POINTS CONNECTION
A retailer’s guide to fastener trends, best practices and featured products from leading manufacturers
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
Whether you serve DIYers, professionals or a combination of both, fasteners is a key core category that when honed and curated, can become a powerhouse for your operation. The breadth and depth of the fasteners category can seem overwhelming, but staying on top of the trends and finding an effective partner to walk you through the nuances of the department can take the guesswork out of finding success.
The Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) 2024 Product Purchase Tracking Study: Building Material & Structural Systems found that paying attention to the fasteners category is imperative. In 2023, fasteners was the second highest purchased group in the building materials and structural systems category, with a 31% category incidence rate.
Study respondents shared they purchased fasteners most often, 69% of the time, at big-box retailers and only 18% of the time at local hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards, leading to plenty of opportunities for the independent channel to take back some market share.
SCOTT WRIGHT Vice President of Content Development & Publisher
Scott Wright swright@YourNHPA.org
Regardless of where they are purchased, 81% of the time fasteners are installed by DIYers, 10% of the time by contractors and 9% by a combination of DIYers and contractors. Tapping into this DIYer market with well-educated and trained employees and education on choosing the right fastener product can be an easy way to boost sales and create loyal customers.
The opportunities in the fasteners category are ripe for the independent channel, and in the following pages, you’ll learn more about the latest trends and what customers want in this department and glean best practices for merchandising, advertising and sourcing fastener products.
MASTERING FASTENERS
LONG PART OF THE independent home improvement retailer’s core offering, the fastener category continues to evolve, and staying on top of the trends and most effective best practices is key to success in this department. As you look to refine your operation’s fasteners category, consider these four best practices.
Stay Organized
Phil Cheeves and his wife Deanna opened Hometown Hardware Co. in Senoia, Georgia, in 2018. Since then, the store has almost doubled its fastener retail space, and the category has become the operation’s most consistent category.
Cheeves and his manager, Allan Morris, have continued to add merchandise and expanded to three additional endcaps, with the organization of the category key to its success.
“With so many small products in this category, it is important to keep the area clean and organized so customers and employees are able to find what they are looking for,” Morris says. “To the left of the island we stock U.S. standard options and on the right side we keep metric fasteners.”
Hometown Hardware Co. has various fastener gauges available around the fastener department to help customers and employees find the right product. The store’s employees are also well-trained to answer customers’ questions.
“Our customers definitely appreciate the fastener gauges, some of them even try to take them home.” Cheeves says. “We also make a point to have an employee near the section when possible and walk customers to the product instead of making them find it themselves.”
At McGuckin Hardware in Boulder, Colorado, plumbing, hardware and fasteners manager Michael Gillette says he was looking to revamp the store’s fasteners category to better serve customers.
Gillette says his team took their current fasteners area and sketched different layout options and sent those proposals to their supplier, who then made adjustments based on their planograms, but also gave them what Gillette’s team asked for in the best way possible.
“Once the planning phase was done, we were left with nailing down a time to begin,” he says.
Gillette says any store looking to reset a category like fasteners should do so during their slowest periods, which for McGuckin’s was January through March. This allowed the team to maintain the old fastener aisle’s functionality while transitioning to the new setup.
“Having a supportive vendor is crucial,” Gillette says. “Finding the right partner is essential. I can’t emphasize how important it is to have a strong relationship with your vendor.”
We’re proud we’ve set a high standard for
performance, customer
satisfaction and meeting
our customer’s expectations.
Resetting our fasteners category has helped us meet those high standards.
—Michael Gillette, McGuckin Hardware
“ “
03
Listen to Your Customer
The new fastener aisle at McGuckin’s is more than just a visual improvement. The selection has grown significantly to meet the unique demands of the store’s diverse customer base, which includes tech developers, high-end electronics specialists and even national laboratories.
“I’ve had a customer come in and ask for a very specific stainless steel component that was used in space; you never know where that product is going to end up,” Gillette says. “We’re proud we’ve set a high standard for performance, customer satisfaction and meeting our customer’s expectations. Resetting our fasteners category has helped us meet those high standards.”
04
Create a Work Space
At Vickery Do it Best Hardware in Smyrna, Georgia, one of Atlanta’s northwestern suburbs, staff knows customers sometimes have to talk through their home improvement problem while they’re standing in the aisle. That’s why they’ve cleared the top of the fasteners display and created a wooden counter with space to work and make sure they have exactly what they need before they head out the door.
At Vickery Ace Hardware, the clean surface of the fasteners display provides a place for customers to figure out exactly what they need.
CATEGORY RESET
Successful Resets
From shelving delays to customer retraining, the team encountered hurdles that required flexibility and quick problem-solving. McGuckin Hardware’s plumbing, hardware and fasteners manager Michael Gillette offers his best practices for category reset success.
One Project at a Time
During the problem-identification stage of a category reset, you may find other categories that could also benefit from a reset. It’s important to focus on one project at a time and not attempt to tackle multiple resets simultaneously.
Plan for the Long Term
A reset isn’t complete once the new layout is in place. After the category reset is finished, it takes time to fine-tune inventory and placement to maximize margins and processes.
Choose the Right Partner
Having a supportive vendor is crucial. If you’re not confident in your vendor’s ability to assist you, it’s worth looking for other partners who will.
Train Employees and Customers
Retraining your employees and customers is essential. Employees need to understand the new layout and where products are now located to help customers.
FASTENER FOCUS
FastenMaster
FastenMaster is an American manufacturer whose products are innovative alternatives for remodelers, professional deck builders, residential framers and homebuilders, which is why they are widely used in residential decking, residential wood framing and new construction projects.
MVP
The FastenMaster MVP™ Multipurpose Wood Screw is engineered for enhanced connection strength, durability and corrosion resistance, and is the easiest multipurpose screw on the market today! The TORX® ttap® Drive System provides a stable, wobble-free installation, and FM’s exclusive SureStart Point makes sure it starts fast, every time, and without spin outs. The SureSink Head countersinks without compromising clamping force and the ProjectLife coating provides guaranteed corrosion resistance for the life of the project, whether used inside or out in pressure-treated lumber. Add MVP to your toolbox today.
The Only Multipurpose Wood Screw You Need!
VersaLOK ™
Ditch the Lag Bolts!
FastenMaster VersaLOK™ is a heavy-duty structural wood screw designed for various applications, including angle bracing, retaining walls and carrying beam connections. VersaLOK installs without pre-drilling, saving time and effort, and offers higher shear strength than ½-inch lag bolts. Its flat head with TORX® ttap® Drive System ensures flush installation and strong bit engagement. It is IBC/IRC code compliant, ACQ approved for use in treated lumber and features a ProjectLife™ coating for guaranteed corrosion protection throughout the project’s lifespan.
Watch product video here.
ThruLOK®
Connect Deck Posts Faster and Easier!
FastenMaster ThruLOK® system is a structural wood-to-wood fastener that replaces traditional carriage or through bolts without requiring pre-drilling. It combines the strength of a through-bolted connection with the speed of a screw installation. Available in lengths from 6¼ inches to 9½ inches, ThruLOK is designed for various applications, including connecting deck posts to rim joists and securing multi-ply beams. Its galvanized coating meets code requirements for treated wood, making it ACQ approved and IBC/IRC code compliant.
Watch product video here.
NLB
The FastenMaster NLB Connector is designed to efficiently secure the tops of non-load bearing walls to overhead trusses and joists. It enables connections up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, reducing labor costs. By eliminating the need for clips, nails and pneumatic tools, it enhances job site safety and allows installation from the floor, minimizing ladder use. Additionally, the NLB Connector removes the necessity for double top plates on non-load bearing walls, leading to significant material savings.
Watch product video here.
FrameFAST ™
The FastenMaster FrameFAST ™ is a heavy-duty 6-inch framing screw designed to secure roof trusses, wall studs and plates, as well as deck joists to carrying beams. It installs five times faster than traditional hurricane ties without the need for compressors, nailers or hoses. Featuring the TORX® ttap® Drive System, it ensures stable, wobble-free installation. The FrameFAST system is code-compliant, approved for exterior applications including treated wood (ACQ-D) and comes with a ProjectLife™ Guarantee for long-lasting performance and corrosion protection.
PAMFast
The FastenMaster PAMFast AutoFeed Screw System is a professional-grade tool designed for efficient and jam-free screw installation. Its Smooth Advancement Technology ensures a clean drive, eliminating common issues like jams and rejections. The system utilizes PAMMax Fastener Belts, which hold up to 40% more screws, reducing reload time. Its 2-in-1 design features a removable extension pole, allowing quick conversion between long and short configurations to accommodate various fastening tasks, such as subflooring, decking, drywall and roof tiles. The PAMFast system is compatible with both corded and cordless motors, offering versatility for different job site requirements.
Watch product video here.
DITCH THE CLIPS & Make the Switch
5X FASTER
10X FASTER
Faster, Easier & Safer than Traditional Clips
· No Ladders · No Nailers · No Predrilling
SCAN to learn more about FrameFAST & the NLB Connector
FASTENER FOCUS
Midwest Fastener
Based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Midwest Fastener is a family-owned hardware supplier that services customers all over the country, from Alaska to Hawaii. We have a long-standing reputation in the general and construction fastener aisle for being a knowledgeable, responsive and trusted partner for your hardware needs. We accomplish this through a fully customer-focused approach by offering quality products and keeping our commitments. Our national sales force is dedicated to servicing local hardware stores, lumberyards and more. Our business is your hardware.
SaberDrive Deck Screw
Our flagship brand, SaberDrive, has been trusted by retailers, contractors and DIYers for over 20 years. The SaberDrive Deck screw has our premium coating- XL1500®, a proprietary coating that’s been tested by the International Code Council and has been shown to exceed the protection offered by hot-dipped galvanized fasteners. It is approved for use in exterior applications and treated lumber. The Type-17 tip, serrated threads, cleanout threads, seating nibs and a star drive head make this deck screw reliable and consistent every time.
saleshelp@mwf.net fastenerconnection.com 269-327-6917
@midwestfastenercorp.8070
TorqueMaster Black Concrete Screws
When your concrete project demands the best, choose TorqueMaster for unbeatable performance. We were the first company to develop a blue star drive concrete screw, and recently, due to popular demand, our concrete screws are also available in black. Our DuraPro™ coating is approved for use in exterior environments and chemically treated lumber, providing exceptional corrosion resistance for long-lasting durability. TorqueMaster concrete screws have been evaluated by ICC and code listed under IBC® and IRC® and they have a Florida Product Approval for use in HVHZ, proving they can withstand the harshest conditions Mother Nature can throw at them. Drill bit and driver bit are always included—everything you need is in one box/tub.
SaberDrive Impact Bits
Introducing SaberDrive Impact Rated Driver Bits, engineered from robust S2 steel for superior strength and durability. The innovative friction fit design ensures a secure connection, reducing slippage and enhancing precision. Ideal for both professional tradespeople and dedicated DIY enthusiasts, these bits offer the reliability and efficiency needed for any project. Experience the ultimate in driving performance and durability with SaberDrive.
Project Master Kits
Project Master Kits are a contractor, DIYer or homeowner’s dream come true. Imagine everything needed for a project in a complete kit, eliminating those frustrating trips for the one size you didn’t have. Now bigger, better and more complete kits are available by Project Master. Contractors are known to carry 3-4 different kits to cover all their needs for that day’s project. Homeowners can hang them in the garage for the next home repair or fun project—anyone can use them. Our kits have a detailed label with a clear description and outline exactly which size is where, plus helpful information such as pilot hole size recommendation. As the gold winner of the 2024 Innovations Award, Project Master kits are the definition of what the modern hardware kit should be.
BuildRight Deck Screw
Our BuildRight deck screw is a fastener focused on quality and affordability. Engineered to be the most cost-effective deck screw on the market, it has only the most important features. With its exterior coating, Type-17 cutting tip and star drive, it has everything a deck builder needs and nothing they don’t. The exterior coating is recommended for treated lumber and outperforms HDG. It’s the perfect screw for those wanting a quality fastener without spending a day’s paycheck. Anything worth building is worth building right.
SaberDrive Platinum Structural Lag Screw
When looking for lag screws for heavy duty applications, our SaberDrive Platinum structural lag is unmatched. Engineered with precision and designed for excellence, these screws offer a seamless blend of strength, durability and ease of use, ensuring your projects are completed to the highest standards. Equipped with our durable XL1500 coating, Type-17 Tip and more, this construction lag is the forefront of quality. We even beefed up the star drive for stronger bit-to-screw contact and had the head stamped for easy identification after installation. Our SaberDrive Platinum® structural screws are tested according to AC233 and AC257 standards for structural properties and corrosion resistance (ICC ESR #-4214), guaranteeing long-lasting performance in demanding environments. Meticulously designed to far exceed expectations of the industry.
FASTENER FOCUS
Power Pro
Power Pro is built on advanced engineering and high-quality performance for the true craftsman whose unrivaled skills are complimented by unrivaled performance. We obsess over delivering constantly evolving, ever improving solutions with highly engineered features that perform flawlessly from the moment you open the package through the completion of the job and last a lifetime. With a product portfolio ranging from fasteners for concrete and masonry to carpentry and metal, Power Pro takes every aspect of the job site into consideration. We know that trust is earned, not given. We are rigorous in earning that trust by providing the craftsman with the unrivaled performance and drive for perfection they deserve—every time.
Structural Wood Screws
Power Pro Structural Wood Screws feature an innovative thread design that allows for 30% faster installation compared to competitors. This efficiency reduces construction time, helping contractors get the job done quicker without sacrificing strength or reliability. These ICC Code-approved screws meet the highest building standards for strength and performance. This certification provides peace of mind for builders and ensures industry compliance. Power Pro offers the most robust line of structural screws on the market, each engineered to meet specific performance needs of various applications. From securing ledgers, trusses or framing, they are designed for maximum reliability and durability.
Wood Screws
Next-generation Power Pro Wood Screws feature a dual lead thread design and thread to tip with an extra sharp point, enabling 30% faster driving speed compared to competitors. This means projects are completed quicker, saving valuable time on the job site. The optimized design dramatically improves driving efficiency, allowing users to drive more screws per battery charge. This means fewer interruptions for battery changes and recharging, maximizing productivity. In head-to-head comparisons, seven out of eight professional users preferred next-generation Power Pro Wood Screws over leading competitor screws for their quick wobble-free start and faster install speed.
Watch product video here.
Concrete Screws
Power Pro Concrete Screws are the best performing code-approved screw anchors for fastening into concrete and masonry materials. The engineered design cuts threads into concrete, brick and block and has a 25% higher pullout value compared to competitors. The patented superior thread design and wide serrated threads help break up and act as an exhaust port for concrete. The anchors include an epoxy coating that has been rigorously tested and lasts 50% longer than competitors. The anchors are available in two head shapes and three colors to complement projects.
Metal Screws
Power Pro Metal Screws epitomize strength and reliability across a diverse range of roofing, metal to wood, metal to metal and wood to metal applications. Precision engineered self-drilling points deliver peak driving performance, while premium materials and coatings ensure durability, supported by a Limited Lifetime Guarantee. A robust selection of screw sizes and packaging options provides solutions for a wide range of projects. Metal screws are available for metal-to-metal application, metal to wood application, roofing and lath.
ONE Screw
Our unique three-sided pyramid point allows the Multi-Material Screw to drive into wood, drywall, plastic and metal up to 20 gauge quickly and easily without pre-drilling. The spiral flutes provide increased pullout and torsion strength delivering a longer lasting and more secure connection. The serrated hi-lo threads increase drive speed while reducing the torque necessary to drive the screw to help extend battery life. Our exclusive four-layer bronze epoxy coating offers superior corrosion protection in treated lumber and outdoor applications. Power Pro Multi-Material screws are the only screws you’ll ever need.
Watch product video here.
are the top choice for construction and home improvement projects due to their exceptional quality and performance. Proudly 100% American-made, they are crafted from high-grade steel for enhanced strength and durability. Their double coating ensures long-lasting protection against rust and corrosion. Maze offers innovative spiral and ring shank designs, providing superior holding power for various applications like siding and decking. Additionally, Maze nails come in prefinished colors, allowing for seamless integration with different siding materials. By choosing Maze, contractors and DIYers ensure their projects are built to last while supporting local manufacturing. Whether you’re putting on a new roof or installing siding, Maze Specialty Nails deliver the quality, reliability and aesthetic appeal needed for a successful project.
Why Maze Specialty Nails Outshine the Competition
When it comes to new construction and home improvement, the quality of materials can make or break a project. Among these materials, nails play a critical role, particularly in roofing and siding installation, decking and other structural applications. Maze Specialty Nails has emerged as a front-runner in the industry, providing unparalleled quality and performance. Here’s a closer look at why Maze Specialty Nails are better than the competition, thanks to their 100% American-made production, high-grade steel composition, unique shank designs and customizable color options.
orders@mazenails.com mazenails.com
800-435-5949 @mazenails6386
Innovative Shank Designs: Spiral and Ring Shank
Maze Specialty Nails go beyond traditional designs by offering both spiral and ring shank options. In fact, Maze Company and its affiliates invented both threading types back in the 1930s. Each design serves a unique purpose, providing extra holding power that is crucial in various applications.
• Spiral Shank: Spiral shank nails feature a twisted design that provides a superior grip within the material. This design is particularly effective for securing siding, as it minimizes the risk of pull-through and enhances overall stability. Spiral shank nails are excellent for applications that experience lateral forces, ensuring that your structures remain intact under pressure.
• Ring Shank: Ring shank nails are designed with concentric rings along the shaft. This design not only improves holding power but also reduces the likelihood of withdrawal over time. For projects like siding or decking, where movement and weather changes can loosen nails, the ring shank design offers peace of mind, knowing your structure is securely fastened.
Both of these innovative shank designs set Maze Specialty Nails apart from competitors who may only offer standard smooth shank nails. By providing options that cater to specific needs, Maze ensures that customers have the right fasteners for every job, enhancing the overall quality and safety of their projects.
100% American-Made Quality
One of the standout features of Maze Specialty Nails is its commitment to American manufacturing. In an age where outsourcing has become the norm, Maze takes pride in producing all its nails in the U.S. This commitment ensures not only high quality but also supports local economies and job creation. American manufacturing regularly adheres to stricter quality control standards, ensuring that every nail produced meets rigorous performance specifications. By choosing Maze, customers can trust they are supporting American workers and businesses, reinforcing the values of craftsmanship and reliability.
High-Grade Steel for Enhanced Durability
The foundation of any quality nail lies in its material. Maze Specialty Nails are made from high-grade steel, which offers superior strength and longevity compared to the competition. High carbon steel is known for its remarkable tensile strength, allowing Maze nails to withstand significant loads without bending or breaking. This is especially crucial in structural applications.
Double Hot-Dip Galvanized STORMGUARD® Nails
Starting with top-quality steel, a high percentage of Maze Nails are then Double Hot-Dipped Galvanized. This guarantees a thick, uniform zinc coating that protects against rust and corrosion. This is essential for roofing, siding and decking applications, where nails are frequently exposed to moisture. By using Maze nails, contractors and DIY enthusiasts can ensure their projects are not only built to last but also maintain their aesthetic appeal over time.
Customizable Color Options
In addition to performance and quality, Maze Specialty Nails offer a unique advantage that many competitors lack: the ability to paint nails to match various types of siding and trim. This feature allows contractors and homeowners to maintain a cohesive aesthetic that keeps the homeowner happy.
Custom-colored nails blend seamlessly with the surrounding materials, ensuring that the fasteners are nearly invisible once installed. This attention to detail not only improves the visual appeal of a project but also adds value, making it an attractive option for those looking to enhance the overall design of their homes. Whether it’s wood, engineered siding or fiber cement siding, Maze can provide a matching solution that fits perfectly with the chosen materials.
Watch product video here.
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