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New Membership Category Added to GAI
»»START-UPS AND NEW
entrepreneurs entering the door hardware
industry are being targeted in a futurefocused membership drive by the Guild of
Architectural Ironmongers (GAI).
A new membership category –
Enterprise membership – has been
created for any business seeking support
from the GAI, the UK’s leading body
that represents the interests of the UK
architectural ironmongery industry,
including architectural ironmongers,
wholesalers and manufacturers. Any
business with just 12 months’ trading
record can apply to join.
Maria Powell, president of the GAI,
says:
“Trade associations can quickly suffer
and decay if they become just an ‘old
boys’ club’. The Guild is not intendin g to
fall into that trap – we have a vibrant and
successful future ahead.
“We are here to provide support and
encouragement to the new generations
coming through, and I’m very excited by
some of the businesses starting up with
a genuine passion for the architectural
ironmongery industry.
“This new Enterprise membership offer
tells these entrepreneurs that the Guild is
as relevant to them as we are to the most
established and prestigious brands in
the market, and we can learn from each
other.”
The GAI saw another increase in its
membership numbers last year, including
30% of new applications coming from
overseas. Two thirds of its members enjoy
full membership, the rest are affiliate or
associate members.
Members benefit from activities in
three key areas: education, technical
support and community. The GAI’s
qualifications, education and CPD
programmes are widely respected in the
UK and overseas, including the GCC and
Hong Kong. Its technical information
service is the only specialist service
of its kind, providing GAI members
with comprehensive advice on issues
relating to the legislation, regulations
and standards governing the use of
architectural ironmongery and related
hardware.
www.gai.org.uk/gai
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | JUL/AUG 2016
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