Focus on distributors

FASTENERS FOR DISTRIBUTORS – our word is our bond. Since our foundation, we have been selling to one market sector only: Distributors. Our customer base of more than 2000 customers consists of industrial fastener resellers exclusively. This clear and reliable positioning provides a confident base for a close and trustful cooperation with our customers. In many cases this cooperation has been ongoing for decades. Fastbolt is your business partner renowned for a high level of integrity both with customers and suppliers.

01 Focus on Distributors

Quality

Quality is deeply rooted in all our business processes as part of our quality policy. We ensure consistency and scrutinise all services and products provided as we practise Total Quality Management (TQM). Customers can be sure to be supplied with constant high quality by Fastbolt. This is achieved by careful supplier selection following our own supplier auditing and approval processes, coupled with a constant presence in our supply markets. Frequent product inspections both in our test laboratory in Asia and as part of our incoming goods inspections in our European warehouses contribute to sustained quality. Added to the inspection of our offered goods, our ISO 17025:2017 certified QC laboratory FQC – Fastener Quality Center Shanghai (PR China) offers customers an independent inspection of their parts.

02 Quality

Technology

The quality of information technology is a major contributor to the success of a modern distribution company. Therefore, Fastbolt has chosen an established market leading ERP system to provide a software solution which perfectly supports business processes of sales and distribution and finance: SAP. At the same time, it acts as a “leading system” in connection with specialised software solutions covering the areas of warehouse management (WMS) and quality (CAQ) which are linked to Fastbolt’s ERP via interfaces. Striving to think ahead and meet the specific and ever-growing demands of fastener distributors, Fastbolt develops tailor made software applications through our own internal development team and provides efficient, innovative and individual solutions.

03 Technology

Digitization

For years, the automation of business processes has been a strategic target for Fastbolt. Our prime focus in this respect is digitization to enable the replacement of labour and communication intensive analogue processes with value added digital solutions, to both maximise customer benefit and ensure intelligent business processing. The key element is the Fastbolt developed e-commerce solution FBonline, which allows customers to check real time stock availability, as well as customer individual and quantity-based prices. Moreover, FBonline offers a wide range of additional information and services as well as technical support, enabling customers to enquire digitally and efficiently, to negotiate, order, keep track of order statuses and deliveries and to view packing lists, delivery notes and invoices any time. Integrated communication tools allow digital customer centricity through videoconferences and online chats.

There are numerous ways to access and connect our digital Fastbolt-world to customers‘ purchasing processes. Email based FBonline tools like QuickQuote and QuickOrder as well as a full range of uploads or batch inputs provide customers with efficient data handling, especially for enquiries and orders with many items. In addition, tailor made and Fastbolt developed EDI-solutions, exchanging relevant data between ERP-systems in predefined formats automatically offer the ultimate digital process integration and are a well-proven standard for both customers and Fastbolt.

04 Digitization

Logistics

At Fastbolt we know that the net price of the product is only one of many factors that contribute to the total cost of ownership when buying fasteners. Sourcing, packaging, dispatch and delivery all have an impact on the final cost. Being a partner for European distributors we recognize the paramount importance of logistics. Our efficient and error-rate-minimising material flow, coupled with flexibility, serves as a strong basis for optimised logistical cooperation with both our customer base and our suppliers and is achieved through our specialised warehouse management system. Fastbolt’s three European warehouses in Germany, England and Portugal provide a storage capacity of approximately 30.000 pallet spaces.

05 Logistics

Packaging

The packaging of our product is of great importance for us at Fastbolt. We endeavor to create a unified and logistically optimized appearance of our trading goods not least with our FB trademark. However, we also offer optimal solutions for customers who attach value to their own packaging with individual design. Our in-house hand-packaging department offers optimal solutions to process highly complex packaging requirements with complete logistical competence. Through an automated packaging machine as well as through long-time cooperation with local integrative workshops we create an optimal basis to supply customers meeting their individual requirements while helping to reduce process cost. Our range of services covers re-labelling of our product, packaging in customer individual boxes and outer cartons as well as packaging in assortment boxes, kits, polybags and blister packs.

06 Packaging

Containers direct

Alongside systematic delivery ex-stock from our German, English and Portuguese warehouses we offer customers a direct shipment solution to their required delivery point. Quality control, expediting orders in our supply markets and reliable cooperation with efficient logistics partners ensure a smooth handling of the import.  Our product range in this business area comprises both product groups we hold on stock and nonstock items.

In addition to mere procurement of material, special customer requirements, such as individual packaging, inspection reports or carriage paid delivery, can also be fulfilled for direct containers. Our customers benefit from our long-time relationships with certified suppliers, audited by Fastbolt in the Far East as well as our comprehensive know how in the area of supply. Our goal is to offer cost-effective alternatives especially when procuring high-volume articles. While customers can forego handling at one of our warehouses they can rely on well-known Fastbolt reliability.

07 Containers Direct

The human factor

The human factor plays a major role at Fastbolt. The core of Fastbolt’s business success is a team of employees with distinct customer and market focus. Any process or solution can only be as efficient or innovative as the team behind it. At Fastbolt we use our combined resources day in day out to scrutinise our service and to create added value for our customers. To maintain this focus we emphasize continuity, identification, and diversity among our team. We are proud that our employees contribute to achieving our business goals significantly. Day by day. Year by year.

In times where qualified work force is scarce, we believe that a permanent and long-ranging development of motivated and qualified young talent is the best way to prepare for the future. Therefore, we have been developing our own young recruits in different business areas for many years. We are proud to have a number of former apprentices among our team and work hard to remain an attractive and promising employer for young people as well as for experienced employees.

08 The human Factor