RIFAST Systems

What RIFAST Systems does

RIFAST Systems (legal name: RIFAST Systemtechnik) is the dedicated clinch fastening product division of Richard Bergner Holding GmbH & Co. KG, a diversified German industrial group headquartered in Schwabach. Founded in 1996, RIFAST develops, produces, and globally supplies a matched system of clinching fasteners (functional elements) and the proprietary installation equipment used to press these fasteners into metal components. The company maintains wholly-owned operations in Germany (Schwabach HQ, manufacturing), the United States (Lincolnwood operations center, Novi technical and innovation center), and China (RIBE Joining Technologies, Jiading, Shanghai), with additional reach into Mexico, Slovakia, Spain, and South Korea.

RIFAST's core technology is mechanical clinching — pressing fasteners into sheet metal without welding or thermal processes. Its fastener portfolio spans five platforms: Optimal Fit (EPB, SNB, STM), High Thickness (DBB, DBM, STM+), High Strength (ENB, ENM), Lightweight & Clearance (SEB, LBM), and Watertight (STH). Combined with installation equipment (punching heads VMM/VMB, VKM, VQM; distribution system VDM; in-die feeding ZEM/ZEB; C-frame offline systems; and the newly launched interchangeable-insert feeder), RIFAST sells a complete system rather than individual components. Annual production capacity exceeds 500 million functional elements.

The company sells primarily B2B to automotive OEMs, automotive tier-1 suppliers (e.g., PWO AG), and increasingly to e-mobility manufacturers serving battery trays, bus bars, and high-voltage enclosures. Pricing is project-based and not publicly disclosed. Revenue is generated across three streams — high-volume hardware sales of fasteners and equipment, plus professional services for tooling integration, installation, training, and maintenance. In 2026, RIFAST reorganized under a unified global leadership team (Tolga Bayraktar) with regional presidents to support large multinational OEM and tier accounts.

Name

RIFAST Systems

Legal name

RIFAST Systemtechnik

Website

https://rifast.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

RIFAST Systems is a German-based, privately-held subsidiary of Richard Bergner Holding that develops and globally supplies a matched system of proprietary clinching fasteners (studs and nuts) and the proprietary installation equipment used to mechanically join them into automotive and e-mobility metal components.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Fastening Systems

NAICS

Bolt, Nut, Screw, Rivet, and Washer Manufacturing (332722), Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (3335)

SIC

Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets & Washers (3452), Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fasteners, Anchors & Connectors (Bolts, Weld Studs, Plates) (IMADACAJ)

Keywords

• Clinching fasteners
• Mechanical joining systems
• Automotive fastening solutions
• Press-installation equipment
• Functional elements manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincolnwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Functional Elements (Fasteners): Sale of clinching fasteners (studs and nuts) for mechanical joining applications. Products sold include EPB, SNB, STM, DBB, DBM, STM+, ENB, ENM, SEB, LBM, STH across multiple product platforms. Production capacity exceeds 500 million units annually.
2. Processing Equipment: Sale and service of installation equipment including feeding units (ZEM/ZEB), punching heads (VMM/VMB, VKM, VQM), distribution systems (VDM), C-frame systems, and junction boxes (WZV). Equipment sold for use in press shops and body shop applications.
3. Service & Engineering Support: Comprehensive service including tool integration, equipment installation, training, maintenance, and engineering support. Services provided globally with on-site support at tool makers and manufacturing plants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

RIFAST Systems designs, manufactures, and globally distributes clinching fasteners (functional elements such as studs, bolts, and nuts) together with the automated processing equipment (feeding units, punching heads, C-frame presses, and junction boxes) used to install them into metal components. The company sells a complete mechanical-joining system to automotive OEMs, tier suppliers, and industrial manufacturers, supported by engineering, installation, training, and after-sales service. Production capacity exceeds 500 million functional elements per year across facilities in Germany, the USA, and China.

Product overview

RIFAST Systems provides a comprehensive portfolio of clinching fastener systems and processing equipment for mechanical joining applications. The product ecosystem consists of two main categories: Functional Elements (fasteners) and Processing Equipment. Functional Elements include multiple product lines addressing different application requirements: Optimal Fit Solutions (EPB, SNB, STM) for standard applications, High Thickness Fit Solutions (DBB, DBM, STM+) for thick materials, High Strength Fit Solutions (ENB, ENM, ENM+, S-ENM) for high/ultra-high strength steels, Lightweight & Clearance Fit Solutions (SEB, LBM) for weight-critical applications, and Watertight Solutions (STH) for watertight joining. Processing Equipment includes Press Shop Solutions (VMM/VMB, VKM, VQM, VDM, ZEM/ZEB, WZV, Sensor Tester) for in-die fastener installation, and Offline Process Solutions (C-Frame, C-Frame Electric, CZM/CZB) for body shop applications. The system is designed to be robust, user-friendly, and oil-free, with global service support from project planning through serial production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Optimal Fit Solutions: Product line for applications with standard thickness (EPB, SNB, STM fasteners)
• High Thickness Fit Solutions
• High Strength Fit Solutions
• Lightweight & Clearance Fit Solutions
• Watertight Solutions

Products and services

• EPB Staking Bolt Staking bolt for standard sheet thicknesses (0.75-2.5 mm) in steel or aluminum alloys, suitable for static and dynamic load conditions, with thread ends per DIN EN ISO 4753 and MAThread. Used by automotive OEMs and tier suppliers in body and structural assemblies.
• SNB Self Piercing Riveting Bolt Self-piercing riveting bolt for low thickness applications (0.6-2.5 mm) that clinches without a pre-pierced hole, reducing process time and simplifying tool design.
• STM Self Piercing Nut Self-piercing nut for steel and aluminum alloys (0.6-2.0 mm) that eliminates pre-hole operations and provides a flat contact surface for attachment across a wide range of automotive applications.
• STM+ Self Piercing Nut Plus Compact, lightweight self-piercing nut for thicker applications (2.0-3.0 mm) that eliminates pre-hole operations and reduces process time.
• DBB Thick Sheet Staking Bolt Thick-sheet staking bolt for sheet metal parts, extruded profiles, and castings (2.5-9.0 mm), available with thread ends per DIN EN ISO 4753 and MAThread.
• DBM Thick Sheet Metal Nut Universal clinch nut for sheet metal, extrusions, and castings above 2.0 mm, with a simplified portfolio where one nut serves multiple thicknesses.
• ENB Clinching Bolt for High Strength Steel Clinching bolt for high and ultra-high strength / press-hardened steels (0.75-2.5 mm) used in body structures, with flat contact surface and capable of watertight joining.
• ENM Clinching Nut for High Strength Steel Compact, lightweight clinching nut for high and ultra-high strength / press-hardened steels (1.0-2.5 mm) used in body structures.
• ENM+ Clinching Nut Plus for High Strength Steel Enhanced clinching nut variant for high-strength steel applications with improved performance characteristics.
• S-ENM Special Clinching Nut for High Strength Steel Special-variant clinching nut designed for high-strength steel applications.
• SEB Flush Mount Staking Bolt Flush-mount staking bolt for tight installation spaces (1.1-5.0 mm) where the bolt head must disappear within the metal sheet, offering compact and lightweight design.
• LBM Lightweight Nut Lightweight clinch nut (1.2-4.0 mm) delivering up to 75% weight savings versus conventional clinch nuts, with one nut per size covering various thicknesses for weight-critical applications.
• STH Self Piercing Hat Nut (Watertight) Self-piercing hat nut for watertight mechanical joining (IPX7) of thin sheet metal (0.6-2.0 mm) without pre-pierced holes, providing a flat supporting surface and used in e-mobility enclosures.
• VMM Vertical Punching Head for Nuts Robust, standardized vertical punching head platform for installing RIFAST nut functional elements in progressive dies, transfer dies, tandem dies, and presses.
• VMB Vertical Punching Head for Bolts Robust, standardized vertical punching head platform for installing RIFAST bolt functional elements in progressive, transfer, tandem dies, and presses.
• VKM Compact Punching Head Compact, weight-optimized, flexible punching head for installing RIFAST nut functional elements in large tools, with a flexible intermediate hose for easier integration and weight savings versus VMM.
• VQM Horizontal Punching Head Compact horizontal punching head for installing RIFAST nut functional elements in tight spaces and undercut stamping sections.
• VDM Distribution System Cost-optimized distribution platform that installs up to 16 RIFAST nut functional elements in a single press stroke, combinable with up to four 4-lane feeding units (ZEM).
• ZEM/ZEB In-Die Feeding System High-standardized feeding system for all RIFAST bolt and nut functional elements, capable of up to 60 strokes per minute, with variants for in-die processes and on-press-table configurations.
• WZV Junction Box Compact junction box enabling quicker and more flexible tool setup by connecting up to 4 punching heads to one feeder with optimal air supply and a more reliable process.
• Sensor Tester Compact handheld sensor testing device that allows sensor testing in punching heads without removing the head or connecting to the feeding unit, enabling quick error analysis and reduced maintenance cost.
• C-Frame (Pneumo-Hydraulic) Pneumo-hydraulic C-frame platform delivering up to 320 kN installation force at 5-8 second cycle time for body shop applications, configurable for full-automatic robot cells, semi-automatic workstations, or flexible manual workstations.
• C-Frame Electric (Servo Drive) Servo-driven C-frame platform delivering up to 150 kN installation force at 3-8 second cycle time with precise control, high repetitive accuracy, and integrated safety system for body shop applications.
• CZM/CZB C-Frame Feeding Unit C-frame feeding system for all RIFAST bolt and nut functional elements, supporting up to 20 strokes per minute across 4 lanes with a large bunker for several hours of autonomous production and high availability.
• New Generation Cost-Optimized Feeder Next-generation feeder for RIFAST functional elements, with an interchangeable insert system that lets one base unit serve multiple fastener configurations and reduces total cost of ownership by up to 30% over operating lifetime.
• RIFAST Engineering and Service Support Global service including tool integration, equipment installation, training, maintenance, and on-site engineering support at tool makers and manufacturing plants, delivered alongside the fastener and equipment portfolio from project planning through serial production.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 75% weight savings with LBM lightweight nut compared to conventional clinch nuts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PWO AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2026PWO AG (Priesterkraft) is an automotive supplier and RIFAST customer. On January 28, 2026, PWO hosted a Techday at their headquarters in Oberkirch, Germany, where RIFAST presented newest products and innovations including the new cost-optimized feeder generation. The partnership involves joint product validation and process optimization for automotive applications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Böllhoff: German-headquartered specialist in fastening and joining technology, with a significant product line in clinching and self-piercing fasteners for automotive body-in-white. Closely comparable to RIFAST in product mix, customer base (automotive OEMs/tiers), and integrated fastener-plus-installation-equipment model.
• Profil Verbindungstechnik: Specialist German supplier of self-piercing rivets, clinch studs, and clinch nuts for automotive sheet-metal joining. Directly comparable in core product category, end market, and joining technology.
• Tox Pressotechnik: German manufacturer of press-joining systems (TOX clinching) including punches, dies, and complete presses for mechanical fastening. Direct competitor to RIFAST in installation equipment, with overlapping automotive and industrial customer base.
• Eckhart: Specialist in self-piercing riveting and clinching systems, providing fasteners and automated installation cells to automotive OEMs. Directly comparable in both fastener portfolio and system-level joining solutions.
• Arnold Umformtechnik: German automotive Tier 1/2 supplier of engineered fasteners and formed components for chassis, body, and powertrain applications. Comparable in automotive fastener specialization, with broader forming capabilities beyond clinching.
• Kerb-Konus: German manufacturer of threaded inserts and specialty fasteners for automotive and industrial applications. Comparable as a German mid-market fastener specialist, though with a stronger focus on threaded inserts than clinching specifically.
• Honsel: German specialist in lightweight aluminum and magnesium components for automotive structural applications. Comparable as a niche automotive lightweight supplier serving similar OEM customers with related forming expertise, though its product mix is structural parts rather than fasteners.

Broad incumbents

• Henrob (Atlas Copco): Henrob pioneered self-piercing riveting for automotive OEMs and is now part of Atlas Copco's industrial tools portfolio. A broad incumbent offering SPR systems alongside a much wider fastening and assembly product range, competing with RIFAST on body-shop joining cells.
• Stanley Engineered Fastening: Division of Stanley Black & Decker providing engineered fastening solutions (POP rivets, blind fasteners, threaded inserts) to automotive, industrial, and aerospace customers. Overlaps with RIFAST in fastener products but operates at much broader portfolio scale.
• PennEngineering: US-headquartered manufacturer of self-clinching fasteners, studs, and nuts (PEM brand) serving automotive, electronics, and industrial markets. Comparable in fastener technology but broader in end markets and product breadth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rifastllc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/ribe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rifast
• Instagraminstagram.com/ribe_official

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RIFAST Systems