FastenerS
2025 FIELD GUIDE
From the shelf to the jobsite — top fastener suppliers share challenges and successes.
THE 2022
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From a distance of 5 feet or more, the typical nut, bolt, screw and nail probably all look about the same. But baked into this $80 billion-and-growing fastener market is elite-level innovation and merchandising strategy. And late in 2025, these aspects of the industry are more important than ever as external pressures pile up: volatile raw material costs, supply chain disruptions, environmental regulations, and international trade policies. Companies in this space must balance efficiency, innovation, and quality while competing in a market that is both global and highly fragmented. On the following digital pages, HBSDealer turns to leaders in the fastener industry to describe their efforts to bring the right products to the right projects, regardless of the industry’s headwinds. Innovation continues to drive growth. Examples include specialized coatings that resist corrosion, designs that foster ease of use on the job site, and any combination of stability, sustainability and speed. This constant evolution underscores the fastener industry’s role as both a mature sector and one with ongoing opportunities for transformation. At its core, the fastener industry provides solutions to one of the oldest challenges in engineering: how to securely join two or more components. Over centuries, fastening methods have evolved from basic wooden pegs and forged iron nails to today’s precision-engineered parts manufactured from advanced alloys, plastics, and composites. The modern fastener market reflects not only mechanical ingenuity but also the ability to adapt to changing customer demands, technological innovations, and global economic shifts. Consumers rarely notice the screws or nails in their roofs, walls and floors. Yet the safety, performance, and longevity of these products depend on fasteners doing their job flawlessly. In that sense, the industry provides more than just components. It provides confidence. And it's no exaggeration to say that this sector connects the world.
Connecting the World.
By HBSDealer Staff
H O M E
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TO
THE
2023 FIELD GUIDE
C A M O
B I G T I M B E R
H U T T I G - G R I P
P R I M E S O U R C E
S P A X
M I D W E S T
U 2 F A S T E N E R S
SIMPSON
2024 FIELD GUIDE
THE INCREDIBLE, INDISPENSABLE FASTENER
Companies that expect to succeed in the fastener industry had better be prepared to elevate themselves in two key areas: Innovation and service.
The ideas behind those terms appeared again and again during interviews with leading suppliers of fasteners. Innovation could mean a sharper point or a more du-rable connection. Service could mean on-time, in-full delivery; or it could mean developing programs that attract customers to the product on the shelf, or help present the product in a way to avoid confusion or, worse, construction errors.
The companies on the following pages are part of the vanguard of manufacturers and suppliers who are advancing the segment to meet new building trends and business environments. It’s a segment not without its challenges.
It’s a segment not without its challenges. According to the 2022 HBSDealer Industry Scoreboard Survey, more than half the respondents described the current state of the supply chain as “getting better.”
While the supply chain issues that dented the construction industry post pandemic appear to be receding, it’s too soon to declare trans-Pacific victory. Consider that the same survey also revealed that just under half of the respondents described supply chain or as a challenge extending into 2022.And the challenge wasn’t only a global issue. The domestic problem of trucking material from ports in Houston or Los Angeles to the rest of country also rattled the industry.But through it all, fastener industry innovation has stood up to the interesting times, as competition to deliver products that make the complicated process of building or maintaining dwellings sim-pler, faster or –yes—cheaper.
On the front, the last several years have been busy. Annual single-family housing starts, the bread-and-butter metric for the lumber and building material business, in the past three years have increased significantly as the table to the left shows.
Among the examples: screws for concrete; packaging that works for retailer and customer; coatings that enhance durabil-ity, truss screws for stronger connections, and innovations such as built-on washer head styles for structural wood screws.
Meanwhile, analysts at TraqLine described the consumer fastener business in terms that sound inflation resistant. Home Depot and Lowe’s are by far the two largest players in the category, and the two retailers’ fastener performance is driven by their ability to attract shop-pers vs. other retailers. “Already in the store buying other items” is a top reason that influences purchase of a fastener at a specific retailer, TraqLine’s data shows. Also: “Convenience is a key driver.”
“Price paid is similar across retailers and is not a driver in this category.” TraqLine has found, “as price is not a top reason for retailer selection.”
That finding can be interpreted as evidence that the market demands durable, useful and functional fasteners above all other qualities. That makes sense, because other than the foundation itself, nothing is more foundational to a secure dwelling than the fasteners used to build it.
So far in 2022, year-to-date unadjusted single family starts are down 5.6 percent from the first nine months of 2021, on an unadjusted basis.
SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING STARTS
2019: 887,000
2020: 990,500
2021: 1,127,200
I N T R O
CAMO® Structural Screws
CAMO® introduces a full line of code-compliant structural screws, bringing the reliability and innovation they’re known for to deck substructures, interior framing, ledgers, and more.
Making waves in the deck industry over a decade ago with the invention of Edge fastening, CAMO has grown into an industry leader, continually bringing to market new innovative deck top solutions that help deck builders do their jobs easier, faster, and better. This new line of structural fasteners marks a next step for the brand, expanding beyond the deck top and providing their contractors and dealers more building solutions under a single brand.“
A HISTORY OF BUILDING BETTER
Helping contractors build better on the deck top has always been at the core of the CAMO brand. With our new best-in-category offering of structural screws, we get to help them build a better deck foundation and beyond. We strive to invent fasteners and tools that transform their work into something faster, easier, and better — and this new line of fasteners delivers on that mission,” says Scott Baker, CEO of National Nail, the parent company of CAMO.
CAMO’s comprehensive new structural screw offering efficiently covers all popular interior and exterior structural applications, from framing and multi-ply to ledger and truss. For dealers, efficiency is a key attribute of this line. Many screws do double-duty, allowing the dealer to consolidate their SKUs, saving inventory space and money. Their heavy-duty 5/16” flat head line, for example, contains code-compliant solutions for interior and exterior ledger, multi-ply, and multi-purpose structural framing needs. All CAMO structural screws are exterior-coated for interior and exterior use. This allows their truss screw to be used for interior connections as well as for beam-to-joist connections on a deck.
COMPLETE OFFERING
CAMO structural screws are IBC and IRC code-compliant, third-party tested, and certified by DrJ, an accredited certification body. They have published technical evaluation reports (TER) for general screw properties and specific applications, giving the contractor confidence in their connections. The applications, code compliance, and TER numbers are listed on the packaging for straightforward purchasing. The packaging also includes a QR code that takes you to a landing page to download product technical bulletins and TERs easily.
All counts of structural screws come in durable clamshells and nesting plastic pails for a cleaner, better-looking set.
An array of CAMO structural screws, one of three brands from Grand Rapids, Michigan-based National Nail, serving the building materials industry for more than 60 years.
INDUSTRY-LEADING COATING
In addition to PROTECH Ultra 4 coated structural screws, CAMO offers a line of hot-dip galvanized multi-purpose hex head fasteners for use in coastal environments. CAMO truly offers coast-to-coast structural fastener solutions.
With CAMO’s new structural screws comes the introduction of their industry-leading, proprietary PROTECH Ultra 4 coating system, featuring four layers that combine to provide ultimate corrosion resistance. Tested in accordance with ASTM G198, the coating meets or exceeds the protection of code-approved hot-dip galvanized (ASTM A153, Class D) in ground contact generaluse pressure treated lumber (AWPA UC1-UC4A). ASTMG198 testing requires 2880 hours of testing — 2X more than the industry standard 1440 hours (AC257).
BUILT TO LAST
CAMO Structural Screws will launch November 2022. Visit camofasteners.com to learn more.
CAMO Structural Screws are engineered to start fast, drive smooth, and hold strong. From the holding power of the head to the sharp point tip, every design feature was specifically chosen to create the highest-performing structural screw on the market. Their structural design values are the highest in the industry. Their strength equals time and money for contractors, who can use fewer fasteners per job.
CAMO Truss Screws help contractors make connections easier, faster, and better. Code-compliant and exterior-coated, their truss screws replace hurricane ties in both interior applications and exterior decking applications. Included in every pail, their hands-free truss guide helps contractors fasten at the right angle every time.
Truss Screws
Ledger Screws
Multi-Ply Screws
CAMO Ledger Screws are a faster, less-expensive, code-compliant way to install ledger boards. Their flat head finishes flush with the material, so it doesn’t get in the way of joist hangers or other materials. Available in three lengths for specific applications.
CAMO Multi-Ply Screws are available in specific lengths for both sawn and structural composite lumber beams. They replace through bolts and nails in these applications for faster, stronger, more secure connections.
NEXT: BIG TIMBER
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M A Z E N A I L S
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Don’t Let a 10-Cent Nail Ruin a Million-Dollar Home
Cheap, imported nails might look the same in the box — but they don’t perform the same in the field. When exposed to the elements, inferior nails bend, break, rust, or worse — fail altogether, leading to costly callbacks, water damage, structural compromise, and legal risk. Builders trust that their structures will last a lifetime — but if the fasteners fail, everything else falls with them.
The Danger of Cutting Corners
We’ve seen it happen: decks that collapse, siding that buckles, roofs that leak — all because of one weak link in the building chain. Don’t let the fasteners be that link. A lifetime product needs a lifetime nail.
At Maze Nails, we don’t just make nails — we engineer them to endure. Our STORMGUARD® Hot-Dipped Galvanizing process has been time-tested and verified by national agencies, ensuring superior performance against corrosion, high winds, moisture, and environmental extremes. Our nails don’t bend, don’t pull out and don’t rust — period.
A Proven Track Record of Performance
Let’s be honest — the average homeowner doesn’t ask what kind of nails are holding their siding or roof together. That’s where you, the dealer, come in.
“Nails are often overlooked — until they fail. At Maze, we make sure they never do. We take pride in being the trusted fastener behind the strongest homes in America.”
You’re not just moving product — you’re advising builders and homeowners on what will protect their investment for decades. Teaching your customers about the importance of using the right fastener means fewer callbacks, stronger structures, and long-term trust.
Maze Nails has been proudly manufacturing nails in the USA for over 100 years. With a legacy of quality, performance, and unmatched durability, we’ve become the gold standard in the fastener industry. Our nails are 100% American-made and crafted with a proprietary STORMGUARD® Hot-Dipped Galvanized coating that provides superior rust resistance and holding power — qualities that cheap imports simply can’t match.
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Why Maze Nails Are Different
The Dealer’s Role: Educate and Elevate
Encourage your builders to choose performance over price. A few dollars saved on a box of nails today can cost thousands in repairs tomorrow.
We continue to innovate and educate. Our partnerships with national testing agencies and industry organizations keep us at the forefront of fastener technology. As building codes tighten and weather patterns grow more extreme, Maze Nails will remain the name that dealers and builders can trust for strength, safety and performance.
From the President of Maze Nails
Don’t let your customers build homes with weak links. Offer them nails that match the quality of the materials they’re fastening. Offer them Maze Nails — and give them strength that stands the test of time.
15° COIL-ATED® Nails Labeled for Fiber Cement, Engineered Wood Siding, and Cedar Shakes & Shingles. MAZE STORMGUARD® Double Hot-Dip Galvanized Nails are recommended by many of the siding manufacturers and the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau. These coil nails, along with Maze bulk & collated stick nails are also available painted to match any siding job. These are "the right nails for the job"! Ring Shank provides additional holding power.
In today’s competitive construction market, it’s tempting to cut costs wherever possible. But dealers and builders alike must remember: the strength of a structure lies not just in its design, but in every material used to build it — right down to the nails.
MAZE NAILS
MIDWEST FASTENER
We offer a full line of specialty nails, all manufactured to exceed industry standards and builder expectations. Whether you’re working with fiber cement siding, cedar shakes, vinyl, or pressure-treated lumber, Maze has the perfect fastener for the job.
We’ve earned the trust of professional builders, engineers, and architects across North America. Our nails are used in homes built to withstand hurricanes, tornados, and everything in between. It’s not just about selling a product — it’s about standing behind it and ensuring that every project built with Maze Nails is one that lasts.
What’s Ahead for Maze
— Roelif Loveland, President, Maze Nails
CAMO
NEXT: PRIMESOURCE
Company points to a busy year of product expansions.
The Kalamazoo, Michigan-based company, a leading supplier of fasteners and hardware, has launched significant product lines since last fall—moves that executives say are directly tied to customer requests and marketplace needs.
Among the highlights:
Packaged nails were added under the company’s BuildRight value brand. The rollout proved smoother than expected thanks to existing supply chains and overseas vendor relationships. “It almost surprised us how natural of a fit it was,” Thies said.
Customer Feedback Drives Direction
Midwest initially held off on passing increases to customers, leveraging strong inventory positions while competitors adjusted prices earlier. “We absorbed the tariff actions longer than most,” Thies said. “We wanted to protect dealers as long as possible.”
Balancing Expansion with Uncertainty
TALK ABOUT YOUR RESOURCES?
Midwest just nailed it
In a volatile year, Midwest has held tight, quietly but aggressively expanding its product portfolio to meet retailer and end-user demand.
Nails. Midwest expanded into the packaged nails category, which had previously played an unexciting role for the company’s sales force (partly for the category’s perception for low margins). But Midwest came around—and discovered a hit—after retailers expressed their needs. “We exist to solve needs for our retailers,” said Nick Thies, category marketing manager for Midwest. “They wanted Midwest to occupy that space in the aisle, so we stepped up.”
Project Master. Midwest introduced a series of DIY-friendly packaged kits under the Project Master brand. Designed for consumers who want all-in-one convenience, the kits include assortments like crimp connectors, nuts, bolts, and washers. “They’re the type of kits you keep in your garage,” said Thies. “It’s a project-ready solution at a retail-friendly price point, and the reception has been strong.”
Acquisition of Noble Wire. Noble Wire is a premium electrical solutions line that Midwest acquired and fully rolled out this spring. The move expands the company’s footprint in the electrical category, joining its Jandorf line to provide more options. With a focus on U.S.-made, high-quality products, the line has already gained traction with Midwest’s sales force and dealers, Thies said.
The company’s willingness to listen to retailers has been a hallmark of its strategy. Other shifts include a growing focus on metric fasteners, a category that has surged in recent years, likely driven by automotive applications.
The customer-centric attitude appears front-and-center in the company’s nail launch. Midwest designed one-pound boxes that can be displayed four different ways on shelves, making them adaptable to retailers who want to conserve space but still offer selection. Color-coding further simplifies the shopping experience—green for framing nails, blue for roofing nails, yellow for fence staples, etc.
“A lot of consumers don’t know the difference between a common nail and a sinker,” Thies said. “We leaned into packaging and signage to make it easy to shop and educate at the same time.
“We wanted to make sure if we do this, we do it right and we have the best looking nail program out there,” Thies continued. "And I am biased, but I think we succeeded.”
New products aren’t the only story in the fastener world. Tariffs on steel and aluminum have dramatically altered pricing, creating headaches across the industry. With most fasteners essentially “a box of steel,” as Thies put it, tariffs quickly pushed costs higher.
Retailers, once anxious about uncertainty, appear to have adjusted. “It’s become the new norm,” Thies noted. “Nobody likes increases, but everyone understands why it’s happening.”
Even with global trade disputes, Midwest insists its mission remains the same: listen to retailers, respond with solutions, and strengthen assortments.
“Regardless of tariffs or whatever else comes our way, we’ll work through it,” Thies said. “New items are one of our biggest focuses. We’re going to keep listening to customer feedback and keep adding product lines that make business easier for our dealers.”
With three major launches in less than a year and more products in the pipeline, Midwest is showing that even in a volatile marketplace, customer-driven innovation can still anchor growth.
Midwest continues to emphasize breadth of assortment as a differentiator. The company has added thousands of SKUs in recent years, from Noble Wire’s 1,500 items to specialty products like left-hand threaded bolts. “When you have a line as big as ours, filling gaps is a constant job,” Thies said.
For Midwest, growth doesn’t mean simply chasing trends but strategically positioning itself as the one-stop supplier. “If there’s a dealer headache we can remove, that’s where we want to be,” Thies said.
Filling Gaps and Adding SKUs
Noble Wire strengthens Midwest's electrical offering.
Midwest's Project Master kits range cover projects from nuts and bolts to plumbing and project essentials.
Midwest's BuildRight nail packages are designed to sell.
Project Master ready-to-use packaged solutions are designed for DIYers as well as professionals. Watch the video to the left.
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PrimeSource Building Products is a house of market-leading brands dedicated to driving customer growth and built on the strength of our network, processes and people. Home to the #1 preferred fastener brand Grip-Rite®, as well as Pro-Twist® specialty construction fasteners, PrimeSource focuses on delivering solutions that enhance the jobsite experience and drive sell-through for our dealers.
Celebrating 50 years of innovation in 2025, the PrimeSource Building Products flagship brand Grip-Rite® couples award-winning products with a name pros trust. Innovation is woven deep into the fabric of the Grip-Rite brand – first to move the industry from traditional scoop and weight offerings to grab and go boxes and buckets of fasteners.
The PrimeSource Advantage - Innovation, Efficiency, Performance
Established in 1964 by Max Hillman Sr. in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the corporate headquarters remains located, Hillman stands as a prominent supplier of hardware products and solutions across North America. Our specialized service model provides direct-to-store shipping, in-store service, and category management solutions. We have long-standing partnerships with leading retailers across hardware, home improvement, farm and ranch and LBM yards across the country.
Rethinking the collated fastener model, Grip-Rite was first to offer strips and coils for most nail guns, providing a high-performing solution for pneumatics. Our world class merchandising and assortment planning and growing portfolio now includes Grip-Rite construction products for everything from the slab to the roof deck.
Hillman’s Unwavering Strong Performance
Hillman Corporate snapshot:
With Grip-Rite, we provide pro-first real-world solutions: fast installing, highly efficient, and performance-driven fasteners for the most demanding jobs. Even as one of the most recognized names in fasteners, we still constantly assess how to bring value to our dealers.
Five Decades of Solutions from Grip-Rite
Grip-Rite offers solutions for Pros seeking greater efficiency and to enhance ever-tighter bottom lines. Over the last several years, our innovation-driven product releases focused on ease of installation, better protection against corrosion, and a deep assortment to secure our brand’s place in the pro’s toolbox.
Each year, the winning tools, accessories, and fasteners are judged by a panel of industry professionals and the editorial staff of Pro Tool Reviews. They assess innovative solutions and recognize leaders across a wide array of building products categories. With the PTIA seal of approval, dealers and pros can purchase with confidence.
Grip-Rite SpeedSpike™ is the answer. At over 5 times faster* than hand driving, this collated option allows at least 2” embedment and a superior grip over smooth shank nails. For a shrinking workforce, there’s no better solution than SpeedSpike™ for high-efficiency wall assemblies.
In 2025, Grip-Rite released the complete Ninja® Hidden Deck System to complement our popular Ninja® Hidden Deck Clip. Comprised of the grooved board fastener, starter clips, and a bit stabilizer tool, contractors now have everything they need for a faster, fastener-free finish in grooved decking jobs.
Exterior Screws for Decking
The categories of fasteners span a wide range including:
• Core fasteners, including nuts, washers, bolts and screws • Specialty “hard to find” fasteners • Engineered fasteners, including power screws and structural lags • Anchors, for hollow and solid wall applications
Employees: Distribution centers: Customer locations: Total company products: Website:
3,800 22 40,000 112,000 hillmangroup.com
NEXT: MIDWEST FASTENERS
GRIP-Rite® Innovations for Decking, Outdoor Construction, and High-Efficiency Wall Panels
The Unseen Grip Holding Your Deck Together
For other outdoor building projects, including drill-through decking and fencing, DeckForce® Exterior Wood and Composite screws accelerate the process. Self-drilling T 17 points and material-specific features make sure pros get exactly what they need in every box. Our PrimeGuard® Nano coating comes in a variety of colors that match finished projects and are engineered to last a lifetime.
Faster. Deeper. Stronger.
Contractor requests driven by recent changes in the International Energy Codes sparked the development of a new release from Grip-Rite. High R-value sheathing requires longer fasteners, and hand-driven options require significant time to install.
Drop the hammer…Just Spike It!
Grip-Rite innovations are frequent winners, with some of our most popular solutions winning awards over the last few years:
Grip-Rite DeckForce® Exterior Wood and Composite Deck Screws (2024)
Pro Tool Innovation Award Winners
PrimeSource Building Products has a growth mindset when it comes to innovation and acquisition. Now one of the largest providers of railing in the country, PSBP is thrilled to offer innovative outdoor living solutions to dealers alongside their Grip-Rite fasteners and building materials; including decking and railing from Wolf Home Products® and our railing brands like Fortress®, Keylink®, CityPost®, and RailFX®.
Stay tuned - you’ll be hearing more about that soon!
PrimeSource Outdoor Living Solutions – More Than Just Fasteners
With a nationwide network of optimized fulfillment centers, a dedicated fleet, and an army of trusted advisors calling on dealer locations daily, PrimeSource delivers reliability, speed and trust in every touchpoint. We’re making it easier to stock and sell Grip-Rite, Pro-Twist, Wolf and so many other brands available from PrimeSource Building Products.
Trusted Support – Tailored Solutions
From the store to the job site, we’ve got you covered.
* “Over 5x faster” claim based on tests of pneumatic nail gun operation vs. traditional hand-driven methods by experienced operators under normal conditions. Actual results may vary based on job site conditions, operator experience, and material specifications.
Grip-Rite ProWrap®-SA self-adhered house wrap with Flex and Butyl Window and Door Flashing (2024)
Grip-Rite MORE™ Backer Board and Tile Underlayment (2025)
®
H I L L M A N
NEXT: MAZE NAILS
Hillman continues to be an industry leader in the fastener category while prioritizing expansion with product integrity and consumer needs at the forefront. Since 1964, the green box has been synonymous with Hillman, but over the years, Hillman has stretched beyond the box and created several cutting-edge solutions in the fastener category. From Fas-n-Tite® to Deck Plus®, and Power Pro®, each brand was built with innovation and advanced technology at its core. Hillman continues to find ways to revolutionize its product offerings and set itself apart from competitors.
These next-generation wood screws, build upon the Power Pro® standard by delivering high performance with an aggressive new design. They now drive 30% faster and demand less energy consumption than its predecessor by driving more screws on a single battery charge.
Since its inception in 2001, Power Pro® has aimed to set industry standards with unmatched precision and performance. Originally known for its interior and exterior wood screws, Power Pro® has expanded into fasteners for all base materials, including wood, metal, cement board, concrete, brick and block.
In 2024, the main focus was expanding the structural screw line, and after a successful expansion, now the focus is on the next generation of fasteners.
THE NEXT GENERATION IS POWERED BY POWER PRO®
Joist Tape, which launched in 2025, allowed Power Pro® to extend beyond fasteners by working alongside the Power Pro® wood screws to deliver more secure and long-lasting decking projects. It’s self-healing around fasteners and is AAMA 711-22 certified to prevent moisture intrusion and structural damage to buildings.
HILLMAN IS WHERE SCIENCE MEETS INNOVATION
Power Pro® has a screw for every need including building code approved offerings for wedge anchors, screw bolts, concrete anchors, and structural wood screws.
Hillman continues to invest in top-of-the-line engineering, an investment that has proven to be invaluable. Hillman now has internal resources in mechanical, reliability, package engineering, and industrial design to develop, produce, and provide best in class products backed by science. The engineering team stretches across North America with the Innovation lab based in Cincinnati, OH, an independently accredited (ISO/IEC) testing lab in Toronto, Canada, and a team in Tempe, AZ. The team is able to cross-functionally collaborate and produce at a high level which has resulted in over 90 patents being issued to date.
The innovative technology of smartPart® can help you quickly identify the fastener you bring in or search the stores inventory for the fastener needed to complete your project.
In partnership with Skubot, Hillman developed smartPart®, a revolutionary 3D scanning system designed to identify fasteners, search inventories and help improve the shopping experience in the fastener aisle. The system can also work on bent, broken and rusted parts. It works by importing fastener CAD models into a cloud-based database and creating a unique "fingerprint" for each part. Customers can scan their fastener at the in-aisle retail display using their smartphone, and smartPart® will match it to the database, identifying the exact product and its merchandising unit to help narrow down the location in the store. The system also suggests alternative and premium options when available.
A new update to smartPart® called endless aisle allows users to search beyond the current stores inventory. This new technology is currently available at participating stores.
SMARTPART®: A SMARTER WAY TO SHOP
Hillman Group: Built From the Ground Up.
Professional grade metal screws are available for roofing, wood to metal, and metal to metal applications and offer fast penetration and strong connections. The line includes the first-ever star drive lath screw on the market and has a zinc finish with clear sealant for long-lasting exterior use.
Power Pro® continues to move into the future while building and expanding on the qualities that shaped it. Looking ahead to 2026, the category will add trim, cabinet, and framing screws.
Hillman has a solution for all your jobsite needs. Whether it’s at the beginning phases of where to find materials in the store, to the execution phase of building the project. Hillman is ready to help you solve your project needs efficiently and effectively so that your building never stops.
YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR THE ENTIRE JOBSITE
Wood Screws Video
Joist Beam Tape Video
Concrete Anchor Video
These next-generation wood screws, build upon the Power Pro® standard by delivering high performance with an aggressive new design. They now drive 30% faster than its predecessor and demands less energy consumption by driving more screws on a single battery charge.
NEXT: HILLMAN GROUP
Since 2011, CAMO® Fasteners has been on a mission to provide hard-working doers a better way to build through smart, game-changing innovations. Beginning with the introduction of its rake-tipped Edge Screws and durable MARKSMAN® decking tools, CAMO has become synonymous with smarter fastening solutions that solve real-world challenges on builds big and small. And today, in a building climate defined by tighter timelines, leaner crews, and higher performance expectations, CAMO continues to deliver the innovation that dealers and customers require.
Faster, Smarter, Better: CAMO Innovation Builds What’s Next.
CAMO is the better way to build a deck. In empowering you to build a better deck, we inspire you to build a better gathering place. A better community. A better life.
Our pride comes from creating new solutions for old problems. Through innovation, we’re changing the tools, the old way of thinking, and the time it takes to build a deck.
As a 100% employee-owned company, our purpose is simple, and it’s shared—"Inspire People to Build Better.” Whether supporting our customers, suppliers, fellow employee-owners and their families or the communities in which we live and work, it’s relevant and simple to do. Inspire whoever we engage with to help them become better.
OUR ‘WE’RE IN THS TOGETHER’ MINDSET
Also turning heads is the new CAMO high-vis pink truss screw, designed to stand out during inspections and walk-throughs. Beyond the easy-to-inspect color, it’s a serious structural performer, engineered to replace traditional hurricane tie installations. Pink is the new color of trust, and this screw makes CAMO structural screws literally stand out on the shelf and the job site.
Cornerstones is the first indicator that as an organization we are not in this game merely for ourselves or corporate profit. There is a fundamental belief that our responsibility is not only to the growth of our company but also a commitment to the success of our employee owners, our customers, our vendor partners and, perhaps most importantly, the people that use our products. It is not only the “what” we do but “how” we operate our business that distinguishes us in the industry.
OUR 'CORNERSTONES'
Its history of technology innovation runs deep, and continues to this day with its CAMO system, which is changing the face of decking.
WHY CAMO IS A BETTER WAY
The original CAMO Edge Screws, installed with MARKSMAN tools, created a clean, fastener-free deck surface — an approach that helped launch the hidden fastening category into the mainstream. That same spirit of practical innovation became part of the CAMO DNA as it exploded into other parts of the decking market, flexing its expertise in hidden fastening with clever clip systems designed to simplify grooved deck fastening. CAMO also introduced lines of high-performance deck, trim, and composite screws in both its proprietary PROTECH® coating and in stainless steel, and launched a rugged line of ultra-durable structural screws that tackle as much below the deck as they do on the deck top.
These high-performance fasteners feature the brand’s most durable PROTECH® ULTRA 4 coating, tested 2x longer than the industry standard for corrosion resistance. Whether it's harsh elements or the harsh chemicals in pressure treated lumber, CAMO screws are built to hold strong — giving contractors the confidence in their substructure and framing, and dealers a product line that earns trust with every install.
The “we’re in this together” mindset is evident in everything we as employee owners do at National Nail. “I am far more inspired to work smarter and better for the people in the trenches with me than nameless, faceless shareholders that aren’t personally involved in our business,” Dommenick said. “Put simply, when I walk in the door in the morning, I see the people that I am fighting for—that perspective is priceless for me.”
NEXT: PRIME SOURCE
The impact of CAMO is everywhere on decking jobsites. While traditional hidden fastening methods can slow a crew down, the CAMO clip system is built for speed. The line includes CAMO WEDGECLIP® and EDGECLIP® for grooved deck boards, the ClipDRIVE™ and DRIVE stand-up tools for fast, upright installation, and the CAMO LEVER® board-bending tool for quick, one-turn board locking. Together, these tools help crews install grooved deck boards up to five times faster, saving time, labor, and headaches.
Today’s building environment is shifting. Labor shortages, material costs, and high consumer expectations are all squeezing contractors. They’re taking on bigger projects with leaner crews, and they can’t afford to slow down for finicky hardware or unreliable tools. That’s why pros need products that drive faster, install easier, and hold up longer. And they need support from manufacturers that care as much about their success as they do.
But decking isn’t just about surface looks. Builders know that long-lasting decks depend on strong, weather-ready framing underneath. That’s why CAMO also offers a full line of code-crushing structural screws, including ledger, multi-ply, multipurpose, truss, and framing screws; all engineered for heavy-duty wood-to-wood connections like ledgers, beams, posts, joists and more.
In 2025, CAMO expanded its line of exterior fasteners, this time with the launch of CAMO Countersinking Deck Screws. These premium, do-it-all screws are engineered for face-fastening deck boards and other wood-to-wood applications where a clean finish matters. They feature a nibbed head that sinks flush, reverse upper threads to strengthen the hold, and the corrosion-fighting PROTECH® coating that makes them a long-term performer.
CAMO innovation also extends beyond fasteners. Builders can now protect and prep their substructure with CAMO Deck Tape, a self-adhesive butyl tape that seals the tops of joists and beams to block water intrusion, preventing rot and extending frame life. And for those taking on low-level, free-standing decks, CAMO BLOCK provides an easy, secure way to space and align strong, floating foundations.
For building supply dealers, stocking CAMO means offering innovative solutions that help your contractors succeed. It means tools and fasteners that are engineered, tested, and trusted to meet today’s jobsite demands, whether that’s a massive composite deck addition, or a complex new construction job. It means partnering with a dependable field team that wants to help build your business. And it means aligning with a brand that’s not just selling screws, but pushing the industry forward.
Build Up To 5x Faster
Structural Strength That Builds Like A Beast
New Screws Expanding The Lineup
More Than Fasteners: CAMO Accessories Protect And Support
Building Trust. Building Your Business. Building A Partnership.
As the housing market has changed, and homeowners are shifting their priorities to outdoor living spaces, contractors need the right fasteners to meet their needs. PrimeSource Building Products is delivering, by offering NEW, innovative products from Grip-Rite and RailFX that help contractors create beautiful, durable decks, fences, and cable railings faster and easier than ever.
Grip-Rite and RailFX Help Contractors Meet the Demand for Outdoor Living.
NEW: New PrimeGuard Nano Coating PrimeSource Building Products boosts its offering of innovative, durable fasteners with the new Grip-Rite DeckForce™ exterior screws.
According to Michael Engle, Senior Director of Branded Product at PrimeSource Building Products, homeowners are no longer satisfied with standard deck installations. “More homeowners want decks and patios where they can enjoy the outdoors, without having to worry about replacing corroded screws,” said Engle. “They want screws that blend into the deck or fence material or are even invisible. That provides a seamless look that separates a stunning deck from a good one.”
With the increased demand for decks, fences, and cable railings, and with labor at a premium, contractors need fasteners that will help them get jobs done quickly and at a high level of quality. They need fasteners that are easy to use, don’t require special tools or training, and that are installed right, every time.
GRIP-RITE DECKFORCE™ EXTERIOR SCREWS
Save Time on Deck Installation Jobs The new Grip-Rite Ninja™ Hidden Deck Clip is the simple solution for building strong, stable decks with multiple board patterns in less time, using just one type of fastener.
GRIP-RITE NINJA™ HIDDEN DECK CLIPS
The patent-pending design features Compression Fit levers that hold the clip in place, accelerating deck board installation, while serrated teeth grip the boards in the groove to create secure connections. The universal fit of the Grip-Rite Ninja™ Hidden Deck Clip means this single style clip may be used to create multiple deck patterns: straight, diagonal or herringbone, while providing a seamless surface finish.
Express Mount Brackets™ Cut Time and Cost in Half A new, patent-pending product from RailFX , the innovative Express Mount Brackets™ make it easier and faster to install cable railing. By eliminating the need to drill holes in deck posts, they can cut the amount of time required to install cable railing in half, while also significantly reducing material costs.
RAILFX EXPRESS MOUNT BRACKETS™
Grip-Rite Structural Screws Provide Reliable Performance Offering reliable solutions for decks, fences, pergolas and other load bearing exterior projects, Grip-Rite Structural Screws deliver the quality and value contractors expect. Offered in both Dual Drive and Flat Head styles, Grip-Rite Structural Screws are available in multiple package sizes to accommodate projects large and small.
STRUCTURAL SCREWS
NEXT: SIMPSON STRONG-TIE
That’s been the driving force behind PrimeSource Building Products’ introductions in 2023. With its Grip-Rite screws and RailFX brackets, contractors can do more jobs, and serve a broader range of customers.
The brackets simply mount to the outside of each deck post, delivering a unique “floating cable” appearance. The new universal drilling template makes installation easy, without specialty tools or training.
For contractors who want to expedite a premium railing installation and provide options to their customers, RailFX Express Mount Brackets™ offer a time saving solution to finish jobs quickly. And for homeowners, there is no simpler way to achieve a high-end cable railing look…that they can easily install themselves.
A Screw for Every Material The Grip-Rite DeckForce™ screws are offered in two different models specifically engineered for wood or composite decking. For use with both treated and non-treated wooden decks and fences, the wood screws feature an auto-pilot tip, dual-action auger threads, a diamond-file shank and a patent pending wedge-lock head. The composite screws are suited for composite and PVC decking, and feature saw teeth, as well as hi-lo and clear-out threads with an undercut head. Both designs are offered in a variety of colors to match nearly any deck material.
These screws are designed to provide deck and fence installers with exceptional performance in wood, composite, and PVC materials. Featuring a groundbreaking new technology, the PrimeGuard Nano Coating provides unmatched protection from Mother Nature. The molecular structure of the PrimeGuard Nano Coating ensures a seamless seal and long-lasting durability that is backed by a lifetime warranty.
More homeowners want decks and patios where they can enjoy the outdoors, without having to worry about replacing corroded screws.
Michael Engle Sr. Director of Branded Product Primesource
With the end goal of finishing projects faster and easier, expertly engineered Grip-Rite DeckForce™ exterior screws are an ideal solution for pro deck and fence installers and DIYers.
S I M P S O N S T R O N G - T I E
A leader in structural systems research and technology, Simpson Strong-Tie is one of the largest suppliers of structural building products, with a deep commitment to providing exceptional products and services to its customers.
“Very similar to the pillars our company was built on, we have a relentless focus on the customer,” said Scott Park, director, fastening systems. “We’re not newcomers to the fastener industry, and we have never lost sight that we want to build trust with our customers and make sure they are supported.”
Simpson Strong-Tie: Relentless Focus on Customers.
"We’re about more than just filling an order," Park said. "We want to understand our customers’ needs. A big part of us is to provide higher quality. Any company can have short-term success, but without high-quality product over the long term you won’t last in this industry. Our fasteners hold up structures, and we take that seriously.
HOW DOES SIMPSON STAND APART?
"Structural fastening continues to grow each year," adds Park. "Today contractors want a strong, secure connection but they are also looking for fast and easy installation. The Strong-Drive SDWS Timber screw that we introduced is designed to provide an easy-to-install, high-strength alternative to through-bolting and traditional lag screws. This screw is ideal for the contractor and the DIYer. When you have a product that helps the contractor, they keep coming back for that. Considering that the industry is still feeling the pinch of the labor shortage, supplying new and innovative systems that allow them to work faster and safer is a goal of ours.
WHAT'S NEW?
"Beyond labor shortage questions, customers want to be confident that the product that they need—or is in the plan— will be available to them," stated Park.
WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM CUSTOMERS?
"We want to be the leader in pro-grade construction fastening, and we’re putting the resources behind it," Park adds. "As construction expands, we are investing. One area where we are investing is mass timber; we’re investing in that market and creating new products around it because it is an up-and-coming industry that has been big in Europe for awhile. We want to be the partner of choice for the mass timber industry.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR SIMPSON?
NEXT: SPAX
"Our customers know they can trust our fasteners, that it will do what we say it will do, and that we will be around to stand behind it.
"At Simpson," says Park, "having product available and ready to ship is one of our core principles, right behind relentless customer focus.
HOW ARE YOU RESPONDING?
"Overall, we’re really focused on being the leader in this industry and want to provide solutions that solve industry problems. We continue to partner with distribution and retail but also with contractors and engineers to understand everyone’s problems."
"Maintaining inventory levels so we have product—and can handle those fluctuations of available material—is very important to us.
"To that end, we are expanding to new warehouses in key locations to have product closer to customers. We just opened Salt Lake City, Denver and Kent, Wash. We’re also expanding our Columbus, Ohio, manufacturing facility, and will be moving into a new facility in Gallatin, Tenn., where we manufacture fasteners. We will be starting construction soon."
"Things are definitely not normal, or even pre-pandemic. We still see a lot of up and down availability in the construction market in raw materials, packaging, or any number of things."
"Quik Stik is an example of an installation tool that provides contractors with a versatile solution that makes fastening rafter and truss connections fast, safe and easy. What’s more, Quik Stik is designed for use inside the structure.
"Another new product, Timber Drive, which hit the market a few weeks ago, is a tool for stand-up operation while driving large structural screws," detailed Park. "It’s designed for heavy-duty jobs that require repetitive fastening, such as boardwalks and piers, that require hundreds of structural screws. The ergonomic design of Timber Drive makes it faster and easier to work while improving safety. Key features include fastener length adjustment for 3- to 6-1/4-inch screws.
“We’re really focused on the R&D side,” Park said. “We want to make it so that peoples’ backs don’t hurt at the end of the day, and the job is done in a safer manner.”
"Lastly, we focus on innovation, on moving the industry forward. It may be a fastener, it may be application testing with the existing fastener, whatever it is we are looking for innovative ways to bring new solutions to the market that provide solutions. Those are the core areas that set us apart."
We want to understand our customers’ needs. A big part of us is to provide higher quality. Any company can have short-term success, but without high-quality product over the long term you won’t last in this industry.
Scott Park Director, Fastening Systems Simpson Strong-Tie
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SPAX Multi-Material Construction Screws and PowerLags were introduced to the US market in 1997. They are sold nationwide through leading home improvement centers, hardware and fastener distribution chains, and in a growing number of lumber and building material dealers. Since 2006, SPAX fasteners marketed in North America are manufactured in the ALTENLOH, BRINCK & CO. US, INC. complex in Bryan, Ohio, which is ISO 9001:2015 Certified.
SPAX Speaks to Emerging Trends
HBSDealer solicited expertise from a variety of SPAX product experts for the following Q&A:
Q: What are the emerging building trends that are influencing fastener development? A: Aesthetics of outdoor experiences has driven fastener manufacturers to provide fasteners with different and more matching color schemes of project materials. For example many pergola builds now are utilizing black bracketry and hardware. Also, deck boards both wood and composites require color matching for the best possible aesthetics on the project.
Q: What do you identify as the main challenges the fastener industry will be facing in the coming year that LBM dealers should be aware of? A: Too many unreliable commodity fastener brands. In a very detail oriented world where jobsite specifications and critical connections exist, builders must have reliable fasteners that are code tested and approved but also can be traced back through the manufacturing process. With the risk of call backs, structural fasteners must perform safely and so LBM dealers must look to leading fastener manufacturers than can provide the necessary code reports and material specifications for every box of product.
SPAX® T-STAR Trim Head fasteners with HCR® coating are intended for connections in exterior composite deck board finishing applications when attaching to treated lumber joists. These fasteners are designed with an undercut head for preventing mushrooming and also provide a clean finish into composite deck boards.
A: When it comes to structural connections found on most residential jobsites, code officials and inspectors look to leading engineered fastener manufacturers to provide application technical evaluation reports (TER’s) which ensure products will perform as expected. There are trends in using high performance structural lags in many of these applications to replace existing technologies. Here are a few examples; Multi-ply beam & truss assembly where structural lags now can be used to replace nails and conventional lags to ensure a safe and secure connections and also save time and money on the jobsite. Deck ledger attachment requires a safe connection and structural fasteners like SPAX Powerlags can be used to replace very time consuming conventional lag bolts and they can be spaced further than other manufactures products found on the market. Also truss attachment now can be handled with structural fasteners in place of the traditional hurricane clips to save time and money on the jobsite.
Q: Considering those challenges, what would you recommend LBM dealers focus on when it comes to meeting customer needs for fasteners? A: Take the time to review the structural fastener manufactures offering and make sure the products have accessible data reports and application TER’s plus wire certifications used during the manufacturing process. SPAX® Engineered Fasteners takes pride in a quality program and tracks each lot through the entire process all the way to the wire heat and can provide steel wire composition data. We are ISO certified and our factory in Bryan, Ohio is audited by numerous agencies for all our brands. Audits for ICC-ES, DrJ, FM, Miami-Dade, and ISO.
Q: How have you expanded or changed your product lineup recently? A: Recent additions to the SPAX® product portfolio include: deck tape and board spacers along with composite deck screws in 7 colors to match all the popular exterior board manufacturers products. SPAX® also has a continuous testing program for exterior coatings and is always working toward new innovations for structural fasteners in order to ensure safe and secure connections.
–SPAX Project Manager Robert Yates
— SPAX Product Management Leader Brett Katsma
—SPAX National Sales Manager-LBM Josh Martin
—Senior Marketing Manager Robert Knecht