Insight

With so many political, economic, and industry, factors currently influencing the fastener market we decided to invite leading fastener businesses, from all European countries, for an insight into the prospects and challenges of their domestic markets.

We asked them to consider not just economic and financial issues but also technology drivers for the fastener industry and to identify priorities for the future. We are really grateful for the time and thought generously invested in assembling a unique perspective of the European fastener landscape.

For space reasons we have edited some contributions but have been careful to retain the core of each contributor’s insight. Of course, there will be other, and perhaps divergent, viewpoints. Yours may well be one and we would be very happy to hear it for a future issue: editor@fastenerandfixing.com

Meanwhile, we hope you find this anthology as fascinating as we have.

INDEX Fixing Systems
By Roberto Lambarri, sales manager

INDEX Fixing Systems is a company dedicated to the production and commercialisation of fixing elements that offer solutions adapted to meet its customers’ needs.

We are committed to a consistent quality strategy, which we consider an overall advantage for society and for the consumer. Our products are complemented by an excellent group of people who offer a
high-quality service and technical assistance, which are guarantees of a committed company.

Our products comply with the strictest certificates in order to ensure this benefit. We are aware of our responsibility to society with a relationship in which everybody has something to gain.

Over the last three years the hardware and DIY sector has been growing at around 5% per year. With the change in habits of hardware and DIY customers resulting in a rise in spending per household in the sector. Decoration, renovations and overhauls are the levers that cause the current market to grow.

It is also a good period for distribution with openings, renovations and new business proposals. Large display formats have been included in new shops over the last two years, expanding over the whole territory and showing our commitment to the new POS formats that respond to the needs of the current consumer.

The traditional distribution channel is being modernised and moving towards making the point of sale more attractive for the consumer and placing greater importance on self-service formats. This positive trend and perspective in the fixing market also explains the increase in the supply of these products, rather than the basic price products from Asia.

A big challenge we face as a business is to ensure that end users, especially professionals, opt for the consumption of quality, assessed and certified products, rather than basing purchasing decisions solely on price. We also need to counteract the move towards ‘big boxes’ and ‘hard discounts’, which is trying to occupy the space currently occupied by the traditional channel.

To do this we will continue to focus on developing high added value products that provide differentiation, adapting to the needs of customers and end users. We will also offer the necessary formats and services in order to achieve an excellent client/user experience and ensure we have the employees and technical capabilities to supply these products, services and security.

Finally, digitalisation and big data projects will undoubtedly be crucial in the sector, and we will continue to work on improving the connection between online and offline channels.

Download the full European fastener market report here