As Kee Safety Limited, a leading supplier of rooftop and ground based guardrail systems, celebrates the 80th anniversary of its popular Kee Klamp fitting, the company also marks a relationship which spans nearly seven decades with the Malta-based distributor, Joseph F Spiteri & Company (1927) Limited.
The first imports of the Kee Klamp structural fittings into Malta took place 67 years ago. The concept of tubular construction soon caught on, leading to the Kee Klamp product becoming an important part of the Joseph F Spiteri & Company (1927) Limited business activity.
The Kee Klamp fitting was originally designed in 1934 by Gascoignes Limited, the milking machine specialists. It was created to meet a requirement for safer, more hygienic milk production, helping to create tubular-based stalls for dairy herds, quickly, easily and without the need for any welding on site. Instead, Kee Klamp fittings are installed using a standard hex key, with each product incorporating an integral set screw to lock the respective fitting safely and securely onto the tube.
From this initial success, Kee Klamp fittings soon gained wider appeal. During World War II, they were used for applications including barrage balloon windshields and aircraft and gun turretmaintenance. Postwar, the Kee Klamp fitting became a common sight in storage and racking structures, various systems of platforms, pedestrian guardrails and other safety structures. When correctly tightened onto the steel tube, the original Kee Klamp structural fitting has a safe working load of 900 kilos.
Overseas expansion and the development of an international distribution network followed. The 1970s also brought fresh directions as the fittings began to be used in home furniture and shelving, thanks to a new, attractive galvanised finish. In 1977 an independent company Kee Klamp Limited was created and the pace of innovation and product development quickened again.
Today, Kee Klamp structural fittings remain a major product range within the portfolio of the Kee Safety Group. The off-the-shelf product range is one of the largest on the market, providing fittings for every possible application. The original Kee Klamp structuralfittings are iron castings manufactured to the requirements of BS EN 1562 and 1563. Kee Klamp fittings are supplied hot dip galvanised to BS EN ISO 1461 and they also carry the TuV certification.
Joseph F Spiteri & Company (1927) Limited is a family-owned business which focuses on tubular construction. Having worked with Kee Klamp for 67 years, the company has used the product on a number of projects. The examples are numerous, including the 2,000 feet run of Kee Klamp jointedgalvanised tubular hand rails and balcony railings at Mellieħa Bay Hotel, the 900 feet run of Kee Klamp jointed tubular kicker rails in the loading bay area of Hilton Malta, or the simple clothes line rails on the roof of many private residences.
The Kee Klamp Sales Office of Joseph F Spiteri & Company (1927) Limited in Pieta is able to provide supplies of galvanised steel tubing in whole lengths or cut to size to customers’ specific requirements. Furthermore, the Pieta office offers advice and over-the-counter sales of Kee Klamp fittings. The local agents are also able to provide turnkey Kee Klamp on site installations, such as custom-made Kee Klamp jointed galvanised tubular structures, safety barriers, hand railings, canopy frames, shelving and storage racking. The Kee Klamp tubular jointing system makes it ideal to put up temporary structures such as spectator grand stands, staging, control towers, lighting towers and for outdoor events, such as the 24 Kee Klamp jointed tubular flag poles that have been temporarily put up next to the Royal Malta Yacht Club in Ta’ Xbiex for the Rolex MiddleSea Race.
For more information on Kee Klamp fittings and the Kee Safety Group, visit www.keesafety.co.uk. You can also contact Joseph F Spiteri & Company (1927) Limited on 2124 6670 or jfsltd@go.net.mt.