WINDOWS | INNOVATION
CELEBRATING
45 YEARS
“I
nnovation is what drives our industry,”
says Alchin Long Group CEO, Nigel
Long. “The ability to think outside the
box is what has always driven technology
and our ability to solve complex issues in
new and exciting ways is the only way to stay
at the forefront of the industry.”
Nigel has seen window and door hardware
manufacturing company, Doric, grow from
a tiny brass window fabrication business
based above a racehorse stable, to a market-
leading multinational business supplying
innovative window and door hardware for
residential, commercial and architectural
applications.
While a lot of companies have come and
gone in the four decades since Doric first
opened its doors, the Sydney-based business
has proven time and time again why it’s a
staple of the window and door industry with
an endless hunger for innovation.
Doric has remained a staple in the market,
through thick and thin, and over three
generations, with the industry supporting
the company in hard times, particularly
through the catastrophic fire in 2004. In
return, Doric has supported the window and
door industry, with 45 years of commitment
and dedication to constantly innovating and
22 Winter 2017
bringing new products.
“Our focus on innovation is what dictates our
success as a business as well as influencing
the direction of the industry. It’s really
exciting to be a part of that process and
we constantly encourage that passion for
innovation to cultivate throughout the entire
business,” says Nigel.
Doric’s network of branches provides
industry-leading service and extensive
experience across a broad range of products
from sliding patio door locks, hinges,
architectural lever handles and awning stays.
Throughout product testing, manufacturing
processes and personnel training, Doric has
led the way. And the company’s efforts have
been rewarded with plenty of recognition.
Doric has been awarded multiple AWA
Design Awards to date, including ‘Most
Innovative Component’ in 2007, 2009 and
in 2016 for the ground-breaking DN8000
High Performance Self Latching Multi-Point
System.
In true Doric style, the DN8000 was a
product which pushed the boundaries in
innovation and design. Designed for awning
and casement window applications, this
system is the first of its kind in that it has
been designed, developed and tested
to meet the specific requirements of the
Australasian market. It is also the world’s first
locking system that allows a window to ‘self
latch’ under potentially damaging high wind
loads through an optional integrated self
latching mechanism.
A big part of Doric’s success over the
decades has been the team’s emphasis on
research and development. With a dedicated
team of industrial designers, mechanical and
electrical engineers, Doric’s R&D department
explores a broad range of concepts and has
the facilities to rapidly test them through
prototyping.
These R&D capabilities mean Doric provides
the highest level of design, testing, service
and delivery standards to their global client
base on demand.
“Our passion for the development of new
products that address issues specific to
Australian conditions is what has set us apart
from the competition,” says Nigel. “We’re
totally committed to the industry’s needs, so
we’re constantly evolving.”
Doric has also become well known for
its dedication to staff development,
implementing a number of successful