Hardware & Security Articles
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By Marco Verdonkschot, managing director at IronmongeryDirect. As the number of jobs available in the UK climbs to over one million for the first time since records began, the number of vacancies in the construction sector has also reached its highest ever level, with 37,000 listings between June and August. This is an increase of 2,000 from May to July,...
The problem of disappointing hardware – of finishes that pit and peel – has scarred the industry, says Nick Dutton, CEO at Brisant-Secure, who offers a solution. Homeowners take pride in their front doors: no-one buys a front door with gleaming hardware to look beautiful for just two or three years. People expect their new door to age gracefully and...
With next year marking the 30-year landmark for Rapierstar, founder and managing director David Furness talks about the company’s journey so far. Rapierstar originally formed as Architectural Supplies in 1992 when there was an opportunity to challenge the convention that fasteners were either low grade, cheap, poor quality products, or over-engineered and phenomenally expensive. We knew we could bring to...
Kerry Blackford, head of product at ERA, explores how fabricators can stay ahead of competitors by incorporating both traditional and smart hardware systems into the manufacturing process to provide customers with a total security solution. Driven by increasing consumer demand for home automation, app-controlled systems continue to disrupt the UK home security market, as individuals look to streamline efficiencies and...
Roseview will be showcasing its smart technology collaboration with Rehau on its stand at the FIT Show in September. Director Mike Bygrave reveals all. There are few elements of our industry more traditional than sash windows. They’ve been a quintessential part of British architecture for more than 300 years, and they’re what Roseview is known for. But while style remains...
By Yale. The average cost of a residential burglary in the UK is £3,030, which is a significant amount for any household and a potentially disastrous loss for many. But it is not just about the money. Consider the risk to items so valuable that a number can’t be placed on them, such as family heirlooms, and the argument for...
It was six months ago that Richard Gyde at Mila first wrote to the press to sound an early warning about the storm brewing in the freight market. Here, he gives an update. Half a year ago, booming demand in the west, lack of capacity on container ships and a shortage of the physical containers themselves were already starting to...
Marketing’s importance is only strengthened in time of a crisis, but it has to have synergy with the whole business to truly flourish, argues Maco’s marketing manager Mark Enderby. Covid had an impact on everything and everyone but, as when any crisis hits, having a plan and processes in place make responding to one much more effective. As with many...
Eric Collins, managing director of Jackloc, reflects on how marketing effected success during a difficult time. As soon as the first lockdown hit, we were immediately affected; our business is heavily weighted towards the trade market, and with businesses having to close initially, our sales declined. Our first reaction was to cut back. We needed to have staff in the...
Fabricators sourcing the right aluminium hardware to meet demanding commercial contract work such as school repairs and office refurbishments will find the perfect supply partner in Window Ware, argues Richard Fraser, Window Ware’s business development manager for aluminium. Window Ware offers a wide range of highly specified aluminium hardware for commercial projects, including Caldwell folding openers, Highline electric and manual...
Hardware stocks are finally returning to normal says Richard Gyde, managing director at Mila. You don’t need to be MD of a UK hardware business to know that this sector of the market has faced immense challenges to keep up with demand since the return to work last May. In fact, the entire supply chain has been creaking under the...
By Giovanni Laporta, Smart Ready. The fenestration industry has seen an enormous increase in sales over the last nine months and I believe this puts it in a strong position to welcome and embrace change as we continue into 2021. For that change to benefit the industry as a whole, we must widen our consideration to include the other businesses...
Throughout one of the most challenging years for UK manufacturing in living memory, Yale explains how it has continually adapted to the changing climate by innovating in both its operations and its product range. 2020 has seen the company further invest in automation at both its Willenhall and Cheltenham sites, and also adapt to the fresh reality by opening up...
Carl F Groupco’s managing director John Crittenden, explains how the company maintained supply despite the difficulties presented by the pandemic during 2020, and pays tribute to the company’s workforce for their exceptional service and ability to find creative solutions. We have always had pride in being considerably more than box shifters, and everyone who works at Carl F Groupco has...
Reflecting on a year that has been dominated by the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Carl F Groupco’s managing director John Crittenden highlights its commitment to otif deliveries and customer support. I feel this has been the most difficult period experienced by the industry, primarily because of coronavirus but also because we have the shadow of Brexit hanging over us....
By Richard Gyde, managing director of Mila. Even without the coronavirus pandemic, this is peak season when it comes to importing freight from Asia. Black Friday, Thanksgiving and Christmas combine to drive huge spikes in demand, and logistics businesses across the west also ramp up their orders to cover Chinese new year shutdowns. However, this year there’s something of a...
Manufacturing in the UK reached a record low in April this year due of course to the global pandemic. However, lack of investment and four years of Brexit uncertainty has also taken its toll on the market. Yale explains how it is bucking the trend by sticking to its roots and committing to UK manufacturing in a rapidly evolving industry....
Is it really too much to expect locks to lock and keep out intruders, and door hardware not to pit, peel, discolour or corrode? Brisant CEO Nick Dutton weighs up the options. It’s been said that a front door has two main functions: to invite people in and keep people out. Therefore, its specification should include both the aesthetics to...
Giovanni Laporta, inventor and innovator of Smart Ready, explains why respecting trademarks is vital for businesses’ success. It’s fantastic to see more and more fabricators and installers beginning to promote their Smart offering as they realise its potential as our industry’s next big opportunity. But in light of some recent trademark confusion, I have a word of warning and some...
Richard Gyde, managing director of Mila, explains why suppliers need to do more to help customers cope with demand. I write a regular blog on the Mila website (www.mila.co.uk/blog/). Over the years, it’s become one of the most visited pages on the site, largely I think because I always try to give honest insight and straightforward updates on the business...