Specialised fastening systems manufacturer and distributor Avlock International, in Boksburg, has diversified its product range to include cordless tools, plastic fasteners and specialised fasteners and application tooling.

Specifically, Avlock highlights the EL-Toro roofing nail and the Lockbolt Fastening System.

The company explains that the roofing nail is used extensively for securing steel roof sheeting onto wooden purlins and is supplied with a water-tight seal to prevent the ingress of moisture and water.

The EL-Toro roofing nail, or fastener, can especially be used during the manufacture and construction of low-cost housing.

The Lockbolt Fastening System, meanwhile, consists of a pin and collar, with grooves that are annular or ring-shaped, rather than threaded.

In comparison, a nut and bolt can become loose because of vibration or tampering. The Lockbolt, Avlock emphasises, “is impossible to loosen” as the collar is squeezed into the formed grooves of the pin using Avlock’s Hydra-drive and Hydra-pac installation equipment.

The Lockbolt fastening system is used in safety critical applications such as rail, mining and power generation pylons.

Additionally, Avlock’s rivets are used for joining steel components in the construction of steel housing. These are applied in steel-to-steel connections within the main frame building.

For cladding, self-drilling screws are used, which come with an integrated drilling bit for ease of use.

About Avlock

Avlock comprises four divisions, namely heavy engineering, light engineering, building and construction and exports.

The company supplies fasteners to various industries, including the building and construction industries, as well as mining, automotive, truck body building, air-conditioning, ducting, railways and energy generation.

Avlock’s light engineering division caters for applications that require specialised fasteners from 3.2 mm to 10 mm in diameter.

The company has been in operation in South Africa for over 50 years and was formed through the merger of Lockbolt Fastening Systems and Avdel Burnside.

It is empowered company having attained BEE Level 5, with investment firm Mahogany Private Equity as a partner.

Avlock’s building and construction division supplies companies in roofing, garage door manufacturing, security gates and related sectors.

It also exports its products to the rest of Africa, parts of South America, five European countries, Australia, China and Russia.

The company is authorised to use the CE mark on exports of tooling and equipment to Europe.

Additionally, Avlock also owns part of an associate company in India, known as Avlock International India, while simultaneously having branches throughout South Africa.

Avlock is not a direct member of the South African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) but is affiliated through the Plate and Structural Steel Association, which is part of Saisc.