Insights from MPI Experts
When it comes to industrial applications, fasteners do more than just hold things together—they ensure safety, durability, and performance under extreme conditions. Whether used in aerospace, automotive, construction, or heavy machinery, high-performance fasteners need to meet rigorous quality, strength, and corrosion-resistance standards.
But sourcing these critical components isn’t as simple as ordering off a supplier’s catalog. The challenges include material availability, custom specifications, industry compliance, and ensuring consistency in manufacturing.
To get an insider’s perspective, we sat down with James Rabey, MPI’s Senior Sales & Applications Engineer, and Michael Spencer, MPI’s Senior Buyer, to discuss the real-world challenges of sourcing high-performance fasteners—and how companies can navigate them successfully.
Critical Performance Requirements for High-Performance Fasteners
Ask any engineer about the most important characteristic of a fastener, and you’ll likely hear one answer first: strength.
“Across all applications, strength is always paramount. If a fastener shears off in the operating environment, then no other feature of the fastener is important,” says James Rabey.
Strength isn’t just about choosing the right material—it’s about precision manufacturing and heat treatment to ensure the fastener performs under stress. But strength alone isn’t enough. Corrosion resistance is another key factor, especially for fasteners exposed to moisture, chemicals, or extreme temperatures.
Material vs. Cost: The Stainless-Steel Trade-Off
Stainless steel is a popular choice due to its built-in corrosion resistance. But as James points out, stainless steel is significantly more expensive than standard carbon steel. “As a lower-cost alternative, many applications utilize carbon steel materials with a protective surface finish.”
The most common protective coating? Zinc galvanization. But there are other, more specialized coatings—such as nitriding—designed for high-performance environments like aerospace and automotive.
And beyond corrosion and strength, engineers also need to consider:
Temperature resistance
Can the fastener withstand extreme heat or freezing conditions?
Environmental exposure
Will it be exposed to corrosive chemicals, dirt, or high humidity?
Aesthetic needs
Is the fastener visible in the final product, requiring a specific finish?
Safety-critical factors
Is this fastener used in industries where failure is not an option (e.g., automotive, construction, aerospace)?
All of these factors must be carefully evaluated before choosing the right fastener.
Why Nearly Every Fastener We Source Is Unique
Most people assume fasteners are standard, off-the-shelf components. The reality? Almost every fastener MPI sources is custom in some way.
“Some have increased strength requirements, exotic surface finishes, extreme temperature resistance, or non-standard thread sizes,” James explains.
The biggest sourcing challenges typically revolve around:
Achieving exact strength specifications – Ensuring the entire production batch meets the required load capacity.
Maintaining finish consistency – Specialty coatings must be applied uniformly across thousands (or even millions) of fasteners.
Producing consistent, high-quality fasteners at scale isn’t easy. James uses a great analogy:
“Ask yourself, can I bake a tasty cake? If yes, could I bake 10 identical tasty cakes? If yes, could I bake 10,000 identical tasty cakes? You see where I’m going with this.”
Ensuring every single fastener in a production lot meets custom specifications requires rigorous manufacturing controls and quality checks.
Need a trusted fastener sourcing partner?
At MPI, we specialize in sourcing high-quality, custom industrial fasteners with precision, reliability, and just-in-time inventory solutions.
Contact us today to discuss your supply chain needs.
Quality Standards & Compliance
When it comes to quality and compliance, industrial fasteners must adhere to strict standards. MPI ensures fasteners meet industry-specific requirements, including:
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
James emphasizes that any reputable fastener manufacturer should have at least ISO 9001 certification and deep familiarity with these standards.
Inventory & Supply Chain Strategy: The MPI Approach
Many companies struggle with fastener availability, particularly when lead times stretch into months due to material shortages or production bottlenecks.
At MPI, we take a proactive approach to inventory management. Instead of relying solely on just-in-time (JIT) delivery, we stock an optimized inventory of fasteners.
“MPI typically stocks 4-6 months of supply at our facility, with inbound shipments or active production lots to ensure ongoing availability for customers,” says Michael Spencer, MPI’s Senior Buyer.
This approach protects our customers from unexpected supply chain disruptions, price volatility, and long lead times.
How to Overcome Fastener Sourcing Challenges
Sourcing high-performance fasteners isn’t just about finding a supplier—it’s about building a reliable, high-quality supply chain that can withstand market fluctuations, material shortages, and strict compliance requirements.
Here’s how industry leaders are staying ahead:
Strategic supplier partnerships
Working with manufacturers who understand exacting specifications.
Advanced procurement technology
Using AI-driven demand forecasting and real-time inventory tracking.
Rigorous quality control
Ensuring every fastener meets certification and performance requirements.
Stocking strategies
Maintaining a safety buffer to prevent costly delays.
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