PROUD SPONSORS OF THIS PAGE
HISTORY & HERITAGE • 59
Michael Skelding joined the joint secretariat in 1987, by which time, the NBA had disbanded, leaving the ABHM to continue alone. DSA had renamed itself the Door and Shutter Manufacturers’ Association( DSMA). The secretariat had also ceased to be directly employed, becoming instead, an independent partnership. The partnership obtained offices in Tamworth, with the old offices in Birmingham being sub-let to a firm of solicitors. By the early 1990s, Eric Skelding had retired having handed over the secretarial roles to Michael. The main focus of both ABHM and DSMA was by now technical standards, increasingly European rather than British.
By 2004, ABHM was considering the possibility of a merger with another federation. Michael Skelding suggested that a link with DSMA could be fruitful and it was agreed that ABHM and DSMA would amalgamate to form Door & Hardware Federation – now known as DHF.
Door & Hardware Federation inherited the CEO of DSMA, Derek Smith, formerly of Bolton Gate. From that time on Door & Hardware Federation grew, absorbing the Association of Garage Door Specialists; DSMA already
included many of the leading garage door manufacturers and this introduced the installers into the mix. By now, the federation was looking after four industry sectors: Locks & Building Hardware, Industrial Doors & Shutters, Domestic Garage Doors and Steel Doorsets.
“ DHF is very much regarded as the‘ centre of excellence’, with a network of professional consultants in all sectors”
In 2008, the decision was taken to have a directly employed secretariat. From 1st November, Michael Skelding and Kay Scattergood became employees of DHF. A year later, in 2009, Timber Doorsets came into the‘ frame’ and Bob Perry was installed as Executive Chairman. Following a suggestion by the Health & Safety Executive, in 2011, Door & Hardware Federation created the Automated Gate Group and in 2013, a whole new training programme was born. Bob eventually took over the role of CEO officially in 2015.
One hundred and twenty years later, DHF is going from strength to strength. In this poignant year, there have been significant changes that have seen membership increase to more than 400, a training programme with more than 1700 candidates trained in automated gates, industrial doors, or garage doors, 10 members of employed staff, 6 consultants, 6 groups, a fresh, new image and Eric Skelding celebrating his 100th birthday.
As with all good trade associations, things must keep moving forward. DHF find themselves with the need to move premises again. Bob Perry clarifies,“ we are now in a position where we have clearly run out of space in the current offices and are seeking new offices that will see DHF grow internally as well as provide a professional environment for all staff and visitors.” He continues,“ the plan ahead for DHF is exciting and we’ ve already kick started 2018 off with the introduction of a new one-day training course for industrial door installers, adding to our already comprehensive training programme.”
For further information about DHF visit the website www. dhfonline. org. uk.
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL. CO. UK | MAR / APR 2018 Sponsored by Lockex 2018- Security & Fire Safety