Bay Supply Blog - Rivets, Fasteners, and Tools | Mike Eichinger - COO, Bay Fastening Systems

Keeping the necessary parts in stock is an ongoing challenge for any manufacturer. Running out of parts stops production, so effective inventory management is vital. If you run out of critical parts, such as fasteners, productivity slows as the product team scrambles to track down additional inventory, which you will end up paying more for.

Staying competitive requires shortening delivery time. Manufacturers, contractors, and maintenance teams are under increasing pressure to meet tighter deadlines, requiring fast, reliable, on-time delivery of parts and materials.

Whether you’re selling fasteners or some other product, to maintain a successful operation, you need to increase inventory turnover. Manufacturers have several channels through which they sell goods, including directly to customers, through distributors, and through retailers. However, many don’t maximize the potential of e-commerce. Vertical online marketplaces can significantly boost inventory turnover, especially for specialty products, such as fasteners.

The internet has revolutionized the way we shop, particularly when procuring parts. Digital processes now power the supply chain, which allows buyers to find products and place orders online faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Rivet tools come in different configurations with different power profiles. While toolmakers have been focusing on developing a new generation of lighter, portable tools, structural blind rivet tools remain in high demand. There are no better tools for critical product assembly, maintenance, metalwork, truck and transit work, and setting industrial rivets.

Rivets, blind fasteners, and lockbolts may seem to be insignificant, but they are literally the parts that hold things together. Whether you work in manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding, solar installation, or another industry, having the right fastener in stock is what keeps you productive. More professionals are purchasing fasteners online to find the parts they need when they need them.

When choosing a fastener supplier, what is your primary criterion? Many buyers look for the best price and the fastest availability of parts. Selecting a vendor based on price and available inventory may get you out of a temporary jam if you need fasteners in a hurry to maintain production. Still, you need to consider other criteria when choosing a fastener supplier that can help you build your business.

Manufacturers need different types of fasteners for industrial applications. Some jobs require closed-end rivets, and others need trifold rivets. Other products use general-purpose and high-clamp assemblies. You want to choose the right industrial fastener, whether you are manufacturing appliances, assembling recreational vehicles, or building computers. You also want to choose industrial fastener brands that work well together to ensure lasting performance.

Blind rivets have been used for more than 100 years, but they’re still misunderstood. British inventor Hamilton Neil Wylie first patented the blind rivet design in 1916. Since then, blind fasteners have been used for everything from making automobiles to manufacturing appliances.

There are specialty fasteners for every conceivable application, including fasteners that seal out moisture and can withstand harsh environments. For critical applications in aircraft, robotics, automobiles, military equipment, manufacturing, marine environments, and construction, you need fasteners that resist corrosion, withstand pressure fluctuations, and deliver lasting performance. That’s when engineers prefer ZAGO fasteners.