Insight

Another founding member of NEVIB is Eurobolt, known in the industry for its large in-depth stock of hexagon and socket products, as well as bolts, nuts, washers and other related products.

Harry Snijders, general manager at Eurobolt, comments: “The Netherlands is a small country, so the local fastener market mainly follows European developments – especially the German market, which is the Netherlands’ largest and closest market. However, having our own association is a very big plus for us as a business and every Dutch fastener distributor. NEVIB provides excellent information about the fastener sector; gives better contact between Dutch importers; offers well organised yearly meetings and gives us as a business the opportunity to have our voice heard in needed situations.”

Exclusively supplying distributors, all over Europe, Eurobolt offers a program of some 18,500 different steel fasteners to clients and recently built a second warehouse of around 4,000m², which extends its storage capacity to more than 45,000 pallet places.

“It is our goal to keep all 18,500 stock items in large quantities in order to service clients in as optimal fashion as possible, which has been quiet the challenge over the last 24 months,” explains Harry. “Purchasing and selling is very capricious, and we have found that an article will suddenly run out of stock in a short time, but replacing it can take a long time due to the issues impacting the market.”

Harry adds: “The price of raw materials, freight and labour have all gone up quite strongly so far, as has inflation. This has led to an average steel fastener becoming almost 60% more expensive in just 12 months. The market has only accepted this situation due to strong demand. Whether prices will stabilise or even slowly move downwards over the next 12 months is yet to be seen and will be dependent on the demand.”

Thanks to its very close relationship with long lasting suppliers, Eurobolt has been able to manage the present situation. “Key factors are maintaining a very large stock and talking to suppliers on a very regularly basis,” points out Harry. “Of course, the present situation also provides opportunities. Distributors in Europe will face more trouble in purchasing their fasteners and this is an advantage for a company like Eurobolt with our large stock – especially as exports account for more than 85% of our turnover.”

“Our plan for the future is to continue to expand our delivery program by following the demands of the market closely. In the present difficult times, the role of distributors has become even more important as it is often up to them to find a way to service clients. At Eurobolt we are confident that with our range of 18,5000 products and large stock capacity, we will be able to continue to meet customers’ needs.”