Bowens Timber and Building Supplies has commenced the licensed manufacture of Tecbeam, a lightweight steel and timber composite structural beam that can be used in both residential and commercial building construction. With timber chords and light gauge galvanised steel web construction, Tecbeam's high load carrying capacity over large spans makes it appealing to the building industry.

Although Tecbeam is now manufactured by Bowens,Tecbeam Australasia will continue to develop the product with its international patents, manufacture the steel web component and supply technical design services. Under the new arrangement, Bowens will service Tecbeam builder customers, making the product available in Victoria both to residential and commercial builders.

Bowens managing director John Bowen said Tecbeam complemented traditional floor trusses because it could carry very high loads within the same depth. "This makes it very popular for large floor spans particularly in multi-floor construction," he said.

Due to its top and bottom timber chords, Tecbeam is user friendly on site, easy to fix and complements a timber frame. Ceiling plasterboard and flooring material can be fixed directly to the joist flanges and most services, including air conditioning ducts and waste pipes, can be installed through the specially designed web holes at regular spacings along the beam.

Bowen said Tecbeam would be manufactured within Bowens existing frame and truss fabrication plants enabling the company to provide a complete framing solution to builders.