Both Bob Holbrook of Roadcraft and Strachan Hill of Flemings have been involved with roadstud development from the mid 70s and introduce this historical timeline as part of their own development.

In the 60s

In the late 60s, surface-mounted or "stick-on" studs were introduced - predominantly to meet a growing demand for reflective roadstuds, especially on our increasing trafficked UK road network. They provided a cost effective alternative to the traditional inset roadstud and thus were particularly beneficial as an edge of carriageway marker, which up until then had been left largely unmarked. The "Stim", with its prismatic wider-angle lens, fulfilled a need to use more roadstuds especially across the entire width of a carriageway.

In the 80s

In those early days "stick-on" roadstuds were predominantly imported products, but in the mid 80s, Stimsonite® Corporation utilised UK innovation to launch a low impact, traffic resistant roadstud. The 948, which offered a real alternative to the traditional, inset roadstud and, with its recognised high reflex, engineers began to use "stick-on" roadstuds on all types of roads throughout the UK.

Though the 948 are still used on roads today, it has now been somewhat superseded to meet tougher modern standards and Stimsonite® launched the higher specification 953 and additionally 3M Corporation launched its very own alternative and eventual successful 290 product though technically different both are constructed to meet today's heavier traffic demands.

In the 90s

In the early 90s, a highly successful snowplough marker, the 101, was launched in the UK by Roadcraft and Fleming and immediately gained market success - especially in the snowplough regions of Northern Europe. In the UK the 101's market limited appeal was not its snowplough resistance but its long life reflex capabilities.

2000 and Beyond

Roadcraft with Fleming in 2001 and based on their 101 research independently developed their own 301, to offer a long life product more tailored to meet the ever increasing traffic on our UK roads and offer a real contractor friendly alternative to the more traditional UK cat's-eye

Roadcraft and Fleming in partnership with Stimsonite® continued to promote all products, eventually becoming major distributors for Stimsonite® roadstuds in the UK and mainland Europe. Stimsonite® Corporation subsequently was acquired by the Avery Dennison Corporation.

Into The Future

Our experience within this 40-year period of roadstud development demonstrates our market recognition and knowledge. Together we offer best value roadstud products and with a new and exciting alliance with 3M Traffic Safety Systems, and Astucia traffic Systems offer a much stronger association to create increasing influence and innovation into future roadstud technology. Our web site will continue to reflect to the industry these progressing best values.