HARDWARE & SECURITY
Hardware Trends, and Looking Ahead to Construction in 2025
» STEVE COX, MANAGING DIRECTOR of UAP Ltd, discusses advancements in door hardware and security over the past year, and his predictions for the business and the wider construction and manufacturing industries in 2025.
Emerging trends in home security
Security technology has transformed significantly over the past few years— particularly in 2024— as electronic locking systems and smart security solutions have become the standard across residential and commercial spaces. What was once reserved for high-end homes is now revolutionising the way we secure apartments, office buildings, and shared spaces.
UAP is leading the charge with this shift, designing smart access solutions that replace traditional access methods with mobile technology. Our IONIC electronic lock is a prime example, which allows users to lock and unlock doors remotely via an app, providing peace of mind by offering control and security wherever users are. It’ s a perfect example of how technology and security advancements can work together to create smarter, safer spaces.
Systems like these not only offer unparalleled convenience but have the potential to revolutionise the way we think about security. With more intelligent, seamless solutions set to launch this year, we’ re continuing to push the boundaries of innovation to meet evolving consumer needs.
But such innovation doesn’ t exist in a vacuum: we need to make sure we’ re working in conjunction with the wider industry. By aligning to market opportunities, we can ensure we’ re driving progress in the industry and staying one step ahead of customers’ needs.
Looking ahead to 2025
Since the General Election, project starts in construction and manufacturing have stabilised, with private sector investment gradually rising. Construction analysts predict strong industry growth, with an 8 % rise in project starts forecast for 2025, followed by a further 10 % increase in 2026. This is a big difference from the 1 % drop in 2024, and certainly a sharp improvement from the 7 % dip in 2023.
Firm development pipelines are also starting to take shape, with major contract awards up 7 % compared to 2023. As investor confidence returns, industrial starts are gaining momentum, setting the stage for a much-needed boost in market stability. The prospect of recovering market certainty is inspiring confidence in both businesses and consumers, which is great news for the sector.
With fiscal policies supporting higher levels of capital investment, we expect to see increased public sector and infrastructure projects, particularly in key regions like the North West. For construction and manufacturing professionals, the outlook is optimistic. And this renewed certainty in the market is not just encouraging— it’ s a foundation for long-term success.
It’ s from a stable landscape that we’ ll now see innovation taking root, offering greater opportunities for sustainable growth, technological advancements, and more resilient infrastructure. With investment flowing into new projects and demand for high-quality, future-proofed solutions increasing, businesses that embrace innovation will be best positioned to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
Driving innovation in hardware
At UAP, innovation is more than a buzzword— it’ s the driving force behind our success. In 2024, we marked our 15th consecutive year of revenue growth, fuelled by strategic acquisitions and organic expansion. One of our most significant milestones was the acquisition of Armadillo Metal Coatings and its pioneering Armasmart technology, leading to the industry’ s first door hardware range proven to eliminate 99.98 % of viruses, including COVID-19.
We’ re constantly working to create safer, more resilient environments for our customers by driving progress in the industry. For example, while most locking systems on the market have six or eight locking points, our 5 Roller 35mm Backset Multipoint Door Lock has eleven locking points— the most of any door on the market. At our headquarters we have an extensive in-house testing facility that allows us to constantly test and improve our products, so we can design solutions that meet our customers’ needs. And we’ re reinforcing our commitment to supporting customers through the transition to the latest PAS 24:2022 + A1:2024 standard by acquiring a new TS007 certificate, ensuring we’ re at the forefront of window and door security.
From antimicrobial hardware to advanced locking systems, we’ re committed to shaping the future of door security. With a robust growth strategy and confidence in the Northern economy’ s potential, it’ s clear 2025 is set to be a year of progress, innovation, and industry-wide collaboration.
www. uapcorporate. com
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MARCH 2025
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