The main objective for manufacturers of commercial transportation equipment is to profitability build high-quality products. One way to meet this objective is to assemble trailers and truck bodies with advanced structural adhesives and seam sealers.

In numerous industries and applications, high-performing structural adhesives are replacing standard joining methods such as welding and the use of mechanical fasteners like rivets and bolts.

The ASSEMBLY Show features not only the machinery needed to assemble parts, but also the supplies, such as adhesives.

SANFORD, FL—Hernon Manufacturing Inc., a producer of adhesive and dispensing technologies, will more than double the size of its manufacturing facility here through a $2.5 million investment projected to add 20 jobs.

It may not be as “sexy” as a robot or a high-speed automated assembly system, but one of the most interesting new products introduced at the show last fall was actually an adhesive.

If it rolls, floats or flies, light weight is always good. Just ask anyone who’s ever been in a Pinewood Derby competition.

ROCKY HILL, CT—Henkel Corp. has updated the Loctite Adhesive Sourcebook for 2014 to include the latest adhesive, sealant, lubricant, coating, dispensing and curing technologies. Available in print and online, the book is a comprehensive 212-page reference that features more than 1,500 products for manufacturing and maintenance.

Welding allows engineers to join lightweight materials.