Stainless circlip supplied for round-the-world yacht

TFC recently came to the aid of one of the teams in the Volvo Ocean Race round-the-world competition. Ian Lovering of Ashdown Marine contacted TFC when the company needed a 40mm stainless steel circlip to hold a seal to the prop-shaft on the vessel. Ashdown Marine was carrying out a two-week refit of the boat when the need for the 40mm circlip was discovered.

Ian Lovering says: "Despite spending a considerable amount of time asking suppliers and trawling the internet to locate the circlip, we could not find a company to supply us with the right component. We found TFC through Google and a quick phone call resulted in the circlips being despatched in time for the refit in Alicante."

Though the race is just under a year away, the importance of the refit was paramount, as the team was keen to start its practice sessions for the gruelling race. Each team comprises ten sailors, shore support and a full PR and marketing team, which can often mean as many as 50 people involved in the smooth running of a successful campaign.

The round-the-world competition brings together teams to endure some of the roughest seas over nine months and 39,000 nautical miles. The 2008-09 race starting on 4 October 2008 will visit 12 ports around the world and incorporate eight inshore races, and eight 'pro-am' races.

With over thirty years experience, TFC's ability to source and provide bespoke components at short notice has made the company one of the leading suppliers of technical and industrial fasteners.