E-Z LOK Director of Sales & Marketing Shares Industry Insights on Fasteners, Materials, and Innovation!
By Ashutosh Arora
Kyle Lindsly-Roach, Director of Sales & Marketing at E-Z LOK, recently offered valuable insights into the evolving fastener industry, highlighting key trends, the role of additive manufacturing, the enduring importance of manufacturer-distributor relationships, and the continued success of the company’s flagship product. His perspective reflects not only where the industry stands today but also where it is headed as advanced materials and manufacturing methods reshape demand.
One of the strongest trends Lindsly-Roach emphasized is the growing demand for inserts used in plastics and additive materials. With the rise of 3D printing and rapid prototyping, lightweight materials are becoming more commonplace in both industrial and consumer applications. This shift requires fastening solutions that can maintain structural integrity while accommodating the unique characteristics of these materials. As a result, inserts designed for plastics and composites have seen increased adoption, with E-Z LOK at the forefront of this expansion.
While some might expect that entirely new fastener designs are necessary to meet these demands, Lindsly-Roach pointed out that many existing products still perform exceptionally well in new material categories. For example, thread-cutting type inserts, which have long been used in plastics and wood, are proving equally effective in materials such as carbon fiber and composites. This adaptability demonstrates the versatility of proven insert designs and underscores the importance of leveraging existing engineering knowledge to solve modern challenges.
Additive manufacturing, in particular, has had a profound impact on E-Z LOK’s product development strategy. The technology has not only created demand for new inserts designed specifically for 3D-printed materials but has also fueled ongoing innovation in expanding insert applications for plastics. The convergence of additive manufacturing with traditional machining methods has encouraged companies like E-Z LOK to continually evaluate how fasteners can support durability, functionality, and ease of use in rapidly evolving production environments.
In discussing the broader market landscape, Lindsly-Roach also touched on the manufacturer-distributor relationship, describing it as a constant rather than a changing dynamic. Despite the digital transformation occurring across many industries, E-Z LOK continues to rely heavily on its distribution partners to bring products to market. Distributors remain a critical link between manufacturers and end users, ensuring that customers have access to the right products when and where they need them. This reliance demonstrates the enduring value of partnerships built on trust, reach, and customer service, even in an era of online platforms and direct sales models.
Looking back at the company’s nearly 70-year history, Lindsly-Roach reaffirmed that E-Z LOK’s most significant and enduring product remains the threaded solid wall insert for metal—commonly referred to simply as E-Z LOK inserts. These inserts, easier to install and higher in performance than traditional helical coil types, continue to offer manufacturers a dependable and cost-effective fastening solution. Positioned between the lower-cost coil inserts and the higher-priced key-locking inserts, E-Z LOK inserts strike a balance of performance and price, making them a reliable middle-ground solution for a wide range of applications.
By combining innovation in new materials with a steadfast commitment to its original products and distribution partnerships, E-Z LOK demonstrates how tradition and progress can coexist in manufacturing. As industries continue to adopt advanced materials and methods, the company’s ability to adapt while staying rooted in proven solutions ensures that it remains a trusted leader in the fastener market.
