EFC International
EFC International is a PE-backed specialty fastener distributor and engineered-fastening solutions provider serving automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and industrial manufacturers globally through field sales engineering, inventory management, and a 50-plus manufacturer sourcing network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersMissouri City, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What EFC International does
EFC International is a privately held, PE-backed specialty fastener distributor and engineered-fastening solutions provider founded in 1983 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The company sources, stocks, and distributes an extensive catalog of specialty-engineered components—self-retaining nuts, metal and plastic trim/panel fasteners, shaft and bolt retainers, screws/studs/pins, rivets, clamps, cable management/electrical fittings, specialty nuts, and lightweighting/powertrain components—primarily serving automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, with secondary verticals spanning medical, agriculture/lawn & garden, HVAC/appliance, heavy equipment, energy, marine/recreational, robotics, and general industrial. It operates 10 offices across the US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, UK, South Korea, and China, and claims customer reach across roughly 40 countries.
The business is fundamentally a value-added distributor rather than a primary manufacturer: revenue is generated through hardware sales of products sourced from a network of 50-plus manufacturing partners (including ITW, HellermannTyton, EJOT, Essentra, NIFCO, Norma Group, LISI, Oetiker, A. Raymond, and Heyco), supplemented by managed inventory/supply-chain services (kitting, JIT delivery, localization/commonization) and engineering support/customization services. Differentiation is anchored in field sales engineers providing design consultation, IATF 16949 and ISO 9001:2015 quality certification for automotive requirements, and select proprietary/exclusive technologies channeled through partners (Bulge Control Technology BCT rivet nuts, Advanced Compensation Nut, Delta PT screws, Starlock push-on fasteners, and EV high-voltage cable retention solutions).
Go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise-oriented, executed through field sales engineers, regional offices, and a structured RFQ/quote-based process with sales organization codes and lead tracking; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Demonstrated customer outcomes include a Tier 1 supplier winning a GM bid with ~$50,000 in savings and a major OEM achieving a 40% logistics cost reduction, 30% shorter lead times, and elimination of tariff expense via North American localization. In March 2023 EFC acquired fellow St. Louis fastener distributor Inventory Sales Company (ISC), backed by private equity firm Frontenac with mezzanine financing from Churchill Asset Management, to expand scale, product breadth, and geographic footprint.
EFC International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EFC International
- Legal name
- EFC International
- Website
- https://efc-intl.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- EFC International is a PE-backed specialty fastener distributor and engineered-fastening solutions provider serving automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and industrial manufacturers globally through field sales engineering, inventory management, and a 50-plus manufacturer sourcing network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EFC International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Fasteners
- NAICS
- Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial MRO Supplies for Vehicle/Equipment Workshops (Bearings, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Fasteners) (TLAKAOAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- EV/Hybrid Aftermarket Parts & Accessories Distribution (Batteries, Charging Components) (TLAKAOAG)
Keywords
Where EFC International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Missouri City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
EFC International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Specialty Fastener Distribution: EFC International distributes a comprehensive range of specialty-engineered fasteners and components including clamps, panel fasteners, specialty nuts, bolts, screws, and more. Revenue is generated through the sale of these products to automotive, industrial, and construction markets. The company maintains strategic partnerships with leading manufacturers globally and leverages Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery and inventory management services.
- Inventory Management & Supply Chain Services: Value-added services including inventory management, kitting, logistics solutions, and supply chain localization support. The company helps customers streamline operations through commonization and localization of products to North America, offering Just-in-Time delivery capabilities.
- Engineering Support & Customization: Design consultation, custom-engineered fasteners, and technical assistance services that support customers in optimizing their assembly processes and fastener selection.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
EFC International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EFC International is a specialty distributor and light value-added supplier of engineered fasteners and small mechanical components. Its product portfolio spans self-retaining nuts, trim and panel fasteners (metal and plastic), shaft and bolt retainers, screws, bolts, studs and pins, cable management hardware, rivets, and clamps, sold primarily to industrial OEMs across automotive, medical, agricultural, HVAC/appliance, heavy equipment, energy, technology/robotics, marine/recreational, and industrial markets. The company complements product supply with engineering application support, kitting, custom packaging, and vendor-managed inventory programs.
Product overview
EFC International is a premier global provider of specialty-engineered fasteners, components, and assembly solutions. The company offers an extensive portfolio of fastener products organized into distinct categories: Self-Retaining Nuts (U-type, J-type, mid-panel, pierce, clinching, rivet, cage, T-nut designs), Trim & Panel Fasteners (both Metal and Plastic variants), Shaft & Bolt Retainers, Screws/Bolts/Studs & Pins, Cable Management/Electrical & Fittings, Rivets, Clamps (constant tension, worm-drive, crimp-style), Caps/Plugs/Knobs & Handles, Specialty Nuts, and Lightweighting & Powertrain solutions. The products serve diverse industries including automotive, electrified vehicles, industrial, medical, agriculture, HVAC/appliance, heavy equipment, marine/recreational vehicles, and power generation. The company also provides complementary inventory management solutions and engineering support services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Self-Retaining Nuts Specialty self-retaining nuts engineered for fastening applications where vibration resistance and captive assembly are required, sold to industrial OEMs.
- Trim & Panel Fasteners Metal and plastic trim and panel fasteners used by OEMs in automotive, appliance, and industrial assembly applications for attaching trim, panels, and covers.
- Shaft & Bolt Retainers Mechanical shaft and bolt retainers used to secure shafts and bolts in OEM mechanical assemblies.
- Screws, Bolts, Studs & Pins Specialty screws, bolts, studs, and pins distributed to industrial OEMs for general mechanical fastening applications.
- Cable Management Hardware Cable management components such as clips, clamps, and ties sold to OEMs for routing and securing wiring and cables in equipment and vehicles.
- Rivets Specialty rivets for permanent fastening in OEM sheet metal and assembly applications.
- Clamps Specialty clamps used by industrial OEMs for hose, tube, and component retention in mechanical assemblies.
- Kitting, Custom Packaging & Vendor-Managed Inventory Value-added services including custom kitting, custom packaging, labeling, and vendor-managed inventory programs that consolidate specialty fasteners and components for OEM production lines.
- Inventory Sales Company (ISC) Product Line Expanded fastener and small-component product offering acquired through the March 2023 acquisition of Inventory Sales Company (ISC), extending EFC's catalog to additional OEM customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 40% reduction in logistics costs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use EFC International
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
EFC International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
EFC International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Inventory Sales Company (ISC)coreAcquisition of Inventory Sales Company (ISC), a distributor of fasteners and accessories based in St. Louis, MO. The deal aims to increase scale, diversify product offerings, and strengthen geographic footprint. ISC continues to be led by its current president.
- ITW (Illinois Tool Works)coreStrategic manufacturing partnership covering multiple ITW divisions including ITW Shakeproof, ITW Fastex, ITW Drawform, ITW Plastiglide, ITW Powertrain, ITW Stamptech, and others. Products include Shakeproof fasteners, Fastex components, and specialized fastening solutions.
- HellermannTytoncoreMajor manufacturing partner providing cable ties, wire management, and electrical components. Strategic supplier relationship for cable management solutions.
- EJOTcoreManufacturing partner providing specialty fasteners and fastening solutions for industrial applications.
- EssentramajorManufacturing partner supplying specialty fasteners and components for various industrial applications.
- NIFCOmajorManufacturing partner providing plastic fasteners and components for automotive and industrial applications.
- Norma GroupmajorManufacturing partner providing clamp and connection solutions for various industrial applications.
- LISImajorManufacturing partner supplying aerospace and automotive fasteners and components.
- BBA Fastening SystemscoreProvider of Bulge Control Technology (BCT®) rivet nuts, a patented solution for controlling bulge formation in rivet nut installation for composite materials.
- DRIV-LOKmajorProvider of smart fastening solutions for medical and specialty applications, including DRIV-LOK EngiNomics for optimized fastening design and assembly.
- A. Raymond (PowAR products)coreManufacturing partner providing PowAR™ Grip and PowAR™ Snap fastening products for solar and renewable energy applications.
- HeycocoreManufacturing partner providing dedicated line of products including liquid tight cordgrips, hole plugs, and solar products for cable management solutions.
- ITW FormexmajorProvider of flame retardant electrical insulation materials (Formex™ GK, GL, GS, N3) for automotive, electronics, and industrial applications.
- OetikermajorManufacturing partner providing Oetiker® clamps for hose and pipe securing applications.
- SpirolmajorManufacturing partner providing precision pins including Spirol® KP110 Series Knurled Pins and Spirol® Extra Light Duty Coiled Pins.
- Rotor ClipmajorManufacturing partner supplying retaining rings and precision shaft retainers.
- GesipamajorManufacturing partner providing blind rivet and fastening solutions.
- StanleymajorManufacturing partner providing industrial fasteners and hand tools.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
EFC International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fastenal Company: U.S.-based industrial fastener and MRO supply distributor serving OEM and maintenance customers with a national branch network and vended inventory solutions. Closest large-cap public comparable for EFC's fastener-focused distribution model.
- Lawson Products: North American specialty distributor of fasteners, fittings, and maintenance products sold primarily to industrial customers through a direct-sales force. Direct comparable in business model, customer profile, and product mix.
- Bossard Group: Swiss-headquartered global specialist in fastening technology and supply chain solutions serving automotive, industrial, and electronics OEMs. Closest international peer in product focus, engineering-led value proposition, and global footprint.
- Trifast plc: UK-listed distributor and manufacturer of fasteners and engineered components serving automotive, industrial, and electronics OEMs across Europe and Asia. Comparable in product breadth, OEM focus, and engineering-led distribution model.
Broad incumbents
- Würth Group: Family-owned global market leader in fasteners, tools, and consumables serving automotive, construction, and industrial markets. Overlaps with EFC's automotive OEM work but operates at materially greater scale and broader portfolio.
- MSC Industrial Direct: Large U.S. metalworking and industrial MRO distributor with a broad catalog of fasteners and assembly products. Comparable in indirect competitor role and broad industrial customer base, though MSC's scope is significantly wider.
- W.W. Grainger: U.S. industrial distribution giant with a substantial fastener and assembly components offering for MRO and OEM customers. Larger scale and broader product range than EFC, with overlapping target customers.
- Stanley Black & Decker: Global industrial tools and fasteners conglomerate with fastener brands serving automotive, industrial, and construction end-markets. Comparable through shared fastener categories and customer overlap; broader industrial portfolio and direct OEM relationships.
Others
- LISI Group: French-listed global manufacturer of fasteners and assembly components serving aerospace and automotive OEMs. Listed as one of EFC's manufacturing partners; comparable in product technology and automotive customer focus, but operates as a manufacturer rather than distributor.
- Anixter International (Wesco): Global distributor of electrical, communications, and fastener products serving industrial and OEM customers. Overlaps with EFC in cable management and electrical fastener categories following Wesco's acquisition of Anixter.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EFC International social profiles
Digital presenceEFC International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
EFC International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EFC International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
EFC International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EFC International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EFC International
What does EFC International do?
EFC International is a specialty distributor and light value-added supplier of engineered fasteners and small mechanical components. Its product portfolio spans self-retaining nuts, trim and panel fasteners (metal and plastic), shaft and bolt retainers, screws, bolts, studs and pins, cable management hardware, rivets, and clamps, sold primarily to industrial OEMs across automotive, medical, agricultural, HVAC/appliance, heavy equipment, energy, technology/robotics, marine/recreational, and industrial markets. The company complements product supply with engineering application support, kitting, custom packaging, and vendor-managed inventory programs.
Is EFC International a public or private company?
EFC International is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was EFC International founded?
EFC International was founded in 1983. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is EFC International based?
EFC International is headquartered in Missouri City, United States, in the North America region.
How does EFC International make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Specialty Fastener Distribution is the primary driver. The others are inventory Management & Supply Chain Services and engineering Support & Customization.
Who are EFC International's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fastenal Company, Lawson Products, Bossard Group and Trifast plc. Broad incumbents are Würth Group, MSC Industrial Direct, W.W. Grainger and Stanley Black & Decker. Others are LISI Group and Anixter International (Wesco).
Does EFC International have an API?
No public API is recorded for EFC International.
What industry is EFC International in?
EFC International's product category is Industrial Fasteners. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAKAOAK, Industrial MRO Supplies for Vehicle/Equipment Workshops (Bearings, Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Fasteners), with a secondary code of TLAKAOAG, EV/Hybrid Aftermarket Parts & Accessories Distribution (Batteries, Charging Components). Its NAICS code is 3332 and its SIC code is 5084.