U.S. Fastener Manufacturers Adding Jobs

3/13/2012 3:56:00 PM
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U.S. Fastener Manufacturers Adding Jobs

Nucor Fastener Tariff Case Moves Forward
The news comes as Nucor Fastener continues its effort to have tariffs placed on certain fasteners imported from China and Taiwan.

Attorneys for Nucor Fastener have filed a new brief in the case. Importers will also file a brief before oral arguments are scheduled in front of Judge Gregory W. Carman with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Nucor Fastener suffering another setback in December 2011 when the U.S. International Trade Commission reaffirmed its original dismissal of the case.

In its antidumping petition, filed in September 2009, Nucor Fastener alleged average dumping margins of 145% on Chinese imports and 74% on imports from Taiwan.

A final ruling is expected late this year. Web: nucor-fastener.com

The news comes as Nucor Fastener continues its effort to have tariffs placed on certain fasteners imported from China and Taiwan.

Nucor Fastener suffering another setback in December 2011 when the U.S. International Trade Commission reaffirmed its original dismissal of the case.

In its antidumping petition, filed in September 2009, Nucor Fastener alleged average dumping margins of 145% on Chinese imports and 74% on imports from Taiwan.

The domestic fastener industry in the U.S. is growing, creating more jobs among fastener manufacturers.

Both aerospace and industrial fastener companies show job growth as increased orders give company managers confidence that demand will remain strong in the future.

Reports of new jobs follows news of record results in 2011, with both sales and profit showing strong growth.

Fastener manufacturers operated at a higher percent of capacity during 2011, according to the End of 2011 FIN Survey. Manufacturer operating capacity climbed nearly 10 percentage points to a 73% average, up strongly from the 2010 capacity average of 64%.

The domestic fastener industry in the U.S. is growing, creating more jobs among fastener manufacturers.

Both aerospace and industrial fastener companies show job growth as increased orders give company managers confidence that demand will remain strong in the future.

Reports of new jobs follows news of record results in 2011, with both sales and profit showing strong growth.

Fastener manufacturers operated at a higher percent of capacity during 2011, according to the End of 2011 FIN Survey.

Manufacturer operating capacity climbed nearly 10 percentage points to a 73% average, up strongly from the 2010 capacity average of 64%.

Need for Fuel Efficiency Increases Boeing Production

Allfast Inc. is expanding its aerospace fastener manufacturing with a new 10-year Boeing Company contract, president Jim Randall announced. Allfast acquired an additional 65,000 sq ft manufacturing facility adjacent to its existing 150,000 sq ft in Southern California.

Allfast will supply rivets for Boeing’s commercial airplane programs.

Allfast received the 2011 Boeing Performance Excellence Award. Boeing issues the award annually to recognize suppliers who achieved superior quality and delivery performance.

Allfast also has invested millions of dollars annually on capital improvements over the past decade.

Randall told GlobalFastenerNews.com that airlines’ need for fuel efficient jets is increasing Boeing production.

“More planes means more fastener demand,” Randall noted.

“We’re hiring.”

Last year Allfast employed 184 and that is up to 268, including 24 current trainees. Allfast plans to hire 60 more workers this year.

Allfast is training its own hires because of a shortage of skilled mechanics, Randall explained.

Founded in 1966 as a solid rivet manufacturer, today privately owned Allfast manufactures solid and blind rivets, blind bolts, temporary fasteners and installation tooling for the aerospace industry. Allfast is ISO 9001:2008 and AS 9100:2009 certified.

“Our continued commitment to 100% Customer Satisfaction has earned us numerous awards – the Boeing President’s Award, a strategic partnership with EADS-Airbus Industries, the Embraer Supplier of the Year Award, Lockheed’s Star Supplier, and the Bombardier VIP among many others,” Randall said.

“Our implementation of min/max inventory programs has been instrumental in reducing inventory at several major OEMs.”

Allfast has sales offices in Europe and North America and is headquartered at 15200 Don Julian Rd., City of Industry, CA 91745. Tel: 626 968-9388 E-mail: sales@allfastinc.com Web: allfastinc.com

New Jobs Part of Upgrade at Nucor Fastener
Nucor Fastener is planning $8.6 million in upgrades to create 20 new jobs at its St. Joe, IN, facility. The new jobs would pay $32 per hour plus benefits.

Upgrades include about $5.9 million in new machinery and $2.7 million in building upgrades, increasing the facility’s footprint by roughly 8%.

Part of the strategy is to improve its service to existing customers, Nucor Fastener’s J.J. McCoy told GlobalFastenerNews.com.

“The overriding reason for this is to take care of our customers, and make sure we’re shipping parts and products in a timely manner,” McCoy told GlobalFastenerNews.com.

But growth is also influencing the move. “We see opportunities in the market,” McCoy added.

The fastener manufacturer asked local officials for a ten-year tax abatement to help with the expansion. The county council is expected to vote on the request in April.

Nucor Fastener is also seeking financial assistance from the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

If approved, the project could begin this spring, with construction completed by November and equipment upgrades installed by May 2013.

Nucor’s automated fastener facility employs 238 and has capacity in excess of 75,000 tons. The factory produces hex-head cap screws, hex bolts, structural bolts and custom engineered fasteners.

Nucor fasteners are used in automotive, machine tool, farm implement, construction and military applications.

Nucor Fastener is planning $8.6 million in upgrades to create 20 new jobs at its St. Joe, IN, facility. The new jobs would pay $32 per hour plus benefits.