Product category:
Fasteners, threaded and non-threaded
News Release from: Baker and Finnemore
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 17 March 2006
Fastener maker celebrates 156th birthday
UK manufacturer of push-on fasteners enters 156th year of production in 2006 and celebrates 500 million push-on fasteners being made every year.
UK manufacturer of push-on fasteners and the company behind the Starlock brand, Baker and Finnemore, entered its 156th year of production in 2006 While Baker and Finnemore produces high volumes of precision pressings, including Belleville and curved tension washers, the Starlock Push-on fastener range forms the lion's share of output, with 500 million Starlocks leaving the company's facility in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter each year, destined for use in around 50 countries across every continent
Supplied in spring and stainless steel, in various designs and finishes, both capped and uncapped, Starlock has played a part in the design of many thousands of products, industrial and domestic.
They have been used in workplaces and homes whether in the car on the drive, in the garage door mechanism, garden furniture, lawnmower, rotary dryer, cooker, ironing board, roller blind mechanism, gas meter; even in children's push chairs and toys.
Paul Yates, the company's Sales Manager, attributes the Starlock's popularity to its flexibility and ease of use for design engineers: "The Starlock is designed for applications where a quick, permanent and efficient means of assembly is required to retain plain shafts of steel, non-ferrous and plastic materials", he said.
"They eliminate costly threading and grooving operations, facilitate rapid assembly and, once fixed in position, are so secure that they cannot be removed without destruction".
The Starlock presents clear practical and aesthetic advantages over alternative fastening products such as circlips, removing unnecessary and costly production processes and offering the joint advantages of fast and straightforward product assembly.
Baker and Finnemore was originally established in 1850, as a manufacturer of steel fountain pen nibs, and the Birmingham based company has since established a reputation for the design and manufacture of high quality precision pressings, for inclusion in a huge range of applications across every conceivable industry.
While traditional values of quality and service are upheld, today's operation is very forward thinking.
The company has recently made significant technology investments, implementing a fully integrated CRM and logistics platform to maintain high standards of service provision to the growing number of markets served.
Likewise, CADCAM systems have recently been upgraded, supporting the activities of in-house development engineers who work with clients in the development and prototyping of bespoke pressings, clips and wireforms.
In-house toolmaking, heat treatment and quality and testing all promise cost effective customer service, which caters for high and low production volumes.
Looking forward to 2006, there are plenty of developments in the pipeline.
The company has recently expanded its design department to serve a growing demand for custom pressings, while headway is being made to establish distributor deals in the US.
Yates said: "We expect this year to be an important one for Baker and Finnemore, driving innovation within the company, while ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of both our distributors and end-users".
"Our recent investments will help to maintain our flexible approach and manage the continually growing markets for the Starlock".
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