Thursday, 1 November 2018

A year to remember for HOPPE - 30 years in the UK

Ged Ryan, HOPPE (UK) chief executive

HOPPE has celebrated its 30th anniversary in the UK in 2018. Ged Ryan, HOPPE (UK) chief executive, looks back on a pivotal year.

Thirty years old usually stands as a mark of maturity, the point when we enter one of our most productive and defining decades.

I guess you could say much the same about our company. HOPPE is no longer a youngster in the UK market, and has clearly established its reputation for the highest standards of product engineering, manufacture and customer service in architectural ironmongery.

SecuForte window handle

Highlights this year have included the completion of our strategic review of the HOPPE (UK) product range. Category by category we have examined where we are, if we are benchmarked the right way by our customers, if they use us in the right way. It’s to make sure the products we have are relevant for the future. Whether that’s new technology, new finishes, or meeting new standards.

The result of this review is an exciting range of new innovations. For example, we have just announced the launch of the SecuForte® range of window handles offering a completely new standard of burglary resistance in the UK.

SecuForte window handle (showing operation)

This is just the latest example of HOPPE ingenuity. When the window is closed or tilted, the handle and square spindle are uncoupled and the handle is automatically locked. It is a unique concept that protects against the unauthorised opening of a window from outside.

It is well known that in the UK burglars tend to target windows as they generally offer easier access than doors. So while a burglar intending to turn the window handle from outside might be able to break it off the rosette using massive physical force, yet the square spindle will still not move. The window cannot be opened and the break-in attempt will have failed.

SecuForte window handle (cutaway view)

SecuForte® also protects not only against displacing the window fitting from outside, but also against the break-in methods of piercing the glass seal or drilling the frame in order to be able to turn the window handle from outside.

Other major developments that mark our 30th anniversary year have included two excellent roundtable discussions with our customers – one on accessibility and fire safety, and the other on proof of performance on fire safety issues. These have been vital conversations to have following the Grenfell Tower fire and the influential Hackitt Review.

One of HOPPE (UK)’s CPD sessions

Customers around the UK and Ireland have benefitted from HOPPE (UK)’s CPD seminars, where these discussions around fire safety, accessibility and security have continued.

We also introduced one CPD specifically for architecture practices based in Ireland. Approved by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, it covers all the essentials, taking architects through the main considerations that must be made when specifying door hardware, the specification process, how to avoid risk and the different types of door hardware and accessories.

Delivered in-house by Ellen Mack, HOPPE (UK)’s business development manager in Ireland, the free CPD also covers the benefits of using a Registered Architectural Ironmonger on projects and how to get the most from this working relationship.

This is just one example of the exceptional dedication to excellence shown by all HOPPE (UK)’s people. Another example is Jess Roberts, our marketing manager, who was announced as winner of the Top Student Award, achieving the highest overall grade and distinction in the post-graduate direct and digital marketing course at the Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing.

Jess Roberts receiving her marketing award

Other stories that the Door Industry Journal has covered this year include a series of important new appointments at HOPPE (UK), including Garrath Willshaw joining as business development manager for the North of England in January, Rob Thomas taking on the same role for the Midlands in April, and Rick Corkhill joining as the door and window business development manager for the north in July.

So where next for HOPPE(UK) in 2019? The year ahead will be full of Brexit, of course. But look out also for more new products, new finishes and new technologies to transform door and window hardware in the UK.

www.hoppe.com





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