Case Study

As more manufacturers re-shore their assembly operations to U.S. facilities, labor economics are fundamentally changing. Assembly steps that were insignificant in low-cost offshore environments, including fastener installation, can quickly become major drivers of cost, variability, and line bottlenecks.

In frame and wheel assembly applications, traditional fasteners such as slotted spring pins and staked pins usually require multiple hand motions, ergonomic reach, and secondary hardware. These steps can add 10-20 seconds per joint, a time penalty that frequently exceeds the cost of the fastener itself at current U.S. labor rates.

To address these challenges, savvy manufacturers are replacing press-fit and multi-component fasteners with single-motion, self-locking pin solutions. These designs combine alignment, insertion, and retention into one operator action, eliminating tools, secondary clips, and verification steps.

Fastener selection might seem like a simple exercise of choosing a component, but it can be a strategic lever for improving the economics of re-shored manufacturing.

Read our industry case study below.

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CASE STUDY: Reducing Assembly Bottlenecks in Re-Shored Manufacturing

How Single-Motion Fasteners Improve Labor Economics and Throughput

Industry: Consumer and Industrial Product Manufacturing
Application: Wheel Assemblies and Pivoting Joints in Frames
Focus: Re-shored Production, Assembly Efficiency, Labor Cost Reduction

Background

As manufacturers re-shore assembly operations from offshore locations to U.S. plants, the economics of production change dramatically. Labor costs increase, takt time becomes more critical, and assembly steps that were once inconsequential now have a measurable impact on unit cost and throughput.

In many re-shored operations, fasteners originally selected for low-cost, high-touch assembly environments become unexpected bottlenecks, slowing production and driving up labor expense.

The Challenge

In applications such as frames with pivoting joints and wheel assemblies, the use of traditional fasteners like slotted spring pins, staked pins, nut/bolt combinations, and other two-piece pin/clip systems continues widely. While effective in offshore production environments, these fasteners typically require:

• Multiple hand motions for alignment and installation
• Ergonomically constrained assembly positions
• Secondary hardware or verification steps

As a result, each installation can add 10-20 seconds per unit. At current U.S. labor rates, that added time frequently costs more than the fastener itself. The joint contributes disproportionately and significantly to the total assembly cost and the line congestion.

Assembly Constraints in Re-Shored Production

Over time, manufacturers have identified several recurring issues on re-shored lines:

• Increased takt time variability due to manual installation steps
• Ergonomic strain caused by repetitive, high-touch fastening motions
• Quality risk, including missing or improperly installed clips, or over-torqued nuts.
• Line bottlenecks requiring presses, tools, or secondary inspection

The need of the hour is a fastening solution that reduces touch time while maintaining reliable mechanical retention.

The Engineered Solution

To address these labor-driven assembly constraints, top manufacturers have adopted single-motion, self-locking pin designs that combine alignment, insertion, and retention into one operator action.

Pivot Point’s SLIC Pin® was developed specifically for these environments, where consistency, ergonomics, and cycle time are critical. Unlike traditional press-fit or two-piece solutions, the SLIC Pin® eliminates secondary components and tool-assisted installation.

Why SLIC Pins® Are the Ideal Choice

Manufacturers transitioning to re-shored assembly lines enjoy several advantages of using SLIC Pins®:

• Single-motion locking: Align, insert, and lock the joint in one operator action, reducing touch time and line variability.
• No secondary hardware: Eliminates clips, washers, and loose retainers that slow assembly and require kitting.
• Tool-less installation: No presses, tools, or mechanical assistance required.
• Positive mechanical retention: Locking engagement that resists backing out during service life.
• Reduced risk: Eliminates the risk of missing or improperly installed clips and minimizes the need for secondary inspection steps.
• Cost-effective manufacturing: Produced in the U.S. using automated equipment, delivering consistent quality and highly competitive cost aligned with VA/VE initiatives.

Results: Measurable Impact on Labor Cost, Throughput, and Line Reliability

By replacing traditional press-fit and multi-component fasteners with single-motion locking pins, manufacturers achieve:

• Reduction of 10–20 seconds per joint, improving takt time
• Reduced labor cost per unit, particularly in high-volume assemblies
• Improved assembly consistency, across operators and shifts
• Lower quality risk, minimizing rework and inspection overhead

Fastener selection shifts from being a commodity decision to becoming a strategic lever for improving re-shored manufacturing economics.

Conclusion: Re-Shored Assembly Demands a New Approach to Fastening

As assembly operations return to higher-wage environments, fastening solutions must evolve alongside labor economics. Fasteners designed for offshore production have hidden costs in re-shored plants. Single-motion, self-locking pins like the SLIC Pin® offer a proven way to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce risk, and support efficient domestic manufacturing.

Technical Review: Assess Whether Single-Motion Pins Can Eliminate Your Assembly Constraints

If you are a manufacturer evaluating opportunities to reduce assembly time and improve line efficiency, we encourage and invite you to request a technical review and samples. Let’s work together to determine whether a SLIC Pin® can eliminate bottlenecks in your fastener assembly process.