The Steel Network

What The Steel Network does

The Steel Network, Inc. (TSN), founded in 1995 and headquartered in Durham, North Carolina with a regional office in Hutto, Texas, is a privately held US manufacturer of light gauge (cold-formed) steel studs and engineered connectors serving the commercial construction industry. Its product portfolio spans vertical deflection connectors (VertiClip family), lateral drift connectors (DriftClip/DriftTrak), rigid connectors (StiffClip family), loadbearing members (SigmaStud, SigmaTrak, PrimeJoist, StiffWall shear wall system), bridging products, curtain wall members, and specialty connectors, all organized under a catalog of registered trademarks. The company also distributes PeerEngine's iSeal EP silicone gasket system and a3LiGN panel alignment system under exclusive US agreements and owns Applied Science International, LLC, which provides protective design consulting and the Extreme Loading for Structures (ELS) non-linear analysis software.

TSN monetizes primarily through B2B hardware sales of proprietary connectors and framing members under quote-based pricing, complemented by distribution margin on PeerEngine products and licensing/usage of its SteelSmart System (SSS) structural design software and SteelSmart Framer Revit BIM plugin. Revenue is generated through a dedicated direct sales force targeting architects, engineers, general contractors, panelizers, and protective design projects, supported by technical support, custom clip design, design assistance, and project lead services. The R&D organization has released an average of approximately 5 new products per year for 30 years, and the company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, UL Classified assembly approvals, and ICC-ES and LA Research Reports covering its core deflection and drift connector lines.

The company's competitive position rests on regulatory certifications, patented Step Bushing Technology, custom fabrication via an in-house machine shop, and code-recognized product specifications embedded into engineer/architect workflows through proprietary design software. Customer activity spans multifamily residential, hospitality (Marriott Oceanfront, Element Hotel Chattanooga, Springhill Suites), healthcare ($550M SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital), senior living (Vicars Landing), and wildfire rebuild projects (Farrow Development in Santa Rosa), with consistent emphasis on cost competitiveness, accelerated construction schedules, and reduced job-site waste relative to wood framing.

Name

The Steel Network

Legal name

The Steel Network, Inc.

Website

https://steelnetwork.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Steel Network (TSN) is a privately held US manufacturer of cold-formed steel studs and engineered connectors, serving architects, engineers, and contractors in commercial, multifamily, hospitality, and healthcare construction with proprietary deflection, drift, and loadbearing products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Light Steel Framing Products

NAICS

Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel (3312), Rolling and Drawing of Purchased Steel (33122), Custom Roll Forming (332114)

SIC

Fabricated Structural Metal Products (3440)

akta.pro primary industry

Cold-Formed Steel Framing & Studs (IMADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fasteners, Anchors & Connectors (Bolts, Weld Studs, Plates) (IMADACAJ), Structural Steel Fabrication (IMADACAA), Steel Joists, Joist Girders & Decking (IMADACAC)

Keywords

• Cold-formed steel studs
• Light steel framing connectors
• Vertical deflection connectors
• Cold-formed steel design software
• Structural framing clips

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Steel Stud and Connector Products: Sale of cold-formed steel studs, track, and proprietary connectors including VertiClip, DriftClip, StiffClip, BridgeClip, and other framing components for light steel framing construction applications.
2. Loadbearing Members: Sale of structural members including SigmaStud, SigmaTrak, PrimeJoist, StiffWall shear wall systems, and flat strap products for load-bearing construction.
3. BIM Objects and Design Software: Distribution of BIM objects for Autodesk Revit and access to SteelSmart System design software for cold-formed steel framing design.
4. iSeal EP Distribution: Exclusive distribution of iSeal EP exterior panel silicone gasket system by PeerEngine for panel technology applications.
5. a3LiGN Distribution: Exclusive distribution of a3LiGN panel alignment system by PeerEngine for cold-formed steel wall panel installation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TSN manufactures and sells proprietary cold-formed (light gauge) steel studs, tracks, joists, and engineered connectors for commercial light steel framing construction, including vertical deflection, lateral drift, rigid, bridging, loadbearing, and shear wall connection systems. It complements the hardware line with SteelSmart System structural design software, a Revit BIM plugin, and engineering design services (custom clip design, design assistance, technical support, protective design consultation via subsidiary ASI).

Product overview

The Steel Network (TSN) is a manufacturer of light gauge (cold-formed) steel studs and connectors based in North Carolina and Texas. The product portfolio consists of two primary categories: (1) Core structural products including the VertiClip vertical deflection connector family (SL, SLD, SLB, SLF, SLS, SLT, Splice), VertiTrack deflection tracks, DriftClip and DriftTrak drift/lateral movement connectors, StiffClip rigid connector family for walls/floors/roofs/trusses, bridging products (BridgeBar, BridgeClip, BuckleBridge, NotchTrak), loadbearing members (SigmaStud, SigmaTrak, StiffWall shear wall system, TightStrap, PrimeJoist joists), specialty connectors (BackIt, GripClip, CircleTrak), ThermaFast continuous insulation framing, curtain wall members (JamStud, Standard Stud/Track), and panelization solutions; and (2) Software tools including SteelSmart System for structural design and SteelSmart Framer BIM plugin for Autodesk Revit. TSN also distributes exclusive products from PeerEngine: a3LiGN panel alignment system and iSEAL EP exterior silicone gasket system. Services include custom connector design/fabrication, design assistance, technical support, specification review, protective design consultation, and research & product development. Key technologies include patented Step Bushing Technology for friction-free deflection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BackIt®: Light Steel Framing Wall Backing connector product
• BridgeClip®
• BuckleBridge®
• CircleTrak®
• DriftClip®
• DriftTrak®
• GripClip®
• JamStud®
• MasterClip®
• MidWall™
• PrimeJoist®
• SigmaStud®
• StiffClip®
• StiffWall®
• ThermaFast®
• VertiClip®
• SteelSmart® System
• SteelSmart® Framer

Products and services

• VertiClip Vertical Deflection Connectors Family of vertical deflection connectors (VertiClip SL, SLD, SLB, SLF, SLS, SLT, Splice and VertiTrack VTD/VTX) for exterior and interior head-of-wall, steel frame bypass, and slab bypass conditions. Designed for architects, structural engineers, and framing contractors specifying deflection accommodation on curtain wall and loadbearing projects.
• DriftClip and DriftTrak Lateral Drift Connectors Family of lateral drift connectors (DriftClip DSL, DSLB, DSLD, DSLS and DriftTrak Head of Wall, Bypass, Headed Stud, Post-Tensioned Slab) for accommodating lateral building movement in exterior and interior head-of-wall and slab bypass conditions.
• StiffClip Rigid Connectors Broad family of rigid cold-formed steel connectors (StiffClip AL, HC, PL, RT, WC, CL, TD, FS, HE, HS, JC, JH, LB, LS, PLC, and MidWall) for wall, floor, roof, truss, joist, header, sill, and panel lift connections across light steel framing construction.
• Bridging Connectors and Members Bridging channels, clips, straps, and backing connectors (BridgeBar, BridgeClip, BuckleBridge, NotchTrak NT, Flat Strap, BackIt) that provide structural bridging, x-bracing, and wall backing for cold-formed steel framing systems.
• Load-Bearing Members (SigmaStud, SigmaTrak, StiffWall, PrimeJoist, TightStrap) Loadbearing cold-formed steel members (SigmaStud, SigmaTrak, SigmaStud Web RFT, StiffWall x-braced shear wall system, PrimeJoist joists, TightStrap) for mid-rise and loadbearing construction, providing high strength-to-weight ratios and integrated shear wall and floor framing solutions.
• Curtain Wall Members (JamStud, Standard Stud, Standard Track) Standard curtain wall framing members (JamStud, Standard Stud, Standard Track) for non-loadbearing exterior wall framing applications.
• Specialty Connectors (GripClip, CircleTrak, Common Clip Angle) Specialty cold-formed steel connectors (GripClip for column/beam, CircleTrak for curved walls, Common Clip Angle) for structural steel connections and architectural curved wall applications.
• ThermaFast Rigid Insulation Framing Continuous rigid foam insulation framing system (ThermaFast) that supports exterior continuous insulation for thermal envelope performance in modern commercial construction.
• SteelSmart System (SSS) Design Software Structural design software for cold-formed steel design and shop drawing production, helping engineers, architects, and panelizers streamline cold-formed steel design workflows and produce code-compliant calculations.
• SteelSmart Framer (SSF) BIM Plugin for Autodesk Revit BIM framing plugin for Autodesk Revit developed exclusively for TSN, enabling engineers and light steel framing contractors to model cold-formed steel framed buildings and generate framing layouts.
• Extreme Loading for Structures (ELS) Software Performance-based design software (Extreme Loading for Structures) by subsidiary Applied Science International that performs full 3D non-linear dynamic analysis of structural systems for blast, progressive collapse, and impact design.
• a3LiGN Panel Alignment System Panel alignment system (round pin/tube and slot mechanism) that enables precise vertical alignment of cold-formed steel wall panels during crane hoisting. TSN is the exclusive U.S. distributor for PeerEngine, LLC.
• iSEAL EP Exterior Panel Silicone Gasket System Compressed fit extruded silicone gasket system for above-grade exterior wall panel conditions providing thermal protection and resistance to air and water infiltration. TSN is the exclusive U.S. distributor for PeerEngine, LLC.
• Custom Clip Design and Fabrication Service Custom connector design and fabrication service for challenging conditions not addressed by standard catalog products, including engineering consultation, custom fabrication, and load testing using TSN's in-house machine shop.
• Design Assistance Service Engineering design assistance service that evaluates project cost, schedule, and design quality opportunities using light steel framing, including wood-to-cold-formed-steel conversion support (as performed on the Residences at Marriott Oceanfront project).
• Technical Support Service Engineering technical support service for product questions, tolerances, load capacities, and project-specific design assistance, staffed by structural engineers with 200+ years of combined light steel framing experience.
• Project Lead Service Lead generation service that identifies and shares applicable light steel framing project opportunities (loadbearing, curtain wall, drywall, and other CFS work) in a contractor's market area.
• Specification Review Service Complimentary review of architectural specifications for cold-formed steel to ensure specifications contain up-to-date information and reflect the latest product and code developments.
• Protective Design Consultation Blast and progressive collapse design consultation delivered through subsidiary Applied Science International using Extreme Loading for Structures (ELS) software for non-linear dynamic analysis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced job-site waste to approximately 2% with steel framing versus over 20% with lumber
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PeerEngine LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTSN is the exclusive distributor for PeerEngine products including iSeal EP (exterior panel silicone gasket system) and a3LiGN (panel alignment system). These products complement TSN's cold-formed steel framing offerings for panel technology applications. The iSeal EP provides thermal protection, air and water infiltration protection for above grade exterior wall panel conditions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CEMCO: California-based manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing components and connectors, including deflection clips, rigid connectors, and loadbearing members. Highly comparable to TSN's core connector and stud portfolio and competes in the same Western U.S. markets.
• Telling Industries: Producer of cold-formed steel framing members and connectors for commercial construction. Direct competitor in the loadbearing stud, track, and connector categories.
• ClarkDietrich Building Systems: Leading manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing products including studs, track, joists, and a wide range of connectors. Closest direct competitor to TSN with overlapping mid-rise loadbearing and curtain wall product lines and similar specification-driven GTM.
• Aegis Metal Framing: Manufacturer of cold-formed steel studs, joists, and connectors for mid-rise and commercial construction. Closely comparable product mix to TSN, particularly in loadbearing mid-rise systems.
• SCAFCO Steel Stud Company: Manufacturer of cold-formed steel studs, track, joists, and related framing accessories. Comparable to TSN's structural framing product range with similar commercial construction customer base.
• Marino\WARE: Manufacturer of steel framing studs, track, joists, and connectors serving commercial and multifamily construction. Direct peer in the CFS framing space with overlapping deflection/loadbearing product categories.

Broad incumbents

• Simpson Strong-Tie: Dominant structural connector manufacturer in North America offering a broad portfolio of wood and cold-formed steel connectors, fasteners, and anchors. Directly comparable to TSN's connector/clips business but with significantly wider product breadth and deeper distribution.

Emerging players

• Hadrian Solutions: Provider of cold-formed steel engineering software and design tools (similar in scope to TSN's SteelSmart System). Adjacent comparison because of software-side overlap with TSN's design automation ecosystem.
• Quail Run Building Materials: Specialty manufacturer of cold-formed steel connectors and bridging products. Comparable niche in connector manufacturing though with narrower product breadth.
• Olmar Supply: Manufacturer and distributor of light gauge steel framing components including clips and connectors. Comparable niche focus on CFS connectors though smaller scale than TSN.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-steel-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_steel_network

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Steel Network