Issue: #142 July 2023

At Fastener + Fixing Magazine our aim is to always include insights and reports on the key topics impacting the industry to truly keep our readership informed about the latest developments, which is undoubtedly true of this July edition.

Firstly, we have an unbeatable feature on sustainability within the fastener and fixing sector. Sustainability is undeniably a key focus for every market at the moment, with the fastener industry no exception. With that in mind, our special feature goes beyond ‘greenwashing’ and highlights those fastener companies making a real difference when it comes to sustainability.

To start the feature, there is an article from Sytze Dijkstra, Netherlands country manager at Simply Sustainable – an award-winning ESG and sustainability consultancy, who explains what sustainability actually means and the steps every company can take to ensure they have a strategy that will lead them on the right sustainability path.

To add to this there is also a brilliant article from Peter Standring, technical secretary at Industrial Metalforming Technologies, who looks at the implications of sustainability for automotive fasteners. Plus, numerous companies – including Böllhoff Group, Brugola OEB Industriale SpA, WASI GmbH, Colombo Special Fasteners, Fontana Gruppo, Lederer GmbH, NOF Metal Coatings Group, Hague Fasteners Ltd, Growermetal SpA, KRONUS SIA, HEICO Group and several others – explain how they have approached sustainability.

Another ‘must read’ article is focused on a topic that will start to have a huge impact on the fastener market from Q3 of 2023 onwards – the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism regulation, better known as CBAM. To help make things a little clearer, we have a report from the European Fastener Distributor Association’s (EFDA) webinar on the impact of CBAM, which included a presentation from Andreas Schneider, of StahlmarktConsult, entitled: ‘CBAM and fasteners – what do European importers need to prepare for?’

Our Cover Story is focused on Fastbolt Group and how it is looking to invest in key areas to not only provide solutions for today’s needs, but also for future challenges. From speaking to Managing Director Ekkehard Beermann, it is clear there are a lot of exciting projects happening at the company – including the addition of a new warehouse and the installation of a new modern automated compact bin storage system.

The exclusive articles keep coming, next up we have an interview with Magnus Karlsson, vice-president global business development at Titgemeyer Group, who explains how the group has looked to develop its value proposition whilst continuing to meet the needs
of its customers. Plus, regular contributor Ian Parker discusses how the move from internal combustion engines to hybrid and electric vehicles will impact the automotive sector and what it means for fastener requirements.

To finish off we also have special features on light-duty fixings, automotive application technology and nuts, washers + locking systems, plus a whole host of other news and insight.