Introduction: In this special feature, SSMB brings together three seasoned voices from across the fasteners manufacturing landscape – Asons Enterprises, Panchsheel Fasteners, and Atul Fasteners to decode real-life challenges, installation errors, training gaps, and innovations that could very well define the next chapter of India’s steel construction story.
Because in steel buildings, strength begins with the smallest screw…
In the structural hierarchy of steel construction, fasteners often occupy the lowest rung in terms of visibility and attention. But in reality, these “minor” components are the very lifelines of every joint, panel, and connection. A cracked washer, a wrongly specified screw, or a counterfeit bolt can quietly sabotage decades of engineering, draining value from the most sophisticated steel design.
As India accelerates into an era of steel-intensive infrastructure—from pre-engineered buildings to industrial sheds and logistics parks—the scrutiny around fastener quality, sourcing, and installation is intensifying. What was once seen as hardware is now rightly being recognized as a high-performance engineering product.
HIGH-STAKES WORLD OF FASTENERS
When a PEB project worth ₹100 crore suffers from a water-leaking roof within five years, what’s the root cause? Surprisingly often, the culprit is not flawed design or poor execution, but a single overlooked detail: fasteners.
As Huzefa Abbas, Head – Operations at Asons Enterprises, puts it, “Fasteners may represent a small fraction of total project expenditure, but their role in the performance, safety, and durability of a large-scale project is disproportionately significant.” And yet, they are often the most neglected.
“We are not just selling screws. We are selling performance, precision, and peace of mind, often against the tide of price sensitivity.”
– Huzefa Abbas
FAULT LINES IN QUALITY & PERFORMANCE
Despite technological advancements, quality-related issues remain rampant. Huzefa identifies material inconsistency, coating failures, and incorrect product selection as chronic problems in mega-projects. He highlights how steel grade variations or improper sealing washers can render even premium projects vulnerable to rust, wind uplift, and structural compromise.
R.K. Luther, MD of Atul Fasteners, echoes this concern. “Contractors often use cheaper drill machines and unskilled labour, which can overdrive screws and crack rubber washers, causing water leakage.” His firm’s proprietary Climashield ‘CS’ brand screws are tested for 1,000 hours under salt spray test, 1,000 hours humidity test, 2,000 hours UV condensation test, and 15 cycles of Kesternish test (acid rain test). “These are rigorous benchmarks that most products in the market fail to meet,” he claims. From poor material handling to aggressive poor quality tool usage that damages coatings, installation flaws remain the weakest point of fastener performance in any prestigious pre engineering building.
“Over-tightening, poor lubrication, and untrained labour — these small oversights in installation are the silent killers of structural performance.”
– Gautam Bose
THE COUNTERFEIT CRISIS
The Indian fasteners market, estimated to exceed ₹6,000 crore, is also a breeding ground for counterfeit products. Mislabelled grades, fake head markings, and coatings far thinner than claimed are just the tip of the iceberg.
“Counterfeits often look identical to genuine ones but lack BIS or ISO compliance. Their use can result in premature failures and even legal liabilities,” warns Gautam Bose, DGM-Marketing at Panchsheel Fasteners. The lack of field-level enforcement and undertrained procurement teams worsens the issue.
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Fasteners as a Safety Hazard
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WHAT THE STANDARDS SAY
In terms of compliance, BIS’s IS 18471:2025 is the new cornerstone for self-drilling screws, while AS 3566 Class-3 remains the gold standard for corrosion resistance. Atul Fasteners ensures full adherence to both, critical for their 20-year rust-free warranties.
Meanwhile, Gautam highlights the relevance of ISO metric thread standards, ASTM, and RCSC guidelines in enhancing fastener performance within structural steel joints.
The Anatomy of a High-Performance Screw
- Tensile strength: As per ISO 898-1
- Salt spray test: >1000 hours
- Head marking: Laser-etched batch traceability
- Coating: ≥12μm zinc/aluminium (Class 3 or above)
- Washer: Bonded EPDM, crack-resistant
“We see too many buildings failing not because of bad steel, but because of cheap screws. Quality needs to be non-negotiable.”
– R.K. Luther
TRAINING: THE ULTIMATE SAFEGUARD
All three contributors emphasised one universal fix: training. Whether through on-site demos, illustrated manuals, or mock installations, educating project teams remains a game-changer. “We even issue certificates of competency after training,” shares Huzefa. Gautam adds that Panchsheel distributes manuals referencing RCSC guidelines and conducts pre-installation checks. Atul Fasteners also provides hands-on support to major clients who demand it.
FORWARD-LOOKING MEASURES
The fastener industry is not sitting idle. From laser-coded traceability to QR-verified test certificates, Asons and others are introducing robust batch-level accountability. Meanwhile, Panchsheel is championing torque-controlled installation and advocating structured storage guidelines to prevent coating damage and premature failure.
Moreover, as climate conditions become more aggressive, “fit-and-forget” fasteners with 25+ year lifespans are gaining traction.
TIME TO TIGHTEN THE BOLTS
Fasteners are not just accessories. They are the final frontier in structural assurance. Their invisibility should not equal neglect. As India’s steel construction footprint grows exponentially, it is time we treat fasteners with the attention they deserve, from design table to drill bit.
Because a loose screw today could mean a collapsed roof tomorrow!
Editor’s Note:
While steel structures rightly steal the spotlight, it is the invisible connectors, the fasteners, screws, and bolts that make-or-break performance. This feature is a wake-up call to engineers, contractors, and developers to rethink how we treat the “small stuff” because sometimes, it’s the smallest bolt that bears the heaviest load.
