INDUSTRY NEWS
Ged Ryan celebrates 10 years as CEO of HOPPE ( UK )
December 2022 marks 10 years since Ged Ryan took the reins as CEO of HOPPE ( UK ). Here , Ged discusses his experience within the ironmongery industry over the past decade , and his hopes for the future .
I had worked for building product manufacturers before I started with HOPPE so was familiar with the construction industry , but this was my first time in the architectural ironmongery sector .
HOPPE had been through some difficult times before I joined , but I could see that it was a good company with a great brand , and that there were ways we could reinvigorate it to gain market share . Finding new ways to develop and grow the business was a challenge that I knew I would really enjoy .
Looking back , it ’ s the people that make HOPPE the success that it is . We have a strong team ; many of whom have been here longer than me . It ’ s also our suppliers and our customers , everyone working closely together with great relationships at every level .
Dealing with current challenges With an eye on the future , we want to make things as easy as possible for our customers . We act as a buffer and hold more stock which protects them from global supply issues , especially around the aftermath of Brexit , the pandemic and other world events .
HOPPE has also been exposed to this volatility . We have seen a spike in order numbers as people placed large orders after Brexit and the pandemic , but as all HOPPE products are manufactured in Europe , in our own plants , we have much more control .
We invested in our processes to reduce bottlenecks and fought to increase output and capacity . We have explored different options and are now seeing the benefits of ongoing investment in equipment to shorten lead times .
Net Zero The role doors and windows have in the thermal efficiency of buildings cannot be over emphasised and so investment in innovation to counteract climate change should be top of our agenda . HOPPE has many years ’ experience in producing high quality products in the most efficient way and because of the location of our manufacturing plants , we are already helping to minimise transport emissions .
We are looking forward to seeing what research and development brings to our future product ranges . Not only in terms of style and design trends but we ’ re eager to see what improvements will be made in product performance , safety , security and sustainability .
Future ironmongery trends
From a product perspective , we ’ re seeing that the general industry trends continue to focus on aesthetics . Homeowners are still looking for a minimal look that blends in with their decor , which is bringing new finishes and colours to the forefront . Our challenge is to stay on top of these trends while delivering the same high quality that is synonymous with our brand .
It will be interesting to see how the housing market develops during these challenging times . The Office for National Statistics reported that the number of people living alone has increased by 8.3 % in the last decade and we are seeing a move towards smaller homes . This has led to demand for more discreet door and window frames to capitalise on natural light and maximise space , and so we ’ re being asked for flush mounted ironmongery and rosette-less handles more frequently .
Smart technology
Smart products will become the norm for buildings looking to improve security , safety and energy efficiency by automating everyday items . As people desire smart , connected buildings , there ’ s an opportunity for us to help them update and offer other products . We see a move from the mechanical towards interconnectivity and the challenge will be to introduce that technology to the replacement market too . I foresee collaborations bringing together building management apps to provide a good user-experience .
As we enter 2023 , there ’ s lots to be optimistic about . Buildings will always need to be safe , secure and accessible . Many customers are looking for products that help them to improve energy efficiency , both for economic reasons and ecological ones , and we need to be sure that we continue to have the right products for this .
www . hoppe . co . uk
6 DECEMBER 2022 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM