Wolseley Orders US$8M.Worth of Fasteners From Taiwanese Makers

Taipei, Feb. 6, 2009 (CENS)--The government-funded Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) has confirmed that the U.K.-based Wolseley, a globally leading supplier of construction materials, has ordered US$8 million worth of fasteners from Taiwanese makers as timely rains for Taiwan's export-dependent economy.

TAITRA noted that Wolseley is one of the world's largest distributors of heating and plumbing products, whose overseas purchases totaled US$27.5 billion in 2007. The firm plans to spend US$40 million on buying bolts, screws, hardware, bathroom accessories, door closers, LED (light emitting diode) lighting fixtures, energy-saving bulbs and building materials from Taiwanese makers this year.

Furthermore, TAITRA added Specialty Bolt of the U.S. and TIM S.A. of Poland have also been invited to Taiwan to procure fasteners, electric products and electronics in February.

Specialty Bolt is scheduled to hold a procurement conference on Feb. 17 in Kaohsiung, the most important industrial city in southern Taiwan, where nearly almost Taiwanese fasteners cluster. The firm is the largest fastener distributor in New England and one of the most important for OEM (original equipment manufacturers) in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, whose purchases average at US$18 million a year.

In the meantime, TIM S.A. will hold its procurement conference in Taipei on Feb. 18, planning to buy connectors, panels, cable assemblies and related tools, cables and lightings for industrial purposes. The firm, established in 1987, is publicly listed in Poland, employs over 450 workers and generates sales revenue of US$200 million a year. So far, over 60 Taiwanese makers have shown intense interest in doing business with the firm.