About Us

The Bossard Group is a global group of companies. It is still molded by members of the founding family, now represented by the seventh generation. The holding company, Bossard Holding AG, has its headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, and is quoted on the Swiss stock exchange. Bossard has around 1600 employees, engaged in the global procurement and sale of every type of fastening element. Bossard also provides engineering and logistical services associated with these products. We also offer our industrial customers the full range of solutions in product management and logistics of C-parts. Bossard is among the market leaders in our sector in each of the three global economic regions of Europe, America and the Asia-Pacific area. In those markets where we are not present through our own companies we work through partners in our alliance. Our range of services provides the perfect complement to our partners' own competence. This means that we can provide for our multinationally active industrial customers, wherever they have a presence.

Company History Growth of the Bossard Group Change from trading in silk to trading in hardware 1831 - 1951 1951 - 1961 1961 - 1971 1971 - 1981 local, regional specialist business transition from regional to national specialist business major growth in business volume internationalisation new services in technical wholesaling and engineering 1981 - 1991 qualitative growth, new technologies 1987 quotation of the Bossard Holding AG on the Swiss stock exchange since 1999 an internationally active group of companies with its head office in Zug, Switzerland. specialised in industrial assembly technology.

Development

From a local handwork business in Zug to a Swiss industrial business and an international trading concern 1831 in 1831 Franz Kaspar Bossard-Kolin set up a hardware store in the Kolinplatz in Zug. The former silk trading business - taken over from his father-in-law - was closed down. Old business letters provide evidence of this. Kolinplatz 1831

The first hundred years The hardware store kept its local character. Private individuals and local workshops in Zug could find tools, fittings and screws here - everything which a classic hardware store keeps in stock.

In the 60's

The 1930's and 1940's - Regional During World War II the imports of iron gradually dried up, so that hardware dealers had to look for new opportunities in other sectors. The new focus of activities became: screws, tools and fittings. The business base began to spread out. More and more industrial companies decided to choose this reliable supplier - soon firms from all over Switzerland were doing the same. The healthy growth resulted in a steady stream of new business units, locations and buildings. Bossard became a national company with a global procurement network.

The 1960's and 1980's - from Regional to National An efficient export organisation was set up. An international network of bases was developed. Globalisation of sales marketing brings steady growth. "Wholesale Technical Trading, Engineering and Assembly Automation" - the company's new range of products and services, expressed in a nutshell. In the 70's Listing on the stock exchange In 1987 part of the bearer shares owned by the holding company Bossard Gruppe AG were put up for sale to the public in an IPO. The bearer shares have been quoted on the Zurich stock exchange since then. Review of core competences - Globalization / Internationalization The recession at the beginning of the 1990's led to a drop in the performance data for 1991/92. This in turn led Bossard to make a comprehensive review of its entire organisation. This in turn led to the company focussing on our acutal core competences in the fastening technology, and

to the gradual selling-off of all its tools, fittings and handicraft units. At the same time, Bossard established and extended business in USA, Asia and Europe.

Core Competence

The magic of competence in fastening technology The three-stage service package: Products, Engineering and Logistics The provision of fastening elements is a service which customers really appreciate. Competent technical advice on design and assembly (Engineering) and a polished optimisation procedure (Logistics) round off this full service package to provide a unique service in the world of fastening technology.

1) Products
Products: Simple and reliable procurement, worldwide, and to a consistent quality Screws and fastening elements have been our business for more than 180 years. We maintain a global procurement network of highly qualified manufacturers who keep a special eye on quality and assurance of supply. This means that we have available several possible sources of supply for all locations. The fine distribution network with its many closely connected locations guarantees our customers around the world an excellent relationship between price, availability and quality. Bossard's product documentation is seen as a benchmark by the branch. It's available in print, in different languages, and can also be referred to online, around the clock, via the Internet. We are the first company in this branch of industry to meet the quality assurance criteria of ISO 9001, all over the world. This, together with other, country-specific certifications, gives our customers security and allows them to do away with cost-intensive controls and tests. For companies that are active multinationally it can be particularly important to be able to depend on consistent quality.

2) Engineering
Engineering: Better products, lower costs

Calling on the help of specialists in fastening technology at an early stage in the development of a new product will help you avoid substantial production and assembly costs. Our engineers study ways of optimising the range of stock kept in order to reduce the variety of parts held. They also check to see where the use of multifunctional parts can simplify production and assembly. Recommendations on materials and measures designed to provide protection against corrosion, details on how to secure fastened joints, notes on optimal conditions for assembly - these all lead to a lasting increase in the quality of our customer's end products and at the same time help optimise the costs of production. Rationalisation in development and construction Causes of costs Factors influencing costs

Design and development 10%

Design and development 70%

Production and assembly 90 %

Production and assembly 30 %

3) Logistics
Logistics: Higher productivity, lower stock inventory Studies show that the cost of the fastening element itself makes up only around 15% of the total cost of a connection. Logistics and technical costs account for the remaining 85%. This 15/85 rule is the idea behind all our services. Bossard helps to reduce or eliminate costs along the whole procurement and value-added chain. The logistics systems which we have developed simplify procurement, reduce inventory and prevent the occurrence of bottlenecks in supplies. One of these developments which has considerable potential is SmartBin: Sensors continuously monitor the level in the containers and where needed automatically trigger the repeat order. SmartBin is based on experienced gained in more than ten years of using proven solutions such as the Kanban two-container system, the Kanban bar code or the Kanban card. C-Parts Management: Trend towards full supply from a single source This is a constant and continuing development. The latest development is called Bossard Inventory Management (BIM) and is our answer to the worldwide trend towards complete C-part management. The three-part service package allows us to put into practice the competences which we have acquired, in the form of a full supply offer, and to position ourselves within the framework of single-source concepts as a provider of comprehensive C-part management.

Products

Hexalobular socket screws

4

Hex cap screws and bolts

5

Nuts, Hex lock nuts

6

Bolts, Plugs Slotted machine screws, Cross recessed machine screws

8

Threaded rods, Slotted set screws, Stud bolts

9

Washers

10

Dowel pins, Rivets, Split pins

Self-tapping screws, Selfdrilling screws, Thread forming screws

12

Wood screws

11

13

Fasteners and locking elements in stainless steel

14

Fasteners made of Brass, Copper, Bronze, Aluminium

15

Fasteners made of plastic

Thread Locking

Operating elements, Spring loaded ball plunger

Manufacturing Process The coils made of various materials like steel,iron ,aluminium etc. are used for the manufacturing of bolts and nuts and washers.

The manufacturing process include steps explained below: 1) Forging- It is a manufacturing process involving the shaping of metal using localized
compressive forces. Forging is often classified according to the temperature at which it is performed: "cold", "warm", or "hot" forging. Forged parts can range in weight from less than a kilogram to 580 metric tons. Forged parts usually require further processing to achieve a finished part.

2)