Fasteners 101 & Beyond: Why These “Small Parts” Can Make or Break Your Trailer
Imagine this: a $1 fastener fails on a $20,000 trailer. Suddenly, you’re dealing with warranty claims, production downtime, customer complaints — and maybe even a recall. It’s a reminder that in trailer manufacturing, the smallest parts often carry the biggest responsibility.
That’s why the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) is excited to announce that FDL Components, a trusted NATM Member and global leader in trailer components, will present Technical Forum 2: Fasteners 101 & Beyond at the 2026 NATM Convention & Trade Show on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, from 2:00-3:30 p.m.
This 90-minute session will begin with a foundational look at fastener basics — the perfect refresher for those who touch these parts every day — before advancing into more complex but critical issues like fastener markings, traceability, legislation and compliance requirements, and understanding the liability chain.
Why This Session Matters
This topic was voted a high priority by NATM’s Technical, Technology, and Compliance Committees, reflecting how vital it is for manufacturers today. Fasteners aren’t just pieces of hardware — they hold together your product, your reputation, and in many cases, the safety of everyone towing your trailers.
Choosing the wrong fastener, missing traceability data, or overlooking compliance requirements can open the door to costly failures and legal exposure. This session is designed to give you the knowledge and confidence to make the right decisions from design to installation.
Meet the Experts
FDL Components is uniquely qualified to lead this conversation. Since its founding in 2005, FDL has grown from a fastener importer to a comprehensive supplier of nearly every component needed to build a trailer. Their team has decades of experience in global sourcing, engineering, quality, and manufacturing — selling over a billion parts each year. Their expertise spans every stage of the supply chain, giving them a deep understanding of where things can go wrong — and how to get them right the first time.
Who Should Be in the Room
Bring your engineers, quality and compliance teams, purchasing managers, and production staff to this session. When everyone understands the critical role fasteners play — from design to final assembly — your company is better equipped to reduce rework, protect customers, and strengthen compliance efforts.
Don’t Miss This Opportunity
Fasteners may be small, but their impact is huge. This forum is your chance to gain expert insight, ask questions, and walk away with practical tools to protect your business, your customers, and the integrity of every trailer you build.
To view the complete agenda and register for the 2026 Convention & Trade Show, visit www.NATM.com/Convention.
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