Grad Concept Ltd

What Grad Concept Ltd does

Grad Concept Ltd, operating as "Grad," is a French designer and manufacturer of invisible clip fixation systems for outdoor terraces, exterior cladding, and ceilings. The company's core technology is a factory-pre-assembled rail and clip system that secures grooved boards (wood, composite, ceramic, aluminum) without visible screws, supported by ten patents filed between 2005 and the present, including the foundational clip (2005), Top Lift adjustable pedestal (2013), removable clip (2014), and the Pyroclip fire-rated clip rated to 225°C.

The business is operated through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the diversified French industrial group Burger & Cie (parent: BURGER ET CIE SAS, RCS Colmar, share capital €13,687,770). Grad sells aluminum rails, clips, adjustable pedestals, finishing accessories, and a curated portfolio of compatible decking boards from third-party premium brands (Kebony, Accoya, MOSO, Thermory, Nekko, Abodo). Revenue is generated through a sales-led go-to-market model combining direct B2B field sales (12 regional sales managers in France plus country-specific subsidiaries in Germany, the UK, and the USA), a 500+ certified partner/installer network, and a smaller B2C e-commerce shop. Pricing is quote-based, with 60-day payment terms and 20% cancellation penalties; delivery lead times are 2–3 weeks in France, 4–5 weeks in Europe, and 3–5 months for large export orders.

Grad's customer base is diversified across private residential owners, public/professional specifiers, architects, and distributors. The company holds FCBA, DTU 51.4/41.2, CE, FSC, and PEFC certifications. Operations are anchored at a newly inaugurated (2025) 6,500 m² Liépvre factory capable of producing 17,000 linear meters per day, with 2,200 m² of on-site solar generation (~561 MWh/year) and an 80% recycled-aluminum rail product line. The company is led by Paul Burger as President and CEO and Guillaume Cauderlier as Deputy General Director and Worldwide Commercial Director.

Name

Grad Concept Ltd

Legal name

BURGER ET CIE SAS

Website

https://gradconcept.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Grad Concept Ltd designs and manufactures invisible clip fixation systems for outdoor terraces, cladding, and ceilings, selling through direct B2B sales, a 500+ certified partner network, and a B2C shop to professionals and end consumers across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Decking and Cladding Fixation Systems

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444)

akta.pro primary industry

Backer Rods, Tapes & Joint Accessories (IMADAOAL)

Keywords

• Invisible clip fixation
• Terrace decking systems
• Exterior cladding systems
• Aluminum rail hardware
• Outdoor wood construction

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Grad System Product Sales: Sale of complete invisible fixation systems including aluminum rails, clips, boards/profiles, and accessories for terraces (wood/composite/ceramic) and cladding applications. Products are sold through direct B2B sales to professionals (architects, landscapers, contractors, distributors) and B2C through online shop for end consumers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Grad designs, manufactures, and sells an invisible clip fixation system for outdoor terraces (wood/composite and ceramic grès cérame) and exterior cladding (bardage). The system consists of aluminum rails with factory-pre-assembled clips that secure grooved boards without visible screws, complemented by an in-house R&D and engineering bureau providing project design support. Products are sold primarily B2B to architects, landscapers, contractors, and distributors via direct field sales and a certified partner network, with a secondary B2C online shop for individual consumers.

Product overview

Grad Concept Ltd offers the Grad invisible fixation system for outdoor applications including wooden/composite decks, ceramic tile decks, and exterior cladding (bardage). The system consists of aluminum structural rails (Flat Rail, PR24, PR39, PR56), various clip types (removable, solo, sliding, pyroclip for fire resistance), and compatible deck boards in thermally modified wood, bamboo, and composite materials. The product portfolio includes proprietary components like the Top Lift adjustable pedestal (patented 2013) and Top Cube finishing accessories, along with third-party wood species such as Kebony, Accoya, MOSO bamboo, and Thermory. The company also introduced cladding (bardage) applications in 2024, expanding from its core deck fixation business.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grad Invisible Fixation System for Terraces (wood/composite) Patented invisible clip fixation system for outdoor wooden and composite terraces, comprising aluminum rails with factory-pre-assembled clips and grooved board profiles that secure boards without visible screws. The system delivers up to 240 kg extraction resistance per two clips, 2.6 T/m² wind resistance, and up to 50% installation time savings. Sold to architects, landscapers, contractors, and distributors through direct sales and certified partners.
• Grad Fixation System for Ceramic Grès Cérame Terraces Grad system variant engineered for ceramic grès cérame terrace tiles, using the same aluminum rail and clip architecture adapted for mineral board profiles. Targets architects and installers seeking invisible-fixation solutions for tiled outdoor flooring.
• Grad Cladding (Bardage) System Exterior wall cladding system using the Grad invisible clip fixation on aluminum rails, designed for facades, feature walls, and exterior cladding. Includes the Pyroclip fire-resistant PBT clip rated to 225°C for facade fire safety. Compliant with DTU 41.2 for cladding. Sold to architects, contractors, and developers for commercial, hospitality, and public-sector projects.
• Grad-Compatible Boards & Profiles (Lames & Profils) Range of grooved deck boards and profiles designed for full compatibility with the Grad clip and aluminum rail system. Includes thermally modified wood (Kebony Clear with 25-year warranty, Accoya, Thermopin/Thermofrêne), bamboo (MOSO Bamboo X-treme/N-durance), wood-plastic composite (Nekko Gris & Brun), and new-generation wood (Abodo Imbue). All equipped with grooves to accept Grad clips.
• Grad Structure System (Rails, Top Lift, Top Cube) Structural foundation components of the Grad system, including aluminum rails (Flat Rail, PR24, PR39, PR56, Top Rail), Top Lift adjustable pedestals for uneven terrain, Top Cube finishing accessories, and Top Screws. The aluminum rails contain an average of 80% recycled material and are infinitely recyclable, providing the durable backbone for terrace and cladding installations.
• Grad Clip Range (including Pyroclip) Range of factory-pre-assembled clips for invisible board fixation, including the Grad removable clip, Solo clip, Sliding clip, Calage clip, Grip clip (blocking claw), Half-clip, Strip clip, and the Pyroclip fire-resistant PBT clip rated to 225°C. Clips are pre-assembled on rails to ensure perfect spacing and fast installation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% time savings during installation compared to traditional methods
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Certified GRAD PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of certified distributors and installers trained and authorized to sell and install Grad systems. Partners receive certification, technical support, and marketing materials. The network spans France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, UK, USA, and other international markets.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights12 records

Emerging players

• Thermory: Thermory (Estonia) produces thermally modified wood decking (Thermopin, Thermofrêne) — distributed as Grad-compatible boards — and competes directly in premium outdoor timber decking specifications across Europe.
• MOSO International: MOSO International (Netherlands) manufactures Bamboo X-treme and N-durance decking boards that are sold through the Grad system as compatible profiles, and competes in the same premium outdoor decking specification environment.
• Accsys Technologies (Accoya): Accsys Technologies produces Accoya acetylated wood decking, another flagship board brand distributed through the Grad system. The company overlaps with Grad in modified-wood specification for premium outdoor projects.
• Kebony: Kebony is a Norwegian producer of thermally modified wood decking boards — one of Grad's most-promoted board brands (Kebony Clear with 25-year warranty) — and an emerging alternative-modifier-wood competitor with overlapping end customers and channel partners.

Broad incumbents

• Trex Company: Trex is the largest US composite decking manufacturer, producing boards compatible with multiple hidden-fastening systems including Grad-like clip systems. Trex is a broad incumbent in the same end market but does not specialize in the fixation system niche.
• Simpson Strong-Tie: Simpson Strong-Tie is a large US-based manufacturer of structural connectors, fasteners, and fastening systems for construction. While much broader than Grad's niche, Simpson has the R&D and distribution scale to develop competing concealed-deck fastening systems.

Direct peers

• CAMO Fasteners (National Nail): CAMO Fasteners is a US-based manufacturer of hidden deck fastening systems and is one of the most established invisible-fastener brands in the North American market — the same segment Grad entered via its Houston subsidiary.
• DeckWise: DeckWise manufactures hidden deck fasteners, Ipe clip systems, and hardwood deck fixing accessories — overlapping with Grad's clip/rail fastening product category, particularly in premium hardwood deck specifications.
• iDecking: iDecking (Italy-based) designs and manufactures invisible clip and rail fixation systems for outdoor decking using similar aluminum rail and pre-assembled clip architecture, making it the closest direct competitor to Grad's core product line.

Regional players

• Silvadec: Silvadec is a French manufacturer of wood-composite decking boards and cladding that is referenced as a board brand within Grad's customer projects. It is a regional incumbent in the French outdoor wood-composite market with overlapping distribution partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjOwQ6tPkPX2ZGkdIm6q0bQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/Gradsystemuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gradsystemuk
• Instagraminstagram.com/grad_system
• Xx.com/gradsystemuk

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 Grad Concept Ltd