The Door Industry Journal

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Newark Specialist Perimeter Security Company appoints Three New Directors as part of Major Expansion Plans

Newark-based specialist perimeter security company Ultimation Direct has appointed three new directors in the first phase of major new expansion plans.

The company which started just 15 years ago with five employees, has already grown to a £6 million turnover and 50 staff.

The security gate specialists have manufactured security gates and turnstiles for the new Wembley Stadium, Tottenham’s new ground, in addition to Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club and Kensington Palace.

Now it plans to expand into new premises and has appointed three new directors to help push the company to new heights.

New Operations Director Ricky North and new Technical Director Matthew Mulholland started work at the company on the shop floor and have been promoted to the new roles this month.

Both are old boys of Magnus Church of England Academy in the town.

New joint managing director John Raynor, a former Lincolnshire accountancy firm associate director, joined the Telford Drive-based firm last year and will work alongside company founder Adrian McGinley and Rebecca Tate, Finance Director.

Since it was formed in 2009, the company has fabricated – using British steel - and sold enough gates to stretch 70 continuous miles, and now plans a major expansion project after record sales this year.

Founder, Adrian McGinley said:

“I am thrilled to welcome my colleagues to new roles within the company and their appointments mark a really exciting new chapter in the expansion of the business.”
“We have big plans for the future and John, Ricky and Matthew are an integral part of those developments.”

Joint Managing Director, John Raynor said:

“I am delighted to be working alongside the business founder to help move the company forward and continue my journey with the firm, especially looking forward to realising the ambitious plans we all have for the future.”

Find out more about what Ultimation Direct can offer by visiting www.ultimationdirect.co.uk

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Tuesday, 1 April 2025

ERA boasts largest range of TS 008 letterplates with new Fab&Fix launches

Fenestration and home security expert, ERA, has launched two new versions of its TS 008 letterplates into its Fab&Fix Heritage and Architectural ranges, following the success of its Fab&Fix Nu Mail Shield TS 008 Letterplate.

The introduction of the Heritage Shield and Architectural Shield means that ERA now offers the largest range of TS 008 letterplates available on the market to date.

The inward opening designs join the outward opening Nu Mail Shield TS 008 Letterplate, which are all purposefully designed to prevent access via fishing or reaching.

When used with both internal and external letterplate sections, the letterplate designs are independently certified to the TS 008:2022 security standard for doors.

In protection mode, the inside flap of the design is angled to shield against potential intruders attempting to ‘fish’ through the door, protecting the door handle, cylinder and belongings inside the home.

In addition, all TS 008 letterplate designs have been created to meet the latest PAS 24 standard for a compliant door set.

All ERA’s TS 008 letterplates have passed the flap cycle test to 20,000 cycles, and also meet the corrosion resistance requirements of BS EN 1670, providing enhanced weather performance that delivers long lasting protection.

Suitable for use on 44mm – 70mm thick timber and composite doors, the letterplates offer clear access for postal items, with an internal flap carefully designed to manoeuvre post into the home, whilst preventing any access to keys with a hook.

Like the Nu Mail Shield TS 008 Letterplate, both new versions have a flap that is restricted to 40° to protect the property within, automatically closing when not in use to prevent damage to interior walls.

With a projection of just 34mm, both styles provide a slimline aesthetic to the internal face of the door.

The Heritage Shield, designed in a traditional style, and the Architectural Shield, designed in a contemporary aesthetic, are both fully weather sealed with internal brushes and a rubber gasket for enhanced weather performance.

There are no external fixings, preventing the removal of the outer frame from the door.

All TS 008 letterplates in the Fab&Fix range are available in a range of finishes and are supplied separately to suit most interior and exterior door styles.

In addition, both internal and external sections can be mixed and matched in any combination.

Sarah Knight, Technical Product Manager at ERA, says:

“Fab&Fix hardware is recognised within the industry for the excellent quality, functionality and style it has long delivered.
“The launch of the Architectural Shield and Heritage Shield means ERA now has the largest range of TS 008 certified letterplates available, once again demonstrating our dedication to providing fabricators with solutions that not only provide end-users with premium, certified performance but also a fantastic choice for visual appeal.”

All ERA TS 008 letterplates are supplied with a 10-year mechanical guarantee from the date the parts are purchased, and the Nu Mail Shield TS 008 Letterplate has received CERTIFIRE accreditation, demonstrating its compatibility with 30-minute and 60-minute timber based doorsets.

For further information on ERA’s diverse portfolio of security products, including Fab&Fix, visit www.eraeverywhere.com or contact the sales team on 01922 490 000 or email info@eraeverywhere.com.

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Monday, 31 March 2025

Hörmann VarioDesign for the ultimate in creativity

Hörmann UK have introduced VarioDesign for their LPU42 L-ribbed sectional doors offering the opportunity for even more design choice and the ability to create stylish, customised garage doors.

Initially available in Woodgrain and Silkgrain with additional finishes being planned for later in the year, VarioDesign provides the chance to select individual sections of the door to be finished in a different design or colour, to either contrast or be distinct from the overall door leaf.

More than 30 modern Duragrain decors and 6 classic Decograin decors are on offer to customise the door leaf, with the number of sections available in the different design depending on the overall door size.

Up to 3 different sections are available for customisation in doors with a total of 6 sections, with the personalised sections being able to be located in any position within the door leaf.

VarioDesign is available for doors up to 5000mm wide, with the fascia panel and frame covering being in the same colour as the base door.

For those customers who wish to match their entrance door, Hörmann have also introduced the new 878 style in their Aluminium door range for personalisation to create an overall eye-catching and harmonious appearance.

For further information on the Hörmann Vario Design visit VarioDesign for sectional garage doors on the Hörmann website or call 01530 516868

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Sunday, 30 March 2025

Size and speed distinguish new additions to Santa Pod’s 2025 calendar

Contrasts in size and speed distinguish two new additions to Santa Pod Raceway’s public event calendar for 2025.

The heavy brigade will be out in force at Truck Takeover (7-8 June). A rich array of trucks and lorries of all shapes, sizes, vintages and nationalities will pound the dragstrip and loom over the paddock.

Automotive exotica is the badge of success for many a modern digital content creator.

Revv’d Up (14 June) brings a wealth of supercars and hypercars to howl up the Santa Pod quarter-mile and around the handling track and to gleam on display in the paddock.

Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, Porsches, you name it – Revv’d Up will be influencer heaven, and an opportunity for a close-up brush with the kind of machinery that exists beyond the means of us ordinary mortals.

Of course, plenty of specialised drag racing machinery can show a clean pair of tyre marks to the hairiest hypercar on the dragstrip.

300mph Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars will loosen up at Easter weekend’s Festival of Power (18-20 April, not Easter Monday), with Jet Cars also lighting up the show, before embarking on the FIA European Championship series, which starts and finishes at Santa Pod with The Main Event (23-26 May) and the European Finals (4-7 September).

National championship drag racing features at all three of these events and more.

There’s life beyond the dragstrip. Music plays a zestful role in the Santa Pod season, notably sharing the bill with the automotive programme at the summer’s two great festival weekends, Bug Jam (25-27 July) and USC - Ultimate Street Car (1-3 August).

Music sets a swinging after-hours tone at many of the venue’s events, the sounds of nostalgia especially enhancing the atmosphere during the season’s four historic drag race weekends, headed by Dragstalgia (27-29 June).

The dragstrip is the heart of the Santa Pod matter, but so much more is on offer at more than 60 events which light up the season – national and international championship drag races on two and four wheels, car-and-music-based festivals, modified and specialist car shows and family-focused events.

Public track days known as ‘Run What Ya Brungs’ are open to all-comers in possession of a driving licence and a midweek programme of ‘Drift What Ya Brungs’ runs throughout the year.

Some 400,000 spectators a year pass through Santa Pod’s gates to experience the exceptional and varied programme of events offered by the Raceway. Visit https://santapod.co.uk/calendar.php to see the full programme.

Tickets for all events may be booked online at https://santapodtickets.com/ or by telephoning the Box Office at 01234 782828.

Santa Pod Raceway is located on the Bedfordshire-Northamptonshire border near Wellingborough, NN29 7XA.

For further information, visit www.santapod.com.

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Saturday, 29 March 2025

Pyroguard Launches On-Demand CPD Seminar

Pyroguard has launched an on-demand version of its RIBA-approved CPD seminar: ‘Fire safety glazing: a system, not a product’ in a bid to guide the industry regarding the critical role of fire safety glass.

This new, flexible online format reinforces Pyroguard’s commitment to delivering accessible, expert guidance for professionals in the built environment, whilst emphasising the importance of a system-based approach to fire safety.

As the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass, Pyroguard released its comprehensive CPD, which covers a wide range of topics, providing in-depth technical insights into fire safety glass, its applications and industry standards.

Key areas include classifications, compartmentation, testing standards, framing systems and the multi-functional benefits of fire-resistant glazing. Real-world case studies also feature, alongside Pyroguard’s latest product innovations, demonstrating how these solutions seamlessly integrate into cutting-edge architectural designs.

To enable more architects to benefit from the RIBA-approved content, Pyroguard released the CPD as a more convenient, on-demand webinar.

Speaking about the new webinar, Steve Goodburn, Business Development Director at Pyroguard, said:

“Fire safety glass is a vital part of modern architecture, combining passive fire protection with innovative design. However, specifying the right solution requires careful consideration of technical standards and classifications, that go far beyond just the visual appeal. Our CPD helps to clear up common misconceptions and empowers architects with the knowledge they need to get the most out of their specifications.

“By offering our CPD seminar online, we’re ensuring busy professionals can access this essential knowledge at their convenience, making it easier than ever to stay ahead in this fast-evolving industry.”

Hosted via a user-friendly online platform, participants can register for the on-demand webinar via the Pyroguard website or directly through the NBS Source Partner platform.

Boost your CPD hours and register here today!

Pyroguard is the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass for timber, steel and aluminium applications with over 30 years’ industry experience. The company has production facilities in the UK and France, with sales locations worldwide.

The company manufactures fire-resistant glazing, offering a wide range of tested and certified products and offers Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for its products, supporting LEED and BREEAM accreditations.

For more information visit https://www.pyroguard.eu/

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Friday, 28 March 2025

ZEROplus Launch School Safety Campaign — Supporting Schools this Spring

UK schools must consider many factors when implementing health and safety measures to keep staff and students safe.

Addressing potential safety issues like finger-trapping incidents and stale air can help ensure the safest, healthiest environment.

To support staff and improve school safety for everyone, ZEROplus are offering expert guidance on how innovative door hardware products can enhance an educational building's safety, security, and compliance.

Iain Banks, Operations Director, commented:

“Our goal with this campaign is to support UK schools by bringing to their attention the innovative safety door hardware products currently available.

“From practical safety tips and highlighting safety risks around doors to helping school staff select the best and correct door hardware to keep users safe, we aim to make it easier for schools to specify safety products that make a real difference.”

Tips for Safer, Better-Performing Doors in Schools

Schools are urged to consider the following door-related safety risks in their buildings:
Hinge-side finger trapping

Without finger protection guards, fingers have the potential to become trapped in the hinge side of a door.

Handle-side accidents

Doors that slam shut can potentially trap fingers, hands, and more. An anti-slam device eradicates this risk.

The correct installation & maintenance of fire-door hardware

The hardware used on your fire doors should always be fire-rated, appropriately installed, and regularly maintained to ensure effectiveness.

Reducing collision risk

Door closers are a legal requirement for fire doors; they ensure your doors close properly and securely and reduce the risk of collisions and tripping.

If you need your fire door to be held open for free access, an electromagnetic fire door closer can be linked to your building’s fire alarm system, ensuring that in the event a fire or power failure the closer will close your fire door.

Minimising stale air

Ventilation louvres fitted in doors and partitions promote the flow of fresh air into and around a building, helping to remove excess CO2, VOCs, and air containing virus particles.

In addition to their safety advice and door hardware expertise, ZEROplus is giving away 50 branded stainless steel water bottles to UK school staff.

Iain continues:

“As a thank you to staff who work hard in our schools every day, we're giving away 50 stainless steel water bottles to help teachers and school staff stay hydrated during the warmer months.”

To learn more about ZEROplus' School Safety Campaign, access tips or discover the latest in door hardware, visit zeroplus.co.uk/pages/schoolsafety.

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Thursday, 27 March 2025

Wet weather toughness guaranteed with new Stronghold® Solid Stainless Steel range from Squire

Leading lock maker Squire has launched a range of premium marine grade padlocks, manufactured from solid stainless steel and designed to offer unbeatable performance in extreme wet weather conditions.

Designed for use in high-security environments, the Stronghold® Solid Stainless Steel range of locks have been salt spray tested to 480 hours and meets the European corrosion resistance standard (EN 1670 – Grade 5), providing unparalleled durability for a host of applications.

Ideal for marine, critical infrastructure, container units or anywhere that is exposed to the elements, the Stronghold® Stainless Steel range offers heavy-duty protection through their solid stainless steel bodies and shackles, which provide a highly weather resistant and rust-proof finish.

The locks build upon the security and durability of the standard Stronghold® range, with the addition of enhanced weather resistance.

The ST75 lock offers superior security for securing containers in all weathers, while the ST65 or ST50 ranges provide a choice between closed, standard or open shackles in a 50mm or 65mm body.

An anti-drill cylinder also provides maximum security to your premises, protecting against tampering through lock drilling.

For convenience, the Stronghold® Stainless Steel padlocks are available as ‘keyed alike’, meaning one key can operate multiple padlocks.

This is a particularly useful feature for keyholders who may wish to specify multiple Stainless Steel padlocks in one facility.

John Squire, CEO of Squire, says:

“We are delighted to launch the Stronghold® Solid Stainless Steel padlocks, providing a highly durable, incredibly weatherproof solution for a variety of marine and extreme weather environments.
“At Squire, we are proud to provide the highest standards of quality and security to our customers.
“By adding these locks to our range, we are proving our commitment, testing to the highest levels of salt spray and European corrosion standards, and ensuring our customers have a selection of high-quality padlocks to choose from.”

With a host of features to bolster security, the Stronghold® Stainless Steel locks also benefit from:

A six-pin tumbler lock mechanism – double locking (ST50, ST65 only)
A replaceable cylinder
Over 260,000 key differs

The Stronghold® Solid Stainless Steel locks are available to purchase now from Squire retailers.

To find out more, please visit: https://squirelocks.co.uk/collections/stronghold-stainless-steel

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Wednesday, 26 March 2025

The Spring 2025 Door Industry Journal is available online now!

Welcome to the Spring 2025 Issue of the DIJ - Spring has sprung, and the flowers are in bloom, so what better way to celebrate than with a new edition packed full of industry news and views?

This season, I’ve selected our ‘Top Ten Blooms of Spring’ to highlight some particularly interesting reads:

Bloom 1 – SIMONSWERK is sprouting up at the FIT Show for its debut appearance (page 10)

Bloom 2 – SOMMER DOCO strengthens its roots with a new manufacturing facility in Rochdale (page 18)

Bloom 3 – Spring into safety with this egg-cellent comparison of fire curtains versus fire shutters (page 24)

Bloom 4 – Cooks Doors celebrates 60 blooming years in business. (page 32)

Bloom 5 – Hörmann UK and Skanska’s new £259m Ministry of Defence project is hatching nicely in Tewkesbury (page 70)

Bloom 6 – Everything’s bigger in Texas, including Jewers Doors’ Phoenix installation that’s blossoming across the pond (page 74)

Bloom 7 – Alliance Door Engineering’s new high-speed door is ready to spring into action soon (page 78)

Bloom 8 – Allegion UK’s finger protection systems ensure your digits stay egg-stra safe (page 94)

Bloom 9 – ARRONE is no April fool when it comes to letterplates that address security concerns (page 116)

Bloom 10 – Our basket of spring funnies – each one guaranteed to make you crack up! (page 121)

There is plenty more to keep you growing inside. Whether you’re enjoying chocolate eggs over the Easter period or simply appreciating the longer, brighter days, I hope this issue brings you fresh industry insights.

I’ll be back with you again in the summer.

Derek Hibbart

Editor, Door Industry Journal

www.dijonline.co.uk

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

It’s March Madness – Hörmann expand Installer Rewards

Hörmann UK has announced that it has expanded its Rewards loyalty programme to include eight new redeemable rewards, which are all ‘must-haves’ in any installer’s toolkit.

Installers now have the choice of nineteen different items to redeem against their accumulated points, including power tools, vouchers and a Makita Jobsite radio, a necessity for any building site.

The Hörmann Rewards programme is hailed as the first independent loyalty programme of its kind in the market. It operates by awarding points every time one of its featured products is installed and logged—with points equalling rewards.

Logging installations is easy. It is carried out via a simple website and consists of three straightforward steps. Installers register online, and then for each installation, they submit a short form together with a photo.

Fitters can then visit their dashboard to see the points they have earned and the list of rewards against which they can be redeemed. Installations of the full range of Hörmann Truedor composite doors and RollMatic T garage doors now qualify for the scheme.

Installers are encouraged to visit the Hörmann stand at the FIT show in April (stand H20, Hall 9) to find out more about the Rewards programme, join the scheme and have the chance to win a composite door and many more prizes.

To learn more about the Rewards programme, contact your Hörmann Area Sales Manager or visit the Hörmann Rewards website.

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Monday, 24 March 2025

There’s More to a Garage Door Than Just Good Looks!

Everyone wants a stylish garage door, and thanks to advancements in materials, design, and technology, modern garage doors can be a striking feature in any home.

However, leading garage door manufacturer Garador emphasises that there’s much more to a garage door than just aesthetics.

"Modern garage doors are built on advanced technology—and not just for opening mechanisms," says Jon Watson, Managing Director of Garador.

"As a leader in garage door manufacturing, we offer the latest in automatic openers, from smart hub and smartphone control to fingerprint recognition. But technology goes even further than that."

Jon highlights Garador’s Durabelt system, introduced for its popular GaraGlide roller garage doors.

"This innovative system features a special belt made from microcellular polyurethane elastomer, designed to reduce marks and scratches on the curtain surface. It ensures smooth operation and enhances the longevity of the door. It may seem like a small detail, but it makes a significant difference," he explains.

Beyond convenience, Garador continues to focus on security, insulation, and sustainability.

"We offer some of the most secure garage doors in the British domestic market," says Jon. "We were among the first manufacturers to achieve full Secured by Design accreditation. Our Guardian range for steel up-and-over doors provides especially high security."

Energy efficiency is another priority.

"A well-insulated garage helps keep stored items warm and dry while also contributing to lower energy bills," Jon adds.

"Our premium sectional doors feature 42mm-thick double-skin steel sections, filled with 100% CFC-free PU rigid foam, delivering outstanding insulation with U-values as low as 1.30 W/m²K."

Garador’s commitment to innovation extends to environmental responsibility.

"We’ve been manufacturing garage doors in Somerset for over 70 years, but staying ahead means embracing change," Jon says.

"A few years ago, who would have thought we’d install 1,600 solar panels on our roof as part of our sustainability strategy?"

"By continuing to innovate, I have no doubt that Garador will remain a leader in garage door manufacturing for many years to come."

Find out more about Garador’s wide range of garage doors by speaking to one of their friendly advisers at 01935 443 700 or visiting www.garador.co.uk.

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