A bird spike that bends out of shape after one winter, or
corrodes within two seasons, isn’t a bird problem — it’s a
material and manufacturing problem. If you’re sourcing bird
spikes for resale or distribution, the difference between a
product that generates returns and one that builds repeat
orders comes down to what happens on the factory floor before
the product ships. Here is exactly what that process looks like.
Why Material Grade Is the First Decision — Not the Last
Most bird spike failures in the field start with a material
substitution that happened before the product was even made.
SUS304 stainless steel and lower-grade alternatives can look
identical when new — same color, same finish, same feel. The
difference only becomes visible after 12-18 months of outdoor
exposure, by which point your customer has already complained
and your reputation has taken the hit.
SUS304 contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, which forms a
stable oxide layer that resists salt air, UV exposure, and
temperature cycling. This is why SUS304 remains the standard
material for bird deterrent products sold into coastal European
markets, where cheaper alternatives consistently fail within
two seasons.
At Metal Stamp Factory, SUS304 is the only material we use
for bird spike base plates. Material confirmation is provided
in writing before production begins.
Step 1: Coil Preparation and Blank Cutting
Production starts with SUS304 stainless steel coil stock,
typically 0.8mm to 1.2mm thickness depending on the spike
specification. The coil is loaded onto an automatic feeder
connected to the stamping press. Consistent coil quality —
uniform thickness, no edge burrs, correct temper — is essential
at this stage, because any variation in the raw material shows
up as dimensional inconsistency in the finished parts.
The feeder advances the strip at a precise pitch with each
press stroke, ensuring every blank is cut from exactly the
same position in the die.
Step 2: Progressive Die Stamping — Base Plate Forming
The base plate is formed in a progressive die — a multi-station
tool that performs several operations in a single continuous
pass. As the metal strip advances through the die, each station
performs a different operation:
Station 1 — Outer profile blanking: the overall base plate
shape is punched out, including the characteristic pointed ends
that help the spike strip conform to curved surfaces.
Station 2 — Hole piercing: the wire insertion holes are punched
at precise spacing. Hole position accuracy directly determines
whether the wire spikes sit vertical or at an angle — a common
quality issue in lower-grade products.
Station 3 — Edge forming: minor edge radii are formed to
eliminate sharp corners that could damage gloves during
installation or scratch mounting surfaces.
The entire sequence happens in a single press stroke cycle,
producing one finished base plate every stroke.
Step 3: Wire Spike Insertion and Securing
After stamping, the base plates move to the wire insertion
stage. Stainless steel wire — typically 1.2mm to 1.5mm diameter
depending on the target bird species — is cut to length and
inserted through the punched holes.
Wire insertion quality determines how long the spikes stay
upright in service. Spikes that are loose in their holes or
secured with insufficient tension will lean over time under
load, reducing deterrent effectiveness. We use a mechanical
crimping and securing process rather than adhesive, which
maintains spike integrity across a wider temperature range.
Step 4: Inspection Before Packaging
Every production batch goes through visual inspection before
packaging. Inspection checks include:
Base plate dimensional check — width, length, and hole spacing
verified against the approved drawing
Wire spike verticality — spikes checked to confirm they are
seated upright, not leaning
Surface condition — no burrs, sharp edges, or surface
contamination that would affect installation or end-user safety
Parts failing any check are removed from the batch before
packaging. We do not pass marginal parts and let the customer
sort them on arrival.
Step 5: Packaging for Export
Finished bird spikes are bundled and wrapped for international
shipping. Standard export packaging protects the wire spikes
from bending during transit — a common damage point when
packaging is not designed for the product geometry.
Custom packaging, private labeling, and retail-ready packaging
options are available for OEM customers who distribute under
their own brand.
What This Means for Buyers
| SUS304 Stainless Steel | Lower-Grade Alternatives | |
|---|---|---|
| Chromium content | 18% | Often 10–13% |
| Nickel content | 8% | Often 0–4% |
| Coastal / salt air | ✅ Excellent resistance | ❌ Corrodes within 1–2 seasons |
| Expected lifespan | 10–20 years outdoors | 2–5 years |
| Material verification | Mill cert available | Often unverifiable |
| Price difference | Higher upfront | Lower upfront, higher return rate |
Understanding the manufacturing process helps you ask better
questions when evaluating suppliers. The steps most commonly
skipped by lower-cost producers are material verification,
hole position accuracy, and wire securing method — three
factors that directly determine field performance and
return rates.
If a supplier cannot explain their production process in
specific terms, or cannot provide material confirmation in
writing, that is a signal worth taking seriously before
committing to a bulk order.
We manufacture SUS304 stainless steel bird spikes at our
factory in Amoy (Xiamen), China, and provide free samples
before mass production on all new specifications.
New to sourcing from China? Read our guide: 7 Questions to Ask
Before Choosing a Metal Stamping Manufacturer in China. Or
explore the full range of materials we work with in Top 5
Materials Used in Metal Stamping.