At the beginning of 2021, VVG Befestigungstechnik became HONSEL Distribution GmbH and joined the HONSEL Group-helping to document the affiliation with the HONSEL Group and use a unified brand. Here, we discussed with General Manager Alexander Siefert (Alexander Siefert) the benefits of this partnership and its future implications for the company and its customers.

When did VVG Befestigungstechnik decide to become HONSEL Distribution and join the HONSEL Group?

"The decision to become HONSEL Distribution was made two years ago, based on internal and external perspectives. We have established a very close relationship with HONSEL. By becoming part of the group, we can now establish a closer partnership and work together. Develop our strengths and possibilities, and share resources and daily business.

Therefore, it is a logical step to demonstrate this cooperation and strengthen the business of both parties under a unified brand-the brand has been recognized globally and has been in the market for 90 years. By joining the HONSEL Group, customers can clearly understand our expectations for the future. "

What are the benefits of joining the HONSEL Group for VVG as a company and for your customers?

"From a business perspective, there are various synergies that both parties can benefit from, such as the further development of proprietary technologies, personal experience and technical insights, and standardized IT systems.

From the customer's point of view, they can get everything they need from a single source, which is a great advantage. Thanks to our optimized process, customers can be confident that they will receive a verified product. Thanks to our experienced manufacturing development and flexibility, as well as our fast service orientation, these are all possible.

Our motto is "HONSEL". "The art of fastening", this is the perfect description that HONSEL Group can provide through its high-quality fastening solutions. Our commitment to investment in innovation underscores this point, which makes us the benchmark for exciting new products, such as the new Rivdom eVNG 2, which is one of the most efficient battery-based blind rivet nut tools in the world. "

As a company, how important is your ability to innovate?

"Innovation is one of the most critical driving forces of HONSEL, whether in the development of connecting elements-such as blind rivets, blind rivet nuts or studs-or in automotive solutions-such as power train fasteners, Process monitoring system or smart riveting tool. For example, the battery-powered setting tool RivSmart for blind rivets won the Fastener Innovation Road Award at the Stuttgart Fastener Fair in 2017, which shows how successful we have been in innovation .

We are in an enviable position and we have many innovative ideas in the products we provide. However, as a company, we make sure that we focus on each of them and only bring them to market when they are fully prepared.

One area we are currently focusing on is the development of intelligent networks of tools and personalized fastening concepts, which are becoming more and more important in various industries from construction to logistics. Therefore, we have invested in people and technology in this field, which allows us to think "out of the box".

At HONSEL, we believe that innovation will lead to deeper cooperation between business partners and will help the group continue to be one of the leading innovators in Germany and Europe. "

In the past 12 months, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the entire market as it has spread globally. As a company, what challenges have this brought to you, and how have you dealt with this situation?

"The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many challenges, especially since the beginning of March/April 2020, we faced a lot of uncertainty in terms of customer needs and supplier options. We immediately strengthened our relationship with our business partners. Contact, in the past 12 months, we have controlled the situation without any major restrictions.

We are able to do this thanks to close cooperation with suppliers, usually based on long-term and trustworthy cooperation. Our warehouses are usually carefully planned and stocked, which means that we can also check and adjust our supply chain very quickly-ensuring that there are almost no delays in delivery.

We believe that the long-term impact of the pandemic will be that the relationships between different business partners will become more important. Only by understanding and trusting each other can we successfully cope with such challenges.

We also believe that digitization will advance on all levels, not only for workplace solutions, but also for smart and smart tools and suitable fasteners as already mentioned. "

You mentioned digitalization. As a company, how did you enter this field? Do you think the epidemic will accelerate the digitalization process of the fastener industry?

"Digitalization includes so many fields and daily business, so we set up a working group specifically for this field. We work with external experts to find solutions for the entire group.

This is an example of one of the great advantages of VVG joining the HONSEL Group, because resources and costs can be shared. However, internal digitization is only one theme, and collaboration with customers, partners, and suppliers is another.

In this regard, we are studying various solutions, including professional trade, and coordinated JIT (just in time) delivery in the automotive industry. We believe that this field is vital to the future, which is why we have continued to invest in our R&D activities even in the past 12 months. We believe that the pandemic will definitely have an impact on the digitalization process. As a company, we focus our attention on the post-pandemic market-we predict that the global demand for new solutions will continue to increase. We want to make sure that we are ready for this opportunity together with our partners, and digitalization will be heavily involved. "

Raw material costs and shipping challenges currently have a significant impact on the fastener market. Does this affect HONSEL, and if so, how?

"These surrounding conditions have affected us, but we have been able to face the challenges. We operate a very flexible multi-supply chain, so any bottlenecks that arise can be quickly identified, and we can view alternative options and delivery routes.

As a global company with multiple production bases, we have been able to manage shipping and other issues. Our forward-looking attitude and close attention to specific product groups help prevent problems in advance. For example, with our production capacity in Germany and China, we are able to convert planned outsourcing parts into self-produced parts. We also have existing global sourcing capabilities, as well as very efficient suppliers and processes. We follow a strategy of screening new potential partners in every region of the world, which means we can react quickly to situations. "

Do challenges such as pandemics, shipping availability and raw material fluctuations also create opportunities for your business?

"As Winston Churchill once said:'Never waste a crisis!'. We are convinced that all the challenges we are currently facing will lead to the need for deeper relationships between business partners. Further information exchange Demand will increase, and well-connected supply chains will increase-all of which will establish new processing partnerships.

In our view, business relationships and partnerships are the most important factors in the future. It is people who do business, not prices or products; these are just things that must meet customer needs. Only people, as well as the company's relationship and cooperation, can bring more business in the future. "

How do you think the market will develop in the next 12 months, and what are the future plans of the HONSEL Group?

"2021 will still occur under the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, so the main focus still needs to be delivered to our customers with the known quality and punctuality related to HONSEL. However, we are also preparing for the epidemic, Introduce new products, higher quality standards and further optimize logistics.

We are confident in the global recovery and economic output will increase. The level and speed of this recovery will depend on how the world controls Covid-19. At HONSEL, we will continue to focus on collaboration, integration and digitization, because we believe these will be the big trends in the future. We have answers to every part, and we are very confident and convinced that each of our business partners will benefit from it. "

Will joined Fastener + Fixing Magazine in 2007. In the past 14 years, he has experienced all aspects of the fastener industry-interviewing key figures in the industry, visiting leading companies and exhibitions around the world.

Will manages the content strategy of all platforms and is the guardian of the magazine's prestigious high editorial standards.

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