Insight

Producing more than 30 million screws a day, Klimas Wkręt-met has established itself as a global partner for high-quality fasteners and fixings. To ensure it builds on its global identity, the company is committed to ongoing investments in its production, new offices, as well as its people – even during the current market challenges.

Established in 1990, and originally a producer of plastic components, Klimas has spent over 30 years implementing investment programmes across the entire company. Today, the company has four production plants, located in Kuźnica Kiedrzyńska and Wanaty, near Częstochowa – representing a production area of over 80,000m². “We are proud to have one of the most modern production plants for fastening technology in Europe,” states Maciej Strychalski, marketing manager at Klimas Wkręt-met. “As a relatively young company, when compared with our western competitors, we believe our biggest USP is our manufacturing capabilities right here in Europe.”

Klimas’ production facilities include over 100 injection moulding machines, 200 presses and rolling mills, high-quality steel material from European mills – such as low carbon, stainless A2, acid resistant A4, plus steel for heat treatment – as well as six advanced hardening furnaces, two modern furnaces for hardening screws over 200mm with high-quality parameters and an automated hardening line.

“What is important for us is that all processes – from manufacturing to coating – are all done in-house, ensuring we can control the quality of every single step. This of course is an added benefit to our customers as quality is absolutely essential in our industry. Our production capabilities also enable us to quickly prepare for any customer needs or requirements – which again, is essential given that these needs are constantly changing.”

Maciej continues: “Twenty years ago customers just wanted to buy a product. Now there are technical challenges connected with each product – mechanical anchors, woodscrews, etc. Customers need information and documentation, as well as certificates to give them the knowledge and guarantee that the products they’re using are quality products suitable for the required application. Our role as a manufacturer has developed and adapted to meet the needs of customers, so we can prepare any necessary documentation, as well as offer guidance where needed.”

The ability to offer this guidance to customers is all part of Klimas’ aim to offer added value to its customers. “The role of a sales rep is also changing and they are not just collecting orders anymore. Sales reps are becoming more of a customer advisor who need to be able to support their customers with not only product related queries but sometimes advice on the market, stock and other areas,” comments Maciej. “Klimas is therefore focusing on this advisor role and giving our employees the tools to be able to become more of a partner for customers.”

These partnerships lead to closer working relationships with customers enabling Klimas to grow and expand, with the company now exporting its product range into different markets in more than 60 countries worldwide. It is also therefore key that Klimas keeps up to date with all global market trends – including a big focus at the moment on ‘eco fasteners’.

“Companies everywhere are putting a lot of effort into finding an ‘eco’ solution to the changing global environment,” explains Maciej. “As a manufacturer we have an opportunity to help build a better future for the world and produce products dedicated to building awareness and increasing knowledge about the environment, which includes our SQ Ceramic coating line.”

The SQ Ceramic lamellar coating application technology is a modern way of protecting against corrosion, which is different to zinc plating. The coating consists of a mix of zinc and aluminium flakes and binding resins. “The lamellar coating is characterised by exceptionally effective protection against corrosion despite a relatively thin layer. This ensures up to ten times higher protection against corrosion in relation to zinc plating and double the protection in relation to hot dip galvanising,” points out Maciej. “The lamellar coating maintains resistance to red corrosion even up to 1,000 hours in the salted atmosphere chamber – while hot dip galvanising only offers 500 hours. The coating has also high resistance to chemicals and UV radiation, but does not contain heavy metals, such as hexavalent chromium (VI).”

Klimas can supply framework fasteners, woodscrews, roofing screws, as well as fastenings for thermal and hydro insulation of flat roofs, all with this coating. Lamellar coating application technology properties can also be used in other demanding industries.

Another issue impacting the global industry at the moment is the energy crisis. “The energy situation across the globe is another impact on the market that couldn’t necessarily have been predicted,” mentions Maciej. “As a Polish manufacturer, we need to be prepared by using energy from domestic Polish companies, as well as looking for other sources of energy this winter. As a company we always look positively into the future, but supply chain disruptions, Covid-19, the Ukraine War, as well as energy problems, are all impacting the market. In Poland we’re also currently having massive issues connected with inflation, so it’s so important that we stay on top of all market trends. This means being prepared to sell into every single area of the market.”

One way of ensuring Klimas can work across many areas is its wide product portfolio from chemical anchors, frame fixings, roof screws, fasteners for thermoinsulation systems, to products for flat roofs. “If one market, and therefore one product, is stagnant, we have the experience and knowledge to be able to counteract this and sell our wide range of products into the next growing market,” proudly states Maciej. “Different markets have different requirements, such as approvals and certifications, and it is our responsibility to be able to service these needs, as well as grow our product range, accordingly.”

In 2005 the company was granted its first European Technical Assessment for construction products, which Klimas mentions made it the first Polish company to hold such an approval. Today it holds 21 European approvals, numerous certificates and distinctions that prove the highest quality of its products. “Quality right now is absolutely fundamental,” comments Maciej. “Customers everywhere need the assurance that the solutions they’re buying are safe. That’s why ETA certifications are crucial. They not only show the products are quality, but they prove products are safe and right for the job.”

These certifications and approvals also enable Klimas to build its brand across Europe. “We don’t want to be just a Polish brand, we want to increase our global reach and serve everyone. It doesn’t matter where a customer is – in Europe, Asia, etc – we are ready to serve them.”

This commitment has been aided by the company also opening up new sales offices in India, the Czech Republic, and most recently in France in 2021. Located in the west of the country, the French branch of Klimas, in Poitiers, has sales and technical support agents providing the French market with solutions such as fastening systems for thermal insulation of walls and fastening systems for lightweight housing.

“The French market has shown us that our strategy is working and we can reach new markets and be successful,” explains Maciej. “We are a beginner in the French market, but that means we still have space to grow and there’s an abundance of potential for us. At this moment in time, to be able to open offices across Europe and to continue to manufacture all our products in Europe – we have such an advantage. Our customers can trust that they’re getting a high-quality product without long lead times that are becoming so typical of the market right now.”