Bravo, Schaeffer Industries’ first EPDs are live

What Schaeffer just published

Schaeffer Industries has released two first‑ever Environmental Product Declarations in February 2026. The set covers Hollow Structural Sections for structural work and the AmeriStrut framing channel system used for MEP supports. Both EPDs were issued by Smart EPD LLC and developed in‑house at Schaeffer, which signals real operational grip on data and processes.

Scope that matches how buyers buy

The HSS declaration aligns to how engineers and fabricators specify square, rectangular, and round tube for frames and trusses. The AmeriStrut document addresses the framing channel family, not a single SKU, which mirrors how contractors source racks, hangers, and fittings as a system. That fit shortens the back‑and‑forth in submittals because the numbers match the package people actually order.

Program operator and rulebook, in brief

Both declarations were verified and published by Smart EPD LLC. If program operators feel like a maze, think of Smart EPD as a clear lane that still follows the league rules of ISO 14025 and EN 15804, with third‑party review baked in (Smart EPD, Untangled). The PCR noted on each record is Smart EPD Part B for Designated Steel Construction Products v3.0, a sensible choice for these product types.

Why this matters in specs right now

On projects running whole‑building LCA, products without product‑specific EPDs push teams to conservative defaults, which can quietly knock a bid off the shortlist. Showing up with verified declarations keeps the conversation on performance, availability, and total installed cost, not just price. It also reduces RFI churn because reviewers can reuse trusted numbers across alternates.

Company snapshot, for context

Schaeffer Industries operates in steel service and manufacturing for structural tube and roll‑formed profiles, including the AmeriStrut family and its American Tubular Products division. That portfolio sells into buildings, industrial equipment, and infrastructure. Getting EPDs across a core structural product and a bread‑and‑butter strut chanel is a smart first swing.

Competitive snapshot, category by category

• HSS tubing. Atlas Tube lists multiple current HSS EPDs tied to specific plants and mixes. Bull Moose Tube also shows product‑specific steel pipe and tube EPDs across HSS and related families. Nucor Tubular Products publishes EPDs for ERW and fabricated HSS. Schaeffer enters a mature transparency field here, which means they can now compete on level terms when project teams filter for product‑specific declarations.
• Framing channel and supports. Atkore publishes product‑specific EPDs for steel strut and fittings that remain current well into 2029. We did not find product‑specific strut EPDs for Eaton B‑Line in the same directory view as of February 11, 2026. That creates openings where AmeriStrut can appear on shortlists by default when EPDs are a hard requirement.

Practical takeaway for sales and estimating

Two targeted EPDs unlock alot of projects where default datasets once penalized steel selections. For HSS, this keeps Schaeffer in the conversation beside large incumbents with published numbers. For framing channel, it narrows the field to other brands with documented, current declarations, which can lift win rates when spec screens get tight.

Visibility check and next step

We could not locate these EPDs on Schaeffer’s main sites for AmeriStrut or American Tubular Products at the time of writing. Publishing the PDFs and a one‑page “How to use this EPD in submittals” guide on product pages, catalogs, and FAQs will help estimators and distributors grab them quickly. If future releases are planned, keeping web updates in lockstep with program‑operator publication is key for momentum.

What to watch next

These first declarations are valid through early 2031, which gives runway. The smart move is to map adjacent families that share data backbones, like additional channel profiles, fittings, or coated variants, then batch updates so renewal timing stays tidy. When the reference data window narrows, start the refresh well before busy season so plant and quality teams are not stretched.