Leading Bi-metal Screws Maker - Sheh Kai: Target Products with Potential Niches to Create Possibilities for Bi-Metal Screws

Leading Bi-metal Screws Maker

Sheh Kai: Target Products with Potential Niches to Create Possibilities for Bi-Metal Screws

 by Tanya Shih, Fastener World Inc.

There are not many companies developing and selling bi-metal screws in the world. Sheh Kai Precision Co., Ltd is not only the largest maker and exporter of bi-metal self-drilling screws and bi-metal concrete bolts in Taiwan, but also a leading company in the league of globally renowned suppliers of stainless steel bi-metal self-drilling screws. Immediately after the establishment in 1992, Sheh Kai concentrated on making bi-metal products with high entry barriers. Its products supplied to the market are mainly made of composite materials (stainless steel + alloy steel or carbon steel), stainless steel, and high hardened steel. The monthly export of bi-metal screws reaches 15 million pieces, which are exported to 20 countries in the world and applicable to steel structures and high-strength concrete buildings.

Focusing on Products with Niche Markets in the Future

EU Considers Bi-metal Fasteners as Relatively New Products

Sheh Kai can offer bi-metal screws and bolts in different types and specifications including pointed tail, flat tail, drilling tail, and painted head. The products are approved by ISO 9001:2008, ISO14001: 2004, ETA, DlBt, and ICC-ES. General manager Andy Lin says, “Bi-metal screws are still products with niche markets, and of course their market share cannot compare with those of carbon steel and stainless steel fasteners in mass production. With joining technology of two different metals, in-part heat treating technique, heading, and tens of after-processing procedures, bi-metal screws have become products with high unit prices among other fasteners.”

The rule of thumb is that the lifecycle of a fastener must be longer than those of the main building materials. General manager explains, “Critical or expensive building projects that strictly require anti-corrosion and safety are very likely to adopt bi-metal screws. As more countries or regions, which have stricter building regulations, stipulate laws to require the use of stainless steel products outdoors, we are optimistic to the prospect of bi-metal screws. We focus on products with niche markets in the future.”

Accordingly, Sheh Kai targets Europe, the US, and other advanced markets. Its sale in Europe accounts for 70% of total sales. On July 30 this year, the EU redefined bi-metal self-drilling screws and bi-metal self-tapping screws in its official journal, and recognized bi-metal fasteners as relatively new products in the market. Bi-metal fasteners have the hardness of carbon steel and anti-corrosion of stainless steel, and they do not require a pilot hole to penetrate the steel plate with the thickness of 25mm (whereas a stainless steel fastener can on average penetrate 3mm at the most). This new definition helps exclude bi-metal screws from the list of anti-dumping tax on stainless steel fasteners. This will not only improve Sheh Kai’s sales but also become a huge momentum for the company’s R&D on bi-metal fasteners.

Ongoing Expansion of Bi-metal Application Range

Initially, Sheh Kai’s bi-metal screws are mainly applied to steel roofs and corrugated walls. Recently, the company has successfully tapped into the market of high strength concrete constructions (6,000~7,000psi) with the release of “bi-metal bolts” and “high hardened steel bolts”. Lin says, “With our profession in developing bi-metals, the company sees the trend and tries to apply bi-metals to other applications such as bi-metal bits used for printed circuit boards. Applications and customers’ demands are what its technical development should be based on, and R&D is a non-stop working process.”