Business News

We are delighted to now have 2 new CNC Polygon Turning machines, nicely expanding our Assets Register for 2024.

Both machines are highly specialised in offering precision and versatility for manufacturing complex polygonal parts. Their advanced CNC controls accuracy and have the ability to handle a variety of materials, making both an essential asset that require intricate and high-tolerance components. Whether for high-volume production or custom machining, our machines deliver reliable and accurate results.

Our experienced Operator, Hal along with our highly capable team, can input complex geometrical shapes and detailed machining instructions, enabling the production of intricate polygonal profiles with precision and efficiency.

We can now accommodate components with an A/F dimension from 4mm up to 90mm, allowing us to be versatile for various manufacturing needs, from small precise parts, to larger, more complex parts.

For further information, please get in touch

As we head into the third quarter of 2024, we are delighted to give an overview of all things Rapid!

Overview:

During the first half of 2024, we’ve experienced significant growth, with our turnover rising by 20% to £3.45 million, driven by a blend of strategic initiatives. Our unwavering focus on customer satisfaction, which is at an all-time high, has been a key differentiator for us. By prioritising outstanding service and actively engaging with our customers to understand their needs, we’ve cultivated a loyal customer base that continues to grow. Furthermore, increased investment in both stock holding for standard fastener distribution and plant and equipment for manufacturing have further supported our growth and expansion.

Legislation:

At Rapid, we continue to keep up to date with new and changing legislation. This year has been especially challenging due to the introduction and implementation of EU-driven sanctions on Russian goods and the forthcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Sanctions against Russian goods – according to Article 3g) 1. (d) of Council Regulation (EU) 833/2014

Rapid have complied with EU regulation regarding sanctions against the supply of Russian goods, raw material or processes and have robust procedures and documentation in place to ensure all goods supplied to us comply.

CBAM:

By engaging a specialist consultant, we will be able to provide all necessary documents and carbon intensity emission figures for our EU customers, covering both our standard stocked products and our own UK-manufactured items.

Please do contact Richard White or Jason Hayfield if you require further information.

Manufacturing:

Our capacity and capability are ever increasing – March saw the expansion and opening of our second manufacturing site and the acquisition of two Sliding Head CNS’s (Star SB16 and Citizen CinCom 32) and another CNC Polygon Turning Centre. Altogether, we now have forty-one machines across our two manufacturing sites.

In August, we’re excited to welcome Hal, our newest manufacturing team member, who will join us as our Senior CNC Programmer and Operator. With 18 years of experience, Hal is set to enhance our manufacturing processes and capabilities at Rapid.

Distribution (standard stocked product):

We have seen record volumes delivered to our UK, EU, and North/South American customers due to our stock holding, responsiveness, and flexibility. We have supported large Solar projects, defence, infrastructure, utilities, construction, offshore and general manufacturing.

Despite our successes in 2024, the year has been highly challenging due to disruptions in sea freight routes, which have impacted transit lead times, as well as the capacity and availability of vessel space. Sea freight charges for containers have more than doubled in price during 2024, significantly impacting on the price of low value fasteners.

At Rapid, our high stock holding has meant our stock levels have in the large remained robust, and as a result we have been able to maintain supply across the board. In several instances for specialised product, we have had to arrange airfreight for China and India. This has been unfortunate, but it demonstrates our commitment and in ensuring customers production lines do not stop.

Due to the variety and mixture of parts imported, we can fill containers with higher-than-average total values meaning the increased sea freight charges are somewhat mitigated.

Summary:

Looking ahead, we’re enthusiastic about the opportunities the coming year presents and confident in our potential for continued business growth. With our solid foundation and past successes, we are committed to delivering on an exceptional service and expanding our capabilities, ensuring that the momentum of progress and achievement continues.

For further information, please get in touch

Rapid Industrial Fasteners as Premier distributors for the Fischer FIS EM resin system, used with the Fischer FRA Rebar anchor, opens entirely new opportunities for structural engineers.

Often, existing buildings are extended or rebuilt. This means in practice that the reinforcement of old and new sections of buildings must be connected. Holes to a depth up to two meters can now be drilled for post-installed rebar.

Rapid now offers two special systems which make the installation of post installed rebar a straightforward process; the original fischer Injection Mortar System FIS V, a high-performance vinyl ester hybrid mortar and the latest combination of Injection Mortar System FIS EM, epoxy mortar with rebar anchor FRA.

The systems have European Technical Approval (ETA) and General Construction Approval by the ‘Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (DIBt). Based on best performance epoxy resin mortar the FIS EM is suitable for rebars up to Ø 40 mm and the FRA anchor.

The rebar anchor system has been designed especially for extreme tension loads, e.g. at a column base, which can’t be transmitted to the concrete element by conventional anchors. The system is composed of a rebar connected to a stainless steel threaded rod by friction welding which makes it suitable for outdoor use and allows extremely high tensile loads.

As recently appointed members Rapid is helping to promote the work of the CFA by alerting those involved in the specification and installation of safety critical fixings, to the serious consequences of “getting it wrong”.

We are all familiar with this engineering teaser:

Question: What is the most important component on a car?

Answer: The nut that holds the steering wheel in place!

Take away the humour element, and the reality is the same when you apply this to countless structural scenarios. The sombre truth is that life and limb are the ultimate casualties when either the correct specification or installation process fails.

“The selection, installation, testing and certification of construction fixings on any construction project is comparatively small in terms of time and resource when taking the overall project into consideration. Yet, at Rapid we have seen on countless occasions, the results of wrongly specified fixings and the many mistakes that have presented a serious threat to life.

“Incidents such as tunnel collapses, scaffold collapses and ducting/ME failures due to incorrectly specified, installed or set safety critical fixings can easily be avoided. It is vital that the correct anchoring system is chosen and that it is installed to the manufacturers recommendations; that includes drilling and preparation of the installation hole through to insertion and setting of the anchor. The Code of practice for the selection and installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and masonry, BS 8539:2012, is a valuable document and the source of reference for safety critical fasteners”.

Corroded rebar in concrete

Established in 1979, the CFA is non-profit making industry-wide body comprising of major manufacturers of construction fixings.  Rapids team assist in the specification to installation chain, with a thoroughly comprehensive service in providing a high-quality selection and testing of safety critical fixing installation.

As a trade association, the CFA is providing education, advice, training and technical support to all functions involved in the provision of safety critical fixings in the industry.  Here at Rapid Industrial Fasteners, we are delighted to now be involved with this process” of educating our customers in best practice.