SilverHawk Takes Flight: Globe Pipe Hanger Revolutionizes the Beam Clamp Market with Speed and Innovation
Summary: Globe Pipe Hanger Products, a leading design engineer and manufacturer of pipe hanger products, faced a challenge when their casting supplier dramatically increased prices and minimum order requirements. Unable to pass on these costs to their customers, the company initiated an innovative product development process to reimagine their mainstay 3/8″ top beam clamp. By leveraging their in-house capabilities, Globe shifted from malleable cast iron to cold-rolled steel, developed a groundbreaking 20-station drill and tapping machine, and launched “SilverHawk“—a lighter, stronger, and more cost-effective product. As a result, “SilverHawk” is now the #1 selling part for the company, priced 30% less than the part it replaced, and 10x faster to produce.
Industry: Fire Protection, Commercial Plumbing, Construction
Category: Product Redesign & manufacturing Process Improvement
Processes: CAD Design Software, Prototyping, Market Testing, Thermal Drilling, Patent Filing, Sales & Marketing Planning, Electro-Zinc Plating
The industrial arena was stirred when Globe Pipe Hanger Products was hit with a sudden obstacle—a dramatic price increase and a raise in minimum order requirements from their casting supplier. In a market where price points and speed are crucial, neither the company nor their customers could absorb these unexpected costs. The challenge was thrown down; how could Globe sustain their leadership in the competitive beam clamp market under these conditions?
The first step was to think outside the box—literally. The company’s product development team, comprised of both Globe Pipe Hanger and their sister company, Wire Products Company, immediately initiated a new product development cycle. Given that both companies already had experience in stamping steel parts, the team explored the feasibility of replacing the traditional malleable cast iron with cold-rolled steel.
By utilizing CAD design software, prototypes were quickly built and confidentially tested among key customers and installers. Concurrently, a provisional patent was filed, and a detailed sales & marketing plan was put into action.
Another major hurdle was the production speed. The team had to devise a mechanism to accelerate the production process without compromising the quality.
Enter Globe’s Tooling and Equipment teams—they designed a state-of-the-art 20-station drill and tapping machine that uses thermal drilling. This was a first in the industry and marked a paradigm shift. This innovation meant that 10 parts could now be produced in the time it took to produce just one using traditional methods.
Finally, “SilverHawk” was launched. This new part was lighter, stronger, and proudly Made in the USA. The new design received UL/FM approvals and even featured an electro-zinc plating for enhanced corrosion resistance. Best of all, it was priced 30% less than the part it replaced.
The results spoke for themselves. SilverHawk became the #1 selling part for Globe Pipe Hanger Products, boosting both customer satisfaction and the company’s bottom line.
