Wayne, Pa. – AD and The Baron Group, the premier buying group serving independent groundwater systems distributors, announced today an intent to merge the two organizations. The merger is expected to close on June 30, 2023.
The Baron Group has supported independent distributors and wholesalers in the groundwater, well, and pump industries for over 30 years. This upcoming merger will bring independent distributors with almost 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada to AD’s Pipe, Valves & Fittings (PVF) Division.
Jeffrey Beall, President of AD’s PHCP Business Unit, which includes the PVF Division, discussed how the merger will support AD’s new and current members.
“Our new members will have access to a larger scale of buying power, program options and meeting opportunities with AD,” said Beall. “This merger marks an exciting moment of growth for the PVF Division. Many of our existing members already participate in the groundwater industry, and this merger will give them the opportunity to further grow their businesses and to continue supporting their customers with the support of AD.”
Matthew Beasley, General Manager of The Baron Group, shared why the decision aligns with the goals of the group and its membership.
“We see great benefits for our distributors from this new relationship with AD,” said Beasley. “AD has an impressive track record of growth and innovation. Our interactions with their team in this process have been tremendous, and our members cannot wait to begin working with the AD community to achieve success together.”
AD Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg shared his thoughts on the merger process and how the decision aligns with AD’s values.
“Our team has done a great job pursuing new opportunities to grow the AD community and expand our offerings for members and suppliers,” said Weisberg. “AD prioritizes growth because we value the long-term success and strength of independent distributors, and we are stronger together. We are excited to have The Baron Group join our community and look forward to our collaboration in support of our shared values.”
Indianapolis, IN, USA (May 30, 2023)– Würth Industrial US, a Würth Industry North America company, announced today the opening of its new Bondurant, IA facility on June 1, 2023. The distribution warehouse facility, consists of 150,000 square feet of warehouse, assembly, and office space. Located at 800 Commerce Parkway in the Commerce Crossing industrial development, Würth Industrial US serves manufacturers across the region with its supply chain innovations and solutions. The brand-new full-service distribution center is soon to open, complete with a stone façade, a contemporary open lobby, 13 private offices, and 20,000 square feet of dedicated automated fastener kitting and packaging space. The distribution center is among the first businesses to open in the new 30-acre development. Once complete, Commerce Crossing of Bondurant will feature a variety of amenities, restaurants and retail shops, and a casino located just minutes away.
Würth Industry of North America acquired Des Moines Bolt and did business as Würth DMB Supply until January 2023 when it became a part of a larger group of Würth companies, now known as Würth Industrial US . The distribution center will hold a ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, June 1st, from 10 a.m. and will be joined by the Bondurant Chamber of Commerce, Würth Industrial US employees and members of the Würth Executive Leadership team. The original Des Moines Bolt facility was 78,900 square feet and the move to Bondurant has an initial investment expected to be in excess of $4 million in new construction, sustainable energy solutions, and warehouse infrastructure, with subsequent investments in warehouse equipment and automation. The Bondurant location is well positioned for growth and is actively recruiting for multiple roles.
The physical address is: 800 Commerce Parkway Suite 103, Bondurant, IA 50035. Business hours are Monday – Friday 6 a.m. – 2:30 p.m for first shift and 2:30 p.m – 11 p.m for second shift. For more information about Bondurant employment opportunities, please visit wurthindustry.com/careers.
“We are thrilled to combine different regional facilities of Würth Industrial US to a new, larger facility in Bondurant,” shared Daniel Schmidt, Sr. VP Würth Americas, “This investment will provide additional capabilities to our customers through improved automation and offer opportunities to support future growth. The new facility also supports our customer-centric distribution strategy in North America. As a family-owned company with a 78-year history, we are honored to be a part of the greater Bondurant, IA community.”
About Würth Industry North America
Würth Industry North America (WINA) is a $1+ billion division of the Würth Group, the world’s largest industrial distributor. Within the Würth Group, founded in 1945, WINA is a privately held, family-owned business that believes satisfying customers is not enough. They inspire customers by offering solutions and innovations that move their business forward. WINA is comprised of strategically aligned, customer-centric market divisions, including Industrial, MRO, Safety, & Metalworking, Construction, and Specialty, that deliver better planning, parts management, and inventory accuracy. As global supply chain solution drivers, WINA offers superior security through its products and services, including additive manufacturing, digital inventory, engineering assistance, quality control, inventory management, vending, safety supplies, kitting and assembly, structural fasteners, and MRO/industrial supplies. With more than 420,000 parts in its international supply chain, WINA provides each customer with extensive global reach and local knowledge from deep investment in its network of distribution centers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
Würth Industry North America key facts: • Industry solution drivers with both a global reach and local knowledge through a strategic network of distribution centers across North America and Brazil • 2,500+ employees to keep you working one step ahead • More than 420,000 fastener, MRO, safety and PPE, metalworking, and 3D printing products, so you have the right parts with exceptional value • Part of the Würth Group ($20B+), which operates 400 companies in more than 80 countries and has more than 84,000 employees
GLENDALE, CA (May 31, 2023) –Fastener Training Institute (FTI) is excited to announce the next Fastener Training Week in Chicago, IL from August 21-25. The event will be held at the Lincolnshire Marriott and is hosted by the Mid-West Fasteners Association (MWFA).
FTI’s advanced technical training program is for fastener distributors, manufacturers and end-users and is part of FTI’s Certified Fastener Specialist™ (CFS) advanced technical training program. It combines small group classroom education, discussions and hands-on exercises along with plant and testing facility tours and networking opportunities. At weeks-end, students test for CFS designation.
“We are thrilled to return to Chicago for Fastener Training Week (FTW),” shared Jo Morris, Marketing Director for Fastener Training Institute. “FTW is our end-to-end training program. Students gain incredible knowledge and skill from our industry expert instructors and form connections which last well beyond the week,” she added.
Fastener Training Week in Chicago will cover topics such as manufacturing processes, consensus standards and quality control and will be taught by leading industry experts Laurence Claus, IFI Director of Education and Training and Carmen Vertullo, Fastener Consultant and Trainer, Carver Labs.
Professionals in fastener sales, purchasing, manufacturing or quality assurance are encouraged to attend. Registration includes five days of training, educational materials, continental breakfast and lunch, transportation for plant tours, certification of completion and eligibility for the CFS designation.
Support from Würth Industry North America, FTI’s 2023 Sustaining Sponsor, is key to a successful Fastener Training Week.
Learn more and register at www.fastenertraining.org. Early-bird fees are available until August 7. $500 discounts are available for Pac-West, NFDA, IFI, MWFA, NCFA, SFA and AIM Prime members.
About Fastener Training Institute
The Fastener Training Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides beginning and advanced training on fastener products, standards and specifications. Its core purpose is to enhance fastener use, reliability and safety with a mission is to make industry professionals more knowledgeable about the fastening products they buy, sell, specify or use.
Here’s what’s happening in fastener industry news and events, the week of May 29, 2023.
Watch now on FastenerTV: (7:36)
Sad news…from Mid-States Bolt & Screw. The Somers family has suffered a monumental loss, On Tuesday 5/23/23, Marc Somers passed away after a long, arduous and valiant fight. Marc along with his two brothers Scott and Matt have continued the legacy of their father Herb Somers. On May 24th the company celebrated 50 years in business. Please join us in sending the Somers family our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
The New England Fastener Distributors Association will host the 2023 NEFDA Scholarship Golf Outing on June 1st at the Southington Country Club in Plantsville, CT For more info go to nefda.com
Two upcoming in-person training opportunitiesCo-Produced by Industrial Fasteners Institute and the Fastener Training Institute will be held at the IFI Headquarters in Independence, OH with Instructor: Laurence Claus, IFI Director of Education and Training
Monday, June 5th is Why Fasteners Fail in Service
This one‐day seminar will educate and familiarize participants with the basic concepts of why fasteners fail in service, first looking at basic failure mechanics. With this foundation, participants will learn about failures in service resulting from overload and progressive failure modes like fatigue and corrosion.
Tuesday, June 6th is Fastener Standards 101 – Industrial Version
This one‐day seminar will educate and familiarize participants on Fastener Standards by exploring how standards are developed and amended. Attendees will compare various standards to understand differences and similarities and will use practical application examples to become more comfortable with identification and use of fastener standards. For more info and registration go to FastenerTraining.org
Join the Pac-West Fastener Association for their After Hours meetup at Bowlero South in Seattle, WA on June 8th from 5-8pm. Stop by and meet other people in the fastener industry and expand your professional network. Pac-West will host one beverage per person along with complimentary appetizers! Registration is open at Pac-West.org
The 2023 National Fastener Distributors Association Annual Meeting will take place in Downtown Chicago, IL at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel June 13-14. Taking place will be the Board of Directors Meeting, Welcome Reception, NFDA Fastener Professional of the Year Award Presentation, Speakers, a State of the Industry Panel Program and more. For additional information go to NFDA-Fastener.org
The International Fastener Expo is accepting nominations for the 2023 Fastener Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional of the Year prestigious Awards.
The Fastener Hall of Fame recognizes professionals who have made significant and enduring contributions to the industrial fastener industry on a national or global scale. Individuals selected for induction will join other honored industry members, including but not limited to inventors, business leaders, and educators. The Young Fastener Professional of the Year award recognizes and honors a young professional who has made significant contributions to the fastener industry.
The recipients will be recognized at a special event during the International Fastener Expo and receive a commemorative plaque. The deadline for nominations has been extended to June 30th! Nominate today!
The 2023 International Fastener Expo is scheduled for October 9-11th in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. Official hotel accommodations are now open!
Next generation advanced planning and scheduling is here!
Optessa’s AI-driven optimization ushers in a new way for manufacturers to generate optimal plans and schedules in a fraction of the time. Respond to disruptions, meet delivery dates, reduce excessive parts inventory, eliminate costly idle time, and stabilize your supply chain. Request a live demo of Optessa’s NextGen APS platform today!
The North Coast Fastener Association will host Cork-SCREW….Cheers to Fasteners event on June 22nd from 5:00-9:00PM. Join the NCFA for a casual evening out at the Sharon James Cellars located in Newbury, OH. Join the NCFA for a fun night out with industry friends including a Cornhole tournament. Space is limited for this event! REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JUNE 12. For registration info go to NCFAOnline.com
To learn more about our NEWS SERIES: FASTENATING a limited time offer ‘Celebrating Your Success” Go to the Fastener News Group at LinkedIn. Your entry could be chosen for a FREE feature at Fastener News Desk which includes premium placement, link to your website, promo in the Fastener News communities, feature in an upcoming newsletter and ‘IN THE NEWS Podcast’
The stories featured in this week’s episode of IN THE NEWS can be found on Fastener News Desk or in our Twitter feed @FastenerNews and LinkedIn in the Fastener News Group!
BTM Manufacturing, Domestic Fastener Manufacturer is partnering with Issco, Inc, Twin Lakes Insurance, and Wachter Inc for an upcoming event to help support the good work of the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Organization. Help Jake and his team build 100-beds on June 10th. There is a couple of ways to get involved. Volunteer To Help Build or Donate funds. The cost of this project is $25,000. Donated funds will provide the necessary lumber and hardware to build and assemble the beds as well as provide the mattresses, pillows, and bedding to make them complete. Every child deserves a warm, soft, and safe place to sleep at night and with your help we can see that NO KID SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR IN ANY TOWN! For more info on how you can help go to @BTMmfg on twitter. Together we make sure that every child has a bed to sleep in.
Our company has suffered a monumental loss, a devastating blow to the very heart of our Mid-States family and to the fastener community. On Tuesday 5/23/23, Marc Somers passed from this life to the next after a long, arduous and valiant fight.
Marc was an amazing, wonderful man. He was funny, kind, clever, bright and thoughtful. He had an adventurous spirit, was active and involved, he also had a mischievous sense of humor and a generous heart. He was truly one of a kind. Marc loved to help those around him when they needed an encouraging word and he had a way of making you feel important as well as an integral part of the Mid-States Bolt & Screw Company. Words cannot express how much he is already missed- Marc will forever have an irreplaceable place in our hearts.
We honor Marc’s dedication and steadfast commitment to this company and our Mid-States family. We honor Marc’s life. We are all better to have known him.
Lost, but never forgotten
Please keep the Somers family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this personal and heartbreaking journey.
Here’s what’s happening in fastener industry news and events, the week of May 22, 2023.
Watch now on FastenerTV at YouTube: (10:00)
Specialist fastener manufacturer BUMAX has been selected to provide crucial fasteners to be used on the International Space Station (ISS). BUMAX 88 fasteners will be used to secure a new payload going to the ISS to measure the speed of sound.
Lars Holm, Managing Director, BUMAX. “Being trusted with supplying fasteners for projects such as CERN and ISS, which are essential to the evolution of mankind, is of course a source of immense pride and a testament to the quality of our products and BUMAX as a whole,”
“Being chosen again and again for the most demanding applications means that all our existing and new customers can rest assured that they are getting the best of the best.
DB Roberts, a leading distributor of high-quality specialty fasteners and hardware announced that David Peterson has joined DB Roberts as the Senior Vice President, providing collaborative leadership across the DB Roberts footprint. David brings over 20 years of distribution experience and 12 years of fastener experience to DB Roberts, including several years in the custom engineered and OEM fastener space.
Decades of experience command ACME into the next level of lean manufacturing. ACME Manufacturing announced that John Barrett will lead the company as President and Chief Operating Officer effective June 1st, 2023. Barrett will succeed Tim Broderick as he retires. Acme Manufacturing operates multiple divisions including Acme Metal Shapes, GarageWorks Steel, Coyote Landscape Products, Regal Brands, Perfection Chain Products and All America Threaded Products. Established in 1986, Acme has operated under current ownership since 1992 and employs over 200 people across three states.
The International Fastener Expo is accepting nominations for the 2023 Fastener Hall of Fame and Young Fastener Professional of the Year prestigious Awards.
The Fastener Hall of Fame recognizes professionals who have made significant and enduring contributions to the industrial fastener industry on a national or global scale. Individuals selected for induction will join other honored industry members, including but not limited to inventors, business leaders, and educators. The Young Fastener Professional of the Year award recognizes and honors a young professional who has made significant contributions to the fastener industry.
The recipients will be recognized at a special event during the International Fastener Expo and receive a commemorative plaque. The deadline for nominations has been extended to June 30th! Nominate today: https://fastenershows.com/awards-events-page/ife-2023-awards
Join hosts Eric Dudas and Brian Musker in the NEW episode of Fully Threaded Radio – Completely Different. FTR is predominantly fastener-related news, commentary, and infotainment for the industrial fastener industry.
Mid-States Bolt & Screw Company, also known as “the dedicated fastener people”, will celebrate 50yrs in business on May 24th, 2023! Founder Herb Somers had a vision for his fastener business that was simple and straightforward which led to the successful business it is today. After Herb’s passing, that vision was upheld by his three sons Scott, Matt and Marc and they continue his legacy today. In 50 years, Mid-States Bolt & Screw Co. has grown from a business out of its founders’ basement to a multi-state, international business, with anticipated growth in the future.
Next generation advanced planning and scheduling is here! Optessa’s AI-driven optimization ushers in a new way for manufacturers to generate optimal plans and schedules in a fraction of the time. Respond to disruptions, meet delivery dates, reduce excessive parts inventory, eliminate costly idle time, and stabilize your supply chain. Request a live demo of Optessa’s NextGen APS platform today!
The Midwest Fastener Association is offering an intermediate training session Essentials of Metallurgy on May 24, 2023 which will includes training in various areas by industry experts. Anyone selling or purchasing fasteners should have a comprehensive knowledge of Metallurgy, Heat Treating and Plating. The hands-on training will be taught at both SWD, Inc. and Morgan O’Hare. Go to https://mwfa.net/ to register for class.
MWFA will host their Screwed Up 2023 Open on May 25th at the White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville, IL. Join the MWFA for some in person networking and practice your golf before their official golf outing scheduled in August. Don’t miss the fun! Go to https://mwfa.net/ for registration. Attendees can Join the MWFA for their second “Quarterly” Nuts & Brews after the Screwed Up Open at Church Street Brewing Co.
The Fastener Training Institute is offering online training in their upcoming Webinar: Hydrogen Embrittlement – What Suppliers Need to Know. The class will take place on Thursday, May 25, 2023 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PT The Webinar Instructor is Carmen Vertullo of Carver labs, Fastener Consultant and Trainer. There is no quality assurance problem that gets suppliers in more trouble than Hydrogen Embrittlement (HE). This could easily be the most important 90 minutes of training your company EVER engages in. It does not matter if you process fasteners that are HE susceptible or not, you probably sell them or handle them somewhere in the supply chain. It is critical that you have a good understanding of Hydrogen Embrittlement, its causes, its effects and how to prevent and detect it. Register at https://fastenertrainingevents.com/hydrogen-embrittlement.htm
To learn more about our NEWS SERIES: FASTENATING a limited time offer ‘Celebrating Your Success” Go to the Fastener News Group at LinkedIn. Your entry could be chosen for a FREE feature at Fastener News Desk which includes premium placement, link to your website, promo in the Fastener News communities, feature in an upcoming newsletter and ‘IN THE NEWS Podcast’ Entries may be submitted to lisa@fastenernewsdesk.com
BTM Manufacturing, Domestic Fastener Manufacturer is partnering with Issco, Inc, Twin Lakes Insurance, and Wachter Inc for an upcoming event to help support the good work of the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Organization. Help Jake and his team build 100-beds on June 10th. There is a couple of ways to get involved. Volunteer To Help Build or Donate funds. The cost of this project is $25,000. Donated funds will provide the necessary lumber and hardware to build and assemble the beds as well as provide the mattresses, pillows, and bedding to make them complete. Every child deserves a warm, soft, and safe place to sleep at night and with your help we can see that NO KID SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR IN ANY TOWN! For more info on how you can help go to @BTMmfg on twitter. Together we make sure that every child has a bed to sleep in.
The stories featured in this week’s episode of IN THE NEWS can be found on Fastener News Desk or in our Twitter feed @FastenerNews and LinkedIn in the Fastener News Group!
Decades of experience command ACME into the next level of lean manufacturing
Denver, CO: ACME Manufacturing announces that John Barrett will lead the company as President and Chief Operating Officer effective on June 1st, 2023. Barrett will succeed Tim Broderick as he retires in June 2023.
Barrett’s most recent post was at Oribi Composites, where he was Chief Operating Officer for three years. John brings 28 years of experience in manufacturing to ACME. He earned a master’s degree in operations and manufacturing management from Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. Barrett’s experience extends into the United States military where he served as an Officer in the Army while deployed in Operation Desert Storm.
Barrett’s extensive knowledge in the manufacturing industry includes experience as:
General Manager at Mitsubishi Power America
VP of Operations at Wheeled Coach Ambulance
Director of Operations at Textron Fastening Systems
“I am extremely excited to be taking over the President and COO role at Acme Manufacturing Company,” says John Barrett. “I look forward to bringing an operational excellence mindset to all four of our strong and well-established companies.”
“John comes with years of experience in manufacturing,” says Tim Broderick, retiring president and COO. “I think he will do an outstanding job as my successor.”
“I am genuinely excited to be working with John who brings with him a proven pedigree in manufacturing and Lean process strategies,” says Alan Bate of All America Threaded Products in Lancaster, PA. “His guidance and mentorship will allow us to continue to build on the exceptional revenue growth we have experienced in the last three years.”
ACME Manufacturing: Acme Manufacturing Co., Inc. is a prime manufacturer of a variety of metal products. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Acme Manufacturing is a privately owned and operated company dedicated to producing quality products, including metal shapes, garage door strut and angle, landscape edging products, high-end door hardware, chain, and threaded products. Acme Manufacturing operates multiple divisions including Acme Metal Shapes, GarageWorks Steel, Coyote Landscape Products, Regal Brands, Perfection Chain Products and All America Threaded Products. Established in 1986, Acme has operated under current ownership since 1992 and employs over 200 people across three states.
Paolo Pozzi, CEO of Agrati, who has been elected president of the European Industrial Fasteners Institute.
A success not only for him but also for the entire Italian fastener sector (UPIVEB), which, for the first time, sees its own representative at the top of the European Association.
He will certainly have the opportunity to address a wide range of topics and challenges facing European manufacturer.
“I am very happy and honored to be appointed EIFI President at a time of major changes inside and outside the organization. We are living in a period of great transformations which increasingly require sharing of activities at a European level and #EIFI is the best tool to represent and defend the fasteners industry and its specificities.
Despite all the difficulties of the recent past, in 2022 Europe remains the first market for fasteners globally with a share of more than 26% and I believe this is sufficient to make it clear how important it is to have a dynamic and visible association .
After more than 15 years at the helm of the EIFI Automotive Group, it is a new starting point for me and I will put all the necessary effort into growing our association with the aim of creating value for all members large and small .
I thank all the people who have supported me in this new challenge and I hope I can repay the trust shown in this opportunity.” Cit. Paolo Pozzi, Agrati CEO
About Agrati
Corporate vision and mission derive from those that are the foundation of shared values that guide the activities of AGRATI Group and form the basis of our way of being and working. Website: Agrati.com
About EIFI
EIFI, the European Industrial Fasteners Institute, is the recognized European industry association representing producers of bolts, screws, washers, nuts, rivets and other mechanical industrial fasteners. Founded in 1977 is composed by 5 National Association, more than 150 companies, 23.000 employees (direct) and 70.000 employees (full chain). AEGIS Europe Industry Alliance is the Founding Member. Website: EIFI
The Aims of EIFI
The task of EIFI is to look after and further the joint economic, professional, technical and scientific interests of the members in the following ways:
Exchanges of practical experience in product groups and committees.
Information and consultation on all matters relating to the Institute’s objectives.
Preparation of aids to decision-making.
Representation of the interests of the European fasteners industry vis-à-vis authorities, public bodies and other organizations at international level and buyers and suppliers.
Encouragement of studies and research work and collaboration with scientific institutes.
Co-ordination of European activities in the technical field and cooperation in the field of international standardization.
WILMINGTON, Mass., May 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DB Roberts, a leading distributor of high-quality specialty fasteners and hardware, is pleased to announce that David Peterson has joined DB Roberts as the Senior Vice President, providing collaborative leadership across the DB Roberts footprint.
David brings over 20 years of distribution experience and 12 years of fastener experience to DB Roberts, including several years in the custom engineered and OEM fastener space.
A New England native, David has also lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, and Texas, and will office at the company’s Plano, Texas office.
In David’s words, “I am fortunate to join DB Roberts, a family-owned company that truly lives up to family-culture that it presents. The respectful, collaborative culture here truly demonstrates that employees are central to everything we do.”
“We are lucky to have found a confident leader, in David Peterson, for DB Roberts”, remarked Robert Clapp, Jr., President and CEO of the DAC Group, the parent company of DB Roberts. “David brings decades of experience leading distribution organizations in sales, operations, and management roles. All experiences that we believe will serve to enhance the DB Roberts business and our customers’ experiences well into the future.”
DB Roberts is well positioned for growth in the market area and David’s combination of experience in distribution as well as in the customer engineered space provide the leadership needed to support and grow the company.
About DB Roberts
DB Roberts is a leading distributor of high-quality specialty fasteners and hardware with best-in-class, customized inventory management programs. We maintain a significant inventory of top brands and support our customers with locations strategically positioned throughout North America.
Specialist fastener manufacturer BUMAXhas been selected to provide crucial fasteners to be used on the International Space Station (ISS). BUMAX 88 fasteners will be used to secure a new payload going to the ISS to measure the speed of sound.
BUMAX premium fasteners include some of the strongest in the world and are being used in a variety of extremely demanding and cutting-edge scientific applications, such as at the scientific research institute CERN in Switzerland and for the world’s largest optical telescope in northern Chile.
The space sector continues to benefit from the BUMAX fastener range with various applications. BUMAX extra strong and fatigue resistant model 88 has been selected to securely fasten the housing of a new payload on the ISS called Granular Sound.
The customer is OHB System AG, a subsidiary of the European space and technology group OHB SE, under contract of the European Space Agency (ESA). OHB SE is a European multinational technology corporation. Headquartered in Bremen, Germany, the corporation consists of the three business divisions: Space Systems, Aerospace and Digital. At present, OHB is the third largest corporation in Europe’s space sector.
”To avoid glass balls flying around the ISS”
Granular Sound is an experiment in space to measure the speed of sound through a cube filled with glass balls (a so-called package) in microgravity at different package pressures. The experiment uses thousands of glass balls to simulate granular media like sand or concrete.
“The housing of this package will be securely fastened by BUMAX 88 fasteners to avoid the balls from flying around the ISS,” said Lukas Pfeiffer, Project Manager & Systems Engineer at OHB System AG. “The microgravity experiment will provide valuable data for various terrestrial and space applications – from more effective concrete processing to 3D printing in space or on the moon.”
The enhanced properties of BUMAX 88 fasteners are achieved through a combination of unique BUMAX manufacturing processes and the highest quality European steel.
Monitoring air quality for astronauts
Since January 2022, BUMAX 88 screws have also been used for the ANITA-2 trace gas monitoring system to ensure good air quality for the ISS astronauts. The system has been simultaneously measuring more than 40 gases every six minutes on the ISS. The system was developed by OHB System AG. BUMAX 88 screws were used for the ANITA-2 payload to securely seal a safety containment and fasten crucial optical components.
“Being trusted with supplying fasteners for projects such as CERN and ISS, which are essential to the evolution of mankind, is of course a source of immense pride and a testament to the quality of our products and BUMAX as a whole,” said Lars Holm, Managing Director, BUMAX. “Being chosen again and again for the most demanding applications means that all our existing and new customers can rest assured that they are getting the best of the best.
The International Space Station was launched in 1998 to gain more knowledge about space. It is crewed by up to seven people. The ISS orbits the Earth at an altitude of 400 kilometers and a speed of 28,000 km/h, which means it orbits the Earth every 90 minutes.
Copyright-free images of the ISS for publication here. NASA should be acknowledged as the source of the material.
About BUMAX:
BUMAX® is the world-leading specialist manufacturer of premium stainless steel fasteners in a variety of steel grades that provide optimal safety and reliability in the most demanding customer applications. Customers include CERN, ABB, Alfa Laval, Alstom, Vestas, Rolls Royce and many more in industries such as marine, automotive, oil and gas, chemical processing, energy, defense, pulp and paper, construction and general engineering. BUMAX is headquartered in Åshammar in Sweden’s steel district and has a global footprint with offices or distributors in more than 30 countries on four continents. BUMAX is fully owned by the listed Swedish Bufab Group. Find out more at https://www.bumax-fasteners.com/
FTI’s advanced technical training program is for fastener distributors, manufacturers and end-users and is part of 
Support from Würth Industry North America, FTI’s 2023 Sustaining Sponsor, is key to a successful Fastener Training Week.
Our company has suffered a monumental loss, a devastating blow to the very heart of our Mid-States family and to the fastener community. On Tuesday 5/23/23, Marc Somers passed from this life to the next after a long, arduous and valiant fight. 
We honor Marc’s dedication and steadfast commitment to this company and our Mid-States family. We honor Marc’s life. We are all better to have known him.
Barrett’s extensive knowledge in the manufacturing industry includes experience as:
