EFDA representation and influence increases

The September assembly of EFDA delegates marked a highly significant milestone in the growth and influence of the European Fastener Distributors’ Association.

Delegates from the national fastener distributor associations of Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom, were joined at the Berlin meeting by the president and secretary of NEVIB - the recently formed fastener importer and distributor association of the Netherlands. NEVIB president, Robert Klaasen, was able to inform EFDA delegates that Dutch association already has 14 members representing around 90% of the country’s fastener importers, and expects to see that level of representation further increase with the addition of at least two more members. NEVIB becomes a full member of the EFDA in 2014, joining Germany’s FDS, France’s Prismefix, Spain’s ADEFI and the UK’s BAFD.

The meeting saw another major development in the reach and influence of EFDA, with the presence of the first two companies to join MEFDA. “More EFDA” is the organisation within EFDA designed specifically for fastener importers and distributors from countries in which there is currently no national association to represent their interests, particularly in European matters including trade defence and other significant regulatory developments impacting fastener distribution businesses throughout Europe. Senior representatives from Heco-Nordiska of Sweden and Marcopol of Poland were very positive about the benefits this new link would provide their companies. In particular they spoke about the important of access to information on European regulatory issues and the opportunity to contribute their own voices to an effective organisation presenting the concerns and opinions of fastener distributors throughout Europe. The two founder members were also keen, having established the relationship with the European Association, to see membership of MEFDA grow rapidly so that their counterparts across Europe could have a stronger voice in Brussels.
EFDA president, Volker Lederer, was upbeat about the value of the assembly, telling attendees: “From my perspective the Assembly of Delegates Meeting was very constructive. It was an important step for the further development of our European organization. Especially I am happy to welcome the new members NEVIB and MEFDA with Marcopol and Heco Nordiska. Your presentations were informative and I am very optimistic that in the future with your participation EFDA will be even more powerful than in the past.”

Fastener importers and distributors wishing to find out more about the benefits of MEFDA membership should contact EFDA General Secretary Helena Melnikov through the EFDA website, www.efda-fastenerdistributors.org