AFT Industries has acquired the experience and capabilities of Illini Metal Works to add to their long list of quality services. It will be renamed AFT Manufacturing. Located in Taylorville, Illinois, Illini Metal Works has years of experience in sheet metal fabrication and stamping. Now joining with the capabilities of AFT Fasteners and Automated Finishing Technology, AFT Manufacturing's sheet metal fabrication are a perfect fit into a tight group of companies that have the capabilities to produce high quality parts and products with experience based results.

In mid-August of this year AFT Fasteners added Illini Metal Works of Illinois to its holdings to become AFT Manufacturing. With the addition of this new partnership, AFT Fasteners now includes the ability of high quality sheet metal fabrication, stamping and forming. With a thorough knowledge of metal forming, aluminum and steel to stainless and alloy, AFT Manufacturing will be able to produce the highest quality products in the quickest possible turn-around time. Their skilled craftsmen employ specialized equipment to produce everything from single custom orders to high volume runs. AFT Manufacturing will be capable of producing precision fabrication of complex components to larger orders of super-sized products.

AFT Manufacturing believes in the philosophy of starting projects with professional engineering and design. Before any project begins there is a great deal of planning. Working from customers' prints or their own professionally engineered designs, AFT Manufacturing helps customers with all of the production logistics. They also specialize in sheet metal fabrication which includes: stamping, cutting, welding, forming, shearing, finishing, painting, heat treating, sub assembly and final assembly. AFT Manufacturing is efficient at short run prototype runs or large quantity production runs.

AFT Manufacturing is part of a metal fabrication, stamping, manufacturing, importing, distribution, plating and industrial services company “All-in-One”, offering turn-key cost effective solutions to our customers. AFT also can supply high-quality standard, non-standard and specialty fasteners and hardware products. AFT serves customers with sales and distribution centers throughout the United States, so this allows them to provide expedited service and products . Please email AFT's professional sales staff at info@aft-com or call (877) 844-8595 for information on how AFT Manufacturing can provide companies with high quality metal fabrication, stamping and finishing.

AFT Fasteners is pleased to promote a large selection of security fasteners, screws and products. Security fasteners, as the name indicates, are fasteners that provide an added level of security by their drive design that prevents removal with ordinary screw drivers. AFT distributes Tamperproof Screw Company products, and they are American made. We offer a variety of security fastener head-styles, drives and matching tools for their installation and removal. Screws are available in sheet metal and machine threads.

Tamper-Resistant Security Screws can save you thousands of dollars - by fighting off pilferage, tampering or unauthorized adjustments on scores of items. AFT offers Tamperproof Screw Company's complete line of corrosion-resistant security screws designed to prevent vandalism and theft, yet allow easy access by authorized personnel with matching tools. These screws are virtually impossible to remove without the special matching screwdrivers. Some examples of the types of screws available are:

• Snake Eyes Spanner

• Phillips Pin-Head

• Socket Pin-Head

• Torx® Pin-Head

• Tri-Wing ®

• Opsit Reverse Thread

• One-Way Slotted

• TP3 Security

• Spanner Nuts, Break-Away and Security Nuts

• Installation and Removal Tools

As well as screws, security and tamper resistant bolts and socket head cap screws are also available. AFT also has its own plating facility and can coat, spray or plate with many different applications - black oxide, silver, Xylan, etc.

AFT Fasteners is a fastener manufacturing, importing, distribution, plating and industrial services company “All-in-One”, offering turn-key cost effective solutions to our customers. AFT also supplies high-quality standard, non-standard and specialty fasteners and hardware products. AFT serves customers with sales and distribution centers throughout the United States, and this allows them to provide expedited security and tamper resistant fasteners. Please contact AFT's professional sales staff or call (877) 844-8595 for information on how AFT Fasteners can provide you with high quality tamper resistant fasteners. 

AFT Fasteners carries a large line-up of Threaded Rod, also known as “All-Thread Rod”. ASTM standards can easily be met by AFT Fasteners for petroleum applications, construction, fabrication, electrical and consumer product manufacturing. Standard and non-standard sizes, course or fine threads and most industry desired platings and coatings are readily available from global solutions providers - AFT Fasteners.

     Threaded rod is a widely used and very versatile product. It is generally used in several industries, including chemical, electrical, construction, agricultural, maintenance and even home use. All-thread rod eliminates the need for such on site resources as threading equipment, dies, and most importantly time. It is produced with threads rolled under high pressure to give greater strength and can be used with standard nuts and washers. Generally the rod can be cut with a metal cutting hack saw or a power band saw, and with clean saw cuts the nut will move easily over the threads. Rougher cutting devices may require chamfering to bevel the ends for ease of threading washers and nuts. AFT Fasteners provides threaded rod in standard 36" lengths, as well as specialty length which are cut to request.
     Grades of all-thread rod vary, and the most common grades include: ASTM A193 - B7 Alloy, Low Carbon Steel, Zinc Plated, Hot Dipped Galvanized, 18-8 Stainless Steel and 316 Stainless Steel. The most common is ASTM A193 B7 Studs and Rods. This grade has a tensile strength of 125,000 psi and is a heat treated alloy. It is generally used in applications where strength or high strength to weight ratio is required. This grade is a favorite for petroleum and oil field industries, and B7 is widely used in commercial plant applications and new construction projects for pipe and machinery installation and maintenance. The stainless steel grades of threaded rod are used when excellent corrosion resistance and strength are required. Used primarily in chemical, food, mechanical, agricultural and medical applications. With an in-house plating and coating facility, Xylan and other popular threaded rod coatings are very affordable!

     AFT Fasteners is a fastener manufacturing, importing, distribution, plating and industrial services company “All-in-One”, offering turn-key cost effective solutions to our customers. AFT also supplies high-quality standard, non-standard and specialty fasteners and hardware products. AFT serves customers with sales and distribution centers throughout the United States, and this allows them to provide expedited all-thread rod and other heavy duty fasteners. Please contact AFT's professional sales staff or call (877) 844-8595 for information on how AFT Fasteners can provide you with high quality B7 stud and threaded rod.

     Stainless steel fasteners, stainless steel bolts, stainless steel screws, stainless steel nuts, stainless steel cap screws....The list is just too long to mention. Even the St. Louis's Gateway Arch is covered in stainless steel. What is the reason that this lustrous metal has become a staple of American and worldwide manufacturing?? It's obvious from the name: STAINLESS STEEL.

     Stainless steel differs from carbon steel by the amount of chromium present. Unprotected carbon steel rusts readily when exposed to air and moisture. Stainless steels contain sufficient chromium to form a passive film of chromium oxide, which prevents further surface corrosion and blocks corrosion from spreading into the metal's internal structure. Instead of making you READ about the miracle properties and applications of stainless steel, we at AFT Fasteners have decided to share a great little video about the production of stainless steel and its manufacturing process. Relax and enjoy!!

     Now that we all have a good grasp on how stainless steel is created, we can get down to REAL WORLD applications. AFT Fasteners has been in business for decades - providing stainless steel hardware of all types and sizes. AFT specializes in offering a variety of 18-8, 304 and 316 stainless steels for numerous industries. Everything from aerospace, construction, auto and marine manufacturing and the list goes on and on and on.

     AFT Fasteners offers not just stainless steel but SOLUTIONS to your manufacturing projects and processes - inventory, machining, kitting and global sourcing for everything from crates to mill shipments. Contact our knowledgeable and friendly sales staff at 469-865-2800 for a quote on a solution for your stainless steel needs.

- The AFT Team

The 2012 year has seen several new partnerships between AFT Fasteners and industry leading vendors, and this upward momentum is also being boosted by the addition of several increased product lines. AFT Fasteners has expanded its sources and offerings of brass fittings, brass valves, metal stops and other brass fastener products. This expansion in brass fitting products will provide an even larger assortment of fasteners for AFT's commercial plumbing, HVAC, Oil Field and Hydraulic customers.

     Brass has been the metal of choice for many industrial components when corrosion resistance, manufacturing malleability and lifetime durability are of great importance. Brass fittings, heavy fittings, barbs, valves, cocks, ferrules, stops and nipples are used in everything from HVAC, air compression systems, heavy machinery, oil field plumbing and hydraulic routing systems. AFT Fasteners has worked to become a great source for all different styles and sizes of brass fittings.

     AFT Fasteners is a fastener manufacturing, importing, distribution, plating and industrial services company “All-in-One”, offering turn-key cost effective solutions to our customers. AFT also supplies high-quality standard, non-standard and specialty fasteners and hardware products. AFT serves customers with sales and distribution centers throughout the United States, and this allows them to provide expedited brass fittings and valves all over the United States. Please contact AFT's professional sales staff or call (877) 844-8595 for information on how AFT Fasteners can provide your business with the highest quality Brass Fittings and products.

- The AFT Team

AFT Fasteners has joined the outstanding group of distributors for Powers Fasteners. Powers Fasteners started in 1921 and currently is the leading supplier of concrete and masonry anchors and fastening systems in North America. Powers has extensive engineering and manufacturing expertise in several product groups, including mechanical anchors, adhesive anchoring systems and powered forced-entry systems such as powder-actuated and gas fastening systems.

AFT Fasteners has proudly partnered with a true industry leader in Powers Fasteners. Powers Fasteners is a top brand name in concrete masonry anchors and structural construction fastening systems, and AFT is well known internationally for its professional sales staff and its ability to provide solutions to manufacturers' problems. The goal of AFT, as a Powers distributor, is to successfully promote Powers Fasteners numerous products. In order to accomplish this goal, AFT utilizes the high quality promotional, marketing and training materials of Powers' Sales and Marketing teams. Powers is very involved in the education of its distributors, so that they might better serve the end-users who design, engineer and construct concrete and masonry structures.

The ISO certified products that will be distributed also speak volumes for themselves. The ease of marketing and customer satisfaction is greatly enhanced with such patented fasteners as Power-Bolt®, Lok-Bolt®, Power-Stud®, Wedge-Bolt®, Chem-Stud®, the Trak-It® series tool guns and more.

Engineering reference and software are also made available through Powers' revolutionary PDA (Powers Design Assist) software and the Powers Technical Manual for the Design Professional. Both of these references provide engineers with code compliant solutions to their anchor fasteners applications and requirements.

AFT Fasteners is a fastener manufacturing, importing, distribution, plating and industrial services company “All-in-One”, offering turn-key cost effective solutions to our customers. AFT also supplies high-quality standard, non-standard and specialty fasteners and hardware products. AFT serves customers with sales and distribution centers throughout the United States, and this allows them to provide expedited structural and concrete anchoring fasteners. Please contact AFT's professional sales staff or call (877) 844-8595 for information on how AFT Fasteners can provide your business with the highest quality Powers Fasteners.

The 2012 AmCon Design and Manufacturing Expos are now underway. AFT Fasteners will be exhibiting at this year's Houston, Texas AmCon Expo June 6-7 at the Reliant Energy Center. AmCon shows are well known for bringing “job shops” and contract manufacturers together with regional OEM buyers, designers and engineers for finding solutions to their most difficult design and production goals.

Reliant Energy Center, Hall E - Houston, Texas

AmCon has been producing quality manufacturing trade shows since 1987, and AFT Fasteners will be at Reliant Center June 6-7 to meet with some of Houston's top manufacturing engineers and product developers. AmCon trade shows and expos are the perfect opportunity for designers and engineers to locate sources for forming, fabrication, machining, engineering, prototyping, finishing, assembly and electronic manufacturing. AFT Fasteners and Industrial Solutions will be featuring industry name brand products such as Kipp Adjustable Handles & Components, Power Fasteners and Martin Steel Hand Tools, to name a few. AFT looks forward to discussing these and other great products and services at Booth 301, Hall E in the Reliant Center.

AFT Fasteners and Martin Tools, a subsidiary of Martin Sprocket and Gear, have forged a customer driven relationship and are set to deliver American made industrial steel hand tools. Martin Sprocket and Tools produces the highest quality forged steel tools in the world. These tools are sought after internationally and are produced right here in North America and will now be distributed by the trusted team of AFT Fasteners and Industrial Products.

Click to download the Martin Hand Tools Catalog

For over 50 years Martin Sprocket and Gear, Inc. has produced some of the top quality sprockets, gears and hand tools in the world. They live by the philosophy "American made products to support American industry". Martin Tools also has a wide reaching distribution and support network spanning the entire North American continent. AFT is proud to be established as a distributor of these American forged and quality manufactured tools.

Just as in all manufacturing, the end products are the direct result of the materials that go into making them. Martin Tools uses top grade American forged steel in producing its line of tools. When a customer sees the Martin stamp on a wrench, socket set, or other body & fender tools they know immediately that they are in the presence of top quality American made tools. Martin Tools has over 20 United States manufacturing and sales locations. Together with AFT Fasteners multiple distribution centers, customer service and satisfaction are a local endeavor. Starting this month, AFT will be making available the entire Martin hand tools line up.

The parts manufactured by Martin are fully certified, providing traceability and complete documentation as needed. Quality assurance at Martin is documented and ensures that each forging meets with the highest standards set forth by Martin. Martin provides full heat treat capabilities including batch type, or atmospherically controlled, depending on the desired mechanical and physical properties needed in the forging.

AFT Fasteners is a fastener manufacturing, importing, distribution, plating and industrial services company “All-in-One”, offering turn-key cost effective solutions to our customers. AFT also supplies high-quality standard, non-standard and specialty fasteners and hardware products. AFT serves customers with sales and distribution centers throughout the United States, and this allows them to provide expedited industrial tools, services and parts. Please contact AFT's professional sales staff or call (877) 844-8595 for information on how AFT Fasteners can provide your business with the highest quality industrial hand tools available.

- The AFT Team

The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has been dedicated to improving trailer safety and performance for more than 20 years. The NATM represents manufacturers that produce towed trailers and provides a voice for trailer manufacturers when issues of trailer safety and regulation are considered by Congress and relevant government agencies. AFT Fasteners joins the NATM in their goals to encourage compliance with all mandatory federal regulations and safety standards, as well as promoting adherence to industry safety standards.

AFT Fasteners has joined the elite group of National Association of Trailer Manufacturers members who operate facilities in 45 states and the District of Columbia. These facilities collectively employ more than 210,000 Americans. AFT Fasteners joined the NATM recently and is already involved in ensuring that products meet or exceed those standards and federal regulations covering certification labels, tires & wheels, brakes, lighting, reflectors & conspicuity, underride protection, and cargo securement. In addition, NATM compliance requirements examines whether the trailer manufacturing process in place can meet industry accepted manufacturing standards and practices covering safety chains, couplers, electrical components, warning labels and consumer information.

These hardware and manufacturing parts required to meet and exceed the NATM's safety requirements are available at AFT Fasteners. AFT is specialized in providing Department of Transportation (DOT) reflective conspicuity tape and adhesive logos to meet state and federal requirements, as well as user safety devices such as gravel guard and anti-slip decking, flooring and surfaces. Safety requirements are often exceeded by offering trailer manufacturers services that enable them to concentrate on the manufacturing process and leave the testing and kitting of parts such as ramp gate kits, latching and pin assemblies and all the required testing and verification of parts. AFT Fasteners is looking forward to working with an agency whose mission statement is to improve future safety and performance, address regulatory issues, enhance the image of the industry, provide educational materials and informative manufacturing tools to its members.

AFT Fasteners is a fastener manufacturing, importing, distribution, plating and industrial services company “All-in-One”, offering turn-key cost effective solutions to our customers. AFT also supplies high-quality standard, non-standard and specialty fasteners and hardware products. AFT serves customers with sales and distribution centers throughout the United States, and this allows them to provide expedited trailer industry parts and hardware. Please contact AFT's professional sales staff at info@aft-corp.com or call (877) 844-8595 for information on how AFT Fasteners can provide your business with high quality trailer manufacturing parts and services.

- AFT Team