High-performance applications require robust connections

Software drives increase in custom bolts

Broad and complete. That is the best description for the range of joining materials from Kobout in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. With the further deepening of the range of electrolytically galvanized SB bolts, Kobout is now truly a one-stop shop. Combined with the high service level, the webshop and the scan-to-order solution for companies, Kobout is a preferred supplier of many construction companies.

"The great advantage of Kobout as a supplier of joining materials is that we can put through large quantities, deliver quickly and actually have any desired joining solution in stock." Speaking is Leendert Vermeulen, account manager at Kobout. "We have now expanded that stock even further to include a large number of diameters and lengths of electrogalvanized SB bolts." As machines, structures and applications become increasingly high-value and the load on joints must be increasingly robust, Kobout now has a very wide range of products. It has some 30,000 connection products in stock.

Finding what you are looking for

A machine shop, greenhouse builder or any other type of construction company usually has their own technical knowledge and the software to determine exactly what bolts, nuts, screws, anchors, et cetera are needed for each construction or project. "Guaranteed they will find all types of construction bolts within our range, plus any other connecting materials they need," Vermeulen said. He says there are two types of customers. "There are companies that order exactly what they need on a project-by-project basis. Others supply from their own stocks and order bundled for this purpose. Within these two customer groups, there are more and more companies that order SB bolts, on the one hand because they conform to EN 15048 and on the other hand because then they always have everything, bolts and nuts, together."

Needless to say, all bolts and nuts comply with all applicable EN, DIN and ISO standards. If required, they are supplied with all the necessary certificates. Quality is important to Kobout because bolt-nut connections must always meet the highest degree of safety and reliability. Regardless of whether it is a hot-dip galvanized, corrosion-resistant bolt in the steel structure of a large bridge or an electrolytically galvanized bolted connection in a robotic arm that produces cars driving over that bridge. Both require the same reliability. Hence, Kobout works with a select number of suppliers that are strictly monitored. 

High-tech

More and more customers have accessible drawing and design software. As a result, Kobout is seeing an increase in customization, especially in terms of deviating lengths of standard bolts, but that too is no problem for the Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht-based company. In addition to a wide, permanent stock including deviating sizes, it has a large assembly department. "Because we can process modifications on a large scale in house, we also don't waste time turning standardized sizes into customizations," Vermeulen explains. Among stock products, he also sees a growing number of orders through Kobout's own scan-to-order system that allows customers to place their own orders through the Kobout application. "That can even be done per location," indicates Vermeulen, who admits that it all sounds high-tech. As if there are no more people involved, but just the opposite is true. He indicates that many customers have chosen Kobout for years precisely because of the personal contact. "We always work with a fixed contact person per customer. That personal approach is decisive for many companies to choose us. Because we have all our data in order, coupled with a very good, informative and complete webshop and deep stocks, customers never miss out."