EuroFasteners July 2022

ISSN: 2633-9706 print

ISSN: 2633-9714 online

Photo by Katherine McCormack, Unsplash

Diary of events

Contents July 2022

20-22 September 2022 Guangzhou Trade exhibition Guangzhou, China Organisers: Guangzhou Julang Exhibition Design Co Ltd www.julang.com

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Corporate News

26-29 September 2022 wire China Trade exhibition Shanghai, China Organisers: Shanghai Electric Cable Research Institute Co Ltd Messe Düsseldorf Shanghai Co Ltd www.wirechina.net

Products

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5-7 October 2022 wire Southeast Asia Trade exhibition Bangkok, Thailand Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf Asia www.wire-southeastasia.com 10-13 October 2022 IWCS Technical symposium Providence, Rhode Island, USA Organisers: IWCS www.iwcs.org Trade exhibition São Paulo, Brazil Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire-south-america.com 25-28 October 2022 EuroBLECH Trade exhibition Hanover, Germany Organisers: Mack-Brooks Exhibitions www.euroblech.com 23-25 November 2022 wire India Trade exhibition Mumbai, India Organisers: Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.wire-india.com 25-27 October 2022 wire South America

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As with all shows, and with the continuing coronavirus pandemic, please check to ensure the event is going ahead

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Corporate News

Lesjöfors Heavy Springs UK produces large diameter compression, torsion and tension springs

Lesjöfors Heavy Springs UK sharpens focus on rapidly growing market

with our heavy spring colleagues in Finland and Sweden, as a progressive and competitive global design, manufacturing and technological development network.” The Cornwall facilities deliver expertise in large diameter compression, torsion and tension springmanufacturing, specialising in industrial and automotive spring components, and sit alongside sister sites in Sweden and Finland as a global design, manufacturing and technological development network, coiling wire from 3 to 65mm in diameter. European Springs & Pressings will continue its manufacturing operations in Kent. Lesjöfors AB www.lesjoforsab.com

Ola Tengroth, CEO of Lesjöfors AB, commented, “As part of our global long term, future-focused growth strategy, the heavy springs sector has been identified as one of four key expansion areas, and the Cornwall sites’ evolution to a new Lesjöfors brand is a natural fit for the company’s future.” The new company and new name reflect a unified team under the Lesjöfors brand and the springs the group manufactures for customers across the automotive, rail, agriculture, oil, mining, construction and energy sectors around the world. Michael Gibbs, managing director of the newly formed Lesjöfors company, said, “We’re evolving for our customers; enhancing efficiencies, committing more investment and moving forward, together

A new company is being launched by Lesjöfors, rebranding its two former European Springs & Pressings factories in Cornwall, UK. The factories will now form a new company called Lesjöfors Heavy Springs UK. The rebrand is part of a new division, focusing on growth and significant investment in the heavy springs sector across the product range and industries served within the Lesjöfors heavy coiling sites in the UK, Finland and Sweden. The UK company achieved a record breaking order book over the last year: sales are up 35 per cent, and the workforce by 40 per cent; and it set a new annual turnover record of £15mn. During 2022, Lejöfors Heavy Springs will invest £1mn in new machinery.

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artist tereh

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Corporate News

2022Wuxi Taihu international industrial equipment exhibition

testing machines, hardness testers, spring tension and pressure testing machines, gas spring characteristics testing machines, cold and hot testing equipment, anti-corrosion performance testing equipment, spring testing machines, fatigue testing machines, spring load sorting machines, polishing machines, flaw detection equipment and other special testing instruments. Highlights of the exhibition will be the latest equipment, prod ucts and new technology; the presence of well-known manu facturers; and the opportunity for business negotiations and to expand brand awareness. The event is sponsored by the China Machinery Industry Federation, and is jointly organised by the Wuxi Machinery Industry Federation, Wuxi Branch of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, and Jiangsu Sanjiaozhou International Conference & Exhibition Co, Ltd, with Dongguan Yongteng Automation Equipment Co, Ltd as co-organiser. Jiangsu Sanjiaozhou International Conference & Exhibition Co, Ltd www.wxthz.com

One of the largest spring exhibitions in Asia, the Wuxi Taihu International Spring and Processing Equipment Exhibition, will take place from 9 to 12 October 2022, at the Taihu International Expo Center in Wuxi, China. The range of exhibits will include • Spring-related products: automobile springs, motorcy cle springs, valve springs, clutch springs, shock absorption springs, oil pump springs, high temperature springs, mould springs, hydraulic prop springs, hot coil springs, leaf springs, dish springs and special-shaped springs. • Supporting raw materials for spring production: wire, special steel, stainless steel, plate, pipe and other special materials. • Spring manufacturing technology and equipment: computerised spring manufacturing machines, computerised spring press machines, spring machines, spring grinding machines, bending machines, spring coiling machines, grinding machines, spring quenching machines, earphone coiling, spring rolling mills, shot blasting equipment and other special equipment. Spring testing instruments and equipment will include spring testing machines, torsion spring testing machines, material Bufab acquires TIMCO Sweden-based C-parts supply chain partner Bufab has acquired TIMCO (TI Midwood & Co Ltd), a UK construction products supplier headquartered in Nantwich, Cheshire. The purchase price paid upon closing of the transaction amounts to £54mn on a cash-free/ debt-free basis. A performance-based additional payment may be made in 2023 2024, conditional on operating profit.

at TIMCO, said, “This deal will enable us to accelerate our growth and continue expanding the range of products and services we offer, while still maintaining our first-class customer service. “We look forward to working with our new colleagues at Bufab in driving the company forward.” Bufab AB www.bufab.com TIMCO www.timco.co.uk

C-parts (screws, fasteners and fixings, nails, etc) to the construction industry and will significantly improve Bufab’s customer offering in this market segment. This strategic expansion in the UK market further underlines our commitment to grow and widen our offering in new market segments and we are confident that TIMCO will continue to grow and to keep its strong entrepreneurial DNA and excellent customer service also as a member of Bufab group.” Simon Midwood, who will continue to run the business with the senior team

TIMCO has been family-owned since its foundation in 1972 by Tim Midwood, and is currently run by Tim’s son, Simon Midwood, managing director. Under Simon’s leadership, TIMCO has expanded to become a one-stop shop for more than 4,500 independent merchants across the UK and Ireland, supplying trade professionals with products such as screws, fasteners and fixings, nails, adhesives and chemicals, powertool accessories, hand tools, building hardware and site protection, security, ironmongery and PPE. Johan Sandberg, Bufab’s director global business development and group director UK, commented, “I am honoured and very happy to announce this acquisition, which is the largest acquisition so far for Bufab. It is a significant and attractive add-on to our existing businesses in the UK. TIMCO is a very strong brand within

TIMCO’s warehouse facility

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Corporate News

Industrial nailers market projected to increase at 7.9 per cent CAGR

within their products, thus reducing accidents,” said an FMI analyst. Falling production levels have also reduced demand for pneumatic, cordless and gas-powered industrial nailers. While conservative estimates set recovery between the next eight to 14 quarters, the optimistic scenario projects growth to rebound within the next five to eight quarters. Future Market Insights www.futuremarketinsights.com

the epicentre of growth, accounting for more than 50 per cent of the revenue share by 2030. Other key details from the report include: cordless industrial nailers will outsell pneumatic variants; framing and sheathing nailers will capture nearly a quarter of the revenue share; automatic nailers are projected to surge in popularity, gaining 170 BPS from 2020-2030; and the furniture segment will generate an incremental opportunity worth $153mn. “Concerns regarding injuries while using industrial nailers are prompting vendors to introduce enhanced safety features The company anticipates serving a large number of local customers. For industrial springs, there are various industries to address, and Alcomex states that its experience of more than 150 years as a spring manufacturer will bring added value. The Spanish versions of the Alcomex website and online shop are active and ready to serve and inform new customers. Alcomex www.alcomexsprings.com expected to create valuable opportunities in the sector. Strict Covid-19 regulations on logistics and air travel services gave way to a steep decline in the production of new aircraft. This factor impacted the global aerospace fasteners market negatively, especially during the initial phase, but it is projected to revive soon, as the global situation returns to levels of normality. On the basis of material, the alloy steel segment held the major share in 2020, with more than a third of the global aerospace fasteners market, owing to the installation of a maximum number of steel fasteners in aircraft. The titanium segment, however, is projected to see the fastest CAGR of 6 per cent throughout the forecast period, owing to its high tensile

Future Market Insights (FMI) reports that the industrial nailers market is expected to reach $629.6mn in 2022, and likely to surge at 7.9 per cent CAGR during the assessment period 2022 to 2030. Global demand for industrial nailers is likely to grow at nearly 7.9 per cent, with end-users showing a preference for cordless industrial nailers. A new study by FMI offers detailed insights on key factors likely to influence the market in the long term.

US and East Asian countries will remain

Alcomex starting in Spain Spring manufacturer Alcomex started the year with the creation of a new subsidiary. Alcomex Muelles is located inValencia, the third largest city in Spain by population. Valencia is a strategic city due to its position as a cargo port, and is a major container port in the Mediterranean.

Spain is a market with high potential for industrial springs and garage door springs. Alcomex’s position as a manufacturer in the European market for industrial and residential sectional door springs places it as a known player.

Photo courtesy of www.alcomexsprings.com

Alcomex has established operations in Spain

Global aerospace fasteners market to reach $12.8bn by 2030

strength and capability to withstand extreme temperatures. In terms of products, the nuts and bolts segment contributed the largest share in 2020, with more than 40 per cent of the global aerospace fasteners market. The same segment will also show the fastest CAGR – 5.2 per cent from 2021 to 2030 – which is attributed to the products’ stability when used in assembly. By region, the market across Asia-Pacific, followed by North America, dominated in 2020, with more than a third of the global aerospace fasteners market. It is also expected to see CAGR of 5.9 per cent throughout the forecast period, due to high air traffic in the region. Allied Market Research www.alliedmarketresearch.com

Allied Market Research has published a report looking at the aerospace fasteners market by material (aluminium, alloy steel, titanium and others), product (nuts and bolts, rivets, screws and others), and application (military aviation, commercial aviation and civil aviation). According to the report, the global aerospace fasteners market was estimated at $7.42bn in 2020 and is expected to reach $12.8bn by 2030, registering a CAGR of 5.5 per cent from 2021 to 2030. A rise in air travel and a surge in govern- ment expenditure on defence will drive the growth of the global market, while a rise in the adoption of 3D printing will restrain the growth to some extent. However, developments in aerospace applications around the world are

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Products

WDS’s captive fastener design

Captive fasteners prevent loss to speed up manufacturing

heavy-duty industrial applications such as motors and fans. 27 shank lengths are available, which cover most industrial panel widths. The fasteners are manufactured from 316 stainless steel, making them suitable for both marine and clean environment installations, such as food and beverage production facilities, as they can undergo a chemical wash-down and remain corrosion free. 316 stainless steel also makes the fasteners durable for use in industrial applications. The WDS Components website includes detailed specifications of the full captive fastener range, including downloadable CAD images in all major formats, as well as non-specialist 3D images. The company’s technical support team can also provide specification guidance to identify suitability. WDS Components Ltd www.wdscomponents.com

are tightened by Allen key, but additional head styles will be available in future, according to demand. A primary benefit is the ease and speed for manufacturing processes. Ensuring fastener retention is particularly useful for electronics assembly, where small fasteners are easily dropped. Once inserted, the captive fasteners prevent accidental loss, saving time in assembly and increasing manufacturing productivity. The captive fasteners can be used for automated or manual assembly processes. The new fasteners can also be used to enhance machine safety by preventing the removal and loss of safety guards. The captive fasteners satisfy EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, which requires fixing systems to remain attached to a machine or machine guard. The captive fasteners are available in thread diameters ranging from M3 to M12, with the larger sizes also suitable for

WDS Components Ltd has released a new range of loss-preventing captive fasteners that speed up manufacturing assembly and make marine and working at height applications easier to manage. Thecaptive fastener designwasdeveloped by WDS in response to customer demand to prevent unintentional fastener removal or loss. The captive fastener is screwed into the host, for example an electrical component or machine guard, and the design features an unthreaded shank length between the fastener head and thread. Even when the fastener is unscrewed from the main frame, such as a printed circuit board or a machine, the thread prevents the fastener from falling out of its intended position. The fastener can only be removed from the host by unscrewing it. If the host does not include a pre-cut thread, the user can add one to suit the appropriate fastener size. This design means that the fastener does not require an additional washer, flange or nut to secure it. The fasteners

Graphics bigstockphoto.com/Artistnd 3000

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Products

Technicians turn to screw extractors for stubborn or frozen screws

provide a solution that is as effective as it is durable.” Screw Extractors use patented tapered sides so the tool sits easily and safely into damaged screws, while the side- and tip-cutting edges provide powerful and The Bolt Biter

International fastener specialist TR VIC SpA, part of the Trifast plc group of com panies, has benefited from a significant investment at its manufacturing site in central Italy. In expanding the TR Viterie Italia Centrale (TR VIC) site in Fossato Di Vico in Umbria, Trifast is further increasing its capacity to serve the growing European white goods market. It has experienced unprecedented and ongoing demand, fuelled by the increase in consumer driven home improvements during the Covid pandemic. The investment is largely focused on securing new machinery at the site, all locally sourced from Italianmanufacturers, and this will increase the production capacity by around 33 per cent. It follows the implementation, in January 2021, of additional multi-station cold forming machinery in the heading section. Over the next 12 months the company will gain The Gearwrench Bolt Biter™ line of extraction tools was introduced to provide professional mechanics with a reliable method of removing corroded, rusted, rounded and frozen fasteners. The range has now been further developed, with the new Bolt Biter Screw Extractors, designed with features to grip stripped, frozen and damaged screws. “We talked with professional mechanics and industrial technicians from all across the country, and they all pointed to massive flaws in their screw extractor tools,” said Gearwrench senior product manager Jarrett Wolf. “With their help, our Bolt Biter Screw Extractors go above and beyond in addressing those issues to

Bolt Biter Screw Extractors tackle frozen or damaged screws

consistent extraction. The bi-directional design makes it easy to remove fasteners from the extractor after use, but also allows for fasteners to be retightened in an emergency. 7 / 16 " hex base options, Bolt Biter Screw Extractors can be used with a With 1 / 4 " and

ratchet, wrench or power tool. An S2 steel composition and heat treatment process results in an increased lifespan. The screw extractors are available in both four-piece and ten-piece sets. Gearwrench www.gearwrench.com

Trifast invests to increase European manufacturing capacity

This investment strategy allows us to better meet our customer needs, now and for the future.” Stefano Pisoni, managing director of TR VIC SpA, said, “This investment represents a huge step forwards for our capability to meet growing demand. The site was operating at 130 per cent of its capacity, putting a strain on the workforce to meet customers’ demands. We are now embarking on the first steps, not only to future-proof our group against supply chain disruption, but also to ensure we continue to meet the demands of our customers.” The investment has reportedly been well received locally, as it has created new jobs. “This has piqued the interest with local government and the media giving us the recognition that we are an important manufacturing company in this key area of Italy,” said Mr Pisoni. “We are proud of the fact that we have chosen Italian companies to supply the new machinery.” The TR VIC site serves 24 countries around the world. The company is a member of the European Fastener Distributor Association (EFDA) and has IATF 16949 accreditation. Trifast plc www.trfastenings.com

the ability to produce an additional 500 million pieces annually. The site is focused on being Industry 4.0 compliant, creating a greener and more efficient workspace, and providing a modern and diverse environment. The work is to be completed in two phases in 2022 and 2023, which include extending the manufacturing footprint on the site. Andrew Nuttall, European managing director of TR Fastenings, said, “The order book has increased dramatically over the past two years. As more people work from home, they are investing in their domestic appliances and not spending so much on holidays etc, and instead enhancing their home environment. “This means that the demand for white goods has significantly increased. Our major customers want to see shorter and more agile supply chains. The lead times out of Asia have increased significantly

during Covid, and freight costs and container issues has meant that we had to react and onshore more product.

TR Viterie Italia Centrale

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Products

Stainless steel fastening solutions for deck building and exterior projects

Capabilities have been further enhanced with a new motorised wire payoff, specifically developed by Wafios to manage the safety requirements of large wire dimension coiling. Jan Carlson, managing director of Lesjöfors Fjädrar, said, “This latest investment not only enables us to expand our product range, it also creates a new flexibility in material grade opportunities, increasing quality options, which in turn enables us to pass on cost efficiencies to our customers.” Installing such a large and heavy piece of machinery was a challenge, but the engineers ensured the process went smoothly. Following a period of training, the staff at Lesjöfors Fjädrar are ready to optimise the potential of the new equipment. The Lesjöfors Group provides a wide range of springs and pressings to customers in diverse industries around the world. With experience in highly technological, custom-made solutions and a flexible manufacturing capacity, Lesjöfors can work on all spring requirements. The group comprises almost 50 manufacturing and sales companies in various countries. Lesjöfors AB www.lesjoforsab.com Also available are 316 stainless steel marine-grade edge screws for use with Camo Marksman Pro® tools and collated screws for use with the Camo Drive™ stand-up tool. New to the Camo brand are ring shank deck nails and joist hanger nails, as well as collated ring shank framing nails and collated metal hanger nails that are compatiblewith awide array of pneumatic nailers. The stainless steel screws and nails are backed up with a warranty to resist rust and corrosion. Camo www.camofasteners.com

to add value and performance to their upcoming projects,” said Doug Hutchings, vice president of product development at National Nail. “The variety of stainless steel fasteners deliver superior corrosion resist ance and holding power on any job site, even in the harshest coastal conditions.” The stainless steel fastener pails with metallic lids are the first in a new series of packaging that will eventually be rolled out to all Camo products. Suitable for building wood or composite decks and other exterior projects, Camo’s new line of stainless steel fasteners includes hand drive deck, composite and trim screws that are supplied with a 50.8mm (2") power bit for convenience.

National Nail’s Camo® brand of tools and fasteners has introduced new stainless steel fasteners for contractors, remodellers and DIYers, adding fastening efficiency and strength to exterior projects in any environment. Designed to protect connections against the elements, Camo’s 316 marine-grade stainless steel fasteners are suitable for use in highly corrosive coastal and agricultural environments and applications that face abrasive agents, while Camo 305 stainless steel fasteners provide corrosion resistance and long-lasting aesthetics for a variety of inland exterior projects. “Camo is excited to offer a full line of stain less steel screws and nails for contractors

LargestWafios machinery ever at Lesjöfors subsidiary

new investment cements the Lesjöfors group expansion intentions in the heavy springs sector and fuels our teams to continue to thrive being leaders in spring manufacture.” At 40 tonnes and just under 10m long, the FUL 226 can cold coil wire up to 30mm diameter in addition to coiling pre tempered wire up to 22mmdiameter, with a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa.

Lesjöfors Fjädrar in Sweden has installed the largest ever model of Wafios wire coiling machinery – the massive FUL 226. The €1.75mn investment is part of an ongoing future-focused growth plan in the group’s expanding heavy springs market. Michael Gibbs, managing director of the UK factories and chair of the heavy springs division, commented, “This exciting

Lesjöfors Fjädrar managing director Jan Carlson (left), with project lead David Stolpe

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