The Door Industry Journal

Monday, 10 November 2014

Locksmith’s & Merchant’s Success With Union’s Strongbolt® Range

H Harrold & Sons Locksmiths are making the most of extra sales by supplying the full UNION StrongBOLT® range.

The Master Locksmith Association approved locksmiths originally stocked the StrongBOLT® British Standard 5 lever mortice lock in isolation, known for its superior strength and exceeding the requirements of BS3621:2007, but decided they could reap more benefits by supplying the wider range of locks.

Part of UNION’s Professional locks portfolio, 5 lever, 3 lever, bathroom locks and Euro and Oval profile cylinder lockcases are all available under the extended StrongBOLT® range.

Peter Harrold, of H Harrold & Sons, said:

“We have had a good relationship with UNION since we started and have found that the company’s products offer the quality that you would expect from such a historic brand, at a competitive price.

“We improved sales opportunities with the StrongBOLT® British Standard 5 lever mortice lock, therefore have invested in the full range to meet the demand for a wider variety of locks.

“Our installers often need to carry multiple types of lock to service new builds and to be prepared for emergency repair and retrofit jobs, and having this offering from StrongBOLT® ensures durability for all products from bathroom locks to front doors, so our installers can be prepared for all jobs.”

Eryl Jones, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Security Solutions, said:

“Quite rightly the British Standard 5 lever mortice lock is very popular amongst locksmiths, merchants and their customers, but the range is not limited to the one ‘hero’ product.

“Our heritage and experience combined with innovation and the value of being part of a global group has enabled us to develop and deliver products that help locksmiths adapt to the changing industry

“We are pleased that our longstanding customers like H Harrold & Sons Locksmiths are benefiting from the sales opportunities that the full range of StrongBOLT® products bring.”

For further information on the UNION StrongBOLT® range or any other UNION products, please visit or www.uniononline.co.uk

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Sunday, 9 November 2014

Norfolk Steam Car heats up Bonhams Sale with £371,100 for 1905 Gardner-Serpollet 18hp type 1 Phaeton Steamer

1905 Gardner-Serpollet 18hp type 1 Phaeton Steamer

A rare 109-year-old steam car, originally bought by a Norfolk farmer for £450, sold for £371,100 at Bonhams London to Brighton Run sale.

Taking the sale top spot, the rare Gardner-Serpollet was one of 23 cars and 162 lots of automobilia at Bonhams biggest London to Brighton auction yet, with the sale collectively achieving £1.5 million.

With his passion for motoring, the late George Milligen was no ordinary Norfolk farmer. Often seen out driving the cars from his varied motoring collection, he purchased the Gardner Serpollet in 1946 for £450 from Harpsichord maker, Alec Hodson, and kept it in excellent condition throughout his decades of ownership - remaining in his family for fifty years.

Elsewhere, a turn of the century 1900 Cleveland Sperry System Electric Three-Seater Stanhope sold for £55,200 to a telephone bidder from Austria who, after giving the winning bid, promptly flew into the UK just to take part in last Sunday’s London to Brighton Run in his auction purchase.

1904 De Dion Bouton 8hp Model V Coupé

“It’s wonderful when we’re able to give our buyers the opportunity to take part in the Run year-on-year. Bonhams have again enjoyed another wonderful London to Brighton sale, with an excellent turn out and some truly wonderful motor cars sold,” said James Knight, Bonhams Group Motoring Director.

Further sale highlights include a 1901 Panhard et Levassor Twin-Cylinder 7hp Rear-Entrance Tonneau at £259,100; a 1903 Malicet et Blin 8hp Four-Seater Rear-Entrance Tonneau at £102,300; and a charming 1904 De Dion Bouton 8hp Model V Coupé to an auction room bidder for £88,860.

www.bonhams.com

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Saturday, 8 November 2014

Ironmongerydirect’s Locked Down Prices Buck Inflation Trend As Sector Prices Rise 20%

Wayne Lysaght-Mason
Managing Director

IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s biggest online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products to the trade, has announced that it is bucking the sector’s inflationary trend, having kept its average prices flat since 2009.

Research by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills reveals that the average prices of builder’s ironmongery has risen by 20% over the last two years. This is against a backdrop of a 17.4% average rise in all construction materials since 2009.

Despite this trend, IronmongeryDirect has announced that its average prices haven’t increased since 2009 across its full range of products.

IronmongeryDirect, which supplies over 14,500 different products to the trade, reports that it has been able to keep prices low thanks to building strong relationships and driving efficiency with suppliers.

Wayne Lysaght-Mason, managing director at IronmongeryDirect, said:

“We recognise the inflationary pressures that have been squeezing the profit margins of our customers and have made it a priority to keep prices as low as possible.

“As we have grown, we have sought to build good relationships with suppliers and pass on the benefits to our customers by resisting the inflation that exists elsewhere in the sector. We believe this is a crucial part of our service to our loyal customers.

“As well as improving prices for customers, we have also introduced other benefits such as a minimum five year guarantee on all products in our range, free returns, free next day delivery on all orders over £45 and earlier opening times for our contact centre to align with the needs of tradesmen.”

IronmongeryDirect has just released its new autumn catalogue with price cuts on over 700 products and prices locked down on 13,000 items so tradesmen can continue to get the best deals on the items they need to get the job done.

For more information or to request a free catalogue, visit www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk

Ironmongery Direct
Scimitar Park
Basildon
Essex
SS13 1ND
W: www.IronmongeryDirect.com
T: 0808 168 28 28
E: sales@ironmongerydirect.com

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Friday, 7 November 2014

Windows and Doors in Spotlight as Repairs and Maintenance Top Tenant Agenda in Scotland

A survey published last month revealed that Scotland’s social housing tenants view repair and maintenance of their home as more important than any other landlord service – including dealing with anti-social behaviour.

In addition to reporting that 88% of tenants regard repair and maintenance of their home as ‘very important’, the survey of tenant groups by the Scottish Housing Regulator also found that more than three quarters of those questioned said keeping buildings and entrances secure was equally significant.

For social housing landlords - in Scotland and across the UK – this primary research helps to set tenant satisfaction priorities and once again windows and doors come into the spotlight.

Andy Kerr, MD of CMS Window Systems said:

“Social landlords face a combination of challenges in ensuring homes are safe, secure and aesthetically good for tenants, particularly given the need to drive up energy efficiency and avoid placing undue pressure on budgets.

“This is why window and door upgrading programmes make a significant contribution with a disproportionately small investment. Our windows and doors combine superior thermal insulation as low as 0.8 W/m2K with enhanced security to Secured by Design standard, 100% recyclability, and a whole life cycle sustainability commitment. So there are few – if any – more effective ways to deliver homes which tick all the boxes, meeting those important tenant demands as revealed by the Scottish Housing Regulator’s survey and improving the sustainability of housing.”

CMS manufactures and installs thousands of windows and doors every year for local authorities and housing associations across Scotland and England. The company uses only lead-free PVC profile to create its Secured by Design licensed windows and doors, and also recycles in-house 100% of the old frames, glass and hardware into bi-products it removes in replacement projects.

Full details about the Scottish Housing Regulator’s survey are available at: scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk

Find out more about CMS windows and doors at www.cmswindows.com

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Thursday, 6 November 2014

Check telescopic gates for safety, users urged following accident

Owners and all those responsible for the operation of powered telescopic sliding gates are being urged to have their installations checked for safety.

The call has come from the Door & Hardware Federation Powered Gate Group following a recent accident involving a telescopic gate that led to injury.

The DHF Powered Gate Group, which represents the leading manufacturers, suppliers, installers and maintainers of powered automatic gates and gate automation equipment, has now issued guidelines to its members. These highlight the areas of concern relating to telescopic gates and give advice on how potential hazards can be identified and adequately controlled.

The recent accident is being investigated by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). In the meantime, owners of telescopic gates are being advised to review their installations and get them checked for safety by a member of the DHF Powered Gate Group. And all those involved in the repair and maintenance of telescopic gates are being urged to review their risk assessments to ensure all gates they have worked on are safe.

Said DHF training officer Nick Perkins:

“Telescopic sliding gates present more complex issues than conventional gate designs and so hazard control and maintenance requirements are more complex as a result.”

And he pointed out that telescopic gates in particular will most likely require cutting edge safety systems such as laser scanners and light curtains to be incorporated.

“Recently we organised the Gate Safety Week initiative to build awareness amongst both gate installers and owners of the dangers posed by poorly installed and maintained gates. During the event HSE inspector Stuart Charles was a keynote speaker at our seminar. He told delegates ‘Don’t think what do I need to do for compliance, but what do I need to do to make the system safe?’.

“This latest incident illustrates the vital importance of everyone involved in the installation, maintenance and use of automated gates to make safety their number one priority.”

To locate DHF Powered Gate Group members who can carry out safety checks on powered telescopic sliding gates visit: www.dhfonline.org.uk/powered-gate-group-members .

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Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Name change for leading supplier of industrial door drives and controls

Left to Right Dr Jörn Böhl, joint MD of GfA ELEKTROMATEN in Germany,
Chris White, Member of Parliament for Warwick and Leamington
and Andrew Collett, Managing Director of GfA UK Ltd

A long term DHF member marks the end of its most successful year in business with a change of name and new positioning as part of an international group.

GfA UK Ltd (formerly a division of Guthrie Douglas Group Ltd) is a leading supplier of drives and controls to the industrial door market in the UK, with offices in Warwick and Warrington.

The company's name change is the culmination of work since July 2013 when the shareholding of Guthrie Douglas Ltd was acquired by the Directors of GfA ELEKTROMATEN in Germany.

GfA ELEKTROMATEN has been in business for over 60 years and is very well respected for their engineering excellence. Being part of a wider international group provides GfA UK Ltd with access to the latest innovations in industrial door drive technology, the majority of which is manufactured to tightly controlled international standards at the company plant in Düsseldorf.

As Managing Director Andrew Collett explains:

"As far as customers are concerned it’s very much business as usual. We’ve sold GfA industrial door drive and controls in the UK for many years, as we've always believed they are the best, most innovative and reliable products in the market. Now that we are part of the GfA group however, we can have even greater influence on the development of new products, which is great news for our customers."

He adds: “We've seen a number of changes in the market in which we operate, most notably greater globalisation and an increased emphasis on quality and engineering expertise. Our new positioning as part of the wider GfA group of companies means we are well positioned to lead the way in this competitive and demanding market place."

The change of name was celebrated by staff at GfA UK Ltd on the 6th October 2014 when they were joined by local Member of Parliament for Warwick and Leamington, Chris White and joint managing director of GfA ELEKTROMATEN in Germany, Dr Jörn Böhl

www.gfa-elektromaten.co.uk

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Tuesday, 4 November 2014

AluK systems specified for the Winner of the Sunday Times British Homes Award 2014

AR Design Studio’s residential project 4Views, Winchester has received the Sunday Times British Homes Award in the ‘One-off House or Extension’ category.

The architects specified AluK’s window and sliding door systems to support their concept of connection with nature, allowing natural light to flood the house, and ensure natural ventilation and free flow of fresh air.

For the project AluK BSC94 (Duo Rail) and BSC94 (Triple Track) Sliding Door System, as well as 58BW ST (Duo Rail) Steel Replacement Window System were specified.

These have then been used for extensive glazing of walls, roof lights and for the open central garden entrance.

The modern frames with clean lines of the windows and floor-to-ceiling doors maximised the landscape views, while providing the highest thermal performance levels and enhanced security.

For more information on the Aluk range of products please visit:
www.aluk.co.uk

To find out more about the Sunday Times British Homes Award visit:
www.britishhomesawards.co.uk

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Monday, 3 November 2014

Traka Launches Plug and Play Key Management System

Traka, the key and asset management specialist, has launched Traka 21, an innovative plug and play system that provides small to medium size businesses with the very latest intelligent key management solutions.

The system has been designed to provide a simple, efficient and cost effective method of managing keys and helps users become accountable for their business assets. Traka 21 helps trace and account for every single key or keyset, by individually locking them in place, ensuring that critical business operations are never jeapordised.

Even within smaller businesses, commercial security is growing in sophistication. However, the management of business critical keys remains a weak link. The worst-case scenario is keys are hung on a hook in open view or hidden somewhere at the back of a drawer. The best-case scenario is that they are issued from a security desk. But, even the more secure option does not protect a business from accidental loss or theft. This can result in keys to secure areas, equipment, machinery, lockers, cabinets and vehicles falling into the wrong hands.

The difference between key issue and key management with Traka 21 is that it authorises, secures and monitors all of your keys, automatically controlling and recording when a key is used, and by whom. This information is made available either through the cabinet’s display or by export on a USB pen drive.

The sophisticated, stand-alone key management system combines RFID technology and robust design and provides advanced management of 21 keys or keysets, in an affordable plug and play unit. It works by creating PIN access to designated keys or keysets, which are individually locked in place. There is no requirement for network connection, and is mains operated with optional battery backup.

For more information visit www.traka.com

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Sunday, 2 November 2014

Le Mans Winning Scuderia Filipinetti Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione Joins Bonhams Scottsdale Auction

The Ferrari Classiche red book certified, three times Le Mans entrant, Spa-Francorchamps winner, Imola winner and concours award recipient joins impressive early consignments for sale.

Bonhams is delighted to announce the consignment of a very special and historic competition Ferrari to its auction in Scottsdale, Arizona next January.

From the most famous and respected name in sports and racing is the 1966 Ferrari 275 Gran Turismo Berlinetta Competizione Scaglietti – class winner of the 1967 Le Mans 24 Hours, 1969 Spa-Francorchamps 1000 Km and 1969 Imola 500 Km under Scuderia Filipinetti.

From the day it was delivered new to legendary race team owner Georges Filipinetti of Geneva, Switzerland, this automobile – chassis number 09079 – has had an exceptional and well-documented history. The eleventh of just twelve built – and one of the most prominent and successful of those twelve, this rare, matching numbers, Ferrari Classiche-certified car went on to do what its makers intended: race.

Competing three times consecutively in the most prestigious race of them all, Le Mans, in 1967, 1968 and 1969, it won the GT class its first year with Filipinetti team drivers Rico Steinmann and Dieter Spörry. Then in 1969, the first and only time it raced Spa-Francorchamps, it won that GT class with Filipinetti team drivers Jacques Rey and Edgar Berney, and then went on to win its class at Imola. In the right hands, number 09079 was a force to be reckoned with.

Launched in 1966, this new GT-class Ferrari designed expressly for competition was built around a completely new chassis specific to this model. It was lighter and stronger than the chassis of the standard 275, was fitted with reinforced wheel hubs and wider than standard wheels, and given twin saddle-mounted alloy fuel tanks with quick-access exterior fuel and oil filler caps. Additionally, it was wrapped in an ultra-thin alloy body thereby reducing weight even further.

To see and hear this incredible machine in motion, watch the video.

The powerplant was also new, with a Tipo 213 Competition motor developed from the Ferrari factory team racer campaigned the previous year. The new 3.3-liter, V12 engine with fully dry sump benefited from a long list of uprated factory modifications. And the strategic placement of this awesome engine – lower and farther back – provided even more advantage with its nearly perfect weight distribution.

Not only were the physical properties of this car extremely impressive but the aesthetics also wowed the world. Its long, shark-like nose with gill-like side vents and low, wide stance made it appear both rakishly handsome and predatory at once. And its practicality, too, made it enormously attractive as it could be ferociously raced on the track or sportingly driven to the country club.

After its tenure with Filipinetti, car 09079 found a home with several respected American collections during the 1970s and 80s. Then in 1985 its body was damaged in a garage fire but the engine, drive train and chassis were all unharmed. The car was shipped to Italy where its bodywork was meticulously and accurately restored to factory specifications by marque experts Carrozzeria Brandoli, after which it received its red book certification from Ferrari Classiche confirming its matching numbers engine, chassis, suspension and transaxle.

Since then, this stunning champion has also won several honors at contemporary shows and events, including the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and has participated in Le Mans Classic, Silverstone Classic and Tour Auto, to name a few. Recently, it was one of just 60 Ferraris selected worldwide to represent the 60th anniversary of Ferrari in Beverly Hills.

Authentic, pedigreed, historic and gorgeous, the highly useable 09079 is truly a car of international importance and represents a rare opportunity for interested buyers.

The 2015 Bonhams Scottsdale Auction will take place on Thursday, January 15th at the luxurious Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in the heart of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Photo credits: Bonhams/Pawel Litwinski

www.bonhams.com

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Saturday, 1 November 2014

Tradespeople More Likely Than Average To Undertake Training

UK tradespeople are more likely to ensure that they continue to develop their occupational skills than the general population, according to the findings of a major survey that explodes many of the traditional stereotypes of White Van Men.

A poll of more than 10,000 tradespeople by the UK’s biggest online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products to the trade, IronmongeryDirect, reveals that 13 per cent of UK tradespeople are currently undertaking training compared to just 10 per cent of the population as a whole. The study also found that 58 per cent of tradespeople have professional qualifications related to their work compared to 20 per cent of the general population. The survey canvassed opinion from workers in a range of professions, including carpenters, builders, plumbers and electricians.

Moreover, it would appear that the public perception of White Van Men as lacking in basic training is a real sore point for many tradespeople. Approximately 67 per cent described themselves as 'highly trained and skilled', while only 11 per cent agreed that it is generally true that real-life tradespeople are 'poorly educated and trained'.

The research also sheds light on how happy they are in their chosen job. When asked 'On a scale from 1 to 10 how much do you love your job?', with 10 being the most in favour, the most common response from tradespeople was an impressive 8 out of 10. And in response to the question 'Which of the following best describes your earnings?', an overwhelming 93 per cent said either it's boom time, things are going well, I'm comfortable, or I get by – leaving just 7 per cent saying it's a bit of a struggle.

Lastly, the three most popular answers to the question 'What aspects of the job do you enjoy the most?' were 'Pride from good workmanship and a job well done' (86 per cent), 'Everyday is different' (65 per cent), and 'Flexibility to manage own workload and hours' (56 per cent).

Wayne Lysaght-Mason, managing director at IronmongeryDirect, said: "Our research shows that the myth of tradespeople as poorly educated, low-skilled and badly trained is well wide of the mark.

"Instead, it's highly common for tradespeople to undertake further training courses to ensure that they are continuously improving their skills and able to deliver an excellent service to their customers. These well-educated individuals are choosing a career in the trades because it offers them high levels of job satisfaction, strong earnings potential and the flexibility that comes with being in charge of your own business."

For more information, please visit www.IronmongeryDirect.co.uk , call 0808 168 28 28 or email sales@ironmongerydirect.com

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