Summary
• Simpson Strong-Tie has added 12 new products to its range.
• Nail plate production is down by as much as 40%.
• Manufacturers are seeing growth in nail plates in the form of metal web joists.
• SST is investing in a new R&D facility.

Manufacturers and suppliers of connecting and fastening systems have felt the impact of the recession, but are proving resilient and even optimistic. And, they report, by focusing on customer service, product development and, in some cases, on different sectors of the construction industry, they have succeeded in increasing market share.

Simpson Strong-Tie (SST), for example, reports that after a quiet 2008 fourth quarter, it has seen an increase in enquiries in March and April – signs, it says, of a “tentative” recovery.

“The decline in new build housing has hit the whole construction industry and we are no exception,” said SST’s head of engineered timber division, John Head. “However, it’s this sector that has shown the biggest growth in our sales from March, with a number of national housebuilders opening up mothballed sites, leading to increased demand for our I-joist connectors.”

Timber frame market

This time last year, the timber frame market accounted for around 35% of SST’s total business and while this percentage has reduced, actual sales to the sector have picked up, by dint of “continuing to develop close partnerships with customers and by expanding our timber frame connector range”.

That range has increased 12-fold over the past year, with “star performers” being the multiple joist connector (MJC), which allows two joists to be fixed together, acting as a single unit and transferring the incoming load from the loaded ply to the unloaded ply; and the Simpson end seal (SES). “The easy-fix design of each of these products saves time and therefore cost – vital for today’s economic climate,” said Mr Head.

Nail plates are relatively humble connectors but play an intrinsic role in roof truss production. They are also used within timber frame construction in non-structural applications such as splicing floor joists – above a load-bearing wall – to create long lengths. Nail plate manufacturers rely on high volumes and as Karl Foster, sales and marketing director at Wolf Systems, said, the downturn has had a dramatic effect on a usually lucrative revenue stream. “Nail plate volumes are down between 35-40% and that has an impact on the bottom line,” he said.

Slight improvement

However, he added, a slight improvement has been seen. “Some building is going on – after all, if builders want to make money they have to build. There is some small demand, although I don’t think volumes will be as they were until the middle of next year.”

Paul Baron, managing director of Gang-Nail Systems, which includes nail plates in its product portfolio, is in positive mood. The decline in new starts has had an effect on the nail plate business but, he said: “There is some buoyancy in the social housing market, with new innovations in the fabrication of curved trusses and architecturally interesting roof designs for retirement apartment buildings that are still using nail plates.”

Both Gang-Nail and Wolf Systems are seeing growth in an area that’s a variation on the standard nail plate theme – metal web joists [Ecojoist and easi-joist respectively]. “The metal web is simply a different shaped nail plate,” said Karl Foster. “The nail plate areas are at the top and bottom of the steel diagonals and connect the timber, while keeping it apart at the same time.”

“We’ve seen a growth in the market for easi-joist as existing companies develop their business and new customers come on board. It’s growing year on year, even in the current climate.”

Opportunities

And, added Paul Baron, in an unforgiving economy one company’s loss is often another’s gain. “The failure of some timber engineering businesses has left a void of opportunity for some smaller manufacturing and some design-only consultancies which are using both nail plates and design software to create timber trusses and timber frames.”

He cites Midland Timber Engineering (MTE) as an example. “MTE previously bought its roof trusses but has now invested more than £100,000 in a Gang-Nail roof truss and Ecojoist joist manufacturing plant, enabling it to take control over every aspect of production.”

Improved customer service and investment in product development are seen as the key to future success. “We have more new products in development to meet required changes in regulations and to increase build quality,” said SST’s John Head. “We’re investing in a new research and development facility to build on the services offered by our existing UKAS-approved research lab.

“We’re very confident that when the upturn comes, which it will, this strategy will pay dividends for our customers and our business.”