The Door Industry Journal

Thursday, 3 March 2022

Optima leads the way with its portfolio of Environmental Product Declaration

Optima Products (Optima), a leading manufacturer and installer of aluminium-framed glass partitioning systems, announces the publication of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) across ten of its product categories.

As building products are becoming increasingly scrutinized for their environmental impact, the move represents a major milestone in Optima’s objective to become one of the world’s most sustainable partitioning system manufacturers.

The publication of Optima’s EPDs is the culmination of a 5-year process, requiring a high level of accurate and comprehensive information to prove the business’s sustainable credentials.

Based on factual data derived from Life Cycle Assessments (LCA's), EPDs are composed in compliance with ISO 14025:2006 Environmental Labels and Declarations - Type III Environmental Declarations. Subject to rigorous external inspection and audition, 12 months of production data from Optima’s manufacturing facility in Radstock, UK was verified by an independent third party to ensure full transparency before the EPDs could be confirmed.

Significantly, as the data presented in EPDs follows a standard format, eliminating the need to interpret different kinds of Life Cycle Assessments, or data claiming to be an LCA, it simplifies the specifier’s comparison process.

Optima also holds ISO 14001 certification, reflecting an emerging industry standard around measuring the environmental impact of individual components. As criteria specifiers are increasingly curious about LCAs during the product selection process, it’s a must-have for any building product manufacturer in the age of green design.

Ultimately, Optima’s EPDs give specifiers the confidence, clarify and affirmation they are working with certified products that have undergone rigorous assessment, and meet official standards which guarantee environmental best practice.

Commenting on the achievement, Christian Mabey, Managing Director of Optima Products says:

"Optima has always strived to be at the forefront of the environmental agenda and to surpass specifier requirement and expectations.

"As the EPDs offer thorough data and information about the manufacturing of each of our products, architects, designers and fit-out professionals alike can be confident they are making a sound decision when it comes to specifying partition systems which meet the brief’s requirements for sustainable, functional and stylish office spaces.

"Representing the next step in our ongoing ESG strategy, we hope this achievement will further encourage commercial specifiers to make greener choices when it comes to product selection."

The EPDs are now available across the Optima range of products, this includes the recently launched Optima Adaptable Wall (OAW), the Adaptable Meeting Room (AMR), single glazed/double-glazed partitions and the entire door systems range.

To find out more about Optima’s Environmental Product Declarations, click here

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Wednesday, 2 March 2022

Lights, camera, action!

JD (UK) LTD, the sole UK distributor of Alutech sectional garage doors, automation and roller shutter components, is excited to unveil a series of 6 videos made to demonstrate the step-by-step process of installing an Alutech sectional garage door.

Filmed while on a live assisted installation, these videos are designed to act as training support in the installation of an Alutech sectional garage door for those unfamiliar with the product and also to answer the most frequently asked questions of installers fitting the product on a regular basis.

The videos star industry stalwart, Rick Hamill, Garage Door Technical Support Engineer at JD (UK) LTD. Rick has a wealth of knowledge within the garage door industry. A joiner by trade in his early days, Rick has specialised in garage doors for 24 years, since 1997.

He joined JD (UK) LTD in August 2020, providing installation assistance and technical support. You’ll mostly find him out on the road assisting new customers with their first installs and providing training for new staff of existing customers. With his years of experience, there’s rarely a problem he can’t solve. “There’s always a solution,” says Rick.

To watch the videos please scan the QR code or go to https://qrco.de/bcoAOQ

Once the camera had stopped rolling, a new Alutech client, Neil at Blueberry Automation, said, “I just wanted to commend Rick on the assisted fit recently, in fact, the whole team have been a pleasure to work with from start to finish, thank you all.

“Rick is very knowledgeable and assumed nothing, which is just as well as that’s what I knew! He was patient, communicating well and thoroughly on all levels, to me and your film crew.

“All elements were shown and explained. Having the ‘why’ and seeing the ‘do’ is how myself and many others learn. Rick is a genuine credit to your team and a valuable asset; I will only use JD (UK) LTD as my sectional supplier.”

The company has already received praise in response to the videos with some commenting that the videos have helped them to improve their installation processes.

To watch the videos please scan the QR code or go to https://qrco.de/bcoAOQ

Interested in becoming an Alutech garage door dealer?... Get in touch on 01924 472924 or at sales@jdukltd.co.uk – the team will be happy to assist you!

You can also visit www.jdukltd.co.uk and find us on YouTube Alutech Garage Doors, Instagram @alutechgaragedoors, Facebook @Alutechgaragedoorsuk, Twitter @AlutechGD, and LinkedIn @JD UK LTD.

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Tuesday, 1 March 2022

Woman left Brain Damaged after being Crushed by Electric Gate, settles case for €8 million

Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) has today urged all companies with responsibilities for the safety of automated gates, including owners, managers, and service providers, to ensure that they fully understand the applicable safety standards and apply them.

The warning comes following a report regarding a woman who was injured by an automated gate in 2016; a case that has just been settled in an €8 million High Court action in the Irish Republic.

The report indicates that the woman, who was in her 40s at the time of the incident, suffered a serious brain injury and is now using a wheelchair as a result of her injuries.

The civil action follows a previous criminal case in which the company responsible, who employed the plaintiff at the time, was prosecuted for a number of breaches of health and safety legislation in relation to the safety of the gate. It appears that the gate in question did not have adequate force limitation protection in an area where a person could be entrapped by the gate.

“The central standard for automated gate safety is EN 12453; this standard has been in use since 2000 with very little change to the requirements for safety in that time,” explains DHF’s Senior Training and Compliance Officer, Nick Perkins.

“When we assess the 20 or more incidents that have sadly led to death, injury and prosecution over the past 10 years, we see that had the standard been applied, the incident would have been avoided.”

The standard requires that the area surrounding the gate should be safe between ground level and 2.5 metres. All hazards that people can reach should be protected such that either the gate cannot make contact at all, or that if it can, the force it can apply to a
person must be limited to the levels of force and time prescribed by EN 12453. This does not just apply to the main closing edges, but to all reachable reducing gaps and points of impact.

“Considering the vast numbers of automated entrances in service, there are thankfully relatively few incidents with automated gates but when things do go wrong, the outcome can be devastating,” says Nick.

“The recently improved DHF COP document, DHF TS 013:2021-1, provides all the guidance necessary to ensure automated gates and traffic barriers are safe to legal limits. All companies and persons with responsibilities in management, supervision or working on automated gates on site should be aware of the rules explained in TS 013.

DHF runs nationally accredited training courses that provide a level 2 qualification for safety, whilst for managers, supervisors and the self-employed, it offers a level 4 legislation qualification. DHF TS 013-3 provides valuable guidance for owners and managers procuring new systems and maintaining existing systems in their care.

“We should like to stipulate that there is absolutely no need for automated gates to be unsafe for people,” concludes Nick.

“The pain and suffering inflicted on victims, their family members and others affected is totally unnecessary when systems are installed and maintained according to national and European standards. This common-sense approach also avoids the financial damage caused by criminal prosecutions and civil actions for damages that routinely result following such a tragedy.”

DHF’s continuing commitment to tackling the thorny issue of gate safety has shone a much-needed spotlight on unsafe automated gates and raised awareness of what proper installation and maintenance should look like, in addition to how to prevent accidents.

It continues to educate and inform professional installers, industry contacts and the general public on the dangers centred around poorly installed and maintained powered gates, in addition to how to report an unsafe gate and what to look for.

Through its training programmes, technical specifications, and collaborative working, DHF has seen an encouraging improvement in the quality of gate installations as well as the knowledge of installers in the UK, and it will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the risk of injury, or death, caused by automated gates is eliminated.

Door & Hardware Federation

01827 52337

www.dhfonline.org.uk

Please note: The gates shown in the picture (top) are for illustrative purposes only and had no connection with the injury caused.

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Monday, 28 February 2022

Making an entrance with HOPPE

A new suited door hardware range has been launched to make it easier to source matching ironmongery.

According to research from the Homeowners Alliance, two-thirds of home buyers have identified kerb appeal as an important factor when buying a home. Of those, over half identified a well-maintained and attractive front door as one of the key items that contributes to a good kerb factor.

The new suited collection from ARRONE, a HOPPE brand, has been designed to have mass appeal and provide high-quality ironmongery in a variety of finishes. The products will work aesthetically with most door designs, architectural styles and building materials making it ideal for use in both new build and refurbishment projects.

It’s all in the finish

Selected ARRONE door handles, knockers, letter plates and numerals are part of the suited range and are now available in seven new finishes including greys, traditional metals, black, and white.

John Prosser, marketing services at HOPPE (UK) explains the rationale for the new colours:

“While darker greys and metallic finishes, like stainless-steel effect and polished chrome, continue to be popular, we are also seeing a revival of both black and white hardware on doors across the UK.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to keep their product offering in line with the latest design trends without compromising on the quality and functionality of the product.”

There are two different styles of knocker, both with and without viewer, and four styles of pull handle to choose from.

Safe and secure

While looks are important, security and long-term performance is a priority. There is also a security shroud that protects the cylinder and is sufficient to prevent access and acts as a visual deterrent.

At the heart of the collection is the AR7550 lever handle which has a 10.7mm backplate depth. The standard size of the back plate means it will cover the majority of lock applications, to make replacing existing handles easy. There is also a security shroud that protects the cylinder and is sufficient to prevent access and acts as a visual deterrent.

Commitment to quality

Quality is synonymous with HOPPE brands because its products are tested to ensure flawless operation. These tests closely reflect the everyday knocks hardware has to take and extend beyond the requirements of performance standards such as BS EN 1906.

The ARRONE AR7550 handle has been tested to 200,000 cycles and has a 10-year mechanical operation guarantee, as long as assembly and maintenance guidelines are followed. It has also achieved the highest corrosion resistance grade under BS EN 1670 making it suitable for use in exposed marine atmospheres.

Colour matched fixings come as standard, and a version of the range is also available for PVC doors.

For more information on ARRONE suited products, visit the HOPPE (UK) website or contact the sales centre 01902 484 400.

www.hoppe.co.uk

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Sunday, 27 February 2022

Hagerty to host 100-car Drive it Day run to Bicester Scramble

Hagerty, the leading automotive lifestyle brand, has long campaigned to save driving and preserve special cars.

With this in mind, Hagerty presents a series of annual events to give enthusiasts a reason to use their vehicles. The 2022 Hagerty event season starts with a special 100-car Drive It Day run to the Hagerty sponsored Bicester Heritage Scramble event on Sunday 24th April.

For a number of years, Hagerty has organised events to coincide with Drive It Day, an annual event organised by the Federation of British Historical Vehicle Clubs which was first introduced in 2005.

Drive It Day remembers the 1000 Mile Trial, originally organised by the Royal Automobile Club in 1900, which started in London and followed a route through the UK before heading back to the capital.

Starting at Hagerty’s UK Headquarters near Towcester (just a few miles from Silverstone circuit), there will be an opportunity to enjoy 100 classic vehicles with a good cup of coffee before the drivers assemble to head towards the Hagerty-sponsored April Scramble at Bicester Heritage.

The Scramble event is already sold out, but Hagerty drivers will have guaranteed entry provided as part of their entry to the run. Upon arrival at Bicester, Hagerty will provide private on-site parking for the entire day, allowing guests ample time to enjoy the show and the hospitality provided by Hagerty.

100 drive slots are available, each with a great opportunity to raise vital funds for the NSPCC via the purchase of an official Drive it Day plaque priced at just £10. Registering for the Hagerty Drive it Day event provides each entrant with free tea and coffee, entry to the sold-out Bicester Heritage Sunday Scramble, and all-day Hagerty private parking. Donating just £10 to the NSPCC is rewarded with an exclusive Drive it Day run plaque.

Speaking of the event, Mark Roper, Managing Director for Hagerty International, said:

“Hagerty is famous for providing engaging events and activities for classic and collector car enthusiasts, so what better way to start our 2022 event season than with a 100-car drive. I look forward to meeting all the drivers when we welcome them at our Northamptonshire HQ ahead of the run to Bicester Heritage, and while the April Scramble is already sold out we are able to invite 100 additional cars as part of the Hagerty 2022 Scramble sponsorship agreement.”

Places are strictly limited to 100 cars and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Those who reserve a place will receive an email to confirm their entry.

To register for a space, drivers must complete this form

To donate to the NSPCC and receive an exclusive run plaque click here

For more information, call 0333 323 0989 or visit www.hagerty.co.uk

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Saturday, 26 February 2022

New Technical Manager joins ARRONE

ARRONE, a HOPPE brand, has appointed Robert Adams as technical manager.

Rob has more than 11 years’ experience working within the architectural ironmongery industry. He has previously worked as a product manager for Yale and joins ARRONE from ASSA ABLOY where he was a technical services manager for almost six years.

Rob said: “Although I’ve got substantial industry experience, I want to ensure that I’m always delivering customers the latest best practice guidance and technical advice, so I’m currently mid-way through my Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) Certificate in Architectural Hardware, which I’m due to complete in September this year.

“During my time at Exidor, which was later acquired by ASSA ABLOY, I specialised in panic and emergency exit hardware, so I’ll be using this experience to help ARRONE customers with these products.

“Being part of a team that has such a high level of technical knowledge across the board and their commitment to customer service plays a big part in what excites me about this new role. The ARRONE team has explained its vision for 2022 and beyond, so I’m looking forward to being a part of that and the challenges it will bring.”

Within his new role, Rob will be supporting the launch of one of ARRONE’s newest product offerings: the ARRONE suited collection.

The range will provide high-quality ironmongery, including selected ARRONE door handles, knockers, letter plates and numerals are part of the suited range and are now available in seven new finishes including greys, traditional metals, black, and white, in a variety of finishes that complement both contemporary and traditional door designs.

www.hoppe.co.uk

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Friday, 25 February 2022

More big construction names sign The Pallet LOOP’s charter

More companies have stepped up and signed The Pallet LOOP’s charter – committing to exploring how a circular economy pallet scheme could benefit their business, the environment, and the UK construction industry as a whole.

Marshalls, SISK, Countryside, Tobermore and the Wolseley Group are among the latest organisations to get in the LOOP and throw their support behind the team that is working to reduce the consumption of single-use pallets and switch the sector to a distribution model founded on the principles of recover, repair and reuse.

News of The Pallet LOOP’s launch has been warmly received across the construction sector as companies throughout the building materials supply chain look to step up their sustainability efforts.

Back in November, The Pallet LOOP announced its plans to transform the distribution of building materials nationwide. Aligned with the UK’s ambition of net zero by 2030, and due for operational roll out later this year, The Pallet LOOP’s aim is to eliminate avoidable pallet waste in the construction by incentivising pallet returns via a cost-effective, easy-to-use, deposit-based system.

Estimates suggest that up to 10% of the construction waste stream is currently made up of pallets, which is costly from both a financial and an environmental perspective.

Every year an estimated 18 million pallets are manufactured for the UK construction industry, with less than 10% currently reused.

Commenting on Marshalls’ reasons for signing The Pallet LOOP charter, John Davies, Sustainability Improvement Director at Marshalls PLC, said:

“As well as focusing on achieving net zero by 2030, we’re always looking at ways to reduce our waste and recycle [and reuse] more, and a circular approach to our pallet use is something we’re very interested in exploring.”

Sarah-Jane Davies, Sustainability Manager for UK & Group Civils at John Sisk & Son Ltd, said:

“The Pallet LOOP supports our strategic objective to successfully embed circular economy principles into our operations by 2023, as part of our 2030 Sustainability Roadmap. At Sisk we fully endorse this circular economy model to encourage the reuse of pallets in the construction sector, moving away from the single use discard routine which has previously been adopted.”

Nick Coad, Head of ESG at Wolseley, said:

“Wolseley is working on circular economy projects with some of our key suppliers. Pallet LOOP complements this by addressing the packaging element as we look to remove avoidable pallet waste.”

Phil Dent, CEO at The Pallet LOOP

Phil Dent, CEO at The Pallet LOOP, said:

“With sustainability now top of the agenda for most companies across the construction industry, the launch of The Pallet LOOP is incredibly timely – and we’ve been having some very productive conversations. The last year has seen a tangible shift in the way we all think about the environment. Businesses and consumers now recognise what needs to be done to get climate change under control – and realise that it can’t happen in isolation. That theme leaps out from the conversations we’ve been having.”

"As with safety, there is a common consensus that we can’t compete on sustainability and that the solution lies in working together to drive change. It’s an exciting time for the team at The Pallet LOOP and I’d like to thank everyone that’s stepped forward to embrace the idea of a circular economy pallet solution. As we move towards the roll out of our green pallets later this year, we look forward to continuing our work with all of our signatories, wider industry stakeholders and trade associations.”

Every year an estimated 18 million pallets are manufactured for the UK construction industry, with less than 10% currently reused. The Pallet LOOP is on a mission to change this. Delivering a more sustainable pallet distribution model, which is greener and leaner, the scheme is aligned with environmental targets set for the sector by UK Government, and the growing desire and need for businesses to adopt circular economy practices that are more environmentally friendly.

If you are interested in signing The Pallet LOOP charter or would like to find out how a circular economy pallet scheme could benefit your business, please contact: info@thepalletloop.com

Alternatively, for more information go to: https://www.thepalletloop.com/why-loop/ where you can find out more about existing signatories and download a copy of The Pallet LOOP charter to sign.

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Thursday, 24 February 2022

Safety & Security at Residential Tower Block 'transformed' by three SBD member companies

Three landmark tower blocks in the historic town of Flint in North Wales have undergone a major upgrade programme to improve the security of their external, communal doors and door entry systems, which has been carried out by three Secured by Design (SBD) member companies.

The high-rise developments – Richard Heights, Bolingbroke Heights and Castle Heights – sit ‘cheek by jowl’ around Flint’s main shopping area.

They were all built in the late 1960s to replace sub-standard terraced housing – an era that was known for ‘slum clearance’ and massive local authority house building programmes, which for the first time featured high rise living.

F.Bamford (Engineering) Ltd, known in the industry as Bamford Doors, joined forces with key partner organisations CAME KMS and CAME Entrotec to manufacture and install bespoke communal door security systems. Work started on the project in December 2018.

Bamford Doors provided its aluminium security doorsets, CAME KMS its web-based communal door access control system and CAME Entrotec its door entry panel (intercom) and apartment units – all products to SBD’s robust physical security standards.

The three tower blocks, which provide a total of 270 flats, mostly for the over 55s, had been subject to low-level anti-social behaviour over a period of time, and their external security needed to be upgraded. In addition, the project embraced a number of nearby, low rise buildings – Woodside Community Centre, Prince of Wales Court, Holly Court and Strand Close.

Bamford Doors worked closely with Flintshire County Council throughout the project.

Alexis Smith, Managing Director, Bamford Doors, said:

“The transformation we have made to the blocks in Flint is amazing. We hope the customers of Flintshire County Council feel more safe and secure in their homes.”

SBD Development Officer, Hazel Goss, who lives only 15 minutes’ drive from the town, said the transformation is most apparent. “When I was a police officer covering this area the tower blocks looked depressing and attracted crime, but the makeover has brightened them up. Now they offer top-end security and they are attractive to look at.”

The Flint Strategy and Masterplan 2021 states: “Whilst externally dated, the tower blocks are relatively popular and do not present any real challenges to the Council.” The report adds: “Potential exists in the longer term to consider whether one of the three tower blocks could play a role in meeting specialist residential needs.”

Over recent years, the tower blocks have received part of a £100m makeover fund as part of Flintshire County Council’s plans to improve council housing and regenerate the town. This project included concrete repairs, window replacement and external wall and roof insulation to improve energy efficiency.

Flint has an estimated population of 15,000 and sits on the estuary of the River Dee. Flint Castle was built between 1277-1284 as part of Edward I’s campaign against Llywelyn the Last – the last prince of an independent Wales.

Flint Castle is also famous as the location of a fateful meeting in 1399 between Richard II and his rival to the crown Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV), an event immortalised in Shakespeare’s Richard II.

Secured by Design - www.securedbydesign.com

Bamford Doors - www.bamforddoors.com

CAME Entrotec - www.entrotec.com

CAME KMS - www.kms.uk.net

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Wednesday, 23 February 2022

SWA member supplies W20 Multi-Frame Screens and Doors for family farm shop

When architectural designer, Felix Padfield, was tasked with designing a contemporary café and shop for his brother’s cheese company, which is based on the family farm, he had no hesitation on calling on the expertise of a close friend whose own business specialises in supplying steel doors and windows for a range of clients across the south of England.

Nick Vassilopoulos set up Perla Windows in 2016. With a background in construction and, having already delivered a number of contracts for FelixDB, he was able to undertake the supply and installation of the large multi-frame screens and doors to form the frontage to the Bath Soft Cheese Company's new destination at Park Farm on the outskirts of the historic city.

Felix Padfield explains:

"Park Farm and Bath Soft Cheese Limited is a fourth-generation family business run my brother, Hugh, who is director. The Café and Cheese farm shop was expanded in 2019 to meet growing popularity and we provided architectural design services; though a lot of our work is high-end residential refurbishment in West London."

"The superstructure is an industrial warehouse steel frame with exposed glue-lam purlin beams under an insulated aluminium panel roof. We wanted to use on-trend industrial materials such as polished concrete floor and steel windows to reflect the industrial use of the building, and working farm location, whilst also referencing a contemporary, members' club style."

He continues, "We decided to use steel frame doors for the slim sightlines. I have known Nick and Dan at Perla for years and we've used their steel windows and doors for many of our coolest residential projects. The Perla Team was very patient with our many revision requests and deliberations."

Nick Vassilopoulos reflected, "This was a great project to be involved with - a family-run business producing award winning cheeses where our windows offer a view out from the shop and café across the farm setting itself."

"We have a good working relationship with the architect, Felix, who has got us involved with a number of his projects. While we mainly serve the residential sector, we have done half a dozen quite sizeable commercial contracts across London and the south of England."

The hot-dip galvanized and polyester powder-coated steel frames not only offer excellent security and durability, but high energy performance was also a key consideration for the contract. The 4-12-4 toughened glass IG units feature krypton gas filling and warm edge spacer bars to cut heat loss, while control of excessive solar gain was also addressed in detail.

Felix continued, "The solar gain of the south-facing aspect of the main façade was a great concern. Perla windows worked with us providing lots of samples of heat reflective double glazing with various tinting. We worried the tinting would be visible and give the glass a smoky 70's effect but, in the end, the glazing is beautifully clear and colourless. Our concerns over solar gain have not materialised: with the large gable end providing an overhang and shading during the hottest months.

The project at Park Farm was successfully completed by Harmac Construction in 2020 and is attracting growing numbers of visitors as leisure activities return to normal after the pandemic.

Perla Windows is a member of the Steel Window Association.

For further information on the Steel Window Association or if you're interested in becoming a member, please visit www.steel-window-association.co.uk

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Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Award winning partnership

Seeing ODL Europe win the Best New Product of The Year at The G21 Awards for their Guardsman Composite Fire Door was recognition of a journey that has started some years earlier and a partnership with Winkhaus that has existed for far longer.

At the centre of the relationship is a passion to develop innovative solutions. In the case of the Guardsman Fire Doorset, a solution that is fully compliant with the latest legislation.

This includes testing to and above the requirements of building regulations and Q Mark 3rd party audited through design and manufacture of the doorset, survey and installation. The full lifecycle of the door can also be 3rd party audited.

The Winkhaus technical team, led by Winkhaus UK’s Technical Director, Chris Flaherty, have been heavily involved from the start.

This included the development of the technical specifications and drawings to the creation of the Field of Application and training of fabricators as they prepare to manufacture.

The finished doorset includes both the Winkhaus AV2 autolocking system and Winkhaus FireFrame, a specially developed GRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer) frame system with high fire resistance properties.

The picture (right) shows ODL Europe Guardsman Composite Fire Door.

Ian Glenister, Technical Sales Manager at ODL Europe, said:

“Our collaboration with Winkhaus on our Guardsman Fire Door project has been very successful. Winkhaus share the same vision as ODL Europe and value the importance of developing solutions that exceed current legislation. Their focus and commitment have been an important part of the journey and one that has resulted in delivering the best in composite fire door safety.”

Ian continued: “This is just the start of the journey as we continue to partner with Winkhaus, ensuring our award-winning position is maintained, with constant expansion of test evidence and third-party certification.”

Chris Flaherty concluded: “Congratulations again for the deserved recognition and a toast to our next decade of partnership and innovation.”

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