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At Rapid, we offer a comprehensive range of coating options designed to enhance the durability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal of our fasteners. Our extensive selection of coatings includes:

Black Oxide – providing a sleek black finish while offering a degree of corrosion resistance. Black oxide coatings are often used for aesthetic purposes, as well as to reduce glare and improve the overall appearance of the fasteners. This option is particularly popular in applications where a low-profile, matte finish is desired.

Chemical Black – similar to black oxide, chemical black coatings are created through a chemical process that offers a deep, uniform black finish. This method provides enhanced corrosion resistance and is suitable for various applications, including those requiring non-reflective surfaces.

Electro Zinc Plating – available in clear, yellow, and black finishes, electro zinc plating involves applying a thin layer of zinc to the fasteners through an electroplating process. This coating provides excellent corrosion protection while maintaining the fasteners functionality. The different finishes can be chosen based on aesthetic preferences and specific environmental conditions.

Iso Fit Galvanise – is a specialised process that ensures a high level of corrosion resistance through a zinc coating. This method is particularly effective for fasteners used in harsh environments, as it offers superior protection against rust and degradation.

Hot Dip Galvanise – this traditional method involves dipping the fasteners in molten zinc, resulting in a thick and durable coating that offers outstanding corrosion resistance. Hot dip galvanisation is ideal for outdoor applications and environments where fasteners are exposed to moisture and corrosive elements.

Nickel Coating – are known for their excellent corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and aesthetic appeal. This option is suitable for fasteners that require both functional and decorative properties, making them a versatile choice for a wide range of applications.

Phosphate – provides a non-metallic surface treatment that improves corrosion resistance and enhances adhesion for subsequent coatings, such as paints and lubricants. This option is particularly useful in applications requiring additional surface protection.

PTFE / Xylan – these advanced coatings offer low friction properties and excellent chemical resistance. PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and Xylan coatings are ideal for applications that demand smooth operation and reduced wear, making them suitable for use in harsh chemical environments.

Sherardising – this process involves coating the fasteners with zinc through a vapor phase method, resulting in a smooth, uniform finish that provides excellent corrosion resistance. Sherardising is particularly effective for intricate shapes and small components.

Zinc Flake Coatings (including Dacromet, Delta, and Geomet) – are highly effective in providing corrosion protection while being environmentally friendly. These coatings are known for their excellent abrasion resistance and can be applied in various thicknesses. Dacromet, Delta, and Geomet are specific brands of zinc flake coatings that offer unique properties, including enhanced adhesion, flexibility, and resistance to harsh chemicals and temperatures.

Zinc Nickel – this coating combines the benefits of zinc and nickel, providing superior corrosion resistance and wear properties. Zinc nickel coatings are particularly effective in automotive and aerospace applications, where high performance and durability are essential.

Each of these coating options are designed to meet specific performance requirements and environmental conditions, ensuring that our fasteners provide long-lasting durability and reliability.

We are committed to offering our customers the best possible solutions for their fastener needs, allowing them to choose the coating that best suits their applications and enhances the overall performance of their products.

For further information, please get in touch

Our vendor-managed systems represent a critical component of our overall supply chain strategy. Enabling us to maintain greater control over costs, improve service levels, and reduce potential risks throughout the deal life cycle. This comprehensive approach to vendor management, provides a framework that fosters enhanced collaboration with our suppliers and partners. Creating a streamlined process that drives operational efficiency and value.

One of the key advantages of our systems is the ability to maintain tighter control over costs. By monitoring and managing vendor performance, we can identify areas. Such as, cost savings, negotiate more favourable terms, and reduce unnecessary expenditures. This proactive approach to cost management ensures that we remain competitive while delivering high-quality products and services to our customers. Our systems are designed to allow for dynamic adjustments based on market trends, material availability, and supplier performance. Giving us the flexibility to optimise our procurement process and avoid any sudden price surges or supply chain disruptions.

In addition to cost control, these systems also drive service excellence, enabling a more transparent and collaborative vendor relationship. Through the use of performance metrics, we ensure our suppliers consistently meet our stringent quality and delivery standards. Collaborating closely on production timelines, lead times are reduced, and products are delivered on time to the correct specifications.

Risk mitigation is another significant benefit, by maintaining comprehensive oversight of vendor activities, we can quickly identify and address potential risks that could impact our supply chain. Whether it’s disruptions in material supply, production delays, or quality issues, our systems provide early warning signals that allow us to take corrective action before these risks escalate. This proactive approach not only safeguards our operations but also ensures that we can continue to meet customer demands, even in challenging or uncertain market conditions. Our vendor management protocols include contingency planning, supplier diversification, and regular performance reviews, all of which help to minimise exposure to potential risks and ensure business continuity.

Throughout the deal life cycle, our systems ensure that we maintain full visibility and control over every aspect of our supply chain. From initial negotiations and contract management to performance monitoring and risk mitigation, these systems provide a comprehensive framework that drives value at every stage. By leveraging technology and data analytics, we are able to make informed, strategic decisions that enhance our competitiveness and strengthen our market position.

Our vendor-managed systems are a vital tool in our pursuit of operational excellence. They allow us to control costs, drive superior service, and mitigate risks while gaining increased value from our vendors. By fostering closer collaboration and leveraging real-time data, we are able to optimise every stage, ensuring that we deliver exceptional results for our customers and continue to meet the evolving demands of the market.

Through these systems, we enhance the efficiency of our supply chain strategy. Additionally creating a foundation for long-term success and sustained Rapid growth.

For further information, please get in touch

We are proud to be the largest UK Midlands-based fastener manufacturer, growing year on year, we never stand still.

Below are some of what we believe to be the key benefits of our in-house manufacturing facility.

Flexibility:

No matter the specification, our fastener and fixing experts can adapt your requirements quickly and effectively. This on-hand flexibility ensures that you can change your product to fit a changing market with ease.

Communication:

Our onsite channels, allow for communication to be quicker, clearer, and with real-time conversations, we offer less possibility for misunderstanding.

Quality Control

Our teams work extremely hard at every stage of the manufacturing process. Following strict standards, there is no room for error, allowing confidence upon despatch, every time.

Control Of Production

We have complete control over the product output. Using close resource planning, we can plan for production spikes by having enough labor and equipment to meet demand.

With an annual output of £183 billion, the UK remains the ninth largest manufacturing nation in the world. 2.5 million jobs are provided by UK manufacturing, alongside the misconception that manufacturing jobs are poorly paid, the average manufacturing wage remains 12% higher than the whole economy.

If you’d like to see how our in-house manufacturing service could benefit your business, get in touch today.

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.