Classic Elegance in Metal Corbels, Meet the Latest

November 17, 2011 -- Charlotte, NC

Federal Brace announced the release of a new line of metal corbels with a significant bend toward the traditional appeal of wooden corbels incorporated with the supporting value of metal brackets.

The company’s new Classic Scroll style metal corbel has an elegantly designed, scroll shaped gusset between two support flanges. The appearance of the Classic Scroll metal corbel is both simple and sturdy. This corbel will add to the decor of any home.

The Eleuthera Corbel is another metal corbel design released by Federal Brace with fine curves and lines that fit perfectly with a traditional decor approach. The bracket is fittingly named after the Bahamian island of Eleuthera with its swirling gusset design matching the current around this tropical island’s shores.

Available in both steel and stainless steel materials and in varying sizes, the Classic Scroll and Eleuthera Metal Corbels join the Federal Brace family to help extend the consumers’ choices in sturdy support with beautiful appeal for their countertops.

Whether your latest DIY project requires a simple, traditional countertop support or something with a bit more flair, you can find a support for both needs in one place, www.federalbrace.com. For more information, contact Broc Siefert at 877-353-8899 or visit www.federalbrace.com.

METAL CORBELS TRADITIONAL DESIGN

October 4, 2011 -- Charlotte, NC

Federal Brace announced the release of two new metal bracket designs with the metal corbel product selection. The company designed this metal corbel to fill the desire among consumers for a more traditional metal support design that will replace the standard decorative wood corbels. The metal corbels feature a decorative gusset with an artistic appeal that swoops and curves like a wooden corbel, but holds strong like a metal countertop bracket allowing the user to support a heavier countertop. Brand Manager, Broc Siefert adds, “ These are two revolutionary designs that provide solutions to homeowners wanting real support out of a decorative corbel.”

The Eleuthera Metal Countertop Corbel is an excellent mix of the best of a traditional corbel and a strong metal support. With the naturally flowing lines and the beautiful finish, the Eleuthera adds a dimension of the traditional corbel design to the countertop support hardware world.

The Classic Scroll fits into any traditionally designed kitchens. Unlike the weak decorative corbels it replaces, the Classic Scroll comes in a range of sizes to support heavy granite and engineered stone countertop overhangs ranging from 8” to 13” deep. It’s unique, hand cut appearance adds an air of old world charm and craftsmanship to any kitchen.

All Federal Brace countertop supports and metal corbels are made in the USA.

More information can be found online at www.federalbrace.com

Federal Brace Releases the Providence Reinforced Corbel

August 18, 2011 -- Charlotte, NC

Federal Brace has added to its line of reinforced corbels with the release of the Providence Reinforced Corbel. This sleek, low profile corbel brings a touch of understated elegance to hardware décor and countertop support.

The Providence, like the other reinforced corbels in the company’s line of countertop support products, is made up of a quality finished exterior corbel with a ¼” steel countertop support bracket for a backbone. The Providence Corbel has a brushed stainless steel finish that shows no fasteners while incorporating the strength of the steel bracket.

“Our newest design, the Providence reinforced corbel is sized to support a 10” to 12” deep natural or engineered stone countertop overhang. This reinforce corbel is both elegant and simple and, at the same time, exceptionally strong. Coordinating with the popular stainless steel appliances found in so many kitchens today, Providence works with many kitchen styles “ said Broc Siefert, Sales Manager for Federal Brace. See the Providence Reinforced Corbel on the company website www.FederalBrace.com, and check out the other countertop support products and helpful resources the company provides.

More information can be found online at www.federalbrace.com

Federal Brace offers three new installation videos. Along with Stainless Steel Bearing Plates

July 15, 2011 -- Charlotte, NC

Federal Brace starts by helping people solve a problem. With that in mind, Federal Brace continues to offer free video installation guides to help its customers. Sales Manager, Broc Seifert and CEO & President, Scott Toal, takes us through the installation of a Liberty Invisible Countertop Plate, a Freedom Invisible Countertop Bracket and a Perrine Counter Mounted Support.

The Liberty Plate and Freedom brackets are excellent supports when you want the bracket to be invisible, and the counter mounted support gives the ability to elevate a counter or bar directly fastened to the sub-counter.

Federal Brace customers have sought out videos for all three different types of applications. These short fifteen-minute videos each take us through the full installation process. In these videos we show you such tricks of the trade as how to route out channels, choose the right bracket for your job, and getting the right support accessories to complete your installation.

For this and other videos at Federal Brace please check out the link below. Federal Brace determined to give you Beautifully Crafted, Confident Supports.

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Federal Brace now offers stainless steel bearing plates. These disburse weight under the countertop on the counter mounted support installations. While the counter mounted supports are strong enough hold the weight, the weakest part is the tiny bolt holding them down under the countertop. These plates are the solution.

For the full line of Countertop Supports and Accessories, please look at the website: www.federalbrace.com.

Announcing a Stainless Steel Shelf for your countertop supports

June 30, 2011 -- Charlotte, NC

Federal Brace is a designer and producer of heavy-duty yet elegant support brackets that go beyond the simple shelf or standard industrial support brackets. Always looking to innovate in the market, Federal Brace is proud to announce the release of their new line of Stainless Steel Shelves.

“Many contractors and designers are now seeing Federal Brace Supports for what they are – enhancing hardware pieces that can be used in various home décor applications,” says Sales Manager Broc Siefert. He continues, “At the recent KBIS 2011 Kitchen and Bath show we were honored to have our support brackets in several vendor booths shown in applications. The addition of our Stainless Steel Shelves now adds to the areas and types of applications where Federal Brace products can be used.”

Federal Brace is looking to add to the overall appearance of the full kitchen by given further touches of metal with their Stainless Steel Shelving units. Meant to be used with the Federal Brace brackets that will tie in with other fixtures, hardware décor and appliances around your kitchen, the company’s stainless steel shelves give designers and homeowners a great selection in the decor.

The thickness of the material used on Federal Brace Stainless Steel Shelves allows the customer to use the shelves to hold more than the common pantry shelf. “These shelves will work great in both residential and commercial installations. So whether you’re going for a contemporary look or need stainless shelves for additional strength these shelves work well anywhere you want to put them,” says Broc Siefert.

Stainless Steel is ideal for food preparation and is durable and resistant against deterioration and surface corrosion that is common with standard shelves.

For more information on Federal Brace contact Broc Siefert at bsiefert@federalbrace.com and visit the Federal Brace website at www.federalbrace.com.

More information can be found online at www.federalbrace.com

Federal Brace's KBIS Preview and QR Code Giveaway

April 21, 2011 -- Charlotte, NC

Montcross Area Chamber members and friends helped celebrate the renovation and expansion of new member Short Run Pro on May 11. The growing young business at 52 Ervin Street in Belmont specializes in the design and manufacture of custom fabricated metal parts and products for customers all over the country.

Shown from, left, are chamber chairman-elect Timothy Roberts of Cottage Keepers and Short Run Pro staffers Shannon Kendall, Brandon Jackson, Charlie Archer, Broc Siefert, owner Ron Cyrier, Cathy Morgan, owner Scott Toal, owner DJ Toal, Bonnie Bosch, Arthur Toal, and Victoria White. Chamber board chair Julie Roper of PSNC Energy is at right.

Courtesy of the Gaston Gazette

Federal Brace's KBIS Preview and QR Code Giveaway

April 21, 2011 -- Charlotte, NC

Federal Brace is following the trend of Quick Response Codes in marketing and advertising. At the end of this April the company will be attending the Kitchen and Bath Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show is formerly called KBIS and is the Super Bowl of the Kitchen, Bath Design field.

Federal Brace has had an expansive year of growth including fifteen new countertop bracket designs, adding new shelf bracket lines, introducing the Bracket Backer ™ line, and the company’s Eva Reinforced Corbels.

Looking for new and inventive ways to get the word out to their customers the marketing team at Federal Brace has been following the trend of QR Codes on Twitter. Today about 20% of the Fortune 50 companies are using QR Codes to extend marketing information within their markets. Someday these codes will likely be as common-place as barcodes.

Federal Brace is using the QR Code technology to reward the attendees at KBIS who visit their booth. Those who choose to scan the QR Code below and tweet it before the show and then visit the Federal Brace booth #C7283 with receive a special gift. The company also is running a show promotion using the codes where participants at the show can win a 3G Kindle, a Free Order up to $500 dollars and other prizes. You have to visit the booth for a chance to win!

FEDERAL BRACE: RETURNING TO KBIS, 2011 LAS VEGAS

March 21, 2011 -- Charlotte, NC

Federal Brace is returning to KBIS this year, April 26th through the 28th. Last April, three members of the Federal Brace team went up to Chicago, Illinois for their very first KBIS in 2010. It was the first time for the company. They were able to join tens of thousands of kitchen and bath professionals. Along the KBIS show room floor they were able to see plenty of cutting-edge educational sessions and ample networking events keeping them informed and connected to the industry.

KBIS is a great opportunity to learn about products and get a deeper understanding of the unique characteristics of products and their installation requirements. It is also an opportunity to provide feedback to manufactures about their products so that together the design and manufacturing communities can better meet the needs of consumers.

Last year the KBIS event ended up being very important to the growth of the Federal Brace. The company was very active at their booth and made great contacts. Federal Brace President, Scott Toal says, “ We found the participants were impressed with our designs. We had architects, contractors and designers visit us at the booth. They asked very good questions and pointed out things they like in our product. It was very helpful for a company just entering the market.”

Now, Federal Brace has close to thirty designs, they have ventured into reinforced corbels, Bracket Backer™ boards and shelf brackets. Federal Brace invites you to check out their website before attending the show. They fully understand why people say KBIS is the pinnacle in the Kitchen and Bath trade and the company is honored to be a part of the event. Federal Brace’ s booth for the event this year is: BOOTH NUMBER C7283 / 2011 KBIS Las Vegas.

Federal Brace offers: DEALER LOCATOR, SHELF BRACKETS & REINFORCED CORBELS

January 18, 2011 -- Charlotte, NC

By popular demand Federal Brace continues to add value to our products and services to distributors, designers, contractors and homeowners. Federal Brace has added a Dealer Locator, Shelf Brackets & Reinforced Corbels.

Dealer Locator: Beginning this month the company website hosts a new Dealer Locator application that finds those kitchen and bath design centers, distributors, interior designers, installers and fabricators near you that can help you with Federal Brace products. The Dealer Locator will give identify local resources based on customers’ address, city and zip code. We recognize in some cases that you want to deal with someone more local for our beautiful countertop supports and products.

If you’re interested in becoming a dealer or distributor, please visit this link: To Become a Distributor or Dealer.

Shelf Brackets: You love the quality and design of our countertop brackets but have you ever stopped and thought "I wonder what this would look like as a shelf bracket?" We have and decided to do more than think about it. Federal Brace has released our new shelf bracket product line.

We've currently have several shelf supports, two based on our most popular countertop bracket styles and a new shelf bracket exclusive design. We intend to release more original designs and convert more of your favorite styles to shelf brackets in the coming months.

Check out our current selection of shelf support brackets: Shelf Bracket Line.

Reinforced Corbels: Sometimes a metal support isn't exactly the right look for your corbel application. The Eva Reinforced Countertop Corbel by Federal Brace is a solution that provides the wood corbel look with the reinforcement of a metal bracket. With its inset steel L Bracket for extra strength, the Eva decorative corbel provides a wood-like appearance when painted and the aesthetic feeling you're going after with a corbel.

The fiber board material used to make the Eva Reinforced Corbel is environmentally friendly and more economical than a standard wood corbel. With the Eva Corbel you get more strength, less cost and a greener result than using the traditional decorative wood corbe

Please check out our Corbel Supports: Eva Reinforced Corbel.

Federal Brace adds a full line of Shelf Brackets

Charlotte, NC - December 21, 2010

Federal Brace was born out of a desire to help the clients. They are continuing to help their clients by offering beautifully crafted supports for decorative shelf applications in home and office use.

Federal Brace is no longer just a kitchen countertop support company. To finish out a year of expansive growth, the company is introducing a full line of sixteen shelf brackets. This new offering will include designs from Federal Brace’s most popular countertop support models. Now customers can match their countertop supports with decorative shelf brackets elsewhere in the home.

The Federal Brace shelf brackets are made of a lower gauge or thinner material than their beefier counterparts, the countertop support brackets. However, they incorporated all the design features of the countertop support style brackets and have a larger profile and heavier carrying capacity than standard box store type shelf brackets. They are sturdier than wood or plastic brackets as well.

“Federal Brace continues to offer solutions to meet the needs of homeowners, designers and contractors. With the addition of our shelf bracket line of products we are expanding those solutions and offering our customers’ greater selection,” said Cathy Morgan, General Manager of Federal Brace. For more information on Federal Brace and their full line of support brackets visit their website at www.federalbrace.com.

Bracket Backers™: Here to protect your sheetrock.

Charlotte, NC – October 28, 2010

Federal Brace offers the latest in sheetrock protection. The installation of heavy weight applications can crush a sheetrock wall if nothing is placed between the support brace and the wallboard material.

Federal Brace announces the Bracket Backer ™, a design enhancing backer board trim that protects soft wall material behind brackets in heavy weight applications. This product is designed to prevent sheetrock flexing or crushing of soft wall board materials.

Made with a micro fiberboard material commonly called high density MDF, the material has a high content of recycled material and is excellent in projects with high environmentally green considerations.

While optimal use of the Bracket Backers™ is in high weight capacity support applications such as granite and other stone countertop extensions, they can also be used simply as trim molding around brackets to enhance the look of other support applications such as shelving.

This product should not be considered or used as the primary supporting member of any weight carrying application. They come with a standard white primer coat applied to the surface of the board. The boards come in varying dimensions -- please visit us here for specifics --

The Gift That Keeps on Giving: Kitchen Counter Top Support

Charlotte, NC – September 21, 2010

The holiday season will soon be down your chimney and at your door. While putting tinsel on your tree and a wreath on your mantle, don’t forget your kitchen’s presentation this holiday season.

Hospitality goes hand in hand with the festivities of the holidays. Family gatherings, dinners with the neighbor and Christmas parties are all opportunities to show your family and friends that you cherish your relationship with them. When considering your upcoming hospitality opportunities don’t neglect to consider how your kitchen is suited.

In large gatherings, or even intimate dinners, a functionally designed kitchen can make the occasion a success. If your kitchen is not properly situated to provide adequate serving area, consider making some design upgrades now to be ready for the holidays.

An eating or serving bar can be added to your kitchen by putting in a half-stud wall and mounting a counter bar at the top of it. An elevated bar bracket, such as the Alpine Designer Support bracket from Federal Brace, can attractively place tasty treats closer to your guest’s olfactory senses. These brackets are designed to support the full weight of the counter without use of a half-stud wall. The stainless steel finish gives your kitchen a luxurious look that will make it stand out to your guests.

Other possible kitchen upgrades to consider include adding an extension to your kitchen island or adding a serving shelf to an empty wall. Both of these additions assist with those large gatherings by increasing the serving space of your kitchen and dining areas.

Remember, if your holiday preparations include adding some counter space you need to order your kitchen counter top brackets now. Order your brackets before the Halloween rush, and have your brackets set up by the time your family arrives for the Thanksgiving fun.

New Countertop Bracket Designs from Federal Brace

Charlotte, NC – August 3, 2010

Federal Brace, the designer and producer of quality countertop support products, announced the release of ten new styles in their countertop support and bracket family of products. These fresh new countertop bracket designs augment the large selection of countertop supports already available under the Federal Brace brand.

The company has added 5 new shapes to the gusseted L-shaped countertop support brackets. The Angeln, Pickett, Union Jack and Bellhaven countertop support all utilize the decoratively shaped gusset cross plate between the support flanges while their sister style, the Hagendoorn adds a plate gusset with a round rod gusset to provide a beautifully unique look.

Added to the elevated counter supports line is the San Juan countertop support. This wonderful design is a close relative to the company’s popular San Marino. The San Juan adds a round road gusset with it plate gusset to give it a unique and attractive appearance.

The Carrier Countertop Support Bracket is a design that utilizes the features of Federal Brace’s hidden countertop products while adding the strength of a support gusset that runs the length of the bracket. A short profile and tremendous strength are the unique characteristics of the Carrier Countertop Support.

Federal Brace has also released its first designs within an entirely new support application. The company’s new Enterprise Support, Foremont Support and Perrine Decorative Support styles are all part of the countertop mounted support brackets. The use of the brackets within this application type is to support an elevated bar directly from the lower countertop level. The brackets are mounted directly to the sub-counter and elevated a counter or bar on support plates at the top of the bracket.

All of these new styles of countertop support brackets will join Federal Brace’s current line of sleek and dependable brackets to provide the largest selection of decorative, solid steel supports available! “With this collection of invariably elite countertop brackets and supports, our customers have a greater option in the style they want, and also in the application in which they want to mount their countertops.” said Cathy Morgan, GM of the Federal Brace team.

Plan Ahead, Don’t Compromise

Charlotte, NC – July 6, 2010

One of the great influences for compromise in kitchen design and construction is lack of time. Countless homeowners have been forced to go with solutions that only barely meet their satisfaction because they either did not know what was required or procrastinated until it was too late to get the perfect solution to meet their design and functionality needs.

One area where this “no time – got to compromise” principle shows up is in the support of countertops. After investing thousands of dollars in their countertops most owners are never told that they need support for countertop overhangs. Well, they are likely told but not until the countertop fabricator shows up to run the templates or possibly when the installer shows up to put in the counters. This seriously limits the homeowner’s ability to select a desirable solution for supporting their countertops.

Countertop support brackets are more than just shelf brackets or standard decorative wood corbels. A countertop overhang is no small matter and true countertop brackets are designed to handle the load of the overhang. These types of brackets really constitute hardware in the kitchen and should be selected as such. You cannot pick up them up at the local hardware store or from large box stores because they are not carried. The countertop support brackets used to hold up stone counters are specifically designed for that purpose and are often made to order or when in stock require shipping to the customer’s construction site.

Cathy Morgan knows about the significance of delaying selection of countertop supports. The general manager of Federal Brace, a designer and producer of custom countertop support brackets says, “We hear daily from people looking for countertop supports having just learned that they need them for their countertop installation scheduled for the next day. Unfortunately, that leaves the customer limited to those supports that are stock and bearing overnight shipping costs in order to fill the need.” The additional costs associated with shipping overnight are one thing. But more unfortunate is the customer’s inability to take advantage of the full line of designer countertop supports available or the possibility of using the customization service provided by the company.

Bottom line - time is needed to select the right countertop support bracket. Homeowners are asked, months before they are needed, what type of knobs and handles they want on their cabinets. Why wait until the week before installation to ask what type of countertop support is desired? The answer is a bit simple. No one is sure whose job it is to specify the need for supports. The contractor will generally rely on the countertop fabricator. The fabricator may defer to the installer. Ultimately, they can all point to the problem with limited knowledge of the requirement standards.

Federal Brace is trying to eliminate this problem by educating the contractor and the customers. Their website boasts one of the most comprehensive resource areas on the topic of countertop support. Their customer service representatives are knowledgeable on solving the issue of timing as well. Cathy gives her pointers very concisely – “First, do not wait to hear that you need countertop supports. If you are planning a serving or seating area at your kitchen countertop you will likely need supports for the counters in that area. Be proactive and start your search early. 2. Do not compromise your desires because of timing. It is likely that whatever is put under your countertops will be there until they are removed. Make sure that it is a support that meets your needs visually and functionally.”

Metal Supports Noticed at Latest KBIS

Charlotte, NC – April 27, 2010

Offered through their website, the company’s complete line of contemporary metal support brackets and corbels made a solid impression at the show. “Our product line offers a viable alternative to the traditional support products offered in the market today. With our sleek Euro style designs and the sturdy construction built into every Federal Brace support, now designers and end users have the option to go metal – better yet - made in the USA metal.” said Cathy Morgan, General Manager of Federal Brace. The company focuses as its mission on building the U.S. manufacturing base while producing the “highest quality, most durable” countertop supports on the market today.

An appealing feature of Federal Brace’s countertop support product line is the confidence provided by use of the solid metal bracket under a solid surface countertop. While you would expect that a heavy duty countertop support might be bulky and industrial looking, Federal Brace’s countertop supports are in fact the opposite. The company displayed 17 different styles at their booth, from standard to elevated and hidden supports. The Brunswick style support was featured for KBIS’s Best In Show area where it garnered much interest and positive comments related to both its strength and style.

The company will expand its countertop support design offering in the coming months to over 40 styles.

Custom Metal Parts Leader Establishes Countertop Support Products Division

Charlotte, NC – March 5, 2010

Serving The Needs of Homeowners, Architects, Interior Design Professionals, Building Contractors and Countertop Installers, Federal Brace Offers Corbels and Brackets While Focusing on Supporting Jobs in the USA

Short Run Pro, a leader in production of custom metal parts, announces the release of Federal Brace, a division of the company focused on supplying the interior design and construction industries with high quality, made in the USA countertop corbels and brackets. The countertop support product line designed and produced by Short Run Pro is now marketed under the Federal Brace brand. All the popular corbel designs including Brunswick, Alpine, Streamline and Arrowwood along with helpful resources such as the bracket deflection calculator are now offered through the company website www.federalbrace.com.

Federal Brace also reflects the company’s commitment to Made in the USA products. All Federal Brace countertop brackets are manufactured in the United States. "In a time when creation of jobs is so vital to the U.S. it is important that companies commit to supporting those jobs. Short Run Pro and now our division, Federal Brace, are committed to growing the manufacturing base in the U.S.A. and creating jobs on production floors right here in our country." said Scott Toal, president of Short Run Pro.

Through use of internet technology and development of online systems, Short Run Pro works to simplify the custom products buying process from quote request through production to order delivery. Short Run Pro manages custom part orders through the production process to deliver a quality finished product to the customer’s door. All products manufactured to ISO 9001:2008 certification standards and made in the USA.

Federal Brace designs and produces countertop supports, brackets and corbels. Our selection of high quality countertop brackets is full of beautifully designed and quality manufactured countertop brackets and corbels. Federal Brace serves homeowners, interior designers, architects, builders (commercial and residential) as well as countertop installers and fabricators. All products manufactured to ISO 9001:2008 certification standards and made in the USA.

KBIS Show Booth

Visit our booth and see our countertop support products at the upcoming Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), April 16 -18 in Chicago.

Short Run Pro Releases New Online Countertop Bracket Design Center

July 28, 2008

Short Run Pro continues to widen its selection of countertop brackets and strengthen its presents in the countertop support products market. With the release of the company’s new online Countertop Bracket Design Center, Short Run Pro presents to designers, builders and homeowners the company’s most popular countertop support designs in one online location. The new online design center is specifically designed for the countertop support buyers and products used in supporting kitchen, bath and other countertop projects.

"Our new online Countertop Bracket Design Center supplies the online shopper with the information and product selection they desire while continuing the ease of modification, customization and online buying always experienced at www.shortrunpro.com.”, said Scott Toal, President of Short Run Pro. The Countertop Bracket Design Center provides the user with the ability to view support specification and drawings. It also allows for modification of the popular countertop bracket designs to meet project requirements.

Visit Short Run Pro's New Countertop Bracket Design Center at www.shortrunpro.com/CountertopBracketsDefault.aspx to view the full selection of Short Run Pro countertop brackets.

Our Countertop Brackets Featured in Countertop Business

September 4, 2007

Our Mother Company, Short Run Pro's hidden (L Bracket) and gusseted countertop brackets received a write up in this month's volume of Countertop Business Magazine. Noted in the article were the key advantages provided by our hidden, non-gusseted, counter top supports such as floating countertop appearance and increased leg room under the counters.