Fastener + Fixing Magazine #46

See us on stand 5.2 G27 19th-20th September 2007

Sam Brown, Warehouse Manager – Fastbolt UK

“ My objectiveeveryday is to make sure that our customers receive our product exactly as they ordered, packed to our high standard and delivered on time.”

With 25 years of experience, Fastbolt knows that the net price of the product is only one of many factors that contribute to the cost to our customers. We recognise the area of logistics as of paramount importance when providing a cost effective product. Our efficient and flexible material flow serves as a strong basis for dynamic logistical cooperation with our customer base, providing smooth goods in procedures thus enabling optimised resource utilisation.

Fastbolt BIG IN SMALL SCREWS

Mainland Europe Germany Phone +49 (0) 2565 93250 Fax +49 (0) 2565 932593

UK + Ireland United Kingdom Phone +44 (0)1908 650100 Fax +44 (0)1908 650101

Asia China Phone +86 (0)21 51303010 Fax +86 (0)21 51303090

w w w. f a s t b o l t . c o m info@ fastbolt.com

CONTENTS

A record 160 pages ….

Where DO you start?

Manufacturing Technology

Pages 38-46,92-102

CONTENTS NEWS Europe and World . . . . . . . . . 6-18 North America . . . . . . . . . . . 20-24 Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-30 Russia & CIS . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-34 EVENTS CALENDAR New! . . . . 36 COVER STORY When National means international . . . . . . . . . . . . 38-39

What makes a stainless reputation?

Pages 54-58

INTERVIEWS Andrew H. Kalnow - National Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-42 Paul Coelho - PECOL . . . . . 78-79 INSIGHT Champions of quality . . . . . 44-46 Building on a stainless reputation . . . . . . 54-58 Staying on the fairway . . . . . . . 60 Two into one does go . . . . . . . . 86 STORAGE SYSTEMS . . . . . . 48-50

Fastener Fair Stuttgart

Pages 138-139

ASSOCIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS fischer fixed it for me! . . . . 62-64 Adhesive technology experts . 66 Chemical Anchors . . . . . . . . 68-70 Fixing News . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72-74 PROFILE 45 years of fixing technology. 76-77 The fast and secure connection . . . . . . . . . . . . 104-106

Construction Fixings

Pages 62-77

FOCUS ON Sockets and hexgonal bolts 82-84 Manufacturing Technology . 98-99 TECHNICAL Why use washers? . . . . . . . 88-90 MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY An eye for quality. . . . . . . . . 92-94 Breaking new ground . . . . . . . . 96 Manufacturing News . . . 100-102 MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS108-109

New Product Showcase

Pages 120-126

CATALOGUE RACK Fastener Fair Suttgart exhibitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128-137 PRODUCTS Tool Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110-114 Stuttgart New Product Showcase . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120-126 Product News . . . . . . . . . 142-156 RECRUITMENT & ADVERTISERS INDEX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

EDITORIAL

4

Fastener & Fixing Europe

Welcome to the biggest edition of Fastener & Fixing Europe – yet, I guess I should say. Each new issue reinforces how the world shrinks and events in one place reverberate throughout every part of our industry.

18 Alban Park, Hatfield Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 OJJ, UK

Our lead news article inevitably focuses on the Chinese Government cutting export rebates on fasteners. Fortuitously, I was in Southern China when the announcement was made, in the company of our news partner, Chinafastener. Our news partnerships are very important to us and bring you a global perspective, which we are constantly trying to improve.

Tel: 0044 (0) 1727 739 150 Fax: 0044 (0) 1727 831 033

By Phil Matten

Being there counts However, while it presents a dilemma in relation to my personal carbon footprint, and represents a big cost for our business, there remains no substitute for ‘being there’. In this issue that has meant being able to gauge the reality of the Guangzhou fastener exhibition and getting first hand reaction to the rebate announcement. It also meant, on an earlier US trip, hearing National Machinery CEO, Andrew H. Kalnow’s personal assessment of the global fastener machinery market.

You’ll find these things and much more in the pages that follow.

Rebate ramifications While the rebate cuts were anticipated, their severity and the immediacy of repercussions have been startling. Look deeper and it seems that significant, across the board, price increases loom. China’s earlier elimination of the rebate on steel looks set to impact the costs of fastener producers elsewhere in Asia, dependent on wire rod from China. Taiwan wire prices have not increased recently but will China Steel Corporation now increase as mainland Chinese competition is muzzled? The other question is whether Taiwan now has the appetite for standard fastener production or whether the movement towards producing higher added value parts is irreversible?

Publisher Jeremy Ramsdale jerry@fastfair.net

Editor Phil Matten phil@fastfair.net

Assistant Editor Will Lowry will@fastfair.net

Advertising Manager Jamie Mitchell jamie@fastfair.net

Advertising Executive Harry Whyte harry@fastfair.net

Production Citrusfresh

China still looks to be the lowest cost source for standard fasteners, despite the rebate changes, which implies that alternative sourcing will not ameliorate the impact on day-to-day prices in Europe.

production@fastfair.net

What next?

Much depends on what is to come between now and the year-end. On one hand supply and demand remains the ultimate arbiter. A lull following the recent frenetic activity to beat the July rebate deadline suggests Chinese factories may need to fill capacity. There have been increases in wire costs this year but it is impossible to tell the degree to which the pre-July surge held them up. Intuitively, reduced steel exports means increased domestic supply but cold heading wire has a perverse habit of not conforming to overall steel trends.

Fastener & Fixing Europe is a dedicated, trade-only publication which is circulated freely throughout the European trade.

The other question is whether China still has to do more to assuage its western critics. By the end of June China had a US$113 billion trade surplus; more than for the whole of 2005. Many Chinese to whom I have spoken, believe, that unless the export torrent does abate, the remaining rebate on fasteners will be eliminated. There are also strong expectations that the RMB Yuan will be revalued by up to 10%.

To protect or not to protect EU trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, recently described EU-Chinese trade relations as being at a “crossroads”, saying that without improved access to Asian markets the pressure for European protectionism will grow. As well as illustrating the pressure on China it brings us to the subject of carbon steel antidumping complaints. There has been no official word from EIFI on the subject but it is evident that the complaint, withdrawn earlier in the year, is now ready to be re-presented. It is improbable that will happen in July or August, but it does still appear to be on the cards thereafter.

It will be very interesting to see, by then, to what degree China’s actions have eroded the alleged dumping margins.

Disclaimer The Publisher cannot be held responsible or, in any way, liable for errors or omissions, during input or printing, of any material supplied or contained herein. The Publisher also cannot be held liable for any claims made by advertisers or in contributions from individuals or companies submitted for inclusion within this publication.

Copyright Entire contents copyright © Fastener Fairs Limited No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publisher.

Annual subscription (6 issues) to

Being there - again Going back to ‘being there’ – there is one place you most certainly do need to be this September and that is Stuttgart. Everywhere I travel people are looking forward to the second international Fastener Fair in Germany, which means if you haven’t already arranged your travel and hotel you really need to do so!

See you there.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

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Please visit us at the FASTENER FAIR - Stuttgart 19th & 20th September 2007

6

NEWS

Rebate cut and freight charges drive up Chinese fastener prices Effective 1st July the Chinese government reduced the tax rebate on exported fasteners from 13% to 5%. The move was part of a radical reduction in support across over a third of products exported from China, with particular emphasis on high energy consuming, high polluting and resource intensive goods.

One consequence of the rush to beat the deadline was virtual gridlock at Shanghai port, where it was reported to be taking five hours for container trucks just to enter the port area.

The unprecedented severity of the rebate reduction meant factories seeking immediate price increases before existing orders were shipped. Prices for new orders have reflected the anticipated rebate cut for several weeks. The 8-point rebate reduction equates to a 9.2% increase in the price of goods.

Importers report differing degrees of leeway for negotiation, dependent on factory capacities and order books but tight factory margins appear to have limited concessions.

Northern European, including surcharge, has increased by USD 1000 since January. Other sources indicate higher figures. The impact on product prices depends on per tonne value and packed density of product. Generally, though, European wholesalers say increased shipping costs will translate into product price increases anywhere between 3% and 10%.

It is too early to accurately gauge the total effect on European fastener prices. Taking even conservative estimates, though, increases are clearly going to be substantial. Wholesaler price notifications, seen by this magazine, indicate that consolidated increases of 15% are probable.

Already increasing sea freight costs have been exacerbated by surcharges on heavy containers.

The definition of ‘heavy’ varies but containers as light as 14,000 kg gross have attracted surcharges since early June. Reported surcharge figures vary.

Some exporters say the typical surcharge is US$ 300 (EUR 218). Elsewhere figures of more than US$500 (EUR 360) have been quoted.

Overall westbound freight costs have undoubtedly increased dramatically since the beginning of the year. Figures obtained from China show the overall freight cost for a container from Shanghai to

Nickel tumbles in June Nickel prices on the London Metal Exchange fell 28% during June to end below US$36,000 per tonne. The fall was triggered by intervention in the market

by LME authorities amid suspicion of collusion between some major market participants to hold prices up, despite increased inventory and expectations of further availability in following weeks.

Inventory did increase during June although not at the levels predicted and remains critically low. Prices, however, continued to fall during June, as increasing substitution in the market softened demand. At time of going to press nickel prices had reverted to January levels of around US$33,000/t – still 144% than the 2006 opening price of US$13650/t.

The lower nickel price will almost certainly not be

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

reflected in European wholesale prices until well into Quarter 4. Wholesale prices lag several months behind mill prices because of existing inventory and inbound stocks that will reflect nickel at peak levels of over US$50,000/t.

8

NEWS

Trifast pre-tax profit up 55% Trifast plc preliminary results for the year ending 31 March 2007 show revenues up 12% at £131.9 million (194.7 million euros) and pre-tax profit growth of 55% to £8.8 million (12.9 million euros). Recently appointed chief executive, Steve Auld, commented, “2006/07 has been marked by many excellent results for Trifast plc. The Group’s financial targets have been achieved enabling the management team to report new levels of shareholder value, to consider investment in new business strategies and, very importantly, to look at new business opportunities in new countries.”

The report highlighted the role of previous chief executive, Jim Barker, who stood down at the end of May noting, “Since April 2002 Jim has overseen the Group’s acquisition of Serco Ryan and the transformation of the Group into a major player in the industrial fastener market.”

Europe saw the greatest improvement in fortunes with profit growth of 59%. European subsidiaries, with the exception of France, generated good revenues and operating profit.

The report, however, stated that TR will discontinue operations in France as there was

“no prospect of achieving a profit in the medium term” and will elect to supply customers from either the UK or Holland. UK subsidiary Lancaster Fasteners “has been very successful with an operating profit growth of 23%.”

In the USA Trifast will concentrate on its existing small OEM customer basis and the foundation of a distributor network for proprietary products.

Sales growth in Asia at 21% produced a significant operating profit growth of 43%. Sales from Trifast’s Singapore operation grew 52% as a result of increased demand in disk drive products.

Melrose sells PSM On 18 May Melrose PLC announced that it had completed the sale of part of McKechnie PSM to Petrus Holding (BVI) Limited, a company controlled by EQT Greater China II Limited Partnership ('EQT'), for US$58 million (42.7 million euros) in cash payable at completion.

EQT is a group of private equity funds that manages approximately 10.5 billion euros in equity.

The sale did not include the Thread Locking and Sealing and Canning Brett businesses based in Europe. On 29 June ‘Thread Locking and Sealing’ relaunched as Prelok.

In the year ending 31 December 2006 the part of McKechnie PSM being sold had headline operating profit of £4 million (5.9 million euros) and gross assets of £32 million (47.4million euros).

EQT noted that PSM has a strong presence in the Asia Pacific market with manufacturing facilities in China and Taiwan and sales and distribution presence in China, Taiwan and Singapore. PSM also possesses direct sales presence in the US and UK, supplemented by joint venture and third-party distributors across Europe, Japan and Australasia. The company currently has approximately 600 employees.

Fredrik Åtting, Senior Partner at EQT Partners said: “We are committed to supporting PSM’s strategy of investing in new products and production technology, as well as driving geographical expansion and a strengthened market leadership to realise PSM’s full potential.”

Phil Jin, CEO of PSM commented: “PSM has great potential to continue its positive development. The management is very pleased that EQT, with its industrial approach, has chosen to acquire PSM and is planning to support the growth of the company further.”

Sundram posts profits rise Sundram Fasteners has reported a 15% increase in net profits to Rs 71.86 crore (13 million euros) for the year ending March 31, 2007. Total sales increased 13% to Rs 1,199.44 crore (217 million euros). A company statement said that higher Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

costs of raw materials and other inputs plus a strengthened Rupee had impacted operating margins. Fourth quarter net profit showed a 61% drop compared to the same period in 2006.

10

NEWS

Anixter buys Eurofast in France On 21 May Anixter International Inc announced that it had acquired Eurofast SAS from Lisi SA. Eurofast, based in Collegien, France, is an aerospace fastener distributor. Anixter says the acquisition will complement its product offering with a broad array of valued-added services and inventory management programs to OEMs in the aerospace and defense industries. For 2007, Eurofast is expected to generate sales of approximately $22 million (16.1 million euros). Anixter paid approximately $27 million (19.8 million euros) in cash, for all of the outstanding shares of Eurofast.

Commenting on the acquisition, Bob Grubbs, president and CEO of Anixter, said, “We are pleased to have acquired Eurofast and the excellent team of people involved at the company. This acquisition is another step in the geographic expansion of our OEM supply business through the addition of important customers, primarily within France, in an end market where we have little penetration today within Europe. Given our stated goal of building on our current strategic platform to drive future organic sales growth, this acquisition is a nice addition to our existing business”.

Atotech acquires KUNZ GmbH Atotech has announced the acquisition of KUNZ GmbH based in Trebur, Germany. The acquisition also includes KUNZ GmbH related companies ICP GmbH, UCI GmbH, DCS GmbH and the zinc flake and electroplating activities of SIDASA based in Barcelona, Spain.

The acquisitions strengthen Atotech’s global market position in the area of corrosion resistant coatings, adding the Zintek range of zinc flake products as well as advanced plating and posttreatment technology to Atotech’s corrosion resistant coatings program.

The acquisitions are part of Atotech’s strategy to create a global partner to the automotive industry and their suppliers, providing leading technology and best local service in all fields for surface finishing. With the KUNZ and SIDASA acquisitions, Atotech is the sole supplier that can offer both electroplating and zinc flake coatings

for corrosion protection. For the SIDASA zinc flake coating equipment, Atotech has been assigned as exclusive distributor.

The former headquarters of KUNZ in Trebur pictured above was integrated into the central Atotech organisation as a centre for zinc flake and sealer R&D, as well as a production location for the zinc flake products. SIDASA electroplating and zinc flake personnel have joined the Atotech organisations in Spain, Italy and France.

Global Plastics relocate Global Plastics has relocated to a new high tech industrial unit on the perimeter of the fast expanding Farnborough airport in Hampshire. The relocation allows Global to reduce overheads and enjoy far better infrastructure, after 15 years of London based trading.

Global is also able to increase its stock and continue the expansion of its generic cable tie and wiring accessory range. A new range of metric Nylon setscrews, nuts and washers has been added and Global will introduce a competitive range of security seals in July.

Global says its new websites offer the convenience of next day service to over 95% of its retail range, complemented by its corporate website offering manufacturers and distributors a next day sample service for evaluation. The website is also linked to Global’s customer enquiry database, which has been heavily invested in to create easy to use solutions and fast, friendly service.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

12

NEWS

Administrators seek buyer for Philidas James Martin and Michael Saville of Begbies Traynor were appointed joint administrators of Philidas Limited on 12 June. In a recent statement to this magazine the administrators said, “The appointment was necessary due to historical losses and resulting cashflow shortage. 23 staff were made redundant on appointment but 100 remain employed and fully committed to working to salvage a future for the business. The company has a full order book and is continuing to trade under the control of the administrators with full support from customers and suppliers.”

The business has been marketed for sale and the administrators are inviting offers from interested parties to take the business forward as a going concern. The administrators stated, “Philidas is an internationally recognised brand and the company enjoys an excellent reputation for quality, supplying major motor manufacturers such as Ford direct as well as through distributors. With an annual capacity of 300

million parts and the opportunity to increase the sourcing of parts from the Far East, the business should be attractive to potential buyers.”

The business was acquired from Infast in 2005 by Roy Jones, for an initial cash consideration of £400,000, plus deferred consideration of £300,000. At that point book value of net assets was reported to be around £2.9million. Annual turnover was reported at £7.9m on which an £800,000 trading loss had been incurred.

Philidas was founded in 1942 by Philips and Dundas, the original patentees of the selflocking nut, for which the company is renowned.

The product is manufactured from M4 to M48, in property classes 8, 10 and 12, with Imperial equivalents. Up to M20 nuts are cold formed with larger sizes and smaller volumes bar turned.

The company produces in steel, stainless steel, brass and aluminium.

The administrators can be contacted at Begbies Traynor on + 44 113 244 0044.

Würth Group announces 2006 results On May 9 the Würth Group presented its consolidated financial statement for 2006. The group, which now comprises of 370 companies in 83 countries, closed the year with consolidated annual sales of 7.75 billion euros, which corresponds to an increase of 12.1% compared to the previous year. Excluding acquisitions the growth was still at 10.4%. The operating result before tax, at 515 million euros, is a new group record, and showed a 13.2% increase over 2005.

More than 40% of overall sales volume came from Germany where group companies totaled 3.1 billion euros sales.

The international Würth Group companies increased sales by 11.9 % to 4.6 billion euros. The report highlights particular success in the Southern Europe area. Würth Spain achieved 449 million euros of sales, up 13.2% on 2005.

Of the 128 Würth companies specialising in assembly and fastening material, the group’s core business, the construction division benefited most from the economic upswing, increasing sales by 20.3%. In absolute terms the metal division was the best performer with sales at 1.3 billion euros.

At the end of 2006 the Würth Group employed 54,906 people worldwide, an annual increase of 8.2%.

This figure includes 29,020 sales representatives.

During 2006 the Würth Group also invested a total amount of 425 million euros, focusing strongly on constructing or extending logistics buildings.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

PRELOK

www.prelok.com

14

NEWS

ACAL PJT sets up applications laboratory for Precision ACAL TC’s Precision Joining Technologies Division has completed a £250,000 refurbishment of its Leicester, UK, headquarters to establish a fullyequipped applications laboratory. The new facility allows the company’s team of specialist engineers to work with customers to develop the most appropriate production methods to meet their precision joining needs – for both metal and plastic. ACAL can then supply the best equipment to carry out those tasks from its wide range of precision joining systems.

The new laboratory contains over £300,000 worth of demonstration equipment, including low-current and high-current resistance welding systems, resistance

welding monitoring and quality control products, reflow and ACF bonding systems, robotic equipment, induction heating equipment and a wide range of hand-held tools. These products are manufactured by a range of suppliers, including Miyachi Unitek, Miyachi Peco, Janome, Ceia and Hios. The laboratory is staffed by a team of skilled engineers with many years’ experience of all precision joining technologies and also features a range of visual inspection and testing equipment.

General manager, Dave Fawcett, commented, “We are delighted with the new applications laboratory. It is a commitment to our valued customers, staff and suppliers. We aim to provide

PREBENA announces new UK main dealer

customers with effective, affordable solutions to most material joining projects – all of which can be demonstrated and developed in this new facility.”

Vipa expansion almost complete Vipa’s expansion of its main automatic stock building is almost complete, with the work planned to finish in September. Once finished the new plant will store up to 120,000 pallets and will give Vipa 6,500 square metres (196,000 cubic metres) extra floor space to add to the existing 30,000 square metres.

Vipa is also expanding its offices, which will give space to expand its commercial sales department in order to gain further export contacts in foreign countries.

Vipa says its main concern at the moment is to give the best service possible to its customers as far as product quality, rapidity on delivery and availability of products are concerned, which the new expansion will allow it to do. .

PREBENA, the German producer of professional pneumatic tools and fasteners, has appointed Appro UK as its main distributor for the UK market.

Strategically based in the Midlands, Appro UK took over the distribution of PREBENA products earlier this year. Appro UK offers the full range of PREBENA products which includes over 3,500 different fasteners, around 350 pneumatic tools, as well as hand tackers, compressors and airline fittings.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

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16

NEWS

Recoil succeeds in Slovakia A dramatic sales increase through one of their fastest growing distributors in the region is highlighting the growing demand for a UK manufacturer’s products in Eastern Europe. engineering, maintenance and repair industries. IMP Kontakt Ltd was established in 1997 by brothers Miroslav and Ivor Petrás, with the company based in Slovakia’s capital - Bratislava.

Miroslav Petrás, managing director, IMP Kontakt Ltd. The Recoil® product line from Alcoa Fastening Systems (AFS), is used to repair damaged or create strong new screw threads for a variety of applications in the automotive,

Commenting on IMP’s development, managing director Miroslav Petrás said: “My brother and I started our business trading from a converted bedroom with not much money but a lot of engineering experience, energy and enthusiasm. Within a year we moved to a new office where we now have thirteen employees. Recoil was IMP’s first product line back in 1997 and our belief in its quality, ease of use and the numerous

solutions provided to customers has contributed to our success. Recoil sales now account for 10% of IMP’s turnover.”

Piero Bruno, Recoil product manager at AFS, said: “IMP’s achievement is reflected in their recent sales figures, a potential we recognised in 2005 when they were presented with the award for fastest growing European Recoil distributor. The AFS distributor support package combined with their passion, technical knowledge and understanding in applying Recoil solutions to industry will hopefully guarantee IMP a successful future and continue to open up opportunities for AFS in Eastern Europe.”

1,224 visitors at Atlanta The 27th Annual National Industrial Fastener Show/East held May 22-23 at the Georgia International Convention Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA recorded a total of 1,224 registrants.

Attendees included 373 distributors, 109 manufacturers, 64 sales reps, 23 importers and 41 various other fastener industry disciplines.

The final exhibitor count included 205 companies and 221 booths. Participating companies came from across the USA and many foreign countries including Canada, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

“We had good attendance at the various conference programs on Tuesday and a number of larger distributors took advantage of the show to hold buyer’s meetings”, report Jim Bannister and Mike McGuire, General Partners.

“We received some very positive comments from exhibitors”, informs Susan A. Hurley, show manager. Dick Hrinak, president of Crescent Manufacturing, Burlington, CT was quoted as saying “We had a fabulous show and gained a number of good leads”. Bob Smith of Progressive Stamping Company, Royal Oak, MI commented “We are very happy with the show.

When can we sign up for the 2008 East Show in Columbus?”

There was also a good response from exhibitors using the Show’s new E-Z Scan lead retrieval system. “This is a simple and economical way to collect data on select booth visitors. I loved it”, said JoAnn Whetsell, sales & marketing manager for Ken Forging, Inc., Jefferson, OH.

Gilde takes Nedschroef private On 15 June it was announced that Nedfast Holding B.V. had acquired 99.7% of the shares of Koninklijke Nedschroef Holding N.V.

70% of the share capital of Nedfast Holding B.V. is held by Gilde Buy-Out Fund III: the remainder by Parcon Ventures B.V..

Koninklijke

Nedschroef

Holding

B.V.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

shares were delisted from the Amsterdam exchange on 3 July 2007.

Nedfast’s public offer was 59 euros per share, indicating a total transaction value of 269 million euros.

NEWS

18

Rencol wins manufacturing industry award Rencol Tolerance Rings were amongst the big winners at the MX2007 – Manufacturing Excellence Awards organised by the Institute of Mechanical Engineering. The company won the RSM Robson Rhodes award for manufacturing excellence in the best small to medium size enterprise class.

Rencol was also congratulated for having been short listed for three other awards: process innovation, people effectiveness and change management. A spokesperson for the judging panel said, “Rencol produced a huge portfolio of good work in virtually every award category. It was

strong in customer focus, supplying to big name customers in the demanding automotive and IT markets. It was exemplary in product innovation, with a technology that is constantly being updated, and for which new applications are found frequently.”

Commenting on the win Rencol managing director Jim Smith, pictured receiving the award from the BBC’s Andrew Marr, said: “To be measured alongside such major companies as Agfa, DuPont, Elfab and Hozelock and to be recognised as being on a par with them really sends out the message that we are moving in the right direction.”

Dacral strengthens marketing Dacral has added two new employees to its marketing department, Pieter van der Hoeven and Alain Hill.

Pieter van der Hoeven will provide support for automotive suppliers, car makers and various sectors using Dacral coatings.

He has many years experience in surface treatment activities and has been working for a well known bolt manufacturer.

Pieter Van der Hoeven

Alain Hill has been appointed marketing & sales manager for the group Ford and for Truck manufacturers in Europe. He has a broad industrial experience in the coatings industry and has developed an expertise in Rheology after his PhD in physical Chemistry of Polymers and Colloids. He has specialised for the past four years in protective coatings in the automotive industry (fasteners and brake discs), he will look after the OEMs and their Full Service Providers.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Alain Hill

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5.2 G9 19th-20th September 2007

20

US NEWS

by John Wolz – editor@fastenernews.com

Fasteners 'high risk' item for Boeing 787 A tight aerospace fastener market has led to a critical shortage of fasteners for Boeing's 787, which could slow production for the Dreamliner as the aerospace giant ramps up to meet deliveries beginning in 2008.

Alcoa Fastening Systems is reportedly working to complete design work and get the 9 different fastener types to Boeing's factory in Everett, WA. The fasteners are needed to replace temporary rivets now being used to hold composite structures together for transport. Large sections of the 787 are manufactured in Japan, Italy and the U.S and then flown to Boeing's plant in Everett, WA, for final assembly.

"The fastener industry as a whole is stretched right now due to the increased demand from airplane manufacturers worldwide," Boeing 787 communications director Adam Morgan told FastenerNews.com.

Morgan said the decision to use temporary fasteners on composite structures for transport was not hastily made. "We've known about (the fastener shortage) for months and have also known for months that parts would arrive with temporary fasteners," Morgan told FIN. "We are in close contact with our fastener suppliers and will continue to exchange temporary fasteners for permanent ones as they arrive."

Morgan sounded confident that the fastener issue would not derail Boeing's production of the 787. "The bottom line here is that we've known about this, we have, and are, prepared for it, and our needs will be met."

Complicating matters, requirements for 787 fasteners reportedly came near the end of the program's detailed engineering design process, giving fastener makers a late start in tooling up to produce the unique fasteners.

What's kept Boeing's problem manageable is the fact that far fewer fasteners are need for the 787 because of its new production, which calls for manufacturing large composite structures rather than making the fuselage and wings by fastening together small aluminum pieces.

"We don't have a number of how many total fasteners a 787 will have, but in general terms, a one-piece barrel will provide a reduction of 40,000 - 50,000 fasteners compared to an aluminum airplane," Morgan explained. This new method equates to about an 80% reduction in

fasteners for the barrel of the 787. Despite this, Alcoa reportedly projects that supplies of rivets for the Dreamliner are tight and will get worse, driving up demand by as much as 20%.

"The fasteners are a bigger challenge than we anticipated," Scott Strode of Boeing told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. "We were surprised at how much detailed management we have had to do on all those little fasteners to get them here."

Strode said fasteners are "a watch item that Boeing considers 'high risk.'"

Contrary to media reports, fastener industry consolidation in the wake of the aerospace downturn following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks has not hampered the industry's efforts to supply aerospace OEMs. "The consolidation on the aerospace fastener industry has not had a dampening effect on the ability to ramp up," an aerospace fastener manufacturer told FastenerNews.com. "At worse it has been neutral, at best the new owners may have encouraged the addition of new or more capital equipment to help meet the demand."

Home Depot sells fastener businesses Home Depot will sell its fastener businesses as part of a roughly $10 billion deal by three private equity firms to acquire HD Supply, the wholesale distribution arm of Home Depot, according to Reuters. HD Supply includes three fastener companies that Home Depot acquired in 2005 and 2006: Crown Bolt, Brampton Fastener (Brafasco) and Western Fasteners.

Bain Capital, Carlyle Group and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice won the auction. HD Supply has nearly 1,000 locations in the U.S and Canada with more than 26,000 employees. The division sells to the infrastructure, construction and maintenance supply industries. HD Supply reported revenue of $12.1 billion in 2006, about 13% of overall Home Depots sales.

Just months after renaming its wholesale business HD Supply, the home improvement retailer announced in February it was considering options including selling, spinning off or a public offering of the wholesale business to focus on retail business.

"Home Depot may be taking a bit of a price concession," analyst Keith Davis of Farr Miller Washington told Reuters. "They are kind of selling at a bad time. They believe that shareholders would rather see them get it done."

When the market was really strong, Home Depot viewed the supply business as a way to diversify," Davis noted. "Now people think it makes sense to get back to basics and focus on the retail side."

Web: hdsupplyinc.com

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

22

US NEWS

by John Wolz – editor@fastenernews.com

Meade: DoD ruling legalizes shipping of DFARS non-compliant fasteners Confusion continues to cloud the Defense Contract Management Agency's decision in April to issue a fastener exemption to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS).

Patrick Meade of the Industrial Fastener Institute's aerospace fastener division told distributors at a June 5, 2007, Los Angeles Fastener Distributors dinner meeting that the Domestic NonAvailability Determination (DNAD) allows distributors to ship DFARS non-compliant product to customers so long as the customer consents.

"Don't' take a chance, because the government could throw the DNAD out" after a review in early 2008, Meade urged.

The (DNAD) involves fasteners for manufacture and repair of military aircraft, missile and space systems, ships, tank and automotive systems, weapon systems and ammunition. The finding was issued after it was determined that compliant specialty metals of satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity for certain fasteners "cannot be procured as and when needed". The DNAD has been passed as law, and is now a part of DFARS, Meade explained.

The general interpretation is that the DNAD, issued April 10 by Ken Kreig, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology & logistics, covers all fasteners except those specifically listed at end of the document, such as cotter pins. Distributors do not need to determine if the material falls under the legal definition of readily available, Meade explained.

"You can ship any product today as long as your customer agrees," Meade pointed out, noting that the Undersecretary of Defense has already determined that these materials are not readily available.

One LAFA distributor commented that the current situation is "reminiscent of the panic surrounding the Fastener Quality Act in the first years after it was passed. Everybody wants DFARS product right now." Meade agreed that some customers are still insisting on DFARS-compliant product.

The IFI got involved with DFARS after the Defense Department began noticing that some product was not compliant with the

Berry amendment. "Most of the listed countries (in the Berry amendment) don't make the right materials, and many that do aren't qualified," Meade added. So the IFI sought to change the law to recognize the lack of availability of compliant materials.

The Berry amendment enjoys little support in the fastener industry. "The Berry amendment ties our hands behind our backs," Meade stated. "It gives advantage to UK manufacturers, who can get material from Taiwan, China, or anywhere they want. We can't."

This disadvantage was dubbed an "unintended consequence of the law," by Meade.

Meade said the Berry amendment enjoys strong support in the U.S. House of Representatives, while the Senate is on record as supporting changes to the measure.

Regardless, "we did not try to get the Berry amendment repealed," Meade said. "That's an absolutely impossible task. Too many people in Congress think the Berry amendment is a good thing."

Instead, the IFI sought to get existing inventory grandfathered, as well as getting a dual-use exception granted.

According to its charter, the IFI could only spend 10% of its dues, or about $70,000, to lobby Congress on the issue. So members and some concerned distributors pooled resourced to raise about $150,000 for lobbying, according to Meade. While most of the funds have been spent, Meade insisted the effort is paying off. "A year ago we were in rough shape," Meade stated. "We're much better now."

Meade said he's hopeful that commercial 'off the shelf' exemption can be approved. In its lobbying effort the IFI pushed for 3-year DNAD, but support could only be gathered for a year.

Now the IFI is working to remove country of origin concerns from the Berry amendment so long as materials meet the specs. "We quite frankly think we got a victory when we got the DNAD. But it didn't' go far enough."

Falling stadium bolts in Canada prompt emergency repairs Major League Soccer team Toronto FC had to make emergency repairs to its new 20,000-seat stadium, BMO Field, because bolts and fasteners have fallen from the new structure during games, the Associated Press reports.

Stadium operator and team owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment insists the facility is safe and that inspections and repairs will be fully completed before the next event. "It is a big concern for us," MLSE executive vice president Bob Hunter

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

told AP. "In the last two days they have gone through and checked every connection and added additional locking (nuts)." Fans have been stomping on the metal floors of the stadium and some reports claim that caused material to fall.

24

US NEWS

by John Wolz – editor@fastenernews.com

Freedonia: U.S. fastener demand $12.9 Billion by 2011 Anticipating a rebound in motor vehicle production and continued aerospace demand, the Freedonia Group predicts U.S. industrial fastener demand will grow 3% annual to $12.9 billion in 2011.

"Production of many other durable goods will continue to rise, providing some opportunities for fastener suppliers," Freedonia stated in its new 262-page study, Industrial Fasteners. "However, overall market gains will be limited to some extent by competition from adhesives and other alternative joining technologies and by a moderation in residential construction."

The Cleveland, OH-based research firm also noted that strong competition between various types of fasteners and with alternative joining technologies, along with declining raw material prices, would limit price increases.

The MRO segment will see the fastest increases, supported by continued strength in the defense market and solid growth in transportation equipment repair, Freedonia reported to FastenerNews.com.

"While not as rapid in percentage terms,

continued gains in original equipment applications will be the most important factor for fastener manufacturers, given the large size of the OEM market. Gains will be especially rapid in aerospace equipment, with the electrical and electronic product market also seeing above average gains."

Sales of aerospace-grade products will grow more rapidly, rising 8.2% annually to $2.51 billion by 2011. Standard fasteners will see annual growth slow to 2%, totaling $10.39 billion by 2011. Strong growth in aerospace equipment production will drive demand for aerospace-grade fasteners.

"However, the growing use of composites in place of aluminum panels on airplane bodies will prevent even faster gains," Freedonia found.

By market, fasteners to OEMs will rise 2.9% annually to $9.8 billion, while MRO fastener consumption will grow 3.6% to $2.55 billion. Construction fasteners will increase 3.2% per annum to $550 million by 2011.

Industrial Fasteners (published 04/2007) is available for US$4,400.

Web: freedoniagroup.com

STAFDA Moves 2009 Convention to Atlanta The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association is moving its 2009 convention from New Orleans to Atlanta. The 33rd annual convention will be November 8-10, 2009, at the Georgia World Congress Center.

"STAFDA informed members that though New Orleans has successfully hosted two STAFDA conventions, "the city is not the same as the one STAFDA contracted for in 2000 and 22 months after Hurricane Katrina, serious crime and infrastructure problems still exist and rebuilding has been slow." STAFDA hopes to return to New Orleans in the future when "concerns have been met."

Web: www.stafda.org

Settlement Talks Begin for Big Dig Lawsuit Companies involved in construction of Boston's Big Dig tunnel system ceiling, which killed a woman in 2006 after it collapsed, are trying to reach a settlement with the woman's family, the Boston Globe reports.

The negotiations come as the June 30

been scheduled suggests that the parties are

deadline approaches for Attorney General

serious."

Martha Coakley to decide whether to file manslaughter charges in the case. In addition, a federal report on the causes of the accident is scheduled for release on July 10.

"Legal analysts say a settlement within days

The family filed a multi-million lawsuit against the main tunnel contractors, along with the fastening system's distributor, wholesaler and manufacturer, after the woman was crushed on July 10, 2006, by falling concrete ceiling panels that reportedly gave way when several bolts popped out.

Investigators have focused on whether contractors used the proper adhesive to install the bolt-and-epoxy system, as well as the tunnel ceiling's design.

remains

a

long

shot

in

such

an

unprecedented case," reports Scott Allen of the Globe. "Estimates of the potential damages the (family) could obtain from a jury have ranged from a few million up to $75 million."

A prominent Boston attorney who specializes in aircraft crashes noted that considering the scope of the suit, "the fact that the talks have

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

A review of records by the Associated Press determined that the bolts, about 5/8 of an inch in diameter and 6" to 8" long, had pulled out of drilled holes. Some of the bolts reportedly had no epoxy on them, while others had an uneven distribution of epoxy or epoxy that was discolored.

In addition to alleged fastener application errors, "there is evidence that the Turnpike Authority never thoroughly inspected the tunnel ceiling after the connector opened to traffic in 2003, possibly missing a chance to secure the slipping ceiling bolts before 20 ripped out almost simultaneously last July," Allen notes.

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26

ASIAN NEWS

Practical World Shanghai booked out The China International Hardware Show, now ‘powered by’ Practical World, opens 23-25 October. Asia’s top hardware event, jointly staged by Koelnmesse and the China National Hardware Association, is almost completely booked with 90% of exhibition space committed.

New fastener training seminar in Hangzhou

by Alice Hu, Editor, Fastenerchina.info On 5 July thirty-six fastener industry people assembled at the Hangzhou office of Chinafastener.info for the first in a planned series of fastener training seminars, organised by the National Technical Committee 85 on Fasteners Standardisation Administration of China. The two-day seminar was opened by Ms. Chang Sian, media supervisor of ChinaFastener.info who briefly introduced the purpose and style of China Fastener Industry Seminar and recommended seminar leader Mr. Zhang Deli for his experienced background. Business leaders from enterprises such as Acument China, Fuzhou Xingchanglong, Shanghai Evan, Zhejiang Aozhan, Wuxi Anshida, also showed their support by attending the training course.

Mr. Zhang, who is a senior expert in ChinaFastener.info's consulting system, is a senior engineer in the fastener industry. He began with a lecture on fastener surface treatment, which included features of electrolysed zinc plating, hot-dip galvanising, Dacromet, and passivation of stainless steel.

The class was lively and everyone enthusiastically raised questions, which included a discussion on the topic of salt spray testing, including its effects and some problems that may be encountered. Mr Zhang used his depth of experience to answer each question.

Mr. Wang from Acument China said he learned a lot from this course, "It is comprehensive and involved many practical problems in production. It is a good opportunity for us to keep learning more.

Compared with the traditional training the course is more practical; compared with the training inside enterprise, this course is more comprehensive. Today, many enterprises do not invite technicians to solve the problems until they occur. Being prepared beforehand by gaining knowledge, means many problems can be avoided. It is not a wise idea to take action at the last moment."

Around 1,700 exhibitors, a 10% increase in 2006, are expected to occupy a total exhibition area of 80,000 square metres, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. 80% of 2007 exhibitors are returnees. Amongst exhibitors from 23 countries, Koelnmesse reports an increased number of European companies using the event as a gateway to Asian markets. For the first time Hall 1 will include an Italian pavilion.

During the break the students and teachers continued their discussions. On one hand friendships were strengthened; on the other it gave students a better understanding of the technical issues.

At 5:00pm the class for one day was over. Mr. Zhang said, "I am really happy, though very tired. I can see that every student came here with lots of questions. Only if the problems are raised can they be solved. This way the classroom has a lively climate, and the interactive benefits are genuinely achieved."

Following last year’s limited trial at matchmaking sellers with major buyers, the President’s Council has added a seminar, at which key decision-makers from leading European and North American buying groups will present their companies and purchasing processes. The keynote presentation will be made by OBI Group. The seminar will be open and free to all exhibitors who will find a broad array of information and assistance in establishing future contacts.

Last year sellers were required to pay a fee to participate in the oneto-one exploratory meetings with potential buyers.

In 2006 30,500 visitors attended the Fair, with around 10% coming from outside China. Online registration at www.cihspracticalworld.com provides free admission and avoids the substantial queues at the box office. The site also provides a hotel booking service.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

28

ASIAN NEWS

Guangzhou show lacked real business opportunities

The 8th Guangzhou International Metal and Metallurgy Exhibition took place 21-24 June at the Chinese Export Commodities Exhibition, Pazhou complex. Linking its meetings with our Chinese News partners, China Fastener.info, Jamie Mitchell and Phil Matten spent two days assessing the show.

The show, organised by the Julang Exhibition Company, incorporated a diverse range of metal processing and products, ranging from steel and stainless steel plate, bar, and tube; through forgings, fasteners and springs; to process machinery, foundries and furnaces. One of the primary reasons for our interest was not as a potential event of overseas visitors but as an opportunity to see first hand how fasteners and machinery were marketed to the Chinese domestic market.

Julang herald the event as the largest metal and metallurgical exhibition in Asia.

According to their show report 750 exhibitors occupied the four halls.

Compare that figure to the 923 exhibitors at last year’s Shanghai Tube and Wire event and it is a rather optimistic claim.

The show undoubtedly featured some large and well-designed stands, particularly in Hall A, where many of the materials exhibitors were located. There was a notable concentration of processed stainless steel suppliers - roll, rod and wire, and tube. There was also a plethora of spring making equipment, reflecting significance electronic and electrical manufacturing in Guang Dong.

We had no real complaints, although we benefited from the assistance of our Chinese colleagues. Other exhibitors reported more difficulties.

Come to visitor numbers and we concede that we attended only the first two days.

Nevertheless, Julang’s report of 60,308 visitors, of whom 98% are described as professional and 40% senior managers, has left us struggling. This magazine attends many major exhibitions across the world and it is, frankly, inconceivable that Guangzhou achieved this level of visitor traffic. Overseas visitors were recorded from twenty countries. That we would not dispute but the total numbers of foreign visitors was minute.

The show was quiet throughout most of the two days we were there. In fact by 3:00pm on Friday virtually every exhibitor, across all four halls, had little better to do than check their texts or emails. It is difficult to assess directly but we also found it improbable that 4 out of 10 visitors were senior managers as Julang claims, let alone that 98% were professionals. It’s

an assessment born out by our discussions with many exhibitors, both Western and Chinese.

In terms of the fastener and related industry, three European companies, each well established in China, took significant stands. Böllhoff has a production and distribution facility in Wuxi and had a characteristically professional presence.

Weighpack has a representative office in Shanghai and, while not exhibiting any equipment, used a widescreen DVD presentation to attract attention to its systems. Experienced, already, in supplying inspection and packing lines to Chinese fastener factories, they rated this show a disappointment - the best leads coming from the small number of overseas visitors.

Ejot has a sales office in Taicang, Jiangsu Province. Michael Kuntze, Ejot’s manager for sales and application engineering of industrial fasteners, has been in China for 18 months. The decision to exhibit was based on Julang’s claim it would be the biggest fastener application exhibition in

ChinaFastener general manager Yu Wenhui surrounded by members of his excellent sales team – oh, and Jamie Mitchell, of course.

Throughout, stand quality was reasonable and often very good, with smaller booths well constructed from standard shellscheme panels. Trailing power leads and the occasional air pipe running directly under the aisle carpet, however, represented a constant threat to the ankles of the unwary.

General facilities in the exhibition centre, which also hosts part of the Canton Fair, were also good. Organisation for exhibitors seems to have been rather more variable.

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30

ASIAN NEWS China. Michael Kuntze’s assessment, in short: “It’s a waste of time. Many of the visitors are just traders or even competitors.” The company plans to start production of self tapping screws in China later this year, to service the local market.

On an impressive, but deserted Mubea stand, Liu En rated the show “not good at all”, saying “there are not very many visitors and those who come are not the right kind of people”. Mubea manufactures disc springs in Germany and distributes in China from Taicang. “It is a big market but we benefit from having a high quality product ‘Made in Germany’,” said Liu En. In total there were no more than 50 fastener product exhibitors, the majority occupying standard shell scheme booths.

Many were from Guangdong Province, although there was a sprinkling from Ningbo and Jiangsu. The largest ‘local’ factory was Chun Yu’s TS 16949 certified plant in Dong Guan. Chun Yu, of course, has major export business. Some other exhibitors were familiar but smaller names. The show, however, held little practical value for Western buyers – a point made rather more colourfully by one Australian fastener buyer.

On the machinery front there was a good number of exhibitors, mostly supplying cold headers. Shanghai Chun Zu displayed a CBP 135L, 5-die 15mm cut-off

progressive header, as destined for a customer in Guang Dongto to produce an air connector. John Zhang said this scale of machine was untypical for the area, which most sales being smaller machines, to produce for the electronics or electrical goods sector. This is the second year Chun Zu has exhibited. Last year John Zhang felt there were more overseas visitors. This year most of the visitors were local, he said, and his expectations were low. Jern Yao also exhibited a number of machines.

Discussions with a number of Chinese machine suppliers underlined the cost differential for locally produced equipment.

An 8mm, 1-die, 2-blow header on the Dong Guan machinery stand, for example, was quoted at RMB 128,000 - around 12,500

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

euros. On another stand a 6mm, 1-die, 2blow machine, set up for rivet making, was priced at under RMB 70,000 (6,700 euros).

Overall, the physical organisation of the Guangzhou show deserved little real criticism. The show held little attraction for overseas buyers. That was largely to be expected. More significantly, to virtually every exhibitor we spoke with, it failed to attract the right visitors from the Chinese industrial market. The total visitor count, in truth, less significant. It is an obvious point, but what exhibitors need is the opportunity to connect with viable potential customers. This is the area Julang has to address if this event is to establish real integrity. Creative marketing to exhibitors is no substitute.

For specifications and prices see us at Fastener Fair Stuttgart See us on stand 5. K10 19th-20th September 2007

RUSSIAN NEWS

32

Anti-dumping investigation against Chinese fastener importers

by Alexander Ostashov Editor, “Fasteners, Adhesives, Tools and…” Magazine www.fastinfo.ru

Russian fastener producers are forced to compete with the most popular types of Chinese fasteners on the domestic market. In 2006 the import of Chinese fasteners grew constantly and exceeded 3,000 tonnes per month by the end of the year. “To my mind we should not give away this market sector to Chinese producers, because they have simply no fundamental factors for better quality and cheaper production compared with our own. It is pure and unacceptable dumping when a producer starts to sell products at understated prices in order to enter another regional market", commented Olga Naumova, the Head of Severstal-Metiz Company. For these reasons an anti-dumping investigation against Chinese fastener importers has now been actively initiated.

Tools & Fasteners section at Mosbulid Exhibition The 13th Moscow International Construction and Interior Exhibition Mosbuild tool place simultaneously in two Moscow exhibition centers Expocenter and Krokus Expo on April 3 – 6, 2007.

Mosbuild, organised by ITE, is the biggest exhibition in Russia and the CIS countries, displaying new technologies and developments, products and services, offered by the major world companies,

representing construction, maintenance, finishing and decoration industries. For the first time two new sections – Engineering Equipment and Tools & Fasteners – were presented at the exhibition this year. Well-known foreign participants included fischer, Ejot and Koelner. According to the exhibition catalogue, 74 Russian and foreign fastener companies exhibited at the show, most offering fasteners of foreign production.

GAZ test RFID technology Gorkovskiy Automotive Plant has tested new RFID technology allowing it to increase the efficiency of car assembling. According to the GAZ press-centre, it has become the first automotive enterprise in Russia to use this technology. The application of the new system, designed by IBM and Symbol Technologies, aims at producing high quality cars of various types with less cost and effort. In particular, the system will allow GAZ to improve the efficiency of component supply to the production line. The innovation was caused by two reasons: GAZ’s necessity in increasing of its production manufacturability and preparation for production of new types of cars in future.

Gorkovskiy Automotive Plant is the second biggest automotive enterprise in Russia, mainly producing buses and trucks. In 2004 GAZ produced 231,336 cars.

Fischer opens Moscow office On April 10 a special event took place in Moscow to mark the opening of the Russian representative office of fischer. Klaus Fisher, head of the management board, made a speech and presented a large, symbolic anchor to Alexander Getz, the general director of Fisher Fastener Systems Rus. After the official proceedings guests were entertained by the Moscow Jazz Band and Arsenal music band. The party culminated in the cutting of a huge festive cake, displaying the fischer logo, and a “Kamikase Show” from the Fire Theatre.

Work on standards harmonisation On April 11 notification about development of the project “Perspective program of national standards development, allowing its harmonisation with international standards in science and technique and production spheres, for 2008 – 2012 years” was posted on the website of the Russian Technical Inspectorate. In Part IV “Production Technologies” there is a list of 50 offers for development of Russian national standard projects. The creator of the program is the All-Russian Science and Research Institute for Standardisation and Certification in Mechanical Engineering.

Duty on Ukrainian bolts Anti-dumping duty on several types of machine fasteners supplied from Ukraine has been applied for five years from May 2007 at a rate of 21.8% as determined by Russian Government Resolution #217 of April 10, 2007. The duty is the result of an anti-dumping investigation against machine fastener imports from Ukraine started in August 2005 following complaints by the MMK-Metiz and Severstal-Metiz companies. Products from the Druzhkovskiy Metiz Plant have been exempted from the duty following an undertaking on pricing made by the plant to the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

34

RUSSIAN NEWS

by Elena Semak, Editor, Metiz Magazine, www.metiz-info.com.ua

MMK-Metiz developing new fastener lines The Magnitogorsk hardware plant MMK-Metiz is developing new fastener types to achieve higher quality levels, under the control of plant director Aleksey Nosov. In the first quarter of 2007 two types of special bolts have been brought in to production. The most advanced is a terminal bolt for use in new types of railway line installation, which is particularly important for JSC Russian Railways. MMK-Metiz says the product involves new engineering solutions and the use of modern technology, which will also ensure its efficient and profitable production. MMK-Metiz is also developing a special M30 nut. Technical specification and engineering documentation is completed and tooling has been prepared ready to commence production to meet high levels of customer orders.

The annual general meeting of MMK-Metiz took place on May 17th.

Shareholders were told that the Magnitogorsk plant has now been operating as part of the JSC MMK group for five years. In 2006 production totalled 610,000 tonnes, creating a net profit of 231 million rubles (6.6million euros). The plant has strengthened its position in the domestic hardware market where it is estimated to have a 27% market share. The meeting confirmed a decision not to distribute profits until 2015 when a manufacturing development program will have been completed.

Russia and Ukraine fastener production 2006 According to statistics compiled by Metiz Magazine output of threaded fasteners from major Russian producers fell by 9% in 2006 compared to the previous year. Metiz reports total 2006 production at 130,031 tonnes compared to 142,115 tonnes in 2005. Nail production increased by just under 1,000 tonnes to 145,281 tonnes.

Output of other steel products generally increased year on year, with particular growth in wire products, including a 24% increase in steel-cord belt and a 14% increase in wire netting. Overall Metiz reckon there was a 14% increase in steel hardware output.

Major Russian fastener producers include MMK-Metiz, and factories at Cherepovets and Orel. These factories also feature in the list of top nail producers alongside the largest producer, the URAL PPA factory.

Ukrainian production of ‘machine building’ fasteners saw a substantial fall of 21% from 2,541 tonnes in 2005 to 2,004 tonnes last year. Nail production also fell, by 25%, from 26,312 tonnes to 19,773 tonnes. Overall steel hardware production was static year on year, with low-carbon wire, with a 4% increase in output to 240,660 tonnes, compensating for falls in almost all other categories of product. Metiz notes that Ukrainian hardware exports to Russia fell by 35% during 2006, with a 21% decrease in exports to the CIS as a whole. Exports to other countries, however, increased substantially, with 60% more product shipped to Germany, and exports more than doubling to Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.

Severstal-metiz holds construction conference The Severstal-metiz company and St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University held a joint conference on new technologies and materials in the building market. The organisers aimed to strengthen relationships between producers and consumers of hardware production and to discuss market trends in building materials and technologies.

Amongst over 50 delegates were directors and employees of scientific research institutes, design organisations, building contractors and concrete manufacturers.

The conference included reports from experts at both Severstal-metiz and the University, covering various aspects of the production and usage of the newest building material, including fibre and stabilised reinforced cables.

“The conference represented an outstanding opportunity to make contact with and obtain feedback from the market,” noted Ilya Vojlokov, assistant professor at the University’s department of building organisation and economics. “I expect our co-operation with the Severstal-metiz company to continue in future and to make such conferences a tradition. Severstal-metiz marketing director, Marina Gerasimova, said, “Construction is one of the most interesting sectors for us. Its dynamic development demands new approaches and new hi-tech products, which our company is ready to offer. Severstal-metiz regularly uses a conference format of conference for information interchange with the consumer and for the development of partner relations.”

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

New Russian design guide for MKT anchors ActiveMontazh Company (Moscow) has published a new guide for the design of anchor fasteners MKT (MetallKunststoff-Technik, Germany).

The new version takes account of specialist conditions and requirements in the Russian construction market. The guide offers full information in order to select the appropriate anchor type and also provides information on typical projects requiring anchor use.

EVENTS CALENDAR

36

Where Stuttgart, Germany • When 19/09/07-20/09/07 • Web www.fastenerfair.com What Internationl trade fair for the fastener & fixing, manufacturing technology and related tools industry

MSV Brno Where Brno, Czech Republic When 01/10/07-05/10/07 What International engineering fair. Concentrating on news, innovations and key trends from various areas of the engineering industry Web www.bvv.cz

STAFDA’s 31st Annual Convention & Trade Show Where Nashville, TN, USA When 04/11/07-06/11/07 What Annual convention for the speciality tools and fasteners distributors association.

Web www.stafda.org

PTC Asia 2007

Elmia Sweden

Where When What Web

Where Jönköping, Sweden When 06/11/07-09/11/07 What International trade fair for subcontractors and suppliers within the engineering industry.

Web www.elmia.se

Shanghai, China 10/10/07-13/10/07 Incorporates fastener and springs section www.ptc-asia.com

Canton Fair Where When What Web

Guangzhou, China 15/10/07-20/10/07 & 25/10/07-30/10/07 China Import and Export Fair www.cantonfair.org

Practical World Shanghai Where Shanghai, China When 23/10/07-25/10/07 What International trade fair for the Hardware and DIY sector.

Web www.koelnmesse.com

SAIE Bologna Where Bologna, Italy When 24/10/07-28/10/07 What Trade fair for building technology, building systems, building supplies, machines for building materials, Data Processing Installations plus much more Web www.saie.bolognafiere.it

Interbuild Where When What Web

Birmingham, UK 28/10/07-01/11/07 Trade fair concentrating on the construction industry www.interbuild.com.

NIFS/West Where Las Vegas, USA When 12/11/07-14/11/07 What Trade fair on fasteners, machinery formed parts, tooling and packaging.

Web www.fastenershows.com

MidEst Paris Where Paris, France When 13/11/07-16/11/07 What Trade fair involving subcontracting technical expertise and services for the processing of metals, plastics, electronics and electricity.

Web www.midest.com

Blech Business Where Warsaw, Poland When 27/11/07-29/11/07 What Blech Business concentrates on the sheet metal working sector.

Web www.blechbusiness.com

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand 4. D35 19th-20th September 2007

38

COVER STORY

Technology leaders don’t repeat the past… they build on it

Few names have resonated throughout the fastener manufacturing industry for as long or as significantly as National Machinery. A 133-year history has forged and tempered but, despite some tough times, never quenched a name that epitomises reliable and advanced manufacturing technology. In June, Phil Matten took the trip to Tiffin, Ohio to look behind the National name.

Tiffin is 90 miles south west of Cleveland - the city in which the National Machinery Company was founded in 1874. The company relocated at the start of the twentieth century. By then the New York Daily had already described it as “a mammoth concern” with the “unique distinction of being the only establishment in the world capable of equipping a bolt and nut factory with machinery”.

In 1902 the Tiffin plant occupied 68,000 square feet. Today it covers 600,000 square feet. For the first-time visitor, a walk round National’s superbly presented reception areas is an essential history lesson. By 1915 the new automotive industry was demanding the accuracy and strength of forgings. National responded and by 1928 a certain Henry Ford was lauding the automatic forging machine he had purchased as the marvel of its day.

The 1930s were dark days for many but innovations flooded from National – from the precursor of the famous Maxipres high speed forging machines to a series of boltmakers, longstroke and progressive cold headers. By the end of the 1940s the plant had tripled in size, employing 500 people.

capability. In Europe, market share continued to grow and by 1972 the one thousandth high-speed cold header was shipped from an enlarged Nürnburg facility. Through the ‘70s and into the ‘80s National experienced record orders while other machinery manufacturers struggled to survive. Competitors fell by the wayside. By the mid ‘80s, though, National also felt the savagery of worldwide recession.

Survival was all. A massive sales drive was needed to move accumulated inventory but the real saviour was, again, to be innovation in cold forming technology.

In 1989 National unveiled their first FORMAX® partsformer at the International Fastener Exposition, Atlanta. For the fastener and parts maker, FORMAX presented an easy-to-operate system that radically increased production speeds and facilitated rapid changeovers. It takes a tour of National’s manufacturing facilities, though, to fully comprehend the significance of the FORMAX ‘revolution’ to National.

In the mid 1950s National developed a new range of 4-die boltmakers, including the biggest of its kind in the world. In 1958 the company entered the European market, acquiring the largest maker of cold forging machinery outside the US – the J. G. Kayser Company in Germany.

With the ‘60s came growing emphasis on forming complex shapes.

Again National responded with new five and six die cold formers and a universal transfer mechanism to increase flexibility and forming Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

It is a plant that cannot disguise its history. Its also a reservoir of advanced manufacturing technology combined with wide-ranging engineering knowledge that culminates in a flexible, highly integrated machining and fabrication operation.

National Machinery has to be understood in the context of a business that has produced, literally, thousands of parts-forming machines.

Their durability and utility means that a huge number continue to operate with stolid reliability in 130 countries across the world.

Historically, many parts were unique to a particular machine type. That means National has produced a staggering 800,000 components.

When National upgraded its main IT system, some 200,000 items were still considered sufficiently current to be included. Over 10,000 service parts are forecast for production and active stockholding.

That makes National’s Quick Response Cell a uniquely valuable attribute. Its sole raison d’etre is to support the needs of existing machines in the field. While production generally is controlled by a central IT system and maximises use of automated processing, the QRC is equipped with more manual machine tools operated by highly skilled technicians. If a field machine goes down, and the parts required are not held in inventory, these are the guys that have to come up with the solution – fast. Not just for cold heading machines, either.

National continues to support forging presses that range up to 8,000 ton – which can mean precision grinding a three metre long crank.

A significant proportion of the plant is dedicated to machine overhaul and rebuilds – activity that reflects the current doldrums in the North American new machine market. Again, the diversity of this work is witness to National Machinery’s ubiquity. A bank of single die machines is being progressively overhauled for one customer.

Elsewhere a 1-inch boltmaker, the first four-die version built in 1967, is undergoing a full rebuild. The old lady has worked hard in her life, but National hasn’t found any surprises and it won’t be long before she’s good to return to the fray.

There is also a FORMAX FX-5, sold new in 1995 to a customer that has recently been bought out. Before relocation the machine is being requalified – a process that reflects the evolution of the model by installing design upgrades developed since the machine was originally sold. Significantly, on a FORMAX machine those upgrades do not require a full strip down and rebuild.

The key to FORMAX is a design concept that, from the beginning, played to National’s manufacturing capabilities, to allow much greater production efficiencies and component standardisation. All except the largest machines are structured on a welded steel plate core as opposed to a casting. Similarly many components are produced from plate or are machined, further reducing reliance on castings, except where structural integrity demands them. The FORMAX design meant National could achieve higher production efficiency, faster throughput and higher utilisation of machinery and tooling. It also means higher and faster levels of serviceability for its customers.

FORMAX has, then, a core design that incorporates more standardised options, and provides a flexible platform on which to assemble a package that precisely meets customer requirement. Should those needs change, though, the FORMAX can be readily adapted.

Reliability and durability remain core National attributes. Virtually everything on the machines is positively driven, in most cases with complementary cams utilised to ensure positive drive in both

directions. Transfers are cam-driven to generate greater machine speed while ensuring high levels of accuracy.

In many cases customers will come to the Tiffin plant for acceptance trials. Machines, though, are not always built for a single part application and destinations are worldwide. National has, therefore, developed an extensive range of validation tooling, allowing it to replicate production of diverse parts types. Validation tests push each machine to its design limits, in terms of tonnage, concentricity and cutoff capability. National also uses a range of wire drawers, pay-off systems and other support equipment to replicate customers’ usage.

Where are these machines going? Based on this visit, National’s global credentials are in no doubt – machines were being built for Italy, Germany, France and Switzerland; for Japan, Korea and China; as well as for Canada, USA and Brazil.

In May this year, that global presence was strengthened further, with the official opening of a new group subsidiary in China. NM Group Technologies is a 4,000m2 facility in Suzhou. It will house a permanent demonstration of FORMAX technology and already functions as sales and service centre for National Machinery equipment. National has a large installed machine population in Japan. Suzhou will be important in providing this important customer base with quicker delivery and lower costs from a significantly larger Asia regional service centre, which will also, ultimately, carry out rebuilds.

As National says - and clearly demonstrates - technology leaders don’t repeat the past… they build on it.

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FACE 2 FACE

Andrew H. Kalnow CEO and Principal Owner National Machinery LLC In February 2002, an equity purchase of all assets of the National Machinery Company was completed, revitalizing the business financially and returning it, once again, to private family ownership. The Kalnow family has a longstanding relationship with National, as previous owners and firsthand managers of the business. While at Tiffin, Phil Matten was fortunate to be able to hear Andrew Kalnow’s thoughts on National, its markets and its current and future developments.

On ownership of National: Upon my purchase of National in 2002, my family and I pledged to maintain National with unquestioned financial strength. I am pleased to report that National today has little or no bank debt. In fact, I believe that National now has the strongest balance sheet in the industry and an ownership that is resoundingly solid from a financial standpoint. By virtue of the fact that I am both CEO and primary owner, National is in a position to be extremely dedicated and decisive in our service to the cold forming industry.

On National’s market position: National Machinery has been, and arguably still is, the company in the industry that is most clearly a true global player. I say that because we have facilities, not just field offices, on the three major continents – North America, Continental Europe and Asia. The last now means China as well as Japan.

Historically North America has represented 50% of new machine sales. In earlier decades it was even more than that, particularly during the pre-war industrialisation of America.

We bought into Europe relatively early on during the post war resurrection. In 1958 we purchased J.G. Kayser, one of the largest European fastener machinery makers, based in Nürnberg.

Subsequently we built a totally new factory and took a balanced approach between North America and Europe, producing the same machines in either location and participating actively in the rebuilding of Europe.

On Russia: Interestingly, when you get to the late 70s and 80s, we gained substantial business into the

old Soviet Union, selling through our German subsidiary. This was through the big five year buying plans, although we never really knew where anything went. We do know there are around 400 Nationals in Russia, mainly older machines but now some newer ones are appearing.

Russia, today, is fascinating, particularly as you watch the parallel development of China.

While Russia is not so large or diverse a market as China it is still an interesting one.

It is dominated by bigger projects and there always tends to be a question about whether, or when, these will get off the ground. We suspect there will be a lot of time spent chasing the so-called ‘big deal’.

On North America: Today in new machines roughly 50% of our sales are to Europe; only about 15-20% to the Americas, North and South; the remainder to Asia. The North American market has been down since the early 2000s, reflecting the decline of the big three automotive producers and the major trend towards outsourcing.

While there is plenty of aftermarket business and we get our fair share, if not more, of the new machinery business that does exist, it has been hard for the US customer base to justify significant capital expenditure.

Firstly, there has been over-capacity.

Secondly, particularly if you have been servicing the Detroit Three, it has been hard to justify new equipment while faced with constant demands for price concessions and threats of your contract being moved. Thirdly, even if you retain the business, you are not getting the same volume as yesterday or as forecast - because the big three have not been meeting their targets.

Despite that sorry state we have seen some

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

interesting spots of spending - exceptions, though, rather than the rule. We are proud that one of the very few major expansions in North America - new capacity as opposed to relocation - is a company that has chosen to equip 100% with FORMAX® technology.

Despite the ominous market trends this start-up company is winning contracts because it has been graded top quality - as a direct result of its commitment to new, highperformance equipment.

On Europe: Europe, in contrast to the US, and despite a relatively low GDP growth, is quite attractive for our customers, including those servicing automotive. Europe has ten major automotive players to sell to, plus a variety of tier 1 and tier 2’s, making for a much healthier environment. There has also been substantial expansion of those companies into Eastern Europe and, in some cases, Russia.

While China is on everyone’s radar as both threat and opportunity, so far European fastener producers seem to have benefited from vehicle production transplants into China, because the cold formed parts have generally been supplied from Europe. That’s not to say it has not been similar with American companies but there has been a tendency for US automakers in China to try more direct sourcing with, it has to be said, mixed results.

Europe has been good to us, and has always been important. In terms of mix it is now a greater proportion and it has also grown in terms of absolute dollar values over the last five years.

We’ve certainly not been hurt by the exchange rate but that is, by no means, the key factor in the growth. Our prices, anyway, tend to be higher, but we offer more in terms of features

Hose Clip and Clamp Manufacturers in Birmingham UK Established 1978

FACE 2 FACE

42 on the equipment.

On FORMAX technology: National, with its FORMAX line, has increasingly targeted cold-form parts and high precision fasteners rather than standard fastener manufacturing. Our goal is to be the global leader in parts forming process technology. We have dedicated more resources towards that end, working with the customer on their process development, not just supplying a piece of equipment.

Consequently, we are delighted to have achieved a number of scores in the last 3-5 years, converting accounts from cutting technology to forming technology. We continue to support the quest for the holy grail of the true net shaped part – high volume, high reliability manufacturing of complex parts without the need for secondary processing.

We’re also conscious that we need to service the broader needs of the fastener making and parts forming industries. That means being able to provide our equipment in more economic versions, recognising that capital cost, in the broader market, is an increasingly important issue.

Under the new National, we have substantially restructured. We used to be almost 100% vertically integrated. Now we are outsourcing more. This allows us to be more flexible and eliminates some cost, albeit that has been a major challenge in an environment of dramatically rising steel prices.

We have not achieved as much as we would have liked but it remains a major mandate, over the next few years, to obtain meaningful

cost reductions that can be reflected in what we offer our customers.

On the new facility in Suzhou, China: A key objective is to be an immediate sales and support facility for new machinery and to be a regional service centre and parts supplier to Asia.

As we produce spare parts in Suzhou so we will also look at producing machine parts for FORMAX at lower costs than in the US. Suzhou means we can take the knotty problem of ensuring consistent, high quality foreign outsourcing directly under our own wing. We’re not in full swing by any means yet, but that is our program. Our ultimate goal is to benefit our customers by being able to achieve cost savings we can pass on.

On the acquisition of Cleaning Technologies Group: In Europe we already represent a portfolio of affiliate products, including Mectron and Nakashimada. That has been a deliberate strategy to leverage our global sales and distribution arm as well as to service our customer in a more complete way.

We bought CTG as part of our overall diversification program here at National but we were mindful of the opportunities to capitalise on their sales opportunity worldwide.

Their equipment admirably meets the cleaning requirements that are now an important part of ensuring the quality of coldheaded parts. We are working with CTG, now, to come up with some new versions to meet the specific needs of customers in our market. Again, our new Suzhou plant features in the strategy. Later this year a Opening of National Facility, Suzhou, China

division of CTG will begin manufacturing components for its ultrasonic cleaning units in Suzhou. We’re also looking at the possibilities of producing Ransohoff parts cleaning equipment there.

On the future: I don’t see the investment pattern in North America changing. It doesn’t mean that there won’t be investment but I think it will be tentative. On the other hand I don’t think the existing installed base will migrate offshore.

Many of the automotive OEMs seem to have come round to the view that local sourcing is really the best. They continue to be demanding on price but are recognising the advantages of reliable quality and logistics.

There will be inevitable disturbances in the installed base. More likely closures than the generational selling out that went on previously. That means recycling of equipment, but we believe most will stay within North America. No more than 20% of recent auctioned machinery went offshore.

Europe is going to be more interesting. I think automotive will get a bit tougher in terms of the demands it places on its supplier base, with more outsourcing to some lower cost countries.

The real question is what happens as China matures – when 5 million vehicles sales get to 8-10 million. That’s a big number with more local models produced. The number of automotive companies will shrink - maybe not in the next five years, but certainly over ten. China currently has the opposite problem to the US with almost thirty auto companies.

So what happens when the market grows, the quality of the vehicles improves, and the number of producers falls? That is going to mean some very interesting dynamics for automotive parts production. In the next five years the long-term situation will not be easy to call, but there will be a series of important crossroads.

That process could sap Europe to some extent and the degree that Eastern Europe grows is likely to be important. In some ways adapting could prove to be tougher for Western Europe than it is proving for the US, because of embedded employment.

Wherever there is parts forming, though, one thing you can assured is that National will be there to support its customers in achieving a competitive advantage in a challenging global marketplace.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

44

INSIGHT

Champions of quality

Scott Corrunker reveals the Qualifier’s 360 degree laser array

MECTRON High Speed Inspection Systems

It is a 100-mile drive from National Machinery to Saline, Michigan – home of Mectron High Speed Inspection Systems. In the last two years the companies have formed a strong marketing partnership, so it made perfect sense for Phil Matten to conclude his US trip with a visit to these champions of quality.

Mectron Engineering Company, Inc is a family owned business, established in 1968 by Jim Hanna, who turned his inventive mind to the design and manufacture of quality control systems, utilising eddy current and ultrasonic equipment. Today, it is Jim’s son, Mark who serves as president of a company renowned for being at the forefront of laser inspection technology. In fact Mectron now has over 450 machines operating across the world, ensuring the integrity of a wide spectrum of critical fasteners and parts.

As you would expect of a specialist, Mectron technology business has a relatively small team of thirty people. Significantly, though, that includes qualified and experienced electrical, mechanical and software engineers. Interpret that as meaning Mectron is committed to tightly controlling every aspect of its own product and you would be completely correct. The company develops, builds and meticulously quality controls virtually every element of its range of inspection machinery. Only the fabrication of the frame on which the technology is mounted is outsourced.

As a tour of the Saline facility amply demonstrates, Mectron has no qualms in putting its reputation on the line - on a daily basis. It uses 14 machines in-house to provide sub-contract inspection services, mainly to the close-by US automotive industry. The facility also, of course, provides an excellent ‘try before you buy” opportunity for prospective machine purchases. With a daily throughput of over 1 million parts its not surprising to be told Mectron has inspected over two billion parts on its own premises.

“The US automotive industry has a difficult historic perception to shake off,” says vice president, Scott Corrunker, “but today I would say the quality of manufacturing here is closing in on Europe or Japan. Just as importantly the automotive quality divisions have

become financially responsible in their own right. It’s no longer about PPMs, it’s about incidents and the opportunity to immediately recoup costs.”

That makes Detroit a tough proving ground for everything that Mectron develops. Recent advances in the company’s laser technology, though, have taken Mectron into the even more stringent arenas of aerospace and medical components. No surprise, then, that Mectron maintains a conservative approach and proves every piece of equipment and technology before allowing a customer to rely on it.

At one stage 80% of Mectron sales were to North America. The relationship with National Machinery, who now represents Mectron in Japan, China and many countries in Europe, has played an important role in strengthening international reputation and sales. “If we had to rely on sales in the US, today,” says Scott Corrunker ruefully, “things really would be tough.” Mectron’s assembly floor is witness to international success. Just a quick glance reveals inspection machines under construction for the USA, Korea, Japan and Germany.

Nearby in the final training room is a fully specified Qualifier® Qseries system ready for shipping to India. It is what Scott Corrunker describes as “the Cadillac of inspection equipment.” A patented, eight-laser array provides 360 degree, high-speed inspection of each part. This literally all-round performance is crucial, as Scott demonstrates with a genuine part, on which threads are clogged with excessive anticorrosion coating. A defect, though, that only extends around, maybe, 15% of the circumference. The Qualifier’s touch-screen interface makes it easy to see exactly what each laser ‘spotted’. It is

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand

5.2 G27 19th-20th September 2007

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INSIGHT clear that the first three lasers did not pick

immediately up the defect. The fourth laser detects the first sign of the damage and the fifth detects gross damage. Which means a safely rejected part. “I could have had four cameras aimed at this part and still accept it as good product,” emphasises Scott Corrunker.

“Now, this is a gross defect that would stop the automatic feed system on the line, with all the financial consequences that brings.”

The thing that sets Mectron apart from many of its competitors,” continues Scott, “is that we use lasers, whereas the vast majority of other inspection systems use cameras. We do use cameras, for internal measurements, but the problem with a camera is that the tolerance is field of view related. As you expand the field of view, for a larger part, the image resolution of any specific area deteriorates and the inspection tolerances are affected detrimentally. That is not the case with a laser. The part can be several inches long and every segment will be thoroughly inspected.” Mectron’s latest generation laser, incidentally, is 100 times faster than its predecessor, which means defect detection every six ten thousands of an inch (.0006") over the entire length of the part.

In the case of this “Cadillac”, though, eight lasers are just the beginning. Previously Mectron has used a mechanical device to check for overall length. In Europe, particularly, it encountered requirements to check both overall and specific lengths – “length under head, head height, the whole nine yards” says Terry Hoffmann, vice-president at Mectron. “The latest technology that we have developed,” says Scott Corrunker, “means the complete elimination of that mechanical gauge and the installation of four additional lasers. These lasers are acceleration monitors as well as stack-up height and length gauges. Now we can tell the exact length of, say, the dog point, the knurl, the thread roll, the shoulder, the head – all in the same tolerances as we apply to diameters.”

acclimatisation. Typically the process takes 2-5 days, after which the machine is shipped to site, and a Mectron engineer is on-hand to complete installation and carry through further training and support.

Back in the assembly area there is one more innovation Scott Corrunker is keen to highlight. The new linear crack detection station can be added to Mectron systems available now or supplied in the past. Its development directly reflects growing customer concern over the risks presented from substandard raw materials finding their way into fastener production and the requirement to effectively detect cracks. A belt system rotates the fastener through 720 degrees in front of an eddy current probe, which traces the outside of the fastener. All Mectron systems are set up on a lateral logic basic – “in other words,” says Scott Corrunker, “each part has to pass each phase of inspection; otherwise it is rejected.”

There is plenty to see and understand at Mectron. Here it is only possible to highlight key areas of distinction for a company that is clearly committed to consistent excellence in all that it does. It is worth noting, as Scott Corrunker puts it, that Mectron is able to quote ‘apples for apples’, for example, by offering a two-laser inspection system to compete with a twin-camera optical system. Don’t be surprised, though, when he talks you through the risks associated with limiting your field of view, so to speak.

One outstanding quality of Mectron equipment that does demand special emphasis is its versatility. You only have to walk through Mectron’s own inspection area or look at the customers for whom new machines are being built to realise the extraordinary spectrum of parts and characteristics this equipment is capable of inspecting.

The key point, though, is that switching from one part to another rarely requires any mechanical adjustment and the quality of the interface makes set up extremely rapid. Whereas many inspection systems seen in the field are dedicated to a single or limited range of components, with extensive adjustment required for a changeover, Mectron stands tall as a consummate all-round performer.

Impressed? You should be, but wait, there’s more. This machine also incorporates Mectron’s MI-9000 Magnetic Imagery™ instrumentation – the latest evolution of the eddy-current technology that started it all in 1968. Developing a magnetic image of each part provides the opportunity to detect critical metallurgical defects particularly emanating from incorrect heat treatment.

The Qualifier® is a complex piece of technology, designed and built with extreme care. Mectron assembles its own lasers and eddy current instruments, including the capability to wind an eddy current coil to meet the requirements of a specific inspection application.

Reassuringly, as Scott Corrunker and Terry Hoffman demonstrate, the Qualifier’s operation is considerably more straightforward. A genuinely user-friendly interface means a rapid trip through no more than four touch-screens to set up the machine each morning. The Windows based system is multilingual and, equally important, clear and logical in terms of its progressions and feedback.

The cost of each Mectron machine includes operator training at Saline. Mectron prefers this because it eliminates any distractions and ensures complete focus on the crucial initial training and

Mectron’s assembly area

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

48

STORAGE SYSTEMS

Bosch Rexroth puts TwinBin on the rack!

Having developed the TwinBin fastener management system, Hurst Green Plastics had one remaining problem – how to produce a versatile and cost effective rack to accommodate the TwinBins.

TwinBins are housed in racks which, according to customer requirements, can be supplied to accommodate any number of bins. When the system was first launched, these racks were fabricated from sheet steel and were produced on an order-by-order basis.

“That gave us a problem,” said Stephen Clarke, managing director of Hurst Green Plastics. “We could have the bins ready for

delivery in just a few days, but it was taking six to eight weeks to get the frames made.”

supplied as flat packs, which dramatically reduces shipping costs.

To find a solution to these problems, Hurst Green Plastics enlisted the aid of ADM Automation. After carefully analysing the requirements, ADM Automation proposed a solution based on MGE aluminium extrusions from Bosch Rexroth.

“Our TwinBin system was well received in the market from day one,” said Stephen Clarke, “but there’s no doubt that the new racking system, based on Bosch Rexroth products, has made it even more attractive to our customers.”

The new racking concept incorporates three sizes of MGE extrusions together with coupling components from the MGE range.

This arrangement means that the racking can be fabricated quickly and the new racks are much lighter than their steel predecessors. Also the new racking has been designed by ADM so that they can be

Kardex offers storage solutions According to Kardex, the implementation of intelligent storage and retrieval systems in existing warehouses could provide the solution required to eliminate the need for buying new space.

“The current high availability of warehouse space will be tempting to managers looking at expanding their manufacturing and distribution capabilities“, explains Clive Williams, sales manager for Kardex. “However, by implementing automated vertical storage solutions that can free up existing warehouse floorspace, managers have the freedom to use their current spaces more costeffectively.”

Automated material handling solutions such as vertical carousel systems consist of computer controlled trays that rotate internally and are stacked in a space-saving high density, vertical configuration. Vertical carousel systems from Kardex, such as the Industriever, operate on the ‘goods to man’ principle which allows users to request components from a simple keypad. The system then quickly moves selected items to a convenient and ergonomic picking shelf at the base of the system.

Other systems that provide similar benefits include the Kardex Shuttle XP vertical lift-based solution which can detect the height of stored items and automatically adjust internal shelves to maximise the internal storage density and optimise retrieval times.

Williams believes such systems provide benefits beyond simply saving space to cut costs. “Compared with manual handling, vertical carousel and lift systems increase productivity, provide greater security for high value components and eliminates the need to bend and stretch for awkward items.”

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

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STORAGE SYSTEMS

Wide storage range from Durham To say that the Durham line is broad is a considerable understatement. Nineteen models of parts bins ranging from four to seventy two compartments. Drawer cabinets are available with six to thirty drawers. Nineteen compartment boxes provide a choice of nine fixed scoop configurations and three variables. Three racks permit the creation of two, four or six compartment box cabinets with slide-out trays to hold compartment boxes. Clear and yellow plastic compartment boxes are also in the line along with two portable box racks.

Rotobin revolving shelves, in four different diameters, are an efficient way to increase the amount of usable storage space per square foot of floor space as opposed to conventional shelving. Bin cabinets come in seventy plus configurations of bins, shelves and sliding drawers. Add to this, wire, tubing and hose dispensers, threaded rod racks, wire spool racks, utility cabinets and wall mountable, free standing or rotary literature and forms racks.

While each model is designed to be used individually, an attractive feature of many of these products is their modularity. Different bin, drawer cabinet and rack models can be stacked vertically or arranged horizontally to create high density storage systems to

meet individual needs. This has proven particularly helpful in tool room and maintenance departments involved in vendor managed inventory.

Durham parts bins and compartment boxes are, perhaps, best known for their widespread use as organisers or merchandisers, most notably in the field of fastener distribution where they are used to create assortments and in VMI programs. Their popularity has been extended to other fields for similar applications involving electrical/electronic components and plumbing specialties.

CEUBIX Modular Storage from System Cases (UK) Ltd To add to System-Cases® range of storage systems the company is launching the CEUBIX system of racking for Vans & Workshops. The first showing of this range will be at the Stuttgart Fastener Fair where the company can be located on Stand L.30 in Hall 5.

The CEUBIX System has been designed to offer customers a seriously low cost, low weight - but physically strong alternative to plywood racking and louvre panel systems.

The system has been developed around some of the core System-Case® products; including cases for screws & fixings and also power tools. The principle framework of the system is produced in tubular steel and designed for simple assembly but with an attention to the rigidity of the overall system. By producing the system to these designs the overall weight of the CEUBIX System is kept to a minimum.

The CEUBIX System will include cases, cupboards, cable reel holders, case holders, plastic bins & shelves which can be assembled in many ways to suit the individual customers requirements.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand 5. L30 19th-20th September 2007

See us on stand 5.2 H20 19th-20th September 2007

52

ASSOCIATIONS

NFDA's Roseman at Fastener Tech 07: The Fastener World Is Shrinking

By John Wolz, Fastenernews.com The fastener industry faces increased competition as a result of free cross-border trading and more transparency, the president of the National Fastener Distributors Association observed in his state-of-the-industry speech at Fastener Tech 07, in Rosemont, Illinois.

"The world has shrunk," Joel Roseman declared. Fastener manufacturers and distributors are "buying and shipping all over the world." Customers are demanding more value-added services from distributors and "are applying pressure to invest in technology and labour infrastructure," Roseman pointed out.

To provide value-added services, "fastener distributors need first class suppliers with outstanding production quality”, Roseman added. "There is increasing emphasis on assisting OEM customers in design and assembly," Roseman finds.

The U.S. has approximately 5,000 fastener distributors serving a $10 billion market but fewer than 20 corporations have annual fastener sales higher than $100 million. Larger companies continue to acquire "small players," Roseman pointed out. Five U.S.-based fastener manufacturers now account for one-third of production, Roseman remarked.

China is now producing 29% of fasteners, Europe and the U.S. 15% each and Taiwan 11%. Taiwan fastener production is rising in a "dollars per pound/Kg" measure because the country is producing more sophisticated products.

Roseman, who has worked on both the manufacturing and importing sides, has been a distributor since becoming executive vice president of Canton, MA-based Arnold Industries in 2004.

Reflecting on the differences, Roseman explained that "manufacturing is mental: 'We make something'. Distribution is a mentality. We supply and so does everyone else."

"Distribution has returned to its roots," the 44-year veteran of the fastener industry observed, recalling when "all we had was the general supply house" and then followed by the age of specialisation for product lines from fasteners to safety supplies.

Today fastener distributors are "customer driven vs. market driven," Roseman finds.

In his own prediction for the future of the fastener industry, Roseman quoted Charles Darwin: "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."

Modern Fastener Club Europe: 40th anniversary The Modern Fastener Club Europe (MFCE) is a group of independent and well known European companies involved in the fastening business – mechanical, thermal and chemical – as well as the provision of assembly equipment.

The Club was founded in October 1967 and through the use of their thorough knowledge of the fastener market and products, they built a unique group, for which the European term ‘club’ is used.

The Club’s intentions were two fold. Firstly, to stimulate and improve co-operation between the Club members and, secondly, to strengthen the position of the Club as the

leading European independent group of fastening distributors.

2007 is the 40th Anniversary of Modern Fastener Club Europe – and such an event could not pass without any commemoration. The present members from Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland will celebrate this during their annual meeting in October in Palma de Mallorca.

During

this

meeting,

the

members will update their strategic planning, taking into account the global market situation for fasteners and review in depth future goals and also a possible expansion of the Club.

NEFDA hosts the Northeast Tabletop Show Show Chairman, John Morton, announced that thanks to the generosity of the Metropolitan Fastener Distributor’s Association, the MFDA’s fabulous annual tabletop show is moving from New Jersey to Sturbridge, Massachusetts after 11 years.

The New England Fastener Distributor’s Association will organise and host this year’s Northeast Tabletop Show and give the MFDA a much needed year off. The MFDA, however, will continue to host its famous Sunday golf outing the day before (September 16th) at the Wild Turkey Country Club in New Jersey.

In the past Tabletop attendees, numbering in the hundreds, were given the opportunity to visit the booths and presentations of over fifty exhibitors. This New England version will be held on Monday, September 17, 2007 from 2:00PM to 8:00PM at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, Sturbridge.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

54

INSIGHT

Stainless Threaded Fasteners Weathering the vagaries of stainless steel fastener wholesaling has often been seen as the province of the intuitive trader, backing instinct with depth and breadth of inventory. It’s a trading style, though, that doesn’t sit entirely well with modern corporate demands for consistent return on investment. In 2004 STF, under the guidance of CEO Keith Harrison, made the transition from owner management to belong to a US ultimate holding company that ranks ROI at the top of its success measures. Phil Matten spent a day with the STF team to discover how the business has adapted and evolved.

STF’s director and general manager, David Jackson, is a self confessed Formula 1 motor racing enthusiast. “F1 is all about team achievement,” he says. “Different specialists blend their skill and experience to achieve performance improvements. Its not a top down thing, they work together as equals. It’s not a sport where you see huge leaps forward – it’s more about polishing capabilities to achieve results measured in tenths of seconds. In the long pull, though, that is the process that makes a constructors’ champion.”

“Now, don’t start quoting me as saying STF is an F1 champion,” he adds quickly. “I’m immensely proud of our business; how effective and efficient it is, but that’s not the comparison I’m trying to make.” Maybe not, but STF does demonstrate the sense of constant dissatisfaction, which is the necessary precursor to any effective process of continuous improvement.

“We’re permanently saying we’re doing well, but how do we make it better?” says David. There are no dramatic solutions, rather constant, small changes and refinements. “Most importantly, they come from, and are carried through by, the people within each department, not acting in a ‘bubble’ but working sensibly with their counterparts in other disciplines.”

STF is a wholesale distributor of stainless fasteners, specials as well as standards,

with a growing competence in customer specific packaging and tailored logistical solutions. As well as being the UK’s biggest supplier of brass fasteners and a major supplier of security screws, STF acts as the export sales and logistics ‘pipeline’ for its sister companies, Icon Fasteners and Galaxy Fasteners.

“We understand our position in the market place,” says David Jackson. “Wholesaling is about doing things consistently well for your customers so that they can give their customers what they want.”

“The reality today is that price comes first and then everything else follows. Having accepted price is the major driver, the important thing is to do everything else we can to make the service we offer best in class.”

He is also happy to acknowledge that many areas of recent development owe their roots to STF’s long period of private ownership. “We had a very entrepreneurial business, one man’s money focused on establishing a market leading business. I have a lot of respect for that drive and it brought us huge benefits, not least in our position in both customer and supplier markets. Now we are backed by an immensely strong financial organisation, which sets clear goals, expects creativity but demands that it is underpinned with solid business decision making and, above

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

all, a good return on investment.”

One key tool in achieving these solid decisions was the investment made in SAP computer technology. The system’s analytic capability combined with the time dedicated by some of STF’s most experienced people has proven crucial in achieving a real understanding of the company’s inventory holding. “If we carry an item now,” says David, “I know we have three years stock at maximum. I also know we have orders or established demand for it. Everything we have in stock has a customer at the end of it.” It is a clear contrast to the speculative approach to stockholding, but STF is now able to demonstrate that, as well as improving its own business performance, the change is delivering improved value to customers. “It took a good four months to go through the stock profile,” explains David, “but we ended up with a precise understanding of the range that produces 90% of our sales.

Now we are focused on making that inventory work, both for us and for our customers.”

It is a discipline that has also allowed the company to invest in the development of new ranges. The range of brass products has been strengthened. STF has also launched a carefully selected Marine range, packed to precisely meet the requirements of the market. STF has also

56

INSIGHT years ago but bringing procurement disciplines honed in major automotive and aerospace businesses, including Jaguar and Goodrich.

developed its range of all metal locking nuts, along with other product groups.

Systems are crucial to the STF business.

That is evident in the warehouse, which has its own office to provide immediate computer access as well as fax, phone and email communications. The technology is equally evident in the large open-plan commercial office, but this environment also highlights the emphasis STF places on its people, their experience and knowledge, and how they interact.

Phil Tongue has been responsible for operations – warehouse, logistics and quality – at STF for four years. His history with the company, though, spans 20 years.

Gordon Davies is head of sales, applying 15 years of company experience to the role.

Purchasing manager, James Morrison, is the relative newcomer, joining STF two

Their combined knowledge and experience is evident. What is arguably unique, though, is how tightly the three departments interface. This is achieved, not by formal communication structures, but simply by all three sharing a desk complex at the heart of the commercial office. “Anything that goes on in the business life of one almost invariably affects the others,” says David Jackson.

“This way each knows what is happening throughout the business, each has an equal voice in the company and issues are resolved at an early stage through teamwork rather than vertical management.”

Significantly, David Jackson’s own desk is also in the main commercial office.

On the same principle the commercial office is now home to three other STF investments in experience and knowledge.

Gary Spedding joined the company 18 months ago to be presented with an unusual brief. “We told Gary we didn’t want him to be involved in sales or anything we’ve got today,” explains David Jackson.

“Instead we asked him to develop new things.” It’s a time investment that has visibly paid off. During those 18 months, Gary developed a new internet presence for the group; played a key role in the development of the marine product range; and worked with the export operation to build new relationships in North America

and Russia, as well as across Europe.

More recently, Phil Hawtin joined STF, bringing a rare depth of customer relationships and integrity in the UK fastener trade. “If there has ever been someone who is totally customer focused it is Phil,” says David Jackson. “He sits down with the customer, he agrees what needs doing, he confirms it and he makes sure it happens.” The third, some might say gnarled but certainly experienced, ‘musketeer’, who has returned to the STF fold – David Harris is now STF’s export manager, tasked with strengthening an already important element of the business.

“The point,” says David Jackson, “is that there are not so many new customers around. The UK market has polarised in recent years and export customers demand consistency of supply. Maybe it used to be about doing deals everyday.

Now, it is also about how we can build a relationship to work today, tomorrow, next week, next year and in five or ten years time.”

That means a stronger personal presence in the market, with David Jackson and key members of the STF team spending substantial time in front of the customer, understanding first hand what is needed to meet their expectations. “We have a fantastic team in the office to handle the relationship once it is established,” says David. Each account has named contacts on which they can rely. The sales desks are staffed to reflect different customer segments – some concentrating on large group accounts, others on core owner managed customer relationships or on day-to-day trading.

Again systems

underpin customer service. Inbound faxes are received on screen and quotations produced via the SAP system. Each sales operator has a personal email address and direct dial phone number. Each sales operator makes regular outbound calls to designated accounts, continually building relationships, anticipating issues and updating on range developments. Each will also have completed an eight-module internal training course, which covers the product ranges and types, materials and performance characteristics.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

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58

INSIGHT about respecting other people’s culture, although that is important, it is also about eliminating errors, and properly understanding the requirements.”

Responsibility is an expression that features regularly when talking with STF people. The management structure is flat, and open, placing significant reliance on the capabilities of each member of the team. Not, though, a blind reliance. System derived performance indicators are regularly reviewed and targeted – whether it is number of line items picked by a warehouse operator, conversion rates for quotations, or the sales trend with each customer. The sense, though, is not of an oppressive regime but rather of a feedback process that is understood and respected by the people making the business work.

The combination of knowledge, motivation and systemisation culminates in one of the most crucial measures for STF. “Our total error rate is less than 1%,” says David Jackson. “We’ve worked on that for 3-4 years now, paring down the errors and ensuring genuine high levels of reliability.”

Nowhere is that more important than in the export business. “Export is an important and growing part of our business. Yes, as always, we have to get the price right but we know the key differentiators are consistent product quality, a low error rate, accurate documentation, and effective packaging.

These are the things that make the customer come back time and again to STF.”

Ensuring consistent product quality has also become a key element in eradicating errors. It is a consideration that runs back throughout the supply chain, starting with the selection and relationship development with core suppliers. “We are working closely with our key suppliers now,” explains James Morrison, “to ensure they achieve the quality, cost and delivery performance, we need, to meet our own commitments to our customers. That is about building a relationship founded on trust and performance history. When we receive goods, though, we continue to apply stringent quality inspections using our own testing capabilities and, where necessary, those of one of the leading UK test laboratories nearby.” STF operates to ISO 9001:2000 quality management systems, and its control over supplier performance and incoming product means the company is able to provide ISIRs and certification to PPAP level 3.

STF gains another significant export advantage through being part of the SRB

A simple example has been the introduction of ‘air-bubble’ packaging inside STF’s sturdy export crates to eliminate pack damage during transit. “We are also clear that it is about properly understanding what the customer needs from us,” says David Jackson. “That starts with being able to literally speak their language. We’re fortunate that so much business is conducted in English but we still believe it is very important to have French, German, Spanish and Portuguese speakers in our sales team. It’s not just Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

group. “It means we can offer the customer, not just a comprehensive range of stainless and brass fasteners,” explains David Harris. “We also offer an excellent range of high grade carbon steel hexagon product from Icon Fasteners and a whole spectrum of other product from Galaxy Fasteners. That all adds up to a very nice package to offer a distributor abroad.”

So has STF undergone a sea change? In the skills of sourcing and supplying nonferrous fastener products, not at all. If anything, that competence continues to be refined, by blending greater depth of experience with modern management disciplines and systems. These days STF doesn’t find it necessary to shout its achievements from the rooftops. Instead, the company’s 64-strong team displays a quiet confidence as it goes about its business. The management ethos has adopted many of the key principles of lean distribution and continuous improvement, without becoming entangled in the jargon and ritual that so often accompanies them.

Certainly, this is a business intent on differentiating itself. Time and its customers will determine the degree of success, but there is no doubt about the commitment.

60

INSIGHT

Prelok hits straight first drive Which, it has to be said, is probably more than most of the invited guests on a late June morning at the, to put it politely, distinctly challenging Wychwood Park Golf Club. Puzzled? Read on and you will rapidly pick up the thread.

So, Prelok. Well, you might be forgiven for not immediately recognising a name that was only launched on 1st July. However, think of someone with a penchant for setting his customers a testing golf challenge and the name Vickerstaff might well spring to mind. From there it is a short step to PSM Thread Lock and Sealing…… as was.

On 1st July Prelok was officially launched as the new company name for what had previously been PSM International Thread Lock & Sealing. Two days earlier, managing director, Ian Vickerstaff, unveiled the new Prelok trading style at the company’s annual UK golf day. There’s no doubt the day will be ingrained in every guest’s mind – in the case of your correspondent, not least because of the malevolent rough in which he spent most of his time.

Prelok isn’t likely to suffer any such directional problems.

Remaining a standalone business within international engineering group, Melrose PLC, the company name may be different but it continues to represents nearly 50 years of experience in the field of pre-applied locking and sealing processing.

Prelok has strategic business units in the UK, Spain, France and Germany. In fact there are now two locations in Germany with the opening of a new manufacturing facility at Finsterwalde, which went into operation in June. “The new plant is located between Berlin and Dresden,” says Ian Vickerstaff, “and close to both Polish and Czech borders, which means it is very well positioned to service developing business in these countries.” The Finsterwalde plant reflects Prelok’s commitment to advanced technology, including networking all of the production line data to a central QA database, developed by Prelok’s quality department in Germany.

Prelok has established quality approvals to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004. Its products are approved to a wide range of industry standards including DIN 267, all major European automotive manufacturers, and those of major mobile communications manufacturers.

and locking products, developed by world technology leaders like Nylok Corporation and Omnitechnik GmbH. Prelok products are designed to satisfy fastening solution demand across all engineering sectors, which means the capability to process components that range from miniature items for mobile communication to M30 bolts for bridge construction. The company also works with a wide range of materials including stainless steel and non-ferrous metals.

Primary advantages of these technologies include the elimination of secondary locking systems such as nuts or washers; the replacement of hand applied tapes or gaskets; and controlled patch positioning instead of difficult to target liquid adhesives.

Latest addition to the range, literally just launched, is Precote 200.

“It’s a new underhead sealant,” explains Ian Vickerstaff, “which offers quite unique temperature and chemical resistance capability.”

Of course, consistent success depends as much on the player as the technology in the bag. No problem here; Prelok has the seasoned professionals to ensure your game is in excellent condition – providing application engineering and technical support throughout Europe.

Push the analogy to its limits, then you could even say Prelok represents the “whole in one” – offering component processing through to a complete fastener finishing service that includes a comprehensive range of corrosion resistant surface treatments.

There are plenty of high-performance ‘clubs’ in the Prelok bag to match any requirement. In fact, you can select from a comprehensive range of high-specification pre-applied sealing

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

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62

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Fischer fixed it for me During my first three months at Fastener & Fixing Europe Magazine I have been bombarded by a variety of products and technical articles that, to begin with, simply went over my head. My knowledge of fasteners and fixings was limited and with the majority of my home DIY projects currently broken or never correctly fitted, it was no surprise that a training course on fixings was seen as a high priority in my ‘education’.

Throughout the year fischer Fixings provides industry training seminars at its UK distribution centre based in Wallingford.

The most recent seminar was aimed at distributors and clients, to give them an understanding of the fixings market and the products and systems fischer has to offer.

This was, therefore, an ideal opportunity for this freshman to gain some vital knowledge on the fixings industry.

As well as myself there were twelve other attendees at the training course. The relatively small size of the group allowed the attendees to gain a better insight into specific areas, and get more involved in the products than would have been possible in a larger group.

Mirka Valovicova, technical manager, took control of the seminar. I have to admit to a momentary thought that, presented with an all male group of attendees, she might struggle to prove her credentials. I should have known better. Within minutes it was clear this was someone who really knew what she was talking about, drawing on an obvious depth of practical experience to underline her points. In fact, Mirka has been with fischer for the past eleven years

and regularly gives CPD approved training courses to customers and her colleagues, that means she was amply qualified to bring my fellow students and me up to speed on fixings.

Mirka started the seminar off with a straightforward introduction of fischer as a company. She explained that in total fischer market around 19,000 products worldwide, with 5,600 lines selected for sale in the UK. Once she had given a brief outline of fischer as a company she moved onto the basic principles of the fixings industry and explained that the seminar would be concentrating mainly on nylon fixings, steel fixings and resin fixings.

Mirka was able to explain how different sets of fixings worked, providing a detailed but simple to understand demonstration for each category. For me this was ideal,

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

allowing me to understand each process.

Whether it was detailed enough to keep the interest of the more knowledgeable attendees was, however, questionable.

What was clear to see was that Mirka was very proud and confident of the products that fischer produce. Whilst listening to her run through various products, it didn’t feel like a sales pitch, it felt like she was happy for the fixings to speak for themselves, which they were to do in the practical sessions.

Attached to the main training room is a practical room, which at first glance took me back to

my high school woodwork class and again another failed DIY project! The room was small but it had several tables with various tools laid out. As well as the tables there were various different material blocks to drill into and, seemingly, a box of every fischer fixing was available to practice with.

64

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS Once Mirka had gone through each fixing category, everybody went into the practical room. Here Mirka demonstrated how to install the fixings which had been mentioned in the seminar. Rather then rush the demonstrations Mirka took her time and if people seemed unsure on how to install certain fixings – and that doesn’t just mean me - she was more than happy to run through the demonstration again.

After this the attendees were encouraged to try installing the fixings themselves.

of even more dust and this is crucial, as otherwise the resin would cling to the dust rather then the building material.

This ‘hands on approach’ allowed attendees to experience for themselves how the fixings worked - close up. It also led to further questions being asked about the products, which probably would not have been asked in a classroom situation.

One such question was the relevance of cleaning the drill hole twice before installing resin fixings.

This anchor seemed so easy to install that when it came to the practical session even I attempted to install it, albeit with Mirka giving me step by step instructions.

Firstly I had to use the FZUB drill bit to produce both the hole and undercut all in one step. The process of making circular motions to produce the undercut felt a little uncomfortable and strange but was relatively straightforward.

Mirka explained that cleaning the drill hole with the blow out pump, then with the wire brush and then with the blow out pump again was vital, especially with resin fixings. She explained that although the blow out pump does clean out the dust from the hole, the wire brush helps get rid

Throughout the practical sessions the capabilities of the majority of fixings seemed to impress the attendees, even though most had clearly seen and handled the product previously. However, one set of products that did stand out were the undercut anchors, especially the Zykon anchor FZA.

Once the hole had been drilled it was simply a matter of dropping the anchor into the hole and setting it with a setting tool. In fact the ease of installing the anchor not only impressed me but also the rest of the attendees, so much so that several of them

installed the screw themselves to see how easy it was. (picture below) At the beginning of the day the attendees seemed to be reluctant to interact in the seminar but by the end of the day nearly everybody was joining in the practical sessions and the amount of questions asked grew as the day progressed.

However, after sitting in a training room for 8 hours surrounded by fischer products and constantly being showed the wide variety of fischer fixings, it did feel like you were being slightly brainwashed and everybody seemed to be relieved once Mirka had finished her final presentation slide.

By running the seminar and including practical sessions, fischer gives those attendees who are distributors, a first hand experience of the capabilities of fischer products. In general terms this clearly has the benefit that staff who may rarely if ever experience conditions on site have a handson understanding of the products. Of course, having witnessed what fischer products can do for themselves, you don’t have to be much of a cynic to think that they will also favour fischer products when selling to their customers. I guess that makes it a win-win situation for both distributor and fischer – and probably for the end customer, too.

From a purely personal point of view, the seminar was a valuable experience and enabled me to gain a first understanding of the fixing industry. In fact, I was so confident, that the next day at work I was telling my fellow colleagues about the various fischer products that are available and which fixings are suitable for certain applications …I think they might have preferred it when I was clueless!

Editor’s footnote: Thank you to fischer UK, and especially Mirka Valovicova, for allowing Will to participate in this training day. For the record, we don’t prefer it when he was clueless. Will has impressed us all with the speed at which he is acquiring an insight to the complex and rapidly changing industry that we serve. We’ll be looking for more opportunities for Will to learn about all aspects of the fastener and fixings industries so, if you feel you might be able to contribute to his ‘education’, please give me a call.

Phil Matten.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

www.alfranfasteners.co.uk

Stockist & Distributor of Rolled Thread Machine Screws Complete Range of Metric Threads in All Heads Zinc Plated Offered Ex-stock with Next Day Delivery Imperial Threads & Non-standards also within the Range or can be Manufactured Specially

Machine Screws Limited Unit 5, Kingfisher Enterprise Park, Arthur Street, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 8LG

ajm@machinescrews.wanadoo.co.uk

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

A wide range of products for any type of fixing ATE (Adhesive Technology Experts) has over twenty years experience in the field of chemical anchoring. This experience is now used to guide customers in their choice of fixing product within a complete range of chemical mortar.

Established in 1984 in France near Paris, ATE first began to produce polyester products, dedicated to promoting a low cost range for mainly light duty applications and hollow blocks. Nowadays, more than 20 years later, it can offer its customers a wide range of solutions that fall into 3 main categories: low cost, multipurpose and high adhesive power products.

In the low cost range ATE offer polyester products such as F20 and F50. With or without styrene, these two components systems (10:1 ratio) come in both solid cartridges, coaxial, side by side and bag cartridges and are intended to be used with caulking guns. These cartridges are dedicated to classical home D.I.Y applications i.e. boilers, satellite dishes, gates, balconies…etc. In short, this range is suitable for light duties in hollow blocks or medium loads in solid blocks. However, low cost doesn’t mean low quality as these products have obtained Socotec Certification.

The multipurpose range contains resins that can be used in both hollow and solid material as well as cover a wide range of applications, from light duties to very high loads and even rebar fixing. This range is composed of a product known as F150 - 10:1 ratio too - which is a styrene free methacrylate with CE marking. The pull-out values given in their ETAG Certification are one of the highest in the market. Indeed, quality and performance were the main concerns for ATE when developing this solution.

As F150 is a very technical product which allows complex fixing, ATE can offer its customers software to help them calculate fixing dimensions according to ETAG rules.

Lastly the high adhesive power range comprises pure epoxy solutions known as F400 and F500. These resins have been elaborated to reach very high values and are mainly appropriate for very technical fixing or rebar applications. They present no shrinkage on big diameters and allow reduced embedment and easy storage during the summer.

These are 1:1 ratio or 3:1 ratio and their hardening time can be quick, which is quite rare for this type of resin, or slow, which is perfect for hot countries. Like the low cost range, this range has gained Socotec Certification too.

Whatever the product, ATE have been focusing their efforts in developing resins that satisfy many aspects of fixing such as: easy extrusion, good performance in wet environment, perfect adhesion with diamond drilling and no smell.

The main concern of ATE’s strategy is to offer their customers a whole range of services for the resins they sell. Those services can be divided into three parts.

Technical support including software, technical data sheets and ETAG Certification.

Marketing support: with their own strong brand (ATE) or with a private label program.

Training: in-house customer training to explain to the sales force the world of fixing and the particularities of chemical anchoring.

Valerie Valantin Fayard– ATE president explained “We need to implement a global solution and offer lots of support to our customers to help them to become very comfortable with the products and be very knowledgeable on the way to use it and sell it.”

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand 4. C15/D12 19th-20th September 2007

CHEMICAL ANCHORS

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Wide range from Bossong Bossong resins, due to their strong adhesion value and the ease with which they penetrate holes and hollow areas, permit secure fixing without expansion and so without stresses in the base material. The resins also provide anchoring in any support materials.

Bossong can now offer to the market 4 different resins in the following cartridges: BCR-EPOX pure epoxy resin, no epoxyacrilate. 400ml and 150ml.

BCR-VINIL styrene free vinyl ester BCR-POLY SF styrene free polyester resin. 380ml, 345ml, 300ml, 235ml, 165ml and 150ml.

See us on stand 5.2 G41 19th-20th September 2007

BCR-POLY polyester resin with styrene. 380ml, 235ml and 150ml.

Rawlplug launch Rawl CFS

See us on stand 5. J22 19th-20th September 2007

Rawlplug has launched Rawl CFS, a truly innovative cartridge free system.

The key elements of the system are a completely new dispensing gun design, disposable foil and unique patented nozzle adapter.

Rawl CFS is entirely cartridge free and it is easy to set up using a unique foil refill which is fast and easy

to use saving time on projects. CFS requires no trimming or cutting of the foil. Resin is dispensed through the use of the patented nozzle adaptor. The adaptor restricts the advancement of the foil by increasing the pressure behind the clip, enabling the clip to burst free of the foil while retaining it in the adaptor, all without influencing the flow of the resin.

Three types of resin are available within the system: RP30 polyester resin, RM50 styrene free polyester resin – that are already on the market, and RV200 vinylester styrene free resin will follow shortly. The CFS system is suitable to use in all solid substrates and can also be used in hollow walls with a sleeve.

Accreditation for JCP resin The new JCP High Load pure Vinyl ester injection resin has been accredited with the Water Research Advisory Service approval for use in contact with drinking water.

Unlike other approved products the High Load resin can be used with the same applicator tool suitable for the other 380ml resins in the JCP range.

The virtually odourless resin contains no styrene, so is safe to use in confined spaces, and is quick and easy to use. The resin can

be used for indoor and outdoor applications as well as in dry and wet drilled holes. It can be used in solid and hollow materials including concrete, masonry and stone. It is suitable for structural applications such as reinforcing bars in new construction work or refurbishment, as well as post installed fixing applications.

The fact that the resin is a pure Vinyl ester means it gives higher loads than other injection systems that are available. It has also undergone extensive independent tests in accordance with the European Technical Approval Guidelines for resin anchors.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand 5.2 G33/H32 19th-20th September 2007

See us on stand 5. J22 19th-20th September 2007

CHEMICAL ANCHORS

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A fischer resin for every occasion fischer fixings offers a wide range of chemical anchors– ranging from polyester resins for standard indoor applications, through vinyl esters for external tasks and epoxy resins for the most demanding applications.

All fischer’s resins are in styrene-free low-odour formulations.

The fischer range offers something for every application and every budget – segmenting on a “Good-Better-Best” basis.

which does not require a cartridge gun. It includes the Highbond FHB II for dynamic loads, which is vibration-tolerant, and it includes jumbo-sized cartridges for high volume usage.

The fischer range includes a number of specialist products. These include resins with innovative dispense mechanisms, such as the FIS VS 100 P Power Pack,

At the premium end of the market fischer offers the FIS EM 390 S. This epoxy resin system is designed for anchoring rebars, and threaded rods, such as the fischer RGM threaded stud, into non-cracked concrete. It provides exceptional loadings even at low embedment depths and can be used under water and in diamond-drilled holes.

As a pure epoxy resin, it offers the highest performance currently available from any type of resin anchor, in terms of load-bearing capacity and also minimal shrinkage.

Even more expertise in chemical anchoring MEA has expanded its product range with the resin anchor injection system MEA MIS-V. The new product line MEA MIS-V is suitable for fixing heavy loads in concrete and masonry. The advantages of the MEA MISV system are high load capacity, fast curing and optimal hold in hollow brick masonry.

The MEA MIS V system also shows the following characteristics:

Long storage time of the chemical mortar (up to 18 months).

Environment-friendly content of the cartridges: resin on a polyester and vinyl basis, styrene- and phthalate-free

Expensive special dispensers are not required: the 165 ml and 300 ml cartridges can be used with usual silicon dispensers.

Temperature resistant up to 80° C Economic use through optimised utilisation of the cartridges' content European and/or German approvals provide high application security

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

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CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

Roberlo achieve SOCOTEC approval Roberlo has achieved a SOCOTEC specifications approval, "cahier des charges nº YX0066/1" for hollow supports, with its Polyfixer PS chemical injection mortar.

The product can be used in concrete for low and medium loads applications. It is available in 150ml with an adaptor that fits standard silicon guns and is intended for DIY markets. For professional use, requiring bigger volumes, it is also available in a 380ml coaxial cartridge and a side by side 345ml cartridge.

Achieving the SOCOTEC specifications is recognition to the

See us on stand 5.2 F22

continuous investment in research and development that Roberlo is making in the field of chemical anchoring.

19th-20th September 2007

New anchor from Friulsider The FM-MP3 is the new medium heavy duty anchor offered by Friulsider. Friulsider believes that the innovative characteristics of the FM-MP3 will ensure high performance both on solid and partially hollow base materials.

The company states that the three main strengths of the FM-MP3 anchor are: SINGLE SHELL BODY Rigid monolithic body, an even easier application SELF-CENTRING Exclusive co-axial cone containing system VERSATILE Optimal expansion both on solid and partially hollow base materials Friulsider also claim that the FM-MP3 is easy to use, has a high stability and a wide range of accessories, which makes it an ideal solution for applications needing maximum safety and resistance over time.

Dealers nominate HECO as “Partner 2006” The screw manufacturer HECO has been nominated “Partner of the Year 2006” by specialist dealers. The company, which is based in Schramberg, Germany, was awarded top marks right across the board by its customers in the category “Fastening technology”.

“We are extremely proud of this award”, stated HECO managing director Stefan Hettich, who collected the prize at a special ceremony in Dresden. “It is confirmation of the outstanding achievements of our company and staff.”

The Central Association of the German Hardware Trade (ZHH) has been the industry representative for medium-sized specialist hardware dealers for over 100 years. The ZHH tools working group, together with “multitec”, the Federal Association of the Production Connection Trade, regularly puts manufacturers and suppliers to the test. All members of the association are invited to participate and, in addition, specialist dealers are also asked to grade their suppliers in five categories: Dealer loyalty; Pricing policy & market support; Sales support; Product innovation and Handling of complaints.

HECO was also amongst the winners of See us on the last Partner awards in 2003. Back stand then, customer ratings placed the 5.2 F2 company third. “The fact that three 19th-20th September 2007 years later we have been awarded the top prize is fantastic confirmation of our efforts”, declared Stefan Hettich. “It shows that we have made the right decisions in order to improve ourselves.”

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

74

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS

New communication Bolt-on steelwork tools for fischer UK fixings provides solution at sea The ease-of-use and positioning flexibility of Lindapter's steelwork fixings are providing a versatile maintenance solution for the North Rankin A gas production platform, located 135km offshore of Karratha in Western Australia.

The platform's engineers and maintenance staff employ Lindapter fixings for a broad range of the secondary steelwork structural applications required for the platform's continuing operations.

This is because they eliminate the need for welding, and because intrinsic positioning flexibility means that structural tasks can be completed first time.

Typical operational support jobs on the platform include fixing cable trays, pipe supports, walkways, safety rails/parapets and flooring. Lindapter's Type A fixing is often used for these purposes.

The fixing simply tightens onto an existing structure to fix equipment into place and can be moved easily during installation to overcome any obstacles.

fischer UK has introduced a trio of new full colour catalogues covering its entire UK product range.

These follow a new standardised theme which has been developed to facilitate ease of use, while at the same time providing more detailed technical information than previously.

The documents consist of a Fixing Systems Catalogue, Price List and a Mechanical & Electrical Installation Systems Main Catalogue.

The Fixing Systems Catalogue contains a complete listing of fischer’s range of nylon, metal and chemical fixings, drill bits and accessories. There are also technical and installation details and full product descriptions complete with photographs and diagrams of installation examples. New products are highlighted throughout. There is also a section on Basic Knowledge of Fixing Technology, which includes vital information on fixings selection and installation, calculating loads, fixings for cracked concrete, fire protection, corrosion and other key issues.

A number of other Lindapter fixing types are used on North Rankin A. These include Floorfast - which uses a countersunk screw that allows chequerplate flooring to be fixed from one side - and the well-known Hollo-Bolt for attaching onto hollow-section steel.

"The offshore operational environment is very challenging," says Lindapter's Scott Brook. "The costs of downtime are huge and supporting maintenance operations must happen predictably and reliably. Attributes such as positioning flexibility, attachment without welding, and no damage to surface protection coatings, combine to make Lindapter fixings the preferred choice for secondary steelwork applications on the North Rankin A platform."

The new Price List, which will be updated each year, follows the same format and structure as the Catalogue, with a handy product index at the beginning, guiding readers to relevant sections of the Price List.

The Mechanical & Electrical Catalogue highlights these two important sections of the fischer range. It includes full details of the fischer SaMontec range for the anchoring of mechanical and electrical services in commercial applications. Also included is the E-Fix range of fire-rated electrical fixings.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand 4. C9 19th-20th September 2007

Eine kleine Auswahl unserer Gro§en A small selection of our big ones

ÂŽ

Made in Germany

KTS Kunststofftechnik GmbH Produktion & Vertrieb Osterkamp 18 D-59368 Werne Fon + 49 (0) 23 89 / 5 18 06 Fax + 49 (0) 23 89 / 86 31 info@kts-duebel.de http://www.kts-duebel.de

76

PROFILE

Celebrating 45 years of fastening technology

by Michele Taddei, Marketing Manager, Bossong S.p.A. Originally as a German company, Bossong passed into Italian ownership in 1962, and now has its offices, production and distribution facility in Bermago. Over its 45 year history Bossong has built an acknowledged reputation both in the Italian and foreign markets for its range of construction fastening technologies.

Founded by Carl Bossong in Düsseldorf in the ‘40s, BossongWerk GmbH started as a specialist in the production of nails, nailing tools and fastenings. The company subsequently extended its production to provide an extensive range of modern solutions for mechanical fastening and chemical anchoring.

free, pure Epoxy resin 1:1 and pure Epoxy resin 2:1. Resins are available in a wide size range of cartridges from 825ml to 400ml, 380ml, 345ml, 300ml, 235ml, 165ml and 150ml.

Bossong is working closely with the Politecnico of Milano to achieve CE-ETA approvals for some of its chemical anchor products.

Driven by a close knowledge of the market and the special requirements it demands, Bossong has progressively enlarged its production range, investing in the research and development so that today it can offer one of the largest ranges of fastening solutions. Constant investment in research and development has meant Bossong is able to guarantee a top level of technical quality based on an advanced design system and the professionalism and reliability of the production staff.

Bossong also markets a range of metal anchors for heavy-duty applications, which have CE-ETA approvals. In addition the company offers an extensive range of anchors for middle and light duty, in both zinc plated galvanised steel and A4 stainless steel. Nylon plugs for light loads, screws and many other articles for fixing in construction are also supplied.

Bossong’s factory extends over a covered area of 4,500 square metres, divided into offices, warehouse, sales areas, production machinery, tool repair shop and test and trial room, together with an uncovered area of approximately 2,500 square metres.

Production of the main products is partly carried out inside the company and partly out with subcontracted dies and machinery. Design for the development of new products and creation of prototypes is all controlled in-house.

The Bossong product range now includes powder actuated tools, nails and cartridges for shooting fixings. Chemical anchors are supplied in a range of different resin solutions, including Polyester, Polyester styrene free, Vinylester styrene

Bossong has its own test room for trials on the majority of products. This is fitted out with modern equipment that is regularly calibrated and subject to controls to check the accuracy of its performance. Test method procedures, defined in strict compliance with the regulations in force, are contained in an internal manual for the use of the laboratory technicians.

The products supplied strictly conform to the technical and legal regulations in force regarding safety, hygiene and ecology. Bossong can supply the conformity declaration for materials classified as critical, backed up by test reports.

Thanks to its size and well-balanced organisation Bossong can back the high technology of an industrialised company with the flexibility and versatility of a family business, where the principal objective is always total customer satisfaction.

Commitment, professionalism and courtesy are characteristics common to everyone working in our company. Commercial staff who are constantly up-to-date about the technical aspects of the products are at the root of the trust that customers have had in Bossong for many years. Bossong has a wide and diversified stock of semi-finished and finished products and always guarantees prompt delivery. Bossong’s technical office and consultants offer invaluable help to the Bossong customer in choosing the most suitable fastening product for the required type of application.

Bossong S.p.A. is a certified company according to the UNI EN ISO 9001 Vision 2000 standard since July 27 2000 in relation to the design, manufacture and sales of fixing systems.

Bossong tests and approves its products in its own quality

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

control laboratory using pull-out tests. We have obtained a range of certification for our products including C.I.P. and heavy-duty fastenings homologated by the Institut für Bautechnik of Berlin; also approvals from TÜV, VDS, Socotec, FMPA. Bossong Resin Vinylester is approved by the Politecnico di Milano Dipartimento di Ingegneria Strutturale.”

For “special” fastening situations Bossong’s technical office, working closely with its sales representatives, can develop a special anchoring system “made to measure”. In these situations members of Bossong’s sales force are also available to the customer during the installation phase.

Bossong has introduced an innovative system of anchoring in historical buildings using its resin technologies.

During the recovery operations on existing buildings, strengthening work often involves the insertion of metal elements into the masonry or wooden structures: the stitching up of small damage, the joining of the supporting metal elements to existing structures, the joining of binders to perimeter walls, the strengthening of lofts or wooden roofing.

Anchoring, link-ups and stitching can become one with the masonry or wood through mortar or resin injections. Depending on the application and on the type of material involved, injected anchoring could require different types of intervention: resin injections are fairly simple when the anchoring lengths are less than 1.00-1.50 metres. For longer lengths, you need to use cement mortar injections compatible with the original materials. Resin thixotropic used normally for anchoring guarantees against excessive spreading in the wall gaps, but the short curing time complicates the deep extrusion stage. On the other hand, the use of epoxy resins, though characterised by long hardening and handling times, offers in this case the best results and permits going deeper for better anchorage.

On the other hand, mortar which is more fluid is easily injected, but can get lost in the wall gaps, spaces and damage thus hindering the filling up of the hole and failing to provide a guaranteed anchor. A solution to these problems can be found by applying new, innovative technology recently introduced in Italy by Bossong SpA, which foresees a kind of fabric sleeve wrapped round the metal bar and guarantees total control over injection and adherence with the substrate along the whole length.

Resin joining permits the creation of small holes in the sublayer, of a diameter just a few millimetres bigger than those of the metal element, thus not invasive and even reversible by drilling a larger diameter. On the other hand, mortar applications need larger diameters requiring the use of special diamond cores.

If on the one hand there are technical, theoretical reasons for deciding when the anchoring should be done with resin or cement mortar, that limit is not always so well defined during applications as many other factors, such as compatibility with original materials, are involved and these can limit the choice of materials or just simply cause executive feasibility problems.

78

INTERVIEW

Paulo Coelho Chief Executive Officer, PECOL® Group

PECOL - Sistemas de Fixação S.A. is part of the Portuguese group PECOL, whose main activity is the production of screws, fasteners and cold forged parts. The company was founded in 1983 and by the end of 2006 had grown to occupy an 80,000 square metre site in Águeda, near to Aveiro, one of the most beautiful cities in Portugal. PECOL’s CEO is Paulo Coelho who provided the following interview.

Fastener & Fixing Europe: PECOL group has consolidated its position as a major player in the European fastener market and is developing market share elsewhere in the world. What are the main strengths on which PECOL has built this success?

Paulo Coelho: Indeed, PECOL Group has consolidated its’ position, not only in Europe, but also in other areas of the globe.

This is due mainly to the quality of products that we offer our esteemed clients and also to our capacity to adapt and anticipate their needs. This is our main asset and our reason to exist as a company.

As to strengths, I would point out the professionalism of all our collaborators, our technical skills and our state of the art production facility. It is also important to recognise that underlying all our activities is a strong dedication to constantly improve the way we work.

PECOL – Sistemas de Fixação, SA is one of the companies within our group, which has as its primary activity the distribution of a very wide range of fixing systems and associated products. Apart from the screws and technical parts we get from our own manufacturing facility, PECOL2, we distribute chemical fixings (silicone sealants, PU foams and chemical mortar), technical sprays, grinding wheels, diamond wheels, clamps, drill bits, a very wide range of anchors, hand tools, power tools and inclusively safety and protection materials.

Considering the extent of this range, it is no surprise that we can count over 30,000

references on stock and, in order to ensure an excellent service level to our customers, we hold over 30,000 pallets of standard product.

F&FE: What is your projection for the future of PECOL group functioning in a highly dynamic market, in which European producers face competition from across the world?

Paulo Coelho: This is a very competitive market but it is also true that the market remains very able to distinguish between good and bad quality. As producers of screws, we can always differentiate our product, adapting it to the real needs of our customers and providing a prompt and effective response. Situated in Europe we can fulfil demand within short delivery times, due to the efficiency of our own operations and geographical proximity.

Some of our competitors, importing product from Asia are constrained by production lead times of minimum 90 days plus 30 days transport to Europe.

Paulo Coelho: Yes, this company is a very important element of the living machine PECOL has become. RETSACOAT offers the possibility to provide our products with a very wide range of surface treatments blue zinc plating, yellow zinc plating, black zinc plating, iridescent zinc plating, Nickel, electrobrass as well as the important DACROMET and GEOMET finishes.

The fact that PECOL has been able to bring RETSACOAT

to

Portugal

has

been

undoubtedly a huge victory and a very important step in our evolution. Firstly it has allowed us to achieve the desired differentiation we were looking for and secondly, it gave us the possibility to fully integrate our production process, itself technically

and

technologically

very

complex. Furthermore, we have been continuously improving our production process, not only with the acquisition of new machinery but also with the inclusion of new procedures - fruit of know-how acquired during 30 years, which has

PECOL group also owns the RETSACOAT company, considered by many experts as one of the best surface treatments unit in Europe. It is licensed for the application of high resistance surface treatments like DACROMET and GEOMET. The latter conforms to recent European Community regulations for the elimination of hexavalent chromium from metallic surface coatings.

culminated in our entrance to the very

F&FE: So, has RETSACOAT become a fundamental part of PECOL’s differentiation strategy?

strengths and how does it fit into the

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

desirable market niche of large diameter cold forged screws.

F&FE: PECOL2 is the production unit for screws and special cold forged parts within PECOL group, which now works directly with many automotive industry companies. What do you see as its main global strategy of the group?

Paulo Coelho: PECOL2 is a member of EIFI – the European Industrial Fasteners Institute - and has been a personal project and achievement for me. It now works directly with many major automotive companies both in and outside Europe and has achieved ISO/TS 16949 certification.

PECOL2 now produces around 1,200 tonnes per month of screws, bolts and special screws. It is equipped with a range of cold forming headers from 1 to 6 dies, allowing us to produce pieces with diameters from 2mm to 32mm and to achieve maximum lengths of 325mm.

We are able to provide our esteemed clients with components in a range of different materials. In addition to steel, in which we produce grades 5.6, 6.8, 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9, we also work with 41Cr4, stainless steel, brass, aluminium and copper.

Aware of the need to innovate constantly, PECOL2 is endowed with a project development department. We also rely on

an internal workshop to produce our tooling, working closely with the project development department. The proximity between these two sections of the company allows us to achieve the optimisation of our processes and to boost our response to the many requests we receive from our clients.

Therefore, we see PECOL2 as a company able to add value in product design and in the achievement of constant improvements in the cold heading process.

This assures increased productivity to meet the needs of our customers and also allows them to optimise their own manufacturing and assembly processes.

FOCUS ON

82

Albert Pasvahl GmbH + Co. DIN and Specials - Direct From Stock - Huge Product Range

NO REGRETS WITH BCF To supplement our unrivalled stock of metric Socket Screws Products, Black Country Fasteners has introduced an extensive range of 10.9 Hexagon Bolts and Sets ranging from M6-M30, complete with DIN 934 Grade 10 Hexagon Full Nuts, DIN 985 Type T Grade 10 Nylon Insert Nuts (zinc plated only) and DIN 6916 C45 Through Hardened Washers, all available in both self colour and CR3 bright zinc plated. 2007/2008 will see further additions made, to compliment existing ranges.

Albert Pasvahl offers you their experience and expertise in special connection elements and accessories, resulting from over 70 years in business. During the course of this time, they have become a leading stockist of special standard screws.

• Leading stockist of rare standards • Immediate delivery • High product quality • Variety of sockets and hexagon bolts/plugs/screws with dog/cone point • Square head bolts, knurled thumb screws, flat headed screws and specials • Leading supplier for European Wholesaler

Tel: +49 (0) 40 532 852-0

www.pasvahl.de

Earnest Express The Earnest Group has been supplying Hexagon Bolts since 1948 and we are an International Supplier of American Threaded Bolts; Flange Bolts and Flange Screws.

In the UK, we carry in stock approximately a £1,000,000 of inventory, consisting of Hexagon Head Bolts with UNC / UNF threads in diameters of a 1/4 - 2“. With lengths up to 18”.

The Material Grades we carry are SAE 5 and 8.

We also stock Hexagon 12 pt Flange Bolts in 170 M PSI grade.

Diameters 1/4 - 1”, lengths up to 8”.

We also stock American standard Plow Bolts, Carriage Bolts, Structural Bolts and Flange Screws.

We offer a next-day service to all UK customers and a 2 –day service into Europe.

All of Earnest Products are quality assured.

Tel: +44 (0) 1384 352 600

Black Country Fasteners

Laura Yates – lly@earnestmachine.com

BCF introduces NO REGRETS a simple way to purchase those hard to locate fasteners, such as longer lengths, larger diameters etc. Thread locking is also available on a fast turn around offering our customers the complete package. You can be sure there are no regrets with BCF. Being part of the Harrison & Clough group of companies and backed by the unique Trade Fast service BCF is able to provide a HIGHER GRADE SERVICE to its U.K and European customers.

Tel: +44 (0)1384 472444

sales@bcfastener.com

Fabory FABORY OFFERS WIDER PRODUCT RANGE ON HIGHER CLASSES 8.8, 10.9 & 12.9 HT Strength is usually attributed to property classes equal or higher than 8.8. What are the main benefits of HT Fasteners?

Savings on space, material and labour (drilling times). A comparison of bolts with same load capacity, approx. same length but in different grades, shows that those in higher classes have thinner diameters to allow for smaller holes, lighter and more compact assemblies.

The market demand for HT is not limited to one class (e.g. 8.8 only) and is diverse. FABORY’S product range – one of the largest available in the market – includes over 30,000 HT fasteners.

10.9 and 12.9 fasteners play a significant role in FABORY’s extensive range which now offers a wider spectrum of types and sizes – all readily available.

Few examples: • Hex Bolts & Sets • Studding • Socket Caps, Shoulder and Csk screws • Socket Button screws including flanged & tx versions • Socket sets (45H)…And many more!

10.9 Bolts in exceptional diameters from M39 to M45 are the latest additions to FABORY’S original range M6 – M36 covering also fine threads.

For further enquiries please contact us:

Tel: +44 (0)121 556 3474

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Email: sales.faboryuk@fabory.com

SOCKETS & HEXAGON BOLTS Fastbolt

Harrison & Clough Ltd

Fastbolt has a 25 year history of importing hexagon bolting products and selling exclusively to the distributor market.

This longstanding experience coupled with diligent quality control procedures enhances our commitment to consistent product quality, sourced only with approved and certified supply partners.

The frequent on site presence provided by our local office is supported by regular attendance of our key European personnel, allowing close commercial and technical liaison.

Both of our locations, Germany (Gronau) and UK (Milton Keynes) have extensive stock profiles covering metric hexagon products M3 – M33 (DIN 931 & DIN 933 Grade 8.8) in plain, zinc (CR3) or zinc and yellow finishes. UNC and UNF threaded Bolts and Setscrews ? - 1 inch (ANSI B18.2.1.1996 Grade5) in both plain and zinc plated finishes are stocked in the UK and available through both organisations.

In addition to the provision of ex warehouse deliveries we offer an extensive direct import and shipment service from both our European offices as well as from Fastbolt Trading (Shanghai).

We are valued by our customers as a supply partner offering high levels of service coupled with competitive pricing and effective logistic solutions.

For further information please contact any of our sales offices.

Email: info@fastbolt.com

www.fastbolt.com

Icon Fasteners

From Harrison & Clough Ltd all manner of hexagon products are available, all branded in the distinctive green box and proudly bearing the recognised MetalMate® name. From traditional XOX Din 601 / 555 through to high tensile grade 8.8 Din 933 / 931, onto hexagon coachscrews Din 571 and carriage bolts Din 603 / 555.

In addition, H&C carry the largest range of Unbrako socket screws available in Europe, conveniently complemented by a full offering of hexagon nuts and washers.

From BCF we can offer grade 10.9 hexagon bolting in Din 933 / 931 as well as an extensive range of 12.9 and 10.9 MetalMate® socket screws, Din 912 and Din 7991, all sourced from YFS. Finally our Chinese company, Qewitco, can offer an extensive range of special parts as well as meeting your requirements for volume container business.

All this now available throughout Europe.

For further information, contact our UK office on 0870 889 22 22 or alternatively our German speaking export desk on +44 1535 298001.

Mecavit

A HIGHER GRADE SUPPLIER With Icon Fasteners you have the reassurance that you are dealing with the biggest on-site stockholder of high-grade socket screws & HT bolting in the UK. Our aim has always been, to supply you with the highest quality of product and service. Icon therefore offers an extensive range of both metric & imperial high-grade alloy fasteners available from stock.

Icon are proud to introduce Phillidas, Lindapter & Erico products to its ever growing portfolio of products, this continued investment increases our ability to service our customers to the highest standard, this coupled with the launch of our new comprehensive web site marks Icon as a market leader.

With Icons philosophy of being a service provider, we offer a complete range of finishes & lubricants and offer a nationwide 24hr delivery service, we make over 1000 daily deliveries via our own fleet or reliable express road carriers.

ALSO NEED A SPECIAL? No problem, with our strategic stock of socket & hexagon blanks, your specific requirements can be processed through our flexible and skilled manufacturing facilities. Our ever-growing specials team can quote on all sorts of special fasteners and non fastener related products. So you will have no regrets in trying Icon Fasteners today!

Tel +44 (0) 1902 491122

Harrison & Clough Ltd supported by its sister companies offer the marketplace an unrivalled range of quality socket and hexagon products.

Email – icon@icon-fasteners.co.uk

EXCELLENCE IN SPECIALS AND SOCKET SCREWS The Mecavit manufacturing range is strongly specialized in socket head and six-lobe small diameter screws in carbon high tensile steel and stainless steel A2.

For special parts, Mecavit’s own team of highly trained technical staff, interpret the drawing of customers, then develop specific production plans to deliver optimal solutions to meet the specific requirements expressed by the customer, for example in achieving higher levels of safety or integrity than defined by the norms, or by ensuring the final product will perform to higher standards.

Mecavit develops continuously its technology planning every year new investments and at the same time it expresses also such a strong market orientation to be in the number of companies able to offer a great flexibility not only as regards production but also as regards the sale and after sale service.

As a matter of fact Mecavit can number among its customers industries of different fields as well as retailers and distributors in Europe 27, Russia and United states, who has been appreciating the well-known reliability of Mecavit for years.

The quality system of Mecavit, is internationally certified according to the requirements of the norms UNI EN ISO 9001:2000 " VISION" granted by “TUV” Italy. www.mecavit.it

mecavit@mecavit.it

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

FOCUS ON - SOCKETS & HEXAGON BOLTS

84

Coming up...

Owlett Jaton Hexagon Bolting: Owlett-Jaton is one of Europe’s largest stockists of quality High Tensile Hexagon Bolting products. As well as a wide range of all standard diameters and lengths we also have massive depth of stock. Whether your order is for hundreds of items or hundreds of thousands per size Owlett-Jaton can supply you, The Distributor, from stock.

Stocks include grade 8.8, grade 10.9, metric, unified, imperial, assembled and square-square- hex.

Socket Screws: Again, we pride ourselves in a massive range of various styles, grades and finishes. As part of our one-stop offering to Distributors you can add Socket Screws to your Owlett-Jaton order for next day delivery from stock.

In the September issue...

Exhibition edition for Fastener Fair - Stuttgart 2007 Hot of the press for visitors and exhibitors at the Fastener Fair. In addition to the 22,000 readers, advertisers will benefit from the increased circulation to new readers at the show.

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS ...Frame fixings and plugs

We only supply Distributors.

Owlett-Jaton, specialists in everything we do.

Tel: +44 (0) 1785 811 300

info@owlett-jaton.com

FOCUS ON ...Construction anchors and fixings

Tool Zone WOODS & HUGHES Standard or Special?

Whatever your requirements, Woods & Hughes can help!

CATALOGUE RACK ...Tools

Woods and Hughes are a long established distributor and manufacturer, supplying a comprehensive standard and special inventory of High Tensile Bolts, Setscrews and Socketscrews in Grade 8.8, 10.9, 12.9, and 14.9. Diameters from 1.6mm to 72mm (1/16 to 2.3/4) and lengths up to 600mm can be produced to ANSI, DIN, ISO, BS specification or customer drawing.

UNC, UNF, Metric (Coarse, Fine and Extra Fine), BSW, BSF, BA, BSP and NPTF thread forms are available together with materials including high tensile, stainless steels, aluminium bronze, hastelloy, monel, L7, B7 and B8.

BS EN ISO 9001 (2000) accreditation for both the distribution and manufacturing arms of the company demonstrates our commitment to quality, service and customer satisfaction.

Our policy of training and our investment in staff ensure continuous improvement and best practice implementation in all aspects of the business.

Product can be delivered to customer schedule, on a JIT basis, direct to line using a variety of bin systems or simply to customer order.

Tel: +44 (0) 121 505 7551

...SDS Bits and Drills

Manufacturing Technology ...Heat Treatment

Management & Systems ... Sales & Management reporting And all the latest news and product information in the market today.

To make sure your company has a presence in what will be the biggest issue of 2007 please contact the sales team.

www.socketscrews.co.uk

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

no drilling, no welding, no worries!

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia

Eliminates welding = Minimised fire risk

No hot work permit = Non-specialist labour

No damage to protective steelwork coatings = Maintains integrity of steelwork

No special equipment required = Cost savings

Reduces installation time & cost = Quicker turnarounds

70 years of worldwide steelwork connections

Ability to relocate if needed = Cost effective

Lindapter Girder Clamp Girder Clamps enable beam to beam connections to be made quickly and easily on site and require no drilling or welding equipment. Girder Clamps can be supplied to accommodate any size or type of structural steelwork.

Free technical design service = Peace of mind

www.lindapter.com telephone +44 (0)1274 521 444

steelwork fixings crane rail fixings support systems

cavity fixings floor fixings design services

86

INSIGHT

ETA Fixings and Martyn Price merge Since March 2006, when Martyn Price (Bolts & Nuts) Limited was purchased by Rosway Limited and ETA Fixings (UK) Limited was established under the same ownership, the two companies have operated side by side from Martyn Price’s Stourbridge warehouse. Now, as Gary Macauley explains, delivering improved customer service makes it time to merge completely.

“The two companies have been working alongside each other for over a year,” explains general manager, Gary Macauley. “All of the customers have come to recognise that the two product ranges are available from a single location.”

“That has worked fine. However, it has meant the customer had to issue two purchase orders and there were two lots of delivery notes and invoices to reconcile, two statements, two payments to make.”

Behind the scenes the integration between the two businesses has been virtually complete for many months and has worked seamlessly. “It no longer made any sense to add difficulties for our customers, so from 1st July 2007 Martyn Price Fasteners and ETA Fixings trade as a single entity.”

“One order, one delivery note, one invoice,” Gary emphasises. “It gives our customers the opportunity to order an extensive range of fasteners and fixings from a single source without any difficulties.”

An integrated sales force now represents the combined business.

Following recent recruitments, the south of England is covered by Lee Bradley, and the Midlands by Tony Arans. “We’re still recruiting for someone to cover the North,” says Gary Macauley. “Having this quality of representation is very important to us now. Five years ago everyone knew the Martyn Price name but almost certainly didn’t Still managing to look relaxed so it must be going well!

know a fraction of our capabilities. That will change through regular face-to-face contact with customers across the UK.” Gary is emphatic that the business is not looking to win market share on price. “Of course, we have to be in the ballpark but it is far more about demonstrating our capabilities, particularly in terms of both breadth and depth of range. It is about being the fastener people with the stock and the knowledge to solve every requirement, no matter how unusual.”

Improvements in warehouse operations also now mean that next day UK delivery is available for orders received up to 5pm. Multiple orders taken on the same day are now consolidated to count toward achieving the carriage paid level.

Range development has been an important part of the work carried out in the last year. In the last few months that work has culminated in the launch of a series of new ranges, including hex-head coachscrews to DIN 571, ranging from M6 x 20 to M12 x 200. Cup square bolts and nuts to DIN 603 are now available from M6 x 20 to M16 x 130 and roofing bolts and nuts are available from M5 x 10 to M10 x 260. All of these new ranges are trivalent zinc plated.

“Customers will receive our new products, and progressively more and more of our range, packed in the Allgrip brand, which we will use for both fastener and fixings ranges,” says Gary. Internally a programme of demonstration and training on all of the products is being developed to ensure everyone in contact with the customer has a good understanding of the company’s diverse range. “It’s about knowing the product as more than just a part number,” says Gary. “We want to pass on some of the depth of knowledge gained over the years by the long serving people in the business.”

“We have a clear strategy in place,” he concludes. “We have excellent support from the top. We still have some of the issues from the past to completely address but there is a real ‘can do’ attitude throughout the place now.”

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

19th-20th September 2007

See us on stand 4. E39

TECHNICAL

88

Why use washers?

By Bill Eccles – Bolt Science Washers have traditionally been used to protect the joint surface from damage during the tightening process and to distribute the load under the bolt head and nut. The stress under the face of a standard hexagon headed nut can result in indentation into standard strength steel surfaces. In recent years washers have started to be replaced by flanged headed fasteners for several reasons that will be discussed in this article. Prior to going into the details, lets look at some background.

Figure 1 Using torque to indirectly control a bolt’s tension is by far the most popular controlled tightening method. This is due to its simplicity and its widespread understanding by the majority of engineers. The nominal torque necessary to tighten the bolt to a given tension can be determined either from tables, or, by calculation using a relationship between torque and the resulting bolt tension, or by testing. Friction that acts in the threads of the bolt and under the bolt head dissipates the majority of the tightening torque. For a free spinning nut, only about 15% of the torque is actually used to extend the bolt.

The majority of the torque is used to overcome friction under the nut face and in the threads. (figure 1)

Figure 2

The way in which this can affect replacement fasteners is that the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) specify the tightening torque based upon tests or calculations on the fasteners that are installed on the equipment. Many OEMs specify flanged headed fasteners (figure 2) for a number of reasons. Using a replacement fastener not of the same type, strength and finish as that originally specified will lead to potentially serious problems since the torque-tension characteristics will be affected. That is, the preload generated by the tightening torque may be insufficient to prevent the joint or the bolt failing.

Flanged headed nuts and bolts have been developed to eliminate the deficiencies that have been found with the use of washers.

Standard washers are typically softer than the nuts and bolts that they are used with and can often plastically deform under the high compressive stress that they must sustain. For higher strength fasteners, this can lead to the washer dishing and indenting resulting in the clamp force being reduced significantly. An example of such a washer is shown in figure 3.

Flange headed nuts and bolts do not suffer from this effect since the washer face is as strong as the bolt/nut itself.

To overcome the indentation problem, special hardened washers can be used, however, such washers are not available usually off the

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Figure 3 shelf. Research conducted in the 1980’s in the U.K. showed that because of the clearance hole in the washer, an eccentric loading can occur that can lead to very high localised stresses. A reasonably large clearance hole in the washer is needed to ensure that the radius that is present under the bolt head does not contact the hole edge. Such clearance on the nut can lead to the washer being tightened eccentrically to the bolt axis. This leads to a high localised load concentration increasing the risk of indentation and joint damage. This effect is illustrated in figure 4.

Figure 4

See us on stand 5.2 G7 19th-20th September 2007

TECHNICAL

90

One further effect that was noted in the research was movement of the bearing face during tightening. Normally when the nut is tightened, the nut moves on a stationary washer. However, it has been found that sometimes as the nut is being tightened, the washer begins to rotate on the joint surface. That is, the nut and the washer rotate as one. The effect of this is shown in figure 5. The relationship between the applied torque and bolt tension can change. For a given applied torque this can result in a significant loss of bolt tension. Unless careful observation is made during tightening, you will not be able to tell whether this effect has happened or not.

Figure 5

One final consequence of using washers is an effect referred to as embedding.

Surfaces that may feel flat are anything but flat when viewed under a microscope. A photo of the surface of a zinc plated washer is shown in figure 6. As you may be able to predict, when this surface is placed into contact with another, only the tops of the surfaces touch.

amount of loss, essentially the joint becoming ever so slightly thinner under the bolt head and nut face, is typically in the region of between 0.002 to 0.006mm for each metal to metal steel surfaces. It can be significantly more on surfaces that are painted.

The effect of using washers instead of flanged nuts and bolts is to increase the number of interfaces within the joint.

Since each face will sustain an embedding loss, the net effect of using washers is to increase the loss of bolt tension due to this effect. On joints that use bolts that have a relatively short grip length, typical of chassis joints, the additional embedding effect can be particularly pronounced. It is not unusual for short grip length joints, with several interfaces, to experience a bolt tension reduction of up to 50%. A joint that may perform satisfactorily when flanged nuts and bolts are used may suffer problems when washers are inserted into the joint.

Such a change can invalidate all the calculations and testing pertaining to the joint completed by the manufacturer.

Using a plain hexagon headed nut and bolt without washers will increase the surface pressure under the bolt head and nut face well beyond that which a standard structural steel surface can adequately support. The consequence of this is that the amount of embedding loss is significantly increased resulting in a higher than anticipated bolt tension loss.

Essentially the risk is that for short grip length joints, the bolts can come loose without nut rotation occurring. The Figure 6

Embedding is a result of local plastic deformations that occur under the nut face, in the joint faces and in the threads as a result of plastic flattening of the surface roughness. To some extent, this always will occur when two surfaces are placed in contact and loaded. It is known that the majority of embedding losses arise when the working load is first applied to a joint changing the contact pressures. The

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

adverse effect that this can have on the joint’s structural integrity is obvious.

As has been explained, there are several reasons as to why flanged nuts and bolts are preferred over standard hexagon fasteners used with washers. The sensible approach is to replace like fasteners with like fasteners; unless you are feeling lucky.

Bill Eccles is a Chartered Engineer and formed his company Bolt Science some 12 years ago to specialise in bolting technology. The company writes and markets bolted joint analysis software together with completing consultancy assignments and training courses.

Further information is available from Bill via email (bill@boltscience.com) or from the website at www.boltscience.co.uk

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

An eye for quality BAS Components installs second Retina inspection system

BAS Components Operation Director, Lee Timbrell with the new Retina Model 323

BAS Component, a subsidiary of TT Components PLC, has its manufacturing facility in Pembroke, to the very south west of Wales. The company also has a sales and technical centre in Sevenoaks, Kent, an office in Germany and a sales office & technical centre plus a warehouse in Ohio, United States.

At Pembroke, BAS Components manufactures a variety of proprietary products. BAS describes Flangeform as a high strength auto feed fastening solution that reduces process costs by up to 50%. It is a high strength captive nut and stud system ranging from M4 to M12, which provides high strength attachment points, particularly in thin and pre-finished sheet materials.

Spac Nut (self pierce and clinch) is new to Europe, designed to provide high pull-through strength in thicker material and high strength material applications. Once again full automatic feeding into the die or robotic cell leads to dramatic reductions in process costs. Popular automotive applications include chassis, aluminium and a range of brackets throughout the vehicle.

AVK is a program of high strength blind rivet nuts and studs, applied using lightweight pneumatic tooling in post process applications.

System Zero is a tamper resistant, external drive range of screws, produced in steel and stainless steel from M3 to M8 in machine thread and No:2 to No:14 in self tapping. In combination with a dedicated driver the unique head-style gives high torque transmission, generating exceptional clamp loads.

From Pembroke BAS Components also supplies DIN 928, 929 and special weld nuts.

Amongst its extensive customer list BAS Components numbers most of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers and tier suppliers. Its feed systems are installed in plants throughout Europe and North America.

“Not surprisingly, given our customer base,” says operations director, Lee Timbrell, “that quality has been clearly identified as a core issue, alongside achieving high levels of manufacturing

efficiency.” Since the acquisition of the Pembroke factory by TT electonics PLC, BAS Components has seen some £3.75 million investment; “a clear indication,” says Lee Timbrell, “of the confidence our parent company has in what we do here.”

A National Machinery Formax Plus installed in 2004 provides flexible manufacturing capability on specials and lower volume parts with very rapid changeover. “The fastest changeover we have managed is 20 minutes from last good part to new good part,” says Lee Timbrell. “For one part, a ball stud for the Ford Galaxy, National designed a split die, which has allowed us to cold form a part that previously had to be turned providing the customer with a very cost effective alternative.”

The main nut production is cell-based, using a series of Jern-Yao headers fitted with Brankamp process monitors, and fed from wire drawers. The formed nuts are conveyed directly to tapping stations and then to a centrifugal cleaner. The result is high levels of production efficiency and integrity. Another cell, comprising three differing capacity headers, and a range of thread rollers, is dedicated to stud production.

BAS uses a range of inspection technology depending on the product involved. It purchased its first Retina system in 2005. The second Model 323 Vision inspection system was ordered earlier this year and installed at the end of May. “Our first Retina system has probably inspected around 70 million parts by now,” says Lee Timbrell, “and we have not had a single customer rejection on these parts. Our inspection operation has actually been working three shifts compared to the two normally worked elsewhere in the plant – which explains why it was crucial to win investment approval for a second system.”

“We like the Retina technology. We also like the way the company goes about its business. The focus is firmly on the

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand 4. A30 19th-20th September 2007

94

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY The new Model 323 System has been equipped with a P3 automated packaging conveyer. The Vision System operates in a very similar way to the first but has updated computer processing, image collection, and inspection routines. The first system has also been upgraded to Retina’s newest libraries and inspection functions.

customer’s requirements but they also have exactly the approach an engineer wants to see, careful to make sure everything is right before moving on to the next stage.”

It is a point that Kevin Blenkiron, from Retina’s European representatives, Johnson Group, reiterates. “Retina are very easy to deal with. They are very conscientious and also very conservative.

They do not commit to something until they are completely certain they can do it. Having committed they always deliver.”

“On this project we sent BAS parts over to the States so that Retina could run them through their own machines. They discussed exactly what BAS wanted to detect in terms of potential errors.

Then they designed the system to meet those needs.”

Brian Moir, one of two Retina engineers who came over to Pembroke to commission the new system and upgrade the existing one, provides a detailed description of the installation.

“The original requirement Retina was set was for non-contact automated inspection of BAS Flangeform and SPAC nuts through an M6 to M12 and Unified equivalent range. Retina’s Model 323 is designed for internally threaded fasteners. In 2005 Retina personnel commissioned the first system and assisted in integrating it to a third party packaging system. Upon acceptance of the first system, BAS extended its use to cover an M5 part, which demonstrates the ease of use of the vision system. Its robustness is clear when you consider BAS has been running the system 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday, ever since.

“The P3 “Over-Under” packaging conveyor provided BAS with the ability to package right from inspection, which is very important in today’s Zero-Defect environment. It makes no sense to inspect and then risk contamination of the parts afterwards. The P3 can handle 6 empty and 6 full quarter keg or similar containers. The empty boxes load low and the full boxes are off-loaded at an ergonomically correct 36 inches.

“The parts are fed from a vibratory bowl onto a glass rotating table on which three cameras are trained. The system inspects and measures for thread presence/count/pitch, overall length (minimum, maximum or average can be selected), multiple diameters (again min, max or average can be selected), inner diameter, outside diameter, bore blockage, bore chips, concentricity, prevailing torque (2 point, 3 point) flange burst, hex to hex diameter, and point to point diameter – at rates up to 350 parts per minute.

“Part changeovers are repeatable, reproducible and fast, quick and easy. The non-contact material handling ensures that correctly oriented parts are presented to the vision modules. The humanmachine interface has a simple two-button operation and a straightforward menu structure, broken down into operator and supervisor functions.

“Stable PC platforms with Retina’s proprietary operating software are used. Here at Pembroke, efficiency and production reports are fed to BAS’ own central computer system.”

Final word, as is only fitting to the customer. “Our quality systems are fundamental to the continued strong position our proprietary products command in highly demanding markets,” says Lee Timbrell. “This latest investment with Retina provides us with vital inspection capacity to ensure we continue to provide our customers with complete quality assurance.”

Retina's Brian Moir with Johnson Group's Ray Farthing working on the Retina Laser Inspector that will be featured at Fastener Fair Stuttgart

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand 4. B44 19th-20th September 2007

96

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Breaking new ground In our March issue we reported how Tooling International Limited was “punching at a new weight” following its acquisition by Künzelsau based Würth Group. Here the UK West Midlands tooling specialist follows up to tell us how it is breaking new ground and “creating and seizing every opportunity presented to them”. shift in January), customers have greater confidence in our service degree. Most common standard parts are now available from stock and, for those that are not, they may only require some small modification from our comprehensive stock of semifinished parts. It is very pleasing that almost all enquiries received for parts that we now carry in stock, are very quickly converted into orders.”

TIL product has, almost without exception during its 25 year history, always been held in the highest regard from a quality perspective “Machine operators at screw manufacturers all over the world”, explains Justin Stanley, TIL’s deputy managing director and production drivingforce “have insisted that our product is specified on their jobs because our pins and punches allow for the highest quality recesses in terms of dimension and toollife.”

Now that TIL has firmly re-established its foundations through its programme of investment and continuous improvement, its new sales drive is centred upon its quality success story and improved delivery performance.

“Quality is the backbone of TIL and we are creating new and varied customer opportunities on the back of this,” explains Justin.

Tooling International is rightly proud of the licences it holds, as these are a testimony to the company’s manufacturing capability, as witnessed by the licensors. Following the move to new premises, more than twice the size of its two former factories combined and with extensive warehousing facilities, TIL has almost doubled its average weekly output in 2007.

“Thanks to the move,” tells Justin, “improved manufacturing routes and processes, as well as investment in plant and workforce (we introduced a second

Richard Woods, TIL managing director adds, “Another new service has been introduced as a result of our higher efficiency and capacity.” He goes on, “In today’s world of ‘everything is urgent’, customers are now taking full advantage of our new Breakdown Service, especially if the part is a little bit special. With manufacturing economies like China doing so well, it is important to change with the times and constantly look to distinguish yourself from the competition. If a car giant has a line down because screws are not being produced quickly enough, the financial implication is vast. Customers, knowing that we can assist in overcoming such problems, are turning to TIL more and more.”

Besides the licensed products and, in view of Richard and Justin’s desire to stay ahead of the game and break new ground, TIL is very much more proactive in its programme of R&D and new product development.

Richard says, “We are working very closely now with some key accounts to come up with new innovations as far as header tools and recesses are concerned. This allows us to foster closer working relations with our major customers and to influence, in a positive way, the future of screw production.”

TIL is no stranger to new invention; this is, in fact, one of the reasons why they are today proud members of the Würth family.

One of the products that they developed as an exclusive for the Group many years

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

before, the AWI recess (also known as Assy), has become so successful for the Group’s screw producers and distributors, it decided to safeguard its supply and longevity by buying the company.

Justin suggests, “Whilst header tools is what we are about, we do not dedicate our time only to new recess ideas. We focus similarly on new production methods, materials and coatings. TIL product may already enjoy excellent tool-life but we can always improve. Screw producers and tooling designers alike often approach us to work on an exclusive with or for them.

This makes for great ties and a bright future.”

Finally, Richard says, “Now that TIL’s renaissance is well underway, we have a very proactive selling strategy. We are conscious that the improvements that we have made should be passed first and foremost to those customers who have remained loyal to us over the years.

Thereafter, we break new ground: We have dispensed with channels of distribution that were not working so well and we have secured new ones. New and exclusive customer and distributor appointments are presenting TIL with exciting prospects for the future, as recently made in mainland Europe, North and South America and the Far East.”

“We are very interested to hear from any new contacts, producer, agent, distributor, in any market, UK or Export and would welcome them to TIL at any time” concludes Richard.

Manufacturers & Designers of Thread Rolling Dies Knurls & Engineer’s Chasers

EJOT Delta PT

TAPTITE®

www.mayesandwarwick.com contact us via email: sales@mayesandwarwick.com tel: +44 (0)1543 682561 fax: +44 (0)1543 686232

FOCUS ON

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Can-Eng

Eldes SNC di Bellotto Paola & C.

CAN-ENG FURNACES is an industry leader in the design and manufacturer of Continuous Mesh Belt Furnace Systems for the production heat treatment of fasteners. CAN-ENG can deliver any or all of the components of a fully integrated and automated heat treating system including furnaces, ovens, quenches, washing systems, atmosphere generators, material handling and feeding components.

Standard capacities range from 100 kgs/hr to 3300 kgs/hr.

Process capabilities include clean hardening, light case carburizing & carbonitriding, austempering, and martempering.

Can-Eng mesh belt systems have earned the reputation for the following: • Proven field reliability • Continuous production that delivers superior quality • Superior part quality and repeatability of heat treatment process • Systems engineered to address foreign material and part damage issues • Maximum fuel efficiency through innovative design and energy recuperation • Processes include clean hardening, carburizing, carbonitriding, austempering and martempering

QUALITY CONTROL STATION BY ELDES In the year 1993 we added to our product range, which up to then was focused to the real time control systems applied to metal cold forming, a quality control station specifically designed for the use in the production environment. The need of Eldes customers was to approach to the new quality rules without compromising the efficiency of the manufacturing.

The structure of the station plays an important role, so this accessory is from then part of our offer: not only quality software and interfaces with the most common commercial gages, but also practical mechanical solutions for the “control island“.

Now to the Stuttgart fair we will introduce a compact version of the quality station, a really mobile quality control station housing a battery operated industrial computer, an up to 16 inputs interface instrument for calibers, micrometers, comparators, connected to it through RS232/ USB port, a container with an extractable drawer, space for accessory parts and a new edition of the SPC software, build up according to the QS 9000 rules. The data treatment finds its natural expansion in more general software solutions for quality, production and commercial management.

For more information visit us at 5.2 G40 at Fastener Fair Stuttgart.

Tel: +1-905-356-1327

www.can-eng.com

Forming Solutions (UK) Ltd Forming solutions to suit your requirements

Tel: +39 039668589

General Inspection, llc LASERLAB Save Time & Money GUARANTEED

We are unique in Europe as a service and supply company into product manufacturing, with specialist focus towards the cold forming industry.

In addition to offering a consultancy service with a wealth of knowledge regarding production / process path equipment, tool / product design and lean manufacture, we have fast become an independent first tier supplier of specialist fluids, tooling items, machine spares and other focussed products and systems relating to cold forming manufacture into both Global and European companies. By understanding the ever increasing demands being placed on our clients to reduce expenditure, we can work closely with them on cold forming projects to help them achieve this.

Clive Cross, Managing Director said “With 34 years experience and expertise in manufacturing, specialising in all aspects of the demanding cold forming process combined with the supply chain expertise of Sarah Badis, Office and Accounts Manager, we are an extremely strong team unequalled in the marketplace. The consultancy has been buoyant from the outset, but in January 2006 the supply aspect was introduced and thus far 2007 has seen tremendous growth in demand and market penetration”.

Tel: +44 (0) 1438 743500

www.eldes.net

www.formingsolutions.co.uk

The Laserlab is a 3-Dimensional laser gaging system capable of measuring all profile characteristics in less than 15 seconds.

• First Piece Inspection • SPC Sampling • Ppap’s • Final Audits Features Measured: • Lengths • Diameters • Tapers • Radii • Straightness • Concentricity • Hex-Across Corners/Flats • Recess Depth • Threads • Trilobe See the Laserlab at Fastener Fair - Stuttgart, Germany

Tel: +1 (0) 248.625.0529

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

www.geninsp.com

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Hilker & Partner GmbH PACE inspection machine for high end users.

Extremely profitable due to a very quick return of investment The PACE inspection machine is the market leading machine to inspect fasteners since 27 years. With 510 machines world wide the PACE has proven its capability to inspect nearly any kind of fasteners with a 100% zero ppm quality. The zero ppm guarantee is insured through our 4 time redundant safety loop.

Return on investment is one of the high lights if the PACE machine.

Speeds up to 1300 part / minute, change over within a few minutes make the machine extremely profitable. With a combination of up to 5 different test systems ( camera, mechanics, LASER, optics, eddy current ) the machine can adapt in minutes to any requirement of the wanted inspection process.

Tecno Impianti srl Founded in 1979, Tecno Impianti is the leading European manufacturer of in-line wire drawing machines.

Many fasteners manufacturers utilize them because of the many advantages they bring: costs saving, better wire diameter control, improved tool life, low operating costs. We can offer a full range of our units Mod. SKP, from 3,0 to 35,0 mm.

Tecno Impianti also supplies off-line wire drawing bullblocks, for coil-to-coil applications. We can offer complete lines, equipped also with uncoiler, wire pointer, take-up unit, coil compactor.

We also manufacture power-driven uncoilers, utilized for feeding cold heading machines with medium-big wire (12,7 – 35,0 mm.).

They are available in different sizes and are equipped with power-driven feed rolls and a pre-straightening system. A full range of accessories is available: additional pre-straightening rolls, cut-off unit, chamfering unit, rotating base, longer coil-holding arm.

World wide service network, large spare part stocks, own contract sorting facility and permanent training seminars allows a perfect after sales service.

Tel +49 711 98 09 18 0

www.hilker-partner.de

Fax: +39 0341 604289

E-mail: info@tecnoimpianti-italy.com

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Unique precision assembly machine speeds production James Walker RotaBolt has installed a specially developed precision assembly machine, to help meet increasing sales that are being driven by the growing demand for safer and more reliable bolted joints. The new machine represents an investment of £250,000 and significantly speeds the production of RotaBolt’s unique tension monitoring fasteners. It has been supplied by Wavis 2000, who worked in close partnership with the company to develop the bespoke installation.

Wavis 2000, designers and manufacturers of bespoke machine tool equipment, took 9 months to complete the development work.

The new machine features a carousel which operates through four different stations to finally deliver the completed assembly.

Each fastener has an indicator inserted and a grease filled Rotacap fitted; it is then calibrated and load tested. Every fastener has an individual print-out as evidence of its 100% load testing. The machine can accommodate

bolts ranging from M12 to M64.

“This is a unique piece of equipment,” commented Phil Shrimpton, engineering director at Wavis 2000. “We had to replicate a complicated process of assembly, covering many different steps, all usually done by hand. We have a lot of experience in developing precision equipment of this type – but it had never been done before, and we are very pleased with the performance of the new machine.”

“Every fastener we produce has been individually assembled, calibrated and 100% load tested,” commented John Hirst, engineering manager, “this new production process is three times quicker than it was before. It not only helps us to meet growing demand, but also further enhances the exacting and precise technology of our systems”

Videx introduce Dual-Spindle thread rollers Videx has introduced a new line of Dual-Spindle thread rollers which can thread roll parts above and below the shoulder. The threads above and below the shoulder can either be different or similar to each other due to the two rolling heads being independently set and matched. This eliminates any influence of one rolling operation on the other and enables the use of simple and more economical thread rolling dies.

The two threads are rolled one after the other. The blanks accumulate in a magazine after the first rolling station and enter the second station already oriented, assuring no mix between blanks and no thread damage.

• Less handling, eliminating the possibility of mixing parts, such as heat treated parts with non heat treated parts.

• It allows rolling with inexpensive tooling, while having complete control of the quality of each rolling operation. When a tool has to be replaced, it can be done in minutes.

Both thread rolling stations are equipped with controlled thread rolling start, hydraulic clamping of the thread rolling dies, zero-taper mechanism for parallel threads and micrometric thread pressure screws. Other standard features include AC speed controller, automatic air shut-off and dual operator control panel on both sides of the machine for convenient and safe operation.

Videx claims that the advantages of the new dual head thread rollers include: • The independent adjustment assures a better quality of each rolled operation. It also helps to better control the separate operations and the tooling used.

• The production speed is higher. The second operation does not slow down the machine.

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MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

Mayes & Warwick acquires new licenses Mayes and Warwick has recently broadened its range by acquiring a license for the manufacture of rolling dies for PT screw™, Delta PT screws™, and Duro screws™ (under license from Ejot Gmbh).

This new license is in addition to the licenses for the full range of MAThread™ products (from MAThread Inc.), and also compliments the full Taptite™, Powerlok™ and Remform™, as well as the MAGTITE ™ range which it manufactures under license from Conti Fasteners AG.

Licensed products add to the wide range of thread and form rolling dies which Mayes and Warwick offers. Dies can also be supplied for CA or Ogival point screws as well as for self tapping screws, woodscrews, two start wood screws chipboard, and Hilo, to name but a few, in addition to knurling tools.

The ranges of thread are spread from a pitch of 0.25mm up to 3.00mm and are produced almost entirely on CNC machines.

Mayes & Warwick is registered to ISO 9001:2000 and has developed an environmental policy in accordance with ISO 14000.

Products are manufactured from various High Speed Steels, powder metallurgy steels, as well as tool steels, and now including its new DB7 or DB9 process to enhance the tool life of M42 products.

Universal corrosion protection for the automotive industry With the zinc flake process range from KUNZ, Atotech provides a perfect complement to its product portfolio of galvanic based corrosion resistant coatings. The system ZINTEK / TECHSEAL BLACK meets the requirements of the automotive industry for black surfaces.

ZINTEK is a Cr(VI)-free zinc flake system, which forms an adhesive bonding to iron or steel based material. During baking a

conductive, non-toxic, zinc aluminum coating with cathodic protection effect is formed. The dry film is lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium free. As ZINTEK is applied in a non-electrolytic dip-spin and/or spray technique, hydrogen embitterment is irrelevant. In combination with the organic topcoat TECHSEAL BLACK a multifunctional coating is formed, which provides chemical and mechanical resistance and fulfills the torque tension requirements.

Especially developed for fasteners, the

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand 5.2 F50 19th-20th September 2007

combination of ZINTEK / TECHSEAL BLACK achieves corrosion resistance values of more than 240 hours to white rust and over 1,000 hours to red rust.

PROFILE

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The fastest and most secure connection is… WASI WASI's success story started in 1961 when Emil Wagener and Werner Simon started a new company in Wuppertal. The original two types of stainless steel connector, designated A2 and A4, have grown into a range that currently includes tens of thousands of items.

WASI now holds 24,000 of those items permanently in stock and available for immediate delivery. For WASI this is what makes it the supplier with the broadest and deepest range on the market, and a global market leader in stainless steel connectors from A1 to A5 in all strength classes.

Numerous national and international trading companies and industrial concerns have relied on the excellence of WASI's service and rapid, accurate delivery capabilities for many decades.

In order to be able to deliver products better and faster to specific industries, WASI has set up a commercial structure that consists of four divisions: WASI NORM markets a comprehensive range of standard stainless steel fasteners according to DIN, ISO and other common international norms.

A second division, WASI SOLAR, markets high quality, patented fixing technology made from stainless steel, aluminium and plastic for photovoltaic and solar heating systems.

Safe tec system

WASI MARITIM offers selected premium products made from A5 quality stainless steel. In addition to maritime applications and markets products from this program are used in the landscape and horticulture sectors, in architecture and, also, in the food and sewage engineering sector.

The fourth division, WASI SPEZIAL, markets products for installers such as height-adjustable elements, articulated supports and machine units and meets customer requirements for products that are not included in the DIN or other standard ranges.

WASI operates globally, but not just in terms of suppliers and partners.

Independent WASI trading companies exist in Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Spain, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and China. WASI founded its first wholly owned subsidiary in Poland at the beginning of the year. An international team of 16 native speakers from 11 different nations service customers from more than 60 different countries on all four continents.

WASI introduced the DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 quality management system in 1993.

This system guarantees the highest quality standards, for example, by ensuring consistent inspection of goods delivered by outside suppliers.

In the company's chemical and

HVE height adjustable element

metallurgical laboratory, exhaustive quality tests are performed in order to identify the specific material properties of all metal compounds. The results of these tests and the mechanical properties are passed on to WASI's customers in the form of a test certificate to DIN EN 10204 (formerly DIN 50049). WASI has the most extensive testing facilities in the stainless fastener industry. WASI can also provide ADW and TRD certificates to DIN EN 10204.

WASI exhibits at international trade fairs in Germany such as Practical World in Cologne or the Fastener Fair in Stuttgart and at fairs in export markets like Fasttec in Russia or the Big 5 Show in Dubai. WASI SOLAR is a regular participant at Intersolar in Freiburg and at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition. WASI MARITIM exhibits its maritime products once a year at the METS fair in Amsterdam.

WASI constantly searches for new customer-oriented solutions and recognises that innovation creates new markets. With this in mind, WASI develops and patents new and unique products. Good examples are the HVE height adjustable element, the GTS ground tackle system and more recently the Safe-Tec solar roof tile and Safe-Tec solar console.

The patented height-adjustable elements for the installation and positioning of machines have been successfully used in diverse applications over the years and stand out for their high load capacity, exact adjustment, durable fixing, security locking

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

PROFILE

106

GTS ground tackle system

system and ease of use. The height-adjustable elements are used in applications where height levelling or stress-free fixing is required.

WASI MARITIM is particularly proud of the GTS, a patented and Germanischer Lloyd-approved ground tackle system consisting of a U-shaped anchor, anchor chain and the WASI-Compact and WASI-Powerball anchor-to-chain connectors.

The plastic Safe-Tec solar roof tile for tiled roofs, the stainless steel Safe-Tec solar console for trapezium sheet roofs and the round adapter and J-adapter for all forms of sheet-clad roofs were developed in close collaboration with professional designers and customers as innovative system solutions for mounting solar modules.

WASI will continue to focus strongly on developing and patenting innovative products in the future as well. The company also plans improvements to the logistics process in 2008.

Beyond its primary role in ensuring consistent high product quality and availability, coupled with excellence in logistics, WASI offers a comprehensive range of additional services to its customers. These includes mechanical treatment, assembly solutions, packaging including packing to customer’s specifications and taking on long range deliveries on the customers behalf.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

108

MANAGEMENT & SYSTEMS

PayPal Website Payments Pro integrates with Actinic ecommerce software Actinic and PayPal have announced a new integration between version 8 of Actinic’s desktop ecommerce software and PayPal Website Payments Pro. The announcement follows the earlier release of integration between Website Payments Pro and the web-based Actinic Express.

Website Payments Pro features three distinct functions: Express Checkout, Direct Payment API and Virtual Terminal.

The Direct Payment API lets merchants accept credit or debit card payments just as they would with traditional merchant accounts. Buyers simply enter their card details directly on the merchant website

and the payments are processed through PayPal. Customers who choose to pay with PayPal Express Checkout can move from shopping cart to payment completion in just three clicks. There is no need for customers to go through the hassle of reentering billing or delivery information with every purchase. The customer initiates and approves a PayPal payment earlier in the checkout process after which billing and delivery information is sent immediately from PayPal to the merchant’s website.

Website Payments Pro also includes

Infor acquires Hansen & Workbrain Infor has announced the closing of two acquisitions, Hansen Information Technologies and Workbrain Corporation. The acquisitions give Infor an added offering to local government through Hansen, and significantly bolstering its presence in human capital management through Workbrain.

Jim Schaper, chairman and CEO of Infor commented “Workbrain and Hansen customers join the ranks of our growing customer base, which benefits from our global reach, scale, and solutions that were built to lower total cost of ownership.”

Workbrain brings workforce management solutions to Infor’s strong Human Capital Management (HCM) portfolio, which includes a full complement of human resource management and talent management applications. The combination expands Infor’s existing offering to help companies manage their work force through automation of other business areas such as time and attendance, scheduling, absence management and work force planning, and gives it a comprehensive suite of HCM solutions.

Infor claims that the addition of Hansen establishes it as a leading provider of enterprise applications for local government and municipal entities. Infor’s public sector offering now includes Human Capital Management (HCM), Revenue Management, and Enterprise Asset Management for public sector organisations of all sizes.

Virtual Terminal, a new feature that allows merchants to accept orders “offline” via phone, fax and mail. Merchants use an online interface to manually enter card details, which are then processed by PayPal. There are no set up or cancellation fees, reporting or gateway costs. Pricing for Website Payments Pro includes a low monthly fee of £20 and a per-transaction rate of 1.4 to 3.4 percent plus 20 pence.

For new and existing Actinic customers signing up to Website Payments Pro for the first time, PayPal will waive the £20 monthly fee until 1 January 2008.

WinMan delivers efficiency gains for Clevedon Fasteners SSL WinMan, has supplied Clevedon Fasteners with its WinMan.NET ERP solution. Specialising in the manufacture of commercial, automotive, self piercing and aerospace cold formed components, Clevedon Fasteners has grown from £1million turnover in 2000 to £3.5 million in 2006.

The company’s legacy systems were based on old technology and designed for a very small company. After trialing a larger system, Clevedon Fasteners approached SSL WinMan and decided to invest in WinMan Managing director Steve Hardeman explains. “We didn’t want a system that couldn’t grow with us, or required costly and time consuming requests for minor customising. WinMan provided the best starting place and the best path forward.”

Implementation included replacing the company’s hardware and WinMan successfully went live in December 2006.

WinMan’s integration has replaced the need to manually re-enter the same data for each phase of business, which has radically reduced transaction times and also avoids data entry errors.

Improved visibility has also led to efficiency gains in the company’s production planning, optimisation of batch sizes and flow routing.

WinMan also ensures that adjustments to correct variances between parts projected and parts actually produced are fully traceable, which provides indicators to potential efficiency gains.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Email is the new snail mail

New one stop eShop with prof.ITplus

A UK and Canada based software development company is set to revolutionise business communications with the launch of an affordable ‘Business Class’ Instant Messaging (IM) service.

OGL has launched its eagerly awaited eCommerce solution, eShop for prof.ITplus, the industry leading software for stockists and distributors. OGL claims the new eShop module is set to revolutionise business operations within these sectors and is an extension of this fully integrated software which has already seen record sales this year.

Rozmic Wireless has developed Rozmic Messenger, having identified the need for organisations in both the private and public sectors to support collaborative business processes securely.

Research indicated that IM is the best way to accelerate new forms of collaboration and communication amongst distributed workforces. The system increases productivity as e-mail inboxes swell with spam. Large and remotely distributed teams require continuous real-time communication, but public access IM systems present a security risk which is unacceptable in business.

In addition to secure communications, Rozmic Messenger allows users to see who is online and exchange messages with them.

Files can be transferred more quickly and securely than via email and the system operates from any PC, laptop, hand-held device and some mobile phones.

eShop raises order processing to a whole new level by enabling the seamless integration between a web shop and prof.ITplus: automatically processing online orders; allowing for any pricing rules to be applied; as well as checking stock availability. Any information from web-based orders is relayed back to the main prof.ITplus system, updating sales ledgers, CRM information and stock levels, without the need for a separate database.

The new eShop solution comes as an addition to this already extensive software package from OGL, who have over 30 years experience in providing software solutions to the distribution and wholesale marketplace.

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TOOL ZONE

Clinching a cost down The latest portable clinching pliers from Eckold Ltd are air operated, making them suitable for a wide range of general workshop applications. Two models, the MDZ 35/35 and the MDZ 45/30, offer variations on the clinching force available, as well as horizontal throat and access gap clearance dimensions.

ducting, together with cladding and roofing, or wherever thinner gauge metal sheets are joined, having a combined maximum thickness of 3mm (2.5mm for the MDZ 45/30 unit). The handheld clinching tools are complemented with a booster unit. This is an air over oil intensifier, which generates a 360 bar output pressure from a standard airline input of 6 bar, delivering a working force at the clincher head of 35kN (29kN for the MDZ 45/30).

The normal availability of compressed air in even smaller engineering establishments, gives these clinchers an appeal because of their ‘plug-in and use’ capabilities. The tools accommodate both square (S-DF) and round (R-DF) clinching joints, providing an alternative to spot welding or riveting. Typical markets include, heating, ventilating and general

Both models, at 3.5kg in weight, are easy to handle, with generous access and throat dimensions for good component accessibility. Integrated adjustable path limitation is provided as standard and short cycle times can be achieved for single stroke operation.

A two metre airline hose connection is

supplied as standard and a low power 240V supply is required for the clincher trigger mechanism.

New Makita guide for HAV, noise and dust regulations.

Makita, has launched an updated version of its SOLUTIONS programme, a comprehensive package of data, regulation explanations and training opportunities designed to help power tool owners and operators control risks and meet the highest industrial safety standards.

identification systems to give the operator important safety information such as vibration ratings, HSE exposure points, noise ratings, permitted usage time and even the traffic light colour coding system. The data printed onto the indestructible tags is sourced from a software programme, developed by Makita and their SOLUTIONS partner, which forms part of the new fleet management initiative.

The launch includes a new, detailed guide to the latest regulations covering not only the important HAV vibration debate, but also prevention and protection from noise and dust pollution in the work place. It includes advice for employees and employers, recommendations for protective action, tool selection and operating limits and methods.

The Toolminder software package is available on CD, the simplest solution to create accurate and safe power tool records that show the machine on the ownership inventory, records usage and service history and provides security records protecting against theft and loss.

Makita’s says its Anti Vibration Technology power tools have set new standards of safety and performance. Reciprocating dampers have dramatically cut machine-generated vibration whilst enhancing performance. Similarly dust extraction systems designed into Makita tools coupled to powerful vacuum extractors provide a clean and safe working environment.

The new Makita SOLUTIONS fleet management service offers substantial tool fleet owners, such as the major tools rental companies, an extendable warranty and service backup scheme. SOLUTIONS can cover all Makita tools including petrol driven products.

The high impact power of Makita drills and breakers and the use of Y-cutter bits reduce noise. The new UK Control of Noise at Work regulations became law in April last year to ensure employee’s hearing is protected from excessive noise levels. The new SOLUTIONS guide lists maximum sound pressure and sound power noise levels for many Makita machines.

Makita has carried out a year-long market test on power tool

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

ACTION CAN There’s no BIGGER name in Industrial Aerosols

60+ PREMIUM GRADE SPECIALIST PRODUCTS

Action Line: 01942 713667 www.actioncan.com

TOOL ZONE

112

The

Pinnacle

of Quality

Rapid launches cable tacker Rapid has launched the Utac™, the first tacker specifically designed for professionals installing UK 1mm2 or 1.5mm2 flat mains lighting cables.

The Utac™ is a completely new innovation from Rapid developed over several years and field tested extensively in the UK by professional electricians.

The unique feature of the Utac™ is the non conductive staples made from special composite plastic material which contain no metal.

Other features include a specially designed ‘nose’ guide which combined with the rear cable guide helps to keep the cable in place while fixing, an adjustable driving impact force, fold away handle for easy storage, plus a bottom loading magazine for fast easy reloads of Utac/13mm staples.

Sighting a spirit is easier with AMI AMI, an Australian brand of spirit levels, give a much better sighting unlike square edged spirit levels says leading tool provider, Rollins & Sons (London).

Good bits are made by

USH

The AMI level has an easy to read rounded vial with UV stability unlike some traditional levels that historically have square edges which can distort the reading. To ensure maximum accuracy when sighting, the AMI central

B i t s a n d To o l s

USH Schraubwerkzeugfabrik · Phone: +49 (0) 27 33 / 89 46-0

info@ush-tools.de · www.ush-tools.com

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

vial is magnified. All AMI vials are resin locked to provide maximum strength and they benefit from a unique high tensile vial support.

The precision machined edged coupled with the smooth sided profile ensures the AMI level stays clean. Maximum grip is achieved by high impact rubber end caps which can be replaced.

Every AMI level is accurate to 0.0050mm vial up or down and comes with a lifetime accuracy guarantee

See us on stand

5.2 G16 19th-20th September 2007

...and now from Arpel more quality fasteners. The range of high strength structural threaded inserts maximising grip range are now available in stainless steel and hexagon body in steel. Other types of standard inserts, rivets, pin and collars and all associated tooling boringly available from stock at quality prices with Live Chat Entertainment!

Tel: 01384 296 660 Fax: 01384 280 320 Email: sales@arpelchilterns.co.uk

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TOOL ZONE

Full range of shooting fixing nails & cartridges Bossong has offered a large and professional range of powder actuated tools since 1962. As it is the Italian fixings specialist’s 45th anniversary this year, it plans to introduce a new generation of powder actuated tools.

See us on stand 5.2 G41

19th-20th September 2007

At this year’s SED the Young Black stand gave visitors a chance to try for themselves the latest range of MAX Re-Bar Tying Tools.

The first tool Bossong plans to introduce is the automatic BOSS-8000 with magazine M75, approved by the C.I.P. Institute. This new tool will replace the current BOSS80B and magazine C75B. The BOSS-60B and magazine C45B will also be replaced at the beginning of 2008 with the BOSS6000 with magazine M45.

Both these new tools have power regulator, automatic self-cocking piston and automatic cartridge advance system for 6, 8/11 strip cartridges in green, yellow and red.

These are low velocity tools using an indirect action and the maximal speed of fasteners is less then 100 metres/second.

The risk of accidental discharge is minimised since to fire a cartridge requires at least 0.17 kN (17 Kg) trigger

Faster tying from Young Black

pressure. The tools also have minimal recoil in use and produce little noise thanks to an internal silencer.

The tools also offer high power, enabling steel penetration up to 10mm. A wide variety of nails are suitable for both tools such as: KDH, KDHM, KDRK, KDHR 15, KDHR 23, KDHR 36, KDR, GD6 (M6), GD8 (M8), KDC and KISL, with the use of the correct guide and base plate.

Carltsoe non spark hand tools selected by SSE Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has selected Hi-Co Technologies Ltd as its source for non spark hand tools for use in areas of potential explosive atmosphere at Peterhead Power Station. Hi-Co are the UK distributor for Carltsoe Safety Tools of Denmark and supplied a bespoke 28 piece tool kit of wrenches, spanners and hammers, made from Copper Beryllium, all of which were securely housed in a custom made wooden cabinet.

Although the most stringent safety measures are in place, the station is powered by gas, the generators are cooled using Hydrogen and Hydrogen is also stored on site. Every area was risk assessed, with ATEX zones 1 and 2 identified as areas where non-spark tools are required.

SSE has praised the quality and practicality of the tools and is pleased with the service levels provided by both Carltsoe & Hi-Co. Subsequently, a further order for a 30 piece tool kit, again in Copper Beryllium, is currently being processed.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

At the centre of the MAX Re-Bar Tying tool range is the RB395. Young Black claims that where speed and reliability are paramount, the MAX RB395 offers the answer with a quick and consistent fix. Each slash tie takes less than one second to complete. The tool is operated simply with one hand thanks to its easy trigger action and light, compact body.

The Max range of Re-Bar Tying tools are supplied with a full range of equipment as standard in its carry case. Two batteries, which charge in just twenty minutes, plus a charger, holster and instructional CD, meaning each tool is ready to start working immediately. MAX also produces a range of wire including stainless steel and polyester-coated wire as well as the standard steel wire.

400+ exhibitors make Stuttgart this year’s “must-visit” event With over 420 exhibitors from 38 countries signed up to showcase their expertise at Fastener Fair Stuttgart, the exhibition has shaped up to be the industry’s unmissable event for 2007. And now visitors are preregistering on www.fastenerfair.com in their hundreds, taking advantage of the opportunity to save the €20 entrance free and receive fast-track VIP entry.

The bold prediction by show organiser Jerry Ramsdale, that the event would double in size following the first show in 2005, has proved correct. In fact, not only are there more than double the number of exhibitors, but the floorspace has also increased as companies have booked larger stands.

The show will now occupy three halls of Messe Stuttgart Killesberg. And every sector of the global industry will be well represented, including manufacturers and distributors of all fasteners and construction fixings, as well as suppliers of the entire

scope of manufacturing technology – from raw materials through to packaging.

Taking place on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 September 2007, Fastener Fair Stuttgart has answered the industry’s need for a show in the industrial heartlands of Europe dedicated exclusively to fasteners and fixings. In addition to the trade show itself, there will be an Innovations Showcase highlighting the latest technology, services and solutions. And all registered visitors and exhibitors will enjoy free entry to the badgeholders party and networking event at the end of the first day.

With the majority of its visitors naturally coming from across Europe, Fastener Fair Stuttgart has also attracted visitors from every other continent, in particular Asia and North America. Visitors wishing to preregister for free entry to the show should visit www.fastenerfair.com and click on the link in the big yellow box. Registration is fast

and easy, and will save not only the €20 entrance free, but also a lot of time on arrival.

Tour from North America Fastener Fair Stuttgart has arranged a special tour package for visitors from North America, including return non-stop flights from Atlanta, GA to Stuttgart. Visitors can also fly from other US airports into Frankfurt, an easy one-hour train trip from Frankfurt airport into Stuttgart.

To find out more about the full tour programme, contact show organiser Jerry Ramsdale – jerry@fastfair.net.

To exhibit Remaining exhibition space is now very limited, so companies wishing to attend are strongly advised to contact the organisers as soon as possible: Jerry Ramsdale or Jamie Mitchell by email – info@fastfair.net – or telephone – +44 (0) 1727 739 150.

Register on line - www.fastenerfair.com

Hold on a moment !

See us on stand

5.2 F21 19th-20th September 2007

C-parts don't turn you on?

Take another look. As a Reyher customer you profit from ...

• one of the biggest and best ranges of threaded fasteners • top-class supply reliability plus order-management simplicity • resupply flexibility and friendly service second to none

www.reyher.de

Holding Parts Together

By the way, the lady drove straight to the office, where you can reach her by dialling +49 40 8 53 63-0.

She knows everything about C-parts management and Reyher.

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NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Don't miss the Fastener Fair New Product Showcase Following its success in 2005 the New Product Showcase will again be the place to find innovative concepts and products, one of which could turn out to be your new profit opportunity for the coming year.

Here is a sample of just some of the innovations you will find at Stuttgart. To see them all you'll just have to be there!

Bossong introduce new opening system Bossong has developed and patented a new opening system for its 300ml and 165ml resin cartridges. Cutting tools are not required to open the plastic foil and problems with things such as safety and dirt are solved. With this extractor system no strong pump pressure is required to open the clip and common silicon guns can be used to process the cartridge.

Bossong resins, due to strong adhesion

See us on stand

5.2 G41 19th-20th September 2007

value and the ease of penetration into holes and hollow areas, permit secure fixing without expansion and so without stresses in the base material. Resins provide anchoring in any support materials. Heavy duty formulations for concrete (VINIL and V-LUS) are also ideal for use in hollow bricks with plastic sleeves (POLY SF and POLY) or for anchoring in historical buildings or for repairs (EPOX).

Keeping it a surprise Quality control station by Eldes Deltaleigh is proving uncharacteristically coy about its entry for the New Product Showcase at Fastener Fair Sttutgart.

Using interrogation methods the CIA would never admit to, we did manage to extract a few words from Deltaleigh director, Tony Balmforth.

“Deltaleigh Ltd will be introducing an amazing and unique new UK fixing at the Stuttgart show, that’s been in research and development for over 24 months. The product range will be marketed as the “Rigifix© Fixing System”. It’s a product that’s been designed and created around solving a See us on major application problem “ stand Looks like you just have to be at Stuttgart 4. E34 19th-20th September 2007 for when Deltaleigh reveals all!

Seeing is believing Manassero & C srl has a new website,www.manassero.eu, which brings an innovative approach to assessing the suitability of used manufacturing equipment. The site uses Flash Player technology and incorporates high quality video clips of the machines in operation. “The great advantage to our customers,” says Marco Manaserro, “is that before they could only see machines stored since longtime and they were always questioning if machine had been sold because it was broken or had See us on problems. What we achieve with videos stand is to show machines regularly running 4. B30 in production and this has been greatly 19th-20th September 2007 appreciated by our customers.”

At Fastener Fair, Stuttgart, Eldes will introduce a compact version of its quality station, a really mobile quality control station housing a battery operated industrial computer, with an interface instrument with up to 16 inputs for calibers, m i c r o m e t e r s , comparators, connected to it through RS232/ USB port. The quality control station will also include a container with an extractable drawer, space for accessory parts and a new edition of the SPC software, built according to the QS 9000 rules.

See us on stand

5. L31 19th-20th September 2007

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Manufacturers of Masonry Nails, Cartridge Tool Nails, Washered Nails and Capping Nails

J.H. de Wit en Zonen B.V., P.O. Box 60, Gerstdijk 17, Industrial Zone No. 9081, 5700 AB Helmond, The Netherlands.

Tel: +(31) 492 - 588888 Fax: +(31) 492 - 547585 E-mail: info@don-quichotte.nl www.don-quichotte.nl

See us on stand

4. A8 19th-20th September 2007

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE

122

TtapDrive AS Cordless air nailer introduces from PREBENA ttap® The ttap® is an improved new hexalobular (hex-lob) drive system without the disadvantages of the generic hex-lob.

TtapDrive AS claims that the ttap® makes screw assembling easier and cheaper.

The ttap® is a drive system designed to work with all types of assembling, including crafts working and single handed operation. The ttap® offers the following benefits to users:

See us on stand 4. C21 19th-20th September 2007

PREBENA tells us the PKT-7-RK90 is the first tool of its type in the world. It can, without backfitting, either be used with the handy air-cylinder KT-3500 or with a standard air-compressor. This makes it the perfect tool for stationary and mobile applications. With both modes this nailer drives roundhead nails up to 90 mm (3-1/2”) quick with plenty of power.

The user is always totally independent of any energy sources as well as of weather and temperature. The user may refill the aircylinders himself with the PREBENA compressor PKTFillmaster 350 or change them at a participating distributor.

More advantages of the PREBENA PKT-7-RK90 are: • Powerful drive: up to 3-1/2" (90 mm), even in screw or ring shank.

• Quiet and completely odourless.

• Fast shot-sequence with constant drive.

• Very well balanced.

• For paper- or plastic collated PREBENA round-head nails from 50 – 90 mm (2” – 3-1/2”).

• “Double Strip Magazine” = 60 nails.

• Integrated pressure gauge.

E.u.r.o.Tec GmbH • Screwdriver enters the recess more easily.

• Screwdriver “stick fit” in recess.

• No magnetic bit holder needed and no steel splinters to clog bit.

• The ttap® recessed screws sticks to the ttap® screwdriver.

• One-hand operations is no problem.

• Screwdriver does not wobble out of the recess (Does not cam out).

See us on stand 5.2 G7 19th-20th September 2007

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

E.u.r.o Tec GmbH has entered the EuroTecIdeeFix, claimed to be the ultimate hidden timber connection, in to the New Product Showcase at Fastener Fair, Stuttgart.

To fasten f.i. posts with cross-beams the EuroTec-IdeeFix offers easy application, three dimensional fastening and can be used for a wide range of different sized applications.

Also when the EuroTec-IdeeFix is used for fastening post-anchors it can adapt to pressure and wind loads, is easy to use, adjustable after assembly and has a high constructive See us on t i m b e r stand protection.

4. A24

19th-20th September 2007

classic • system • automotive

See us on stand 4. C15/D12 19th-20th September 2007

The well-tried concept of the “Big Bolts” and the “Long Thins”. A stock programme of screws with hexagon socket and hexagon insert according to DIN/ISO for special niches and ranges.

Service offers and solutions for the c-parts management, in short everything that exceeds a standard delivery.

A stock and procurement programme of automobile spare parts according to drawing, sharepart-number and DIN/ISO-standard.

Achilles Seibert GmbH Philipp-Reis-Straße 3 · D-24558 Henstedt-Ulzburg · Germany Fon: +49 4193 89 55 · Fax: +49 4193 89 56 99 info@achill-fasteners.com · www.achill-fasteners.com

Achill Office Shanghai for: • quality control and direct imports • prompt and direct communication for our customers with our business partners in China

124

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE

The best of both worlds…

See us on stand

4. B12

RapierStar has always enabled users to choose from its long life, plated carbon steel window screws or from its comprehensive stainless steel range, for guaranteed rust-free confidence.

Now Rapierstar has introduced the new bimetallic self drilling screws which offer users the best of both worlds.

The new bi-metallic self drilling screw offers users: No rust - Austenitic stainless steel has an expected working life of over 50 years.

No wobble - ‘Stick fit’ square drive / Phillips recess is easy to use and safe, even for single-handed operations.

19th-20th September 2007

No spinning - Under head braking ribs, avoid spinning and improve the grip on your hardware, preventing movement.

No stripping – Thicker, 4.5mm thread diameter, helps to prevent stripping and increase pull-out value.

No snapping – Stronger drill point geometry eliminates breakages. Precision

welding ensures that the thread gripping into the reinforcement is corrosion free, austenitic stainless steel.

New ‘Philidas’ A2-80 locking nut The ‘Philidas’ all-metal locking nut is made entirely from A2 stainless steel, as opposed to the more common and lower specification A1 material used by other manufacturers.

The design achieves class ‘80’ strength (equivalent to a mild steel property class 8 nut).

Parts are marked “A2”, and as with all Philidas products they are proudly marked with the “PL” manufacturer’s logo. (Size limitations mean markings are only applied on M5 parts and above).

See us on stand 5.2 G33 / H32 19th-20th September 2007

The “bent beam” type of locking element uses horizontally opposed slots to reduce the overall height of the locking feature and provide a symmetrical 2-point locking element.

Tox introduce the PSD-SL The company Tox-Dübelwerk from Southern Germany has developed a new plug – the PSD-SL. The new plug is a parallel expansion fixing due to its two-part divided expansion sections positioned at 90° to each other. This, Tox claims, guarantees optimal distribution of strength for a secure hold in difficult undergrounds, due to distribution occurring in four directions.

Tox claims that an advantage of the PSD-SL is the newly developed movable fin locks, which effectively prevent the fixing from turning in building materials. Furthermore, Tox claims that the PSD-SL has got higher holding capabilities than standard plastic fixings and that it can be used for fastening in the medium load range, due to its large anchoring depth.

The plug is made of 100% nylon and the material is temperature resistant from -40 to +80 degrees Celsius.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand

5.2 F11 19th-20th September 2007

See us on stand

4. C25 19th-20th September 2007

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE

126

New stainless driver bits Wera has achieved the worldwide introduction of the first stainless steel screwdrivers and bits, combining high performance in application and realistic pricing.

This development has been made possible through a special vacuum hardening process developed by Wera specifically for this purpose.

Using high-performance stainless steel drivers avoids contamination of the screw recess by minute steel particles, from a conventional carbon-steel bit, which become the focus for rust development resulting in poor aesthetics or even significant corrosion induced weakness.

increases productivity by allowing the operator to make rapid and simple bit changes. It also incorporates a ring magnet construction, which means that heavy and long carbon steel screws can now be held securely on the bit, even in awkward installation situations.

For hand drivers the Kraftform® handle grip provides an ergonomic interface between hand and tool, to ensure comfortable and effective driving performance.

The Lasertip® tip treatment creates an extremely rough but very hard surface, which literally bites into the screw recess, ensuring effective grip and preventing the bit from slipping out. For socket head screws the Hex Plus® design prevents rounding of the hexagonal edges.

See us on stand

4. D38 19th-20th September 2007

The new Rapidaptor® quick release bit holder significantly

Adapter for Duotec®-Clip and turnable cable holders The latest development from IMS is suitable for the automobile sector but can be also utilised in many other areas. It is an adapter that is used to connect a Duotec®Clip with turnable cable holders.

It enables easy assembly without drilling, because you only have to stick the

Fastener Fair Stuttgart 19.09. – 20.09.2007 Halle 4 C15/D12

Duotec®-strap to the material. After that you fix the Duotec®-Clip onto the strap.

This Duotec®-Clip can be dismantled and turned to any position at any time. Another important benefit of the adapter is that many different combinations of mounting are possible as various cable holders are compatible with it.

See us on stand

4. D34 19th-20th September 2007

More features of the Duotec®-Clip are: • Easy assembly.

• Assembly without drilling and punching possible.

• The fastening abide high shear force and high tractive force.

• Assembly with tolerances possible.

Special Screws · Direct from Stock Passschrauben

Hexagon set screws with half dog point and flat cone point

According to DIN 561, 564 as well as screws with dog/cone point, square head bolts, knurled thumb screws, plugs, flat headed screws and specials

S P E Z I A L S C H R A U B E N www.pasvahl.de info@pasvahl.de

Oehleckerring 23 · D-22419 Hamburg · Tel. +49 [0] 40 - 53 28 52-0 · Fax +49 [0] 40 - 53 28 52-52

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

See us on stand

5.2 G40 19th-20th September 2007

CATALOGUE RACK

128

JULY 2007 – FASTENER FAIR STUTTGART Fastener & Fixing Europe Magazine provides a unique reference guide that offers the industry a fast and easy way to get current as well as new product catalogues.

Use this convenient service to call, fax or email the companies to request a copy of their latest Catalogue.

3C srl

ACTON

3 C is a hot forging manufacturer of hexagon and socket special bolts according to Din/ISO/ASTM and drawings/samples.

We are strong in Din 921/912/7991/7984/6912/ISO 7380.

We start from M 5 to M 30 in 8.8/10.9/12.9/B7/L 7. Lengths up to 740 mm.We have short delivery times and if required we can produce within 10 days. Cert. EN 10204/3.1 can be supplied.

Hall 5.2 - G20

For many years ACTON has been distributors’ first choice for stainless steel fasteners. Besides its huge range of products in A2 and A4, Acton also carries a complete line of zinc-plated self-drilling screws. A same day dispatch service worldwide can be provided thanks to our important stock capacity and efficient organization.

Tel: +31-162 429141 Email: sales@ankernl.nl

ADDAX Power Tool Accessories A subsidiary of the T.I.Midwood group.

Ranges include SDS plus hammer bits (PGM approved), SDS Max hammer bits, SDS steels, Straight shank masonry bits, TCT Multi purpose drills, Diamond tile & glass drill bits, HSS drill bits (ground & rolled). HSS M35 Cobalt Drills. HSS Long series drills (ground & rolled). HSS Stub Drills, HSS Blacksmiths drills, Core bits, Holesaws, Jigsaw blades, Counter sinks, Step drills and various sets.

Tel: +44 1829 261111 www.TIMcouk.com

Hall 5.2 - G36

Fax: +33 4 77 73 56 25 Email: gilc@acton.fr

Adolf Pühl GmbH & Co KG Consider it stamped!

A. Pühl Stanztechnik is Europe’s No. 1 manufacturer for washers and stampings. We produce washers to standard DIN, BS, ASTM, NFE and specials to drawing – supported by an own well-equipped tooling department. Our customers are distributors or industrial end users which appreciate excellent quality, flexible logistic solutions, comfortable service for competitive prices. Just try and get convinced!

We welcome you at Pühl.

Hall 4 - C15/D12

AHORN - FASTENING SYSTEMS

Tel: +49 2391 8107 0 www.puehl.de

Albert Pasvahl GmbH & Co

AHORN is one of the leading manufacturers of collated fasteners with facilities in Germany, Czech Republic and China.

Give us a visit on the Fastener Fair and find our new developed autofeed screwgun for collated Hex-Head screws up to 75 mm.

We look forward to meeting you at the Fastener Fair in Stuttgart.

Hall 4 – B58

Hall 4 - A4

Tel: +49 (0) 6402 5256-0 www.ahorn.net

Tel: +49 (0)40 532 852 0 www.pasvahl.de

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Albert Pasvahl offers you its experience and expertise in special connection elements and accessories resulting from over 70 years in business. In the course of this time, we have become a leading stockist of special standard screws.

For example: Direct from stock DIN 609/610, DIN 561/564 DIN 478/479/480 DIN 464/653/466/467 DIN 906/908/910 Hall 4 - C15/D12

AMEX

Apex Stainless Fasteners/Apex-Inox

AMEX was established in 1997 PRODUCTION Our main products are isolation plugs for walls and roofs We produce nearly 60 different kinds of plastic plugs TRADE We have a great choice of other fixing goods, our range includes about 10,000 articles.

Also DISTRIBUTION and IMPORT. CHECK OUR PRICES AND QUALITY!!!

Email: biuro@tz-amex.pl www.tz-amex.pl

Hall 5 - N25

A major European source covering the range A2, A4 and A4-80 in metric and unified thread form.

4000 tons of inventory provides ex-stock support to the fastener trade in both the UK through 5 locations and worldwide through two dedicated export operations.

Also able to offer in-house specialist manufacturing.

Hall 4 - C25

Tel: +44 (0) 1902 405515 Email: sales@apexstainless.com

Atotech Deutschland GmbH

Bäcker GmbH & Co. KG

As one of the leading system suppliers for General Metal Finishing and Printed Circuit Board Production, Atotech offers its customers the whole range of innovative processes, state-of-the-art equipment and professional services. With more than 3,200 employees and subsidiaries in all key markets, Atotech is represented worldwide.

Please visit our website.

Hall 5.2 - F50

Tel: +49 (0) 9128 / 725 - 425 www.atotech.com

Since our foundation in 1977 we have been involved in the production of screwed joints made of solid plastic and/or combined plastic/metal. Our standard programme now comprises about 20,000 articles. Owing to our large storage capacity we can supply nearly all series products “Just in time”. Our company is certified according to ISO 9001:2000.

Please test our services!

Tel: +49 (0) 2753/5950-0 Hall 5.2 - H12 www.baecker-kunststofftechnik.com

Bendfast

Bossong SpA

West midlands based manufacturer of U, J and N bolts and similar products for the construction, petrochemical and communications industries. In addition to a full standard stock range we specialise in non standard products in Mild Steel, HT, Stainless and Exotics with metric and imperial threads.

All enquiries welcome.

Tel: +44 (0) 1902 397 337 Email: sales@bendfast.co.uk

Hall 4 - E4

After 45 years we can be considered one of the leaders in Italian and European market of fastening systems with our Powder Actuated Tools, nails and cartridges for shooting fixing. Chemical Anchors, resins of Polyester and Vinylester styrenfree, and pure Epoxy. Different sizes of resin cartridges from 825 mm. to 165 ml.

Hall 5.2 - G41

Bülte GmbH Kunststofferzeugnisse

Bralo A company manufacturing and distributing exclusively Blind Rivets, Insert Nuts and Setting Tools with the philosophy to offer the market quality blind fixing solutions at a reasonable price.

Bralo have our own branches in France, Portugal, Czech Republic, U.K., Germany, Italia, Turkey and Mexico. Quality System Certification: ISO 9001: 2000 AND ISO TS 16949 Certified by: TÜV CERT. Hall 4 - D35

Fax +39 035 3846 012 www.bossong.com

Registered ISO 9001-2000 Did you know that? Bülte offers more than 15,000 Metric products: 3,400 standard screw styles – 1,400 spacers – 640 plugs…

Nuts, handles, retaining rings, washers, bushings, seals and cables ties are also available.

Our fasteners are manufactured to DIN standards. We can also manufacture to your specifications.

Send for the free catalogue now.

Tel: +34 (0) 916 928 285 Email: esther.silenzi@bralo.com

Tel : +49 (0)2591 / 9194 - 0 www.bulte.com

Hall 5.2 - G12

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Chemofast

Chemfix Products Ltd

130

Tel: +41 (0) 79 464 86 00 www.chemfix.co.uk

We are a committed bespoke supplier of chemical fixing systems to the international construction industry.

Chemfix produce and fill a wide range of cartridges with high performance multi-environmental two-part reactive chemical resins, formulated to optimal shear and pull-out values. High efficiency is achieved through our unique automatic precision filling and labelling systems, although we continue to be totally flexible, capable of supplying small and large batch runs with private label branding. Our philosophy is simple: Total Service.

Hall 5.2 - G26

Chemofast has been researching and developing in the field of chemical fastening technology for more than 20 years. During this time Chemofast has become one of the leading specialist for injection anchoring with 2-component reactive resin mortar to support the “ Private Label “ customer around the world.

The new mortar recipes and the high performance formulations, which have national and international approval will strengthen the market position of our customers.

Hall 5.2 - G19

(China) Shanghai Fanto Hardwares Co.,Ltd.

CTR Carbide Dies Ltd Fastener tooling to ISO9001 and AS/EN9100 supplying the Aerospace and Automotive industry a comprehensive range of tooling from dies and punches to complete toolkits offering a single source of supply. Exporting worldwide and supplying some of the largest manufacturing companies in the Fastener market today.

Look at our new factory! All machines are from Japan, Germany & Taiwan for class 10.9-12.9 bolts & socket screws for automobiles!

Staff & management totally different from the past with TS 16949 certification! Our old factory supplies still screws, anchors & nuts for normal use.

Hall 5.2 - H8

Fax +86 (0) 21 6855 9102 www.fanto-cn.com

Tel: +44 (0) 121 772 0817 www.ctr-uk.com

Dejond offers a high quality, cold formed range of TUBTARA® BLIND RIVET NUTS in stainless steel, steel and aluminium. For more than 15 years we have been developing our Tubtara® in stainless steel 304 Cu. Since 2 years we are also producing a range in STAINLESS STEEL 316 Cu.

Hall 4 - D19

Dell’Era Ermanno’s society is an 81 years old company. Range of production: standard and special metric screws in the diameters between M2,5 and M10.

Customer: automotive industry, electrical equipment industry, locking and bolting industry...

Hall 5.2 - H7

Div d.o.o.

Tel: +39 0341 55 02 47 www.delleraviterie.com

Dresselhaus GmbH & Co. KG

DIV d.o.o. – over 30 years of tradition resulted in the largest fastener factory in Southeast Europe. This reputation is based on 20,000 pallet positions and more than 60,000 fasteners in standard and non-standard dimensions. With 6 subsidiaries, and ISO 9001:2000 certification, we represent a reliable partner which can satisfy long-standing customer needs.

Hall 4 - B45/C44

Hall 5.2 H30

Dell’Era Ermanno e Figlio s.r.l.

Dejond

Tel: +32.3.820.34.36 www.dejond.com

www.chemofast.de Email: info@chemofast.de

We are one of the leading European stockists of all types of industrial fasteners. 50,000 pallet locations of stock, along with over 700 employees make Dresselhaus your perfect partner for sourcing standard and specialized parts.

Tel: +385 1 3377 000 www.div.com.hr

Tel: +49 (0) 5221/932-0 www.dresselhaus.de

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Hall 5.2 - G3

Product Range

HIGH QUALITY TECHNICAL BACK-UP SERVICE QUALITY PACKAGING CLEAR LABELLING

ETA

Europa Fastenings

Distributors of ALLGRIP, High Quality Fixings to distributors.

New improved wider range of products, includes Through bolts, Shield Anchors, Resin Systems, Heavy Duty Anchors, Nylon Products, Angled nails & brads with gas, Stress free fixings – Frame screw, Screw bolts etc.

Tel: +44 (0) 1384 893831 www.allgrip.eu

Service, support, quality packaging, clear labelling & on site technical support Hall 4 - E39

We at Europa are a leading UK manufacturer specialising in SEMS (screw & washer) assemblies and also special screws. We supply into the UK and European market and offer quality, flexibility, short lead times and competitive pricing.

Hall 4 - D5

Tel: +44 (0) 1939 291 199 www.europafastenings.co.uk

E.u.r.o.Tec

Fastdev S.r.l.

E.u.r.o.Tec is a young flexible specialist of fixings and fasteners..

The range includes products made of steel, coated steel, stainless A2, stainless A4 and also hardened stainless material. The latest creation is a unique screw drilling through tropical hardwood (eg. bankirai) without predrilling, made of hardened stainless material as part of the innovative, award winning decking system.

Hall 4 - A24

The specific solutions available from Fastdev Srl, make all fastener manufacturing operations and processes more efficient. The software allows managers to develop their industrial processes in real time to assist in decisionmaking.

Visit us to know what we have developed till now and all of what we are developing for you.

Email: info@e-u-r-o-tec.de www.e-u-r-o-tec.de

Tel: +39 0362 80721 www.fastdevsrl.com

FASTENER 2000 GmbH Fastener 2000 is a stockist for long and large diameter screws, for example DIN 912-931-933. Offer screws from M8 to M48 up to a length of 600mm direct from stock.

Hall 5 L31

Filtomatic Fasteners s.r.l Leading manufacturer of stainless steel washers and spring washers for (roll-bearings) electric motors.

Distributors in all major industrial countries.

Please ask for details.

Certified according to DIN-EN-ISO 9001.

Tel: +49 (0) 4106 622 80 www.fastener2000gmbh.de

Hall 5.2 - H11

Hall 4 - A5

G & B Fissaggi

Gem-Chun

Quality, safety and experience to innovative solutions.

Gem-Chun manufactures Polished SteelBars, Nails, and DrawnWires.

Our total investment is USD30,000.000; factory's floor space is 105,000m. The monthly output is 5,000 tons each. The modern production facilities enable us to be efficient and effective in producing quality products at competitive prices. We adhere very strictly to international standards.

Experts in the production of anchoring systems, we are able to offer a large line of nylon, steel and chemical anchors certified according to the strictest regulations such as CE certification, Zulassung and Fire Resistance Test. G&B is certified according to UNI EN ISO 9001:2000.

Hall 5-J6

Tel: +39.039.606.44.75 - 606.59.15 www.filtomatic.it

Tel . +39 0119619433 Email: info@gebfissaggi.com

Fax: +86-573-8463295 www.gem-chun.com

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Growermetal S r L

GFD

132 Since 1777, GFD is an uncontested leader of bolts and screws in France, and has been able to export its expertise outside its borders and today 50% of its turnover is achieved internationally.

GFD products, have been invented, developed and manufactured in ISO 9000 certified factories in France.

GFD is a brand to be trusted.

Tel: +33 (0) 38458 2234 Email: jnsondag@gfd.fr

Hall 4 - B18

Growermetal is a modern family owned company located in Calco Italy.

Founded in 1950 Growermetal is a leading manufacturer of standard washers and special parts according to customer specifications.

Hall 5 - K27

Güldner Sonderschrauben GmbH & Co. KG

Harrison & Clough Ltd Stuttgart Fastener Fair will see the launch of the 1st Harrison & Clough European Catalogue featuring all the most popular lines in fasteners and fixings from all the leading manufacturers. This guide features all the necessary Din, Grade and Size specifications to make choosing the correct fastener or fixing simple.

Visit us at Stuttgart

Güldner manufacture special purpose screws and fasteners, special bolts and nuts and CNC lathe-turned parts.

As a TÜV certified manufacturer they process heat resistant, stainless steel materials, brass and ASTM materials based on customer specifications and drawings.

Attests in accordance with EN 10204 - 3.1 or 3.2 can be supplied.

Hall 4 - B25

Tel: +49 7940 9155 13 www.gueldner.com

Tel: +44 870 889 22 22 www.harclo.com

HBV Locksystems introduces a new innovative 100% vibration proof bolt securing fastening system.

This unique product features; • simple and universal installation purposes • re-usability • available in tamperproof version

Hall 5 - K21

Your dealer for used machinery for the wire & the fastener industry from Germany.

Speciality: Wafios, Hilgeland, P&E, National and E.W. Menn.

Wire nail presses, wire weaving looms, chain link fence machines, barbed wire machines, wire bending machines, chain production machines, crimping machines, mesh welder.

Hall 4 - C30

Herbert Knoke GmbH & Co. KG

Tel: +49 40 522 60 13 www.steinfels-kg.de

IMS Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG

Founded in 1964, Knoke is one of the largest suppliers of fasteners in Germany. Our range of products includes mainly chipboard screws, drywall screws, washers, hexagon bolts, socket screws and nuts.

We have been specialists in highquality fasteners made of plastic and metal since 1975.

Our extensive programme includes universal fasteners for the industry and car fasteners for European cars, Japanese cars and others.

Through the continuous inclusion of the latest developments we offer you "lead by innovation".

You can benefit from our experience!

Hall 5.2 - F35

Hall 5.2 - H45/H50

Helmut Steinfels GmbH & Co. KG

HBV Locksystems

Tel: +31(0)174-512530 www.hogervorst-bv.nl

Tel: +39 0 399902504 Email: info@growermetal.it

Tel: +49 (0) 4102 4783 0 www.herbert-knoke.de

E-mail: info@ims-verbindungstechnik.com www.ims-verbindungstechnik.com

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Hall 4 - D34

Inox Mare srl

Inoxdadi srl

INOX MARE SRL after 20 years of great and consolidated experience, has become a world leading company in the field of stainless steel: screws, nuts, bolts, and marine equipment.

The most complete range of stainless steel fasteners at the most competitive prices in Europe.

Tel: +39 0541 745101 www.inoxmare.it

Hall 4 - E44

Manufacturers and exporters of stainless steel and brass nuts, bolts and washers.

Also producers of nuts and washers in Aluminium, Copper, Monel, Duplex, Nickel Alloys, stainless steel like AISI 309, 310, 316Ti, 321, 904L etc Usually in stock.

Hall 4 - B32

InterWolf d.o.o.

ITB Sp. z o.o

The factory was founded in1992. We yearly produce more than 800mio of screws. Our production takes part of low diameter range from 2mm to 8mm. With constant progress we invest in the knowledge and production equipment. We are certificated ISO9001:2000.

Our motto is to establish strong ties with our customers.

Hall 5 - K29

ITB was establised in 1996. Our main activity is focusing on applying a wide range of fixing and fastening systems to our customers.

We take pride in the experience we have in preparing orders just like our customers want it.

Bulk packing, custom smaller packages packing, customers markings on the packages - we make it all for everyone.

Tel: + 386 1 75 91 221 www.interwolf.si

Tel: +48 85 71 93 102 www.itbimex.com.pl

Kundan Industries Ltd Largest manufacturer & exporter of Stainless Steel fasteners in India Range: 1.6MM TO 16MM. & 18MM. TO 36MM. Products: • Bolts/Nuts/Screws • Nyloc Nuts • Break Nuts • Weld Nuts • Carriage Bolts • Tee Bolts • Self Tapping Screws • Self Drilling Screws • Trilobular Screws • Security Fasteners

Email: fasteners@kundan.com www.kundan.com

Grades: S.S. 304/ 316 / 310 / 410 & ASTM AS PER DIN, BS, IS, JIS, ANSI. Hall 4 - B47

Hall 5 - J21

Liebig The Heinrich Liebig Stahldübelwerke GmbH in Pfungstadt is one of the major leaders in the fields of heavy-duty fixings worldwide. Based on the success of Liebig Safety-Bolt and the experiences in the fields of heavy-duty fixings, the company is acting worldwide, with production plants in Germany and Ireland, The company qualifies as a trendsetter for new technologies.

Hall 4 - D11

Lindapter International Ltd Established in 1934, Lindapter is the leading brand in the field of steelwork fixing systems. Product offerings include Hollo-Bolt, Floorfast, Multiwedge, Alphawedge and the TR60 range of decking fixings. Customers are supported by a network of dedicated, committed and fully trained distributors, whilst Lindapter focus on specification selling with an experienced internal and external team providing standard product or bespoke solutions for construction, maintenance or OEM customers worldwide.

Hall 4 - C9

Fax: +39 0363/905497 www.inoxdadi.com

Leicht montieren – schwer befestigen

DAS SCHWERBEFESTIGUNGSPROGRAMM

Tel: +49 6157/9868-0 www.liebig-duebel.de

LLS Titanium Core business of our company is the manufacturing of titanium, aluminium 7075 and nickel super alloys fasteners (screws, bolts and nuts). We can offer more than 30,000 different articles which are often available in stock. Our products are supplied to many customers in various activity fields (industry, automotive, aerospace, racing).

Call us for any need you have.

Tel: +44 (0)1274 521444. www.lindapter.com

Tel. +39 030 7255176 www.lls.it

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Hall 4 - D15

Mastercraft

Martyn Price Ltd

134 Fastener People with the stock and knowledge to solve every requirement - NO MATTER HOW UNUSUAL

Telephone: +44 (0)1384 424767 Email: sales@martynprice.co.uk

Large independent company selling quality Fasteners at competitive prices. 40,000-sq.ft warehouse with a wide range of nuts, washers & bolts. A real commitment to stock.

Strong import & export market.

Unrivalled in the UK for distribution.

Tel: +44 (0) 1384 424 767 Email: sales@martynprice.co.uk

Hall 4 - E39

Innovative manufacturer of high-end screws and fasteners: 'Turbosharp' – the high-performance multi purpose wood screw 'Loglok' - the extra-long timber screw 'GRrilla' – the new and special concrete anchor bolt 'Turbodekk' – the newest in decking screws Top quality production, OEM, packaging, merchandising and integrated logistics solutions are available.

Hall 5.2 - H4

MAVITA S.R.L.

MGH d.o.o.

Manufacturer of Standard and Special Fasteners acc. to the European standards and to the Customer's drawings in the Automotive, Electrical Household Appliances, Electric, Furniture fields, etc.

Its programme comprises products in all grades of steel, stainless steel and brass.

It is a certified company according to ISO 9001 and ISO TS 16949 for the Automotive Sector.

Hall 5 - L13

Spring pins manufacturing company 100% private (family owned).

Established 1981.

Exporting 99% of our product to the world-wide market. Continuously developing and expanding, annual production capacity of 160 million pieces. Heat treatment process in house. Our company is certified according to ISO 9001:2000.

Tel: +39 02 48 60 17 88 www.mavita.it

info@spannstifte.com wwww.spannstifte.com / wwww.mghonline.com

Are you interested in High Standard Fasteners? Do you know the new MKT Product Range? MKT manufactures European (ETA) approved anchors like Wedge Anchors, Highload Anchors, Dropin Anchors and Chemical Fastening Systems. Products are tested and approved in Europe and many other countries. Technical support including design software is available.

Hall 5 - L15

MMA is the leader in production of Rivets and inserts of the highest quality, we will also be present at the stand... presenting “The Fantastic Four” a programme of 4 beautiful tools for all types of requirements to apply from standard to structural rivets in all materials.

Reliable and Professional and a 3 year guarantee!

Hall 4 - A41

MPF / FLIP BOLT

Tel: +39 0861814252 Email: export@mma.it

Nestinox

MPF is a major supplier to the Merchant Trade for Self Clinch Fasteners, Machine Screws, Rivets, Rivet Nuts, Rivet Bushes, Weld Studs, Brass Spacers. We are also the European Distributor for the Flip Bolt which is a blind cavity fixing for steel box section where rear access is restricted.

Hall 4 - D17

Hall 5.2 - H6

MMA s.r.l

MKT GmbH & Co. KG

Tel: +49 (0)6374 91160 www.mkt-duebel.de

Tel: +86 (21) 68558801 www.mastercraft-systems.com

Tel: +44 (0)1707 379580 www.flipbolt.com

Email: sales@nestinox.com www.nestinox.com

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Nestinox, your Specialist in Stainless Steel Fasteners!

Stainless Steel Fasteners (bolts, nuts, screws, washers, roofing & cladding screws, concrete fasteners, machinefeet etc.) stainless steel/INOX products, construction fixings and maintenance products for stainless steel: with more than 25 years of experience, Nestinox is your reliable partner!

Hall 4 - E2

Owlett Jaton

Progressa

Owlett-Jaton is a leading supplier of fasteners, fixings, ironmongery and hardware to the UK distributor and merchant trade. Experienced sales and distribution teams are dedicated to delivering a first class service to their customers and just one call gives you access to our comprehensive product range.

For more than 30 years we deal with: • Cold and hot forging machinery • Tooling • Thread rolling machines • Wire drawing machines • Automatic tapping machines • Furnaces for heat treating We are available to give you more information if needed.

Anything you need in fasteners’ production….we have it!

Tel: +44 (0)1785 811300 www.owlett-jaton.com

Hall 5.2 - G33

Hall 5 - K26

Tel: +39-02-70.000.318 www.progressa.it

PSM International PSM International will be exhibiting its world-renowned Inserts for Plastics and Sheet-Metal Fastenings manufactured in China and distributed throughout Europe by its localised stocking points.

Banc-Lok®, Fin-Lok®, Flo-Tech®, Heat-Lok®, Mini-Tech©, Press-Lok©, Screw-Sert®, Tech-Sonic©, Spiro®, Sonic-Lok®, Taper-Sert®, Anchor® Rivet Bushes and PS® Nuts.

Hall 5.2 - F5/G6

Raajratna Fasteners Pvt. Ltd. INSERTS FOR PLASTICS

Our company specialises in manufacturing Stainless Steel Fasteners. We are a group of companies having sales of Euro 80 million. We have installed new multi-station bolt and nut formers to manufacture good and consistent quality products. We ensure timely delivery, prompt service and reliability as a long-term supplier.

Tel: +44 (0) 141 951 1626 johnlittle@psminternational.com

RapierStar

Email: sales@raajfasteners.com www.raajfasteners.com

Hall 4 - E22

Rawlplug Ltd.

A Breakthrough in Performance The award winning Rapier StarTurnTM is the highest quality universal woodscrew. The patented StarFormTM thread provides lower drive-in torque and quicker assembly times - without predrilling. For samples or to see the full RapierStar range of fixings, please contact us now.

Tel: +44 (0)870 3003313 www.rapierstar.com

Hall 4 - B12

Rawlplug Ltd. is a UK’s market leader in the development and distribution of high performance mechanical and bonded anchors for structural applications, as well as a wide range of medium to light weight fixings & fasteners, tools & accessories. With the launch of the new CFS (Cartridge Free System), a new resin bonded dispensing system, Rawlplug continues its drive for innovation.

Hall 5 - J22

REYHER GmbH & Co. KG, F.

Rivit S.r.l.

Rivit, an Italian leading Company in production/distribution of fasteners and tools for sheet-metal working and assembling, during a thirty year experience developed different product lines for industry and house-building. The Fastener Fair Stuttgart 2007 will be a new occasion to launch the latest novelties: rivets, inserts, selfclinchings, welding studs, tools for rivets and inserts.

Reyher is one of Europe’s leading trade companies in the industry of fasteners and fastener technology.

Because we set our standards higher than others. Reyher offers you the best connections, the largest variety of products, comprehensive services from one source and thus an abundance of added value opportunities for you.

Hall 5.2 - F 21

Tel: +44 (0) 141 638 2255 www.rawlplug.com

Tel: +49 (0) 40 85363-0 www.reyher.de

Tel: +39 051 417 1111 www.rivit.it

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Hall 5.2 - F1

RUI’AN HUNTER FASTENERS CO., LTD

136

The professional manufacturer of fasteners & fixings in China. Our main products contain all kinds of rings, washers, pins, stamping parts and some other special parts.

We are confident to supply you with high quality, the most competetive prices and excellent services. Your enquiry will be responded to within 2 days. Your order of any quantity is accepted by us. Please try us, HUNTER. Tel: +86-1360574504 Email: jeffyu@huntertoolsfasteners.com

Stand 5.2 - G44

Shanghai Link Stainless Steel Rivets Co., Ltd We are professional because we only produce stainless steel blind rivets including open type, sealed type, avinox and multigrip.

Hall 4 - A2

Fax: +86-21-66312723 Email: Fastenique@21cn.com

Sicatech GmbH

SOM FASTENER CO.

Sicatech is a quality oriented importer and stockist selling self-tapping screws, self-drilling screws, thread-forming screws and thread-cutting-screws at competitive prices. For many years we have been the partner for fastener distributors in Europe with top service also for smaller quantities and fast deliveries.

We stock fasteners with Cr6-free zinc plating, too!

Hall 5.2 - F24

Special Nuts M 3- M 18; Hex Flange – Weld Nuts , Self Locking Nuts Cold Forging Products; max. Ø 30 mm and max. L 90 mm Customer PPM; 10 PPM Distribution of total business to the following industries: Automotive : 35% • Home : 20% • Furniture : 14% • Pen : 12% • Other: 19% Quality Certificate: ISO / TS 16949 in 2005 , ISO 14001 in 2006 OEM Approval: Fiat / Italy in 2006 Tel: +49 (0)25 65 40 55 0 www.sicatech.com

Tel : + 90 312 267 14 67 www.somas.com.tr

STF

Stafa Holland Stafa is an importer/wholesale dealer of fasteners, and founded in 1977. Our strength? A selected assortment and quick deliveries from extended stocks. Quality and competitive prices mark the important position that Stafa carries throughout Europe with the deliveries of bolts, nuts, screws, washers, threaded rods and products acc. to drawings or samples.

Tel: +31 (0) 495 599 888 www.stafa.nl

Hall 5 - J26/K25

Stainless Threaded Fasteners, a member of SRB Ltd group, is one of Europe’s leading stainless steel fastener wholesalers • Stainless Steel A2 & A4 • Brass • Non Standard Specials • Marine Hardware A4 Next day delivery Dedicated to Distributors/Stockists Accredited: BS EN ISO 9001 2000.

Hall 5.2 - G33/H32

STF Export

Tel: +44 (0) 1902 490 490 Fax: +44 (0) 1902 496 583

T.I. Midwood & Co Ltd (TIMco)

STF’s export department carries sales responsibility around the world for SRB group’s fastener product range: • High grade Alloy (8.8, 10.9, 12.9,14.9) • Galvanised • Carbon Steel • Stainless Steel A2 & A4 • Non Standard Specials Marine Hardware A4 Multi-lingual sales team BS EN ISO 9001 2000.

Hall 5.2 - G33/H32

Hall 5.2 - H35

Tel: +44 (0) 1902 499 210 www.stf-fasteners.co.uk

Tel: +44 1829 261111 www.TIMcouk.com

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Importer and wholesaler of screws and fixings to distributors throughout Europe. The TIMco ranges include twin-thread woodscrews, chipboard screws, Classic multi-purpose screws, brass woodscrews, drywall screws, self-tapping screws, self-drilling screws, decking screws, roofing screws, nylon frame anchors, cavity anchors, construction anchors, driver bits and PVCU fabrication screws. Many of the ranges are also available in stainless steel.

Hall 5.2 - G36

T-Tap®

Tel: +47 (0) 98606651 www.ttapdrive.com

Visserie Guerry S.A.-N.V.

T-tap® is the new patented hex-lob (tx) screw system that eliminates wobbling and ensures stick-fit, more information avaliable online.

T-tap® is now sold to more than 80% of all DIY/Hardware outlets for professionals in Finland, as well as in other Nordic countries and Germany/Central Europe.

We are now searching for new distributors/partners in Europe – don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.

Hall 5.2 - G7

Since 1924, we manufacture the special screw which answers your problem of fixing. Thanks to the process of cold striking, we guarantee you economic productions of quality - certificate ISO 9001. We work out our screws steel, stainless, aluminium, brass, etc both for complex industrial applications.

Hall 5 - N33

VORPA SRL Anchors and fixings Since our foundation in 1974 we have been involved in the production of Heavy duty and Middle Heavy duty Anchors.

The range of products comprises today the whole gamut of anchoring items thanks to a warehouse (3000 m) with a great storage capacity.

Our company is certified according to ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004.

Moreover we hold two ETA certifications and others are in progress.

Hall 5 - L2

Fax: +86 (0) 577 8635 5591 www.chinayuanda.com

Tel: +32 (0) 2/361.28.00 www.visserieguerry.be

"YOULI" --WENZHOU JUNHAO INDUSTRY CO., LTD "YOULI" is a high quality symbol. It is specializing in socket head bolts.

Grade is refer to 8.8 / 10.9 / 12.9.

Hex head bolts & screws are worked by "Youli" also.

Advanced machine, high quality, perfect service will be supplied by "Youli", just try!!

Tel: +39 0541 607111 www.vorpa.com

Hall 4 - C1

Tel: +86 574 87299920 www.zjyouli.cn

Wenzhou Yuanda Standard Components mfg.co.,ltd

Zandvoort Draadindustrie BV

Since our foundation in 1994 in Wenzhou city in China.

We have been involved in the production of nuts series: Rivit nuts, Nylon insert lock nuts, hex flange nuts and weld nuts etc.

We have enough experience and capacity to supply the products to Europe and America market now.

Our company is certified according to ISO9001:2000.

Please contact us now.

Hall 4 - B1

Founded in 1936, Zandvoort Draadindustrie BV was the first factory of hardened steel nails in Holland. The company has grown into a modern, international working enterprise which supplies quality-products for construction and industries in many countries.

Hall 5 - N2

Tel: +31 (0) 314 333 441 www.hjz.nl

SEPTEMBER 2007 - CATALOGUE RACK TOOLS Contact : Harry Whyte to reserve your entry Email: harry@fastfair.net

Tel: +44 (0) 1727 739 150

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

+44 (0) 1727 739 150

For more information call:

Fastener Fair - Gala Dinner 2008 Ricoh Arena, 11th June

Fastener Fair – Coventry 2008 Ricoh Arena, 11th – 12th June

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PRODUCTS

AFS launch Recoil® merchandiser Alcoa Fastening Systems has launched a new pointof-sale merchandiser for its Recoil® product line, aimed at current and potential UK distributors.

The Recoil® range is used to repair damaged or create strong new screw threads for a variety of applications in the electronics, power generation and transportation industries.

The merchandiser stand may be positioned to stand-alone, on a trade counter or adapted to hang on a wall. In the UK distributors will pay £454.70 list price (plus postage and packaging) which is only for the accompanying product; including 10 standard metric kits, 3 metric Pro Series

kits,15 bags of metric replacement inserts, 1 ReTHRED 21 tool and 1 Studsaver 1 tool.

Highlighting the advantages of the new merchandiser, Nicola Kelly, marketing executive at AFS said: “This stand not only holds a substantial amount of stock but truly complements the Recoil range. We feel it is an ideal promotional tool, the popularity of which has already been shown in pre orders totalling 50% of our current stock level.”

Bollhoff launches RIVQUICK® range of blind rivets Bollhoff Fastenings Ltd has confirmed the expansion of its range of fastening and assembly systems.

Andy Witts, Bollhoff’s UK managing director is quoted as saying, “The RIVQUICK® product line complements our established range of RIVNUT® blind rivet nuts and we are convinced that it will benefit our existing customers by extending fastener choice, as well as allowing us to compete in the wider market of blind rivet users, particularly those involved with high strength or structural applications”.

stainless steel. Varibolt and Varilock have been designed for those applications demanding even higher performance levels.

When asked to comment further, Andy went on to say, “RIVQUICK® blind rivets and setting tools set a quality standard for solid and secure assembly, where the rivet expands on setting to completely fill the holes in two or more layers being fastened.

Rivet selection often relates to the requirement for corrosion, temperature and vibration resistance, as well as performance criteria such as shear and tensile strength. Bollhoff claim that their range of materials and styles can meet the vast majority of blind riveting applications.

Rivet diameters range from 2.4mm to 6.4mm, with open, sealed or slotted body options, in a choice of aluminium, steel or

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

The specially formed mandrel head upsets the rivet body, combining the effect of radial expansion and a wide bearing area on the blind side, to achieve a vibration resistant joint. One size of RIVQUICK ® can span grip ranges of several conventional blind rivets and the break point of the mandrel stem is always contained within the riveted joint, even in soft or very thin materials”.

144

PRODUCTS

Brighton Best’s washer eliminating socket flange button Brighton Best has produced a new catalogue which shows the expanding socket flange button range. Brighton has expanded the range by adding larger diameters, longer lengths and intermediate sizes to both its self colour and zinc plated products.

The range now extends from M3 to M12 and lengths up to 80mm.

The catalogue also shows typical applications with full dimensional details of the products and is available in print and PDF. The flange button is a product which is extensively used by the furniture industry and is now being taken up by other users needing a larger under the head integral bearing surface without the additional need of a washer. A larger bearing surface is necessary for fastening to softer materials and the

See us on stand 4. B11/C10 19th-20th September 2007

flange button has the advantage of having been produced in high grade 10.9 steel and additionally has a socket drive. The flange also lends its self to covering large holes in sheet metal and fixings of decorative strips in a multitude of materials.

Stainless hinge range from Elesa

“As our competitors rationalise, we diversify.” Says UK and European director, Ray Southam. “This has been the company position for over 82 years, and has enabled Brighton Best to grow in the Americas, Australia and Europe to become a truly global force”.

Intertronics introduce SL101 Digital Dispenser

The CMM-SST range of lay-on stainless steel hinges from Elesa is designed for use on doors, panels and cases in the food and pharmaceutical industries – where their corrosion resistance and easy-clean electro-polished finish will be much appreciated.

Reliable, accurate dispensing of a wide range of liquids from watery ones such as cyanoacrylate adhesives to heavy greases is now much easier to achieve with the latest introduction from Intertronics. Its link with top equipment manufacturer I&J Fisnar has brought the SL101 Digital Dispenser to the UK.

The ruggedly styled CMM-SST hinges come in 40mm to 60mm sizes, making them suitable for small enclosure doors and for large access panels or cabinet doors.

Operation offers opening of 180º and up to 270º where installation permits.

Fitment is quick and simple by means of countersunk headed machine screws.

This new air-controlled dispenser is designed to be highly reliable and accurate while also priced to bring digitally controlled dispensing to all budgets. The SL101 is CE certified and RoHS compliant. Easily programmed and user friendly, this controller offers 3 modes of operation (Manual, Timed, and Cycle) as well as 10 memory positions to give the user optimum control and flexibility over the dispensing process.

The SL101 features suckback control, which can help prevent drips after the dispensing cycle and comes complete with accessory kit to faciliate setup and use.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

146

PRODUCTS

Tech-Lok plastic riveting system UK-based plastics specialists Tech-Fast.Com believes there is a clear and identified market need for a plastic riveting system, which is simple and effective to use whilst providing class leading technical and commercial attributes.

The Tech-Lok system is an automated insert moulded product, which has 10 cojoined products mounted end to end. This ‘stick’ can be inserted using a cordless, portable delivery system.

The target for insertions is 30-40 per minute and the system allows access to very tight production spaces, where air fed systems would not be able to operate. The pistol-style, portable hand tool will also be supported with a battery station.

Tech-Lok is available in two forms sharing a series of important attributes: Highly manoeuvrable and able to access small production spaces Each ‘stick’ has 10 products co-joined end to end

See us on stand

4. C23 19th-20th September 2007

Minimal waste/recycling issues due to design 30-40 insertions per minute Wider panel range than existing products Insertion system developed in conjunction with the product Battery powered with re-charge stations

Each ‘stick’ can be inserted into the next to provide quick reload time

Low cost installation system

Very high panel retention Tech-Fast.Com has developed both the product and delivery system. The system is aimed at all high volume manufacturing industries. However, principal focus will be automotive applications. The cost of entry for the system is very low in comparison to existing plastic rivet systems, which typically have been developed as individual insertion products requiring higher cost bespoke automation systems.

EMKA introduce standardised cut-out Even special or custom enclosures are price sensitive and so efficiency of manufacture is an important factor. EMKA (UK) Ltd has addressed this in the area of lock fitment by standardising on a single 20.1mm rounded square cut-out. This minimises tooling, speeds punching and streamlines lock installation irrespective of type or size.

The EMKA cut-out is a major factor in allowing a wide choice from its universal 1/4 turn key/lock insert system, going from low profile insert or key locks directly to wing knob, T handle, L handle, padlocked handle or swing handle. This makes it easy for the specialist enclosure manufacturer to programme production for a simple door cut-out and then to select a suitable lock/handle unit irrespective of door size or material.

Single locks on small boxes, twin or triple point locking can all be achieved with the same lock cut-out. With materials available

covering the full range of applications – i.e. zinc die (black or chrome), black polyamide and stainless steel, no panel builder need be lost for a suitable locking system. Indeed, the whole system, based on the standard 20.1mm rounded corner cut-out, is even flexible enough to cope with door thickness from less than 1mm up to 50mm acoustic panelling.

By the simple expedient of standardising the interface between lock and cabinet, EMKA are able to offer one locking system for a whole area of enclosure production. Consequently, specialist enclosure manufacturers can rely on simply picking what they need from this range to cover the majority of their locking needs for all industrial purposes.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Precision Technology Supplies Ltd, the UK’s leading supplier of Stainless Steel American Threaded Fasteners, now offer the widest range of UNC & UNF products available from stock and on short lead times.

Precision Technology Supplies Ltd

Our new ‘Stainless Steel American Threaded Fasteners Handbook’ details the wide range of products we can offer and contains a wealth of technical data.

For you free copy or a quotation on any of your requirements please contact our sales office.

Precision Technology Supplies Ltd. The Birches Industrial Estate, Imberhorne Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1XZ Tel +44 (0) 1342 410758 Fax +44 (0) 1342 311464 Email Info@pts-uk.com www.pts-uk.com

PRODUCTS

148

Design your own spring courtesy of Lesjöfors Gas Spring manufacturer Lesjöfors has begun a campaign allowing customers the opportunity to design their own gas springs.

Using a Lesjöfors designed template,

application against its standard stock

customers fill in their gas spring

range or produce a bespoke spring

requirements and specifications and the

product for the customer.

company

cross

references

the Lesjöfors gas springs range contains

more

than

400

different standard models, which

can

be

combined

together with various end fittings. The company offers gas

springs

with

stroke

between 20 to 500mm in force area from 40 up to 2,000 Newton. Lockable gas springs, release mechanisms and

handles

are

also

included in the company's standard range.

Ken

Dineley,

Lesjöfors

Industrial Division Business development manager, said: "Our standard range of gas springs

offers

extensive

availability and because the range is so large, we can normally locate the correct gas

spring

for

any

requirement. However, there are

instances

when

a

specialist solution is required and Lesjöfors is a market leader of supplying bespoke solutions for a variety of industry

sectors

and

purposes. Our gas springs campaign is centered on working with our customers and enhancing the industrial sector's

awareness

Lesjöfors

as

a

of

leading

supplier of gas springs."

See us on stand

5.2 H6 19th-20th September 2007

150

PRODUCTS

New hot melt system helps to reduce RSI UK distributor, Wey Adhesives, has launched a new hot melt adhesive applicator system, claimed to reduce the incidence of repetitive strain injury (RSI) in users as well as reducing costs.

The unit is of modular design with clearly laid-out controls and it is encased in a light but robust polymer with a dirt-resistant finish.

It has a 4.5 litre coated aluminium tank, which has a high melting capacity of 4.5 kgs per hour. Also the entire system complies with all USA and European safety and operational specifications.

The Buhnen HB 5010 tank melter comes with a hose and innovative applicator gun, which swivels through a complete 360 degrees. The German design engineers realised the RSI problems encountered by users with traditional systems which limited the manoeuvrability of the gun and resulted in strain on the users’ wrist.

Buhnen’s solution solves this problem and the design has an added benefit of increasing the life of the hose, since twisting and torque is eliminated.

Wey Adhesives technical director Martin Dennis said “This new piece of equipment is very solidly built. It feeds molten adhesive to the hose through a gear pump, which gives a very accurate and repeatable quantity of adhesive whether the user is laying down a bead or spraying the material. It can also handle adhesive of very high viscosity making it suitable for product assembly applications as well as the automotive industry”.

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

Huntsman launches Araldite® 2000 PLUS Huntsman Advanced Materials has launched Araldite® 2000 PLUS - a new portfolio of structural adhesives, optimised to help industrial engineers around the world bring complex plastic and metalbased design projects to life.

Huntsman Advanced Materials claims that the Araldite® 2000 PLUS range of adhesives is the only product family to offer complete solutions based on three key chemistries – epoxy, methacrylate and polyurethane.

Araldite® 2000 PLUS adhesives are lightweight and form durable bonds that, according to Huntsman, are resistant to the most demanding conditions including high sheer and peel, compression, moisture and extreme temperature changes.

To construct the range, Huntsman has re-engineered products from its classic family of Araldite® structural adhesives and has also added new solutions that were previously unavailable to the global adhesive market.

The global Araldite® 2000 PLUS portfolio comprises of 14 products and is split into two main areas, dividing products for metal and plastic bonding, which makes it much easier to assess specific performance demands and ultimately find the best solution for customers.

Doug Thompson, global marketing manager for adhesives at Huntsman Advanced Materials said, “The launch of Araldite® 2000 PLUS addresses many of the design issues we know these engineers face on a daily basis. Previously Araldite® was known as a pure epoxy adhesive solution. However the launch of the Araldite® 2000 PLUS range extends the breadth of our chemistries to include superior fastening solutions based on methacrylate and polyurethane technologies.”

See us on stand

5.2 G8 19th-20th September 2007

PRODUCTS

152

Defence industry products Henkel has published a new guide for Loctite brand products that are approved for use in the defence industry. The useful guide is broken down into product types, such as thread locking, retaining, gasketing, cleaners, flat face bonding adhesives and so on.

Within those sections, the product number, description, colour, viscosity, strength, specification and store codes are shown.

The guide also lists the materials held in army/RAF stores, together with NATO stock numbers.

Environmental innovation by Dacral GEOMET® 321 is the top sales product of DACRAL S.A and is the most used chromium free corrosion protection coating for threaded parts in the European automotive industry. GEOMET® has been successfully replacing DACROMET® in both automotive and electrical industries to comply with directives requiring the elimination of hexavalent chromium.

Now Dacral has developed a low VOC version (low Volatile Organic Compound) of GEMOET ® 321, with 3 to 5% w/w solvent in the product, providing a formulation that contains mainly solid elements and water. The treatment of solvent emissions by direct or indirect

additional equipment. Post-combustion of

combustion is, therefore, not necessary

the solvent emissions is not necessary.

and there is no additional CO/CO2 pollution, which normally results from the combustion of volatile organics.

The main characteristics of the LV version ®

of GEOMET 321 are: • Complies with the European Regulation on

solvent

emissions

without

any

• Clean and pleasant working atmosphere, as there is no smell during coating operations.

• Stable coating process, because of stable physical and chemical parameters at working temperature.

• Conformity to the standards, as there is

Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

no change of the composition of the GEOMET® 321 coating.

• Conformity of the coatings functional performance, as the corrosion protection and the friction characteristics of threaded parts remain the same as in the current formulation.

See us on stand

5.2 H8 19th-20th September 2007

PRODUCTS

154

Zeus Precision Charts now available exclusively from Roebuck The classic ‘Zeus Precision Charts’ are being re-launched as the ‘Roebuck Zeus Chart’ and will be available to the UK market exclusively from BuckHickman InOne. First published in the 1960’s, the pocketsized booklet containing data charts and tables for the drawing office, toolroom and workshop is widely known as the ‘engineer’s definitive reference guide’.

The 28 pages contain data on standardised drill sizes and decimal equivalents, tapping drills and clearances for metric and imperial threads, BS4500 tolerances, hardness comparison tables, jig boring co-

ordinates for equally spaced holes, allowances for sheet metal bending and Morse tapers. It also contains long tables for sine, cosine, tangents and cotangents.

Simon Armer, marketing manager at BuckHickman commented ‘Bringing the Zeus Chart under the Roebuck brand name is an obvious move. Both have a tried and tested reputation in industry for dependability and both have been supporting engineers in their work for many years. Even in today’s information age the Zeus Chart represents a useful source of information. Most of us can think of areas on the shop floor or on site where we would not dream of taking a laptop. It is a credit to its usefulness that the format of

the Zeus Chart has remained largely unchanged to this day.”

Expanded thread repair inserts range Jergens, Inc. has expanded its thread repair insert range with several models meeting United States MS (Military Standards) and NAS (National Aerospace Standards) quality requirements, including MS51830, MS51831, MS51832, NAS1394 and NAS1395 specifications.

No special tools are required to install the key locking insert as the keys mechanically lock the insert into the base material, holding better than spring or locking patches, which do not mechanically lock the insert.

Jergens offers a wide variety of styles, including thin wall, heavy duty, extra heavy duty and solid inserts in both stainless steel and carbon steel materials.

Standard Listed – you know who’s best!

But contact us for all the rest . . .

Non-preferred Metrics – Intermediate Sizes Short and Long Lengths – Slotted Grub Screws A4/80 Bolts & Socket Caps – 6 Lobe (TX) Drive Screws Tel:

+44 (0) 117 – 972 8560

All Metal Self-Locking Nuts – Studding Connectors

Fax:

+44 (0) 117 – 972 8570

And many more . . .

Email:

sales@avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk

Online Product Guide: www.avonstainlessfasteners.co.uk

Unit 10, Riverside Business Park, St Anne’s, Bristol, BS4 4ED, UK Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

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PRODUCTS

Room temperature curing adhesive for high temperature applications Master Bond EP33 is a unique room temperature curing epoxy adhesive for high temperature bonding applications developed by Master Bond Inc. This two component epoxy offers the convenience of a room temperature cure, with high temperature performance, combined with good physical strength and dielectric properties. It produces high strength bonds exceeding 220 Kg/cmÇ (3,100 psi) in shear and maintains this impressive strength even after exposure to temperatures in the 205-235°C (400450°F) range. Curing can be accomplished at room temperature or in as little as 1 hour at 95°C. Master Bond Polymer Adhesive EP33 bonds well to similar and dissimilar substrates both at room and at elevated temperatures. It produces durable, high strength, and tough bonds which are resistant to thermal cycling, high radiation levels and chemicals, including water, oil, and most organic solvents. Master Bond also claims that adhesion to metal, glass, ceramics, wood, vulcanised rubbers and many plastics is excellent.

The hardened adhesive is also an electrical insulator with dielectric performance. This unique combination of properties advocates EP33’s use in the electronic, electrical, computer, construction, metalworking, appliance, automotive and chemical industries.

EP33 is available in premixed bi-packs and cartridge/gun packaging for convenient dispensing as well as in standard pint, quart, gallon and 5 gallon containers.

Nord-Lock introduces small bags for washers.

NORD-LOCK UK has announced the introduction of new small bags of its wedge lock washers.

The washers safely lock threaded fasteners even when exposed to vibration or dynamic loads.

washers. Quantities will be from 25 pairs of washers per bag for smaller sizes in steel (up to M10/ #5 UNC), down to two pairs per bag for larger sizes (up to M42).

Responding to customer demand, from non-volume users who need to ensure that their threaded fasteners are secure, the company now offers a range of washers of differing sizes. Zinc flake (Delta Protekt®) coated carbon steel washers and stainless steel washers will be available in the new bags.

The amount of washers in each bag varies, depending on the size of the Issue 46 – July 2007 – Fastener & Fixing Europe – www.fastenerfair.com

EUROPE’S LARGEST EX STOCK RANGE OF

Twin Hole Spanner Pin Hexagon Resistorx One-Way and Pin Phillips Machine and sheet metal security screws The latest 24 page catalog from European fastener specialist DOUWES INTERNATIONAL BV features in excess of 900 security screw and nut products in diameters M3-M12.

Most items comprising the range are available in stainless steel, ex-stock and can be delivered to any European destination within 48 hours.

For a free catalogue and/or enquiries for quotation, contact DOUWES INTERNATIONAL BV: Tel: +31 153 615 210 Fax: +31 153 615 299 Email: mblaauw@douwes.nl www.secufast.com The range is also available from appointed stockists throughout Europe

INTERNATIONAL BV Telephone 0031 15 3615210, TELEFAX 0031 15 3615299 PO BOX 61 2640 AB Pijnacker, Holland

The Bufab-Group is a global network of companies throughout Europe and China, mainly supplying fasteners and allied products to the manufacturing industry. We are the market leader in Scandinavia. Our current annual turnover is approx £120 million with over 400 employees. Our customers include:Volvo, Scania, ABB, Ericsson, Nokia, IKEA, Electrolux, etc.

Sales Executive We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated professional salesperson to join our young successful team.

The ideal candidate would have a proven track record selling to OEM’s, operating in fields such as Automotive, Furniture and White goods.

We offer an attractive salary & commission scheme plus a company car and mobile telephone.

All applications will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence and should be made in writing for the attention of Mr Chris Koumides or by Email: chris.koumides@bufab.com

75 Heming Road, The Washford Industrial Estate, Redditch, B98 OEA

www.bufab.com

SALES MANAGER A leading UK industrial fastener company is seeking a Sales Manager for it’s rapidly expanding construction Division based in Dubai.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for a sales team servicing clients throughout the UAE and surrounding countries, reporting directly to the General Manager. You should have a minimum of 3 years managerial sales experience preferably in the fastening industry with a desire to succeed.

Attractive salary and benefits offered including relocation costs.

Interested applicants should apply in writing to: Recruitment Fastener & Fixing Europe Magazine 18 Alban Park St Albans Hertfordshire AL4 0JJ

UK Sales Manager UK Fixing and Fastening Market Finally a company is developing new, unique constructional fixings and we need help in introducing these amazing new products to the market.

Deltaleigh Ltd already market leaders in numerous product ranges are a small aggressive team having doubled turnover in last two years are looking for an experienced UK Sales Manager to help us achieve this growth pattern.

Requirements We are seeking A Professional Target achiever, with vast experience in the UK market. He / she must have solid contacts within the distribution / merchant industry but above all must be able to plan, achieve and do deals. If you are embarrassed about asking for the order, embarrassed about earning continuous bonus, then don’t embarrass your self applying.

Age is immaterial. Location is immaterial. Experience is critical The area is the UK and Southern Ireland so a clean driving license is essential Results For the right person we will pay the right money You will have a basic salary plus open ended commission. No house accounts, if you build the business then the continuing rewards are yours A car, expenses, phone, home office equipment come with this position.

In the first instance contact Tony Balmforth or Simon Haywood Tel 01455 824959 Fax: 01422 824948 Email: sales at deltaleigh .co.uk

ABA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141 Achilles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123 ACT Fasteners & Components . . . . . . . . . . .75 Action Can . . . . . . . . . . . . .111 Adolf Pühl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Adolf Schnorr GmbH & Co. KG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Advance Spares (& Rivits) .41 Albert Pasvahl GmbH & Co126 Alexander Paal GmbH . . . . .11 Alfran Fasteners Ltd . . . . . .65 Alloy & Stainless . . . . . . . .149 Apex Stainless . . . . . . . . . .125 Arpel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113 AUDACIO s.r.o. . . . . . . . . . . .97 Autontic Engineering . . . . .25 Avon Stainless . . . . . . . . . .154 Bäcker GmbH . . . . . . . . . . .113 Beneke Wire . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Bendfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 Bi-Mirth Corp . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Blakeacre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Bollohoff Fasteners . . . . . . .25 Boneham & Turner . . . . . . .17 Bossong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Bralo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Brighton Best . . . . . .6,8,10,12 Bufab UK Ltd . . . . . . . . . . .157 Carlo Salvi . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95 Can-Eng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127 Chatsworth computers . . .109 China Fastener . . . . . . . . . . .29 Crest Industrial . . . . . . . . . .89 Deltaleigh Ltd . . . . . . . . . .158 Dörken MKS-Systeme GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Don Quichotte . . . . . . . . . .121 Douwes Int BV . . . . . . . . . .157 Dresselhaus . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 DS Fasteners Ltd . . . . . . . . .35 Dubai Wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Electra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Fastbolt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Fwu Kuang Enterprises Co. Ltd . . . . . .113 Gesi GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . .123 Global Fasteners . . . . . . . . .49 GRK Fasteners . . . . . . . . . .150 Hafren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Harrison & Clough . . . . . . .115 Hugo Benzing . . . . . . . . . .121 Infast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 JCS Hi-Torque . . . . . . . . . . .15 KTS Kunststofftechnik GmbH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Kohlhage . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141 Lancaster Fasteners . . . . . .21 Lederer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Lindapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 London Screw Company Ltd67 M-Craft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160 M&W Fastener Co.,Ltd . . .115 Machine Screws Ltd . . . . . .65 Martyn Price (Bolts & Nuts) Ltd . . . . . . . .87 Mason Fasteners Ltd . . . . .89

Max Mothes GmbH . . . . . . .19 Mayes & Warwick . . . . . . . .97 M G H d.o.o. . . . . . . . . . . . .149 Mectron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Meeng Gang Enterprise . .111 Microplstics . . . . . . . . . . . .119 Mofast Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 Morgalv Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Nakashimada Engineering Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Nanmat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91 National Machinery . . . . . . . .1 NIFS/W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Ningbo Ordam int'l trading company . . . . . . . . .31 Nordic Metalblok Srl . . . . .17 Norm Civata . . . . . . . . . . . .151 Olympic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 Order wise . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 Pecol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Pinstructure . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Prelok . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13,61 Premier Fastening Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 PTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 Rawl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Ray Fu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 Reyher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117 Retina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Rex Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . .71 Rivit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 Rotorclip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 S D Products Ltd . . . . . . . . .57 Sacma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103 Sanhuan Fasteners Corp. Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Sariv srl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Schröder Schrauben . . . . . .67 Shanghai Fanto Hardwares CO., Ltd . . . . . .153 Simmonds Marshall Ltd . . .53 Specialinsert Srl . . . . . . . . .53 Spirol . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25, 107 Star Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . .65 Staytite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 STF Export . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Steven Walker & Sons Ltd .67 Tecfi S.p.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . .143 Techfast Mfg Sdn Bhd . . . . .63 Tecno Impianti . . . . . . . . . .107 Titibi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Tooling International Ltd . .97 Tox Dübel Werk . . . . . . . . .121 TR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80, 81 Trevafield . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155 Triplefast Middle East Ltd. . . . . . . . . .158 Trojan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Top Screw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Trutek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 USH Schraubwerkzeugfabrik . .112 Viraj Fasteners . . . . . . . . . .33 Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG . . . . . . . . .11, 49, 107 WASI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105 Weighpack . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Zero Clips Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . .41