The British & Irish Association of Fastener Distributors drew a record 90 delegates from 55 companies at its autumn general meeting in Stratford upon Avon, chair Geoff Budd of Trifast Europe announced.

There were triple the number of women to 20 with an initiative led by Sally Matthews, Performance Fasteners managing director, to recognize the role of women in the fastener industry.

The keynote presentation was from Liesel von Metz, TGD Solutions, outlining the development of a modern fastener quality assurance system for the rolling stock MRO sector – a BIAFD project.

• The Anochrome Group reported on coating developments, including potential for a more economic black aesthetic finish; zinc diffusion system developments offering advances in corrosion and impact resistance over galvanized coatings; and zinc nickel coatings – the increasingly preferred automotive option.

• David Jackson, chair of BIAFD Stainless Steel Fastener Group and managing director at Icon/STF, explored the significance of nickel in corrosion resistant fasteners and the implications of global nickel supply and demand on stainless steel fastener costs. Members were also updated on market and supply chain issues relating to other key market sectors.

BIAFD’s next general meeting will be April 26, 2018, when the implications of Brexit for fastener distributors will be top of the agenda. Web: biafd.org