MiTek Commemorates Jureit's Original Gang-Nail Connector Plate
Originally Published by: MiTek — January 5, 2022
SBCA appreciates your input; please email us if you have any comments or corrections to this article.
MiTek welcomed Marie Jureit-Beamish (pictured at right), widow of John Calvin “Cal” Jureit, inventor of the Gang-Nail connector plate, on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at its global headquarters in Chesterfield, Missouri. Jureit-Beamish transferred ownership of the original Gang-Nail connector plate and patent documents to MiTek to preserve the legacy of Jureit’s invention.
Invented by Jureit in 1955, the Gang-Nail connector plate was the first metal tie that allowed for the building of wood trusses without the need for nails, screws, or glue. Jureit’s labor-saving invention revolutionized the building industry and served as the foundation of what would later become the company MiTek.
The original Gang-Nail connector plate, along with other historical artifacts from Jureit’s career, are now on permanent display at MiTek’s global headquarters.
“He, as you know, transformed how we built houses with one simple idea,” Jureit-Beamish said. “However, a simple idea doesn't come from just one moment. It comes from a lifetime of preparedness for that one moment and then what you do with it after that one moment.”
Jureit founded Gang-Nail Systems, Inc. in 1956, which sold connector plates, assembly machinery and engineering services. In 1987, Gang-Nail was purchased by Hydro-Air, and, soon after, they merged to form MiTek.
Click here to view a summary video of the ceremony.
“MiTek is a company that has become very intent on innovating, solving big problems in building in new and creative ways, and, as a result, hopefully making an impact on communities around the world,” said Mark Thom, MiTek Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Cal’s story reminded me about the simplicity of taking a great idea and being willing to run with it, but also the work that's required to follow through.”
Today, MiTek annually ships millions of pounds of connector plates in hundreds of sizes and configurations globally. Jureit passed away in 2005, but his legacy lives on in every connector plate sold, and his spirit of innovation inspires MiTek’s vision to transform the building industry with better building solutions.