HARDWAREEXTRA
ON-GOING GROWTH PROMPTS NEW PREMISES
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DHF( DOOR & HARDWARE Federation) has located its operations to a new and improved facility on the outskirts of Tamworth.‘ The Barn’ at‘ Shuttington Fields Farm’ has been home to the trade association since 3rd September and offers significantly larger office space, together with a state-of-the-art training academy and parking for more than 40 cars. It is located just four miles from junction 11 of the M42. The move has been prompted by DHF’ s tremendous growth in both employees
and membership, particularly in the past ten years and will yield considerable cost savings, with training and meetings being carried out on-site.
“ The Federation has doubled in size in terms of membership and staff over the past five years, which is, of course, great news, but it is essential that we continue to offer a first-rate service to our members and support that growth with appropriate levels of resource,” explains DHF’ s CEO, Bob Perry.“ We have been at our Heath Street head office for more than 31 years; a move was long overdue.”
DHF’ s growth has been due, in part, to an increasing uptake of its training courses, with more than 2300 delegates completing one of its four courses on offer since the launch of the Gate Safety Diploma in September 2013.‘ The barn’ houses a top-of-the-range training academy which will accommodate 25 people. This will save the association vital funds previously spent on hiring venues across the country to host courses. The majority of training will now be undertaken in-house, however, DHF will continue to hold courses throughout the
UK to ensure everyone can access a course. Additionally, DHF will be hiring out their facilities to external organisations.
“ Our new office facilities herald a fresh chapter for DHF,” continues Bob.“ We can now confidently support our on-going growth and expansion and continue to deliver value for our members. And the new training academy will facilitate a positive, learning experience for all attendees.”
To make life easier for candidates, DHF has also secured corporate rates for accommodation at nearby‘ Best Western Appleby Park Hotel’ for those attending training courses. Candidates can book directly with the hotel.
www. dhfonline. org. uk
Sales Success
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SINCE LAUNCHING SmartSecure in 2016, Carl F Groupco reports sales revenue increases of just under 90 % year on year for its electronic door locking and access control brand.
The company advises that early adopters of its innovative Smart technology include the fabrication market and Housing Associations who recognise benefits across different access control applications, the sophistication of the technology and its simplicity of configuration that enables easy integration.
Commenting on the early growth of the SmartSecure brand, Carl F Groupco’ s Managing Director John Crittenden said:
“ In just two years since the launch of SmartSecure, we have seen a significant shift in perception of electronic locking and Smart access control. As we adopt Smart Technology in other areas of our homes with lights, heating and cameras, Smart door locks are becoming increasingly accessible”
As a forerunner of the Smart locking and access control evolution in the UK’ s hardware market, Carl F Groupco has continued to invest heavily in SmartSecure including designing a dedicated showroom. And, in addition to solutions based on FUHR’ s fully motorised multipoint lock with automatic locking, the range was increased earlier this year to include Yale’ s Conexis L1 retro-fit Smart keyless locking handle.
www. smartsecure. co. uk www. carlfgroupco. co. uk
74 » OCT 2018 » CLEARVIEW-UK. COM