The first screw designed for verified reuse in on-site lifting and handling

There are site operations where uncertainty simply isn't an option: lifting and handling timber elements and CLT panels is one of them.
Every movement generates forces that are not always predictable and the slightest mistake can jeopardise the timeline, safety and quality of the project. In this context, being able to rely on a screw engineered specifically for lifting – complete with a verification system to ensure its safe reuse – opens up new possibilities for assembly teams and anyone overseeing logistics and prefabrication.

Handling, rotating, accelerating and braking all generate stresses that are difficult to predict and even harder to control when using screws that were never designed for this purpose.
Until now, standard procedure has required the use of "disposable" screws, discarded after each lifting operation to avoid the risk of hidden damage.

In practice, this requirement is sometimes overlooked, but stiffness and alignment in standard screws rapidly degrade, posing serious hazards when they are reused or overloaded.

VGS PLATE was created to overcome this limitation: it is not a structural screw repurposed for lifting, but a screw engineered specifically for lifting that can also serve as a permanent metal-to-timber structural connector.

It is the first screw developed expressly for handling timber elements, designed for verified reuse and suitable for structural connections, too. It delivers consistent performance over multiple installation and removal cycles and is compatible with all major screw-based lifting systems.

Why a purpose-designed lifting screw was needed

Traditional screws, no matter how strong, are not designed for reuse in lifting. During handling, they are subjected to dynamic, multi-directional stresses that can compromise their mechanical properties, such as:

• the straightness of the shank

• the integrity of the thread

• the strength of the head

• the ability to maintain their clamping force under dynamic loads

These deformations are not always visible, creating a safety risk if the screw were to be used again. This is why lifting screws are generally considered "disposable" across the industry.

VGS PLATE overturns this approach: It is engineered and tested for repeated use, delivering reliable, measurable performance and a consistently high level of safety. The aim is to deliver a timber screw built for lifting – not a structural screw used as a workaround.

The differences: Geometry, control, reusability

The hexagonal, tapered head has been developed to ensure a stable, controlled connection with the main Rothoblaas systems used for handling timber elements:

• WASP

• RAPTOR

• RAPTOR MINI

• RAPTOR MAXI

This compatibility means a single screw can be used across all lifting systems, simplifying on-site operations and minimising the margin for error.

The double-head drive: TORX + hex

The head incorporates two separate drives:

• TORX, for precise and controlled fastening;

• hex, for use with sockets even in awkward conditions, without the risk of damage.

This combination slows wear and allows repeated tightening and loosening cycles without compromising clamping performance.

Verified reuse: Safety and process

Colour coding

The screw is instantly recognisable thanks to the Rothoblaas black coating, a choice that serves three operational purposes:

1. to distinguish it from standard screws not suitable for lifting;

2. to enable quick visual checks on the screw's wear;

3. to maintain visual neutrality when the screw is left in place for permanent applications.

Inspection with JIG REUSE

To ensure reusability, the screw must be inspected after each cycle. The JIG REUSE jig is used to check straightness, a key parameter for confirming that the screw has not been deformed during handling and lifting.

If the shank is perfectly straight, the screw can be used again safely. If it's shown to be deformed, it must be replaced.

Dedicated testing

Its reusability is supported by a testing campaign developed together with third-party bodies, designed to demonstrate the screw's ability to maintain its performance under simulated exceptional stresses and potential risk conditions associated with reuse. Since no official guideline exists for certifying screw reuse in applications such as handling and lifting, assurance is based on laboratory testing and verified performance results.

A screw that goes beyond lifting: VGS PLATE and structural use

VGS PLATE extends its scope of application well beyond lifting. It is certified for permanent metal-to-timber structural connections, and the head geometry ensures effective coupling with metal plates.

This means installers can leave the screw in place when required, with no effect on appearance or stability, and with ETA-certified values.

Made from black electrogalvanized carbon steel, VGS PLATE can be used in atmospheric corrosivity classes C1–C2, timber corrosiveness classes T1–T2, and service classes SC1–SC2.

A single screw for handling, lifting and permanent connections

The strength of VGS PLATE lies in its ability to cover all key stages: handling, transport, positioning and, when required, permanent structural connections. This reduces operational complexity, streamlines warehouse management and creates a more linear workflow between production, logistics and the construction site.

In a sector increasingly focused on prefabrication and rapid assembly, having a reusable and verifiable screw ensures greater operational continuity on site, not to mention less waste.

The official preview of VGS PLATE is scheduled for Dach+Holz 2026. Until then, you can read all about it here: https://www.rothoblaas.com/products/fastening/screws/vgs-plate