The 3rd edition of the International Exhibition for fastener and fixing technologies Fastener Fair Russia 2015 successfully took place at St Petersburg’s ExpoForum Convention and Exhibition Centre from 25 to 27 March. Taking part in this year’s event were leading companies in this key sector from nine countries – China, Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Russia, Taiwan, Turkey and the USA.
New products and technologies on show included wedge lock washers and wheel nuts from Heico.ru from Germany/Russia; tools with improved characteristics for installation of pop-rivets and threaded rivet nuts from Russian company FIXIT and innovative cold forming presses, roll-threading machines and accessories by I Machine Technology from Taiwan. Smetiz from Russia presented new fasteners for retail sales and demonstrated opportunities for fastener production in small batches. Russian company BelZan displayed stainless steel fasteners and tools with zinc lamellar coatings. A system for stamping control, cold heading and moulding was demonstrated by Marposs from Italy/Russia. Russian company Construction and Distribution presented fasteners for sandwich panels produced by the Dutch company NES Fasteners, and Samstal from Russia showcased tools for cold heading of metalware.
Taking place alongside the exhibition on 26 March was a conference entitled ‘Fasteners: Quality and Responsibility’. Among its conclusions was the positive message that despite current challenges, the Russian metal products market would continue to grow. The conference was organised by Restec-Brooks together with the Prommetiz hardware producers association and the magazine Fasteners, Adhesives, Tools And…, and was supported by the trading company Bolt.ru. Co-located with Fastener Fair Russia 2015 in St Petersburg was the fourth edition of BLECH Russia, dedicated to the country’s market for sheet metal working, and also organised by Restec Brooks. The show additionally shared its venue with the St Petersburg Technical Fair and Automechanika St Petersburg covering automotive spares and maintenance, together with the associated online ‘matchmaking’ business-to-business service and Autoprom Russia conference. A welcome speech at the opening ceremony for the combined exhibitions was given by the Governor of St Petersburg, Georgy Poltavchenko. Also present were the Governor of Voronezh Region Alexey Gordeev, Head of the Simferopol Administration Gennady Bakharev, representatives of the St Petersburg administration and the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Sergey Katyrin, plus industrialists and media.
Together, the four events attracted more than 7,000 trade visitors. Many companies taking part in Fastener Fair Russia stated that they achieved their goals despite a challenging business environment. Shanghai Jingyang Import & Export Co said: “This was our second time at Fastener Fair Russia. The new exhibition centre is very beautiful and a good location. Russia is very big market for fasteners, that is why we are there. You build bridges. Thank you very much!” Italian company Ambrovit commented: “We have exhibited at Fastener Fair Russia before, and this was again a good show for us. We made some great contacts, visitor quality was excellent and we had the opportunity to meet our clients.” Most exhibitors at this year’s event confirmed their intention to participate in the next Fastener Fair Russia show in spring 2017.