Rothoblaas: technology, know-how and many new items in the new “Wood Screws” catalogue
For over 20 years, Rothoblaas, an Italian multinational with its origins in the alpine region, has been a leader in the development and supply of advanced technological solutions for the wood construction sector. Screws for wooden structural work are at the centre of its activities, an area the company entered during the mid-90s, when the possibilities available on the market were limited. In 2003, the desire to expand this market and directly control the quality of its products and production processes pushed the company to move from seller to producer, a decision which coincided with the extension of its product lines to include waterproofing and safety systems. A decision that has never taken the attention away from developing the wood screw sector, Rothoblass’s core business.
The constant pursuit of excellence and innovation, which has always guided all of the company’s actions, led it to implement a strict system of quality control and certification. In 2009, it was the first European producer to obtain the CE mark, and in 2011 was one of the first to obtain European ETA certification, guaranteeing the safety and performance of the products it offers. A commitment that highlights its role as an innovator, bearing fruit over time: the array of wood screws has grown in terms of quality and quantity, leading the company to its current position as one the main international players in the sector. One of the most important innovations was the HBS screw, which is still the company’s calling card, and represented a real revolution in the sector. This was followed by the fully threaded structural screws VGS and VGZ, and the KKF and KKT screws for external use, to name just a few of the products that enriched an already vast line.
As well as for the variety and quality of its products, Rothoblaas has always stood out for its direct contact with its customers. Over time, it has developed a technical department that today has 8 highly specialised engineers, who, each year, provide more than 8,000 consultations in six languages. This constant “direct line” with the market means that the customers’ needs and suggestions are truly heard, and it is thanks to this listening that the company’s innovations take shape, all the while supported by a structure designed to incentivise these developments. In fact, continuous research and development is supported by an internal structure that makes it possible to take care of all aspects of the product, in a process defined as “from the idea to the market”: design, product testing, controls and certification, development of construction details, technical consulting, marketing, and the creation of catalogues, through to packaging and labelling. All of these skills combine to create and give form to each new product that is launched.
Just like the many new items presented in the new “Wood Screws” catalogue, that complete an array of products that allows the company to meet any design or aesthetic requirement. Calling it a catalogue does, however, seem somewhat limiting, since in truth it is really a “manual for wood screws”. A tool that effectively illustrates the largest selection of screws in the sector: a combination of 13 different heads, 10 types of threading and 11 different points gives rise to 42 different types of screws, presented with over 180 renderings that illustrate possible applications. Information for each product is made complete with technical data charts, for calculations by both the designer and the carpenter.
An innovative catalogue, also due to its ability to unite technical/application aspects with informational/cultural explanations in a balanced way. In fact, the in-depth introduction provides information about many aspects of securing wood, illustrating the technical side of the products and their applications, simply and clearly. The visual layout is linear and simple, with an eye to Da Vinci’s motto that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. Instead of pages filled to the brim with figures and information, a choice was made for a modern layout, that makes all 275 pages of the manual a pleasure to leaf through.
With this tool, Rothoblaas further establishes its position among the global elite of the largest producers of screws, taking another step towards affirming its international reputation as the “right partner for those who design and construct with wood”.
For more information: www.rothoblaas.com