WCA November 2020

Industry news

Torqx acquires European fastener group Fabory

Torqx Capital Partners, a Dutch private equity company, has acquired Fabory Group (FG), a European supplier of fastener solutions and industrial products, from Fabory’s parent company WW Grainger Inc. As a strategic investor, Torqx will be able to support Fabory in its ambition to strengthen its position as specialist distributor in fasteners, to enhance the customer experience and to grow the group organically and through add-on acquisitions. Fabory and Torqx also want to further strengthen Fabory’s position in the highly fragmented European fastener market and drive economies of scale, while maintaining and strengthening its specialist position as one of the top fastener companies in Europe. Fabory, headquartered in Tilburg, the Netherlands, is active in 11 European countries and has revenues of over €220mn. The transaction is not subject to any financing condition, but is subject to the standard regulatory approvals. Ronald Baarslag, CEO of Fabory Group, commented, “Finding a new

“Therefore, we need to accelerate our growth and expand our European presence, while remaining in the driver’s seat. “With Torqx we are delighted to have found a partner that will support us in executing our strategy and add value. We remain focused on delivering an effortless experience to our customers and serving in the best interest of our employees and new shareholder.” Harmen Geerts, managing partner of Torqx, said, “Based on our extensive experience and strong track record with technical distribution businesses, we see a strong fit between Fabory and Torqx. We can help the company to strengthen its position as leading fastener specialist in its core markets and achieve its full potential.” Fabory offers a one-stop shop with more than 400,000 products (120,000 in stock) to more than 60,000 customers, and handles over 7.5mn orders a year, including 24/7 online ordering. Fabory Group www.fabory.com

❍ Torqx managing partner​Harmen Geerts

strategic partner for Fabory was an important next step in our strategy, while focusing on further growth and with an eye on the consolidation of the European fastener industry. “As a business we’re in good shape and in the past years we have built a new fundament for the growth of Fabory. “While strengthening our business, we also see that the market further developed with customers increasing in size and behaviour, further digitalisation and competitors bundling forces.

Torqx Capital Partners www.torqxcapital.com

Specifying in seconds Cable cleat manufacturer Ellis Patents has developed an online calculator to provide users with accurate specification information for any project within seconds. The calculator provides correctly specified cleat spacings, with respect to short circuit conditions, and recommends products for the project through a pre-programmed calculation that considers cable formation, cable size, short circuit current and the installation environment. Stephen Walton, technical director of Ellis Patents, said, “Correctly specifying cable cleats, and the spacing they need to be installed at, is vital in ensuring they function properly when called into action. “Until now, specifiers and planners needed to make the calculation using a complex formula, and then interpret these results into product type, quantity and exact spacing. “Our cable cleat calculator removes this complicated mathematical element from the specification process, and replaces it with a foolproof option that provides the correct cleat specification quickly and easily.” Ellis Patents Ltd www.ellispatents.co.uk ❍ The online tool calculates the necessary cleat spacings and recommends products

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Fasteners ASIA – November/December 2020