A successful 2020 for connectors and fasteners

Despite the unprecedented nature of 2020 the construction industry is prevailing, and we’ve been working hard at Simpson Strong-Tie to bring you exciting new innovations across all of our main product ranges, backed by brand new catalogues and our first rate technical support and customer care.

The year began with the launch of our Connectors for Timber and Masonry Construction mainline catalogue, introducing a host of new products such as the GPC, Gable Panel Connector, which solves the problem of the connection detail between the masonry wall, the wall plate and the bottom rail of the gable panel. Also included are a high movement timber frame tie, decorative and a heavy duty post bases, an adjustable mini hanger, purlin anchor, twisted restraint strap and a 4mm reinforced angle bracket.

Also in January our mascot Rusty burst onto the scene to advise customers that building requirements outlined by NHBC and LABC, only advocate the use of austenitic stainless steel or PVCu beads in all external rendering applications, anywhere in the UK. Galvanised steel beads are no longer accepted for external rendering in any situation.

Ireland Country Manager David Mooney explains:

 “We only recommend the use of stainless steel or PVCu products for external applications. Although it’s generally known for its corrosion-resistant properties, galvanised steel can react with the chemical components in render. Simply put, galvanised steel in external rendering may rust, which will reduce the lifespan of your work and can be costly to put right. But the good news is it’s easily avoided.

Our Stainless steel beads are specifically designed for cement based renders, and our range of stainless steel angle beads, bellcast beads, stop beads and movement beads, and the PVCu plastic alternatives, have been engineered to provide reinforcement and resist impact damage. Our range makes bellcasts, corners, stops and abutments all easier to form, and they can be cut to size as required.”

In March we introduced our brand new Premium Fasteners range; featuring Europe’s leading range of superior nails and screws includes stainless steel, structural and collated options, all showcased in the Premium Fasteners Catalogue. The range features the new the SSH screw, designed specifically for use with connectors where high load capability is required, and a choice of superior stainless steel options, which come complete with point of sale solutions for merchants.

Quality and reliability is our top priority. The fastening system you choose is as important as materials and finishing touches; cheap nails and screws can cause decking to loosen over time causing uneven surfaces. Fasteners can even deteriorate over time if used an inferior quality product is used.

We’ve got the Premium Fastening systems you need to guarantee long-term performance and safety, whether you’re fastening connectors, structural timber, CLT, concrete, light gauge steel, flooring, roofing or cladding.

The catalogue also features our award winning Quik Drive auto-feed screw system, which is now available with a lifetime warranty, launched in March with the release of a video in the style of video game, which had almost 2 million views on social media.

The Quik Drive collated screw system provides a significantly faster way to install screws, and there’s a kit to suit just about every application – from drywall installation to mezzanine floor construction and truck beds. And best of all fits on to all leading screw guns in just a few simple steps.

In May we released our Connectors & Fasteners for Cross Laminated Timber Construction catalogue, featuring several new products such as the AB255SSH structural angle bracket for installing CLT elements on wood using the SSH structural screws, the HTT range of hold downs, optimised for superior strength to withstand uplift forces for timber panels, and the BTALU concealed beam hanger for completely invisible connection for larger section beams.

Quik Drive Systems offer a solution for fixing hangers and angle brackets to timber frames with collated screws such as the CSA-T and the WSNTL twin lead thread screws, making installation both quicker and safer, with less H&S risks.

The safety of our staff and customers is our top priority here at Simpson Strong-Tie, so in September, as part of our new socially distant ways of working, we’re launched a digital version of our popular Building Safer Structures CPD seminar.

The new online format is already a hit with attendees, including recent delegate Katie, a Project Engineer at david narro associates.

“Laurence is an enthusiastic presenter – even digitally, and I appreciated the switching between product demonstrations on camera and showing us things in the presentation. I found the back to basics very helpful and clear, and I enjoyed the real world examples both of successes and the hall of shame.”

October saw the release of our brand new 2021 Connectors for Light Gauge Steel catalogue.

Created for suppliers, architects, engineers, erectors, and contractors alike, the new catalogue makes it easy to specify project-appropriate LGS connector solutions, with robust product pages including detailed features and benefits, technical data and installation advice, as well as associated fasteners and tools.

From steel joist connectors to over-sail movement connectors, bridge connectors and ties, to chemical and mechanical anchor systems, our comprehensive range of products will ensure you make the right connection, when you need it. Whether you need a hold down, anchored to the foundation, or an adjustable angle bracket connecting to the light gauge steel, our dedicated technical support team are available daily to help you select your connector and the fixing solution

Included within the range is the brand new LGSSC Splicing Clip has been designed to connect the over–sail LGS studs to the primary structure in continuous walling installations, and the new RCKW Parapet Wall Bracket has been designed to resist an over-turning moment at the base of exterior knee-walls and parapets as well as interior partial height walls.

We caught up with Sales Director Jon Head:

“It has been an exciting year for Simpson Strong-Tie, with expanding all of our connector ranges and launching our new collection of premium fasteners. We make it our mission to help you to build safer, stronger structures, and our European Testing Laboratory here in Tamworth has been working hard to guarantee performance values that give you complete peace of mind, whatever you’re building or specifying.”

For more information visit www.strongtie.co.uk