Insight

For 180 years Schmid Schrauben has looked to develop innovative solutions in the attachment and mounting industry, with the company becoming a pioneer in timber screws.

Based in Hainfeld, Austria, Schmid Schrauben has a long history of developing innovative solutions, with the most important strategic shift for the business happening in the 1990s – when it decided to focus on structural screws for timber constructions. From this decision, Schmid Schrauben Hainfeld GmbH has been able to create a dedicated product line for the timber market that it believes stands out in regards to performance and quality.

“Through our RAPID^® and StarDrive GPR^® screw range systems we have been able to set international benchmarks when it comes to the production of timber screws,” explains Andreas Gebert, CEO at Schmid Schrauben. “This means that we can provide the perfect screw for every application, such as timber construction, multipurpose construction, wood-concrete-composite, and window construction.”

In addition to its core competence of timber screws, the company has also developed additional products to help customers, such as its RAPID T-Lift System and the RAPID T-Con for wood-concrete connections. “At Schmid Schrauben we look to offer a full service to customers, whether it be our extensive standard range or custom solutions – all available in any type of packaging a customer can request,” states Andreas.

Thanks to its ‘Made in Austria’ production, Schmid Schrauben is able to guarantee the highest quality. “We do not just sell screws, we are producing them according to quality norms, whether in series production or customised production,” mentions Andreas. “We offer full traceability of every screw we produce, from the machine used, the operator, the time and batch it was produced in, right back to the raw material. In addition, we have a third party company, Holzforschung Austria, that regularly carries out independent inspections of our factory to ensure all quality procedures are being followed.”

To keep itself at the forefront of the market, Schmid Schrauben looks to use strategic investment and innovation. “Investment and innovation are the only competitive advantages that are sustainable and is something we look to focus on as a business,” explains Andreas. “For instance, we have recently invested heavily in new machinery, as well as in new employees to help cover the growing demand we have experienced.”

This investment in additional production capacities has already paid dividends, as Schmid Schrauben has seen an increase in orders from customers who have shifted from Asian suppliers during the challenges that arose from the pandemic. “We are hopeful that this shift will be long-term, as customers realise the benefits of working alongside a European partner.”

Another area that might create an opportunity for Schmid Schrauben is the recent introduction of anti-dumping duties on certain iron or steel fasteners from the People’s Republic of China. “We are in a position where we are able to adjust our production, both in quantities as well as types of products, to meet the needs of the market,” states Andreas.

Other opportunities that Schmid Schrauben sees for the future includes the continued growth of the timber construction market, as sustainability becomes more and more important. “We strongly believe that parts of concrete construction will be replaced by wood and that will provide us with a lot of opportunities,” reports Andreas. “As the timber construction market develops, so will the need for taller wood construction, which will lead to new requirements on our products. In addition, it will also lead to new types of wood entering the market, which again will lead to new product lines and solutions for customers.”