Buildex Profile - Buildex

1917
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010
2016

1917

Walter Arnold Deutscher set up a small workshop in Ripponlea, Melbourne, specialising in brassware manufacturing, metalwork and toolmaking.
1920s

WA Deutsher extended his garage and specialised in making brass hose nozzles and garden sprinklers under the "Geyser" brand.
1930s

W. A. Deutsher manufactured steel U-bolts for car springs and nuts to the American Standard for General-Motors-Holden, the first in Australia. Record sales were achieved in 1939 and by 1940 the business was formed into a private company - W.A Deutsher Pty Ltd
1940s

During World War II, the company helped with the war effort by making breech-blocks for the 25lb howitzers for the Army and primer cases for torpedoes used by the Navy.
1950s

The Deutshers signed a licensing agreement with Illinois Tool Works (ITW) in 1958 to manufacture a range of self-tapping screws for steel and Type 17 timber screws.
1960s

The company moved to a larger premises in Moorabbin where it continues to operate today. It manufactured a range of plastic fasteners for the automotive industry and the Buildex division was also created to manufacture fasteners for the building industry.
1970s

Buildex launched the revolutionary design feature the HiTeks® forged point self-drilling screw, along with HiGrip® roofing screws.
1980s

By 1981 W. A. Deutsher Pty Ltd became wholly owned by ITW whilst retaining Australian management. Buildex won an award in 1988 for Outstanding Product Quality at the Australian Quality Awards for HiTeks self-drilling fasteners.
1990s

Buildex launched the Climaseal® coating and Shankguard® feature for superior corrosion protection. Buildex pioneered Real World Testing which continues today in Newcastle and King Island.
2000s

In 2002 Buildex launches RoofZIPS®, Australia's favourite roofing screw designed for domestic roofing applications. Other innovations followed including Climaseal® 4 (2004), Autoteks® metal roof fastening system (2005) and Headlok® Security Fasteners (2008).
2010

Buildex launched Climaseal® 5 in 2010 which set a new benchmark in corrosion protection. Other new product launches included the Designer Head Range (2010), RippleZIPS® (2011) and EziCoat® Steel Frame Screws (2012).
2016

Buildex launched the Roof-Lok® cyclonic assembly deisgned for both corrugated and square rib roof profiles, eliminating the need for two separate assemblies for the different profiles.

About Buildex

Buildex® celebrates over 100 years of manufacturing

For over a century, Buildex® has led the fastening industry with breakthrough technologies and innovative solutions that set new benchmarks. Our legacy, built on a hundred years of expertise, ensures superior performance and reliability for a diverse array of construction applications.

Back in 1917, Walter Arnold Deutscher, the founder of our company, set up a small workshop at the back of his home in Ripponlea, Melbourne. The grandson of a pioneering German family who immigrated to Australia in the 19th century, he was a mechanically minded individual, specializing in brass manufacturing, metalwork and toolmaking.

From those humble days of making brass hose nozzles, garden sprinklers and hose connectors to taps, he left an enduring legacy of manufacturing high quality, Australian made products.

As leaders in self-drilling screws and fasteners, none of our competitors can boast this type of history or proud heritage. Throughout those 100 years, the company has made everything from market garden sprinklers (1932), automotive steel nuts for car springs (1933), breech blocks for 25lb howitzers for the army and primer cases for torpedoes for the Navy (1940), brass screws & rivets (1946), Type 17 wood screws (1952), Gypsum screws (1962), plastic fasteners for the automotive industry (1964) & Teks® self-drilling screws (1965).

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