New JV takes RIBE-Aluform® to North America 11 July 2019

Duncan MacLean, President and CEO of MacLean-Fogg announced the joint venture formation of Aluform USA between Richard Bergner Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG (RIBE®) of Schwabach, Germany and MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions (MFCS) of Mundelein, Illinois.

The RIBE-Aluform® product is the market leader in the automotive industry for high strength aluminium bolt, screw and stud fasteners for lightweight, corrosion-sensitive automotive applications. Aluform USA combines RIBE® and MFCS strengths to bring the Aluform range to the North American marketplace, with application engineering, customer support and manufacturing in the USA.

Duncan MacLean said, "RIBE® is a terrific, innovative fastener company. The RIBE-Aluform® product line sets the global standard for high-strength automotive aluminium fasteners. Vehicle lightweighting will continue to be a major industry trend as OEMs work to improve fuel economy and battery range. We're excited to further help our North American customers in their lightweight efforts by including Aluform high strength aluminium bolts in our range of leading fastener solutions."

Frank Bergner, Managing Partner of RIBE® said, "MacLean-Fogg has been well known for 94 years as a leader in innovative fasteners and high-quality manufacturing. MacLean-Fogg's excellent manufacturing capabilities, application engineering and high customer service makes them an ideal partner to support and grow Aluform in North America."

Aluform USA LLC will be headquartered within the existing MacLean Maynard division of MFCS in Chesterfield, Michigan. RIBE® Verbindungstechnik offers lightweight construction, new materials and material combination solutions with secure, comprehensive systems integrated into the fastening element itself or as an automated fastening system. RIBE® interlinks product development and engineering to ensure rational, sustainable production for the entire product portfolio. RIBE® high-strength aluminium screws, RIBE–Aluform®, RIFIXX® functional modules, maximum strength steel screws, complete sheet metal joining systems, including RIFAST®, and an extensive selection of special cold-formed parts have helped establish RIBE® as a technology leader in the global market. The RIBE®-Group employs more than 1,400 people in Germany, the United States, Eastern Europe and Asia, and generated sales of EUR 209 million in 2018.

MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions (MFCS) is one of two primary businesses of MacLean-Fogg, manufacturing fastener components, engineered components and engineered plastics for automotive, heavy truck and other diverse industries. MFCS has multiple production locations in the USA and Germany and customer support locations worldwide. MacLean-Fogg has 26 global manufacturing facilities with annual sales over US$1 billion and a workforce of 3,500.

Editorial Consultant

Phil Matten Editorial Consultant t: +44 (0) 1727 814 400

Biog

Having held senior management roles in leading automotive and fastener businesses, Phil joined Fastener + Fixing Magazine as editor in 2002. Convinced there is no substitute for ‘being there’, over 17 years of visits and interviews around the world means he has accumulated an extraordinary knowledge and perspective of the global fastener industry, reflected in his incisive and thought provoking reporting.