Every interior designer has felt the frustration of having to temper their aesthetic ambition in the face of material and structural reality. You know exactly what you want the finished project to look like. But the components or the tools just aren’t there to bring it to life.
In the realm of interior panelling, that rude intrusion often takes the form of panel weights and tolerances, or perhaps the conflict between laborious and time-consuming mounting procedures and non-negotiable deadlines.
At Sugatsune, we are always on the look out for ways to work around such limitations both in our own product designs and in those of other manufacturers. We recognise game-changing practical innovation when we see it. And we very much see it in Fastmount’s multiple award-winning Stratlock system.
Stratlock is Fastmount’s flagship answer to the complexities of modern panel mounting for contract interiors. Whether you’re cladding a five-star hotel suite or fitting ceilings in a high-spec retail or office building, Stratlock enables rapid, reliable mounting of heavy-duty panels while ensuring they align flawlessly, stay secure, and look immaculate – all without visible fasteners, drilling delays, or costly reworks.
Two Parts, One Perfect Panel
Unsatisfied with conventional hook-and-loop panel fasteners, New Zealand-based boatbuilder and Fastmount founder Gregg Kelly turned his frustration into innovation. His original clip-based mounting system brought industrial-strength reliability to the world of luxury yacht interiors, speeding up installation many times over and making it comparatively straightforward to achieve the impeccable finishes demanded in such a high-demand sector.
From the marine sector, Fastmount quickly gained favour in the aeronautical industry as well as in vehicle interiors. It was then that Greg turned his attention to architectural interiors, developing a robust, modular system specifically engineered for large-format panel installation.
At its core, Stratlock is a two-part system:
- The Stratlock Rail System (SL-RLE) – A versatile set of aluminium extrusion profiles that can be installed horizontally or vertically, forming an ultra-stable grid.
- The Stratlock Clip Range – A patented series of male and female clips with a two-stage locking mechanism and 4mm adjustment in any direction.
The clips ‘click’ into the frame and into the panel with zero guesswork. The first click allows for micro-adjustments. The second locks the panel flush. The result? Consistently clean lines and a concealed finish with durable load-bearing strength.
Clip by Clip: The Range at a Glance
Every project is different. So as well as clips designed for SL-RLE extrusions, Stratlock offers mounting options for all common frameworks and substrates:
- SL-FA / SL-FA-FR (Female Side Mount for Aluminium): Twist-lock installation into aluminium framework. Supports 10kg (with SL-M10) or 18kg (with SL-M18). V-0 fire-rated version available.
- SL-FB / SL-FB-FR (Female Front Mount for Steel Framework): Push-fit into standard galvanized steel framework. 10kg pull out load with SL-M10, 18kg with SL-M18.
- SL-SFA / SL-SFA-FR (Female Side Mount for Timber Framework). Screw-fits into wood, steel, or aluminium. 10kg and 18kg loads.
- SL-FC / SL-FC-FR (Female Flush Mount)
Screws into a ø40mm hole in solid substrates like MDF, fibreglass or plywood. Ideal for frameless installations. - SL-M10 & SL-M18 Male Clips
Both options feature two-stage engagement for adjustable panel positioning and locking. SL-M10 supports 10kg; SL-M18 handles 18kg with high shear strength. Adhesive or screw mounting possible. - SL-SMT1 Adapter
Bridges the Stratlock system with suspended ceiling structures or Fastmount’s PanelSafe system.
Every product in the Stratlock line is designed for rapid installation with no special tools required. Yet even as the Stratlock system facilitates speed and efficiency, there is no compromise on accuracy. Stratlock’s 4mm post-mount adjustability gives installers valuable flexibility during the alignment phase. Once the panel is in position, a second press locks it tight, delivering an engineered finish you can trust to hold.
That same adjust-and-lock functionality also means panels can be removed and replaced non-sequentially – a crucial benefit in applications where access behind the wall or ceiling is needed.
Internationally Recognised Innovation
The Stratlock system has earned Fastmount multiple international awards, including recognition at the Architizer A+ Product Awards and the NZ Best Design Awards. These awards recognise Fastmount’s innovation in solving real installation challenges with elegance and engineering precision.
It’s this spirit of innovation that has seen Fastmount expand its presence to over 50 countries, with its solutions now trusted by architects, designers, and fit-out professionals worldwide.
Ready to Reframe?
Sugatsune UK has had the great pleasure of working with Fastmount as the exclusive UK distributor of its products for more than a decade. The company’s twin commitments to innovation and excellence in design and engineering align very closely with our own, and supplying its world-beating solutions to our own customers adds to the quality and depth of our own architectural range.
So if you’re tired of visible screws and tedious, time-consuming alignment when tackling panel mounting, get in touch with the Sugatsune team. With Stratlock, you really can reframe what’s possible and reimagine what interiors look like.
