Volt Industrial Plastics Inc says that it has consistently met and exceeded the challenges of the plastic fastener manufacturing industry – which have evolved considerably since the company was established in 1992 – to become a reliable source for precision plastic fasteners that enable customers to reduce the weight, cost and assembling complexities of their products.
Volt Industrial Plastics Inc says that it has consistently met and exceeded the challenges of the plastic fastener manufacturing industry – which have evolved considerably since the company was established in 1992 – to become a reliable source for precision plastic fasteners that enable customers to reduce the weight, cost and assembling complexities of their products.
Volt Industrial Plastics Inc, based in Yellville, Arkansas, USA, manufactures all of its products in-house meaning that they are ‘American Made’ and have been since the company was established. The company’s range of products includes plastic screws, nuts (both standard and metric), license plate screws and nuts, Christmas tree clips, rivets, wire and cable routing clips, printed circuit board hardware, dowels, washers, spacers, tapped spacer, and many other fasteners for customers all over the world.
A key factor in Volt’s success has been the commitment of Joe Volltrauer, CEO at Volt, to continually reinvest the company’s profits back into the business to purchase state of the art equipment and to enable facility upgrades – to ensure that Volt remains competitive in the global marketplace.
This programme of reinvestment enabled Volt to experience growth during the recent economic recession when many other companies where struggling. Due to this growth – which saw an increase in demand for Volt’s short lead times and quality plastic fasteners – the company relocated its manufacturing operations in 2011 to a newly renovated 65,000 square foot (6,000m2) facility.
The new location is over two and half times larger than the previous facility and includes additional warehouse space for raw materials and a finished goods warehouse for approximately one billion plastic fasteners, allowing for same day or next day shipping to customers. The additional manufacturing space in the facility houses the latest technology in tool making and production equipment including EDM machines, top of the line CNC-EDM sinker, a CNC milling centre and CNC lathe. Volt’s production line operates 24 hours a day and the company is able to offer same day shipping for products in stock and three to five day lead time on products that are not in stock.
Volt also has the capability to design and produce unique plastic fasteners and injection moulded parts to customer specifications. Customers for newly engineered, application specific parts are served by a large inventory of tool and die components, as well as a broad raw material inventory.
“Our on-site tooling allows for quick production of custom orders based on specific customer applications. We are able to get new tooling quotes back to customers within 24 hours and are often able to analyse, recommend, quote and have prototypes on the way, whilst competitors are still coming up with a price,” explains Jesse Patterson, tool department manager.
Volt not only has the capability to produce new fastener shapes to custom print, it can also produce them in a wide range of materials to achieve specific ductility or hardness. Volt can mould over 120 different materials and is able to colour match for specific applications. A selection of the materials Volt is able to offer includes:
ABS – A polymer consisting of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene, which can be combined in different ratios to produce a blend tailored to customers’ specific needs.
Nylon – Nylon resins are typically used in applications requiring heat and chemical resistance, as well as toughness. Examples include under the hood automotive components, electrical connectors for the telecommunications and computer industries, as well as components of medical devices.
Polycarbonate – Polycarbonate resin is one of the toughest, most versatile engineering thermoplastics, combining outstanding electrical insulation properties, performance history and economic advantages over other thermoplastics, metals, glass and other materials.
Polypropylene – Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer with low specific gravity and good resistance to chemicals and fatigue. It can be readily coloured, has good tensile strength and proven resistance to acids, alkalis and solvents.
Looking to the future and Volt Industrial Plastics Inc is planning to continue its success. Whilst Joe Volltrauer remains the CEO and driving force behind the company, the daily operations are now overseen by the second generation of the Volltrauer family – with daughter Heidi Volltrauer assuming the role of chief operation officer in 2011.
“The lightweight, heat resistant, non-magnetic, non-corrosive, non-toxic, non-flammable, non-abrasive and non-conducting properties of the versatile polymers used in our plastic fasteners make them invaluable for applications where high tensile holding strength is not the primary requirement,” explains Heidi Volltrauer. “In addition, when customers consider that these characteristics may be further enhanced by chemical and fibre additions to increase strength, hardness, flexibility, as well as temperature and UV resistance, they realise why plastic fasteners are so attractive.”
Heidi adds: “I look forward to a bright future for Volt as we are guided by the customer focused principles and dedicated work ethic established by my father over 20 years ago. Our aim is to maintain our reputation and continue to strive forward as a family owned business.”
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
