BECK Fastener Group has acquired ET&F Fastening Systems Inc, a supplier of fastening systems used by contractors for applications involving fastening interior and exterior building materials to light gauge steel based in Solon, Ohio.
Pneumatic tool and fastener systems from ET&F Fastening are engineered specifically for fastening to steel, which presents special challenges: Tools and fasteners need to feature superior power, durability and reliability - the brand said - for fastening fiber cement siding, wood based panels, exterior gypsum sheathing, DensGlass and interior and exterior molding to cold formed steel studs as thick as 14 ga and 12 ga. Speed is also a factor - ET&F's Model 510 pneumatic steel framing tool, a key part of their Panelfast System, can drive collated fasteners at a rate three to five times faster than traditional screw guns, potentially saving contractors significant time and money, we're told.
All ET&F pins are made from high carbon heat-treated steel and have ballistic points to penetrate hard substrates. Many pins have knurled shanks to maximise holding strength in cold formed steel as thin as 20 ga. Similar to products from the BECK Fastener Group, ET&F collated pins are designed for maximum installation speed.
Products from the BECK Fastener Group are also pitched as delivering time and cost savings, including the SCRAIL collated fasteners, which provide the threaded holding power and adjustability of screws with the installation speed of nails. The firm said SCRAIL fasteners can be driven far faster than bulk screws, and even surpass the installation speed of ordinary collated screws.
"The addition of ET&F Fastening Systems' product portfolio to the already extensive line of pneumatic tools and fasteners from the BECK Fastener Group further enhances the number of solutions we can offer for fastening various building materials to light gauge steel," said Christian Beck, General Manager and Chief Commercial Officer of BECK Fastener Group.
"We developed our own successful line of SteelThread SCRAIL fasteners specifically for this type of application, as a removable and adjustable alternative to ballistic pins for connecting light gauge steel to gypsum or wood. With the acquisition of the ET&F line-up, we immediately expand our assortment to a new level of innovative solutions that target an exceptionally broad range of applications involving fastening light gauge steel. What’s more, we gain access into the commercial market for these applications since ET&F Fastening Systems products already have major building code and building component manufacturer approvals, and are widely accepted within the commercial construction industry."
ET&F Fastening Systems’ pneumatically installed fasteners are recognised as complying with current international building codes. ET&F’s ICC Evaluation Service reports ESR-1777 and ESR-2290 plus IAPMO Evaluation Report ER-335 provide design data for many applications fastening wood based panels and gypsum sheathing to cold formed steel 20ga to 10ga thick. ET&F fasteners are also specified by brand name in James Hardie Building Product's ICC Evaluation Service reports for fastening HardiePanel and HardiePlank brand siding to cold formed steel.
David P. Nolan, P.E. will remain at ET&F Fastening Systems, Inc. as General Manager. A Registered Professional Engineer, Nolan has been with the business since 1984, building extensive knowledge about product development, the product assortment and applications, as well as having deep roots within the industry spanning from manufacturing to distribution.
Nolan said: "This is a great move for securing the future of our company. Both the BECK Fastener Group and their Master Distributor, FASCO America have the focus we want to see on Customer Service and pushing forward with future product innovations, plus their Sales and Marketing expertise can help us expand further than would have otherwise been possible. At the end of the day, they're great people who are exceptionally dedicated to simply making things easier and more profitable for the end user."
As a wholly-owned subsidiary, the entire product line of ET&F Fastening will also become available through FASCO America, the US Master Distributor for products manufactured by The BECK Fastener Group.
