Rapierstar has made the voice of the UK door and window industry heard at an international level at one of the most important events in the global fastener industry’s calendar.
US import tariffs, China’s influence in global trade, raw material prices and Brexit were three of the hot topics dominating the agenda at the sixth triennial EFDA (European Fastener Distributor Association) Conference, which took place recently in Rotterdam.
Rapierstar joined senior representatives from Europe’s leading fastener importers and distributors, together with an unprecedented number of the world’s major fastener manufacturing economies, to debate how the industry is innovating and adapting to optimise fastener supply in a rapidly changing world.
David Furness, managing director of leading door and window fastener supplier Rapierstar, was one of 120 delegates who attended the conference with his colleagues, as part of a delegation representing the British and Irish fastener distribution sector brought together under trade body BIAFD (British & Irish Association of Fastener Distributors).
He said: “It’s vitally important that we are engaged with the global fastener industry and in great shape to handle the challenges that politicians, legislators and market conditions present. The supply chain for the vast majority of the components used in UK and Irish manufacturing is global and susceptible to issues that we may think are detached from our everyday worlds. However, I’m sure the recent high-profile moves by the US government to impose tariffs on its imports has brought home the challenges we face.
“That’s why we must stay close to our international supply chain partners in the fight to defend free trade, share experiences and learn from best practice from across the globe. This ensures that our customers can benefit from superb quality products delivered on time if full, error-free, with total confidence.”
As the UK’s largest supplier of fasteners to the fenestration sector with over one billion fasteners held in stock at its bonded warehouse in Cheshire, Rapierstar plays a key role in enabling fabricators to maintain high volumes of production and deliver consistently high quality finished windows and doors. Its expertise in new product development, sourcing, international trade, logistics and distribution ensures it can offer excellent reliability as a supply chain partner, with its current on time in full performance standing at 99.5%.
