Tsamouris Douzoglou

Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists© In 2011, California-based artist Andrew Myers redefined portraiture by crafting stunning three-dimensional images using thousands of ordinary screws. His unique technique involves drilling holes into wooden planks and precisely placing screws to form lifelike representations of his subjects. Each portrait requires over six months to complete, with some larger works using as many as 10,000 screws. Myers begins by studying a photograph of his subject and meeting them in person to capture their facial features with accuracy. He then meticulously drills each screw into the pre-prepared holes, hand-painting the screw heads to achieve the desired look. Ranging in size from 23.6 by 23.6 inches (60 by 60 centimeters) to 4 by 4 feet (1.2 by 1.2 meters), Myers' screw portraits have drawn significant interest from art collectors. Smaller pieces sell for around USD 9,000 (EUR 7,650), while larger works are valued up to 💵 USD 35,000 (💶 EUR 29,750). Yet, despite their price, Myers emphasizes that his portraits are a labor of love rather than a profitable pursuit, as the cost of sourcing thousands of screws quickly adds up. Read more about fasteners at tsamouris.gr/en/news. #AndrewMyersArt #ScrewPortraits #Screws #TsamourisFasteners #Fasteners

Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists© The Mario Cuomo Bridge in 🗽 New York, with a budget of USD 3.9 billion (EUR 3.6 billion), has been at the center of controversy since its opening in 2017. Allegations of faulty bolts and a potential cover-up by the construction consortium, Tappan Zee Constructors (TZC), have raised concerns about the bridge's structural integrity, despite assurances from TZC and the New York Thruway Authority that the bridge is safe. In 2018, a 🔊 whistleblower claimed that engineers had secretly replaced defective bolts to hide the faults from inspectors. This led to an investigation by the New York Attorney General’s office into the reported failure of 60 bolts out of the more than one million used in the construction. TZC has maintained that all bolt testing showed no issues, affirming the bridge is entirely safe for public use. The company invested over USD 1 million (EUR 921,000) in expert assessments, concluding that only a small percentage of the bolts had manufacturing defects, which caused breakage during tightening. In 2021, a federal review by the Federal Highway Administration reported "no safety concerns" regarding the bridge, according to the Thruway Authority. However, an independent bridge expert, quoted in The Albany Times Union, described the number of faulty bolts as "unprecedented and highly alarming." Despite the ongoing debate, TZC emphasizes that the bridge was designed with multiple safeguards to prevent a collapse, even in the event of some bolt failures. The latest inspection found just one failed bolt out of hundreds of thousands. Read more stories about fasteners at tsamouris.gr/en/news. #MarioCuomoBridge #NewYork #Bolts #TsamourisFasteners #Fasteners

Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists© In August 2007, a seemingly minor maintenance oversight nearly led to disaster aboard 🇨🇳 China Airlines Flight 120. Luckily, there were no casualties. The Boeing 737-800, carrying 157 passengers and 8 crew members, caught fire and exploded at Naha Airport in Japan shortly after a safe landing from Taipei, just moments after all passengers had evacuated. The incident began as the crew prepared for disembarkation. The aircraft had taxied to the gate, engines were shut down, and everything seemed routine. Then, ground crew members noticed flames coming from one of the engines and immediately informed air traffic control. Upon receiving the alert, the captain swiftly ordered an emergency evacuation. In a miraculous turn of events, all passengers and crew were able to evacuate through the four emergency hatches using slides, just before the plane exploded. The pilots, after ensuring everyone’s safety, escaped through the cockpit window. Despite the intensity of the situation, only minor injuries were reported. The subsequent investigation revealed that a fuel leak had occurred due to a puncture in the slat track. Further inspection traced the issue to an improperly installed bolt in the right wing's slat down-stop assembly. The bolt, torqued without the necessary washer during scheduled maintenance six weeks earlier, had worked itself loose. This washer was a critical component in the design, intended to prevent the down-stop assembly from detaching. Without it, the assembly eventually came loose and fell onto the slat-can assembly track during the plane's ground movement. As the slat retracted, the detached assembly was pushed through the slat-can wall, puncturing the fuel tank. The leaking fuel ignited when it came into contact with high-temperature areas of the right engine, leading to the fire and eventual explosions. This design flaw, relying on the washer to secure the assembly, played a key role in the accident, amplifying the impact of the maintenance oversight. Amazingly, the entire sequence of events was traced back to a single missing washer, later found below the wing’s forward spar. In response to the incident, the Republic of China Civil Aeronautics Administration grounded the entire fleet of Boeing 737-800s operated by China Airlines, Mandarin Airlines, and the Republic of China Air Force for fuel system inspections. The Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau took similar action, ordering inspections of the same aircraft type operated by Japanese carriers. Read more stories about fasteners at tsamouris.gr/en/news. #Boeing #LooseBolts #Bolts #TsamourisFasteners #Fasteners

Tsamouris, the Hand Tools Specialists© 17 professional pruners from across Washington, DC, gathered at the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates WSU Wine Science Center in Richland on March 9, 2024, for the first-ever Washington State Pruning Competition 🌳. The event, a collaboration between Bahco Tools, the leading manufacturer of cutting tools and professional horticulture equipment, and Washington State University's Viticulture and Enology Program. Pruning, an important task in winemaking that involves removing excess wood from vines to promote fruit development and overall vine health, requires a keen eye and steady hand. The competition put the pruners' abilities to the test, with judges evaluating the precision of their grapevine cuts, including the angle, proximity to buds, and other key criteria. Shaw Vineyards, the largest grower in Washington's Red Mountain AVA, dominated the event, with their employees sweeping the top three spots in both the men's and women's categories. The winners received an impressive array of prizes, including cash, silver belt buckles, and specially crafted golden secateurs, while all contestants took home Bahco pruning tools. The success of the inaugural Washington State Pruning Competition has set the stage for an even bigger and better event in 2025. At Tsamouris, we are proud to offer Bahco's world-class hand tools in Greece, designed for long-term use and optimum performance. Stay tuned and order Bahco hand tools at tsamouris.gr/en. #Bahco #HandTools #WashingtonStatePruningCompetition #TsamourisFasteners #Fasteners

Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists© In June 2016, a broken bolt sent a Union Pacific train carrying volatile crude oil hurtling off the tracks in the Columbia River Gorge, spilling 42,000 gallons (158,987 liters) and forcing the evacuation of the nearby town of Mosier, Oregon, 🇺🇸 United States. The accident was caused by at least one broken bolt holding the rail in place, according to a report filed by the company with the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration. The broken bolt, which is unique to curved sections of track, failed despite the train traveling at 26 mph (42 km/h) in a 30 mph (48 km/h) zone. Following the accident, Union Pacific checked similar bolts in curved sections of its 32,000 mi (51,499 km) of track across 23 states. The company also replaced bolts in the derailment area with heavier duty ones and increased inspections in the Columbia River Gorge from once every 18 months to four times a year. The derailment, which caused no injuries, raised concerns about the risks associated with transporting crude oil by rail. At Tsamouris, we understand the critical role that quality fasteners play in ensuring the safety and reliability of transportation infrastructure. Learn about our standards at tsamouris.gr/en/trust. #RailSafety #InfrastructureReliability #BrokenBolt #TsamourisFasteners #Fasteners

Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists© The 🇳🇱 Netherlands-based Triodos Bank has constructed an office building that can be fully disassembled and reused at the end of its life. The building, designed by Dutch firm Rau Architects, was constructed using an astonishing 165,312 screws, allowing for easy dismantling and repurposing of its components. The primarily wooden structure, with towers ranging from two to five stories, stands in stark contrast to traditional steel and concrete buildings that are welded together and are difficult to disassemble. Beyond its innovative use of screws, the building boasts several other sustainable features. The wood used in construction is carbon neutral, and the design maximizes natural daylight to reduce the need for artificial lighting. The building's shape was designed to minimize its impact on local wildlife, and the landscaping includes a pond for animals to drink from. The office also incorporates renewable energy technologies, such as solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling, while encouraging eco-friendly commuting with bike facilities and proximity to public transportation. Perhaps most unique is the building's status as the first "temporary materials bank." All materials used in the design are logged on a public platform called “Madaster,” which tracks materials in the built environment to eliminate waste. Each component, from wooden beams to glass panels, has a "materials passport" detailing its specifications and origins. Discover us at tsamouris.gr/en. #CircularDesign #SustainableConstruction #TsamourisFasteners #Fasteners

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Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists© In a guileful attempt to evade authorities, a passenger flying from Dubai to Bengaluru, India, was caught at the airport trying to smuggle 267 grams of 👑 gold disguised as nuts and bolts. The customs team, suspicious of the man carrying a large black suitcase, intercepted and questioned him. Upon scanning the suitcase, officers were shocked to discover numerous screws fixed to the bag, which turned out to be gold cleverly hidden to resemble everyday fasteners. The incident, which took place on August 2023, highlights the creative lengths smugglers will go to in order to bypass security measures and illegal transport precious metals. However, the vigilant customs officers at Bengaluru airport proved that even the best disguises can be uncovered with careful profiling and advanced scanning technology. At Tsamouris, we may not offer gold bolts yet, but we take pride in providing the highest quality bolts and maintaining one of the largest inventories in Greece and Cyprus with over 25,000 products. Read more stories about bolts at tsamouris.gr/en/news. #GoldSmuggling #NutsAndBoltsDisguise #Bolts #TsamourisFasteners #Fasteners

Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists© In September 2023, thousands of 🇨🇦 Montrealers lined up in Brossard and on Nuns' Island to receive a piece of history — a souvenir rivet from the old Champlain Bridge. The bridge, which connected Montreal and its suburbs for nearly 60 years, was decommissioned in 2019 and replaced by a new USD 4.4 billion (EUR 4 billion) span. Despite the pouring rain, people eagerly waited to get their hands on one of the 4,000 rivets being given away as keepsakes. The giveaway proved immensely popular, with some individuals lining up as early as 7 a.m. on the previous day in Brossard. The original Champlain Bridge, opened in 1962, was the most-travelled bridge in Canada, with 50 million trips per year. It played a significant role in the economic development of both Montreal and its surrounding areas. However, the bridge was also plagued with problems, including a lack of drainage that led to rapid corrosion, ultimately leading to the decision to replace it when it was less than 50 years old. Nathalie Lessard, a spokeswoman for Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Inc., the federal Crown corporation managing the old bridge, emphasized the importance of the rivets: ”Rivets are not used to build bridges anymore; now they use nuts and bolts," she explained, highlighting the historical significance of these fasteners. The rivets were removed as part of a USD 400 million (EUR 370 million), multi-year effort to dismantle the old bridge, which is on schedule to be completed in early 2024. The giveaway is part of the corporation's effort to recycle some 90% of all the bridge materials, including 25,000 tonnes of steel. Other pieces of the bridge have been repurposed into various projects, such as a bicycle, a footbridge for a scout camp, school furniture, and even watches. Tsamouris is a leading supplier of high-quality bolts, committed to providing fasteners that ensure the safety and longevity of the public infrastructure they are used in. Learn more at tsamouris.gr/en/trust. #ChamplainBridge #MontrealHistory #TsamourisFasteners #Fasteners #Rivets

Tsamouris, the Fastener Specialists© When retired postman Rodney Holbrook set up cameras to uncover the mysterious nightly tidying of his shed, he never expected to find a furry little helper scurrying about. The footage revealed a tiny mouse 🐭🪤 diligently moving nuts and bolts, from a workbench into a nearby box. Initially, Holbrook noticed that bird food was ending up in old shoes stored in the shed, prompting him to investigate. To his surprise, the camera captured the mouse carrying various items, such as screwdrivers, clothes pegs, and cables, in its mouth and clambering into boxes nearly as tall as itself. Amazed by the mouse's tidying skills, Holbrook joked that he no longer bothers to clean up, knowing that his little friend will take care of it. Interestingly, this isn't the first time Holbrook has encountered a house-proud mouse. In 2019, he installed a night-vision camera for a friend, which also revealed a mouse keeping his friend's shed organized. At Tsamouris, we appreciate the importance of keeping things tidy and organized, even if it's just a small bolt in a shed. While we may not have a helpful mouse on our team, we take pride in providing the world’s best Bahco and Irimo tool storage that help keep your tools and fasteners in order. Check them out at tsamouris.gr/en. #BoltTidyingMouse #Bahco #Irimo #ToolStorage #TsamourisFasteners #Fasteners