implement water management. This standard provides a systematic framework to help enterprises improve water consumption efficiency, reduce wastage and lower costs by reducing water consumption, replacing water consumption, and reusing water resources in the face of water shortage. Taiwanese fastener industry can use it to establish effective water management strategies to cope with future water risks and get a head start on the global ESG policy wave.
Taiwanese fastener suppliers must recognize that water is not an endless resource, and water shortage in Taiwan is a potential threat that may occur, so how to face and deal with the water resource management will be an important issue that cannot be ignored.
(Editor's note: The second part of this article will delve into the essence of the ISO46001 Water Management System and how existing Taiwanese fastener manufacturers are utilizing effective water conservation strategies to meet the everincreasing water resource challenges.)
Table 2. Water Consumption in the Production of Fasteners in Taiwan Unit: m3/ton
Carbon Reduction Progress of Global Fastener Companies Feb. 2025 Update:
In the past 2 years, Fastener World has twice rounded up the latest carbon reduction progress of global fastener companies (Refer to Fastener World Magazine issue number 203 and 210). So far we have been contacted by several big players of the fastener industry who hope for us to include more companies in the roundup, so we are scaling it up with a little more focus on fastener manufacturers in this sequel, while still adding a few distributors and traders that were left out in the last one, as well as wire rod manufacturers and a coating provider.
To recap the methodologies taken in this article, it will focus on carbon emission statistics and carbon reduction strategies. First, it will examine carbon emissions that we can find from fastener companies. It will gather carbon emission data from their latest published ESG reports and organize it into separate tables to provide insights into their emission volumes and target-setting efforts. These tables will categorize emissions as follows: Scope 1 includes direct emissions from a company’s manufacturing processes, facilities, and transportation; Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased energy; Scope 3 encompasses all other indirect emissions throughout the external supply chain, including those from business travel and product life cycles. It will also present the total carbon emissions of each company.
Furthermore, it will outline various carbon reduction measures implemented by these companies, with an emphasis on unique approaches. This focus on distinctive methods aims to inspire readers to brainstorm and foster discussions on innovative solutions for carbon reduction.
U.S.
‧ Supports many verticals in the energy production sector. Over 90% of Copper State’s activity in this industry directly supports green energy production , including solar racks, solar panels, and solar tracking units. Supports production of 10 to 15 GW of electricity each year.
Added motion detected LED lighting, solar panels (400,000 kWh generation annually), low flow toilets, xeriscape landscaping, onsite bike racks, and electric forklifts.
‧ Provided reusable water bottles to over 500 employees saving an estimated 1,000 pounds of plastic waste annually. Consume recycled office supplies. Created an internal employee education communication program for sustainability.
‧ Completed an Environmental Materiality Assessment, using life cycle assessment (LCA) in alignment with ISO 14040 and 14044 Standards. The assessment helped identify most material environmental sustainability impacts.
‧Rolled out PowerPro line of Structural Wood Screws: 30% faster installation reduces energy consumption.
‧Packaging material substrates are made from recyclable or recycled material content, not permitting Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as the substrate. Clamshell and blister packaging are constructed from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), which is 100% recyclable and reduces GHG Emissions by 79% as compared to virgin PET.
Europe
‧ A3.5 MWh cogenerator was launched at the Veduggio con Colzano site to optimize energy costs and reduce CO2 emissions by generating electricity and thermal energy from methane gas.
Installed solar panels on plant roof and on parking lot roof.
‧Validated and approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative.
Conducted an annual global partnership survey where the main suppliers were asked to answer questions in key areas such as core values, supply chain development, digitalization, logistics and sustainability.
‧Engage suppliers to reduce Scope 3 emissions. Questionnaire to partner suppliers to prepare data on sustainability – for energy, transport, material, waste, etc. – and provide feedback. The suppliers need to reduce their greenhouse gases by 5.5 percent CO2e each year until 2031. All direct material suppliers must sign Bufab’s Code of Conduct, committing to its sustainability standards, to receive new orders. Suppliers must also show that they conduct their operations in accordance with other standards and certificates, including ISO 9001 and REACH.
‧ Build a new technical center for heat generation using renewable energy.
‧ Tool steel scrap from rolling dies is collected separately and returned to the supplier.
‧ Incorporated ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 requirements for environmental and energy management into quality assurance agreements with suppliers and are developing a questionnaire for smaller companies that are unable to implement these requirements.
Reduce global sourcing of purchased parts through in-house production or a change of supplier to safeguard the supply chain. Use recycled steel from steel scrap. Conversion of cardboard packaging to larger dimensions to reduce packaging units. Conversion from delivery in cardboard boxes to delivery in KLT if possible. Eliminate film packaging.
Make the emissions of products transparent as early as the quotation phase and can suggest optimizations with the help of the specially developed CO 2 calculator “ACO2 Calc”. Customers receive an up-to-date product carbon footprint calculation in parallel with the quotation for molded parts.
‧Build a world-class supplier base by consolidating sourcing to 550 top suppliers and utilizing a new Supplier Management Module for effective collaboration and risk management.
Commit to eliminating internal greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2030. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain by 55 percent by 2031.
Bufab Emission
‧ Besides screening new suppliers, all relevant or existing suppliers are checked with respect to their environmental impact at least once a year.
‧ With around 50% based on blast-furnace routing (the other 50% is already scrap-based), the focus is to reduce technical and commercial dependance on blast-furnace routing.
‧The most significant withdrawals originate from surface water, which is used to cool the manufacturing processes, and thirdparty water, which is used for all other purposes, e.g., drinking, washing, and cleaning.
‧No use of any natural resources, such as ores or minerals, directly in the manufacturing processes, and the materials used for the products consist of approx. 50% of recycled material. Manufacturing scrap is sold to a third party for 100% recycling.
‧Products are either delivered in plastic KLT containers, which are standardized returnable containers originally developed by the automotive industry, or in corrugated cardboard boxes.
‧Install heating thermostat controls.
‧Developed Hexlight®, NOW®LIVETM, EXTREMELIGHT® and Hold&Drive brands that have lower carbon emission in relation to use of reduced weight and raw material use reduction in line with Norm Fasteners Bolts sustainability goals.
‧ Changed the drum design in zinc-nickel coating facility where the most electricity is consumed in Norm Coating facility. Electric consumption saving of 19% has been achieved per product.
‧ Natural light is used for lighting and energy consumption for lighting during the day has been reduced to zero. Using long lasting and maintenance-free light tubes, 1,460 kg CO 2 emission has been avoided.
‧Water-plated exchanges system of 8 furnaces were replaced with air cooled system in Norm Fasteners Bolts Salihli factory. These changes saved approximately 1,500 m3 water each month.
50% GHG emissions reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions footprint and reduce absolute scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030.
‧Entered into an agreement with Direct Energy to purchase RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) generated by a wind facility located in Crockett County, Texas. The RECs cover approximately 126,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable energy, which will help reduce PPG’s scope 2 emissions by more than 9,400 metric tons each year
‧ Collaborated with top 20 suppliers to set expectations for reducing scope 3 emissions and evaluate proposals for emissions reduction projects using an internal tracking platform.
‧ Partner with customers to promote the use of existing products that require less energy to apply and cure and develop new products that improve this further.
‧Replace fossil fuel derivatives with bio-based materials in some product formulations. Resins made from renewable resources such as sugars, natural oils, and starch from corn and agricultural waste offer more sustainable alternatives without compromising the quality and performance of the final product.
‧Able to design optimized plastic cooling systems that reduce parts production time by up to 40% using advanced 3D printing technology.
‧New on-site label printing shop uses inkjet technology, instead of the electro ink used before, to print labels three times faster, increasing self-sufficiency.
‧Investment in an electric furnace, replacing part of the production process previously using gas-electric furnaces. Expanded Rawlplug’s photovoltaic farm by a further 1.82 MW.
‧Rolled out Timber UNO, the world’s first plug made from 70% wood sawdust.
‧Implemented a patented Ice Battery System— a collaboration with another Polish company— that stores energy during off-peak hours and reuses it during peak hours, resulting in efficient and environmentally friendly energy management.
Malaysia
‧Has in-house waste water treatment plant to treat the hazardous water generated before it is discharged to local water course.
‧ All scheduled waste generated are properly stored and transported to licensed contractor, certified by DOE for treatment or recovery. Recycling rate reached more than 85% in FY2024.
‧ Currently considering the use of high efficiency motors in the production for energy consumption. Now in the progress of installing solar panels in all its major production plants.
India
‧Install solar panels. Recover waste heat from the furnaces and compressors. Non-hazardous waste is sold to the authorized recyclers.
‧To reduce the wastage of water, the company has installed ETPS and STPS at some of its plants, wherein the company reuses the treated water for non-potable purposes.
‧Most of the products are made of steel, but there is no iron-melting furnace for re-smelting in the factory, so the waste, scraps and offcuts are recycled by cooperative contractors.
The finished products are placed into plastic bags before being packed into a carton, and the cartons are stacked into a pallet and packaged in the packaging straps. The packaging materials of pallets and cartons are renewable.
‧ There are central oil tanks between the forming machines and the oil circulates. The new oil will be added into the circulation depending on oil condition, then the used oil is discharged into waste oil barrel and outsourced to waste cleaning company for proper treatment. Oil products are
‧ Install solar power generation equipment. Regularly maintain pollution control equipment. Replace energy-saving transformers.
‧Implement smart energy systems to effectively manage electricity consumption.
Taiwan
recycled and reused by using the concentrated tank for sedimentation to reduce the impact on environmental pollution.
‧Use energy saving air conditioners (5 inverter air conditioners + 1 water-cooled air conditioner) with an estimated 16,623 kWh energy saving. Use energy saving light tubes with an estimated 55,376 kWh saving.
‧ Abides by the Waste Disposal Act and entrusts the vendors approved by EPA for waste resource management of the waste generated from the manufacturing process (such as inorganic sludge, non-hazardous oil sludge, waste oil mixture, mixture of general chemical waste).
‧Continuously replace internal combustion forklifts to reduce carbon emissions.
‧Replaced electrical equipment with level-2 energy efficiency.
‧Invested in a water disposal plant (20~25% sludge reduction) for NTD 37.35 million, as well as waste oil recycling (including oil dumper and centrifuge, 5% oil consumption reduction) for NTD 20 million.
Yu Group Emission
Cayman Tong Ming Holdings Emission
Chun
‧ ChunYu is the only one having the waste hydrochloric acid recycling facility of its kind in Taiwan. The facility uses advanced calcination technology to completely decompose, recycle and reuse waste hydrochloric acid, thereby preventing secondary pollution.
‧Established wastewater treatment facilities in 1990 to collect wastewater generated during the manufacturing process. This wastewater undergoes chemical oxidation-reduction processes to produce sludge, effectively removing pollutants. The treated clean water is then discharged into water bodies.
‧Handles some hazardous waste, specifically waste acid washing liquid, through in-house treatment and reuse, as well as by commissioning licensed treatment operators for reuse.
Increase the air conditioning temperature in non-constant temperature controled process stations and promote natural ventilation.
‧ Implement variable frequency energy-saving control for cooling circulation water pumps.
‧ Raise the chilled water temperature without affecting the temperature control of the process stations.
Coordinate the production scheduling across different business units to consolidate operating hours, thereby reducing unnecessary standby energy consumption of the chilled water and air compressor systems.
‧ Conduct daily inspections of gas valves at each workstation and promptly replace old, leaking switches to reduce the load on air compressors caused by leaks.
‧The newly established wastewater treatment plant for pollution prevention equipment is able to increase volume of wastewater treatment from 100 tons to 300 tons per day.
‧The hydraulic oil tank of the machine will use the static oil out of the filtering machine, and the amount of
to the forming machine can be significantly reduced by more than 70%.
‧The newly built factories are mainly built with steel structures, which are a type of recyclable material. New factories will have three layers of design on their rooftops, which can prevent heat conduction and increase the comfort of the personnel.
Packing boxes were changed from wooden boxes to iron ones and further changed to simplified packaging. Bundle the goods with webbing except for heavy products which will be secured with iron chains, moving towards the goal of container load optimization.
‧Apart from the allocating method of container for the shipments to the US warehouse, delivery date is coordinated with customers. Plan the standard volume for orders which allows to fill up a full container, raising the proportion of full containers and reducing the waste of space.
‧ Install solar panels, introduce a digital power monitoring platform (smart meters) , use LED energy-saving light fixtures, rainwater recycling, automatic sensor faucets and water conservation measures, and incorporate waste reduction equipment.
‧Promote paperless e-operations.
Note: Scope 4 = Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the organization's use of products or services.
‧Prioritize the purchase of products with carbon-reduction labels.
‧ Develop low-carbon products. The production process has been adjusted to achieve carbon emissions lower than those of competitors. Working together with upstream and downstream partners to further reduce carbon emissions.
‧Develop new designs to enhance material efficiency and extend dies lifespan. Modify and reuse discarded dies to effectively reduce purchasing costs.
‧ Used Chunghwa Telecom’s 5G network to build a 4.0 smart production line to improve production efficiency and save electricity. The production schedule follows a centralized production principle to reduce electricity consumption during trial runs.
‧The machines used for production should be utilized with the expectation of fulfilling production capacity to improve the availability of the machines, that is, centralize the production with the use of highly-efficient machines to reduce lowefficiency production.
A solar power generation system has been installed on the factory roof with a capacity of 616.395 kW, expected to generate approximately 700,000 kWh of electricity for self-use each year.
‧ Actively collaborating with customers to develop electric vehicle fasteners.
Conduct an R&D project titled "Evaluation of Replacing Nut Forming Machine Motors with Permanent Magnet Motors" to assess the energy-saving benefits of permanent magnet motors.
‧ Supported the Bank of Taiwan’s Green and Sustainable Term Deposit Investment Plan by depositing NTD 50 million in green and sustainable term deposits in August 2023. The BOT will invest all of the raised funds in "Green Investment Projects" and Socially Beneficial Investment Projects."
Shen Fung Screws Emission
Tycoons Group Enterprise Emission
• The electroplating department has implemented a timer to control water usage, maximizing water conservation. Both the washing tower and cooling water tower are equipped with water level controllers.
• Improvements have been made to the heat treatment process by adding electrostatic oil mist treatment to reduce waste generation.
• Priority will be given to procuring equipment that uses non-ozone-depleting substances and low Global Warming Potential (GWP) environmentally friendly refrigerants, in order to minimize damage to the ozone layer and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Incorporate factors such as energy conservation, water conservation, carbon emission reduction, waste reduction, and product lifespan into procurement considerations.
• Replace fuel-burning boilers with gas-burning boilers.
• Replace factory roofing with transparent panels to increase natural light, thereby saving electricity.
• Adopt a fully automated slag separation and recycling machine for rapid slag separation, reducing processing costs and saving money.
‧Use low-carbon liquefied petroleum gas to reduce products’ carbon footprint.
‧Develop hydrogen/ammonia combustion fuel for use.
‧The wire pickling production line is equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) equipment to treat the pickling exhaust gas and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
‧Completed the renovation of the furnace fuel system, transitioning the primary energy sources from electricity and low-sulfur fuel oil to electricity and natural gas.
‧The "ST2-ST3 Rolling Mill Scale Blowing Improvement" implemented in the manufacturing process optimized the timing of scale blowing using electric control techniques.
Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Dean Tseng；Updated on Feb. 20, 2025
Yieh Hsing Enterprise Emission
Fastener Certification in India
According to the Indian Quality Control Order (QCO), mandatory fastener products listed in Tables 1 and 2 must undergo product conformity assessment through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) via the ISI mark certification process. This process includes several evaluation procedures products must be tested by a third-party laboratory or tested in conjunction with a third-party laboratory at the manufacturing premises; on-site visits to assess the manufacturer's production premises, production processes, quality control, and testing capabilities of a manufacturer.
Applicants for ISI mark certification must first confirm the applicable standards for their products. They should complete Form-V from the BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations 2018, as well as a self-evaluation verification report for each standard, and submit these as part of their application. Forms and selfevaluation report formats can be obtained from the BIS official website for subsequent application processing.
Two Options for Applying for ISI Mark License:
Option 1
���� Applicants must submit the aforementioned forms to BIS to apply for an ISI mark license certificate.
���� If an applicant previously held an ISI mark license certificate for the same product at the same location and it was canceled, made expired or returned due to non-compliance, such applications will only be processed under Option 1 during this period. Refer to Annex XI of the BIS guideline document "Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL)."
���� Applicants’ factory visit fees must be paid to evaluate their production infrastructure, processes, quality control, and testing capabilities, along with sampling for third-party laboratory testing.
���� If only factory product testing is considered for granting the ISI mark license certificate, samples may not be taken. Factory testing is permitted for products listed in Annex II(A) of the BIS guideline document "Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL)" (e.g., products that are large or difficult to transport). For new products requiring certification without third-party laboratories, granting ISI mark licenses may be considered based on factory testing.
���� However, if a third-party laboratory obtains any product certification at an appropriate time, each certification can be decided by the head of the BIS regional office/branch office (Head, BO as Enforcement Officer of BO), processing applications under either Option 1 or Option 2 until the product transitions to Option 2.
���� Products granted an ISI mark license certificate under Option 1 are limited to specific items listed in Annex II(B) of the BIS guideline document "Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL)." Additionally, all cases involving foreign manufacturers obtaining an ISI mark license certificate will be processed under the principles of Option 1.
Option 2
���� Products eligible for an ISI mark license certificate should follow the principles outlined in Option 1 as listed in relevant BIS guideline documents.
(i) If there are no effective third-party laboratories available due to cancellation/suspension of accreditation or unimplemented revised standards for products listed in BIS guidelines, or if the third-party laboratory does not have inspection facilities/approval for specific different types of products, then decisions can be made by BO (responsible officer). In such cases, licenses may be granted based on Option 1 principles but must be documented with reasons.
(ii) If applicants previously held licenses for the same products at the same manufacturing site that were canceled due to non-compliance or expiry or return, such applications cannot be processed under Option 2 but only under Option 1. Refer to Option 1(B) and Annex XI of BIS guideline document "Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL)."
���� Applicants may apply to BIS for an ISI mark license certificate along with application forms and samples of products produced by them and compliance test reports issued by third-party laboratories (if applicable). The received application must comply with conditions specified in Option 2(C) through (M).
���� The applicant's factory visit fees must be paid to assess manufacturing infrastructure, processes, quality control, and testing capabilities while sampling for tests at a third-party laboratory. Testing reports from samples taken during factory visits will be used for review purposes.
���� When operating under Option 2, applicants must first register themselves on IT software and will receive a unique code. This code must be submitted to third-party laboratories when submitting samples for testing (see (E)), along with obtaining a corresponding receipt. After sending samples to laboratories, this receipt should be uploaded onto IT software. Sample testing should adhere to valid product group guidelines issued by BIS covering various types within the scope of license certificate grants.
���� Laboratory: Testing reports from the following laboratories should be accepted:
(i) Laboratories established, maintained, or accredited by BIS (including those designated as Group II laboratories under BIS laboratory accreditation schemes);
(ii) Government laboratories appointed by BIS;
(iii) Any other laboratory deemed appropriate by the BIS enforcement committee; testing reports must be current.
���� Testing reports must not exceed 90 days. The calculation period starts from the date of issue until received by BO. If multiple testing reports exist for a product, the latest report must not exceed 90 days while earlier reports must not exceed 180 days.
���� If BO determines that acceptance of designated period test reports is necessary based on valid reasons, such cases may
require approval from DDGR (Deputy Director General of Region), with appropriate justification. DDGR may permit acceptance of test reports not submitted within deadlines if justified.
���� Conformity of Raw Material
(i) If Indian raw material standards mentioned in Indian standards are merely references, evidence of raw material compliance should not be strictly required. The applicant is responsible for ensuring consistency in raw materials/components.
(ii) If ensuring raw material conformity is a mandatory requirement for certifying product standards, conformity can be confirmed as follows:
‧The raw materials are ISI marked products; Any laboratory-issued test report complies with item (E);
‧If A and B cannot be performed, then test certificates or reports from NABL accredited laboratories;
‧If A and B cannot be conducted, then in-house factory test reports.
(iii) When submission of inspection reports is required to determine raw material consistency, applicants should submit these reports with their applications applicable under both options.
(iv) If any raw material test report is found missing during application processing, applicants will be advised to submit such reports. In cases under Option 1, these raw material samples can be collected during on-site inspections for testing at third-party laboratories.
���� Submission of Partial Test Reports
(i) Applicants are responsible for ensuring completeness and compliance with relevant Indian standards regarding submitted test reports. If submitting partial test reports, applicants must provide reasons and justifications acceptable to BO. Based on the received justifications/reasons, remaining tests may proceed at the applicants’ laboratory in accordance with procedures specified below under item (ii).
INDUSTRY FOCUS
(ii) Remaining tests will take place during factory visits conducted by certifying officials but must comply with the following:
‧The applicant's laboratory has full testing facilities capable of conducting remaining tests.
‧Paying factory test fees.
‧Sufficient materials from the same control unit submitted with test reports must remain available for further tests. If materials from that control unit are unavailable, sufficient materials from two new control units should be provided.
���� For products requiring testing that takes 30 days (one month) or longer to obtain proof of compliance, evidence may be provided in the form of test reports from any laboratory, by the companies themselves (as mentioned in item (E)), or any testing agency. Annex X of the BIS guideline document "Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL)" should be applicable to such tests. Applicants must also provide evidence that any laboratory specified in item (E) is conducting long-term tests and that the laboratory can issue a test report (TR) within the designated timeframe (as specified). This report must be submitted by the applicant to BIS.
(i) These provisions also apply to factory tests. Certifying officials will witness completion during factory visits and review cases afterward.
(ii) If applicants are located in India, regulations regarding long-term internal/external laboratory test report submissions can have relaxed terms if:
‧They are newly established and such tests last over six months; or
‧They recently began producing that product and such tests last over 6 months. Appropriate evidence regarding establishment or commencement should be provided.
���� The applicant must provide a written guarantee (refer to the on-site factory visit) that if samples taken by the certifying officer during the factory visit are found to be non-compliant after long-term testing or if the test report cannot be submitted immediately, but no later than 30 days from the date of confirmation of the test report by the laboratory, then the license certificate (if granted) shall be revoked.
���� The applicant must guarantee in writing (refer to on-site factory visit) that if the samples obtained during the factory visit by the certifying officer do not meet the standard requirements, the license certificate (if approved) will be suspended.
���� Consideration of pre-cancellations, expirations, or relinquishments of certificates should take into account the requirements outlined in Annex XI of the BIS announcement document "Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL)."
2. Foreign Manufacturers
Certification
Foreign manufacturers with factories located outside India can apply under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). The FMCS differs from Indian manufacturers in the following ways:
(1) The applicant is required to submit two copies of the application form as per Option 1 and other necessary documents (currently, a paper copy is required).
(2) All foreign manufacturers are considered "large" enterprises under FMCS regulations.
(3) For foreign manufacturers (applicants and licensees), a nominated Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) must be designated. When nominating an AIR, it should be ensured that:
���� The AIR must be a resident of India.
���� The AIR represents only one manufacturing company and is not an AIR for other foreign manufacturers certified by BIS. However, this restriction does not apply if the foreign manufacturer belongs to the same corporate group and the importer (related to the foreign manufacturer) is designated as AIR.
���� The AIR(s) must not have any conflicts of interest. Their actions should be akin to those in third-party laboratory sample testing, and their conduct and roles should not present any conflicts of interest.
���� It is preferable that AIR(s) have at least qualification certification and understand the provisions of the BIS Act and its associated rules, regulations, and implications.
���� AIR(s) must declare their agreement to comply with the terms and conditions stipulated in the BIS Act, rules, regulations, as well as BIS licenses, agreements, commitments, etc., signed by the foreign manufacturer or a representative authorized by them concerning license certificate applications.
���� The name of the AIR must be noted in the license certificate.
(4) The applicant must confirm acceptance of inspection completeness and take necessary actions for officials, such as arranging tickets, issuing visas and insurance, and arranging transportation abroad for an early factory visit by certifying officials.
(5) The manufacturing company is responsible for safely delivering samples to laboratories and covering testing costs (if samples are
sent to an external laboratory OSL, payment should be made directly to OSL; if sent to BIS Labs, payment should go to BIS accounts).
(6) According to BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations 2018: After obtaining a license certificate, foreign manufacturers must immediately submit detailed information regarding goods marked with ISI labels (including details about Indian importers, distributors, resellers, retailers, final destinations, and expected dates of entry into Indian ports) online or via email to BIS.
(7) Fees and charges
‧For countries outside the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), all payments are made in equivalent US dollars. For SAARC countries, payments can be made in Indian Rupees or equivalent US dollars.
Per-diem charges for travel.
Costs for factory visits: daily charges plus three days' expenses.
‧Contingency funds: applicants pay for each license certificate (calculated based on the number of certificates).
‧After granting a license certificate, signing agreements mentioned in the application forms regarding compensation guarantees and performance bank guarantees (PBG) is necessary. These guarantees must come from banks with RBIapproved branches in India, with a validity period extending six months beyond that of the certificate.
3.
Initial Application for Certificate
If applying for a product certificate that has not been previously obtained, it will be processed according to option 1. If there is no third-party laboratory available, the case will be determined via approval from BO or factory testing as per Annex X of BIS announcement document "Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL)." In such cases, if a third-party laboratory is accredited at an appropriate time, BO may decide to further process applications under option 2 or option 1 procedures until products transition into option 2 procedures. Resources for third-party laboratory testing can be searched on the BIS website. https://lims.bis.gov.in/home/search_is_number/
���� During a factory visit, activities should adhere to BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations 2018 provisions. Factory visits must have details recorded as referenced in Annex Form – VII of BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations 2018; under BIS authority, the following activities should be performed:
(i) Verification of documents submitted by the manufacturer;
(ii) Discuss whether control levels submitted by the manufacturer are appropriate, if applicable;
(iii) Verification of factory layout and operational control levels at various stages;
(iv) Verification of available infrastructure including manufacturing machinery, testing equipment, personnel capabilities (quality control, storage conditions, sanitation), if applicable;
(v) Verification of calibration status of testing equipment;
(vi) Factory testing and sampling sent to third-party laboratories, if applicable.
5.
Factory Testing
Factory tests should be conducted where possible. All subjective requirements such as product processing status, visual characteristics, surface defects, product descriptions, smell and taste should be checked at the factory.
If applicants submit partial test reports, remaining requirements will undergo factory testing. Additional working days required for such tests will incur inspection fees if applicable.
For large products that cannot be fully submitted for third-party laboratory testing: size measurements and other tests (for steel plates, boards and pipes, etc.) should take place during factory testing.
If any non-compliance issues are observed during factory testing, samples will not be sent to third-party laboratories. Applicants may be advised on improvements which will require another factory check and testing to verify results at their expense. (The applicant is responsible for paying the additional costs for the factory visit.) Verification regarding raw materials' compliance with product standards will refer to raw material conformity requirements.
6.
Labelling and Marking
After the review and confirmation of compliance with certification, the applicant being granted a certificate should:
4.
Factory Visit
���� For each certificate application, the factory visit duration is: one day for manufacturers within India; one day for foreign manufacturers. If additional days are needed, BO may decide.
���� If considering complete product testing at the factory to grant a license certificate, required working days can be assessed and approved by BO.
���� Adhere to BIS Conformity Assessment Regulations 2018 and product standard requirements and use the label.
���� If specific product guidelines published by BIS permit it, labels beyond standard marks and certificate numbers can be shown on products or packaging in digital formats such as barcodes and QR codes.
Reference 1. ”Guidelines for Grant of Licence (GoL)” released by BIS 2. BIS (Conformity Assessment) Regulations, 2018
The Core of CBAM: Key Sectors and Materials Affected
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a cornerstone of the European Union’s ambitious climate strategy, designed to address carbon emissions beyond its borders. While its objectives of preventing carbon leakage and encouraging global decarbonization are widely recognized, stakeholders must understand the specific sectors, materials, and mechanisms affected. This article delves into the key sectors targeted by CBAM, the role of CN codes in its implementation, the significance of precursors and embedded emissions, and the potential future expansion of the mechanism. Additionally, it explores the challenges and opportunities presented by CBAM, offering insights into its broader implications for global trade and climate action.
Key Sectors Covered
CBAM targets industries with the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, ensuring that the mechanism has a significant impact on global decarbonization efforts. These sectors include:
• Steel: A cornerstone of global infrastructure, steel production is highly carbonintensive, contributing approximately 7-9% of global CO2 emissions. The sector’s reliance on coal-based blast furnaces makes it a primary focus of CBAM. For example, producing one ton of steel typically emits 1.8 to 2.2 tons of CO2, depending on the production method. Transitioning to electric arc furnaces (EAFs) powered by renewable energy could reduce emissions by up to 75%, but this requires significant investment and infrastructure upgrades.
• Cement: Essential in construction, cement production accounts for around 8% of global CO2 emissions. The chemical process of calcination, combined with energyintensive kiln operations, makes this sector a key target. For instance, producing one ton of cement emits approximately 0.8 to 1 ton of CO2. Innovations like carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the use of alternative raw materials (e.g., fly ash or slag) are critical for reducing emissions in this sector.
• Aluminum: Widely used in automotive and construction sectors, aluminum production is energyintensive, particularly during the electrolysis process. The carbon footprint of aluminum varies significantly depending on the energy source used. For example, aluminum produced using coal-based electricity can emit up to 20 tons of CO2 per ton of aluminum, while hydroelectric-powered production emits less than 4 tons.
• Fertilizers: A vital component of agriculture, fertilizer production emits GHGs through processes like ammonia synthesis and nitric acid production. These emissions make the sector a priority for CBAM. For instance,
producing one ton of ammonia emits approximately 1.6 to 2 tons of CO2. Green ammonia, produced using renewable energy, is emerging as a sustainable alternative but remains costly and underdeveloped.
• Electricity: While not a physical good, electricity generation is a major contributor to GHG emissions, particularly in regions dependent on coal or natural gas. CBAM’s inclusion of electricity underscores the EU’s commitment to addressing indirect emissions. For example, electricity generated from coal emits around 1 ton of CO2 per MWh, compared to less than 0.05 tons for wind or solar power.
• Hydrogen: Emerging as a clean energy solution, hydrogen production is still largely reliant on carbon-intensive methods like steam methane reforming. CBAM aims to incentivize the adoption of green hydrogen produced via renewable energy. For instance, gray hydrogen (produced from natural gas) emits 9-10 tons of CO2 per ton of hydrogen, while green hydrogen emits zero CO2 when produced using renewable energy.
Role of CN Codes in CBAM
The CBAM regulation relies on the precise identification of products using 8-digit CN codes (Combined Nomenclature). These codes specify the exact category of imported goods, ensuring accuracy in calculating embedded emissions. For instance:
• 7208 51 00: Covers flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of 600 mm or more, hot-rolled, not clad, plated, or coated.
• 2814 10 00: Includes anhydrous ammonia, widely used in fertilizer production.
Importers must align these codes with the regulations to determine the emissions reporting requirements and CBAM certificate obligations. The use of CN codes ensures that the mechanism is applied consistently and transparently, reducing the risk of misclassification or evasion. For example, a company importing steel products into the EU must identify the correct CN code for its goods and provide detailed emissions data for each stage of production. This includes emissions from raw material extraction, transportation, and processing. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in penalties or the denial of market access.
Role of Precursors and Embedded Emissions
Precursors are raw materials used in the production of finished goods and play a critical role in CBAM calculations. The emissions embedded in precursors, such as iron ore used in steel production or alumina in aluminum manufacturing, directly impact the final emissions footprint of imported goods. Accurate data collection on these emissions is essential for complying with CBAM and demonstrates the interconnected nature of global supply chains.
For example, the production of steel involves multiple stages, each contributing to the overall carbon footprint. Iron ore must be mined, transported, and processed into pig iron
before being converted into steel. Each of these stages emits CO2, and CBAM requires importers to account for these emissions comprehensively. Similarly, in the aluminum sector, the extraction of bauxite, its refinement into alumina, and the subsequent electrolysis process all contribute to the product’s embedded emissions.
Future Expansion of CBAM
While CBAM's initial scope is focused on highcarbon sectors, discussions are ongoing about its potential expansion to other industries. Sectors like chemicals, plastics, and automotive components are rumored to be under consideration, though no concrete plans have been announced. Such an expansion would further solidify CBAM’s role in driving decarbonization across the economy.
For instance, the chemicals sector is highly diverse, with some processes being significantly more carbon-intensive than others. The production of ethylene, a key chemical used in plastics, emits approximately 1.5 to 2 tons of CO2 per ton of product. Expanding CBAM to include such chemicals would require developing new methodologies for calculating embedded emissions and addressing potential trade disputes.
Similarly, the plastics industry faces challenges related to recycling and the use of fossil fuel-based feedstocks. Including plastics under CBAM could incentivize the adoption of circular economy practices and bio-based alternatives. However, this would require significant investment in recycling infrastructure and innovation.
Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges:
• Emissions Reporting: Importers must adapt to rigorous emissions reporting requirements, which involve collecting data from multiple stages of the supply chain. This process can be complex and resource-intensive, particularly for companies with limited experience in carbon accounting.
• Supply Chain Transparency: Ensuring transparency across global supply chains is a significant challenge, especially when dealing with upstream producers in regions with less stringent environmental regulations.
• Financial Impact: The cost of CBAM certificates could pose a financial burden on importers, particularly those dealing with highly carbon-intensive goods. This could lead to increased prices for end consumers and potential trade disruptions.
• Precursor Emissions: Accurately calculating emissions from precursors adds another layer of complexity to compliance efforts, requiring detailed knowledge of production processes and supply chain dynamics.
Opportunities:
• Competitive Advantage: Companies investing in cleaner technologies and sustainable practices will gain a competitive edge, as their products will likely incur lower CBAM costs.
• Market Differentiation: Businesses that proactively reduce their carbon footprint can differentiate themselves in the market, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers and investors.
• Innovation Incentives: CBAM creates incentives for innovation in low-carbon technologies, driving research and development in areas like green steel, carbon capture and storage, and renewable energy.
• Global Leadership: By aligning with CBAM, companies can position themselves as leaders in the global transition to a low-carbon economy, enhancing their reputation and influence.
Case Study: The Steel Industry
The steel industry provides a compelling example of CBAM’s potential impact. A European steel importer sourcing products from a coal-dependent country like India or China could face significant CBAM costs due to the high carbon intensity of production. However, by partnering with suppliers that use electric arc furnaces (EAFs) powered by renewable energy, the importer could reduce its CBAM liabilities and gain a competitive advantage. For instance, a Swedish steel producer, SSAB, has already transitioned to green steel production using hydrogen instead of coal. This innovation not only reduces emissions but also positions the company as a leader in sustainable steel production, attracting environmentally conscious customers.
Key Takeaway
The correct understanding of the industries and materials under CBAM is vital for complying with its requirements and implications. The sectors were chosen for their significant contributions to global emissions and their potential to benefit from decarbonization incentives. By targeting these key areas, CBAM ensures its strategic and effective impact.
Conclusion
CBAM is initially focused on emissions-intensive sectors, such as steel, cement, and aluminum, to achieve impactful results in a relatively short timeframe. This targeted approach ensures that the mechanism addresses industries with the highest carbon emissions, aligning with the EU’s urgent decarbonization goals. The system’s design is exact, with detailed requirements for calculating embedded emissions and aligning carbon pricing with the EU ETS. However, the transitional period has highlighted the complexity of data collection, particularly in tracking emissions across global supply chains and obtaining accurate data from upstream producers. This phase underscores the challenges businesses face but also provides an opportunity to refine methodologies and improve transparency as CBAM progresses. As the mechanism evolves, its potential expansion to other sectors and its influence on global trade dynamics will be closely watched. By addressing the challenges and seizing the opportunities presented by CBAM, businesses can not only ensure compliance but also contribute to the broader goal of achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future.
Germany's Role in the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
Germany's manufacturing sector is a cornerstone of its economy, contributing 26.6 percent to the country’s gross value added, well above France (16.8 percent) and the USA (18.4 percent), though slightly trailing Japan (29 percent). This powerhouse sector generates a turnover of €2,096 billion, with the automotive industry taking the lead at €459 billion. The industrial landscape is dominated by automotive, mechanical engineering, chemical, and electrical industries, with global giants like Volkswagen, Daimler, BMW, BASF, and Siemens driving innovation and exports. Mechanical engineering, largely composed of SMEs, is the largest industry, employing 1.1 million people. Nearly half of the sector's output is exported, with motor vehicles and parts topping the list at €244.4 billion, representing 15.5 percent of total exports. The manufacturing sector also provides jobs for 7.5 million people, underscoring its critical role in Germany’s economic and social fabric. As a key player in the European Union, Germany has been instrumental in advancing climate action, particularly through its significant role in shaping the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Germany's Support for CBAM
Germany’s support for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is driven by several key motivations aimed at protecting its domestic industries and ensuring fair competition. The CBAM is viewed as an essential tool to prevent Germany’s industries from being undermined by countries with lower environmental standards. By imposing a carbon price on imports, Germany seeks to ensure that imported goods bear a similar carbon cost to those produced domestically, thereby levelling the playing field for its energy-intensive sectors.
1- Protecting Domestic Industries, Key Sectors in Germany That Could Benefit from the CBAM Include:
(a) Automotive Industry: The automotive sector in Germany generated €459 billion in turnover. As a major contributor to the economy, it could greatly benefit from the CBAM by ensuring that imported vehicles and parts from countries with weaker environmental regulations face similar carbon pricing, safeguarding the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers like Volkswagen, Daimler, and BMW.
(b) Mechanical Engineering: With over 1.1 million employees, the mechanical engineering industry is the largest industrial sector in Germany. This sector plays a central role in the country’s export-driven economy. By applying carbon pricing to imports, the CBAM would help protect the sector from international competition that might not adhere to the same environmental standards.
(c) Electrical Industry: Siemens and other major players in the electrical sector rely on energy-intensive processes. The electrical industry’s value is part of Germany's overall €2,096 billion manufacturing turnover. With the CBAM in place, Germany’s electrical industry would benefit from a more level global playing field, as imports of electrical
goods would also be subject to carbon pricing, protecting domestic manufacturers from unfair competition.
(d) Steel Industry: The steel industry is responsible for 30 percent of Germany’s industrial emissions. This sector, highly energy-intensive, would stand to benefit from the CBAM by mitigating increased costs due to the abolition of free emissions certificates and the introduction of full pricing for greenhouse gases. Steel production is a vital part of Germany’s economy, contributing significantly to both industrial output and exports.
(e) Cement Industry: The cement industry, responsible for a significant portion of Germany’s industrial emissions, would benefit from CBAM by reducing the competitive edge of imports from countries with lax environmental regulations. Germany is already leading projects like Catch4Climate and LEILAC 2 to reduce emissions from cement production. By 2030, the cement industry in Germany will need to capture at least 1 Mt of CO2 per year, expanding to more than 10 Mt by 2045. The CBAM could further support these efforts by ensuring that imported cement also faces carbon pricing.
(f) Chemical Industry: With a turnover of €225.5 billion, the chemical industry is one of Germany's largest and most energy-intensive sectors. It plays a significant role in Germany’s economy, employing a large number of people. The CBAM could protect this vital industry from competition with countries that have less stringent climate policies, ensuring that imported chemicals are subject to the same carbon pricing that domestic products face.
2- Promoting Global Climate Action and Strengthening the EU's Climate Leadership: Germany believes that the CBAM can incentivize non-EU countries to adopt more stringent climate policies. By making it more expensive to export carbon-intensive goods to the EU, the CBAM can encourage other countries to decarbonize their economies. As a key player in the EU, Germany believes the CBAM can spark a global shift toward more sustainable practices. By encouraging countries to reduce their carbon footprints, the CBAM can create a competitive advantage for nations that lead in decarbonization, fostering green technologies and cleaner industries. Germany’s advocacy for the CBAM is part of a broader effort to position itself as a global leader in climate action, ensuring that the transition to a low-carbon economy is a collective international effort. Through this mechanism, Germany hopes to reshape global trade in a way that prioritizes sustainability, helping drive a future where climate responsibility is a shared global standard.
Germany's Role in Shaping CBAM (Challenges
and Concerns)
While Germany strongly supports the objectives of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), there are several challenges and concerns that need to be addressed. First, Germany faces the complexity of implementing the CBAM effectively. As a comprehensive policy, it demands a detailed design and smooth execution to avoid administrative burdens on businesses. Germany is concerned about the potential unintended consequences of such a large-scale regulatory shift, which could disrupt the balance of domestic and international trade.
Another concern is the potential for international trade disputes. Countries that feel unfairly targeted by the CBAM may challenge the policy, creating diplomatic and economic tensions. Germany, as a key player
in the EU, must ensure that the CBAM complies with global trade rules to avoid trade conflicts and safeguard the EU's position in international markets. Lastly, Germany recognizes that the CBAM could have an impact on developing countries that depend on exporting carbon-intensive goods to the EU. Germany is keen to address the social and economic implications of the CBAM on these nations, ensuring the policy's fairness and inclusivity while promoting global climate goals.
Conclusion
Germany's support for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) underscores its dedication to combating climate change while ensuring fair competition for European industries. As a leading advocate for climate action within the EU, Germany is central to shaping policies like CBAM that aim to decarbonize economies globally. Addressing the challenges and concerns tied to CBAM's implementation will be crucial for its success, paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable low-carbon future.
To gain a deeper understanding of Germany's pivotal role, consider exploring key areas such as the specific industries most affected by CBAM, its economic and social implications for German businesses, and Germany's influence in international climate negotiations. Additionally, examining how German industries are adapting to CBAM and reducing their carbon footprint can provide valuable insights into the intersection of climate policy and global trade. These perspectives highlight Germany's leadership in shaping the future of climate and economic policy on a global scale.
Copyright owned by Fastener World Article by Behrooz Lotfian
Indian
Sundram Fasteners Q3 Profit Surges
Sundram Fasteners Ltd, a key player in the automotive components sector, reported a solid standalone net profit of INR 120.36 crore in the third quarter of the fiscal year 2024-25. This figure stood slightly higher than the previous year’s result of INR 116.13 crore thanks to the company’s successful cost reduction efforts.
The company’s revenue from operations rose to INR 1,256.58 crore, up from INR 1,178.61 crore in Q3 2023. During the period, domestic sales increased from the previous year’s INR 810.34 crore to INR 840.81 crore. The company experienced an increase in export sales, reaching Rs 362.79 crore as opposed to the previous year, Q3 of INR 339.15 crore. During the quarter, the company generated INR 5.73 in earnings per share (EPS), which was higher than the INR 5.53 recorded during the previous year.
The revenue figures for Sundram Fasteners came in at INR 1,441.12 crore for the quarter while they stood at INR 1,367.25 crore for the same period in the previous year. The consolidated net profit rose to INR 130.73 crore, from INR 129.44 crore in Q3 2023, with EPS reaching INR 6.21, a slight increase from Rs 6.12. The standalone revenue of the company for the first nine months of FY 2024-25 reached INR 3,855.75 crore after export sales increased by 15 percent. Capital expenditure for the period totaled Rs 309.59 crore, part of the company’s expansion into non-automotive sectors, including electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids.
Bossard Unveils Next-Gen Fastening Solutions
Bossard Group transforms automotive fastening through innovation and solution-based approaches to enhance efficiency and durability, while addressing sustainability needs. The industrial shift toward lightweight materials together with electric powertrains has found perfect solutions in the company’s advanced fastener technologies that propel modern vehicle manufacturing.
As automakers dedicate their focus to fuel efficiency and thermal management, composite materials are gaining prominence in vehicle design. However, traditional adhesives often demonstrate an inability to securely bond composites to metals or substrates. The MM-Welding® technology (image courtesy of Bossard) from Bossard functions better, providing secure, fatigue-proof connections in porous and laminate structures without compromising material integrity. Maintenance and repair workers can perform their duties more efficiently because these fasteners offer repeat access.
Plastic fasteners have become more popular among manufacturing industries which actively search for steel replacements. Ideal for harsh environments, Bossard’s injectionmolded washers, spacers, and pins exhibit corrosion resistance along with thermal stability and chemical durability. The automated molding processes promote both waste reduction and cost savings with positive impacts on sustainability measures. With the rise of robotic assembly lines, fasteners must integrate seamlessly into
automated systems. The company’s R&D team collaborates with manufacturers to develop custom shapes and sizes that optimize cycle times and reliability in high-speed production.
The shift to EVs demands more durable, vibration-resistant fasteners. Bossard’s permanent fastening solutions ensure long-term stability in electric powertrains, eliminating the need for removable joints and reinforcing the ‘build-for-life’ manufacturing approach. As automakers seek standardized solutions to streamline inventory, Bossard continues to drive innovation, ensuring adaptability in a rapidly evolving industry.
Belmaks Debuts at IAA Transportation 2024
Belmaks Group made its first major appearance at IAA Transportation 2024, co-exhibiting with Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) to explore new technologies and partnerships while expanding their worldwide footprint. While the company did not set out to secure immediate business deals, Raahil Bhatia, Director, Belmaks Group, emphasized the importance of learning, networking, and positioning Belmaks for the future.
The company centers its efforts on developing long-term collaborations and understanding how to introduce advanced technologies to India. The Director suggested that the India Pavilion at IAA required stronger positioning to match the scale of the Chinese counterpart. He emphasized that the rapidly expanding automotive sector of India should appear on par with other global markets.
Belmaks serves as a Tier-1 supplier to Tata Motors, Volvo, Ashok Leyland, and UD Trucks, providing truck chassis frames, tippers, cargo bodies, fasteners, and under-body assemblies. The nine Indian facilities of the company work together to push lightweight innovation while decreasing part weight by as much as 20 percent without jeopardizing durability.
Belmaks has established a target to transform into a carbon-neutral organization, reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. Bhatia called for industry-wide collaboration for making climate-friendly powertrains cost-effective by indicating that profitability and sustainability require a balance with each other. With the advancement of the Indian commercial vehicle industry, Belmaks is booting up to drive leadership through innovative practices along with operational excellence and sustainable principles at its core.
JRG Acquires SEFI Plastics Division
JRG Automotive Industries Pvt Ltd extended its South Indian manufacturing presence by acquiring Stanley Engineered Fastening India’s (SEFI) two-wheeler functional plastics division. The acquisition by JRG includes two production sites located in Manesar, Haryana, and Bangalore, which increase their capacity to produce automotive and infrastructure plastic injection-molded components.
The acquired division supplies plastic components to Indian two-wheeler OEMs, construction equipment manufacturers, and Tier-1 suppliers. The continued core business of SEFI—a Stanley Black & Decker subsidiary—in engineered metal and
plastic fastening solutions at their facilities in Chennai and Bangalore enables JRG to advance its market standing.
JRG Automotive gains increased presence across India’s crucial automotive manufacturing hubs through this strategic acquisition, according to Pawan Goyal, Founder and Managing Director, JRG Automotive Industries. The company, which specializes in plastic components for the automotive and defence industries, aims to double its revenue this year through strategic ventures and acquisitions.
This acquisition represents a major advancement for JRG as it enhances its growth ambition through its unwavering dedication to innovation. Stanley Engineered Fastening will proceed with its service delivery of advanced fastening solutions to aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing sectors.
JRG Automotive positions itself as an important player in India’s competitive automotive components sector through strategic expansion, thanks to advanced manufacturing processes, stringent quality control, and a sustainability focus for long-term success.
News provided by Fasteners Association of India
Trump's Policy Impact on Taiwan's Fastener Industry in the U.S. Market (Part
1) —
Aggregate Production & Sales
1. Overview of Trump's New Policies
In early February, U.S. President Trump announced measures to promote "America First," including increased tariffs on countries like China, Canada, and Mexico. Among these countries, China and Mexico are major competitors to Taiwan's fastener products in the U.S. market. However, just as Taiwan's fastener industry players thought they might benefit from these developments, President Trump announced on February 13 the implementation of "reciprocal tariffs." He instructed relevant departments to draft a plan for reciprocal tariffs to be released in April. The targets of these reciprocal tariffs include actions such as imposing tariffs on U.S. products, applying valueadded taxes to U.S. businesses, workers, and consumers, implementing non-tariff barriers against the U.S., and enacting policies that distort currency values from market rates, thereby reducing the competitiveness of U.S. businesses and workers. Other unfair practices against the U.S., as determined by relevant departments, are also included. However, products manufactured in the U.S. will not face tariffs. According to the reciprocal tariff assessment document released on February 14, in addition to raw materials like steel and aluminum, 24 items under tariff codes 7316 to 7318 for fasteners are included. The Taiwanese upstream steel industry generally views the imposition of reciprocal tariffs positively, as they help balance competitive conditions and prevent Taiwan's market from being affected by dumping or unfair subsidies from other countries. However, for the fastener industry, these tariffs will still have some impact on the business environment. Therefore, this study will start from a global perspective on fastener production and sales, focusing on the U.S. and Taiwan's market and product analyses, assessing the impact of U.S. policies, and proposing strategies for Taiwanese businesses to respond to these challenges.
2. Analysis of Major Importing and Exporting Countries in the Global Fastener Industry
(A) Analysis of Major Fastener Importing Countries
Table 1 provides an overview of the trends in major global fastener importing countries from 2019 to 2023. The total value of global fastener imports was USD50.11 billion, with the top ten importing countries accounting for USD26.70 billion. Over the past five years, the imports of top 10 have experienced an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%, and represented 53.3% of total global imports, indicating a concentrated market structure. The top three importing countries, in terms of their import values and market shares,
Table 1. Trends in Major Global Fastener Importing Countries (2019-2023)
Table 2. Trends in Major Global Fastener Exporting Countries (2019-2023)
are: the U.S. (USD 6.70 billion / 13.4%), Germany (USD4.82 billion / 9.6%), and Mexico (USD3.46 billion / 6.9%). As the largest importer of fasteners globally, the U.S. has experienced a CAGR of 3.7% over the past five years. Overall, the three largest importers (the U.S., Germany, and Mexico) have maintained positive compound growth rates, while China has seen a decline (-3.7%). This decrease is likely due to an increase in China's domestic self-sufficiency for various screws, which has gradually reduced its reliance on foreign imports.
(B) Analysis of Major Global Fastener Exporting Countries
Table 2 provides an overview of the trends in major global fastener exporting countries from 2019 to 2023. The total value of global fastener exports was USD48.39 billion, with the top ten exporting countries accounting for USD36.50 billion and representing 75.4% of total global exports, indicating a highly concentrated market structure. The top three exporting countries, in terms of their export values and market shares, are: China (USD9.185 billion / 19.0%), Germany (USD7.698 billion / 15.9%), and the United States (USD5.47 billion / 11.3%). Taiwan ranked fourth with exports valued at USD4.594 billion (9.5%). Among the top ten exporting countries, China, the largest exporter, had the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) at 9.4%. The United States, as the third-largest exporter, maintained
over the five-year period, demonstrating significant export strength and competitiveness in the fastener industry.
Table 3. Major Fastener Import Sources for the U.S. and Trends (2020-2024)
3. Major Fastener Import Sources and Export Destinations for the U.S. and Product Category Analysis
(A) Analysis of Major Fastener Import Sources for the U.S.
Table 3 provides an overview of major fastener import sources for the U.S. and trends from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, the total value of U.S. fastener imports was approximately USD7.055 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 8.7% over the past five years. The top ten import sources accounted for USD6.292 billion, representing 89.2% of total U.S. imports, indicating a highly concentrated market structure. The average CAGR for these top ten sources was 8.5% over the same period. The top three import sources, in terms of their import values and market shares, are: Taiwan (USD2.315 billion / 32.8%), China (USD1.323 billion / 18.8%), and Japan (USD660 million / 9.4%). Taiwan and China remain the primary sources of fastener imports for the U.S., collectively accounting for more than half of the total. Countries with higher CAGRs include India (22.4%), Italy (16.9%), and France (16.6%). Following COVID-19, the U.S. manufacturing sector experienced a rapid recovery, which, combined with the Federal Reserve's expansive monetary policies, led to a significant increase in demand for fasteners. However, as the Federal Reserve continued to raise interest rates in 2023 to combat inflation, demand in many industries began to decline. Although Taiwan is the largest source of fastener imports for the U.S., its CAGR is relatively
compared to other major import sources. Although Taiwan has benefited from orders redirected to Taiwan due to the U.S.-China trade tensions, its competitors still have
on.
(B) Breakdown of Fastener Products Imported by the U.S.
Table 4 provides a breakdown of fastener products imported by the U.S. from 2020 to 2024. The import values and market shares for major fastener products are: screws and bolts (USD3.041 billion / 43.1%), nuts (USD1.532 billion / 21.7%), and self-tapping screws (USD1.257 billion / 17.8%). The compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) for the top two imported products both fell within the range of 9% to 10%. Except for a few items with little import value that experienced negative growth, most products showed positive growth, indicating stable long-term demand. However, following the easing of COVID-19 in 2022-2023, the demand for home improvements decreased, and the number of new housing starts was lower than in 2022. This directly led to a decline in the import demand for wood screws and self-tapping screws. Other products, such as small screws, also saw reduced imports due to high inventory levels. Overall, the U.S. demand for mid-tolow-end fasteners decreased significantly in 2023. However, demand in high-end applications, such as the automotive industry, remained strong. In 2024, imports maintained a growth rate of 5.2%, making the U.S. a major export destination for global fastener exporters.
(C) Analysis of Major Export Destinations for the U.S.
Table 5 provides an overview of major export destinations for the U.S. and trends from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, the total value of U.S. fastener exports was approximately USD5.628 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6% over the past five years. The top ten export destinations accounted for USD4.509 billion, representing 80.1% of total global exports, indicating a highly concentrated
Table 7. Major Export Destinations for Taiwan's Fasteners and Trends (2019-2023)
market structure. The top three countries to which the U.S. exports fasteners, in terms of export values and market shares, are: Mexico (USD1.996 billion / 21.6%), Canada (USD1.282 billion / 16.9%), and China (USD266 million / 3.3%). The CAGRs for the top two export destinations have been stable over the past five years, while China, the third-largest export destination, lags behind Mexico. This shows that U.S. fasteners are primarily supplied to the nearby North American market.
(D) Analysis of Breakdown of Fastener Products Exported by the U.S.
Table 6 provides a breakdown of fastener products exported by the U.S. from 2020 to 2024. The export values and market shares for major fastener products are: screws and bolts (USD2.50 billion / 44.4%), nuts (USD1.137 billion / 20.2%), and non-threaded products (USD598 million / 10.6%). Over the past five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for most fasteners exported by the U.S. has been positive, except for threaded products and hooks. The top three fastener products exported by the U.S. remain stable in the Americas, indicating the U.S. long-term consolidation of nearby markets.
(E) Analysis of Major Export Destinations for Taiwan's Fasteners
Table 7 provides an overview of major export destinations for Taiwan's fasteners and trends from 2019 to 2023. In 2023, the total export value of Taiwanese fasteners was approximately USD4.594 billion. The top ten export destinations accounted for USD3.645 billion. The top three countries to which Taiwan exports fasteners, in terms of export values and market shares, are: the United States (USD2.017 billion / 43.9%), Germany (USD391 million / 8.5%), and the Netherlands (USD290 million / 6.3%). While the U.S. market has remained stable over the long term, it is noteworthy that the Netherlands and Mexico have shown positive compound annual growth rates, at 6.2% and 8.1%, respectively. There are ongoing global tensions, including the U.S.-China trade war and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on European economic recovery, and Taiwan's fasteners exported to Southeast Asia now face tariffs ranging from 15% to 25%. Currently, the U.S. remains the primary market for Taiwan, but it is experiencing a decline. Based on a negative growth rate of -6.9% for the first three quarters of 2024, the estimated export value of Taiwanese fasteners for the full year is approximately USD4.279 billion.
4. Conclusion and Future Chapters
Currently, Taiwanese fastener manufacturers believe that the U.S. reciprocal tariffs will increase costs, and traders expect that some of these costs will be passed on to Taiwanese fastener companies, affecting their profitability. Excluding specialized fastener manufacturers who have technological advantages that prevent customers from switching suppliers, the increased tariff costs are likely to be absorbed by major foreign clients. For standard fastener manufacturers, it may be necessary to prepare in advance. In the next chapter, I will analyze the structure of Taiwan's exported fastener products, compare prices with its competing countries, and conduct scenario-based assessments of the impact of U.S. tariffs on Taiwan. Finally, I will propose strategies for Taiwanese businesses to respond to the challenges posed by Trump's policies.
Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Dr. Arthur Hsu
Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute (TIFI) and Taiwan CSC coorganized a meeting with the fastener industry for Q2 2025 on March 4 in Gangshan (Kaohsiung). In recent months, Taiwanese fastener industry has been facing various challenges in both domestic and export markets. Whether it's changes in customer orders or in market supply & demand, the EU's CBAM measures and U.S. President Trump's global tax hikes, regional tensions, or tech- or market-related competition with other industry players, all of them have brought a great deal of pressure on Taiwanese suppliers’ operations. As a result, the corporate reps attending this meeting all hoped to find better ways and opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of Taiwanese fastener industry via viewpoints sharing of many industry experts and face-to-face exchanges with reps from Taiwan CSC and TIFI.
In this meeting, TIFI Chairman Yung-Yu Tsai, with a wealth of business experience and observation, reminded the industry of paying attention to the possible negative impact on future orders of Taiwanese fastener industry by accepting orders at ultra-low prices, and on the other hand, encouraged the industry to pay more attention to the changes of international situations and grasp the opportunities of cooperation with potential customers in the supply chains.
Ultra-low-price Orders May Influence Taiwan's Hard-earned, High-Value
Image
It is reported that a few Taiwanese companies have recently received orders from U.S. customers originally made to China at surprisingly low prices, which has not only aroused different viewpoints from the market, but also led to further discussions in the industry about the possible effects that may follow. “The fastener industry is now facing unprecedented challenges, including a possible change in the seemingly imminent Russian-Ukrainian truce, Taipower's possible increase in electricity tariffs this April, labor shortages in industries, and market outlook uncertainties, especially President Trump's imposition of a 25% tariff on the entire world, etc. Therefore, industry players must be more prudent in their order intakes, in order not to suffer a big loss for a little gain,” Chairman Tsai commented. Tsai added that the impact of Trump's tariffs is so comprehensive that the industry doesn't need to compromise on price reductions in order to get orders.
Chairman Tsai emphasized that Taiwanese fastener industry has continued to demonstrate high value and differentiation in the international market over the years. In his opinion, Taiwanese fasteners are already of high quality, and are often used in many European and American medium and high end applications after being purchased by customers. It is obvious that Taiwanese fasteners have already distinguished themselves from their counterparts in other countries such as China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand or India, and are definitely comparable to their German and Japanese counterparts in terms of technology and product quality. He encouraged the industry should work hard to enhance the image of Taiwan as an industrial-grade fastener source, consolidate and maintain the high-value positioning of their own products, as only on such a basis can they capture the loyalty and adhesion of customers and become dominant in determining which order to take, instead of being controlled by customers.
Taiwan Shouldn’t Miss Opportunities for Major-power-led Reconstruction
Many of U.S. President Trump's “America First” statements since he took office have made it clear that the U.S., the world’s
most powerful country, is going to play a leading role in the post-war reconstruction projects for Ukraine and the Gaza Corridor, and in other issues involving U.S. global strategic investment and deployment. Regardless of which participating country will ultimately benefit, there is no doubt that the U.S. companies will definitely be one of the main beneficiaries.
“Taiwanese suppliers should think about how to seize any opportunities to firmly establish cooperative relationships with customers from U.S.-related supply chains. If they bet on the right side, another golden decade for Taiwanese fastener industry will definitely come,” Chairman Tsai added. Tsai also pointed out that the operating costs of Taiwanese fastener suppliers have not been able to compete directly with China, Vietnam or other Southeast Asian countries that have an advantage due to the signing of tariff reciprocity agreements, as a result, Taiwanese suppliers will have to come out of their own way in the future and make the most appropriate adjustments according to the characteristics of different markets or regions.
Accelerated Supply Chain Regionalization May Benefit Industrial Order Intake
The rep of Taiwan CSC also addressed to the audience that the external and internal business environments have changed, coupled with the ever-changing international situations, the overwhelming taxation by the U.S., and the consecutive AD and anti-countervailing impositions or investigations on Chinese products around the world, so the challenges faced by the steel industry will become more and
more formidable. In the past, the industrial supply chains were more globalized, but now they are becoming more and more regionalized. The rep of Taiwan CSC believes that the new balance of industrial supply chains created by this trend may be a positive development for the industry. Although the process of change may be difficult, it is believed that it will finally go smooth after active adaptation and adjustments.
As for the industry's concerns about labor shortage, increasing operating costs, and rising water & electricity fees, Taiwan CSC's rep thinks that these are all inevitable phenomena under the changing environment, and it is up to the wisdom of individual industry players to find the most appropriate strategies to cope with the situations. Looking back at the past 2-3 decades, many companies have experienced the impact of the Financial Crisis and Covid-19, but most of them still successfully survived.
Regarding the industry's greatest concern about next quarter's wire rod pricing, Taiwan CSC rep emphasized that Taiwan CSC Pricing Conference has always emphasized one major direction, which is how to develop a pricing result that can help the industry receive more orders, and that whether the price goes up, down or flat, the industry's opinions will be taken into consideration and discussed thoroughly, so as to make the decision most favorable to the industry's development.
Copyright owned by Fastener World Article by Gang Hao Chang, Vice Editor-in-Chief
JIELE Bolt Forming Machines
Global Sales Expected to Surge by 30%!
New-generation, Smart, High-speed
Since 2020, JIELE has rapidly risen to prominence and gained clients globally by integrating High-Efficiency Multi-Stage Bolt Forming Machines with Smart Manufacturing. Their patent Counter Weight design significantly reduces vibration and machine shaking during high-speed operation, maintaining machine balance and securing components’ service life as well as precision. Production capacity is more than doubled compared to conventional machines, saving labor and space. The ergonomic design makes operation easier and prevents occupational injuries. By integrating AI, automation, and unmanned transportation systems, JIELE offers one-stop services to help clients meet carbon reduction demand, establishing an excellent reputation in the market.
Machine Highlights at a Glance
• Factory Planning and Smart Manufacturing Process: JIELE provides wholefactory planning tailored to customer needs, introducing efficient forming equipment which combines sensor monitoring to enhance production capacity, management, and quality.
• Cloud-Based Smart Monitoring System: Equipped with power monitoring systems to allow real-time control over energy consumption, immediate visibility of anomalies, and automatic sleep settings for energy saving and carbon reduction.
• Production Data Sent Directly to Customer Systems: Production data are transmitted directly to customer systems, simplifying carbon inventory and assisting customers in submitting carbon emission reports, eliminating tedious manual input.
In a rapidly changing market, many companies are seeking solutions to increase production efficiency and reduce costs. JIELE's equipment enables clients to produce more products in the same time frame, significantly boosting production speed. It maintains stability during high-speed operations and reduces failure rates as well as maintenance costs. JIELE also adopts Industry 4.0 by linking equipment with clients’ ERP systems, providing realtime development, carbon footprint calculations, and work order scheduling, helping clients plan automation designs across their whole plants to achieve minimal labor and maximized production capacity. These aren't just machines that JIELE sells, but also solutions that enhance clients' overall competitiveness, earning international trust and steady growth even in markets filled with uncertainties.
Crafting Machines with iPhoneQuality Standards
JIELE's Bolt Forming Machines have recently experienced a sales boom in Europe and the U.S. The company sees the U.S. as Taiwan's largest fastener export destination and expects increased demand due to President Trump's new policies and geopolitical factors. European clients continue to develop high-value products which in turn help JIELE optimize equipment. If the Russia-Ukraine war ends, the revival of demand will inject new vitality into the market. Consequently, JIELE expects overseas sales to grow by over 30% this year and plans to participate in global exhibitions to let visitors experience high-performance equipment in person.
Meanwhile, JIELE will expand equipment models and gather feedback from overseas clients to enhance the convenience brought by both software and hardware, reducing material adjustment times, so that clients can operate the machines as easily as an iPhone. Many distributors have actively partnered with JIELE after touring JIELE’s plant to promote products in overseas markets. JIELE is seeking global partners, and focuses on providing efficient, stable, and reliable equipment to reduce maintenance costs and boost production efficiency. Global partners are welcome to collaborate in creating a more competitive future.
Contact: Mr. Shih-Chin Yen Email: jieletech@jiele.com.tw
Knowing How a Fastener Failed
will Help in Preventing Future Failures
Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Guy Avellon
Bolts »
The primary question during any investigation is what was the strength/grade of the fastener?
This may appear to be a little too basic, but one must consider that when there are multiple fasteners in a connection it must be considered that there could be a chance that one or more fasteners of the incorrect grade might have been used.
Situations like this do and have occurred, primarily around large industrial plants where there are many maintenance personnel working with structures, boiler systems and general maintenance. Fasteners are usually stored in open bin containers where everyone has free access.
When workmen are in a hurry, they grab a few extra bolts in case the threads jam. The unused bolts are returned to the bin, sometimes not to the same one. That is, they could be returned to another closer storage bin with similar bolts of different grades or even in the same storage unit but with different length bolts.
There are newer structural bolts on the market offering strengths of 144 ksi and 200 ksi that need to be separated due to the intended final applications. They have their own special markings and are assemblies with one nut and two flat washers.
Heavy equipment manufacturers have used various grades and styles of bolts for their products. Some manufacturers have even opted to use proprietary strength bolts or different styles
of bolts. When maintained by their customers the same grade or style of bolt cannot be found or the mechanic does not recognize the difference.
Take, for example, the bolts on the bull ring gear on a turret lift truck. A failure from using bolts of improper matching strengths would be catastrophic.
It is important to identify the grade of the failed bolt to compare that with other bolts in the connection that may have been compromised by the weakness of the failed bolt that may lead to metal fatigue in other bolts.
Socket Head Cap Screws »
All inch threaded SHCS have the same strength, depending upon size, and hence are not marked. Those products equal to 0.5” and less have a tensile strength of 180 ksi, which is a little stronger than the metric 12.9. Those products larger than 0.5” have a strength of 170 ksi.
Metric SHCS on European made equipment may use different Property Class products: 8.8, 10.9, 11.9 and 12.9. These numbers are marked on either the side of the head or on the top of the head. It is extremely important to identify the P.C. of the SHCS for proper replacement and to determine if all of the other SHCS in the connection were of the same tensile strength.
Nuts »
All nuts look alike. Structural nuts may be heavy or thick but standard maintenance nuts look identical to one another, except for their grade markings. They may be dip-and-spin coated, electroplated or galvanized or have no coating at all except for a black oil finish.
Every Standards Organization has their own unique way of marking their different grades of nuts for identification: SAE, ISO, ASTM.
The SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) uses a system of dots and dashes to identify their Grade 2, 5 and 8 nuts. Some of the markings may be on the flat finished side or on the curved hex portion of the nut, especially with metal lock nuts.
The ISO (International Standards Organization) primarily has jurisdiction over metric fasteners. All of the metric nuts will have numbers on them which will not only identify the Property Class but the alloy composition of the nut. Standard nuts will have an 8, 10, 11 or 12. These numbers correspond with the strength of the bolt without the point after the Property Class number. For instance, a bolt may be marked ‘10.9’ but the matching strength nut will be marked ‘10’.
Nonferrous alloys will have a letter and number designation. Austenitic alloys will be designated ‘A’ followed by their Property Class, such as ‘A1-50’ or ‘A4-70’. Ferritic alloys are designated with a prefix ‘F’ and Martensitic alloys will be identified with a ‘C’.
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) uses the markings ‘10S’ and ‘10S3 for metric structural nuts. There shouldn’t be a problem distinguishing between these carbon steel nuts with any other ISO metric nut. The most common ASTM nut used is the DH, heavy or thick, zinc coated and non-zinc coated, used for many bolt grades.
Many maintenance personnel don’t either look at the markings or know what they mean. There have been several instances where one common bin held three different grades of nuts of the same size and appearance. Under normal circumstances one lower grade of nut can be substituted but not two grades lower. The nut threads may not strip during assembly but may be weakened enough to promote metal fatigue to the bolt and the adjacent bolts.
Sometimes the nut may not be found when a failure occurs. Therefore, it is important to identify the type of fracture the bolt sustained and how it may have affected the adjacent bolts so the adjacent bolts can be replaced if necessary.
Metal prevailing torque-type lock nuts have always had some type of coating on it to overcome the friction drag caused by the deflected threads. Originally, these were electro plated with cadmium, which produced a very stable and consistent torquetension relationship with regards to its low coefficient of friction.
The government decided to ban the use of cadmium in the late 90’s as it was found to be a carcinogenic. Therefore, different coating replacements were used from zinc, zinc dip coatings and nickel alloys. Each have their own coefficient of friction and affect the torque-tension relationship differently.
The problem maintenance has encountered working on machines or other equipment that used the cadmium plated lock nuts is when the cadmium nuts were replaced with standard zinc lock nuts. Again, in a multiple bolt assembly, if one or two were replaced, then tightened to the manufacturer’s recommended torque values, those bolts would be underloaded because the torque for the cadmium plated nuts are lower due to the cadmium’s lower coefficient of friction.
Even though the cadmium plated lock nuts had a supplemental hexavalent chromium dip that gave it a yellow/ gold finish, older products in use may have lost their luster and visual identification is impossible. When maintaining older equipment and a visual mixture of gold for cadmium and silver for zinc is noted, it is best to replace all of the nuts with new prevailing torque type nuts so they may all be torqued evenly.
Washers »
Many ASTM Heavy Hex Structural standards require the fastener components to be comprised of a bolt, two flat washers and a nut assemblies. The flat washers will follow the F436 / F436M Standard for through hardened steel washers. There shouldn’t be any problems with preassembled units, it is where a decision is made whether or not to use washers in an application that may cause problems.
Flat washers are intended to provide a smooth load bearing surface to turn against when tightening a bolt head or nut. It may be used to cover slight oversized holes, provided the hole diameter is not larger than the washer face of the bolt or nut.
If a multiple bolt connection uses flat washers, it is important to identify if the failed bolt used a flat washer or not. In some dynamically loaded connections, the absence of a flat washer will change the length of the bolt that will reduce the amount unengaged threads in the connection. The fewer unengaged threads would mean extra stresses on those unengaged threads that would create a stress raiser in the thread root to promote metal fatigue.
Maintenance personnel have choices between hardened washers, softer plain washers and SAE versus USS.
Hardened flat washers are not usually marked outside the F436 products. Many are marked by specialty distributors. These are recommended for use with SAE Grade 5 and greater and ISO 8.8 and higher. A plain flat washer used in high strength and dynamically loaded connections will form an imprint of the bolt head or nut into the washer. This relaxation will cause loss of clamp load and create metal fatigue.
The SAE flat washer has an inside diameter that matches the outside diameter of the bolt with the right amount of ID tolerance. The USS washer is meant for fender bolts and softer material because the inside diameter is too large to match the washer face of the bolt or nut and will not fully support the load of a higher strength bolt.
Check the materials and size. Be consistent.
5 Common Manufacturing Defects How They Occur and Ways to Improve
In February of 2017, a Ford employee was working on his 2015 MKC and discovered that one of the seatbelt anchor bolts in the second row had fractured. He brought this to the attention of his colleagues in Quality and they began an investigation. Their Central Labs would investigate and found that the surface hardness was higher than the specification resulting in a brittle screw. They also determined that the failure initiated from a thread lap.
As they now had a solid lead on this failure, they began digging into the manufacturing history and learned that the second-tier heat treating vendor experienced a power outage as they were processing a portion of the manufacturing lot. The power outage produced an improper temper and, thus, brittle parts.
As a result of these faults and because this bolt is safety critical, Ford elected to recall all the vehicles that contained screws from this lot. Although the actions taken in this specific case were extreme, to assure the safety of the owners of these vehicles, fastener manufacturers and users are confronted daily with choices related to parts with manufacturing defects. The reality is that all manufacturing processes are exposed to variation and occasionally external factors which can result in manufacturing defects. Although there are many different defects, this article will explore five common fastener manufacturing defects and how they can be identified, sorted out of suspect manufacturing lots, and addressed so that they do not occur again.
Head Cracks
There are several distinct types of head cracks, each derived from different origins. One of the most common types are those that exhibit a crack or burst aligned with the axis of the part. A reasonable definition for this type of defect is an open break in the metal, aligned with the part axis, resulting from a flaw or surface discontinuity opening up during forming.
These types of cracks can be characterized by several common traits:
1. They occur most frequently at the periphery of the head or axially along the body of the part. They may be a mostly closed crack where the non-conformity is obvious, but the depth is unknown (See Figure 1) or fully burst open clearly exposing the depth of the fissure (See Figure 2).
2. These cracks are almost always the result of a pre-existing axial defect in the raw material that generates a localized stress riser. During the forming process these flaws produce vulnerable locations to overload conditions on part areas exposed to high degrees of cold working, such as the head or a collar. Typical pre-existing flaws in the raw material include seams, laps, and scratches. Seams, which are an artifact of voids being “drawn out” during hot rolling of billets to rod,
are usually the most extreme of these three conditions and, thus, will most likely result in the most extreme cracks. Cracks that are the result of a seam are usually obvious because it is easy to trace the path of the seam along the entire length of the part (See Figure 3). Although laps and scratches can display similar appearances along the length of the part, their extent is often less distinguishable than seams because they are not as deep. Seams and laps come exclusively from the mill that is hot rolling the rod. Scratches may be introduced at any time that the wire is sliding past an object that can scratch it. This could be at the mill that processes rod to wire or during manufacturing as the wire is fed into the cold header or in the cold header as the part interfaces with tooling.
3: Example of Head Crack Due to Wire Seam (Note seam running through the threads.)
In addition to the pre-existing wire defects there are other potential causes that will generate head cracks of this nature. Any interaction with tooling that generates high friction and galling or any close to the surface stress riser can trigger the formation of such a crack. A list of common causes for these types of cracks includes:
• Wire Seams
• Wire Laps
• Scratches and Scoring (from tools)
• Worn-out Tooling (especially the punches used to form the head)
• Large Inclusions Near the Surface
• Head Markings
• Any Flaw, Defect, or Surface Discontinuity that Generates Localized Stress Concentrations
Figure 2: “Open” Head Cracks
Figure 1: “Closed” Head Cracks
Figure
Some measures that might be employed to reduce or eliminate such problems include:
1. Use seam free wire. In many cases this would be considered an extreme fix because the cost to produce seam free wire is significant over normal wire processing methods.
2. Replace the wire. If a seam or defect in the wire is discovered, it is likely far more cost effective to replace the suspect wire with a new coil. Swapping or scrapping a coil of wire is less costly overall than running suspect parts and having to carefully screen them 100% after the fact.
3. Replace the tooling. If the tools that form the head are wearing out or intermittently producing cracked heads, a tool change or machine set-up adjustment might solve the problem.
4. Check the draw die, any rollers, and the cutter mechanism to make sure they are not scratching the wire. If they are or it is suspected that they might be, either polish the tool/component or replace it.
Head cracks are reasonably easy to discriminate using simple visual inspection. However, with large production lots the prospect that thousands of parts might need visual inspection is quite onerous. Therefore, automated methods are preferred. As recently as ten years ago, head cracks, especially closed cracks, were hard to sort out on automated sorting equipment. Today, optical sorting technology has gotten so much better that head cracks, even the hard to identify ones, can be accurately recognized and culled from suspect lots with a high degree of precision (See Figure 4 ).
Shear Bursts
These types of cracks are characterized by the following common traits:
1. They occur at the periphery of the head, flange, or collar.
2. They may also occur on the side of a hex shaped part (See Figure 6 ).
3. They will always exhibit the 45° angled fracture surface.
4. They may be open or closed, although they are mostly partially or totally open.
The cause of a shear burst is fundamentally because the material is overloaded. Unfortunately, that opens the door to many root cause possibilities. It also means that cracks such as these cannot be conveniently attributed to material flaws. In fact, organizations experiencing shear bursts should look first at what they are doing before casting blame on the raw material. Some potential causes of shear bursts include:
• Poor tool design, especially the first blow upset
• Overworking the material prior to upsetting
• Poor ductility due to “hard wire” or coarse grain size
• Poor or insufficient lubrication
• Rough wire surface
• Cold drawing the wire with too steep an approach angle (The steeper the approach angle of the draw die, the more concentrated the cold work is on the surface of the wire.)
• Surface defects and flaws
Some measures that can be employed to prevent this type of failure include the following:
• Often this is a tool design issue, so that reworking the upset to move less material or redistribute the material differently may solve the problem.
• Reducing the draw percentage on the wire prior to heading.
• Replace the wire if obvious surface defects or localized hard spots are detected.
• Increase or redirect the lubrication.
Another type of common crack is a shear burst. These are easily distinguished from other cracks because of their characteristic 45° angle crack interface (See Figure 5 ). A shear burst is an open break located at an approximate 45° angle to the product axis which results from the material being incapable of withstanding the stresses or strain exerted upon it. Shear bursts pretty much occur only during cold working of the head, flange, or collar.
• Check the draw die to make sure the approach angle is correct for the material being drawn and repolish the die if there is any evidence of scoring the wire.
Shear bursts are generally much more noticeable than many of the axial head cracks. Today, sorting them with highdefinition cameras is effective.
Folds
A fold is a lap, folding over, or doubling of metal that occurs during the forming process because of mismatched features or localized buckling. Folds normally occur at the intersection of two features and are commonly evident on
Figure 4: High Definition Optical Sorting Camera
Figure 5: Example of a Shear Burst
Figure 6: Example of Shear Burst in Hex Flat
the top and bottom faces of flanges and collars. Sometimes folds are nearly invisible before plating and many folds do not pose any safety risk to the part, although if the plating highlights their presence, they may be considered unsightly and unacceptable. Folds are most commonly seen on hex flange heads and parts with similar geometry (See Figure 7 ). Usually, the cause is a small misalignment between forming blows. In the example illustrated by Figure 7, the centerline of the tool that created the first upset blow and the centerline of the tool providing the finishing blow are just slightly off from one another. The result is the finish blow shears a small section of material from the first blow, deposits and presses it into the surface at the bottom of the tool, in this case the flange. Cold heading exerts extreme pressure to provide the necessary energy to get material to flow, so this excess material is pressed into the surface of the part. In many cases the surface appears continuous and uninterrupted but, in reality, that sliver of material is just laminated onto the top surface of the flange. Folds are preventable and when detected can be corrected by repairing the tools or reworking the set-up.
Thread Laps
One of the most common of all manufacturing flaws are thread laps. A thread lap is similar to a fold but in the threads. Most threads are produced by rolling, a cold-working process where the material is repositioned into threads by rolling and squeezing parts between two opposing die faces. There are several different process methods, but the majority of threads are rolled using flat dies. In flat die rolling the thread is generated by rolling an unthreaded blank though a set of paired flat dies. The dies themselves have the thread profile and characteristics milled into the face and as the blank rotates between them, increasing pressure causes the material to be squeezed into the groove and develop the desired thread profile. With flat dies in particular because parts are being rolled between two parallel plates, the dies must be carefully aligned with one another during set-up. If the dies are even a small bit out of alignment, the tip of the thread root formed on one side will not perfectly align with the tip of the thread root from the other side. On the next rolling pass the part will be squeezed further into the die opening the thread and breaking through any web present from misalignment in the first pass. This web of material is like a fold and is subsequently laminated onto the nearby thread flank. Like a fold a lap is normally not visible by eye but evident when the part is cross sectioned or etched (See Figure 8). Thread laps are particularly “dangerous” on parts that are exposed to fatigue loading since they create an origin for crack formation.
The most prevalent cause of thread laps is poor set-up resulting in the misalignment described above. However, there are other causes for laps, which include:
• Poor Blank Quality
• Improper Die Design
• Tilting of Blank
• Slippage of Blank
• Die Starting Features (particularly cross nicks placed in the die perpendicular to the thread grooves in the die)
• Poor Machine Condition
Thread laps are not readily discernable by visual inspection, however, can be easily detected by etching parts in warm acid (See Figure 9). For this reason, manufacturers who have customers with no thread lap requirements will often have an acid etching station available to thread rollermen where they can quickly verify the absence of thread laps. Another way to detect thread laps is to mount parts in a phenolic disc, grind, polish, and look at them under magnification. Although this method is conclusive, it is time-consuming and is usually reserved for final inspection or when arbitration is required.
“Sliders”
When a thread rolling process is employed to develop the threads, it is imperative that the blank rotates freely between the dies. It does not matter which rolling process is employed, flat die, cylindrical, or planetary, they all require the blank to turn. The tricky part is to accomplish this at the start when the blank is most loosely gripped by the dies. Roll die manufacturers, therefore, usually blast the start of the die to rough it up just a little and encourage the parts to rotate. If the part does not rotate and begins to slide through the die it does not properly form the thread. In fact, it produces a flattened, mangled thread. In addition, parts that slide through the die often do not have enough momentum to exit the dies and are drawn back in, further damaging them. Figure 10 illustrates a slider. The j-shape is indicative of a part that has been drawn back into the die as it exited. The primary cause of sliders is not gaining sufficient traction at the start and sliding instead of rotating. A couple of other causes, however, can also trigger this defect. Amongst them are the blank being tipped at the start, improperly set-up dies that apply inadequate pressure, or too much lubricant. Although Figure 10 is a pretty extreme example, sliders are always mangled and to some degree unusable. If sliders are discovered in a lot of parts, it will either need to be entirely scrapped or 100% sorted. Fortunately, it is such a pronounced condition that today’s highdefinition camera sorting machines can easily identify and remove these parts.
Summary
Manufacturing fasteners share something in common with all other manufacturing processes, there is always variation acting on the process. The influence of both expected and unexpected variation sometimes results in defects. There are many potential defects that emerge from time to time on fasteners. Five of the more common ones have been addressed in this article. These are common to all manufacturers of cold-headed and rolled fasteners and the savvy ones are able to learn from their mistakes and prevent similar events in the future.
Figure 7: Example of Folds in Hex Flange Head
Figure 8: Example of Thread Lap at Thread Root
Figure 9: Example of Etched Part Exposing Thread Laps
Figure 10: Example of “Slider”
DR. FastenerBehavior of Screws Under High/Low Temperature Loads
Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Toshimichi Fukuoka
Q1: Why does the axial bolt force decrease when the temperature of the fastened plates changes?
A: When the temperature of a bolted joint changes from its initial state, the axial bolt force may decrease or increase. Metals elongate when the temperature rises and contract when it drops. Figure 1 shows how to calculate the elongation. The elongation of a round bar with length L due to the temperature increases of ΔT can be calculated by multiplying the product of L and ΔT by the coefficient of linear expansion α. Considering the case where the temperature rises, if the elongation of the bolt and nut is greater than that of the fastened plates, the axial bolt force decreases, and vice versa. On the other hand, when the bolted joint becomes low temperature, the entire joint contracts. In this case, the axial bolt force decreases if the contraction of the fastened plates is greater.
Q2: How much does the axial bolt force change when the temperature of the bolted joint varies?
A: The amount of change in the axial bolt force can be obtained by multiplying the difference in elongation/ contraction between the bolt-nut and the fastened plates by the spring constant— which represents the "stiffness of the entire bolted joint" consisting of the bolt, nut and the fastened plates. For simplicity, considered is the case where the temperature rises and the materials elongate. If the amount of elongation is the same for the bolt-nut and the fastened plates, the axial bolt force should not change. However, as the temperature rises, Young's modulus of the material decreases, so the axial bolt force decreases by the proportion. The calculation procedure of the amount of
elongation was explained in Q1. For the temperature change, ΔTb and ΔTf are used, which are the temperature increases of the bolt-nut and the fastened plates, respectively, and the grip length Lf is used as the original length. Figure 2 shows the concrete calculation formula. The numerator of the formula is the difference of the amount of elongation between the two, and the denominator consists of the spring constant kb of the bolt-nut and the spring constant kf of the fastened plates. The reciprocal of this represents the stiffness of the entire bolted joint. As is clear from the equation, the stiffness of the bolted joint has a large effect on the amount of change in the axial bolt force. Therefore, in order to estimate the change in the axial bolt force with high accuracy, the stiffness of the bolted joint must be accurately evaluated.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
O3: Why are the bolted joints made of stainless steel likely to cause problems when subjected to heat?
A: Stainless steel has unique thermal properties: its thermal conductivity is about 1/3 that of carbon steel, but its coefficient of linear expansion is about 1.5 times larger. If the thermal conductivity is low, the temperature gradient becomes large because heat does not flow easily, and a large thermal stress is generated in the bolted joint. In addition, when heat flows perpendicular to the bolt axis, bending stress may become a problem if the temperature difference becomes large between the left and right parts of the bolt. Furthermore, care must be taken to prevent the seizure when tightening the screws, because the frictional heat generated on the nut bearing surface is difficult to dissipate to the surrounding area. It is also important to pay attention to the large coefficient of linear expansion. If the threaded parts are made of stainless steel, loosening is likely to occur because the elongation due to the temperature rise of the fastened plates is large. Conversely, if the fastened plates are made of stainless steel, they expand to push up the threaded parts, so attention must be paid to the increase in the axial bolt force and the depression of the seating surface.
Q4: What are the precautions when using screws made of
a
different material from the fastened plates?
A: Since the fastening force may change significantly when subjected to heat load, attention should be paid to the difference in thermal conductivity and coefficient of linear expansion between the two materials. If the thermal conductivity is different, the temperature gradient around the bolted joint increases, which may cause thermal stress problems. More attention should be paid to the difference in the coefficient of linear expansion. For example, when a bolted joint made of stainless steel is fastened with a carbon steel bolt, even if the temperature around the fastened plate rises almost uniformly, the axial bolt force increases significantly, because stainless steel elongates about 1.5 times more than carbon steel, as can be seen from the equation shown in Figure 2 . Conversely, in the case of a combination of stainless steel screws and carbon steel fastened plates, the axial bolt force decreases significantly. In the latter case, even if the temperature rise of the fastened plates is greater than that of the bolt and nut, care must be taken because loosening may occur due to the large difference in the coefficient of linear expansion.
Reference
1. Toshimichi Fukuoka, “The Mechanics of Threaded Fasteners and Bolted Joints for Engineering and Design”, pp.217-224, ELSEVIER. (2022)
Post-Brexit UK Automotive Industry (Part 2)
Transformation & Component Business Opportunities
Copyright owned by Fastener World
Article
by
James Hsiao
(Editor’s note: Following the detailed analysis of the post-Brexit UK automotive industry and sales in Fastener World Bimonthly Edition Jan. 2025 Issue, this article will further explore the transformation of the UK's automotive industry after Brexit and the related component business opportunities.)
Transformation and Challenges of the EV Industry
Despite a significant increase in EV sales in the UK driven by the commercial and operational vehicle fleets, consumers in the private sector are still hesitant to purchase EVs due to a lack of policy support, with many already delaying their purchase until 2026.
Unlike other countries, the UK has phased out most subsidies for individual EV buyers, including the £5,000 EV subsidy. In addition, in 2023 the government has delayed the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars until 2035, further slowing down sales of EVs and causing the UK to lag behind the rest of the EU. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) believes that these policy changes and uncertainty are making consumers hesitant to buy EVs. In order to cope with the future development of the EV market, the UK government needs to coordinate closely with the EU to increase EV exports and cope with the post-Brexit tariff policy changes. According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the introduction of tariffs between the UK and the EU will increase the burden on consumers and reduce the competitiveness of EVs in both the UK and the EU; these issues suggest that while the EV market is
meeting the needs of early adopters, it will be more challenging to reach the mass market.
The UK Government's “2020 Energy White Paper” sets out a two-phase approach to phasing out diesel vehicles, promoting the UK's transition towards zero emissions, and investing in innovative technology and developing the supply chain and subsidizing EV purchases and charging stations plans, further encouraging the UK's traditional automotive industry to develop EVs and increasing consumer demand. The UK is Europe's third-largest market for ultra-low emission vehicles, and a global leader in development and manufacturing. After Brexit, the UK's EV industry is facing increased transaction costs for export documentation and transportation time, as well as a shortage of domestic charging facilities and battery factories, and relies on imports for raw materials such as cobalt, lithium and graphite. The Financial Times emphasized that traditional car engine factories must be gradually replaced by battery factories, and that attracting battery manufacturers to invest in the industry is a top priority; SMMT also pointed out that investment in charging infrastructure and “battery mega-factories” will be crucial to revitalizing the UK automotive industry and meeting the challenges of the post-Brexit market.
EV industry transformation is facing some problems: (a) Brexit led to an increase in transaction costs. As the UK and EU automotive industries are highly connected, about 2/3 sales of battery powered EVs in the UK are produced in the European factories, and more than half of the UK-made cars are exported to the EU, such a close integration makes UK's EV industry vulnerable to changes in the relationship between the UK and the EU. According to Autocar (a UK automotive magazine), if the UK were to exit from the EU without a deal, according to the WTO, the UK would incur a tariff of 10% on automotive trade with the EU, and a tariff of 2-4% on other components, costing British consumers an extra £2,800 to buy an EV made in the EU. However, in the current agreement, the UK only imposes tariffs on products that do not comply with the Rule of Origin and there are no restrictions on the value of the goods, so trade between the UK and the EU can be maintained at a stable level. The Financial Times thinks that UK manufacturers after Brexit face a cost of around 2%, including changes to the supply chain, application for new export certificates and increased time for imported components. Although the rate of increase is much lower than the 10% tariff, these changes will reduce the competitiveness of UK manufacturers.
(b) Insufficient charging facilities and battery factories, and relying on imported raw materials. According to Frost & Sullivan's analysis, at least 1.7 million public charging stations will be needed by 2030, and at least 2.8 million by 2035, to create a complete zero-carbon emission market for new cars in the UK. However, there are currently only around 19,314 charging stations in the UK, meaning that 507 on-street charging stations would need to be installed every day until 2035, costing £16.7 billion. According to SMMT, investment in charging infrastructure and "battery mega-factories" is essential to revitalize the UK automotive industry and meet the challenges of a post-Brexit market. Autocar, the UK automotive magazine, said that most cobalt and key raw materials for EVs need to be imported, and that possible raw material shortages will also pose a risk to the development of UK's EV industry.
Automotive Component Industry and Supply Chain
Automotive and components manufacturing are very important industries in the UK. The local automotive manufacturers are among the world's top brands, with the domestic supply chain, including parts manufacturers, technology suppliers, design and engineering consultancy firms, and other related industries up to international standards. According to the 2023 report of SMMT, over 800,000 of the 33.56 million people employed in the UK are in the automotive industry (including vehicle manufacturing, parts and components, and aftermarket service).
The automotive sector accounts for about 11.2% of the manufacturing in the UK, which is an important industry. In 2023, the automotive industry in the UK had a production value of about £93 billion, a workforce of 813,000 people, 22 automotive design and development centers, 7 international car manufacturers, 5 large bus factories, and 4 commercial vehicle assembly factories, and had sold 1,903,000 vehicles and exported 607,000 vehicles. Imports of complete vehicles (including passenger cars and commercial vehicles) and automotive parts outnumbered exports, as shown in UK Automotive at a Glance (Figure 1).
Source: SMMT (2024/12)
There are over 2,500 automotive component suppliers in the UK. Many wellknown car manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover, Bently, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, London EV Company, Vauxhall and Lotus, etc., are located in Midland. Other well-known foreign companies, such as Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes, Honda and BMW are also located in the UK. Other well-known foreign companies such as Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes, Honda and BMW have also set up factories in
Fig 1. UK Automotive at a Glance
the UK. The UK is also home to a number of important automotive component manufacturers, including GKN, TI Automotive, Tomkins, Unipart Group and Robert Bosch, Calsonic Kansei Europe, Cummins, Delphi Automotive, Intier Automotive Interiors and TRW.
Import and Export of Automotive Components in Taiwan and the UK
The UK is the 4th largest export destination of automotive components of Taiwan. In 2023, Taiwan's top 5 exports of automotive components to the UK were wheels (HS8708709000, NT$2,015 million), other motor vehicle parts (HS8708999090, NT$1,123 million), car bodies (HS8708299000, NT$483 million), and automotive lighting and parts (HS8512201910, NT$351 million), and brake system components (HS8708309100, NT$324 million). The top 5 major imported automotive components from the UK were diesel engines (HS8408209100, NT$136 million), other motor vehicle parts (HS8708999090, NT$135 million), heavy vehicle front ends (HS8707901000, NT$133 million), car bodies (HS8708299000, NT$61 million), and brake system parts (HS8708309100, NT$49 million). Figure 2 shows the forecast of Taiwan's auto component exports to the UK and imports from the UK.
Opportunities for Taiwanese Manufacturers
(a) EV Components & Batteries
Taiwanese manufacturers can pay attention to the sourcing demand for components derived from the development of new EV models by British manufacturers such as Rolls Royce, Bentley and McLaren. The Financial Times emphasized that the UK should invest in battery production to ensure the future competitiveness of the automotive industry. Autocar, a British automotive magazine, thinks that the current battery production of the Sunderland plant in the UK is about 2GWh, and the planned Britishvolt plant will increase the capacity to 15GWh; however, if it is to supply the production of 1 million EVs in the UK in 2030, it will require a battery production of 60GWh, to which Taiwan's battery manufacturers may consider investing in the UK or cooperating with local partners to establish new factories.
(b) Body Sheet Metal and Fastening Components
The restructuring of the British automotive industry after Brexit has led to changes in the supply chain structure, with most of the basic technology manufacturing outsourced, coupled with rising wages, and most of the traditional automotive and EV body sheet metal and fastening components imported. Taiwanese manufacturers can utilize the advantages of “small quantity and diversified” manufacturing to tap into the supply chains of traditional automotive and EV industries.
(c) Charging Facilities
Forecast of Taiwan's Auto Component Exports to the UK and Imports from the UK Fig. 2.
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000
Unit: NT$ million
Source: Statistics of Customs Administration of Ministry of Finance; ITRI IEK (2024/12)
The UK charging infrastructure market shows growth potential, but while the demand for EVs is growing, more than 50% of consumers are still not ready for the change, as they are concerned about the higher prices of EVs, the lack of charging stations, and the ability to ensure that there are enough charging stations for long-distance travel. Instead of trying to compete directly, Taiwanese companies could consider offering solutions to UK charging infrastructure players to help improve the charging environment for local manufacturers. In terms of EV infrastructure, SMMT is demanding the installation of public charging stations for all users, including fast and ultra-fast charging, as well as integration with credit and finance cards and internet roaming services.
(d) Automotive Electronics
The difference between EVs and traditional fuel vehicles lies in the fact that the proportion of automotive electronics used in EVs will become higher and higher and dominate the pace of technological advancement in the EV industry. Taiwanese manufacturers can utilize their rich experience in the electronics field to become a reliable source of supply for the UK market.
The Risk of Hand Tightening Screws
Introduction
According to DIN 8593 “Manufacturing Process Joining”, screwing is the most widely used method of joining in the mechanical engineering and in the automotive industry. This is also the reason why the reference from Leonardo da Vinci is current in the technique of mechanical joining of parts using threaded fasteners. Leonardo's compass and rudder in this case is the exact tightening of screw connections.
As will be seen from the following text, the correct pre-stressing force can only be achieved by controlled tightening. Handtightening by feel, so often preferred in practice, is burdened with a subjective factor that cannot be predicted, and therefore it represents a latent danger of disintegration of the entire structure.
These forces either support each other proportionally or disproportionately, or they work against each other and they may not exceed the elastic zone. We are therefore talking about the superposition of internal (assembly) and external (operational) forces, which then determine the resulting stress of the screw connection. Due to the predominant axial load, it is essentially a system of springs, with the screw representing a tension spring and the connected parts a compression spring. As follows from Fig. 2, static load is not the only type of stress on bolted joints. Much more careless is the dynamic stress which leads to material fatigue. Both cases differ in the nature of the violation of the integrity of the system. Characteristic cases are shown in Figs. 3 and 4
Theory
The mechanical forces acting on the screw connection can be divided into two groups:
(1) Internal or assembly forces FM caused by the applied tightening torque.
(2) External forces FA caused by additional static operating stress (Fig. 1)
Internal or assembly forces are purposely introduced during assembly either through the tightening torque MM or in a torsion-free manner, e.g. hydraulically to create a basic assembly preload.
★ Fig. 2. Bolted Joint
"He who relies solely on practice without science is like a sailor who embarks on a ship without a rudder and without a compass, so he never knows where he will swim." —Leonardo da Vinci
★ Fig. 1. Mechanical Forces Acting on the Screw Connection
Assuming tightening to 90% Rp0.2, the assembly preload force FM is:
while the tension cross-section A s according to DIN 13 is equal to: where d2, d3 - is the medium and small diameter of the screw.
It follows from the above that the assemble force FM is an exact value that can only be achieved with a controlled tightening system. The following test shows how inaccurate manual tightening is.
Test Methodology and Results
The angle of rotation of the assembly tool was evaluated by hand according to feel (Fig. 5a) in 10 tested persons aged between 30 and 65 years. In order not to influence the results, the protractor scale was covered during the experiment (Fig. 5b). M10 and M12 screws with a strength of 8.8, galvanized, were tested. The result is summarized in Fig. 6, where the correct values according to the standard are also given.
★ Fig. 6. Correct Values According to the Standard
ht
This picture clearly shows the unreliability of hand tightening. The deviation of precision for the M10 diameter is about 45% and for the M12 diameter even ca 48% which is too much. It can also be read from the graph that about 54% of the tested people tightened the screw connection to a lower value than the regulation for the M12 diameter, and about 32% for the M10 diameter. However, no one has exactly hit the required value. The result can be either destruction of the connection due to excessive load or loosening of the connection due to insufficient tightening. Both are dangerous.
Conclusion
The conclusion is very easy: it is not recommended to tighten by hand, especially for high-stress structural nodes. This applies in particular to screws or nuts for fixing of car wheels. If it is necessary to change the wheels on the road, visit an authorized service center as soon as possible.
Remember! The choice of the tightening methods is one of the most important construction decisions.
