Issue: 127 (Jan - Feb 2021)

I hope the Christmas period for everybody was as enjoyable and relaxed as it could be when lockdowns are still prevalent around the world. As we all know the fastener industry stops for nobody, so whilst some of us would have been getting into the festive spirit, there were still big developments happening.

The most prominent was the announcement by the European Commission of an anti-dumping investigation into imports of certain iron or steel fasteners in the People’s Republic of China (2020/C 442/06). We have an initial update within our industry news section and for the latest developments make sure you keep visiting www.fastenerandfixing.com
Alongside the news announcement, we also invited EIFI and EFDA to comment on the investigation. Whilst EIFI declined to comment, EFDA has produced a thought-provoking article on the topics – visit our Insight section to find out more.
Our Insight section also features two other exclusive articles, including Kevin Frewin, global head of construction practice at BSI, talking about the introduction of the new UKCA Mark within the UK and what this will mean for both UK and European companies.
There is also an interview with Jörgen Rosengren, president and CEO at Bufab Group, about the company’s three stage Covid-19 strategy – Protect, Restart and Invest.
For our Cover Story, Nord-Lock Group looks at the role infrastructure projects, such as bridges, play within society and the importance of reliability. Plus, we speak to Frederik Meuller, CEO at Nord-Lock Group, about how and why Nord-Lock’s washers are used for key infrastructure projects, as well as what makes Nord-Lock Group special.
In the Construction Fixings section we have a special feature on chemical anchors and resins, which includes a Q&A article with Metehan Ariburnu, international technical support engineer for construction projects at fischer, which focuses on the growing possibilities of chemical anchors. Within the same section there is an article from Barbara Sorgato, secretary general, European Consortium of Anchor Producers (ECAP), who provides a review of the Construction Products Regulation on its 10th anniversary.
Other articles include Jason Bader, from The Distribution Team, who looks at how to deal with a time of scarcity; as well as Freelancer Ian Parker speaking to Professor Andy Schofield, director of technology programmes in the air sector of BAE Systems, about the Tempest project – a future combat air system – and how the ‘Factory of the Future’ concept will enable it to revolutionise manufacturing.
To add to this there are two excellent features within the Products + Tools section, focusing on stainless steel fasteners and torque wrenches.

NEW: Fastener Testing section
We have also introduced a new section within the magazine that will focus on ‘Fastener Testing’ and the machinery and tests involved to ensure that fasteners reach the quality requirements and standards needed across every industry sector.
Over the next 12 months we will focus on metallurgical testing, hardness testing, mechanical testing, performance and application testing, corrosion and coating thickness testing, and dimensional testing.