Optimas Solutions has acquired Chun Zu and Formax four die, four blow cold header manufacturing machines that increase Optimas’ capabilities for larger format diameter fasteners while freeing up existing cold headers to provide more onshore support for smaller fasteners. The machines will be added to the company’s manufacturing facility in Wood Dale, IL.

“The addition of these machines puts us on a higher playing field that few in the industry can match,” stated CEO Marc Strandquist. “The efficiency of these cold headers will allow us to increase our ability to make larger diameter fasteners while freeing up other machines to produce smaller diameter fasteners, all helping us improve our output at all sizes. 

“Most important, it helps our customers struggling to get products given stress on the supply chain and inventory shortages.”

The addition of the Chun Zu cold header and the Formax will increase Optimas’ onshore manufacturing capabilities overall, according to Strandquist.

The Chun Zu machine will increase production by 3 million additional complex parts per month within the diameter range of 18mm to 22 mm. This will allow Optimas to further focus on industries that require large diameter complex parts, such as agricultural equipment, automotive, construction equipment, and heavy-duty trucking. These fasteners are used commonly in chassis, engines, suspension systems, and water pumps on these types of machines.

The Formax will improve Optimas’ manufacturing competencies of fasteners up to 18mm in diameter. It adds to Optimas’ production on the company’s existing large diameter Formax machines, reducing lead times because of the added manufacturing capabilities onshore.

“We are very excited to add these cold headers because it is a big part of increasing our manufacturing capabilities and serving existing OEM markets better while being able to pursue other markets,” added Strandquist.

Optimas was formed in 2015 when New York private equity firm American Industrial Partners acquired Anixter’s OEM Supply Fasteners division at auction for $380 million cash.

Wood Dale, IL-based Optimas provides fasteners and c-class components and services to OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in the automotive, agricultural, and medical equipment markets. The company has 1,600 employees in 16 countries and manufactures in Illinois and the UK. Web: Optimas.com