A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE IAI CHAIR... • 37
THE ROLE HAS ENABLED YOU
TO ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE
FROM AROUND THE WORLD
INCLUDING HONG KONG,
DUBAI AND CHINA. IS THERE
ANYTHING YOU LEARNT FROM
YOUR EXPERIENCE IN ASIA?
The way they specify and
supply their projects is completely
different to the UK. Manufacturers
in Asia supply everything on a
project and they work much more
closely with the architects. Over
here, we have an ironmonger who
will take products from various
different manufacturers and put
them together for a project.
In overseas branches I noticed
there was a lot of motivation to
top-up knowledge and a real
keenness to hear from different
industry experts. In Asia, the
people have to adhere to a
mixture of European and American
standards, so they take every
opportunity they can to learn
about European standards.
When visiting China, I was
impressed to see so many young
women in well-respected roles and
a fair mix of both men and women
in good positions.
‘In oversea
branches I noticed
there was a lot of
motivation to top-
up knowledge’
WHAT DO CUSTOMERS
REALLY WANT TO SEE IN
THE NEXT GENERATION
OF ACCESS CONTROL?
Businesses are interested in the
future of connected products and
tracking. For example, Codelocks
has provided an access control
solution for an innovative start-up that
embraced the self-serviced model
by offering 24/7 access to its facility.
The company integrated smart lock
products with a cloud-based system
allowing people to book online and
obtain a unique code to gain timed
entry. This innovative approach to
hiring out space significantly reduced
overheads and there is now no need
to staff the site 24 hours a day. This
business model has been incredibly
successful in increasing business
growth.
WHAT ARE THE KEY
CHALLENGES FACING THE
SECTOR IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS?
Fire rating and testing will
always be an issue and I would
like to see more standards and
regulations around installation and
the maintenance of door hardware
products.
New integrated technology
will be a massive challenge, so it
is essential that the industry has
the knowledge to satisfy smart,
connected products.
It is extremely apparent that Asia
is not standing still and is looking at
the next generation of innovative
projects. Whilst I was there, I saw
innovative use of finger print
readers and retina scanners, which
were all very aesthetically pleasing
too – something that we perhaps
don’t consider enough over here.
WHAT SHOULD INDIVIDUAL
BUSINESSES DO TO PREPARE
FOR DEVELOPMENTS
IN TECHNOLOGY?
It’s important that businesses
recognise how people are living
today, as well as what products
they currently have and how these
may or may not fit in the future.
It’s not just about door locks
anymore, especially not for
Codelocks, lots of multi-occupancy
offices use hot desks, so businesses
need a solution where employees
can lock up their personal
belongings when they go for lunch
etc. Particularly in towns and cities
where parking restrictions and low
emission zones are active, people
need bicycle storage solutions
where they can use an app to store
their bike for the day.
I think businesses, installers
and manufacturers should learn
as much as they can, whether it
means reading industry articles,
attending events or investing in
training and innovation.
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WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING
FORWARD TO IN YOUR
REMAINING FEW MONTHS
AS IAI CHAIR?
I have made many key
relationships via the institute,
so I am looking to establish
more connections and share my
knowledge with IAI members, the
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
(GAI) and Codelocks customers.
I am also excited to see more
changes in the IAI that will occur
over the next 12 months through
The One Future Vision work that
is gathering momentum. I am sad
that this role will come to end, I
have really enjoyed it and now I
don’t want to give it up.
ABOUT JO MILNE-ROWE
Jo has been in the industry
for over 19 years with a wealth
of experience in architectural
hardware, mechanical security and
electronic access control. Since
2016, she has served as chair
for the southeast region of the
IAI alongside her current role as
business development manager at
Codelocks.