Exhibition News

For the 2025 Fastener Fair Global show, Fastener + Fixing Magazine will, once again, sponsor the Route to Fastener Innovation Competition. Here we take a look back at a couple of the show’s previous winners and why the competition continues to be a key platform for innovations and new technologies in the fastener industry.

The Route to Fastener Innovation Competition is an exclusive competition for exhibitors that enables visitors to discover and evaluate what’s new in fastening technologies – putting the spotlight firmly on innovative products and services. After a record number of entries in the 2023 competition, first place was ultimately given to Scell-it UK, with its patented E-007 power tool designed to install hollow wall anchors.

“Winning the Route to Fastener Innovation (RTFI) award validated the E-007’s innovative nature and demonstrated its potential to disrupt the market. The E-007 represented a significant advancement in the fastener industry, offering a more efficient and userfriendly solution for setting hollow wall anchors,” highlights Dean Stonehouse, marketing manager at Scell-it UK. “By entering the competition, we aimed to showcase the innovation and benefits of the product to a wider audience, including potential customers, industry experts and investors. The award provided significant exposure, increased brand awareness and generated interest from potential customers and partners.”

Dean adds: “The E-007 has gained attention from both existing and new customers and the competition helped to establish the tool as a leading product in its category. We have seen increased sales and positive feedback from customers who appreciate the tool’s efficiency and ease of use. The RTFI competition has proven to be a valuable plat form for showcasing innovation and driving market adoption.”

Second place was awarded to Growermetal SpA for its Grower SpheraTech^®. Developed by the company’s R&D department, SpheraTech^® is based on the combination of a spherical top washer and a conical seat washer, ensuring a safe locking function on non-parallel surfaces, as well as avoiding damage or breakages to the bolted joint connection – caused by the bending of the head or the shank of the screw.

“The award demons t rated our commitment to innovation and sustainability and helped us gain visibility in the industry, enabling us to reach new audiences and reinforce our position as leaders in the field,” reports Growermetal SpA. “Entering products into the competition offers numerous benefits for companies. First and foremost, it provides an excellent opportunity to showcase innovation and differentiate products in a competitive market. Additionally, participating in such a prestigious competition helps validate the quality and uniqueness of products, giving credibility with customers and stakeholders. Finally, the feedback and exposure from the competition can serve as valuable insight, driving future improvements and innovation. The feedback we received has inspired Growermetal to develop new brands and as a result, we’re excited to present another new brand during the 2025 competition, continuing our commitment to innovation.”

Who will be Fastener Technology Innovator 2025?

Entering a product not only presents the potential to be heralded as a 2025 Fastener Technology Innovator, it also provides visitors with a great incentive to visit stands at Fastener Fair Global – to see the product, evaluate it, and to find out more information about it. Every entrant will be previewed in the January - February issue of Fastener + Fixing Magazine and will also be highlighted in certain Fastener Fair Global visitor information. In addition, every exhibitor that enters will be provided with a special logo for their stand highlighting the company is an entrant.

For the full rules and details on how to enter your product in the competition, please visit www.tinyurl.com/bdhhctea.