Insight

It was in 1961, in a small workshop located in Berzo Inferiore, a village in Val Camonica, Italy, that Bruno Bontempi hot forged the first hexagon cap screw with a VIBO head marking. Since then the brand has become synonymous with quality and is now a reference point for companies and distributors looking for hexagon cap screws or hexagon socket head cap screws in carbon steel or stainless steel.

Since it was established Bontempi VIBO SpA – now led by Raoul Bontempi, son of Bruno – has consistently invested in its resources to enable it to compete in a market that it says is becoming more complex every day. The most recent investments include the installation of a new and very modern heat treatment line in its second production site in Calabritto, as well as new machinery to enable it to produce screws with captive washers.

“The introduction of the new heat treatment line at our Calabritto site has enabled us to increase our production of carbon screws from diameter 6mm up to 12mm,” points out Raoul Bontempi. “As for the addition of the new machine for screws with captive washer, this will help us reduce lead times and means we can produce the part in 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm diameters, in both carbon steel and stainless steel.”

An important point of strength for VIBO is the vast product range it is able to supply customers. “We are able to offer both hexagon cap screws and hexagon socket head cap screws from a diameter of 5mm up to 64mm,” states Raoul. “We can also cold forge bolts from 5mm up to 36mm in diameter at our plants in Rodengo-Saiano and Calabritto, as well as produce hot forged parts from 39mm to 64mm (extra long screws from 24mm to 36mm) through our sister company – FRAM Srl.”

In addition to the well known range of hexagon cap screws (DIN 931, DIN 933, DIN 960, DIN 961 and DIN 6914) and its hexagon socket head cap screws (DIN 912), VIBO has added the hexagon socket button screw (DIN 7380), the low head socket cap screw (DIN 7984) and the hexagon flange bolt (DIN 6921).

All of VIBO’s parts can be supplied with several different surface treatments including GEOMET®, Delta Protekt®, precote®, Dri-Loc® 2040, Tuflok®, dry and oil phosphating, as well as different types of zinc plated finishing.

“In our two plants we produce around 25,000 tonnes of screws, which is almost one billion pieces,” points out Raoul. “Thanks to our fully automatic warehouse, which has a capacity of 12,000 pallets, we can guarantee an immediate availability of the majority of our products – supplying all the main European markets.”

However, having a wide range of items ready in stock is not the only key factor in attracting customers. “It is equally important to be able to provide them with a very high-quality level,” says Raoul. “That is why we have a truly modern quality laboratory, where we can ensure our products reach the highest requirements – PPAP, 3.1, ISIR, 2.2, IMDS, and several other key accreditations.” Last year VIBO has also achieved the latest ISO 9001:2015 certification for both of its production sites.

Thanks to the efforts of the Bontempi family and the investment in the business, VIBO has continuously enlarged its presence in the European market, with the company reaching a turnover in 2018 of over €42 million. “During 2019 VIBO will continue to invest with the introduction of a complete new DIN 912 10.9 range available in stock,” points out Raoul. “This will enable us to satisfy the increasing demand for this type of screw and expand our product capabilities. We will also look to target new European markets and will be creating a special department dedicated to the development of new projects. Last but not least, we have recently renewed our website to make it easier for visitors to browse with the goal to help our partners check ‘real time’ availability and price.”

www.vibo.com