4/25/2012 1:27:00 AM
HEADLINES
SHORTTAKES: AFS, EFC, GRK Fasteners, Lakshmi Precision Screws, Rivet & Eyelet, Rocknel Fastener and Schuler Group

Former Alcoa Fastening Systems executive Jerome de Truchis was appointed General Manager – Europe for Align Aerospace France.
Most recently de Truchis led the Industrial Technologies France Sales & Service team of Ingersoll Rand. Previously he served in a variety of positions with Alcoa Fastening Systems and its predecessor company Fairchild Fasteners. 
Between 1998 and 2011, Align operated as Pentacon, Eurofast SAS, and Anixter Aerospace Hardware. Align began independent operations in August 2011 as a result of the divestiture of the business by Anixter International to Greenbriar Equity Group. Align provides hardware components, logistics and supply chain solutions for the global aerospace and defense industries. Web: alignaero.com

EFC International appointed GMD Assembly Solutions as rep for Oregon and Washington.
“GMD Assembly Solutions has a proven record of successful account development,” EFC vice president of sales Bill Eagan said.
GMD, headed by Douglas Cook, is located at 22317 138th Ave. Ct. E, Graham, WA 98338. Tel/Fax: 360 872-0453 Cell: 253 973-2249 E-mail: gmd-dcook@Comcast.net
EFC is a master provider of engineered components, including clamps, rivets, self-retaining nuts, panel fasteners, furniture hardware, shaft retainers, custom plastic components and headed or threaded parts.
EFC has branches in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and Toronto and is headquartered at 1940 Craigshire Rd., St. Louis, MO 63146. Tel: 314 434-2888 Web: efc-intl.com  

Canadian screw supplier GRK Fasteners signed a $750,000 contract with Home Depot to supply screws throughout North America. GRK brand screws will be sold at Home Depots starting in May.
“Since last November we expanded our jobs by about 20% … that would be about eight new jobs,” president Uli Walther told CBC News.
Prior to Home Depot, GRK marketed its fasteners primarily through independent stores. Traditionally GRK’s were sold more in rural and suburban markets. 
“It gives us, especially, access to the metro areas,” Walther said.
Founded in 1990, GRK Canada Ltd. is family-owned and operated by Gerda Walther and Mirco Walther. GRK is located at 1499 Rosslyn Rd., Thunder Bay, Ontario P7E. Tel: 807 474-4300 E-mail: grk@grkfasteners.com Web: grkfasteners.com  

Lakshmi Precision Screws Ltd. is setting up a unit for the manufacturing of aerospace & engine fasteners and other automotive components with an installed capacity of 3000mt, the Punjab News reports.
The Rs. 70 crore (US$1.33 million) unit reportedly includes an R&D center established on the 10-acre campus, which will employ about 400 workers around Industrial Model Township in Rohtak, India. F
ounded in 1972, Lakshmi Precision Screws manufactures fasteners for automotive, energy, heavy industry and aerospace customers, with annual turnover of Rs. 210 crore (US$42 million). Web: lpsindia.com

Rivet & Eyelet said it will sponsor NASCAR driver Joey Polewarczk Jr., who will drive the #97 Rivet & Eyelet Ford Fusion in the American-Canadian Tour.
Rivet & Eyelet is a domestic and international source for stamped and extruded blind rivets, setting tools and custom engineered eyelet products.  
The company is headquartered at 1215 Main St. (unit #110); Tewksbury, MA 01876. Tel: 978 851-2700 Email: maria.garcia@riveteyelet.com Web: riveteyelet.com

Rocknel Fastener was featured on a national broadcast segment of Manufacturing Marvels which appeared during the “Cavuto on Business” show on FOX Business Network, Rocknel sales manager Mark Packard announced.
Fox News’ production company visited Rocknel in March to shoot video footage.  The two-minute segment covered Rocknel’s manufacturing capabilities. 
Rocknel manufactures cold formed automotive and commercial fasteners. The segment covered the manufacturing capabilities of Rocknel Fastener.  The two-minute segment aired on April 18 and can be viewed online at Rocknel.com.
Founded in 1989 as a joint venture between American and Japanese companies, Nagoya, Japan-based Meira Inc. acquired Rocknel in 1998. The wholly owned Meira subsidiary operates two buildings totaling 860,000 sq ft at 5309 11th St., Rockford, IL 61109. Tel: 815 873-4000 E-mail: sales@rocknel.com  

Schuler Group introduced a multi-step process of wire forming and cold heading, CEO Stefan Kiebert announced. The FormMaster FM500-6-SCT reduces the production cycle and offers up to 20% higher output, reliability and more product diversity.
It is the first Schuler horizontal wire forming press with slide movement that is programmable in a targeted manner. The first FormMaster with 500-ton capacity will be delivered to A+E Keller in Arnsberg, Germany.
Founded in 1978, Schuler Inc. supplies equipment, turnkey production lines, dies, process consulting and services for the metal forming industry. Schuler employs 5,500 people at facilities and sales offices in 40 countries and is headquartered at 7145 Commerce Blvd., Canton, MI 48187. Tel: 734 207-7200 Web: schulerinc.com ©2012 GlobalFastenerNews.com