Bufab hired Johan Sandberg as global business development director and a new member of executive management. Sandberg will start in January 2019, replacing Urban Bülow, who relocated to the U.S. to handle Bufab’s expansion in North America.

Sandberg has held executive positions in large industrial companies, including Volvo Powertrain and Volvo Aero. Most recently he was the senior VP in charge of the Tail Lift Division in Cargotec/Hiab. Sandberg has a Master’s degree in business administration from Linköping University in Sweden.

“We are very happy to be able to announce that Johan is joining our team,” stated CEO Jörgen Rosengren. “I am sure that his energy, experience and business acumen will further improve Bufab’s Global Parts Productivity offering.”

Founded in 1977, Sweden-based Bufab supplies industrial fasteners, with operations in 24 countries and 940 employees. Web: Bufab.com


Freeway Rockford Inc. is marking its 50th anniversary.

Freeway Rockford, a subsidiary of Freeway Corporation, manufactures automotive washers.  

“Fifty years is a big deal in manufacturing anywhere you go,” stated VP Scott Sommer.

The Rockford, IL, location employs 38 people and ships out four million parts nationwide daily.

Freeway Rockford is one of four locations in the U.S. and Canada of Cleveland-based Freeway Corporation. Freeway Rockford is located at 4701 Boeing Dr., Rockford, IL 6109. Tel: 815 397-6425 Web: FreewayCorp.com


PennEngineering expanded its sales channels in Canada by signing an agreement with Irwin Industrial to distribute PEM fasteners.

“With our history in fasteners and electro-mechanical parts for equipment manufacturers, as well as our focus on engineered solutions, PEM® fasteners was an ideal addition to our offering,” stated Irwin product manager Brad Jolly.

Richard Burridge, PennEngineering regional manager – Canada, initiated discussions with Irwin Industrial.

“Irwin has close and long-term relationships with many OEM customers and prospective customers for our engineered fasteners, especially where their VMI programs are present or planned,” Burridge said.

Irwin Industrial will have the PEM fastener catalogue integrated into its website www.irwin-ind.com/manufacturer/pem.htm. The catalogue allows access to the entire library of applicable CAD models, dynamically generated and available for email, download, or direct insertion into a wide-range of file formats or CAD software.

Founded in 1970, Aurora, Ontario-based Irwin Industrial is an ISO9001:2008-registered supplier of electro-mechanical components and fasteners.

Founded in 1942, Danboro, PA-based PennEngineering develops and manufactures precision fasteners, components and installation systems for the electronics, computer, data/telecom, medical, automotive, aerospace/aircraft, and general manufacturing industries. 

PennEngineering celebrates its 75 anniversary this year. Web: pemnet.com