Alpine Automation's mission has always been to provide a comprehensive service to the trussed rafter industry.

This has included manufacturing a range of fixings commonly used in roof construction. However, with the introduction of the innovative Alpine Twin-I beam system and in recognition of the increasing variety of fixings needed in roof construction, Alpine concluded that to continue providing a comprehensive range of fixings would necessitate a partnership with a specialist fixings supplier.

Alpine's motivation is innovation - such as the Twin-I beams, Virtual Reality, AiMS Central Database- and therefore a similarly innovative manufacturer of fixings was needed to work with Alpine, not only to meet Alpine's customers' current fixings needs but also those that will arise from Alpine's planned future product developments.

The ideal partner has been found in Cullen Building Products. Patrick Martin, Alpine's Managing Director is "impressed by Cullen's progressive approach to new products and manufacturing techniques and their annual reinvestment of 40% of their profit in research and development".

Doug Cullen, Managing Director of Cullen Building Products comments: "We are very excited about the potential of this partnership. In order for us to keep our position as market leaders it is important that we continue to work closely with our industry partners. This alliance will enable us to build a closer relationship by developing tailor-made solutions for Alpine products."

The formation of a partnership whereby Alpine and Cullen fixings would be distributed together to Alpine's truss fabricators by Alpine was first discussed at the end of November. It was such a natural alliance that immediate agreement was reached and the first pallets of Alpine and Cullen fixings were delivered from Alpine in Truro by the end of January.