Steel Price Increases Impact on UK Fastener Industry

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA), the trade association representing the UK’s leading collated nailing and stapling companies, is warning of significant steel price increases worldwide which are already impacting on the UK Fastener Industry. As reported recently in the Financial Times (www.ft.com) steel price forecasts are predicting an overall price rise of potentially 66% by the end of 2011. This view is mirrored by the respected MEPS International Ltd website (www.meps.co.uk/world-price.com) which is also forecasting a double digit increase for 2011 over prices in 2010. Unfortunately these forecasts are so far proving to be correct with a 33% increase in consolidated global steel rod prices, the steel used in the manufacture of nails and staples, in the 9 months from July 2010 to February 2011. Coupled to the increased steel prices is the escalating cost of oil and this has resulted in significantly increased costs of all finished steel products, which includes collated nails and staples.

The PFA is proud of its contribution towards improving the safety and performance of timber fastening through the development of European and International Standards

The PFA (Power Fastenings Association) acts as a trade organisation for manufacturers of complete fastening systems, comprising both power tools and fasteners. A significant part of the work of the Association is centred on standardisation work aimed at improving both health and safety at the workplace and the secure performance of fasteners. In recent years the PFA has sought to ensure that new European and International Standards such as EN1995 Design of Timber Structures (Eurocode 5) and ISO 11148, Safety of Fastener Driving Tools achieve a practical balance between the demands of the workplace and the highest possible quality and safety levels whilst utilising the most practical measures of comparative performance. It has also striven to ensure that these standards reflect the specific needs of UK industry where these may differ from those of other markets.

Timber frame construction currently faces the challenge of presenting its case as the most sustainable and economic way to build housing, whilst also demonstrating that no compromise is required in functionality or longevity versus brick and block construction. The Construction Products Directive of 1988 was a significant step in the process of standardisation across Europe. By 1997 it was possible to CE mark fasteners for making structural attachments to concrete, whereby independent testing assessed different fasteners against a uniform set of criteria developed by experts. With the publication in 2010 of EN14592 (Timber Fasteners), as a product standard subsidiary to EN1995, the timber sector will soon catch up.

The PFA, along with equivalent organisations in other European countries provides practical expertise to regulatory bodies on the nature and performance of timber fasteners. It does this by participating in working committees established by the British Standards Institute and CEN (European Committee for Standardisation). As with many such standards, the original wording of EN14592 did not match the actualities of the manufacture and use of many timber fasteners and the PFA has been very active in helping to draft urgent corrections which are currently being made to the standard under the UAP process. The PFA also works closely with other industry bodies in the UK, such as the UKTFA, NHBC, TRADA and the HSE. We believe it is in our common interest to do all we can to establish a clear methodology for demonstrating that our fasteners and the products or buildings they help to create are safe and fit for purpose.

At present, implementation of the Construction Products Directive is not legally binding on the UK Government, but this is set to change in two years, when this becomes the Construction Products Regulation. As is already the case with toys and most electrical goods, it will be necessary to CE mark all construction products for which a relevant European standard exists.

POWER FASTENINGS ASSOCIATIONS APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN

Kevin Stephen of South Wales-based, Spotnails Ltd, was appointed as Chairman of the Power Fastenings Association at its recent Annual General Meeting.

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA) represents the leading UK suppliers of pneumatically powered nailing and stapling equipment, collated fasteners and fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.

Mr Stephen, who was previously PFA Chairman from 2001 to 2004, anticipates the Association further developing its position as the voice for the industry. The Association is the industry voice in promoting the safe use of collated fastening equipment, and is currently taking a leading role within BSI to develop an ISO standard for power fastening tools and a CEN standard for fasteners.

Mr Stephen took over from retiring Chairman, Jim Fleming, Managing Director of Poppers Senco Ltd. John Mercer of BeA Fastening Systems Ltd was appointed Vice-Chairman.

PRESS RELEASE
11 May 2010

COST INCREASES TO IMPACT ON U.K. FASTENER MANUFACTURERS

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA), the trade association representing the UK's leading collated nailing and stapling companies, is advising that major price increases will soon affect the nailing and stapling industries. The cost of all steel products has gone up, and continues to go up, following recent significant price increases levied by steel manufacturers worldwide.

Visitors to the highly respected MEPS International Ltd website (www.meps.co.uk/world-price.html) will see that prices for wire rod, the main constituent of nail and staple manufacture has risen from $490 per tonne in May 2009 to $620 per tonne a year later - a rise of 27%.

Coupled to the above is the escalating cost of freight which has risen by 60% in just 6 months and the continuing weakness of the pound which has lost 10% against the dollar since January 2010.

So what are the key factors driving these cost increases?

The cost of iron ore has doubled in 1 year as the global suppliers tore up existing contracts and floated the commodity on the spot market, this trend will continue and panic buying has in some areas led to shortages and extended lead times.

During the latter part of 2008 and the first half of 2009, a significant percentage of Far East freight capacity was removed and growth over the last few months, albeit small, has exceeded expectations leading to freight cost increases as suppliers take advantage of the situation.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the PFA on 01827 52337

PRESS RELEASE
26 June 2009

PFA TAKES THE LEAD IN STANDARDS FOR FASTENER DRIVING TOOLS

The Power Fastenings Association is taking the lead in the development of new standards for fastener driving tools, both in the UK and worldwide.

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA) represents the leading UK suppliers of pneumatically powered nailing and stapling equipment, collated fasteners and fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.

Work recently commenced on re-drafting EN 792-13 the European standard for fastener driving tools, with a view to it becoming an international standard. PFA has provided the chairman of the BSI committee, Mr Erik Mul of PFA member, ITW Industry. In addition, the PFA nominated Mr Andrew Bowden, of fellow member Makita UK, as convenor of the ISO Working Group which will oversee the project.

As well as this, the PFA has provided the Secretariat for the BSI committee and the ISO Working Group. This close involvement will ensure the PFA and its members are fully conversant with the new standard and will be at the forefront of standards development.

Further information on the Association and its members can be obtained by contacting PFA on 01827 52337

PRESS RELEASE
9 December 2008

STRONG SUPPORT PLEDGE FROM NEW PFA CHAIRMAN

Jim Fleming, Managing Director of Poppers Senco UK Ltd, was appointed as Chairman of the Power Fastenings Association (PFA) at its recent Annual General Meeting.

The PFA represents the leading UK suppliers of pneumatically powered nailing and stapling equipment; collated fasteners and the fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.

Mr Fleming was quick to assure PFA members of the Association's determination to ensure that the proposed new prEN 14592 fastener standard, at present being drafted by mainly European based organisations, would provide a fair and workable standard for UK suppliers and customers. To this end, the PFA has already submitted objective proposals to the CEN Technical Standards committee.

Similarly, the PFA is closely monitoring proposed revisions to EN 792-13 and other Health & Safety related issues for the benefit of its members, together with the industries and markets they serve. For further information on the role and activities of the PFA, visit: www.powerfastenings.org.uk

Mr Fleming took over from retiring Chairman, David Black, Managing Director of Young Black Industrial Stapling Ltd. Kevin Stephen of Spotnails Ltd was appointed Vice Chairman.

PRESS RELEASE
20 March 2008

DRAMATIC INCREASE IN STEEL PRICES

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA), the trade association representing the UK's leading collated nailing and stapling companies, is warning of sharp increases in steel prices. The cost of all steel products has gone up, and continues to go up, following recent, significant, price increases levied by steel manufacturers worldwide.

As reasons for these increases, steel manufacturers state a shortage of supply, as well as drastic rises in the cost of the raw materials necessary for production, such as iron ore, coking coal and scrap. In fact, iron ore prices, which are dominated by "benchmark" agreements between iron ore mines and steel producers, are expected to rise by 65%, over and above 2007 levels.

Therefore steel prices, which have already risen by approximately 35% since October 2007, are expected to rise by at least 20% more during 2008. Obviously, there will be a knock-on effect on the price of all finished steel products, with consumers being affected

POWER FASTENINGS ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW MEMBER, MAKITA (UK) LTD

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA) is pleased to welcome Makita (UK) Ltd, of Milton Keynes, as the latest member of the Association.

The PFA represents the leading UK suppliers of pneumatically-powered nailing and stapling equipment, collated fasteners and fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.

Makita is a leading world class brand of professional power tools, accessories and work wear known for quality, performance and durability during rigorous industrial use. Operating for over thirty years in the UK, Makita's offices are located in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, with distribution centres located throughout the U.K. Makita is Britain's number one professional power tool manufacturer.

Makita's Telford manufacturing facility produces a range of power tools and is a net exporter of professional power tools, with 80% if its production going to other Makita operations worldwide. Makita achieved a UK turnover of £80 million during 2005.

Makita's range of machines is in excess of 400, with a vast, complimentary range of accessories, from drill bits to abrasives, workwear and tool holders, all selected to provide performance demanded by professionals. As well as the construction industry, Makita supplies many of Britain's largest businesses from the Armed Forces, rescue services, major utilities, manufacturing and service companies. Makita is also heavily committed to providing training on the safe and correct use of its products.

The following companies are already members of the PFA:

BeA Fastening Systems Ltd, Beverley, East Yorkshire
Josef Kihlberg Ltd, Liverpool
Paslode Duo-Fast Industry, Swansea
Poppers Senco (UK) Ltd, Warrington
Spotnails Ltd, Caerphilly
Young Black Industrial Stapling Ltd, Swindon

Further information on the Association and its members can be obtained by contacting PFA on 01827 52337

PRESS RELEASE
28th September 2006

POWER FASTENINGS ASSOCIATION APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN

David Black, Managing Director of Young Black Industrial Stapling Ltd, was appointed as Chairman of the Power Fastenings Association at its recent Annual General Meeting.

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA) represents the leading UK suppliers of pneumatically powered nailing and stapling equipment, collated fasteners and fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.

Mr Black anticipates the Association further developing its position as the voice for the industry. The Association plays a leading role in promoting the safe use of collated fastening equipment, and is currently collaborating with the Health and Safety Executive's laboratories in relation to new test methods proposed for vibration and noise emissions from powered fastener driving tools, which will affect all users of this type of equipment.

Mr Black took over from retiring Chairman, Paul Lee of BeA Fastening Systems Ltd. Jim Fleming of Poppers Senco (UK) Ltd was appointed Vice-Chairman.

PFA HIGHLIGHTS CHANGES IN HEALTH & SAFETY LEGISLATION

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA) represents the leading UK suppliers of pneumatically-powered nailing and stapling equipment, collated fasteners and fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.

The PFA takes a pro-active role in health and safety issues and believes it vital that users of this type of equipment are aware of changes in legislation.

VIBRATION REGULATIONS
From July 2005

The Physical Agents (Vibration) directive 2002/44/EC, which came into force in early July 2005, defines a new exposure action value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s2 A (8) with the exposure limit value (ELV) of 5 m/s2 A (8).

These values are calculated as the vibration total value which is measured in three axes as defined in the new method standard BS EN ISO 5349-1:2000. The result of the change in measurement method is that the value obtained is greater than the dominant axis value method, by a factor of between 1.0 and 1.7.

NOISE REGULATIONS
From 6th April 2006

The Physical Agents (Noise) directive 2003/10/EC came into force on 15th February 2003 which results in a change to UK regulations by 6th April 2006. In summary, the first action level will change to a daily personal noise exposure of 80 dB(A) with a peak value of 112 pascals, the second action level is a daily personal exposure of 85 dB(A) with the peak action level sound pressure is 140 pascals.

Further useful information and guidance is available on both this important changes from the HSE web site on www.hse.gov.uk/vibration and www.hse.gov.uk/noise.

As a result of these changes, it is essential for businesses to review their working practices. Further information on the Association and its members can be obtained by contacting PFA on 01827 52337.

POWER FASTENINGS ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW MEMBER, JOSEF KIHLBERG LTD

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA) recently welcomed Josef Kihlberg Ltd of Liverpool as a new member of the Association.

The PFA represents the leading UK suppliers of pneumatically-powered nailing and stapling equipment, collated fasteners and fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.

In January 1998, British Industrial Fastenings, an established distributor of Haubold and Josef Kihlberg products in the UK, became part of the J K Group. In January 2000, the business started trading as Josef Kihlberg Ltd. with a core business selling Haubold and Josef Kihlberg Industrial and Packaging to distributors and end users throughout the UK. Josef Kihlberg are also a major distributor of the Getra hogring range from French company, Sofragraf.

The Josef Kihlberg and Haubold range are used in a variety of fastening applications and customers include manufacturers of general furniture & joinery, mattresses and beds, fencing, sheds, caravans, park homes and timber frame housing. Their J K Packaging range offers the customer a variety of ways for closing board packaging using stapling techniques.

The following companies are already long-established members of the PFA:

BeA Fastening Systems Ltd, Beverley, East Yorkshire
Paslode Duo-Fast Industry, Swansea
Poppers Senco (UK) Ltd, Warrington
Spotnails Ltd, Caerphilly
Young Black Industrial Stapling Ltd, Swindon

Further information on the Association and its members can be obtained by contacting PFA on 01827 52337.

PRESS RELEASE
11 June 2004

POWER FASTENINGS ASSOCIATION APPOINTS NEW CHAIRMAN

Paul Lee, Managing Director of BeA Fastening Systems Ltd, was appointed as Chairman of the Power Fastenings Association at its recent General Meeting.

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA) represents the leading UK suppliers of pneumatically-powered nailing and stapling equipment, collated fasteners and fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.

Mr Lee wished to see the Association maintain and develop its position as the voice for the industry. The Association plays a leading role in promoting the safe use of collated fastening equipment, and has recently developed a Safety Training Programme with accompanying literature and downloadable safety presentation.

Mr Lee took over from retiring Chairman, Kevin Stephen of Spotnails. David Black of Young Black Industrial Stapling was appointed Vice-Chairman

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PRESS RELEASE
18 February 2004

STEEL SHORTAGES IMPACT ON U.K. FASTENER MANUFACTURERS

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA), the trade association representing the UK's leading collated nailing and stapling companies, is warning that the spectre of steel shortages is hanging over the Nailing and Stapling Industry.

There have already been some price increases with the threat of more to follow. Raw material costs are continuing to escalate with European, North American and Far Eastern steel mills regularly imposing price increases and surcharges with little or no notice. In the UK, Corus have imposed a surcharge of Euro 33 per tonne as from the 1st February 2004, this in addition to the previously declared price increases as from April 2004.

Visitors to the highly respected MEPS International Ltd website (www.meps.co.uk/world-price.html) will see that prices for wire rod, the main constituent of nail and staple manufacture has risen from $282 per tonne in January 2003 to $356 per tonne a year later. That is a rise of 26% in one year.

So why is this happening? It is the knock on effect of the huge demand coming from the Far East and particularly China. For example in December, Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel shipped 150,000 tonnes of iron ore to China and future shipments are possible. This steel maker has announced to customers it will increase some products $60 per tonne and raise casing and tubing for the oil industry by $40 per tonne. "Our order books have been strong and such factors are being reflected in the stock market," a spokesman for the steel maker said. Demand for raw materials is also driving up prices, causing scrap-based steel makers to pass on the higher costs to steel users.

According to Purchasing Magazine, the average price of scrap steel hit a high of $192 per tonne in December 2003, compared to $129 in January 2003. Nucor, the USA's leading scrap-based steel maker, announced it will add a $20 per tonne, raw materials surcharge to its steel mill products starting January 2004, due to a higher cost of scrap and other materials. The surcharge will be adjusted monthly. The picture is exactly the same in Europe with steel manufacturers, on the one hand, having to pay more for raw materials and, on the other, struggling to keep up with demand.

PRESS RELEASE
20 January 2004

POWER FASTENINGS ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES CODE OF PRACTICE

The Power Fastenings Association (PFA) has announced the launch of its new Code of Practice encompassing the quality and integrity of service provided by its members.

The PFA represents the leading UK suppliers of pneumatically-powered nailing and stapling equipment, collated fasteners and fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.

The purpose of the Code of Practice is to provide members of the Association with practical guidelines, the aim being to improve the quality of the service given by member companies to their customers, taking into account the safety and welfare of their employees and protection of the public in general. It represents a binding commitment on the part of each member of the PFA to a high standard of quality, safety, integrity and reliability. It also takes into account recommendations and comments from the Office of Fair Trading.

Since its inception in 1977, the PFA has always actively encouraged the highest standards of product and service amongst its members.

A copy of the Code of Practice can be obtained by contacting the PFA:
· Telephone: 01827 52337
· Facsimile: 01827 310827
· Email: enquiries@powerfastenings.org.uk