Forward Industrial Products Group
Fasteners
Company Overview and Background
Forward Industrial, a business unit operating under TFC and part of AFC Industries, leverages over 60 years of experience in the industrial sector. Established in 1997 as a fastener distributor, the company, based in Birmingham, UK, has significantly expanded its global distribution and manufacturing capabilities. It specializes in delivering comprehensive supply chain management solutions for small components and tooling to manufacturers and assemblers worldwide, maintaining continuity with its original management team and operational premises.
Manufacturing and Product Offerings
Distinguished as one of the few remaining UK cold forging manufacturers of male threaded fasteners, Forward Industrial produces items ranging from 4mm to 400mm long and M2 to M18, across various popular metals. Their core expertise lies in manufacturing and supplying safety-critical special fasteners and precision turned parts, engineered precisely to customer drawings. The company also offers bespoke fabrication and a broad selection of standard and non-standard parts, including 'SEMS' screws, bolts, and security fasteners. A diverse range of materials is utilized, such as Steel, Stainless Steel (304/316/430), Brass, High-tech alloys, Aluminium, Copper, and Phosphor Bronze.
Supply Chain and Inventory Solutions
Forward Industrial provides advanced supply chain and inventory management solutions, including Direct Line Feed (DLF) for continuous parts replenishment and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) with optional on-site vending machines. A key differentiator is their exclusive partnership with Konecranes for the Agilon® system, a patented modular material inventory system. Agilon® automates picking, reduces errors, handles items up to 25kg, and provides real-time stock information via an online portal. Furthermore, the company offers MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) services, covering planned maintenance, production line surveys, and 24/7 engineering support to minimize operational downtime.
Quality Assurance and Industry Engagement
Quality is central to Forward Industrial's operations, underscored by ISO 9001 certification and stringent supplier auditing. Their state-of-the-art inspection lab, featuring Keyance image measurement systems and optical sort machines, ensures meticulous quality control and full traceability, providing comprehensive documentation like ISIRs and PPAP Level 3. Serving demanding sectors such as automotive, aerospace, rail, power generation, and defence, Forward Industrial's R&D department supports product development and offers expert engineering advice. Uniquely, their in-house UK manufacturing capability serves as a critical backup, replicating overseas supply to ensure uninterrupted production for customers during global supply chain disruptions.
