Product News

A Successful Return to the NEC Birmingham

Advanced Engineering UK 2025

We are pleased to reflect on another exceptional year at Advanced Engineering UK, held at the NEC Birmingham on the 29^th & 30^th October, 2025.

The event once again proved to be a cornerstone gathering for the engineering and manufacturing sectors, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and professionals from across the United Kingdom and beyond.

First and foremost, we extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who took the time to visit our stand during the two-day exhibition. The enthusiasm, engagement and quality of conversations we experienced at #AEUK25 exceeded our expectations and reinforced the value of face-to-face industry connections.

Advanced Engineering UK 2025 provided an invaluable platform for showcasing the latest innovations, technologies, and solutions driving the future of British manufacturing and engineering. Our stand attracted a diverse range of visitors.

Throughout both days, our team engaged in meaningful discussions about industry trends, technical requirements and potential partnerships. The quality of these interactions demonstrated the continued strength and innovation present within the UK engineering community.

As we move beyond the exhibition, our focus shifts to nurturing these new relationships and transforming initial discussions into tangible outcomes.

For further information about our capabilities or to continue conversations from Advanced Engineering 2025, please contact our team.

We look forward to building lasting partnerships with the connections made at #AEUK25.

We are proud to announce the successful preparation and imminent dispatch of another substantial order from our fourth manufacturing facility. Reinforcing our commitment to meeting growing market demand whilst maintaining the RAPID and reliable service our customers have come to expect.

The completion of this large-scale order represents a significant milestone in our operational capabilities and validates the strategic decision to expand our manufacturing footprint. Our fourth site, which has been instrumental in accommodating increased production requirements, continues to demonstrate its value as a critical component of our enhanced operational infrastructure.

This facility has seamlessly integrated into our manufacturing network, enabling us to scale production capacity and optimise logistics.

The current business environment has presented both challenges and opportunities. While demand for our products and services has reached historic highs, we have risen to meet these requirements through strategic planning, operational excellence and significant investment in our manufacturing capabilities.

The sustained increase in order volumes reflects both the quality of our offerings and the trust our customers place in our ability to deliver. Rather than viewing high demand as a constraint, we have transformed it into an opportunity to demonstrate operational resilience and customer commitment.

Our fourth site represents more than physical expansion, it embodies our long-term vision for sustainable growth and our dedication to serving customers without compromise. The facility features state-of-the-art equipment, optimised workflows and a skilled workforce committed to excellence.

We understand that our customers operate in fast-paced environments where delays can have cascading effects on their own production schedules and commitments. Reliability extends beyond simply meeting deadlines, it encompasses consistency, predictability and dependability across every customer interaction.

Our multi-site operational model ensures that orders are continually fulfilled.

The success of this dispatch reflects the coordinated efforts across our entire organisation. Our fourth site does not operate in isolation but as part of an integrated manufacturing network that shares:

For inquiries about our capabilities, capacity, or to discuss your requirements, please contact our team.

We stand ready to support your success with the same RAPID and reliable service demonstrated in this latest major dispatch.

Showcasing one of our latest precision-engineered components, a low profile hex head shoulder bolt manufactured from Inconel 718. A superalloy that plays a critical role in some of the most demanding engineering applications, including space exploration.

Our low-profile hex head shoulder bolt represents a sophisticated fastening solution. Designed for applications where space constraints, precision alignment and exceptional material performance converge are an absolute must.

Inconel 718

Represents a commitment to performance in the most demanding of applications. This nickel-chromium superalloy has earned its reputation through decades of proven performance in extreme environments.

High-Temperature Performance: Maintains strength and stability at temperatures up to 700°C (1,300°F), making it suitable for applications involving significant thermal loads or exposure to elevated operating temperatures.

Corrosion Resistance: Demonstrates outstanding resistance to oxidation and corrosion, including resistance to chloride-ion stress-corrosion cracking, making it ideal for marine, chemical and harsh environmental applications.

Strength and Durability: Provides excellent tensile, fatigue and creep-rupture strength. Ensuring reliable performance under sustained loads and cyclic stressing conditions.

Weldability: Unlike many high-strength alloys, it can be welded without spontaneous cracking, offering design flexibility for complex assemblies.

Dimensional Stability: Maintains precise dimensions even under thermal cycling and mechanical stress, critical for applications requiring tight tolerances.

The Space Shuttle Connection

The capabilities of Inconel 718 are perhaps most dramatically illustrated by its role in the Space Shuttle program, one of the most ambitious engineering endeavours in human history.

When the Space Shuttle stood ready for launch in 1981, its entire weight orbiter, external tank, solid rocket boosters, fuel, and payload totalling approximately 2,000 metric tons (4.4 million pounds) rested on just eight Inconel studs. Four studs secured each solid rocket booster to the launch platform, creating what were arguably some of the most critical fasteners ever manufactured.

The Space Shuttle’s reliance on Inconel fasteners represents more than historical interest, it demonstrates the level of confidence that can be placed in properly engineered Inconel 718 components. When failure is not an option, this is a material engineers trust.

While most applications may not face the extreme demands of space launch, many industries benefit from the same exceptional properties that made Inconel 718 essential for the Space Shuttle program.

Producing precision components from Inconel 718 requires specialised expertise, equipment, and processes.

Our low-profile hex head shoulder bolt in Inconel 718 exemplifies our commitment to manufacturing components that meet the most demanding requirements. Whether your application operates in extreme temperatures, corrosive environments, or high-stress conditions, we understand that fastener failure is not an option.

If you’d like to discuss how Inconel 718 components can enhance the reliability and performance of your application, please contact our team.

M16 x 45 SKT CSK Duplex Socket Screws.

In the world of industrial fasteners, reliability and resilience are paramount, especially in applications where performance under pressure is non-negotiable.

Our M16 x 45 Duplex Socket Screws stand out as a high-performance solution, designed specifically for environments that demand exceptional strength, corrosion resistance and durability.

Manufactured from high-grade Duplex stainless steel, our socket countersunk (CSK) screws are engineered to deliver superior resistance against pitting, stress corrosion cracking and fatigue. Three of the most common and costly issues faced in high-stress engineering environments. The Duplex composition, which blends the best characteristics of both austenitic and ferritic stainless steels, offers a balanced combination of toughness and tensile strength. This makes an ideal choice for critical infrastructure, such as marine engineering, petrochemical plants, and heavy industrial assemblies.

The socket head design allows for efficient torque application using standard hex keys or Allen tools, ensuring precision installation and maintenance even in confined or hard-to-reach spaces. Meanwhile, the CSK head delivers a flush finish. offering both aesthetic and functional benefits, whilst minimising snagging points and ensuring streamlined, load-bearing surfaces.

Each screw undergoes strict quality control to meet standards for mechanical strength and material consistency.

For engineers and project managers seeking a dependable fastening solution capable of maintaining integrity in harsh environments, our M16 x 45 SKT CSK Duplex Socket Screws represents a proven and cost-effective choice. They’re combination of strength, precision, and corrosion resistance ensures lasting performance across a wide range of high-demand industrial applications.

For further information, speak to a member of our team today!

We are pleased to announce that we have successfully completed our ISO 9001 re-certification audit and have once again passed with no non-conformities.

This achievement reflects the ongoing dedication of our team and our firm commitment to maintaining a high-performing Quality Management System (QMS).

The auditors commended several aspects of our operations, and during his closing comments, described it as exceptional.

Why this matters:

ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard that ensures our business processes meet stringent quality management principles. Successfully maintaining this certification demonstrates our ability to consistently deliver products and services that meet both customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

For us as a company, this re-certification is more than just a formal recognition—it validates the strength and maturity of our internal systems, reinforces accountability at all levels, and supports a culture of continuous improvement. It also enhances customer confidence, strengthens stakeholder relationships, and opens doors to new business opportunities where certification is a prerequisite.

We are proud of this milestone and grateful to everyone across the organisation who contributed to this successful outcome.

As we head into the final quarter of 2025, we are proud to announce the expansion into our fourth manufacturing site. A milestone that reflects both the dedication of our teams and the continued trust of our customers.

Our latest development, marks another exciting step in our growth journey and reinforces our commitment to meeting increasing demand with the highest standards of quality and efficiency.

Our third site is now operating at full capacity, housing multiple machines, including state-of-the-art CNCs. To strengthen this capability, our fourth site has been launched with two additional CNC machines, with more planned for the near future.

This ensures that we can take on additional workloads seamlessly, maintaining our promise of a Rapid response ‘doing what we say, when we say’.

The expansion is not only about machinery and capacity, it’s also about people. Our teams have grown alongside our facilities, bringing new expertise, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to excellence. The energy across the business is tangible, with a real buzz in the air as we prepare for the opportunities the new site brings.

We deliver a complete fastener supply solution, combining the knowledge and capabilities of an established manufacturer with the reliability and efficiency of a trusted distributor. This unique approach allows us to offer our customers the best of both worlds. Expertly engineered bespoke components alongside a wide range of standard products, all backed by our Rapid responsive service.

Our culture is built on knowledge, precision, and trust. By continuously developing our understanding of both the products we create and their real-world applications, we ensure that every customer benefits from solutions that are practical, reliable, and tailored to their needs.

With four sites now operational, an expanding team, and increased production capacity, we are looking ahead with confidence and excitement. This expansion represents not only growth for our company but also greater value, flexibility, and service for our customers both in the UK, across Europe and America.

Here’s to growth, innovation and the partnerships that make it all possible!

To view us in action, head over to either our YouTube or TikTok pages.

Expertly engineered from premium-grade 316 stainless steel, these cap screws are designed for environments where strength, reliability and corrosion resistance are an absolute requirement.

316 stainless steel provides superior protection against rust, pitting and chemical exposure. An ideal fastener solution for various industries, such as marine, offshore, chemical processing, food production and many heavy-duty industrial settings.

Each cap screw is manufactured to the supplied precise dimensional tolerances, guaranteeing a consistent and secure fit during installation. The 1/2-inch hex socket drive design allows for optimal torque application, reducing the risk of stripping while also ensuring long-term performance under demanding loads.

We produced 2,000 pieces for an initial bulk order, fulfilling quickly and efficiently, with the added assurance of uniform quality across each component.

At Rapid Industrial Fasteners, we are committed to delivering fasteners and fixings that combine engineering excellence with dependable supply, helping and supporting our customers by keeping their operations running smoothly.

For ordering details, or to request technical advice, please contact our team today.

For further reading on why 316 is ideal for Marine use, visit Wiki.

These M36 × 50 slotted flat point grub screws, also commonly known as a set screw, have been reinforced with hot dig galvanisation.

We expertly manufactured to the metric thread diameter of M36, with a nominal outer diameter of 36mm. The overall length was 50 mm, measured across the fully threaded shank. Grub screws are typically headless and rely entirely on their threaded section for engagement.

The head design featured a slotted drive, allowing the screw to be installed and removed with either a conventional flat-blade screwdriver or compatible slotted bit. This drive style is both a traditional and widely used form of engagement. It provides adequate torque transmission for applications where over-tightening is to be avoided, and where accessibility may be restricted.

The flat point termination at the end of the screw is designed to apply axial holding pressure to the mating component without cutting or penetrating the surface material. This makes it particularly suited for securing parts such as shafts, collars, pulleys, or gear hubs where surface marking is undesirable. This flat end ensures an even distribution of load, which can help minimise localised stress concentrations.

Manufactured from high-grade steel, this grub screw was treated with a hot dip galvanised (HDG) finish. The hot dip galvanising process involves immersing the screw in molten zinc at temperatures of approximately 450 °C. This results in the formation of a robust metallurgical bond between the steel substrate and the zinc coating. Producing a thick and durable corrosion-resistant layer. Compared with electroplated coatings, HDG provides superior long-term protection, particularly in outdoor, marine, or otherwise corrosive industrial environments.

Overall, the M36 × 50 slotted flat point grub screw with a hot dip galvanised finish, is a robust, reliable and corrosion-resistant fastening solution for heavy-duty engineering applications. Combining mechanical strength with protection against environmental degradation.

If you’re looking for advice regarding an ideal coating option for your next project, our teams are ready to assist.

For a comprehensive understanding of the different coating options available, check out our ‘coating options’ news.

Coating Options

Global operation

With four fully operational sites now forming the backbone of our network, we are proud to say that our reach is truly global. From these strategically located facilities, we are able to serve customers right across the United Kingdom and Europe, as well as in key overseas markets including the United States and Mexico.

Our international capability is underpinned by regular scheduled shipments, with consignments leaving our warehouses twice weekly to major European destinations such as Germany, Holland, Spain, Slovakia, and Denmark. This dependable schedule allows our customers to plan with confidence, knowing that their products will arrive on time, every time.

Daily distribution

At the heart of this efficiency is our advanced distribution facility, which remains consistently and carefully stocked to meet demand. We understand the importance of reliability in supply chains, which is why we place such strong emphasis on maintaining high levels of inventory across our full product range.

This approach ensures that the items you need are always available and ready for immediate dispatch, without unnecessary delays.

Dependable consistency

Our commitment to maintaining robust stock levels translates directly into our service promise, a reliable supply chain with RAPID lead times. Whether supplying local businesses within the UK, fulfilling regular orders across Europe, or supporting growing demand from our international customers further afield, our focus remains on speed, dependability and consistency.

By investing in capacity, infrastructure and logistics expertise, we guarantee that our customers benefit not only from high-quality products but also from the confidence of knowing that those products will always be there when they need them most.

If you’d like to discuss how we can assist in a smoother reliable dispatch, we would be happy to help.

To view us in action, head over to either our YouTube or TikTok pages.