How Knapen Trailers Combines Zinc Flake Fasteners with RFID Inventory

Knapen Trailers in Deurne, the Netherlands, manufactures sliding-floor trailers that operate in demanding outdoor conditions. Hundreds of fasteners are used throughout each trailer, including the chassis, floor frame, upper structure and other components.

To improve corrosion resistance, Knapen uses zinc flake-coated fasteners supplied by Fabory. The same fasteners are managed through a Fabory Logic RFID inventory system that signals replenishment automatically when stock runs low.

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The challenge: fasteners exposed to demanding outdoor conditions

Knapen Trailers manufactures sliding-floor trailers that are exposed to wind, rain and changing weather conditions throughout their working life.

The fasteners used throughout these trailers face the same environmental exposure. Corrosion resistance is therefore an important consideration for the bolts and other fastening components used in the assembly.

“Our trailers, and therefore the fasteners used, are exposed to the elements year after year. The impact of the weather on these materials is significant.”

Johan van Hommelen
Strategic Purchaser, Knapen Trailers

Why Knapen uses zinc flake-coated fasteners

Zinc flake-coated fasteners have a thin, non-electrolytic coating that provides high corrosion resistance without adding much thickness to the fastener.

This is particularly useful in applications where tolerances matter and the coating needs to provide protection while maintaining the dimensions required for assembly.

For Knapen, zinc flake fasteners are used throughout the trailer, including the chassis, floor frame, upper structure and other components.

Managing high fastener volumes with RFID

Knapen handles thousands of zinc flake-treated Fabory fasteners on its production floor every week. Managing this volume efficiently requires a structured replenishment process.

The company therefore uses an RFID-based inventory system with Fabory. Each fastener bin is tagged so that the replenishment process can be managed digitally.

When stock runs low, the system automatically signals an order. The complete ordering process, including the zinc flake fasteners, is managed through the RFID setup.

How RFID replenishment works

1 Fasteners stored in tagged bins Fastener bins are tagged so they can be managed within the RFID inventory system.

2 Stock levels are monitored The RFID setup monitors the fastener bins as part of the inventory process.

3 Replenishment is signalled When supplies run low, the system automatically signals that replenishment is required.

4 Stock is replenished The managed replenishment process helps maintain access to the fasteners required for production.

Combining fastener performance with inventory management

The Knapen setup combines two different requirements within one supply approach.

Zinc flake coating provides corrosion resistance for the fasteners used throughout the trailer, while RFID supports the inventory and replenishment process for those same components.

Together, the two solutions reduce the need for manual ordering and help Knapen maintain access to the fasteners used in assembly.

The result: corrosion protection and structured replenishment

Knapen uses hundreds of zinc flake-coated fasteners in each sliding-floor trailer and handles thousands of these components on the production floor every week.

The zinc flake coating provides corrosion protection for exposed trailer applications, while the RFID system manages the ordering process when supplies run low.

This combination helps Knapen manage both the technical requirements of the fasteners and the practical challenge of keeping them available for production.

Supporting truck and trailer manufacturers

Fastener selection in truck and trailer manufacturing needs to take account of factors such as corrosion exposure, mechanical requirements and production availability.

Fabory supports the Truck, Trailer & Coach Building industry with fasteners, corrosion-resistant coatings and inventory-management solutions for production environments.

Fasteners and inventory management Could Fabory support your fastener and inventory requirements? Fabory combines fastener expertise with inventory-management solutions to help manufacturers manage product performance and replenishment requirements. Talk to a Fabory specialist