HBS Dealer 2021 Fastener Handbook

2021

FASTENER EBOOK

Demand for innovation has never been greater (and neither has the supply) in this fast turning category.

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FASTENER EBOOK

AT THE CENTER OF GROWTH:

FASTENERS

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upply and demand have weighed heavily on the home improvement and construction industry in the past 18 months.

And the role of the most common product at any job site — the fastener — has been through a tumultuous year. But also a year marked by growth, innovation and expansion.

Executives and experts who spoke to HBSDealer for this Fastener eBook special report made clear that supply chain disruptions haven’t stopped the industry from rolling out new features and benefits – mainly to address speed and efficiency. But there’s also stories of durability and availability that have factored prominently in 2021.

And no one said it was easy.

“It’s been an effort in agility all year,” said Hillman Group’s Tim Ferguson, vice president of fastening and the hardware segment.

Phil Lail, president of Pan American Screw, used the word “chaos” to describe some of the challenges facing the fastener market.

And at Midwest Fastener, Glen Gevaart, vice president of hardware sales, says in addition to responding to an influx of demand from new customers, the company revamped its entire construction fastener category during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, residential construction marches on through headwinds that include a labor shortage and volatile pricing. The latest numbers paint a growth picture:

Residential construction: The latest numbers (September) from the U.S. Census Bureau show total housing starts at a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 1,555,000. That’s ahead of the same month in 2020 (1,448,000) and well ahead of the same month in 2019 (1,285,000).

Builder sentiment: The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index ended a three month decline in September, edging up to an index of 76.

Strong demand for housing fueled the increase, the NAHB said.

Home prices: With supply bottlenecks pressuring sales upward, yearover-year median new home sale prices are up 18.7%. (Only 21% of current sales are under $300,000).

The companies and brands that supply the industry with fasteners take on an increased importance during this demand spike. On the following pages, the biggest fastener brands share their thoughts and their solutions.

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FASTENER EBOOK

Hillman points to performance-enhancing design

P

erformance has multiple meanings at The Hillman Group. It describes the ability of the company’s fasteners to solve challenges on the job site. And it describes the ability of the company’s network of facilities and teams to keep the right product flowing to the right customers — at the right time.

In 2021, there’s been significant performance enhancements in both meanings of the word.

“We have a lot of really cool stuff coming out this year and beyond,” said Tim Ferguson, VP of marketing & product management, Hardware Solutions Division. Screws that conserve energy, screws that fit snugly with the bit, screws coated with never-before-used materials — all of these are promoting performance on the job site.

A specific example is the newest addition to the Power Pro line — a concrete screw, to join the family of performance wood screws and fiber cement board screws. The patented, ICC -approved products bring improved pullout values, improved shear values, and improved corrosion resistance to the marketplace.

Along with the Power Pro engineered performance line, Hillman Group’s fastener brands include its namesake Hillman brand, the durable Deck Plus line, and in the 4 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

Above: A Hillman display at a recent industry trade show.

The company says it offers 112,000 products and supplies 26,000 retailers.

Canadian market, Paulin. The brands allow Hillman to “target the right audience with the right solution,” Ferguson said.

Across the board, the solution that everyone seems to be looking for these days is speed on the job site. “The guys on the job, they’re jammed right now,” Ferguson said. “With the labor shortages and pentup demand for remodeling and new construction—they can’t afford to be slow, and they don’t have time for a call back.”

According to Hillman’s Tony Kovac, Director, Product Management, Hardware Solutions Division, Hillman fasteners are built to perform, and fast. “With all the patented features we have, our fasteners install faster, and they also conserve battery life on cordless tools,” Kovac said.

“Especially when you’re driving with a cordless drill, the name of the game is speed, and that conserves battery life.

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“The guys on the job, they’re jammed right now. With the labor shortages and pent-up demand for remodeling and new construction— they can’t afford to be slow, and they don’t have time for a call back.”

— Tim Ferguson, Hardware Solutions Division, VP marketing & product management

Those factors combine to speed up a project.”

Another performance indicator: in-stock position for Hillman products at hardware stores, lumberyards and home centers. And the company has taken extraordinary steps to keep the supply flowing.

For the first time, Hillman entered the raw steel business, as opposed to sourcing finished goods. The team also kept the supply chain humming by looking at new areas for steel. Hillman made big bets on inventory during the pandemic. It even bought its own truck chassis to move in and out of ports more quickly, another first.

Service and innovation are building blocks for Hillman’s culture, the executives say. That’s a crucial one-two punch in a competitive environment that’s changed dramatically over the last 10 or 15 years.

“A screw is not just a screw anymore,” said Kovac.

“And that’s why we put our best foot forward from an engineering standpoint.”

Packaging and marketing have evolved along with the product. As fasteners take on more features and benefits, packaging at Hillman has worked hard to keep up, educating the customer and serving as a silent salesperson on the retail floor.

“That package is the hero,” Kovac added. “When you pick it up at the store, you know exactly what it is used for and the benefit for the user. We really do our homework to make sure we accomplish that.”

The performance story is taking place on a huge stage. The executives point to a customer base of 40,000 individual doors to supply, served by a field team of 1,000.

“It’s been an effort in agility all year,” said Ferguson. “Our job is to get the parts to the DIYers and the pros through our customers. It always goes back to getting the right products in the right place with the solution that people are looking for. And whatever we have to do, that’s what we’ll do.”

For more infomation, click here: https://www.hillmangroup.com

For more on Built Hillman Strong, click here. https://youtu.be/Nf89hvf8RHM

Pushing limits in small packages: New from the Hillman Group for 2021 is the Fas-n-Tite Fence Post Screw, which installs wire or panel fencing without a hammer or pre-drilling.

Use in place of traditional fencing staples on wire up to 6 gauge. Easy to install and remove with a drill or impact driver, the Fas-n-Tite Fence Post Screw installs 10-times faster and is 3-times stronger than traditional fence staples. Designed for all woods, including pressure-treated lumber. Hammer-free installation saves your fingers, and the screws are coated for corrosion resistance. They are available in three sizes for projects large or small.

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For more on Power Pro One Multi Material Screw, click here. https://youtu.be/3TaaLpxjy-8

HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER 5

FASTENER EBOOK

Makeovers and moves at Midwest Fastener

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rue to its Michigan roots, the company’s name is Midwest Fastener Corp. but the business extends across the entire United States. Fueled by a growing team of field representatives and a product mix that is improving, innovating, and certainly evolving.

According to Glen Gevaart, Portage, Mich.-based Midwest Fastener’s VP of hardware sales, the company is coming out of the pandemic stronger than ever. One thing that remains the same, is the kind of customer service on which the business bases its successes.

“When the company started 50 years ago, it was just in the state of Michigan, and all the focus was trying to take care of customers around the state,” said Gevaart VP In an interview with HBSDealer, “We’ve been working hard to build on that.”

Gevaart listed some of the company’s recent highlights: A growing team of sales reps and a growing product mix.

Innovations in the performance and category

management of our fastener lineup.

Acquisition and integration of Northfield, Ohio-based

Hy-Ko, known for making signs, numbers, letters, keys.

This includes the high-tech ChipKey programs, key machines, and all the eye-catching key chain-related products that build impulse sales.

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Midwest Fastener has been building industry relationships since 1967. Among its portfolio of leading fastener brands are (above, from left) SabreDrive, SabreDrive Platinum and BuildRight.

Meanwhile, the pandemic and industrywide supply chain issues have generated an influx of orders from potential new customers. The company will prioritize existing customers, and it will supply others where it can.

“We used to get a call once a month from new customers — ‘Hey, I need several thousand of this or that.’ But now, we’re getting those calls almost daily from retailers that we don’t normally do business with.”

Through it all, Midwest Fastener points out their high shipping percentage. What normally runs about 98%, slipped to a still-impressive 95% during the supplychallenged pandemic period. “We’re still feeling really good about that,” Gevaart said. “And we can take care of all of our current customers.”

Also, during the pandemic, Midwest Fastener revamped its entire construction fastener category, he said. The company made improvements to this approach — starting with updating the opening price HBSDealer.com

point BuildRight brand and elevating to the new-andimproved SaberDrive.

The SaberDrive brand is armed with new features and a new-and-improved tagline: “Bigger Bite. Better Drive.”

“SaberDrive has become kind of an industry standard for consumers and contractors, both. The SaberDrive brand name has taken off.”

New to the line is the SaberDrive Platinum version that specializes as a deck screw. Included in the list of benefits is durability. It achieves 2,500 hours in the industry-standard salt spray test. As the name implies, the product is blasted with salt water until it rusts. A 2,500-hour rating is a long way from what used to be considered sufficient (500 hours) and is at the top of the range of what’s considered a high-quality fastener.

Other physical improvements include SaberDrive Platinum’s Spiral-Razor tip that cuts as it penetrates.

Behind the products is a growing sales organization.

Midwest Fastener employs 150 reps with 15 regionals sales managers across the country. This is a big shift from 10 years ago when a handful of regional sales managers worked with rep agencies.

“We’ve changed our model pretty significantly,” Gevaart said. “And that reflects our culture as a service-oriented company.”

And through all the changes and growth of the company, a new generation of family ownership is taking on a visible presence both internal and external, including Andy DeVries, who took on the role of president in 2017.

“We were founded in 1967, and we have a long history of building relationships,” Gevaart said. “And at the same time, it’s great for the industry to see Midwest Fastener Corp. in a whole new light with the new generation bringing us into the future.”

For more infomation, click here:

Midwest Fastener serves markets from coast to coast, and beyond, through its five distribution centers.

For more on Andy Devries and Midwest, click here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApktxVfRtuI

https://www.fastenerconnection.com

“When the company started 50 years ago, it was just in the state of Michigan, and all the focus was trying to take care of customers around the state. We’ve been working hard to build on that.”

For more on SabreDrive Platinum, cool, click here. https://youtu.be/NbfRNs4NOhs

—Glen Gevaart, VP of Hardware Sales, Midwest Fastener

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HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER 7

FASTENER EBOOK

PrimeAnalytics from PrimeSource

The Grip-Rite Structural Screws family

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n an increasingly competitive market with broad-reaching resource and inflationary impacts, how can companies drive sales while achieving greater customer satisfaction? It’s basic — simply ensure the right product is in the right place at the right price. PrimeSource Building Products offers the largest building products distribution network in the continental United States with 34 distribution centers and over 30,000 SKUs…but the real solution is localized and fueled by data.

Think about the challenges contractors, builders, and building supply companies faced over the past several years. Rising costs, tighter supply and greater competition require that the products offered to your customers be consistent with the local market demand. But what is in demand in your market? Finding that answer on your own requires an excess of time and resources to track, analyze, and act on this information — a task that is both time-consuming and expensive.

Or is it? PrimeSource heard this message loud and clear from customers and set out to find a solution, implementing an expansive data analytics initiative to turn those results into actionable insight customers could use to grow. “We know we offer the best products in the market, but we know our customers have options, so we wanted to provide a business solution that only PrimeSource could provide…it’s another integral piece of the PrimeSource Advantage. We can optimize our customers’ fastener aisle thru advanced analytics given PrimeSource has visibility to every US market and intimately understands the local demand. The solution isn’t about stocking every sku…it IS about optimizing the offering for each customer,” says Scott Smith, chief commercial officer at PrimeSource Building Products.

“PrimeSource is sitting on a mountain of data. We can accurately identify the most popular products for any market, but the golden ticket is found a personalized solution for an individual customer location…optimizing the product selection based on shelf space, local demand, and customer specialty.

We call this tool PrimeSet and it’s already helping our customers offer better products while controlling costs,” Brian Blevins Sr. Director Analytics.

Data drives results and PrimeSource Building Products is uniquely positioned to deliver margin improvement, efficient inventory and merchandising solutions to each and every customer.

For more infomation, click here: https://www.primesourcebp.com

“The value-added services we bring to our customers truly differentiates PrimeSource in the marketplace…from merchandising resources to storm response to our innovative data analysis — we strive every day to bring solutions to our customers. Global Reach, Hometown Service are words we live by and the standard by which we measure ourselves each and every day.”

— Allyson Horst, Senior Director of Marketing, PrimeSource Building Products.

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GRIP-RITE EXTERIOR SCREWS Grip-Rite offers reliable solutions for decks, fences, pergolas and other exterior projects, delivering both the quality and value contractors expect at an undeniable value. With a range of coatings and warranties lasting from 10 years to the life of the project, Grip-Rite exterior screws are available in multiple colors and package sizes to accommodate projects large & small. Get the job done right with Grip-Rite!

Grip-Rite Structural Screws (with PrimeGuard Plus coating) The newest launch from the brand you know and trust, Grip-Rite Structural Screws offer versatility, speed and longevity in loadbearing exterior wood construction projects.

Grip-Rite’s exclusive Dual Drive Power head brings flexibility to the jobsite with a unique combined Hex Washer/Star Drive recess head, offering the user a choice of using the included hex driver or a star drive bit to fasten the screw. The ID code is stamped right into the head for easy spec reference and a load value chart is conveniently located on every package. As a replacement for lag screws, Grip-Rite Structural Screws feature a type 17 point that translates to both efficiency and time savings by eliminating the need to pre-drill pilot holes. Our premium PrimeGuard Plus coating assures GripRite Structural Screws will last throughout a project’s lifetime. Easily identifiable, cobalt blue packaging features easy to read iconography, lateral load value references and a scannable QR code that links directly to the ICC report for technical specifications.

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Grip-Rite MAX Stainless Exterior Screws (PrimeGuard Max) When nothing but the best will do, Grip-Rite MAX Stainless screws are the preferred premium exterior construction fastener on jobsites — especially those located in areas with high humidity, around pool areas or near the coasts. GripRite 302, 305 & 316 grade stainless steel screws are ideal for fastening decking, siding, roofing, finish & trim and are the best choice for use in cedar and redwood construction. Deep cut threads and T-15 & 30 star drive heads are standard on all Grip-Rite MAX Stainless Exterior Screws, increasing holding power and quick engagement for a solid connection.

Grip-Rite Premium Exterior Coated Screws

Grip-Rite Exterior Coated Trim Head Screws Grip-Rite Exterior Coated Trim Head Screws are engineered with Grip-Rite’s exclusive PrimeGuard Plus premium coating — guaranteed against rust and corrosion to prolong the beauty and durability of decks, siding, fences, gazebos and other outdoor projects. GripRite Exterior Trim Head screws feature a T-20 star drive trim head suited to materials used in exterior finish work.

The type 17 point reduces pre-drilling and helps to keep material from splitting.

Coarse threads with reverse threading pull the material substrates together for a solid, tight connection.

GRIP-RITE INTERIOR SCREWS

Grip-Rite Premium Exterior Coated Screws (with PrimeGuard Plus coating) Grip-Rite Exterior Fasteners engineered with our exclusive PrimeGuard Plus premium coating are guaranteed for the life of the project against rust and corrosion to prolong the beauty and durability of decks, siding, fences, gazebos and other outdoor projects. Grip-Rite Exterior Screws are built to contractor specs — star drives to quickly engage the included bit, heads that smoothly countersink the coarse thread fastener for a flush finish and a type 17 point to reduce pre-drilling while engaging rapidly with the project material, helping to prevent splitting.

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Grip-Rite Gold Construction Screws Grip-Rite Interior Gold Construction Screws are the reliable choice for a multitude of indoor fastening solutions, including cabinetry, trim, doors, shelving, general woodworking and non-structural framing, among others. Featuring T-25 Star drives and type 17 points, they engage quickly and do not require predrilling. An allpurpose screw for reliable results during interior construction.

Pro-Twist Drywall Screws

Grip-Rite Gold Trim Head Construction Screws

Grip-Rite Gold Construction Trim Head Screws The newest addition to the Grip-Rite Gold Construction Screw line… Trim Head Screws feature a T15 star drive trim head suited to materials used in finish work. The type 17 point reduces pre-drilling and helps to keep material from splitting. Coarse threads with reverse threading pull the material substrates together for a solid, tight connection.

Grip-Rite Contractor Grade Drywall Screws As the most preferred brand in construction fasteners, Grip-Rite knows contractors…and we know they want the highest performing product at the best value. Our new Contractor Grade bulk screws are manufactured in Taiwan, built from high-quality steel and are QC tested to deliver consistent drill speeds that perform above industry standards.

Grip-Rite Contractor Grade bulk screws are exclusively available in both coarse and fine thread for drywall with easily recognizable, signature Grip-Rite Contractor Grade packaging. Professional grade screws with the quality, value and performance contractors expect to get a job done right...that’s Grip-Rite ® Contractor Grade.

Pro-Twist Drywall Screws Pro-Twist fasteners are manufactured in Taiwan, tested for hardness, strength and drilling rate applications and consistently perform to the highest expectations. Pro-Twist offers 17 styles of screws, presenting an unrivaled breadth of offering that pros choose time after time.

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FASTENER EBOOK

SPAX delivers made-in-America solutions

H

BSDealer spoke with Eric Ashack, SPAX product manager, Altenloh, Brinck & Co. U.S., Inc.

materials such as synthetic decking, trim, and siding create the need for longer lasting connections. Precision-engineered, heattreated, and coated screw fasteners from SPAX are resistant to breakage and ensure long-term durability. In addition, using screws means that contractors can use far fewer fasteners, as well as save time through speed of installation and ease of use.

Using a product such as SPAX engineered fasteners alleviates pre-drilling, decreases driving torque and saves battery life — making work easier for contractors all the way around.

Screws can be offered as a superior alternative in many applications in areas too constrained for the use of a hammer — and also for the contractor who just doesn’t feel like swinging a hammer, which is more labor intensive.

Screws also work best where there is a need for the superior holding power and pull-out resistance in comparison to nails.

How do you see the fastener market growing in the coming 12 months?

The fastener market has grown substantially, as has our company. At SPAX, we expect significant growth again in the next twelve months, especially because our products are made in America and we know there is considerable demand for American-made building products.

Are there any building trends that are influencing fastener development?

We’re seeing changes in pressure-treated lumber and an emphasis on matching that with coating technologies. Color is more of a player now in our industry. Contractors are looking for a great-looking finish for decks, as well as corrosion protection.

In addition, there are several new uses for engineered screw fasteners that can replace not only nails but also other hardware.

Perhaps most important of all for the busy contractor, these new applications for fasteners can take less time and labor than traditional methods.

Are there specific problems your products aim to provide solutions for?

Contractors are converting from nails to wood screws because of tighter fit, better withdrawal values and better tensile strength.

Furthermore, advancements in sustainable and durable building

The brand from Altenloh, Brinck & Co. U.S., Inc. expects significant growth in the coming year, as market demand for quality and innovation increases along with construction demand.

Have you launched any new products or technologies that are bringing solutions to the job site?

This year to date, we’ve launched SPAX POWERLAGS Truss Screws for use in attaching truss/rafters to wall plates.

These engineered fasteners ensure a building code required, continuous attachment method from floor to roof.

We’ve also launched new SPAX PowerTrim finishing and composite-PVC trim screws.

PowerTrim fasteners can be used with composite or PVC trim. They feature a secondary thread that pulls in PVC pigtails and tucks it in for a clean, flush finish.

We also launched a new interactive catalog to help dealers and contractors to quickly find information on specific products by application or fastener type, as well as research relevant building code compliance (TER) reports and technical specifications. Users can look up products by head style, size, coating, drive system and more.

The SPAX catalog is available at https://spax.us/products/product-catalog

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SPAX POWERLAGS truss screws

SPAX POWERLAGS TRUSS SCREWS Altenloh, Brinck & Co. US, Inc is pleased to announce the immediate availability of a new addition to the line of SPAX POWERLAGS Engineered Fasteners. SPAX POWERLAGS truss screws are designed for use in attaching truss/rafters to wall plates for ensuring a building code required, continuous attachment method from floor to roof.

The new product is a #14 x 6-1/4” fastener that includes patented SPAX features: T-STAR plus drive within a cylindric head Patented thread serrations

A UNIQUE 4CUT point for quick and easy installation with no pre-drilling required.

“Our new construction fastener is made of carbon steel with SPAX exclusive WIROX coating which is ideal for interior framing use. The truss/rafter fasteners will be packaged in a Contractor Pax 50 count carton ready for retail shelves and will include a 2” long T-30 plus bit. POWERLAGS truss screws are manufactured in our German facility, but will be packaged and stocked in the Bryan, Ohio warehouse,” said Eric Ashack, SPAX product manager.

ABC-US / SPAX received DrJ Engineering technical report No. TER 1912-07 for product data and TER 1910-02 for the Truss/Rafter to Plate Connection application report.

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SPAX POWERTRIM FINISHING AND COMPOSITE-PVC TRIM SCREWS Builders and contractors gained a new fastening solution this summer in the trim screws category with the release of new SPAX PowerTrim finishing and compositePVC trim screws, the latest addition to the line of SPAX Engineered Fasteners.

“We’re very excited about this new addition to our product line, which is a direct result of requests from our customers.

We have taken our company’s German designs to the next level with this innovative American trim screw,” said Ashack This new product is considered a specialty fastener and is designed for use in attaching wood and composite/PVC trim boards for residential home interior and exterior work.

Partial thread applications include window and door casing attachment, baseboards,

SPAX PowerTrim Finishing Trim Head Screws

cabinetry, door jambs, stairs and railings, crown molding and fine carpentry. Reverse double thread applications include fascia trim, baseboards, window and door trim and counter top trim.

PowerTrim fasteners round out the SPAX product line and feature the same patented attributes as the POWERLAGS product — T-STAR plus drive within a cylindric head; patented thread serrations for faster, easier driving, and a unique 4CUT point.

PowerTrim fasteners also feature a reverse double thread for PVC applications to pull and hide pigtail shavings and eliminate bulging.

The new construction fasteners are made of carbon steel with SPAX exclusive white and yellow HCR (High Corrosion Resistance) dual barrier coating, which is ideal for both interior and exterior applications including PVC and treated lumber.

SPAX PowerTrim trim screws are available in both #8 and #9 diameters and in lengths of 1-1/4”, 1-1/2”, 2”, 2-1/2”, 3-1/8” 4” and 5”. The new SPAX product is manufactured in ABC manufacturing facilities; #8 fasteners are made in the U.S.A. All trim screw products will be packaged and stocked in the Bryan, Ohio facility. They are sold in lumberyards and through online retailers, as well as home improvement stores and wherever quality fasteners are sold.

ABC-US / SPAX received DrJ Engineering technical report TER No. 2001-01 for product data.

About Altenloh, Brinck & Co. U.S., Inc. Altenloh, Brinck & Co. is proud to manufacture and distribute engineered fasteners under the SPAX® brand name for the construction market, the TRUFAST® brand for the commercial roofing industry and the TRUFAST WALLS ® brand for exterior building envelopes and facades.

The company is headquartered in Bryan, Ohio and operates a 200,000 square foot complex consisting of engineering, manufacturing, administration and central warehousing. ABC is part of the Altenloh, Brinck & Co. Group headquartered in Ennepetal, Germany.

HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER 11

FASTENER EBOOK

CAMO product roundup and review; Here’s what the pros are saying

C

AMO exists to help contractors, remodelers, and DIYers work smarter, faster, easier — better. Our innovative fastening systems help them tackle every deck build. Whether they’re installing pressure treated decking, square composites, grooved boards, or anything in between, CAMO is the better way to build a deck.

For more infomation, click here:

and directs the included T-15 bit onto the head so contractors can fasten 2X faster than other hidden deck fasteners.

To install up to 5X faster, contractors can use the CAMO DRIVE stand-up tool.

https://www.camofasteners.com

CAMO Universal Deck Clips: EDGE, EDGEX, and STARTER Clip for grooved decking on wood framing, and EDGEXMETAL Clips for grooved decking on metal framing CAMO Universal Deck Clips are approved and warranted for use in all leading composite, PVC, capped composite, and hardwood grooved boards. Each clip is easy and fast to install, speeding up jobs. For installs on wood joists, use EDGE Clips for 90-degree deck patterns, EDGEX Clips for any angled deck pattern, and STARTER Clips for the first board. For installs on 14–18 GA metal framing, EDGEXMETAL Clips allow contractors to fasten grooved decking easily.

Unlike other hidden deck clips, EDGE, EDGEX, and EDGEXMETAL Clips require no partial installation. EDGE clips feature a plastic spacer with legs that keep the clip in place on the joist, while EDGEX and EDGEXMETAL have wings that fit in the board’s groove. These design features allow contractors to set rows of boards and clips before fastening, and the plastic spacer on the clips automatically creates 3/16 in. spacing between boards.

CAMO Universal Deck Clips are easy to fasten as well. Each pail includes a NEVER-MISS Guide that sits over the top of the screw head

12 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

CAMO DRIVE Stand-Up Tool — for fastening decking with collated screws and clips Developed as a practical, versatile solution to reduce strain on deck builders’ knees and backs, the innovative CAMO DRIVE stand-up fastening tool helps contractors increase efficiency and save time on their deck builds.

The stand-up tool comes with three nose pieces and two driver bits for the various fastening options. DRIVE can fasten CAMO proprietary Collated Edge screws for a hidden finish on most square decking, Collated Face screws for pressure treated and square composite decking, and CAMO Universal Deck Clips for grooved decking. DRIVE is easy to attach to any drill and has a reversible handle for right or left-handed use. Standing up to fasten allows contractors to quickly move from joist to joist, speeding up installs compared to fastening by hand.

CAMO DRIVE – Customer Feedback:

“After using the CAMO DRIVE, it made it feel like I’ve been building decks the wrong way for the past 20 years. For Edge and Face fastening, load either the CAMO collated Edge or Face screws into the CAMO DRIVE tool and drive the screws into pressure treated or hardwoods, square edge capstock or PVC deck boards. All while standing up. It is that easy.”

—Josh Ross, 4th Dimension Construction, Caledonia, Mich.

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“The CAMO DRIVE is an excellent tool to be able to install quickly and get off your knees.”

— Mike Guis, Providence Custom Building, Grand Rapids, Mich.

“One feature of the tool—which is basically an extension attachment for a drill—that the team especially appreciates is that they can use their own drill/drivers (and their current battery platform) with it, rather than having to use one supplied by the tool manufacturer.

Besides being easy to figure out, set up, and work with, the tool performed well, without jamming or going out of alignment. The CAMO DRIVE simply works.”

“We were moving right along with these tools.

We were able to move two guys off the crew and still install faster. The two workers using the LEVER installed more than twice the amount of decking as the four guys struggling with the other tools.”

—Doug Rogers, Behan Bros., Inc., Middletown, R.I.

—Matthew Breyer, CGR, owner of Breyer Construction & Landscape, LLC, Reading, Pa.

CAMO MARKSMAN System — hidden fastening system for square decking The CAMO MARKSMAN System of MARKSMAN tools and Edge Screws is the solution to achieving a fastener-free surface on square decking. The MARKSMAN tools clamp to and space the boards and guide Edge screws into the side of the board, creating a strong connection with the joist.

CAMO LEVER – Board bending and locking tool CAMO LEVER is designed to save labor and boost the efficiency of deck builders. Ideal for small crews, LEVER straightens warped boards and locks rows of boards and clips in just one turn, freeing up contractors to fasten. The versatile tool adjusts to wood and metal joists 1-1/2 to 3 inches wide so that contractors can use it on every job.

LEVER rounds out other CAMO innovations like CAMO DRIVE, Collated screws, and CAMO Universal Deck Clips. For easy wood installs, contractors can secure one end of the board, then quickly straighten out the other end with one turn of the LEVER and fasten the board. For the fastest grooved decking installation experience, lock in a whole field of boards and CAMO Universal Deck Clips with 2–4 LEVERS across the length of the deck and fasten with the DRIVE.

CAMO has a MARKSMAN tool and fastener combination for every deck board. The MARKSMAN EDGE and MARKSMAN Pro-X1 are designed for pressure treated lumber. The MARKSMAN EDGE is a single-shot no-gap tool, while the MARKSMAN Pro-X1 automatically creates 1/16 in. spacing between boards 5-¼ in. to 5-¾ in wide. For narrow composites, PVC, cedar, redwood, hardwood, and KDAT boards 3-¼ in. to 5 in. wide, CAMO offers the MARKSMAN Pro-NB, which creates a 3/16 in. spacing. Finally, the MARKSMAN Pro is for composite, PVC, cedar, redwood, hardwood, and KDAT boards 5-¼ in. to 5-¾ in. wide, creating a 3/16 in. gap between boards.

CAMO MARKSMAN System – Customer Feeback:

“We also used CAMO’s LEVER, a newer innovation that replaces bow wrenches—it aligns and locks six or seven rows of boards at a time. We didn’t have to wrestle with the boards to get them straight.”

“When I’m building cedar decks, I don’t like putting screws right through the face of the decking because I think it ruins the aesthetic.

So I use CAMO MARKSMAN Pro tool and Edge Screws. It’s pretty simple, you have the little spacers and run it along with the joist, use the spacers to keep the gapping consistent. Put a screw in each end of the tool, then you take your drill and the included specialized bit which is the perfect depth for it and then you fasten on every joist for a great looking deck.”

—Daniel Kirkland, owner and president of Kirkland Designs, Charleston, N.C.

—Gordon South, owner/founder of Wood Bully Ltd., Toronto, Ontario.

CAMO LEVER – Customer Feedback:

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FASTENER EBOOK

Big Timber Fasteners: It’s bigger than you think

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sked about the state of the U.S. fastener market in 2021, Phil Lail, president of Pan American Screw, Inc., described it this way: “The fastener market overall is in a state of chaos right now,” he said. “Extended lead times from most Asian manufacturers, raw material shortages, domestic steel increases, rapidly rising container shipping costs and a shortage of available space on ships are creating a perfect storm.”

Pan American, whose brands include Big Timber Fasteners, is riding out that storm thanks to — among other things — a strong inventory position.

“I have heard it said, ‘Inventory Is King right now,’ and fortunately we are in a great position with plenty of Big Timber fastener products in stock to support our customers and we are well positioned to open new markets and geographies,” Lail added.

It helps also that Big Timber Fasteners has deep pockets and deep resources with its extended family of building products.

The company is part of the $8 billion-plus The Marmon Group, which is in turn owned by Berkshire-Hathaway. Lail describes that ownership structure as a definite advantage.

“When it is time to expand our distribution locations, add R&D facilities, buy new equipment and open new factories, the financial support of Berkshire-Hathaway can’t be beat,” he said.

“They allow us to run our businesses independently and do not micromanage decisions that have to be made to be successful.”

14 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

The Big Timber Fasteners brand is backed by the financial strength of Marmon Holdings, an $8 billion global company, which in turn is owned by Berkshire-Hathaway.

Above: a closeup of Big Timber’s Flat Head Wood Screws.

Where do your products fit in the big picture of the fastener market?

The Big Timber brand is considered a premium brand of fasteners in the hardware, building material, lumberyard and farm and ranch retail outlets. Part of the brand’s differentiation is the fact it’s sold exclusively in independent building material retailers — not the big box stores.

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“I have heard it said, ‘Inventory Is King right now,’ and fortunately we are in a great position with plenty of Big Timber fastener products in stock to support our customers and we are well positioned to open new markets and geographies.”

— Phil Lail, President, Pan American Screw Inc.

Also, the company’s testing is non-stop. “We test for corrosion resistance, drive torque, breaking torque, ductility, and driver bit fit,” he said. “Our unique and innovative packaging really stands out on the fastener aisle and our color-coded labeling makes it easier for the consumer to choose the right fastener for the job.”

Building on the company’s emphasis on independent testing, All Big Timber structural fastening products are tested and verified by DRJ Engineering. Plus, “the Big Timber structural fastening products are supported by a TER (Technical Evaluation Reports) and we print a QR Code on the side of the box, so they are easily downloaded in the store or on the jobsite.”

Lail describes Big Timber and sister brand Sure Drive USA as brands that can handle every construction fastener need, from stainless steel deck screws to four proven styles of hidden deck fasteners. And on top of the product diversity is the product knowledge and experience that’s built into its sales force.

“Our Big Timber men and women are on the road working with our customers, helping with contractor shows, training new employees, reorganizing shelves and plan-o grams, taking inventory and offering the full service support that we have built our reputation

on since 1945,” Lail said.

From the continuous customer interaction, Lail and his team have a front row seat on the fast-moving construction situation in the United States today.

“Our customers are telling us business is booming right now, and it has been since the early onset of COVID-19,” Lail said. “As families were ‘trapped’ in their homes under quarantine, they were wanting to improve their living spaces. Decks were being built, kitchens and bathrooms remodeled, and new construction was strong and robust.”

That raging demand overran the supply chain in some cases, across the building material industry. The goal for Big Timber and all of Pan American Screw is to keep a steady flow of product, and mitigate the volatile pricing and supply chain disruptions.

“We’re doing everything we can,” he said. “And our number one focus is supporting our customers in these uncertain times.”

For more infomation, click here: https://www.bigtimberfasteners.com

For more on Big Timber BTX & STX Fasteners, click here. https://youtu.be/byccPP8PwGg

All Big Timber structural fastening products are tested and verified by DRJ Engineering. Along with Sure Drive USA, the family of products can take on any constructioni job.

For more on Big Timber Mountain Tested, click here. https://youtu.be/rv4Du7uLOWk

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FASTENER EBOOK

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