One of the first things you’ll notice on our website is that there’s not a lot of drawings, schematics, or “product specifications”.  There also aren’t any prices listed.  While this “lack of detail” may seem frustrating at first, we hope you’ll understand that the purpose of our website is not to replace the human element of our business, but to add to it.

We’re all about working with you to make sure you have the right part for the job, and sometimes that means asking more questions and getting to know you a little bit. We’ll make every effort to ensure that you’ve got the right part, that it fits your budget and that it performs the way you expect it to perform.  With that in mind, we encourage you to use our Contact Form to ask us your questions or to have us call you back.

And then there’s the waiting.  You might be thinking that your messages are just being dumped into a queue, to be answered whenever we have time.  Not so!  Our goal is to answer each and every customer Contact Form personally, the same day in which it was received.  Give us a try!  Use the handy Contact Form to let know what you’re looking for, and we’ll be more than happy to help you find it!  We’re here to help.  Still need those schematics? We’ll email them!

Thanks for looking!  Have a great day!

Southco has expanded its successful line of actuators with a keyless electronic version designed for rugged applications. Southco’s AC-10-EM Actuator with Electronic Lock/Unlock functionality eliminates the need for mechanical key access when connected to a remote access controller, such as a key fob, or to an existing control system, such as a button located within a vehicle’s interior.

Southco’s AC-10-EM Actuator with Electronic Lock/Unlock features a heavy-duty design and corrosion-resistant construction, providing robust protection for outdoor applications including off-highway doors, bus baggage doors, and specialty vehicle storage panels. With its recessed handle and flush mount paddle design, the AC-10-EM eases operation when opening panels and doors with a gloved hand, while reducing snag and catch points.

Want to learn more about the Southco AC-10-EM? Click here to see the original blog post!

Southco’s 56 Spring-Loaded Plungers are used in applications where sliding panels need to be “fixed” into a certain position, or when a simple “pin” latch is needed. Spring-loaded plungers are easy to install, require no adjustment, and are simple to use.

Southco has designed a range of new spring-loaded plungers for even nicer appearance, but also easier operation! They are now available in a lever-actuated style, in a variety of colors.

If you’d like more information, just use our handy Contact Form to reach us and we’d be happy to help you pick the right one for your application.

In May, we posted an article about how tariffs on goods that we buy from US companies (with components made in or sourced from China) would be going into effect in September. We are receiving notices from our vendors that starting September 1, we will be seeing price increases as high as 25% on materials and components that are made in China.

Is there any good news?

If there’s any good news, it’s that not everything you buy should be affected. Our U.S. vendors are continuing to monitor the impact of these tariffs and are working hard to minimize any impact on their customers.

We will be reaching out to customers who regularly purchase items that will be affected by these tariffs.

And what that means for us.

…and for you.

Recently, the U.S. President announced an increase in tariffs on goods imported to the U.S. from China, from 10% to 25%. While you may think this trade war and the associated tariffs are only affecting our neighbours to the South… you may be in for a surprise.

As you know, we import most of our products from U.S. manufacturers and even if the finished product is made in the U.S., many of them source materials and components from Chinese factories. Our U.S. vendors are being hit hard by these tariffs and simply cannot absorb the extra costs. As a result, they’re passing them along in the form of price increases or material surcharges.

We are very thankful that all of our U.S. Vendors have been working proactively to reduce the impact of the tariffs by making changes to their supply chain wherever necessary. We will be doing our best to identify specific products that are impacted and will work with our customers to mitigate the effects of the increased tariffs.

The good news is that the increase isn’t taking effect immediately.

The link below is the updated communication from the USTR on May 9th that pushed the effective date of the tariff increase to June 1, 2019. See below:

“Under this implementing modification, and as specified in the Annex to this notice, products of China that are covered by the September 2018 action that were exported prior to May 10, 2019, are not subject to the additional duty of 25 percent as long as such products are entered into the United States prior to June 1, 2019. Such products remain subject to the additional duty of 10 percent for a transitional period of time before June 1, 2019. The covered products of China that are entered into the United States on or after June 1, 2019, are subject to the 25 percent rate of additional duty.”

Full Release:

https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/enforcement/301Investigations/

Implementing_Modification_to_Section_301_Action.pdf

Introducing the E1020 Series of heavy-duty slides from Chamberlan! With load capacities up to 950kg (2094 lbs) and available in lengths up to 2000mm (78.74″) the E1020 series can handle just about anything.

Chambrelan offers a range of slides for nearly any application. Whether it’s a light-duty drawer or a high-capacity tool shelf, there’s a Chambrelan slide for you. We’re proud to offer Chamberlan slides as part of our broad range of hardware solutions.

Use our Contact Form to reach us or call us today at 1-800-318-1119 for more information!

Many of Southco’s products are “touch points”. Touch points are the parts of a product that the end user interacts with most: the handle on your car door, the doorknob on your house, or the keyboard on your computer. Often, touch points create that first impression about the overall quality your entire product, and Southco’s goal is to make that first impression (and every subsequent interaction) a great one.

Want to know more about Southco and how we can help make a great first impression for your customers? Reach out to us today for more information, or to start a conversation about what your ideal first impression would be!

Dzus quarter-turn fasteners have been around for a long time, but they remain one of the most dependable, robust methods of securely fastening a panel to a frame with minimal effort. They’re easy to install and require NO special tools or adjustments.

Originally posted on MARCH 14, 2019 by RACHEL PILGREN-KANE

Southco has expanded its Positioning Technology portfolio with the addition of a new Counterbalance Hinge that neutralizes the weight of heavy panels and lids, providing reliable positioning control for a variety of applications. The CB Counterbalance Hinge provides precise control when opening and closing heavy panels, reducing safety and liability concerns while improving end user ergonomics.

The CB Counterbalance Hinge neutralizes the downward force of gravity and provides precise control when opening and closing heavy panels, enabling the panel to be lifted and lowered effortlessly. With its compact, adjustable design the CB Counterbalance Hinge can be mounted inside enclosures with minimal protrusion and can fine-tuned to the precise requirements of the application, making it an ideal solution for controlling a variety of panel weights when compared to power or hydraulic solutions.

Southco’s CB Counterbalance Hinge offers reliable position control for heavy panels and lids while providing ergonomic benefits and safe operation for end users. The CB Counterbalance Hinge provides high vibration resistance, making it an ideal solution for a variety of mobile and stationary storage applications, such as medical and industrial equipment.

Constructed of corrosion resistant materials, the CB Counterbalance Hinge offers reliable performance in both hot and cold environments. Designed to provide a lifetime of maintenance free, reliable operation, the CB Counterbalance Hinge is useful in reducing warranty and installation costs.

To learn more about Southco’s line of position control solutions, visit our Counterbalance Solutions Resource Center page.

The post Counterbalance Hinge Allows Safe Positioning of Heavy Panels appeared first on Southco Blog.

Posted on Monday, November 19, 2018 • Rachel Pilgren-Kane

Southco has added to its broad range of cam latches with the introduction of the miniature E5 Cam Latch. Featuring a 30% reduction in intrusion compared to Southco’s standard E5 Cam Latch series, the miniature E5 Cam Latch provides a significantly smaller footprint for limited space applications.

Southco’s miniature E5Cam Latch provides a simple and affordable solution for applications demanding minimal enclosure intrusion. Available in multiple grip sizes, the miniature E5 is ideal for applications with light duty doors, or where the inside of the enclosure has limited space and only permits minimal latch intrusion.

Southco’s E5 line of cam latches can be accessed with a quarter turn, while latch open status can be quickly confirmed by the product’s latched/unlatched status indicator. The miniature E5 Cam Latch also offers universal operation, making it suitable for both right-hand and left-hand hinged doors.

The miniature E5 Cam Latch is a simple and affordable solution for limited space applications. Reduced packaging and varying options for grip and actuation make the miniature E5 suitable for a wide range of industry applications.

To learn more about Southco’s line of cam latches, visit our Cam Latches product page.

Nestled in the bustling city of Minneapolis lies a fast-growing startup. But it isn’t the Silicon Valley kind.

Instead, this startup is advancing the booming market for camper rentals.

To read more about how Accuride slides are used in camper vans like these, check out Accuride’s Blog page with all kinds of great information on applications and ideas on where Accuride slides can make life easier!