FastenersASIA March 2025

Industry news

TR Italy invests in sustainable energy with solar panels

TR Italy has announced a significant sustainability achievement at its manufacturing facility in Umbria, Italy. Opened in 1996, the 6,110m 2 main building has undergone an upgrade with the installation of 1,395 solar panels on its roof. These panels are expected to generate approximately 25-30 per cent of the facility’s electricity, making a substantial step towards reducing its environmental impact. With the expertise of local contractor Inveco, TR Italy developed an optimal installation strategy for its sustainability initiative. The plan included replacing polycarbonate skylights with steel sandwich plates, maximising the available roof space without compromising on natural daylight inside the facility. This upgrade also allows for a controlled temperature reduction of approximately three degrees Celsius in the production areas, improving employee comfort in the hot summer months. The photovoltaic panels, along with six inverters, are projected to generate approximately 900,000 kWh annually. During weekends, when energy consumption is lower, TR Italy will be able to sell surplus energy back to Terna, the operator of Italy’s national grid.

Switching on the new installation at TR Italy

By using an innovative financial structure, TR Italy’s investment in the project will not result in major capital expenditure. The installation is under a 12-year lease agreement with fixed monthly payments, offering a cost-effective solution that will lead to substantial savings over time. Stefano Pisoni, managing director of TR Italy, commented, “As a company, we’re always striving to balance innovation with responsibility. This sustainability project is a perfect example of how we can reduce our environmental impact without compromising on the quality of our products or the service we provide to customers. “This installation not only aligns with our long-term goal for energy efficiency, but it also enhances the comfort of our employees. We’re proud to be taking meaningful steps towards a more sustainable future for TR Italy.” TR Italy www.trfastenings.com

1,395 solar panels have been installed on the facility’s roof

Endries strengthens market position acquiring Assembly Fasteners, Inc

crew at AFI to the Endries family. It is a great business that the Watsons and their team have built that fits hand in-glove with Endries. This acquisition strengthens our presence in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, and increases our relationship with a key supplier of ours, PennEngineering®, whom we have in common with AFI.” Endries International, Inc www.endries.com Assembly Fasteners, Inc www.afi.cc

Endries International as we look to build on our strong reputation for service excellence these past 40 years,” said Hugh Watson, founder and CEO of AFI. “This partnership marks a new chapter for AFI, one that will enable us to grow nationwide and continue to provide exceptional value to our employees and customers well into the future. Together with Endries, we are poised to bring innovative solutions that will shape the industry and drive long-term success.” Endries president and CEO Michael Knight commented, “I welcome the

Endries International, Inc, a specialist in industrial fasteners, class-C components and fulfilment solutions, has announced the acquisition of Assembly Fasteners, Inc (AFI), a distributor of latches, fasteners and hardware products and solutions. Founded in 1984, AFI offers a variety of services that include vendor-managed inventory (VMI), customer-managed inventory (CMI) and iBinDrop, a stock management innovation that gives customers more control over their stock.

“We are thrilled to join forces with

42

www.read-fastenersasia.com

March 2025