Dietrich Metal Framing announced that it has signed an exclusive sublicensing agreement with Clark Western Lath & Steel Framing for UltraSteel metal framing products using patented technology of Hadley Industries PLC. Dietrich has a licensing agreement with Hadley for exclusive rights to manufacture and sell metal framing using the new technology in North America.

"This new metal framing technology will be a breakthrough product for the industry and we believe the Clark sublicensing will greatly accelerate market acceptance and availability," said Ed Ponko, president of Dietrich Metal Framing.

Dietrich has begun making UltraSteel framing products available in Florida, North and South Carolina and Georgia, while systematically rolling them out across North America as Dietrich manufacturing facilities convert to the UltraSteel process. Clark Western will employ a similar plan to make the product more readily available in the marketplace.

"We explored many alternatives and quickly came to the conclusion that this was clearly an innovative product and process for metal framing," added Bill Courtney, president of Clark Western.

With this announcement, The Drake Group (leading specialty dealers handling gypsum, steel, insulation, ceilings, fasteners, tools and other complementary building materials) and its 295 dealer locations across the United States, is the first to be committed to the UltraSteel technology.