Founded in 1932 as a local store of screws and fittings, baier & michels (b&m), headquartered in Ober-Ramstadt, Germany, has grown to become one of the leading producers of high-quality fastening and sealing technology around the world. With currently 500 employees, the company is active at nine locations in Europe, Asia and North America. Since 1973 b&m is member of the Würth Group.
Interview with Daniel Steigler, Technical Sales Manager at b&m Hungary / Eastern Europe.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Daniel Steigler: The basis is formed by cold extruded parts such as high-performance screws and sealing systems from our own development and manufacturing. Our customers include OEMs and suppliers, primarily from the automotive, electrical and medical technology, as well as tool and plant engineering sectors. b&m provides leading-edge support not only as a producer, but also as a partner – with assembly tests, with application technology consulting, and with specialist training.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
D.S: We are in the course of establishing our new chipless cold forming process b&m-ECCO TEC®. The technology allows rotationally symmetrical components with a wide variety of external contours to be manufactured – not only safely and quickly, but also in a manner that is both resources- and energy-efficient. It is a double win for our customers. Because this is where cost-effectiveness meets sustainability.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
D.S: In addition to dampers and bearings, we offer threaded inserts and bolts as well as blind rivet systems. Moreover, we produce high-performance screws plus closing and sealing systems. b&m’s key competence lies in customer-specific requirements for component connections that cannot be fulfilled with standard market technologies – and which we approach with our own laboratory and development expertise.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
D.S: The main challenges are aspects such as material mix, lightweight construction and sustainability. In this context the task that almost all b&m connection technology solutions are intended to fulfill is: to noticeably improve the interplay of quality, cost efficiency and eco-balance in our customers’ components.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
D.S: Our direct screwing systems solve problems in multi-material constructions – the focus is on plastics, CFRP and metals. Here a concrete example: Thanks to its specific geometry the b&m-TIGHT® is suitable for crash-related components, whether in steel or in aluminum. Another application area involves the b&m-TRIMNUT®: It scores as a unique nut that works as both a fastener and a thread-forming tool. Last but not least, the b&m-KL PLUG® offers simple and efficient assembly without waste generation and also provides a number of other advantages over conventional closing and sealing systems for holes.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
D.S: Last year we already did everything but take it easy. In 2023, b&m is to adacontinue its successful course – and will even go one better. On the one hand, in our core industry, automotive engineering. Here we participate in leading trade fairs, most notably Auto Shanghai, Automotive Hungary and IAA Mobility in Munich. On the other hand, we continue to position ourselves in new markets, e.g. plant engineering and rail transport, but also in construction and agricultural machinery. The b&m team looks forward to demonstrate its expertise at events such as MECSPE in Bologna and Agritechnica in Hanover.
daniel.steigler@baier-michels.com
Mobile: +36 70 207 8844