A twenty year partnership between Senior Architectural Systems and Rapierstar demonstrates how a continued focus on fastening systems is a key factor in achieving long term success for window, door and curtain walling systems.
Senior Architectural Systems is approaching 30 years in the market and is renowned for the continuous innovation which has delivered a technically superior range of UK designed and made aluminium systems. Amongst these is its SF52 system, which launched in 2015 and today is one of the most widely used systems of its kind for applications where the design seeks to minimise sightlines and maximise glazing.
Rapierstar worked closely with Senior in the original development of the SF52 to ensure the suite of fasteners recommended for the assembly of the curtain wall provides a robust, reliable fix for the duration of the installation’s service life and beyond. This included developing a bespoke screw to fix a cleat that was key to the success of the system, and five years on Rapierstar is supplying an average of between 60,000-70,000 of these fasteners every month.
Craig Turner, Purchasing Manager at Senior Architectural Systems says:
“Rapierstar has provided support to us for over 20 years and has played a key part in the growth and success of the company. From our early systems to the latest aluminium curtain wall systems, Rapierstar has been with us each step of the way providing excellent technical support, often developing bespoke design solutions which give our products the high level of quality, reliability and performance our customers expect.
“At Senior, our mantra is to ‘give customers what they want, when they want it’ but this is only possible when you have a reliable and trusted supplier like Rapierstar supporting you.”
Rapierstar fasteners have been tested with all Senior’s aluminium systems which gives any fabricator of SF52 and its other systems full confidence in the long-tern success of an installation. All fasteners are manufactured from austenitic stainless steel, the only material recommended for use with aluminium to eliminate the risk of galvanic corrosion, and every batch is subjected to seven different tests at Rapierstar’s UK technical centre before being supplied to Senior.
Mark Calpin, Rapierstar’s Technical Consultant adds:
“Fasteners play a crucial role in ensuring every window, door or curtain wall delivers on its promise and meets customer expectations, so it is important to ensure the right products are used consistently, an approach that Senior advocates and has benefited from. We look forward to working with the Senior team for the next 20 years and providing all the technical support they need to keep their systems at the forefront of the market.”
Operating from its 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse and distribution centre near Macclesfield, Rapierstar works with customers across the UK and Ireland to provide a complete range of high quality, competitively priced fastening solutions. The Rapierstar service is backed by industry-leading technical support with a collective experience in the fastener market of more than 150 years, helping hardware and systems manufacturers and fabricators to deliver safe, secure, high performing finished products.
