Mike Giltrow, CEO of B.E.D. expresses his enthusiasm for this exciting collaboration: "As a leading fastener supplier to industry for the past 4 decades, we have naturally always recognised the importance of bolt torqueing and tensioning. However, without the right supplier expertise, we were cautious. Fortunately, Bolt Torque fits the bill perfectly, and is willing and able to work with us, leveraging our mutual bolt-related strengths and synergies."

Angus Houston, Sales Director and Project Manager at Bolt Torque, shares Giltrow's enthusiasm: "We have been searching for a legitimate national distributor for some time, and this collaboration with B.E.D. is a match made in heaven! With 9 established branches and an excellent existing customer base – which aligns perfectly with our key target markets in mining, energy, power, oil, and gas – it is ideal. The clear customer service orientation and passion B.E.D.'s nationwide team also fits our own operational ethos and approach perfectly," says Houston.

Enhancing service offerings and capabilities

This new distribution agreement is set to significantly enhance B.E.D.'s service offerings and capabilities. Giltrow elaborates: "When bolting or fastening becomes specialised, involving for example larger diameters, high tensile materials, stainless steel and other complex materials or criteria, we can now ensure that bolts or fasteners are properly tightened. We can also offer customers rental equipment with certification, providing a turnkey solution from supplying bolts, torque values: a real 'turn-bolt' service."

Existing and potential customers can expect several specific benefits from B.E.D.'s distribution of Bolt Torque's offerings: "B.E.D.'s reputation for quality and service will now extend to torqueing and tensioning opportunities nationwide," says Giltrow. "We will therefore be adding to the quality of our fasteners by ensuring they are correctly tightened - avoiding problems like overtightening - which can lead to failures. Factors such as lubrication and galvanizing can also affect torque values, and our experts will guide customers through these considerations."

Strategic importance at Electra Mining

Regarding the strategic importance of this collaboration for B.E.D. in the context of the upcoming Electra Mining exhibition, Giltrow notes: "The focus will be on the mining sector, but it is also an excellent opportunity to introduce Bolt Torque – and our collaboration with them - to a wider industrial target market."

Looking to the future, Giltrow sees significant growth in B.E.D.'s bolting-related products and solutions. "We will ensure seamless integration of Bolt Torque's products into our portfolio and distribution network, including proactively educating our Area Sales Managers (ASMs) in terms of Bolt Torque's product portfolio, and its many applications for our customers."

Giltrow observes that such future opportunities could extend – amongst others - to the bearings sector, where B.E.D. is already a very well-known supplier of SKF quality bearings and solutions to a wide variety of industries.

Houston adds: "Electra Mining 2024 will certainly be a pivotal event for us. Appointing B.E.D. as our nationwide distributor allows us to leverage their extensive established customer network and relationships to expand our reach and accessibility across South Africa."

Having Angus Houston representative of Bolt Torque and PLARAD® Torque and Tension Systems on our stand at Electra Mining will be great and provide the ideal platform to familiarise the B.E.D. ASM`s and other key staff with the PLARAD® product range!

B.E.D. customers can now benefit from calibration services, SANAS-certified contracted calibration laboratory in Cape Town. B.E.D. can supply and calibrate torque tools and tensioners of any brand, not just the ones supplied by B.E.D. This includes force calibration for torque tools up to 20,000Nm, as well as single-stage and multi-stage tensioners, measuring gauges, and a wide range of electronic and measuring devices.

'Bolting on' to opportunities

"Specific projects and industries that will benefit from this distribution agreement include upcoming renewable energy projects, refineries, and mining," highlights Angus Houston. "Our products have several key advantages, such as attractive daily rental offerings and the high-quality, globally-recognised PLARAD®  Torque and Tension Systems from Germany. Our long-term rental pricing is also very cost-effective for companies which do not wish to invest capex but require the service.

Houston adds that Bolt Torque's new tooling options are among the world's leading brands, particularly for wind, power, and oil and gas sectors.

Bolt Torque ensures the quality and reliability of its equipment and services through rigorous standards and experience. "With over 30 years of expertise in bolt torqueing and tensioning technology, we ensure that only the highest quality tools are rented out. We will also have spare equipment available at B.E.D. offices to ensure readiness in case of an urgent customer requirement," he says.

Great expectations

Houston concludes with high expectations for Electra Mining 2024 and Bolt Torque's collaboration with B.E.D.: "We will have rental tools and key PLARAD®  tools on display, including the latest Technology PLARAD®  Battery Tools wind turbine tensioners.

We are excited to showcase our products and solutions to visitors and potential customers – and that these will now be available from all of B.E.D.'s branches going forward. The sky is the limit!"