A recap of Fastener Fair Italy 2024: exhibitors share feedback

The fourth edition of Fastener Fair Italy concluded on October 30, 2024, at the CityLife – Allianz MiCo exhibition center in Milan, marking a strong turnout with 214 exhibitors from 19 countries, with Italy, Germany, Turkey, China, and Taiwan among the top participating nations.

Exhibitor profile: from fastener manufacturers to equipment and service providers

 At the fair, most exhibitors were fastener and bolt manufacturers, with some specialized service providers, offering solutions in surface treatment, industrial plants, and furnaces. Machinery manufacturers were fewer, reflecting a focus on finished products.

Attendance and international reach

In terms of attendance, 2,461 visitors walked the aisles of the exhibition center over the two days of the fair. Most attendees were Italian, though professionals from countries such as Germany, France, Spain, and Turkey were also well represented. A noteworthy number of buyers, including those from the automotive sector, were in attendance. The event remains a key hub in Italy for manufacturers, distributors, and technical experts in fastening systems, providing rich opportunities for building business relationships and exploring the latest trends.

Economic climate for the fasteners industry

A recent report by MEPS highlighted the challenges faced by the European fasteners market, with sales down 20-30% compared to the previous year. The downturn in the automotive sector, worsened by weak demand for electric vehicles, has had a considerable impact. European fastener manufacturers also face increasing competition from Asia, particularly China, Taiwan, and more recently, Vietnam. This competitive pressure is fueled by the lack of trade protections in this segment and weak domestic demand in Asian countries, prompting their producers to seek markets elsewhere.

Exhibitor impressions

We interviewed some Fastener Fair Italy exhibitors to gather their impressions of the event:

"Attending Fastener Fair Italy allowed Carlo Salvi to celebrate its 85th anniversary while reaffirming our commitment to innovation and value creation with our clients. Looking ahead, our machines focus on high performance, durability, and reliability, closely aligned with Industry 5.0 principles." Watch the video for more insights >>
— Federico Uslenghi, Carlo Salvi S.p.A. (Hatebur Group)

"Exhibiting at Fastener Fair in Milan allows us to showcase new sector-specific projects, strengthen relationships with current clients, and connect with new prospects to expand our business. We observe that fastener companies increasingly seek specialized software solutions, and the market is rewarding our efforts: SMEs need software developed by another experienced SME (and Fastdev has over 40 years of experience in software) that truly understands their needs and provides ongoing support and updates in line with market demands."
— Luciano Ronzoni, Fastdev

"Fastener Fair Italy has a manageable scale. As a first-time experience, we are pleased: we had mostly Italian visitors and some interest from screw manufacturers in our metal heat treatment systems. We received concrete proposal requests from three of these contacts."
— Daniele Pizzol, IVR Industrial Furnaces & Automation

"At the fair, our primary goal was to strengthen Metallurgica Locatelli’s position as a qualified supplier for screw and bolt manufacturers while enhancing existing business relationships. We partially achieved this goal, as many contacts are still developing, but we are optimistic about future results…”  Read more here >>
— Giovanni Locatelli, Metallurgica Locatelli

"For Officine Riva, attending Fastener Fair Italy is essential - it’s the ideal opportunity to meet clients and suppliers in one place and connect directly with purchasing departments. This year, we had several meetings scheduled, and while new business contacts were fewer, their quality was high. The second day was busier, and although we anticipated a larger turnout, we’re satisfied overall. Our team, from Market Development to General Management, Quality, and Technical Departments, engaged in valuable discussions for continuous growth. The edition included Phoebe's exclusive debut. Phoebe, meaning 'bright, shining, light' is a sculpture by Sonia Scaccabarozzi crafted with our products. It symbolizes the past, present, and future of Officine Riva, with each piece representing a unique team member, reinforcing our commitment to gender equality, business continuity, and social and ethical responsibility."
— Valentina Fontana, Officine Riva Spa

Next stop: Stuttgart

Attention now shifts to Fastener Fair Global, set for March 25-27, 2025, in Stuttgart, Germany. As the flagship event of the series organized by RX, it is one of the world’s premier gatherings in the fastening systems sector. The fair will provide a comprehensive industry overview, showcasing innovative products and advanced manufacturing processes. It will be an ideal opportunity to connect with key industry players, create new business opportunities, and delve into global trends reshaping the market, such as automation and sustainability.