Family ties – Shelforce and DoorCo

Shelforce has enhanced its partnership with DoorCo by adopting FireCore, DoorCo’s new FD30 fire door solution to boost its fire door offering to the social housing sector.

Shelforce is an extremely value-centric business, living by the ‘magnificent eight’: honesty, trust, accountability, selfless service, respect, integrity, loyalty, and empathy.

According to Howard Trotter, Shelforce business manager, working with suppliers that are aligned with these values is fundamental: “Shelforce has been around since 1839, initially starting out as a Royal Institute for the Blind providing work opportunities for the disabled. We’re a business unit within Birmingham City Council, 100% of our customers are in social housing, and 78.6% of our employees are disabled.

“We are truly public servants, so everything we do has to be for them and centres back to our ethical viewpoint. We’re not the type of people that are going to manufacture a product just to make an extra pound. We must be profitable but it’s equally as important to take a holistic approach.

“We’re fully committed to ensuring that our products have a positive impact on the end user or the community in general. It’s even more important when you’re supplying a ‘health & safety’ product like a fire door; people’s lives are at stake,” added Howard.

“To that end, we’re pleased to have completed all the testing and approvals needed to supply FireCore to the market as our new fire door offering.

Socially conscious

“It’s really important that we work with companies that are aligned to our values,” continued Howard. “Product quality, integrity of supply and service are vital, but also, it’s how a business operates. What I have always liked about DoorCo is they are truly a family business. Dan & Jayne lead a team that includes family members and treats everyone else like they are part of the family, too. That’s really important to me. I am a family man, the Shelforce team are like a family, and so is the DoorCo team. I know from this that our values are aligned; it’s how you treat the people that are important to you: your family, your team and your customers.

“This has been evident with DoorCo from day one. With every transaction, the DoorCo team demonstrates accountability and integrity. Our experience as a customer for standard doors leaves me assured that FireCore is a great addition to our portfolio that will enhance our socially conscious approach to business.”

Gaining accreditation

“We’ve now completed the full accreditation process for FireCore and gained the necessary approvals from the regulator,” explained Howard.

“There were no issues throughout the process as DoorCo has heavily invested in their system to ensure it is fit for purpose. The process can be arduous, but it’s critical to ensure that everything has been done properly, and if you are following the rules, there are no issues. The same applies to the annual auditing process. To call it forensic is not an understatement!

“Again, though, if you are doing things right and following the correct procedures, there’s nothing to worry about. The rules are there for a reason – to ensure that the product you’re installing into someone’s home will work at the critical moment. I liken them to lines in a car park; without them it would be chaos, and that’s why we respect them.

“FireCore offers total peace of mind for everyone.”

Ian Glenister, DoorCo technical sales manager, added: “Working with the team at Shelforce is refreshing. Like me, they are tenacious about following the rules and doing the right thing. That’s why DoorCo has focused on ensuring that FireCore passed its extensive round of fire, smoke and security testing with consistent performance across the wide range of permutations for both internal and external fire doors we wanted to deliver.

“FireCore is part of the Winkhaus UK FireFrame Doorset Scheme, enabling manufacturers like Shelforce to add the wide variety of door designs, top and sidelights, and glazing options to their product portfolio, enhancing both their product offering and the aesthetics of homes across the UK.”