Due to the increasing demand for our innovative fasteners we’ve recently taken on 2 new members of staff. Our sales team has been bolstered by the addition of James Abbott (Area Sales Manager for the South West) and Chris Newell (Area Sales Manager for the Midlands).  We welcome them both to the OSC team. Our […]

Did you know that when it comes to fixing timbers, there is another way other than using the traditional M10 coach bolt. With a Carpenters Mate Pro Hex Head Screw, you can fix timbers significantly faster than using the traditional coach bolt. Both do the job, but if you’re looking for efficiency whilst maintaining the quality, […]

Have you ever wondered which is best to use for fixing timbers, a coach bolt or a hex head screw? The answer: they both do the job and can fix timbers securely, but there is clear winner when it comes to materials, strength, application time, reliability, ease of use and the number of tools needed. So […]

It only takes a small innovation in the construction industry to save companies millions of pounds as well as decrease the time construction projects take. Advances in technology are happening faster than ever before; so it’s important for construction companies to keep their ears to the ground and make full use of anything that can […]

Innovation in Construction Following on from the launch of our new online tool CalcuMate (mycalcumate.co.uk), making it even easier for the construction industry to access the structural information they require at the touch of a button.  Now available to download from both Google Play and Apple App Store, this completely free innovative app works out the capacity of […]

In today’s construction industry, time is money. Contractors are challenged with establishing a profitable, competitive advantage over their rival firms. Generally, costs for materials, construction labour, equipment, machinery etc are fairly standardised, particularly for companies that operate within the same area. There is a way, however, in which contractors can edge in front of their […]

Can the New Apprenticeship Levy Rebuild the Construction Industry? From 6 April, employers will need to pay 0.5% of any annual wage bill over £3 million into a government scheme to help rebuild the UK’s apprenticeship system and address the looming skills shortage. The plan is certainly ambitious, and it needs to be. Over the […]

Women in Construction: How Can Construction Companies Encourage More Women into the Industry? For many, a job in the construction industry brings to mind images of men wearing hi-vis jackets and jeans lower than they should, but the reality is very different. In 2013 the Department of Business Innovations and Skills produced an infographic that highlighted not […]

The benefits of self-drilling screws In the world of construction, any product that can increase the speed of a job without sacrificing quality represents a step forward in innovation. Self-drilling screws, as the name suggests, tap their own precise thread when drilled into a range of materials including metal, wood and plastic. The design can greatly […]

From August 2013, builders, loft conversion specialists and professional carpenters can save valuable time, guarantee accurate calculations and help achieve local authority building control compliance all at once. OSC, the manufacturer and supplier behind the Carpenters Mate range of self-drilling fasteners, has developed a clever and intuitive online tool – CalcuMate – with two invaluable uses.  CalcuMate […]

OSC Carpenters Mate are Fully Compliant with New EU Construction Products Regulation As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of fasteners and wood connectors, OSC are pleased to announce that their Carpenters Mate range of self-drilling screws they are fully compliant with the new EU Construction Products Regulation. July 1st, 2013 marked a change in the EU […]

OSC and C4Ci Partnership A new strategic partnership between OSC and C4Ci will focus on innovative product development and a range of valuable technical support services, from product testing and research to checking load-bearing capacities for buyers. Commenting, Dr Luke Whale of C4Ci said: “OSC had the vision to see that FastenMaster had a future […]