FastenersAsia January 2020

Industry news

Formation of Aluform USA Duncan MacLean, president and CEO of MacLean-Fogg, has announced the joint venture formation of Aluform USA between Richard Bergner Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co KG (RIBE) of Schwabach, Germany, and MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions (MFCS) of Mundelein, Illinois, USA. The RIBE-Aluform ® product is claimed to be a market leader in the automotive industry for high strength aluminium bolt, screw and stud fasteners for lightweight, corrosion-sensitive automotive applications. Aluform USA combines the strengths of RIBE ® and MFCS to bring the Aluform product line to the North American marketplace. Mr MacLean said, “RIBE is a terrific, innovative fastener company. The RIBE-Aluform product line sets the global standard for high strength automotive aluminium fasteners, and vehicle lightweighting will continue to be a major industry trend as OEMs work to improve fuel economy and battery range. We’re excited to further help our North American customers in their lightweight efforts by including Aluform high strength aluminium bolts in our range of fastener solutions.” Frank Bergner, managing partner of RIBE, said: “MacLean-Fogg has been well-known for 94 years as a leader in innovative fasteners and high quality manufacturing. MacLean-Fogg’s excellent manufacturing capabilities, application engineering and high customer service makes them an ideal partner to support and grow Aluform in North America.” Aluform USA LLC will be headquartered within the existing MacLean Maynard division of MFCS in Chesterfield, Michigan, USA. RIBE ® Verbindungstechnik offers lightweight construction, new materials and material combination solutions with secure, comprehensive systems integrated into the fastening element itself or as an automated fastening system. RIBE ® interlinks product development and engineering to ensure rational, sustainable production for the entire product portfolio. RIBE’s range includes high-strength aluminium screws, RIBE–Aluform, RIFIXX ® functional modules, maximum strength steel screws, complete sheet metal joining systems including RIFAST ® , and an extensive selection of special cold-formed parts. Aluform USA www.macleanfoggcs.com ❍ High strength aluminium bolt, screw and stud fasteners from Aluform Image: Aluform

Bufab completes HT Bendix acquisition Last year, Bufab confirmed the group’s acquisition of all out- standing shares in HT Bendix A/S. The plan was originally announced in June 2019. Bendix has annual sales of approximately SEK 500 million (DKK 345 million) and an operating margin of approximately ten per cent.

HT Bendix A/S was founded in 1975 and is a leading C parts supply chain partner in the Nordics with a strong expertise in the furniture and fittings industries. Bendix’s head office and main operations are in Herning, in Jutland, Denmark, but the company generates sales throughout Scandi- navia, the Baltics, Germany, the UK, France and Poland. “I am honoured and very happy to announce this acquisition, which is a significant and attractive add-on to our existing businesses in the Nordics, and which presents attractive growth synergies for both companies,” said Jörgen Rosengren, Bufab’s president and CEO. Johan Lindqvist, who manages Bufab’s Segment Sweden added: “HT Bendix A/S is well known in the industry for its high product and service quality, solution-oriented approach, and skilled staff. We wish the HT Bendix A/S team a very warm welcome into the Bufab Group,” “In the past years, Bufab has become known as a leader in the C parts industry globally. We have looked for a global player with the strength to help us bring HT Bendix A/S to a new level. And we have searched for a company with a mindset and culture that fit HT Bendix A/S. We are convinced that Bufab is the ideal partner to continuous successful growth,” commented Kaj Østergaard, MD and spokesman for the owners of HT Bendix A/S. Bufab Group www.bufab.com ❍ HT Bendix is well known in the industry for its product and service quality

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Fasteners ASIA – January/February 2020