European Fastener Firms Open Joint Testing Facility in China

John Wolz

Ferdinand Gross GmbH & Co. KG and Fastbolt created Fastener Quality Center, a joint venture in China to assure quality of fasteners the two companies import to Europe and provide testing for other European and U.S. importers.\
Fastbolt had established a Chinese subsidiary two years ago to “strengthen relationships and communication with key factories,” managing director Ekkehard Beerman told Fastener & Fixing Europe. “Factory audits can be carried out regularly and we can have someone at the factory almost immediately if there are any issues to be addressed” and monitor quality closer.
Ferdinand Gross already had a Shanghai office, and the two companies realized they had similar needs. Friedhelm Noll, purchasing director for Ferdinand Gross, agreed there was little sense in investing separately in testing resources “when we could work together to achieve an excellent joint facility.” The two companies agreed to an equal share joint venture.
Werner Schelling, quality manager for Ferdinand Gross, will manage FQC. Initially two Chinese technicians are being trained at Ferdinand Gross” headquarters in Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany, and Fastbolt”s facility in Gronau, Germany, and at an independent fastener laboratory.
“FQC will offer a European standard quality testing facility in China to both European and U.S. importers who need similar assurance close to the source,” Beermann explained. “We will also be able to offer Chinese manufacturers a local facility at which they can prove their quality under stringent and independent scrutiny.”
Fastbolt, founded in 1982 by Heinz Storch and Bernard Myers in England, specializes in small screws. Fastbolt expanded into Germany in 1992 and China in 2005. Fastbolt has facilities in Florida, Texas and the Carolinas in the U.S., and also in Canada. Web: Fastbolt.com
Founded in 1864 in Stuttgart, Germany, Ferdinand Gross GmbH & Co. KG supplies fastening components, tools and factory equipment from faculties in Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary and China. Web: schrauben-gross.de �2007 FastenerNews.com