The October meeting of the British Association of Fastener Distributors will focus on why certain types of fasteners are vulnerable to failure, why the causes are not always as straightforward as is sometimes assumed and what fastener companies can do both technically and legally to minimize exposure to consequential liability claims. A special trail membership package opens this very important meeting to UK fastener distributors generally.

As events in San Francisco over recent months have dramatically demonstrated the consequences of fastener failure can be massive and extraordinary expensive. Fastener suppliers are often the first to be accused of responsibility even though subsequent investigation may prove that environmental factors were a major contribution.

Bill Eccles of Bolt Science, recognized as one of the UK’s leading specialist in fastener failure analysis, will look specifically at failure as a result of hydrogen embrittlement, exploring both causes emanating from the production and coating of high strength fasteners and environmental contamination of these fasteners once in application and under stress. He will also identify fastener types particularly vulnerable to these types of failure.

BAFD has also invited a senior partner of a UK contract and business law practice to explore what fastener companies should look out for in customer contracts and how they should approach their own conditions of sale and business practice to minimize the risk of consequential liability claims, which in today’s litigious culture can easily run into millions. The Association is also hoping to have a speaker considering liability insurance and how best to ensure fastener companies are best covered.

The meeting is open to all BAFD members but, in view of the significance of the topics under discussion to fastener distributors generally, the Association is offering a limited number of three-month trail memberships including lunch and meeting attendance for one delegate, for GB￡100 + VAT. Fastener distributors taking up this offer, as well as potentially saving their business many times more than this cost, will have the first hand chance to understand what BAFD offers, get to know existing members, and have the option to confirm membership on a pro-rated basis for the balance of the year.

The BAFD meeting will be held on Thursday 17th October 2013 at the Menzies Welcome Hotel, Stratford upon Avon. Members and guests are welcomed with a buffet lunch from 12:45. The meeting starts at 14:00 and continues until around 17:30.