Issue: #113 September 2018

You may have noticed that this September issue made a rather large thud as it hit your desk. That is because it is the biggest edition we have ever produced in our twenty-year history.

One of the main factors for the size of the magazine is the Made in Italy feature, which provides insights into key players within the Italian fastener market – the first of which being Brugola OEB Industriale.

I had the opportunity to visit Brugola’s headquarters in Lissone, to the north of Milan, and speak to President Jody Brugola about the development of the family business and how it has become a crucial supplier of critical components for the automotive market. During my trip I also visited Mustad and learnt about its over 100 years’ experience in technically advanced screws; as well as Mecavit to find out more about the importance of adding value to its production processes; plus I spoke to Massimo Agrati, general manager at Dimac, about how the company has developed to become an innovation leader.

There are also articles from Bossong, SARIV, Tecfi, SIPA, SMART Machinery, TECNOLOGIC 3®, SACMA Group, Colombo Special Fasteners, Tekinox, Specialinsert, Dell’Era, Panozzo, A.M.E.A., Viteria Ratto, Growermetal, Defremm, G&B Group, Viteria Fusani, titibi®, INOXDADI, Carlo Salvi and MITOS.

Our Cover Story focuses on another Italian company – Ambrovit Srl – and how the business is continuing its development with the introduction of new automated storage for incoming goods. After spending time with Owner Franco Sozzè and having a tour of the ever-expanding headquarters, it is clear why Ambrovit now sees itself as a byword for fastening systems.

To finish the Italian theme, there is also a special Fastener Fair Italy preview that provides all the latest information on what promises to be an excellent second edition – taking place at the end of September.

To add to this, Executive Editor Phil Matten visited British Steel and met with Richard Sims, wire rods managing director, and Mark Cunningham, project director, to hear more about the background and implications of British Steel’s recent GB£50 million investment in a major upgrade of its wire rod mill.

Other articles include ND Industries highlighting its advanced fastening and sealing technologies; Tectorius looking at final finish coatings; and Anochrome explaining the roles each of its four UK manufacturing divisions play within the overall Group. Plus, Construction Fixings Europe concentrates on the impending publication of EN 1992-4 and the implications for manufacturers and consumers.

Finally, there is a special Rail feature in Application Technology that includes the latest developments from Nord-Lock Group, fischer and Hafren Security Fasteners.