The Door Industry Journal: May 2020

Sunday, 31 May 2020

Aston Martin DB5 production resumes after 55 years as build work begins on DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars at Aston Martin Works

Dubbed ‘the most famous car in the world’ and renowned as being among the most desirable and sought-after classic Aston Martin models, the DB5 has become a byword for timeless style and sports car desirability.

Fewer than 900 saloon examples were built by the brand between 1963 and 1965, with by far the most famous of the original owners being the world’s best-known secret agent – James Bond – who first drove the car that is today inextricably linked with him in the 1964 film, Goldfinger.

Now, 55 years after the last new DB5 rolled elegantly off the production line at Aston Martin’s then global manufacturing base in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, work is once again under way there on a strictly limited number of new DB5 models.

Created in association with the producers of the James Bond films, EON Productions, and featuring a broad suite of working gadgets first seen on screen in the 1964 film, the Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars are history in the making.

The latest in Aston Martin’s phenomenally successful Continuation car programme which began in 2017 with the DB4 GT Continuation the new DB5 models represent among the most valuable new cars yet brought to market by the British luxury brand.

Each DB5 Goldfinger continuation car is priced at £2.75m, plus taxes.

The meticulous DB5 Goldfinger Continuation construction process – which takes around 4,500 hours per car – is being undertaken at Aston Martin’s globally renowned Heritage Division headquarters in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire.

Now the largest, best equipped and most knowledgeable Aston Martin restoration centre in the world, the invaluable and highly specialist skills nurtured at Aston Martin Works are perfectly suited to the brand’s celebrated Continuation projects.

Each of the 25 new cars is being built to the highest possible quality using a blend of Sir David Brown-era old world craftsmanship, with the sympathetic application of modern engineering advancements and performance enhancements, alongside the integration of cutting-edge gadgets developed in association with Chris Corbould OBE, the special effects supervisor who has worked on more than a dozen Bond films.

The list of Bond-inspired gadgets includes the following features, all familiar to viewers of the classic 1964 big screen hit.

Exterior:

Rear smoke screen delivery system
Rear simulated oil slick delivery system
Revolving number plates front and rear (triple plates)
Simulated twin front machine guns
Bullet resistant rear shield
Battering rams front and rear
Simulated tyre slasher
Removable passenger seat roof panel (optional equipment)

Interior:

Simulated radar screen tracker map
Telephone in driver’s door
Gear knob actuator button
Armrest and centre console-mounted switchgear
Under-seat hidden weapons/storage tray
Remote control for gadget activation

All the new cars are meticulously detailed authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen on screen, with some sympathetic modifications and enhancements to ensure the highest levels of build quality and reliability. All the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars are being built to one exterior colour specification – Silver Birch paint – just like the original.

The cars feature original DB5 styled aluminium exterior body panels wrapped elegantly around an authentic DB5 mild steel chassis structure. Under the bonnet there’s a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated inline six-cylinder engine with a six-plug head, three SU carburettors and oil cooler, that’s capable of generating in the order of 290 bhp.

This is mated to a five-speed ZF manual transmission in the rear-wheel drive DB5, which also features a mechanical limited slip differential.

Servo-assisted hydraulic Girling-type steel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering – which does not feature assistance – and a suspension set-up comprising coil over spring and damper units with anti-roll bar at the front, and a live axle rear suspension with radius arms and Watt’s linkage, complete the dynamic package.

Heritage Programme Manager Clive Wilson is one of those most closely involved in the process of bringing the new DB5 Goldfinger Continuation car into production said:

“Seeing the first customer car move painstakingly through the intricate production process we have created really is quite a thrill.

“Obviously we have not, as a business, made a new DB5 for more than 50 years, so to be involved in the building of these cars, which will go on to form part of Aston Martin’s history, is something I’m sure all of us will be telling our grandkids about!”

Paul Spires, President of Aston Martin Works where the original DB5 was built and the new cars are also being created, said:

“We are making, perhaps, some of the most desirable ‘toys’ ever built for 25 very lucky buyers worldwide.

“Creating the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation cars and working with EON Productions and special effects supervisor, Chris Corbould, is something truly unique and a real career highlight for everyone involved here at Aston Martin Works.”

First deliveries of the DB5 Goldfinger Continuation to customers will commence in the second half of 2020.

www.astonmartin.com

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Saturday, 30 May 2020

Door & Hardware Federation Reinstates its On-Site Face-to-Face Training

Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has announced that, from 1st June, it will be reinstating its on-site face-to-face training sessions.

With the building industry’s activity getting back up to full speed, the federation will be leading the way by holding face-to-face training classes at its academy in Tamworth, a self-contained building on its own premises.

“Following a full risk assessment on the premises, a small skeletal staff has now returned to DHF’s head office, albeit adhering to social distancing measures,” explains Head of Commercial Operations, Patricia Sowsbery-Stevens.

“These safety measures have also been extended to our spacious training academy; we are extremely lucky to be able to provide this facility to our learners, particularly at this time. DHF has taken advice from other training facilitators across the UK and is confident it will offer delegates a safe and secure environment whilst they continue with their learning.”

The trade association has already contacted those who had booked training courses, to offer them the option to resume face-to-face classes.

Ordinarily, DHF’s training academy accommodates up to 25 people; however, given the necessity to maintain a two-metre distance, the number of delegates on each course has been restricted to six.

Hand sanitiser will be available for all attendees, face coverings (if requested) and there is plenty of outdoor space to enable members to park safely and at a distance. The academy will be thoroughly deep cleaned following each course.

“Courses will be filled on a first come first served basis and slots are already booking up quickly,” says Patricia.

“The two-day course will be split over the course of a week, so candidates will not need to stay overnight to complete this course. Exams will be undertaken in the usual way.

“DHF has taken every precaution necessary to ensure a safe and rewarding learning experience for all, and we are delighted to be able to resume as much of a normal service as we can at this time.”

Courses can be booked online at www.dhfonline.org.uk; in addition, DHF has announced a special offer for would-be members who will receive a 10% discount on the first year of membership if booked before the end of July 2020.

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Friday, 29 May 2020

SESAME: The most convenient way to control your garage door!

New technologies are part of our lives, and the option of opening a garage door by means of a smartphone is growing in popularity.

As well as providing us with a direct line to our loved ones, our smartphones contain our diaries, credit cards and a world of information thanks to all digital tools.

Our smartphones are also within easy reach, becoming almost an extension of our bodies. Who would give up this small device after succumbing to all its potential?

So, the options of being able to open your garage door and know its status with your smartphone are very attractive ones thanks to all the convenience it offers: - immediacy, reliability and security.

Users respond very positively to features such as knowing the status of their garage door at all times, being able to open or close it from anywhere or receive notifications whenever it is opened or closed.

The immediacy offered by smartphones makes life more comfortable; users are kept informed at all times and can therefore avoid unnecessary journeys, such as in order to check whether a garage door is really closed, for example.

JCM offers its smartphone door opening/closing option through SESAME, a device that connects quickly, easily and conveniently to the company’s VERSUS control panels for residential buildings. Set-up is very straightforward, consisting of simply connecting the SESAME device to the control panel by means of an RJ45 connector.

The SESAME device is also included in the KIT KROME, an integrated solution that has been created for roller doors in response to a specific demand made by installers, in order to meet the needs of most single-family dwellings.

In addition to the smartphone door-opening feature, the KIT KROME comprises the KEEROLL, a control panel with an intuitive touch keyboard that’s very easy to programme, a door closing security system (RSENS) without safety edge, and an alarm device (KEEALARM) to notify the user if the door is forced.

The wall-mounted keyboard is touch operated, with a display that becomes backlit on contact. These features are very useful in dark locations or at night, since the device remains unnoticeable until the user touches the screen.

But the most valued by the installers is the wireless connection of all these accessories, which avoid all tasks related to cabling.

The smartphone is already in everyone’s bag or pocket. Make the most of all its convenience!

More information can be found at: www.jcm-tech.co.uk

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Thursday, 28 May 2020

Rebuilding Britain: Making up for Lost Time in the Construction Industry

The role of the construction industry in the midst of a pandemic has been widely contested.

Social distancing regulations have made many people apprehensive about the gradual reopening of the construction sector, but if this is done in a safe and secure way, this industry will play an essential role in the recovery of the UK economy.

As 2019 came to an end, the construction industry was going from strength to strength. This period of growth helped to balance the relative declines in other sectors (including retail and manufacturing). At this time, the construction industry contributed up to six per cent of the UK’s GDP, seven per cent of jobs, and thirteen per cent of businesses.

The average salary in the industry was rising, as was the output of the construction industry. In December 2019, overall output was up by 3.8 per cent in comparison with December 2018 according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Then, the pandemic changed everything. As we’d expect, the output of the construction industry has plummeted over the past few months. In March, output was down by 7.1 per cent when compared with the same period last year.

Many firms have struggled to stay afloat during the lockdown, despite the UK government’s controversial decision to allow many construction sites to remain open during the early lockdown measures.

On the 10th of May, Boris Johnson’s lockdown update encouraged anyone who couldn’t work from home to return to work, quashing any doubt about the fact that construction work should continue.

So, while the industry works to gradually rebuild itself, let’s explore more closely how firms can operate in a safe way and bounce back to their previous productivity levels.

Make sure your machinery is safe and well maintained

Although there was no definitive guidance for construction sites to close during lockdown, many of them chose to pause operations while the most severe stages of lockdown were underway. Most construction sites will be used to the mothballing process after shutting down sites during Christmas breaks, but extra precaution should also be taken as sites begin to reopen.

It is essential that firms run through all the necessary machinery checks and closely examine any equipment before they continue operations as usual. These checks will vary depending on the equipment you use. For example, if you use access platforms, the NiftyLink tool is a powerful way to gain important data insights on your machines’ health and activity.

Introduce new safety and social distancing measures

When reopening a construction site or adapting one that has remained operational throughout the lockdown, worker safety should be the number one priority. Social distancing can be difficult on a construction site, but if you implement practical new safety measures, they’ll soon become commonplace and high levels of productivity can resume once again.

According to statements announced in a recent webinar hosted by RICS, there are multiple ways to ensure the safety of your workers when they return to the construction site:

Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to each member of your workforce.

Distance your cabins farther apart than usual.

Stagger your employees’ starting times to avoid a rush at a certain time of day.

Install extra washing points and make hygiene equipment such as hand sanitisers readily available.

Employ a social distance co-ordinator on your site.

These are certainly daunting times for the construction industry, but history tells us that construction will play an important role in rebuilding our economy. Many have compared the current situation to wartime, both in our collective response and in the economic impact.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, construction flourished and the 1950s and 1960s are often referred to as a ‘Golden Age’ for the industry. Let’s hope that the construction industry can emulate these efforts and lead the way as we work to rebuild Britain.

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Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Mul-T-Lock’s Break Secure® 3DS cylinder excels when put to the test

With 73% of all domestic burglaries occurring through a door , it is now more important than ever that maximum-security locks are in place to offer protection from potential break-ins.

Mul-T-Lock’s coveted Break Secure® 3DS anti-snap cylinder has been specially designed to help locksmiths meet consumer demand for high security locks, and now it has excelled in recent tests – surpassing the British Standard Kitemark BS EN 1303:2015 test 10 times over.

To achieve the highest Grade 6 in this test, a lock must withstand 100,000 cycles, but Mul-T-Lock’s Break Secure® 3DS euro profile cylinder completed a staggering one million accelerated cycles – offering the very best protection in lock security.

As well as complying to the EN 1303 standard, the Break Secure® 3DS cylinder has also undergone rigorous independent testing by the Master Locksmiths Association to meet the Sold Secure Diamond SS312 standard, as well as the TS007 3 Star standard developed by the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) and the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) in conjunction with Secured by Design, the police preferred specification.

The Break Secure® 3DS cylinder offers three separate lines of defence, enabling locksmiths to offer customers an innovative solution with an unrivalled level of security that will deter even the most resolute intruder:

A sacrificial end – designed to snap to protect against lock-snapping; the most common form of entry to a property
Bump resistant – many cylinders can be easily ‘bumped’ (inserting and tapping an illegal key to release the cam and open the door), but the Break Secure® 3DS is proven to resist this
Drill resistant – engineered using high strength material and robust construction to withstand prolonged drilling

In addition to these lines of defence, the Mul-T-Lock Break Secure® 3DS cylinder boasts anti-screw and anti-pick protection, and the key or thumb turn is still able to operate internally, even after the cylinder has been attacked.

Michael English, Mechanical Product Manager at Mul-T-Lock, said:

“Our Break Secure® 3DS cylinder means locksmiths can be confident of achieving the latest security standards, which in turn, means peace of mind for their customers.

“As consumers become more aware of the importance of home security, this product offers locksmiths a key weapon in the battle against domestic break-ins. In fact, we are so confident that the Break Secure® 3DS cylinder will offer maximum protection to a home that we also offer a full ten-year guarantee.”

Mul-T-Lock also offers a one keyed house solution encompassing the Break Secure® 3DS cylinder, with patented keys that only Mul-T-Lock Approved Locksmiths can cut.

For further information on Mul-T-Lock’s Break Secure® 3DS cylinder or to learn more about the full range of Mul-T-Lock security solutions, please call 01902 364200, email internalsales@mul-t-lock.co.uk or visit www.mul-t-lock.co.uk.

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Tuesday, 26 May 2020

Staying Safe in the Workplace

In line with current government guidance, Europe’s leading door manufacturer, Hörmann, has released a video outlining how professionals can keep themselves, their colleagues and their customers safe while installing its popular range of garage, entrance and internal doors.

Available to view on Hörmann UK’s YouTube Channel, the video provides installers with guidance on the measures they should take before, during and after an installation to ensure the wellbeing of all individuals involved.

This includes processes such as sending COVID-19 instructions prior to arrival, ensuring the correct PPE is available and worn at all times and a two metre distance is maintained while all work is taking place.

The video also encourages colleagues to travel in separate vehicles where possible and advises professionals not to share tools and regularly disinfect them, along with any PPE that is worn throughout the installation. Contactless handover of documentation and controls is also advised to eliminate physical contact between installers and customers.

The creation of the video is part of Hörmann UK’s wider strategy to keep its employees, suppliers and customers safe during these difficult times, whilst still maintaining the same high levels of service.

David O’Mara, Marketing Manager at Hörmann UK, said:

“The wellbeing of our employees, suppliers and customers will always remain our main priority. However, we also recognise the responsibilities we hold as one of the leading manufacturers of garage and entrance doors within the UK to provide our nationwide distributors and housebuilders with our high quality products.

“By continuing to working closely with these partners, and in line with government guidance, we can proactively facilitate demand to support the completion of ongoing construction projects, whilst also ensuring the safety of all individuals involved.”

The video can also be viewed across Hörmann UK’s LinkedIn and Twitter channels, which are regularly updated to provide guidance and support for professionals.

To see the video, click here or view the desktop version above.

For further information visit www.hormann.co.uk or call 01530 516868.

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Monday, 25 May 2020

Heightening Hygiene & Food Safety with High-Speed Doors

DynamicRoll® Food Inox

Today’s hygiene regulations require buildings used for food and beverage manufacture to meet specific standards in layout, design and construction.

With well informed consumers demanding food that’s fresh, nutritious and safe, it’s crucial food processors and manufacturers continuously meet, if not exceed, their expectations. It’s therefore essential to choose the right doors for your food processing facilities, delivering the very highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

From kitchens to food preparation areas and storage zones, it’s essential to have the very highest standards of cleanliness, safety and hygiene. Choosing the right door can help you minimise bacteria and increase protection against pests and contaminants.

Traditional PVC strips or heavy folding doors are gradually becoming obsolete in the food and beverage sector because they do not provide adequate compartmentation.

Self-repairing roll-up doors represent a huge step forward in terms of speed, efficiency, hygiene and eco-efficiency and BMP’s DynamicRoll® rapid self-repairing roll-up door typology meets the highest standards, with doors designed to be “functional, safe, quick and resistant.

How do DynamicRoll® doors benefit food processing areas?

BMP’s DynamicRoll® self-repairing roll-up doors are designed to meet the various working environments and requirements, solving an array of logistical and hygiene issues.

DynamicRoll® doors also drastically increase productivity, making it easier for people and equipment to move around more efficiently, meaning no team member needs to waste precious time manually opening heavy doors.

Being lighter, faster and more energy-efficient than standard rolling steel doors, they ensure food and beverage manufacturers take advantage of cost savings too.

In addition to providing fast access, DynamicRoll® doors can drastically reduce contamination, by preventing dirt or dust from the entering the premises, making it a lot easier for businesses to maintain high levels of cleanliness and hygiene.

These doors from BMP also control airflow and reduce risk of contamination in pressure sensitive environments.

DynamicRoll® Food Inox

How to choose the right door for your needs?

With all DynamicRoll® doors, you’re guaranteed a tight seal with rapid opening, exceptional reliability, wind resistance and high levels of cleanliness and hygiene. With quick open and close cycles, it’s much easier for those operating in food storage and preparation areas to limit hot and cold air escaping.

That said, there are 5 variations of DynamicRoll doors, and the BMP team is more than happy to guide you through the most suitable products for your needs, depending on the environment.

DynamicRoll ® (with stainless columns)

Suited for a wide range of facilities, the standard DynamicRoll® doors feature high-quality panels and resistive safety edge fitted to the bottom edge of the door. With sensors, photocells and barriers, it’s incredibly safe and durable, whilst being totally self-repairing, thanks to its special “Anti Crash System”.

DynamicRoll Food Inox

Characterised by its stainless steel frame, the DynamicRoll Food Inox is designed with a high level of hygiene in mind. This model has been optimised to prevent the collection of liquid, dust or impurity on the frame. As a leading food industry door it’s therefore washable in all parts, respecting the hygienic restrictions that must be adhered to, whilst also maintaining the characteristics of the environment.

Dynamic Roll Food PE

Similar to the standard DynamicRoll but with a structure made of polyethylene, meeting the specific needs of food companies that need a high level of hygiene. The Food PE includes lateral uprights in PVC, whist it’s completely resistant to chemical and salt solutions.

DynamicRoll® Frigo 1

Dynamicroll Frigo 1

The Frigo 1 has been specially designed and developed to meet the needs of the industrial refrigeration sector. This model is capable of dividing environments with different temperatures with humidity less then 30% such as cold rooms and temperature zones.

These rapid doors improve speed of passage and heighten performance, creating a physical barrier that prevents the passage of cold by a special tightly woven fabric coated with a durable material.

Dynamicroll Frigo 2

Another fine example of a durable and robust door, the Frigo 2 also meets the needs of the industrial refrigeration sector, with a steel structure and thermal profile. This model is perfectly suited for separating environments with extremely different thermal conditions, whilst preventing icing or condensation.

Why choose BMP?

BMP High Speed Doors has been designing, developing and manufacturing DynamicRoll® doors for over 20 years, and their models are highly regarded in the food and drinks industries. BMP appreciate the need for cutting-edge technology in this sector, but they also back up their pioneering designs with friendly and dependable customer service.

DynamicRoll® Frigo 2

BMP High Speed Doors’ CEO, Danilo Benotto says:

“Our customers are important, that is why, through our network of technicians available throughout the country, we provide technical support to select, install and maintain our products”.

As an internationally recognised industrial door manufacturer, BMP install over 15,000 high-speed doors worldwide every year. With products designed in Italy and assembled in Bedford, their high-speed doors have a track record of maximising performance in controlled temperature and humidity areas, whilst guaranteeing the protection of people, products and other materials.

If you’re looking for to create a safe, secure and hygienic working environment, BMP has a huge collection available. Their doors are functional, innovative, versatile, safe, durable, technologically advanced and designed to solve many logistically problems ¬not only in the food and drinks sector, but many other industrial applications.

If you’d like to learn more about the products highlighted in this article, or wish to speak with a member of their team, please do not hesitate to call BMP High Speed Doors on +44 01908 760122. You can also browse more of their high-speed doors by visiting www.bmpdoors.co.uk.

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Sunday, 24 May 2020

Ferrari and Claude Lelouch join together for a “Grand Rendez-Vous”

SF90 Stradale and Charles Leclerc protagonists in a unique short film to be shot in the Monaco Principality on what was to be one of F1’s major calendar events.

Some appointments in the calendar cannot be forgotten. Even under the most difficult of circumstances, they cry out to be honoured and transformed into an opportunity, to create something truly unique and memorable.

With this in mind on Sunday morning (24th May 2020), on the day that the Formula 1 Grand Prix was to take place in the Monaco Principality but suspended due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic (the last time an F1 Grand Prix in Monaco didn’t take place was in 1954) Claude Lelouch will shoot a new short film “Le Grand Rendez-Vous” with Charles Leclerc, inspired by his famous “C'était Un Rendez-Vous” filmed in 1976.

The protagonists this time will be the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the Prancing Horse’s first series production hybrid model, and the Monegasque talent, who will take Ferrari’s new entry on a first breathtaking drive through the Principality’s winding streets and roads.

The new short evokes both the atmosphere of the beloved Grand Prix and the roar of the Ferrari 275 GTB that provided the instantly recognisable soundtrack to the 1976 film shot in Paris.

On the city circuit the SF90 Stradale will measure its unmatched performance for a Ferrari production car: 1,000 cv, a weight-to-power ratio of 1.57 kg/cv, and 390 kg of downforce at 250 km/h. The car’s name, a reference to the 90th anniversary of Scuderia Ferrari celebrated last year, exemplifies the symbiosis of transferred technology between Ferrari road and track cars, of which this recent model is the maximum expression.

This first post lockdown French shoot symbolically will also mark the start of a gradual return to the ‘new normal’ after the pandemic and the restart for the film industry, impacted significantly by recent restrictions.

Ferrari welcomed partnership in the film as a way of demonstrating support for its tifosi, clients and supporters as an expression of hope that the world will gradually be able to absorb the painful and complex health crisis which has affected everyone, allowing us to begin to look positively towards the future, also in anticipation of the expected restart of the F1 season in July.

In the same spirit, over the past months, the Maranello marque has continued to demonstrate its commitment to fighting the Covid-19 crisis through concrete support ranging from fundraisers, to the distribution of healthcare equipment to hospitals, to the production of respiratory conversion valves at the Maranello factory, to the most recent expression of transfer technology represented in the design of a new pulmonary ventilator, FI5, offered in open source production at global level.

www.ferrari.com

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Saturday, 23 May 2020

Online Ironmongery Course Boosts Skills for Furloughed Workers

Builders merchants’ staff, customer service and trade counter colleagues affected by the coronavirus crisis are being encouraged to utilise online training resources to upskill in preparation for the industry’s recovery phase.

Nearly two thirds (64%) of companies in the construction industry that are still trading have furloughed staff, according to the latest statistics from the ONS. But learning new skills and gaining additional qualifications while on furlough leave is considered a good move by many to secure their jobs and boost careers.

View the Foundation in Hardware "Taster Video" at this link .

The Foundation in Hardware online course from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) is an ideal option for many in the sector. The Foundation is designed for those who are not involved in architectural ironmongery as their day-to-day job but do need a basic knowledge of door hardware.

Consisting of 12 modules with test yourself questions at the end of each section followed by a final exam, the course gives a basic overview of architectural ironmongery. It covers a range of door hardware products including hinges, closing devices, fire and escape doors and also looks at standards and the basics of access control.

Designed with flexible learning in mind, the Foundation in Hardware online course and examination allows students to study at their own pace. Once signed up, students will have up to six months to complete the course. The final online examination can be taken as many times as needed until the 80% pass rate is achieved and a Certificate of Competence will be awarded upon completion.

Rachel Tipton, education manager at the GAI, said:

“Under the current circumstances, we’re encouraging employers to use this time to boost the skills of their staff in preparation for the influx of construction projects that is expected once the lockdown is lifted.

“We are recommending that builders merchants’ staff, customer service and trade counter colleagues use this time to strengthen their knowledge of door hardware so that they are ready to confidently deliver product support to customers.”

A free course taster is available to outline the style and content of the course.

For more information on the GAI Foundation in Hardware course, visit the GAI website.

www.gai.org.uk

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Friday, 22 May 2020

NBS Releases Product Manufacturer Shutdown Snapshot

NBS, the leading provider of connected construction information, released findings from its manufacturer business continuity poll. As production lines continue to open up, this timely snapshot looks at how construction materials producers reacted to the COVID-19 shutdown.

While almost all (92%) of respondents saw some or many of their projects delayed or put on hold, sites opening up again will see the situation change daily.

Nine out of ten manufacturers saw some or many of their projects delayed or put on hold

Only 8% of producers unable to trade during the shutdown

A third furloughed staff members, yet under one in ten have laid people off

Some manufacturers used the shutdown to progress their digital transformation efforts

10% have upped their marketing spend and many focused on moving marketing materials to digital formats

One in five manufacturers severely restricted or unable to provide their services

People

A third of manufacturers furloughed some staff, a quarter gave (some) people reduced hours, and one in five stated some or all of its team were unable to work. The furlough scheme appears to be keeping manufacturing employees in jobs, as less than one in ten had laid off staff.

Open for business

A third of product manufacturers were able to carry on business as normal and a half were able to provide some of their services, only 13% were severely restricted and just 8% were unable to trade. Despite the healthy ability to be open for business, only 2% of manufacturers were not expecting sales to fall. Relating to specification, only 10% of firms weren’t expecting a drop in specification enquiries. Two-thirds of manufacturers experienced a fall and one in five were waiting for spec leads to tail off.

To combat the drop in sales and specification,one in ten firms planned or have already boosted their marketing spend.

Adaptation
As you’d expect, 98% of manufacturers have changed how they do things, with 68% significantly so. Only 7% say the shut down has meant that there’s been no change in their ways of working. One in three firms saw an uptick in specifiers wanting information digitally, and two-thirds are providing or intend to do so.

Where possible, manufacturers are embracing digital technology so they can continue to serve their customers. They’re moving to online videos for CPD/training and demonstrating product functions and qualities, offering digital sales tours and meetings as well as investing on upgrading their websites and digital product information.

Supply chain and logistics

One in five say supply chain interruption is a problem and 4% say getting materials/components from suppliers has had an impact, and a similar number say their distributors are closed. One in five say that closed sites or being unable to install onsite has been a problem and a further 9% commented on sites being closed. 92% have seen project delays, with 57% seeing most of their projects paused.

Kerry Barker, project lead, at NBS commented:

“Manufacturers and suppliers have made significant changes to adapt to the situation created by the coronavirus threat, particularly working from home; although some have furloughed and laid off staff.

“While most firms could adapt and deliver much of their services, they faced challenges from external factors such as site closures, supply chain disruption and not being able to meet customers in person.”

Commenting on the poll Lee Jones, Head of Manufacturer Solutions from NBS said:

“The UK’s building product sector appears to be handling the COVID-19 disruption well. Many firms used this time to quicken the pace of their digital transformation.

“They’ve increased their online presence, created video content, streamlined processes. That way they’ll exit the shutdown match fit and ahead of the competition.”

The NBS survey ran from 27 March – 21 April 2020.

Those invited were manufacturers in NBS’insight community and others with whom NBS has an existing relationship. During this period NBS received 63 direct responses.

The level of response to the survey was naturally impacted by the number of customers who had been furloughed, which included some invited to take part in the survey. NBS also gathered data from additional customers to provide insights into how companies have responded to the current lockdown.

About NBS:

NBS is a global leading technology platform that combines the best content and connectivity for anyone involved in the design, supply and construction of the built environment.

For architects, engineers, designers and contractors we provide a cloud-based specification system that enables them to work smarter and reduce their risk.

For building product manufacturers, we help grow their business by exposing their products across the construction project timeline.

Headquartered in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, NBS has a global reach via our permanent bases in both Australia and Canada.

Our roots lie in the UK’s National Building Specification, which for nearly 50 years has been helping the construction industry build better and with lower risk.

Our future lies in cloud-based technologies and connected data, as we fast become the information marketplace for the global construction industry.

www.thenbs.com

Image Credits:

Top image - Michael Browning

2nd Image - Adrian Deweerdt

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Thursday, 21 May 2020

Self-Serve Opens Doors For Colquhoun’s

Colquhoun’s is one of Scotland’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of timber fire, acoustic, residential, and security entrance doors to clients across the UK for school, hospital, hotel and high-end residential projects.

They rely on the huge range and unrivalled service that Norseal offers on all kinds of intumescent, drop, smoke and weather seals to keep production running smoothly. Next day delivery as standard, drop seals machine cut to size, and the sort of technical back up that has won awards in the industry all come as standard at Norseal.

And now that top-notch service is available 24/7 through the company’s Self-Serve portal that offers Norseal customers round-the-clock access to a host of online services including online ordering, live order status tracking, account information, and pricing.

“We use Norseal for all our seal requirements because they are great with communication and we have the total peace of mind of knowing that all of their products are high quality and fully certified,” says Colquhoun’s Director Michael Gregan.

“Since Norseal launched Self-Serve we’ve been able to use it to place orders, check prices and see the live status of any of our orders, day or night. It’s quick and convenient and really complements the human interface we have with the Norseal team.”

Norseal Customers can access the new service at www.norseal.co.uk

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