Insight

4fastening GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of the KAMAX Group, was established in 2012 and has positioned itself as a company that can help bridge the gap between economic production lot sizes and ensuring the supply to clients of post-series, small series and spare parts business.

4fastening was set-up by parent company KAMAX after the manufacturer of high strength connecting parts faced the challenge of continuing to supply its clients with parts after the end of series production. “In particular, the supply of post-series and spare parts in much smaller quantities, which simply wasn’t economical and couldn’t be offered without internal losses of efficiency,” explains Patrick Lutz, CEO at 4fastening GmbH. “As you might know, setting up a cold heading machine can take a significant amount of time, which means that producing lower quantities is not cost-effective. The requirements for handling large series are fundamentally opposite to those for small series, which is why KAMAX set up 4fastening. From the response we received from our initial clients, who were convinced by the benefits and advantages we could provide, we decided to expand the concept so that it now includes more than 2,000 articles, which has resulted in many new customers.” 

Patrick continues: “Our ability to support customers and bundle a number of years’ worth of ‘smaller’ quantities into one larger batch size means that parts can be produced more cost-efficiently and at a competitive price.”

Vast connection technology

Today, 4fastening can offer components for every aspect of connection technology for the automotive and industrial sectors. This ranges from cold formed parts to machined components. It also includes a wide range of complementary components and selected parts from blind rivet, welding and press-fit technology.  

“We can offer bolts based on a drawing specification or in standard sizes for use in the automotive, truck, trailer and industrial sectors, including all sizes, as well as all common standard drives, surfaces and strengths,” Patrick points out. “Within our product portfolio, we have threaded bolts, clips, bushings, sleeves, nuts and ball studs, as well as complementary goods.”

Patrick continues: “We offer high-quality products to meet individual requirements with a reliable supply of products and services, as well as immediate access to all the required information, certifications and data.”

4fastening is also able to provide clients with application engineering support, such as working with customers to develop parts to meet specific applications. “We have a lot of experience and knowledge within our business to support customers when it comes to bespoke solutions,” underlines Patrick. “We also have the option to bring in our KAMAX application engineering colleagues if required, to offer further advice and suggestions. In total we have access to over 90 years of fastener production experience, which means we can help a lot of customers with a lot of different solutions, which is our big advantage.”

Guaranteed quality

As part of the KAMAX family, 4fastening is also IATF 16949 certified as a remote site of the KAMAX Group, which means that its processes are in accordance with IATF 16949. “We do not have our own manufacturing, so that is why we are mentioned as a remote site as part of the KAMAX certification,” explains Patrick. “This certification gives us access to the automotive industry, meaning we can directly ship to automotive customers.”

4fastening is also able to guarantee this high-quality through the work of its employees, as well as thanks to its partnership with KAMAX. “We reliably apply quality standards developed in the research departments of the KAMAX Group,” mentions Patrick. “As an independent company, training and further development of our staff is of great importance to us. A high-quality standard can only be achieved if qualified, experienced people are available in every position and every department. By guaranteeing the quality of our products and services, we can respond quickly, flexibly and individually to all requirements.”

One of the tasks 4fastening has focused on recently is to speed up processes for its clients and to ensure the smooth functioning of special orders. It can do this thanks to the 4fastening team, who are always in direct contact with clients. “As a business, we do not just focus on the quality we have already achieved – even though the results are certainly something to be proud of,” highlights Patrick. “We look ahead and, in close contact with our clients and suppliers, we are continually developing new quality assurance measures – with an eye to the specific requirements of our clients, as well as to incorporate the transformation that is taking place in aspects ranging from manufacturing to marketing to legal regulations.”

Global supply chain

4fastening has also established an optimised supply chain, which it has been able to create through solid connections with reliable partners. “We have steadily grown our network of worldwide partners, which we established in order to expand our product range,” mentions Patrick. “This makes it possible to offer clients products beyond the KAMAX portfolio. Through active supplier management, we have selected certified manufacturers. In addition, product testing and regular audits help ensure that all products are manufactured and shipped to the highest quality. Our constantly growing network of suppliers also enables us to deliver products in a cost and time optimised manner – significantly reducing our clients’ workloads.”

Logistics at the core

4fastening’s modern warehouse, including packaging and logistics, is essential for a properly functioning supply chain. “With more than 10,000 storage spaces for pallets and individual containers, located in a warehouse area of approximately 8,000m², our warehousing service enables clients to reduce warehousing costs and minimise all associated risks to their supply chain,” explains Patrick. “Instead of dealing with location problems, customers can trust us to find the fastest and safest way to get products to them or their clients.”

Patrick adds: “Logistics is the heart of 4fastening, and as a company we want to optimise planning, control and communication with customers and suppliers. We are able to do this because, as part of KAMAX Group, our processing is SAP-controlled, which means it can be fully automated via an EDI connection to enable modern order picking.” 

The products and services that 4fastening can provide also give the company access to global trade, with ambitious goals in Germany, Europe and worldwide. The business has also recently expanded its sales team to focus on diversification, adding products that are not part of the KAMAX portfolio and targeting new customers.

“Through the steps we have taken, we can help clients reduce the capital commitment they need to make whilst always maintaining supply security. It also means that clients can consolidate their entire fastener supply chain by working solely with us – helping to bundle orders for small supplies from several companies. This means customers only have one contact and they don’t have to work with multiple businesses for their fasteners, complimentary goods or customised products.”

Patrick concludes: “We’re a partner on whom customers can rely on, from the initial ordering process to a single or recurring delivery. The individual processes can also be tailored to suit each customer’s operations and requirements – who also benefit from our wide range of bolts and fasteners available from stock, with the option of using our warehouse for recurring requirements. Our aim at 4fastening is to be a customised service provider who adapts to meet the needs of each customer.”