System eliminates need for external fasteners

A novel sheet metal fastening system, developed in a back bedroom in South Wales, is proving a winner for High Torque Fastener Systems.

When a group of engineers including John Emmett first thought of replacing conventional nuts and bolts with a new sheet metal fastening system, little did they think that this revolutionary idea, developed in a back bedroom in South Wales, would take Emmett to the boardrooms of Detroit.

Nine years on, that is just what has happened.

Emmett is now Managing Director of High Torque Fastener Systems, marketing a highly original method for fastening sheet metal components.

The system eliminates the need for external fasteners and has a wide range of applications in the white goods, computer and television industries.

The current system can reduce assembly costs by up to 40% over conventional methods.

Current customers include 3Com, Panasonic, Flavel Leisure, Caradon Ideal, Liebert International, IMI Cornelius, Ace-Case, Design Plan, Hobart Manufacturing and Flexiform to name but a few.

It is no surprise that the list of development projects currently in hand include Caterpillar, Ford, Chrysler, Xerox, Sony along with other world leading manufacturing corporations that are keen to adopt the system too.

"From airplanes to tin boxes, the system can be beneficial", says Emmett.

"We have protected our ideas with patents and licensing agreements in the UK, Europe and the USA with Japan joining us this summer.

Trying to launch the system was a painful process, and the grant we received from IPWales for funding patent protection was extremely helpful at a time when cash was short.

It relieved a significant burden".

The award winning High Torque Fastener Systems now operates from a base in Technium, Swansea and employs five people and has achieved ISO9001 and Investor in People accreditation.

This base is directly linked to its licensed network around the world that employs hundreds of people.

"Our aim is to develop not just new products, but new business models too", continues Emmett.

"Intellectual property will be a main competitive advantage as the company moves into the next phase of its development".

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