Insight

Celebrating its successful transition from rivet distributor to German rivet manufacturer – GOEBEL Group became the setting for the first ever World Riveting Congress 2024 (WRC2024) in September – where attendees from around the globe, including Fastener + Fixing Magazine, were able to witness the first production batch of GOEBEL rivets.

Taking place from 28^th – 29^th September at its European headquarters in Ekrath, near Düsseldorf, the WRC2024 saw participants and representatives from 19 countries attend expert presentations – delving into the latest developments in blind rivets and riveting machines.

Marcel Goebel, managing director at Goebel Group, explained: “WRC2024 was the first event of its kind, anywhere in the world and the idea behind it is simple – we wanted to bring together buyers, distributors, engineers, and industrial customers, from all over the world to educate, share knowledge, as well as discover the latest trends and innovations in the industry.”

Marcel continued: “The journey to ‘Made in Germany’ started back in 2020 when we had to fight supply chain disruptions because of the Covid-19 pandemic. These delays were frustrating, so I decided to do something about it – I bought some machines from a manufacturer in Spain and our journey to a manufacturer began. It’s been scary, but exciting, and I’m still in the process of learning – wire is not wire, tooling is not tooling and oil is not oil – but I am very proud of the cold forming team we’ve created in Ekrath and the WRC2024 was the culmination of the dedication and hard work of the whole GOEBEL family.”

The twelve expert presentations, given in both German and English, included technical lectures from Joachim Kruger, head of sales cold forming and stamping at Marposs Group, on process monitoring process data and digitalisation solutions for the riveting industry. Joachim outlined how rivet companies can use data to optimise production, the benefits of process monitoring, as well as how production companies can identify ‘weak points’ in order to improve. During his presentation, Joachim also switched live to videos of GOEBEL’s blind rivet production, which is successfully utilising Marposs process monitoring.

Another innovative technology adopted in GOEBEL’s new facility is SmartCert. WRC2024 attendees were able to attend a technical lecture from SmartCert Owners Lyndon and Lotti Lattie on how the technology can be used for batch traceability and documentation. Lyndon highlighted: “As a forward-thinking company, GOEBEL has been an early adopter of SmartCert and is embracing innovation across the entire organisation. In the supply chain, suppliers want more control over the way they receive documents, the quality of these, as well as how quickly they receive them. Our technology is focused on making the fastener industry more competitive and efficient, so companies can focus on what they do best and not worry about sending documentation and certificates in a certain way – which is also largely customer dependant – instead the information is already there.” 

GOEBEL’s newly designed packaging has a QR code that enables suppliers to scan and receive all relevant certifications and documentation straight away – in whatever format they desire. This QR code can also be updated in ‘real time’, even once the products have been shipped.

Lyndon concluded: “Launched in the fastener industry back in 2021, SmartCert is expanding to a variety of industries – any industry that requires traceability. As market trends develop, such as CBAM, as well as other global carbon footprint initiatives, we are excited by where this technology will take us.”

With CBAM a topic on everybody’s minds, attendees were also able to attend a technical lecture from Bettina Mertgen, partner – customs, excise taxes and foreign trade law at Deloitte Legal Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft GmbH – a German company specialising in offering competent advice in all fields of national and international business law. Bettina explained the CBAM regulation in more detail, as well as covering how the regulation is currently impacting fastener companies.

Bettina also highlighted various key topics within the European fastener industry including the ESG Supply Chain Act, known as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), which requires companies to be more transparent about their sustainability efforts and to address human rights and environmental impacts.

Bettina explained: “Germany has led the way in respect to mandatory supply chain due diligence obligations. The CS3D stipulates comprehensive supply chain due diligence obligations including establishing a risk management system, performing risk analyses, implementing preventive and remedial measures, as well as a grievance mechanism and documentation and reporting obligations. Most recently, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement during the trilogue negotiations, aiming to enhance the protection of the environment and human rights in the EU and globally. The result was that the CS3D was adopted and entered into force in early 2024 with a transition period into national law ahead.”

Bettina also gave attendees a look at other legal requirements that she believed would become more prominent in the future and have an impact on the industry – such as the topic of plastic taxation, with single use plastics directive regulations starting to be implemented across the European Union. 

In addition, the extensive lecture programme featured technical lectures from Elias Goebel and Jennifer Diecks from GOEBEL on cold forming, simulation, project implementation and circular steel. With over 50 years’ experience between them, the GOEBEL colleagues outlined tool design and simulation and how it goes hand-in-hand with Marposs process monitoring, as well as what steps GOEBEL is taking to improve the overall quality of its products. Philipp Hülsemann, owner at Rotover Lackiertechnik GmbH, also gave a technical lecture on the coloured painting of rivets, there was also a technical presentation by Goebel’s QS management – Cem Bakar and Kevin Amar – on ‘corrosion protection and surface protection’. 

There were also three technical lectures from the Fraunhofer Institute, with Mark Dörre, fastener engineer, mechanical joining technology group leader, defining the static calculation of blind rivets and standards; as well as Christian Denkert, industry contact in the field of rail and vehicle construction, highlighting blind rivet nut standards and applications. 

In addition, the third technical lecture from Fraunhofer Institute was from Alexander Holch, from the large structures in production engineering division, who focused on the advantages and benefits to GOEBEL’s G-GRIP^® lockbolt system. The patented full stainless steel lockbolt system, now has the German DIBt approval, making it a powerful alternative to welding or regular screw connections.

Marcel Goebel highlighted: “Whilst travelling in Canada a few years ago, I was told that ‘nobody in the world can make a stainless steel lockbolt system’. I took this as a challenge and opportunity – and G-GRIP^® was born. Developed for applications where an extensive grip range is needed, and a consistent flush pin break to the collar is favourable, the G-GRIP^® is the new and improved standard. Essentially, the G-GRIP^® extensive grip range and various sizes can replace up to 14 sizes of the classic 6 groove locking fastener system.”

To give attendees an ‘up close example’, a Kenworth Truck was brought from Canada to the WRC2024 to showcase the G-GRIP^®’s use in restoring the Kenworth W900B’s trailer walls, with a GO-LB1 cordless lockbolt battery tool, with brushless motor, used to secure the rivets.

As well as the extensive conference programme, attendees also had a factory tour where guests had the opportunity to experience Goebel’s new production facility and gain a true insight into the ‘Made in Germany’ manufacturing process, with both Marcel and Elias Goebel proudly showcasing the new facility’s adherence to the highest standards of quality and precision. Attendees were able to observe the entire production process, from material selection to final assembly, and celebrate the start of GOEBEL’s own production ‘Made in Germany’.

To further help celebrate, Todor Gajanovic – a Sheet Metal Workshop video streamer, used the first production batch of blind rivets to create the GOEBEL logo from sheet metal, supported by an UltraCut laser machine from Marcel Schwartmanns, which will be displayed in the production hall. Guests were also presented with their very own rivet from GOEBEL’s first production batch to take home.

Also taking place during the event was the ‘Riveting World Showroom’ where attendees were able to get ‘hands on’ with some of the latest innovations and products from GOEBEL and its partners. This included MTG Hartmut Thiele GmbH with its rapid fastening systems. Through 40 years experience, the company has developed speed fastening technology, making it possible to use up to 200 speed rivets on mandrels for single use – with wire lengths between 400mm and 1,110mm – without having to change the mandrel.

The ‘Riveting World Showroom’ also included GOEBEL’s latest innovation – the GO-GB1 lightweight tool. Presented by Mike Derenne, sales engineer at GOEBEL Fasteners Inc, the GO-GB1 was introduced to the sound of the iconic ‘ghostbusters’ theme tune thanks to its 36V battery backpack. Available across the market soon, the GO-GB1 can set GO-LOCKs and lockbolts up to ⅜inches (9.8mm) and has a pulling force of 40kN.

Celebrations also continued into the evening with over 300 guests at the evening party at Dr Thompson in Düsseldorf – where guests were thanked by Marcel and his family, who were already anticipating doing it all again, as well as Lord Mayor Christopher Schultz, who expressed how grateful he is with GOEBEL’s choice of location and thanked the company for “bringing manufacturing back to Germany”.

Marcel Goebel concluded: “As we look to the future, we need to invest in more machinery and take responsibility in terms of both sustainability and the environment. One of our main goals when we started the ‘Made in Germany’ dream was to manufacture in a sustainable way and I’m proud of the steps we’re taking to achieve this. We look forward to setting new impulses in riveting technology and working together to shape the innovative and environmentally friendly future of this important industry.”