Global Fastener News

Matten: Optimism Abounds at Russian Fastener Show

John Wolz

Optimism about Russian fastener production was apparent at the fifth Fastech Exhibition in March, Fastener & Fixing Europe editor Phil Matten reported.

Two major manufacturing technology booths in the main hall at the Sokolnik Culture & Exhibition Centre outside Moscow demonstrated the optimism. Italy’s Sacma Group increased its presence form 2006 and shipped machinery to the show for the first time. German turnkey specialist WSD, representing National Machinery and others, featured a Formax header.

WSD represents a range of services from wire preparation through manufacturing heat treating, plating, packaging and training. “The training support is key,” a WSD official told Matten. “The maximum force you need to adjust a Formax is a small plastic hammer. Here setters are more used to taking a sledge hammer to the machine.”

Matten found the “increased optimism at the manufacturing technology prospects reflects a series of crucial trends in Russia.” Manufacturers are developing finance sources to expand such as the UZPS’s purchase of a plant and US$30 million in equipment from the German Wafos Group last year.

The number of Russian exhibitors fell and the number of exhibiting companies dropped 10% but total floor space increased due to larger booths.

Chinese manufacturers gained an advantage with the opening of rail freight options from China, avoiding the longer shipping route to St. Petersburg.

European exhibitors included more stainless steel specialists, including WASI showing for the first time and Schafer & Peters for the second year. Matten note that historically, Russians have relied on heavily galvanized carbon steel fasteners or more specialized alloys including Titanium.

English is spoken by only one in 50 Fastec visitors, making a translator necessary, Matten observed. Web: fastec.ru �2007 FastenerNews.com and Fastener & Fixing Europe