Clearview 264 - November 2023 | Page 77

Hardware & Security
outstanding manufacturers across the globe , which ensures it is in full control of product design , manufacture and supply , to deliver consistently high-quality fasteners to customers . This is maintained and checked by the rigorous testing of every batch of fasteners arriving at its UK HQ in its own technical centre .
Achieving technical excellence Rapierstar works constantly to highlight the crucial role that fasteners play in the assembly and construction of every building element , including doors and windows . This is necessary because they are often taken for granted due to the fact that they are so small and – per unit – by far the lowest cost component in the finished product .
As the team has seen on numerous occasions , however , one failure such as a friction stay screw breaking and causing the casement to fall loose , can have costly consequences in terms of call-backs and reputation .
The quality and performance of the highly engineered PVCu and aluminium window systems in today ’ s market depends upon the weakest link in the chain – which can be the fasteners used in assembly . This is one of the reasons why the vast majority of the UK ’ s fenestration industry rely on Rapierstar for the correct advice in selecting the best screw for each application and consistently reliable delivery .
How have fasteners evolved in the past three decades ?
Today ’ s window screws are vastly superior in every way versus those of the early 1990s . The plating and passivation performance of Rapierstar products helps to provide increased corrosion resistance to exceed extended guarantees and the products are far stronger , but also more forgiving .
Point technology has increased speed of insertion and , therefore , fabricator efficiency , capable of meeting the high demands of modern production . This is why leading hardware manufacturers recommend Rapierstar screws , and why the company works with all the major profile manufacturers to develop Recommended Fixing Manuals ( RFMs ) – these are available to all fabricators to download at www . rapierstar . com
The next era for Rapierstar The business is in excellent shape for the next 30 years thanks to its long term strategy of re-investing profits . This
means it continuously improves the way it operates , and it is able to innovate with new products .
In the last two years Rapierstar has implemented many major upgrades behind the scenes , including cloud-based solutions , a world-class ERP system and fully integrated business management systems on a par with , if not ahead of , many multi-national businesses . The latest digital technology is at the core of everything Rapierstar does , such as the latest version of Microsoft Business Central as its business management platform , increased use of Solidworks computer aided design to develop new products and enhanced cybersecurity protection . All these provide a solid platform for the business to thrive in the digital age .
Running parallel to this has been on-going investment in its R & D programme . A number of patented new product developments are in the pipeline for different applications across the construction industry . These reflect Rapierstar ’ s design capabilities and offer new potential for the business in its next era alongside its position of market-leadership in the fenestration market .
www . rapierstar . com
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