For over 30 years, Peikko’s innovative bolted column connections have defined the game for faster and safer column installation to high-quality precast beams. In 2024, we are excited to add two new products to the bolted column connections product family – HULCO® Anchor Bolt and HELKA® Column Shoe.
Even in difficult times, Peikko’s bolted connections keep going from strength to strength. Demand is increasing for high-quality solutions for large-scale projects. By adding HULCO® Anchor Bolt and HELKA® Column Shoe to the product portfolio, Peikko’s customers have even more options for the optimal set of connections. This is further supported by the update in Peikko Designer® BOLTED CONNECTION, in which bolted connections are now available cloud-based.
Bolted connections keep going strong
The worldwide turbulence of the 2020s has posed many challenges for the construction industry. At Peikko, this has meant keeping an even keener focus on what is needed and what is next. For bolted connections, however, the market changes have not been very drastic.
“Precast construction is on the rise as the megatrend of urbanization continues. Construction needs to be quick and efficient. The demand for safe and high-quality connections made in a monitored factory setting is increasing globally, replacing the pre-existing idea of cast-in-situ being the more cost-efficient option. This change in thinking can be seen both within and outside of Europe. Peikko’s bolted connections are well established in the industry and we have a strong presence in the global market. We have been able to continue business as usual,” explains Vesa Miettinen, Product Manager for bolted connections.
With new and ongoing work in the Middle East and China, for example, Peikko keeps exploring developing markets and suitable projects for bolted connections. Construction in the oil and gas sector and other large-scale industrial projects are ideal, as they demand the best quality, which Peikko can deliver.
Simply strong and relentlessly reliable HULCO® Anchor Bolt
As Peikko is constantly developing new and improved solutions for different markets and evolving demands, a need for a new generation anchor bolt was recognized. In early 2024, Peikko was ready to launch the CE-marked, simply strong HULCO® Anchor Bolt.
Replacing PPM® L Anchor Bolt, HULCO® Anchor Bolt is a compact, cast-in-place anchor to secure concrete, steel structures, or machinery into concrete base structures, typically foundations, slabs, base columns, columns, or walls. With precast columns, HULCO® connects with BOLDA® Column Shoe. Cost-efficient with remarkable load-bearing capacities for heavy-duty bolted connections, HULCO® Anchor Bolt is especially suited for industrial construction. Its optimized material use makes it light to transport, and light for the environment, too.
”HULCO® Anchor Bolt is great news for our customers, and an exciting new product for us at Peikko as well. It’s lightweight and a great fit for smaller spaces, and lighter in cost. With HULCO® we can offer triple savings – in material use, in product size, and in using less concrete,” says Vesa Miettinen.
Say hello to the all-new HELKA® Column Shoe
New product launches for bolted connections continue this autumn with the introduction of CE-marked and ETA-assessed HELKA® Column Shoe. HELKA® replaces HPKM® Column Shoe in sizes 24, 30, and 39 and is suitable for all types of construction: offices, residential buildings, infrastructure projects, and more. Like HULCO® Anchor Bolt, HELKA® offers lightness that doesn’t compromise on strength.
“We say that HELKA is light to design, light to handle, and light for the environment. Essentially, this means easiness on the designer’s desktop, less aches and pains at precasting and the construction site, and a smaller environmental footprint,” says Vesa Miettinen.
Indeed, smaller cross-sections and a smaller amount of steel mean that less concrete is used, and bigger CO2 reductions are achieved. Moreover, having more products fit in one delivery impacts costs and emissions positively.
New cloud-based software develops the design process
One of the most exciting Peikko projects this year is the development of Peikko Designer® software. Peikko Designer® BOLTED CONNECTION now offers a user-friendly web interface and a powerful and flexible cloud calculation engine. Only an internet connection is needed for its use – no installations or downloads are needed. The software is free to use, and existing users can log in using the credentials they already have.
The new tool gives users more freedom. It enables the reliable and standardized design of architectural shapes that deviate from the mainstream, such as designing column shoes for columns of all shapes.
“HELKA® Column Shoe will be added to the new, cloud-based Peikko® Designer BOLTED CONNECTION, which will eventually replace the desktop version. Short bolts and rebars are already available cloud-based. Long bolts and fire scenarios design will be added by the end of the year. Our hope is that designers can quickly make the switch to the new, cloud-based version. This is the way forward, and we will continue developing the cloud-based software for other Peikko solutions as well,” says Vesa Miettinen.
This article has been originally published in Connections 2025 customer magazine. You can find more Peikko's customer magazines here: Connections customer magazine