Assortment greatly expanded

Aramfix, the Dutch supplier of fasteners, has significantly expanded its services and products. What started with supplying "nuts and bolts" has grown into a company that provides customers worldwide with full service in construction and infrastructure projects. Martijn Wirken, owner and director of Aramfix, talks about the new direction. 

Aramfix is known for its ability to source and deliver fasteners anywhere in the world at the most competitive prices. "We always jokingly say that we only sell nuts and bolts," Wirken says. "But the reality is that we are a highly complex technology company managing a global distribution network. We make sure every box of screws gets to the right place exactly on time, anywhere in the world."

In recent months, Aramfix has taken on a broader focus. "It doesn't stop at a bolt," Wirken explains. "Because a bolt also requires a hole to be drilled, and that involves all kinds of other materials, such as tapping, sealants and grinding tools. So we now supply the full range of construction materials, from steel construction bolts to safety equipment such as helmets and gloves."

To supply safety products, Aramfix works closely with Portwest, a renowned supplier of personal protective equipment. This partnership enables Aramfix to offer not only screws and bolts, but also products such as helmets, gloves and safety vests, which are essential on construction sites. "Portwest supplies us with their full range of protective equipment, such as safety vests, cut-resistant gloves and fall protection equipment," explains Wirken."

Technical Support

What sets Aramfix apart from the average wholesaler is the way the company completely unburdens its customers. They offer not only the materials, but also the advice and technical support needed to successfully complete a project. "We know what's available where and at what price, and we can put that competitively at any location," says Wirken. "

Because of their extensive knowledge of materials science and international laws and regulations, Aramfix can also offer alternatives that meet the same stringent requirements but are often much cheaper. "We can offer alternatives that are just as good as the prescribed products, but at a much lower price. This allows a client to increase their margin," Wirken said. "At Aramfix, we calculate the prices of our products based on a detailed analysis of production costs," Wirken continued. "We start by identifying the exact cost of materials and production. We do this by working directly with manufacturers worldwide. This way we know exactly how much it costs to make a product, including raw materials, labor and logistics."

Wirken further explains that the company often uses the production methods and materials that are most cost-effective for a specific job. "For example, if we need a plastic component, we ask the manufacturer to calculate the production cost based on the weight of the material and the production steps required. We then add only the necessary margins, without unnecessary middlemen."

Stringent standards

This approach enables Aramfix to offer very competitive prices, often significantly lower than the market standard. "Many companies in Western Europe no longer have a clear idea of what products should actually cost," notes Wirken. "We break through that by direct sourcing and by letting our customers benefit from our transparent pricing strategy. This ensures that they know exactly what they are paying for, with no hidden costs."

Another important aspect of Aramfix's services is their ability to comply with strict international regulations, such as the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) in the United States, for example. DFARS establishes requirements for the origin of materials and mandates that products for U.S. government projects must come from NATO or allied countries.

"We work for several clients that require DFARS compliance, which means that the materials we supply must meet specific manufacturing and sourcing requirements," Wirken says. "This is especially important for projects with a military or strategic background, where the provenance of materials is crucial."

Hardness Tester

For this reason, Aramfix has invested heavily in inspection equipment and processes to ensure that their products meet all the stringent standards. "For example, we have recently purchased new hardness testers to produce digital reports that show that our products meet the set specifications. This gives our customers assurance that they are working with compliant materials, which is essential in critical industries such as defense and infrastructure."

In addition, Aramfix's strength lies in their advanced supply chain management. The company does not have its own inventory or fleet of vehicles, but instead uses global distribution channels to deliver the right materials on time and at the most competitive prices. "We take all the loose links out of the supply chain and take our customers directly to the source," says Wirken. 

This makes Aramfix much more than a distributor of fasteners. In fact, it is a technology company that operates worldwide. Through smart purchasing and extensive material knowledge, Aramfix offers not only competitive prices, but also solutions that meet the highest standards. "We solve problems," concludes Wirken.