INDUSTRY NEWS
A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO HARDWARE
BY DAVE WATTS, SHEERLINE’ S TECHNICAL SALES DIRECTOR
» IT’ S WIDELY ACCEPTED that most PVC-u houses do not supply hardware. This is for a multitude of reasons( which we will come onto), but partly because they know fabricators have their go-to trusted hardware partners they use on a regular basis.
In the aluminium sector( generally speaking) things are a little different. The expectation is that the systems house will supply the hardware. But why? As there are so many reasons not to do this, both to the benefit of the customer and the systems house.
When Sheerline took the decision not to supply hardware, it was with good reason. I’ ll explain why in this article, along with the benefits of leaving customers the choice when it comes to selecting their hardware.
The Sheerline way:
At Sheerline, we don’ t necessarily do what people expect us to, and by that, I mean, we don’ t lazily copy what everyone else is doing just because that’ s the way it’ s always been done. We’ re committed to continuous improvement, and sometimes that means doing things a little differently, and identifying where improvements can be made.
So, unlike other aluminium systems houses, we decided not to supply hardware direct. What we’ ve done instead is designed full depth eurogrooves into most of our products so our customers can choose their preferred hardware supplier for hinges, espag locks, and more.
We utilise a standard eurogroove across our Prestige range, so most standard hardware will fit this system. This is unique to the Sheerline system and means the only specific component our customers are required to buy is Sheerline keeps. We chose to operate this way for several reasons.
Fabricator benefits:
There are lots of benefits of this approach. For our customers, it increases their purchasing power when dealing with their preferred hardware supplier. It also gives them( and therefore their customers) increased choice.
It reduces stockholding while offering a tangible cost efficiency, particularly for those fabricators who manufacture both PVC-u and aluminium side-by-side, as they can often use the same hardware across both systems.
In addition, it allows us to work with different suppliers for different products or projects depending on the requirements. For instance, we know not everyone offers Secured by Design( SBD) approved products,
but that’ s an important feature for us and is available across our whole range of products.
A case study on collaboration:
At Sheerline, we collaborate with partners across the industry to solve specific problems or challenges to ensure we’ re continually innovating. We work with a variety of hardware partners across all products.
A good example of this is a project we worked on with Ingenious Locks & Hardware. Our R & D teams worked closely to develop a one-of-a-kind system that met specific requirements, including in-built security to ensure it achieved PAS24 and SBD status.
The system, which was developed for Sheerline’ s Index™ Bi-fold, features a five hook multi-point locking with DUPLEX hook units. It utilises one-piece keeps that are designed to accept a concealed flip-over lever, driving shoot bolts to the head and threshold.
In essence, the innovative design transformed a simple keep into a French passive lock. Working with hardware partners on this kind of project is another way for Sheerline to renew its commitment to continuous improvement, while also differentiating its products.
This is particularly important for fabricators and installers during challenging or uncertain times, as 2025 is largely predicted to be. It’ s essential we maintain our reputation for providing high-quality, high-security products to help our customers retain their competitive advantage.
Final thoughts:
The fact that Sheerline doesn’ t supply hardware is another example of the way we’ re challenging the expectations of those operating within the aluminium sector. We’ re showing people that there is another way of doing things and the benefits it buys them.
We’ re not restricting fabricators by tying them to a particular brand of hardware or preventing them from getting the best possible commercial terms for their business.
In addition, we’ re paving the way for lasting partnerships and ongoing development by aligning with innovative organisations that are as determined as Sheerline to develop new approaches and solutions to existing challenges.
We won’ t simply accept the status quo; we’ re continually pushing the boundaries of what is achievable. Those systems houses that cannot keep pace or adapt to changing market conditions and demands will be left behind, it’ s that simple.
www. sheerline. com
14 APRIL 2025 CLEARVIEW-UK. COM