From the Editor
A NEW YEAR
REVOLUTION
Even though
it doesn’t seem
like twelve months
since I was sitting down
to write the Jan-Feb 2019 intro
(The Locksmith Journal 10th
anniversary, no less) here we
are one year later, and I have
to say I’m excited for 2020.
» SINCE THE START OF
the year; the dawning of
a new decade, so much
seems to have happened
already. I make the same
New Year’s Resolution every
year (well the same two,
but I haven’t even started
writing my book yet, so to
have it published seems
improbable) and that is to
just do better.
One of the ways I’d like
to ‘just do better’ is to
keep trying to make this
magazine the best it can
be, and I’m not sure I can
do that alone. Some of
my favourite features in
this publication are those
that come from you, the
reader – whether you have
contributed them, or I’ve
had a hand in the write
up. I imagine for those of
you reading the magazine
too, you’d much prefer to
see what your peers are
doing, for hints and tips,
new ways to work, or just
have a good old nosey.
But I’m not a reader, I’m
a writer. And, I’m not a
locksmith, I’m a journalist;
so please tell me if you do
want to see more of this
or something else instead.
My door is always open
(metaphorically, of course,
I may not be a locksmith,
4
but I definitely know better
than that!)
We never know
what’s coming around
the corner, sometimes
that’s exhilarating and
sometimes it can be
exasperating. I like to be
organised, and I also like
to be spontaneous; so a bit
of a contradiction. I’m not
religious nor superstitious
but I do enjoy looking out
for customs and traditions,
so one thing that has
caught my eye recently
is that 2020 is the year
of the rat in the Chinese
calendar. Some people
might not like the sound of
this but with connotations
of wealth, luck, and
personality, I really do.
Also as this month has
one extra day, you have
24 hours more to enjoy
reading this magazine, and
maybe even some time to
think about how you’d like
to contribute, if you’d like
to take part?
One thing you can be
sure of is that we’ll still be
here next time and trying
to bring you the best there
is in locksmithing, security,
fire safety, and more…
Hopefully I’ll see you too.
Gemma, Editor
LOOKING BACK ON
IAI HIGHLIGHTS – A
PERSONAL VIEW
» JO MILNE-ROWE,
outgoing chairperson of the
Institute of Architectural
Ironmongers (IAI), discusses
her highlights during her
time as chair…
IAI AGM
“Last year’s AGM was
a huge success. The CPD
presentations, supported
by our member companies,
covered a range of
ironmongery related topics
including fire doors, electronic
access control, product testing,
the impact of IoT on security
and the ironmongery industry,
and panic and emergency
exit hardware. This exclusive
access to a range of industry
knowledge encouraged
more people to attend and
was hugely popular among
members.
Going global
“I have particularly enjoyed
the overseas trips. It’s been
interesting to see how our
members get involved in
Hong Kong and Dubai, and to
understand how their business
models differ from the UK.
The pride these members
take in their education and
keeping up their Registered
Architectural Ironmonger
(RegAI) status is inspiring.
New branches
“In this role, I have had the
opportunity to attend and
present at Institute meetings
across the country and meet
so many people from the
Industry. From visiting all
of the different branches,
I’ve seen first hand what a
supportive industry we’re
part of.
Left - Deborah Cannon,
vice chair of the IAI and
Right - Jo Milne-Rowe,
chair of the IAI (April 2018)
“Last year saw the Welsh
branch get back up and
running with the help of Shaun
Brown and his committee,
which had previously had to
close due to a lack of numbers.
The North and Borders
branch also reached out to its
members in the North East
and revealed plans to begin
hosting meetings in Newcastle
this year.
Looking forward
“My final highlight
would be being a part of
the One Future Vision
team. I have been involved
in gathering membership
views and feedback about
the organisation that is now
helping to shape the future
of the IAI and the Guild of
Architectural Ironmongers
(GAI) into one fully inclusive
organisation.”
At the IAI AGM on 6-7
March 2020, Jo will be handing
over to Deborah Cannon,
customer support team
leader at dormakaba. The
event includes presentations
by industry experts and the
launch of results from a major
piece of industry research into
door hardware.
Book a place at the IAI
AGM: https://gai.org.uk/
iaiagm2020
JAN/FEB 2020
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