Focus on fasteners

CONNECTING THE HARDWARE AND BUILDING SUPPLY INDUSTRY THROUGH ANY ENVIRONMENT

Building product manufacturers are emphasizing faster, better, cheaper — as a mantra to mitigate the various challenges facing job sites, and by extension, the pro dealers that supply them. And with no product more prevalent — at least in terms of the number of individual products used — fasteners are demonstrating these subtle improvements from tip to recessed head.

At the same time, many of the leading companies are navigating the supply chain challenges with investments in technology and distribution.

“The past two years have been a real challenge throughout the entire supply chain,” said Tom Ferguson, vice president of marketing and product management at Hillman Solutions. “We’ve been able to keep up with the increased demand and have maintained fill rates of our construction fasteners at more than 95%. We’ve expanded two existing distribution centers while investing in new technologies to increase fulfillment efficiencies.”

Additionally, Ferguson pointed to innovations such as the recently introduced Power Pro Speed Band-Its, which are described as drive-ready screw bundles to help increase install times. Also, there’s a wider variety of colors, sizes and packaging quantities in Hillman’s new Power Pro Concrete Anchors, “giving retailers more options to appeal to a wider audience of consumers.”

Attractive displays that are easy to stock and easy to shop are also part of the growth plan devised by Huttig, where the Huttig-Grip fastener line was conceived by a team of industry experts to solve the pain points with existing programs.

Customized merchandising solutions that simplify product selection. “Same-size master cartons, combined with eye-catching, informative packaging, create an attractive display that it is easy to stock and easy to shop,” the company said.

From the shelves to the job site, innovation continues. On the following pages are several examples. CAMO, the manufacturer of decking tools and fasteners recently unveiled its newest innovation, the CAMO ClipDRIVE stand-up fastening tool for grooved decking. Designed for fastening CAMO Universal Deck Clips, the ergonomic, lightweight tool attaches to any drill and allows you to stand comfortably while fastening any type of grooved deck board up to five times faster than traditional methods. Created with input from contractors the ClipDRIVE features a height-adjustable handle for builders of any size and a weighted nose to make targeting screws easier. Camofasteners.com

The Hillman Companies, Inc. has introduced its latest addition to the Power Pro family, Concrete Anchors. Designed for light and medium-duty concrete, block, and brick applications, these durable, corrosion resistant anchors are ICC-ES Code Compliant and are available in three colors, blue, white, and black in various lengths and 3/16”, 1/4”, and 5/16” diameters. Unlike traditional anchors, the Power Pro Concrete Anchors feature a fully threaded tip to enable quick penetration into wood and other materials. The wide serrated threads and mid-crossband threads offer a cleaner and faster cut while providing superior pullout and shear load strength. Available in hex washer head and flat head with star drive. Hex heads are ideal for applications that require additional holding power and faster drive times such as securing metal to concrete. Flat heads offer a cleaner look as they countersink to remain flush with the surface and the star drive offers additional contact points to reduce the chance of stripping. The flat head also incorporates under head micro nibs that clear out debris so that the fastener seats more securely. HillmanGroup.com

Huttig-Guard fasteners from Huttig is a comprehensive mix of outdoor screws with features, warranties, and price points for every customer, every project. Huttig-Guard Platinum outdoor screws are designed from head to tip for strength and ease of use. Double countersink head, knurled shank, coarse serrated thread, and type 17 point all work together to reduce drag and to provide a smooth, secure finish. Huttig-Guard Platinum trim screws complement the outdoor screws and round out the assortment. Available in bronze and green, all Huttig-Guard Platinum screws backed by a limited lifetime fastener guarantee. Also part of the Huttig-Guard mix; outdoor and composite screws in limited 50 year guarantee, limited 15 year guarantee, and stainless steel. Same-size 1 lb. and 5 lb. master cartons make it ever easier to create a custom display. Huttig-Grip.com

FastenMaster has released a new and enhanced version of their versatile GuardDog exterior wood screw. Perfect for exterior applications including pressure treated decking, railings, stair stringers and more, this newly enhanced fastener improves on the original which has been used on thousands of projects over the last decade. New additions to the GuardDog fastener include a TORX ttap Drive System that delivers a stick fit, wobble-free installation, a sharp Type 17 Point for quick cutting into the wood surface, and cutting nibs under the head to deliver a clean finished look. GuardDog has been tested and approved for use in treatments such as ACQ and CA-B, and acidic woods like Cedar and Redwood. This fastener is guaranteed to protect against rust for the life of the project. GuardDog exterior wood fasteners are available in lengths ranging from 1 5/8” to 3 ½” and in quantities ranging from 75 piece boxes to 1750 piece buckets. FastenMaster.com

Grip-Rite Structural Screws offer versatility, speed and longevity in load- bearing 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. 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. Grip-rite.com

Altenloh, Brinck & Co. US, Inc. is introducing two new additions to the SPAX Deck Solution Center category of products: SPAX deck board spacers and SPAX deck joist and beam tape. Shown are SPAX PowerDeck Trim Head stainless steel screws being installed using the new SPAX deck board spacers, available this spring. SPAX is also launching its new deck joist and beam tape this spring. Spax.us

Envision Outdoor Living Products is expanding its fastener lineup with the addition of the Pro Plug Hidden Fastening System for its Ridge Premium composite decking collection. Fluted deck boards, common among composite manufacturers, are not widely available for use with Starborn’s well-known Pro Plug system; Envision worked directly with Starborn to develop modifications that will accommodate Ridge Premium’s budget-friendly fluted deck boards.

The Pro Plug System for Ridge Premium includes the three components of the original Pro Plug: epoxy-coated carbon steel screws or stainless steel screws; a patented PVC/Composite tool that attaches to a standard drill/driver to drive screws to the correct depth without overdriving or stripping the screw; and plugs made with Envision’s decking material for a perfect match to the deck boards. EnvisionOutdoorLiving.com Sharper, faster, better are some of the benefits Grabber Construction Products uses to describe its UltraPro Ultimate Wood Screw. And the company points to a long list of material advantages for its product.

At the top of the list, and at the top of the screw, a LOX Recess provides eight points of contact to avoid strip outs. During the LBM Advantage market in Orlando last month, Grabber’s Brandon Haly demonstrated other virtues of a snug fit, including a no wobble, one-hand operation. The LOX Recess grabs the screw as if a magnet were involved, allowing the user to reach up or down with confidence that the screw will remain connected to the bit.

Other benefits promoted by the UltraPro screw include a Scavenger II Head that self countersinks for a clean and flush finish, and Draw-Tite upper threads that pull wood members together.

The UltraPro is available in Exterior GrabberGard Gold, or an Interior Yellow Zinc coatings. Grabberpro.com/Utrapro

Brandon Haly of Grabber Construction Products demonstrates the UltraPro screw during the recent LBM Advantage market in Orlando.

On display in Orlando. Orgill’s 2022 Spring Dealer Market took place in Orlando Feb. 24-26, bringing merchandising ideas and model stores to the show floor. One twist this year instead of a generic model store, an actual CNRG brand was replicated: Town & Country Hardware. In addition to the real-world Midwest Fastener aisle (shown above), the display included real-world Town & Country employees.

Hot topics abound in Washington, D.C.

BREATHE EASY: INDUSTRY-BUILDING NETWORKING (NO MASKS REQUIRED)

The National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association and HBSDealer will host the 2022 ProDealer Industry Summit for the first time since late 2019.

Washington, D.C. will end its requirement for people entering businesses to show proof of vaccination and will lift its mask mandate for businesses starting on March 1. Businesses are still permitted to maintain their own requirements for vaccinations and masking.

“The news from [the mayor] announcing the removal of the mask and vaccine mandates couldn’t have come at a better time as we prepare for our first in person ProDealer Industry Summit in over two years,” said NLBMDA President & CEO Jonathan Paine. “We are excited to once again host lumber and building material dealers and their supply partners from around the country to share best practices, engage in meaningful discussion on many critical topics impacting the industry and hear from a variety of Washington Insiders.”

The summit is being held live and in-person from March 29 through April 2 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, D.C. Washington briefings, legislative updates and unique opportunities for networking.

Supply and demand

Among the hot topics: supply chain disruptions and materials shortages are two of the biggest challenges affecting today’s industry.

Ken Pinto’s April 1 keynote session will offer a primer on ushering in a new way of doing business, where builders provide SKUs and Date Needed data 30, 60, 90 days ahead of time.

Hear details from Pinto on how to supply chain issues as an agent of change that can be utilized to transform builder transactions and interactions.

With more than 40 years of construction experience, first as a tradesman, then as a supply chain manager, Pinto’s passion to lower construction costs cemented his relations with suppliers. He is also the author of How Much Is the Milk? Uncovering Your Greatest Cost Savings in Residential Construction by Listening to Your Suppliers.

A topic with staying power: Succession planning

NLBMDA business owner members will also learn about proposed tax law changes that could have a direct impact on their overall wealth.

In addition, there will be discussion surrounding vital strategies in the areas of business succession and wealth preservation as well as an eventual transition of assets with a special focus on the business.

The presentation will be provided by brothers Terry and Lee Resnick who are partners at Resnick Associates, a nationally recognized business succession, estate planning, and life insurance advisory and implementation planning firm with offices in Kansas City and Harrisburg, Pa.

The brothers have spoken to and worked extensively with a large number of industry trade associations and their business owner members individually.

Among the areas of focus will be why profitable businesses ultimately fail, the importance of business owners coordinating business succession plans with estate plans, addressing active vs. inactive children within a family business, and liquidity issues along with valuation methodologies that will satisfy the IRS while lowering the tax bill.

An annual highlight for the ProDealer Industry Summit: the ProDealer of the Year Awards ceremony. This year’s event honors Hancock Lumber of Casco, Maine and in the independent category, Espy Lumber Company of Hilton Head, S.C.

“We hear from all over that the industry is eager to travel again and meet their peers and suppliers face to face,” said Amy Grant, HBSDealer Associate Publisher and director of the ProDealer Industry Summit.

Learn more at prodealer.com