26
TFTA hosts international conference
alongside national meeting
From report by Ting Yu Chang, Fastener World Magazine
Photographs by Eric Liu
The Taiwan Fastener Trading Association (TFTA) held its National Members
Conference on December 12th at the Tainan Tayih Landis Hotel and an
international conference with European and US associations at the offices
of Fastener World magazine.
260 TFTA members attended the National Conference, which was co-hosted
by Mr. David Horng, chairman of TFTA, and Mr. Steven Fang, director of TFTA.
Guests from the European Fastener Distributor Association (EFDA) and the
National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA) of the USA were welcomed
by fifteen members of the Taiwanese fastener industry – demonstrating the
already warm relationship among the three associations.
Geoff Hopwood,
Opening the National Members Conference was a small-scale exposition for
vice president of EFDA.
surface treatment, with exhibitors including Alltech Engineered Finish, Chung
Sheng, Geomet, Hsien Shun, Jioou Nain Shiouh, Modern Alloy Plating, Nanmat,
ND industries, Taiwan Self-Locking, Tebolon, Thian Yu Chen, Sheng Chang.
At the enthusiastic invitation of David Horng, president of TFTA, Geoff
Hopwood, vice president of EFDA, and Bernd K. Stapf, secretary of EFDA both
gave a speech to the conference. Mr Hopwood addressed the issues of
“Changed Parameters for European Distribution”. Mr Stapf provided the
conference with a detailed report on the EU anti-dumping case against
fasteners from China.
John Wu,
Mr. Mark Shannon, president of NFDA, also gave the speech about “Changes
former president of TIFI.
in the Global Market”, a fascinating presentation which won enthusiastic
feedback from the audience. Providing a detailed assessment of the US
economic conditions and implications for fastener distributors Mr Shannon
presented a list of ‘Survival Tactics’, which included keeping inventories low
and maximising turns; gaining market share in emerging or strengthening
market sectors, which include aerospace, medical manufacturing and self-
service; reducing expenses, controlling cash and evaluating long term that
Bernd K. Stapf,
impact expenses. Turning to the impact of the US presidential election he
secretary of EFDA.
expected that markets, as usually happens, would stay soft through the
inauguration period. He believed that government spending increases could
impact positively in the short term but that increased taxes could have a stifling
effect on the economy in the longer term. Barak Obama is a relatively
unknown politician, he added, so ‘wait and see’ was required.
In conclusion Mr Shannon outlined a range of ways in which the three
associations could continue to develop their cooperation, emphasising that “In
Mark Shannon, president of
a global environment things change quickly. We need to anticipate change,
NFDA, & David Horng,
plan for it and share what we have learned.”
chairman of TFTA.
Also highly deserving of mention, Mr. John Wu, former president of Taiwan
Industrial Fastener Institute (TIFI), was invited to attend this annual event and
flew back especially from New Zealand. He talked about how to be a “happy
fastener-ist”. He said, “I bring three tips, hoping they can help every guest to
overcome the economic slump.
Tip 1: Now is the best time for companies to carry out internal reorganisation,
machinery maintenance and repair, and to make an inventory for raw
material, finished products, and semi-finished products.
Tip 2: Maintain close relationship with customers, spontaneously show your
care, and provide better service quality.
Tip 3: Quoting the biblical proverb, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,
but a broken spirit drieth the bones”, he encouraged fastener
manufacturers to keep healthy and cheerful, and listen to more classical
Steven Fang,
music. More prayer is fine medicine, he added, since prayers
director of TFTA.
will bring safety and joy.”
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