HOPPE is delighted to announce a new partnership with Distinction Doors. With synergy between both companies’ brand values and a shared commitment to offering the market top quality products, this new agreement is the natural next step for HOPPE and Distinction as they aim to make the world of composite doors a lot more interesting – and add value for customers.

Stewart Lamb, National Sales and Marketing Manager of HOPPE (UK) Ltd comments: “We were delighted when market leader Distinction Doors spotted the big potential for our premium Designer Door Handle Range to help add value and differentiate on behalf of their customers. Engineered with style and ergonomics as a priority, the top end brass handles are the epitome of elegance, and with handles and back plates supplied separately, there is always optimum flexibility to suite with a building’s interior. The hard wearing handles also come with the unique HOPPE Resista ® hardware 10-year surface guarantee.”

Dave Gomersall, Distinction Door’s Operations Director, explains why the HOPPE Designer range is a perfect and timely fit for the company’s plans: “We’ve previously looked at supplying hardware, but quite frankly never found anything special enough for our customer base. There are a lot of ‘me-too’ commodity products out there which don’t fit with what we want to offer the market. Then we discovered the Designer range which ticked all the boxes for us in terms of differentiation, quality, design and flexibility. Distinction has grown its business over the past eight years to now hold a UK GRP composite door market share in excess of 60% precisely by spotting new trends and products that keep us ahead of the competition. We believe the Designer range will continue to support us in maintaining this position and with HOPPE as a partner, Distinction’s tried, tested, trusted mantra will be in safe hands: Put simply, the Designer range is a top quality product from a top quality brand and although plans are still in their infancy, we have a lot of exciting roll outs planned over 2013 that will incorporate our partnership with HOPPE – watch this space!”

When times are tough, in the shorter term, it is difficult to see past getting through each day unscathed by the recession and subsequent austerity measures. But longer term, we all need to plan to succeed. Take the recent Budget. While most can expect another year of austerity, it was heartening to see the crucial release of £130 billion for the Help to Buy scheme to assist first-time buyers get a foot on the property ladder by helping them get that all important mortgage.

Never has such a measure been so essential, not just for those who have previously had to waste money in rent, unable to afford to save for a deposit on their own home, but also for the construction industry and therefore the economy as a whole. To put this into context, official data shows that every £1 invested in construction generates a return of £2.84 to the British economy. Add to this the vast revenue produced by employment in theUKconstruction industry, and we have an additional return to the GDP of 8%, according to the Construction Industry Training Bureau (CITB).

New Blood

However, all the positive measures in the world from Government will not serve to protect the future of construction if there are simply not enough young people taking up training and apprenticeships in this field. A recent report by the Education and Employers Taskforce discovered that the majority of teenagers instead look to get into the already much oversubscribed culture, media and sport industries in favour of building and construction. It is vital, therefore, if our industry is to take advantage of the measures implemented by Government, that we have the kind of courses and apprenticeships available that will actually appeal to young people.

At HOPPE, we recognise that people are our number one priority. We have a very low staff turnover with 5% of staff members staying for more than 20 years. Last year, 10% of our employees qualified through the Guild of Architectural Ironmonger’s (GAI) education programme, and currently 25% of staff have a GAI qualification in the business, with several achieving diplomas and reaching AI status. 

New Products

It is particularly worth considering the evolution of the industry when thinking about staff training. The Green Deal is a case in point. In order to be a part of the scheme, individuals must be qualified to install higher tech, energy efficient solutions for customers, so we need to remain up to speed for our customers on issues such as intelligent buildings – where the fabric and service components are controlled and linked technology – a sector in which HOPPE has already invested with our dedicated Access Control Division.

But just as people in the industry must adapt, it is equally as important for companies in construction, and in the door and window industry specifically to continually invest in products. Not surprisingly, cost remains a huge factor for many companies, and so, while improving on quality, suppliers simultaneously need to focus on designing out cost. This is exactly what we aimed for when, following a customer request, we launched the quick-fit handle. Its unique integrated collet mechanism in the receiver handle allows doors to be transported with the back-plates only fitted, eliminating the risk of damaged levers – and costly call backs – and also reducing valuable time spent on installation.

New Markets

And in the bigger world, none of us can claim to be looking to the future without fully considering the implications of an ever ageing population. With people living longer, there is, inevitably, going to be a larger population of elderly and disabled people that must be catered for. Between now and 2030 there is expected to be a 50% increase in people aged 65 or older, and a doubling of people aged 85 or older, with the subsequent infirmities. So while we’re looking to encourage younger people to join and be part of our industry, we also need to have an eye on the changing demands of the market. Hardware will play a critical role is servicing these demands. We recognised this a while ago and under our ARRONE^®   brand we are already offering a comprehensive collection of solutions for disability adaptations like door closers, emergency exit solutions and specialist disabled fittings.

But far from resting on our laurels, HOPPE will continue to invest in our products and our people. That way our customers can rest assured that we are there for them with a solution, whatever the future may hold.

Despite turbulent recent times for the hardware sector, and a significant reduction in volumes of door and window products sold over the last five years, the number of hardware suppliers has increased. This untenable situation is changing fast and the current successful hardware companies are those who’ve made serious investment and commitment to the market. HOPPE is one of these. Celebrating its 60^th Anniversary in Europe and 25 years in theUK, continuing innovation and product launches have extended our range to over 9,000 products. As tough as the market may be, we’ve kept our heads down and continued to do what we do best – develop innovative, quality hardware for the door and window market to ensure our customers have the best solutions to help them win business. 

Like all the brand leaders, we’ve invested heavily in exhibiting at the FIT show where we are showcasing some of our latest solutions. On display will be our next generation products – the segmented duravert^®, duraplus^® and duranorm^® lines.  Developed to ensure customers enjoy optimum price/benefit ratio, whatever the requirement, the new segmentation offers a faster and easier way to find the right product for the right application.  Also featuring will be our Security Handle for Entrance Doors, sales of which over the last 12 months have increased by over 35% as security conscious customers sell on the benefits.

True Competitive Advantage

With the support of HOPPE global manufacturing and over 3000 skilled employees, HOPPE (UK) has the resources to truly support our customers. An example is our patented quick-fit handle. A customer wanted a good quality handle that could be quickly and easily fitted directly prior to property handover, reducing the risk of damage. The quick-fit HOPPE handles have an integrated collet mechanism in the receiver handle that allows doors to be transported with the back-plates only fitted, eliminating the risk of damaged levers. Having a skilled team is crucial but so too is having the capability to respond quickly to the needs of our customers who want advice and support from us, not just products in boxes.

LIFE AFTER FIT

But the HOPPE team that will be out in force at the FIT show will also have their eyes on the future. The market is evolving and our business will continue to evolve too. Under the leadership of our new CEO, Ged Ryan, we will be launching new products during 2013 alongside an assertive marketing campaign of our complementary range.

And to stay ahead of our forecast growth, we’ll continue to invest in our people and quality systems. Measurement is a key part of what we do and that includes every product that leaves our 50,000^ft2 facility and distribution hub. KPIs in place to monitor and measure company performance for outstanding customer service include OTIF levels for which we consistently achieve over 98%, and next day delivery on all orders placed by 4pm (98.6%). Target and achieved response time on all inbound customer calls is 10 seconds – no mean feat when you consider we take 600+ enquiries every day, that’s 80 a day for each of our call centre staff.

As one of the longest established hardware suppliers, HOPPE has a great reputation both in the UKmarketplace and around the world, and we are respected for our continued investment into new product development and high levels of customer service. Our plan is to build on these strong foundations in order to help both HOPPE and our customers shine like a diamond in rough trading conditions.

HOPPE is back from the FIT show with more leads and enquiries than they could ever have predicted.

Stewart Lamb, Sales and Marketing Manager for the Door and Window Division at HOPPE (UK) Ltd explains: “What a great three days for us, and I have to say, FIT was up there as one of the best industry shows I can remember, not only in visitor quantities but in quality of companies attending too.

 “For HOPPE, the event was all about showcasing our innovative next generation products: duravert^®, duraplus^® and duranorm^®. From the top end, niche design focused retailers, to the higher volume trade fabricators, the interest in our newly segmented products was excellent. There was also a lot of demand for our new range of complementary hardware and the innovative quick-fit system which allows handles to be simply pushed together into position in a matter of seconds with the backplate already fitted to the door sash.

 “HOPPE hardware was also featured on several other stands at the show including Carl F Groupco and Distinction Doors where our partnership with them on the Designer Door Handle range for their higher spec composite doors was officially launched.”

As part of its on-going commitment to develop and deliver relevant products to the market, HOPPE announces the launch of the latest Touch bar range.

“Covering a variety of solutions for numerous applications, Andy Matthews, Sales and Marketing Manager of the Architectural Division of HOPPE (UK) Ltd explains more: “The HOPPE Touch bar range is a collection of exit hardware that combines great architectural styling with superb performance characteristics. The main feature of the design is the tactile Touch Bar which covers a door’s width making it easy to locate and comfortable to grip. It allows immediate escape when pressure is applied to any point on the bar, which is critical when it’s being used in applications where users are unfamiliar with their surroundings and need to escape fast in an emergency.

“The range includes a Single Panic Bar, a Panic Latch, a Combination Unit for Double Rebated Doors and a lever handle Outside Access Device. The lever handle outside access device can also be used in conjunction with our 800 series range of panic and emergency exit hardware. All of the relevant standards and certifications have been obtained and all are suitable for use in open public areas in accordance BS EN 1125: 2008.

“AT HOPPE, meeting the needs of our customers is always top priority.  In terms of the Touchbar range, because of the nature of the application, customers want hardware from suppliers they can trust with a proven reputation in the market, which is why we know the launch of the Touchbar range from HOPPE will be well received.”

HOPPE is delighted to have been presented with two awards from the Institute of Architectural Ironmongers (IAI) at the recent AGM and Dinner Dance.

Andy Matthews, Sales and Marketing Manager of the Architectural division at HOPPE (UK) Ltd explains: “The IAI annually gives three awards to recognise companies and individuals who have contributed above and beyond the expectations of the industry. Nominations are put forward by members of the Institute and a panel comprising of executive committee members of both the IAI and GAI decide on the successful candidates. HOPPE is delighted to have been awarded two of the three awards, which were presented at the AGM and Dinner Dance in Liverpool on the 9^th February 2013.

“The Paul Lewis Award for exceptional customer service was awarded to the HOPPE UK sales centre and I was presented with the GAI Award for services to the institute during the last 12 months.  This was a great honour for me and a superb way to conclude my term of office as national chairman.  I have really enjoyed the last two years fulfilling this role and to receive this award because of the work I have undertaken is fantastic.”

Lee Piper, Sales Centre Manager at HOPPE (UK) Ltd explains what winning the Paul Lewis Award for Exceptional Customer Service means to him and his team: “We are delighted to be awarded the Paul Lewis award for 2013 – to gain recognition from an award carrying the name of one of the torch bearers of customer services in our industry is a great honour. Our aim
is to continually strive to offer the best service to our valued customers, so to win this award is a great testament to our highly trained and customer focused sales centre team.”

HOPPE announces it is bringing to the market the AR500 Series Digital Lock range.

Andy Matthews, National Sales Manager for the HOPPE (UK) Ltd Architectural Division explains: “The AR500 series digital lock range, the latest product offering from the ARRONE^® brand range from HOPPE, is an extension to the AR/D-195 and AR/D-295 digital locks, launched in 2011.  The main difference is the AR500 range is a heavy duty series, supplied with full size return to door lever handles, allowing use as the primary lock on most public doors where external access is required. It is particularly effective in applications with high footfall, such as offices, schools, hospitals, hotels and leisure facilities.

“The AR/D-195 and AR/D-285 digital locks have proven extremely popular and, with a number of technical variations available in the series, we know the AR500 will also be well received.  Under the ARRONE^® brand, HOPPE offers an extensive range of its own architectural hardware solutions for a wide variety of applications. The overall HOPPE brand quality and reliability means you can just fit and forget, putting your trust in our certification.”

HOPPE is delighted to announce the appointment of Ged Ryan as Chief Executive Officer of HOPPE (UK) Ltd. 

With a career predominantly in the building products, lighting and control technologies markets, fulfilling sales and marketing director roles in each, Ged will lead the team at HOPPE UK.  He explains: “Although this is a new industry for me, I   am familiar with the routes to market.  I have been focussing my efforts in these early days on understanding the complexities of the hardware market, the latest products and current legislation and I am excited at the challenges ahead for us at HOPPE UK.

“It is a tough market out there at the moment but we will continue to strive for strategic growth.  HOPPE has a great reputation both in the UK marketplace and around the world and is respected for our continued investment into new product development and high levels of customer service. I plan to build on these strong foundations to grow the sales and profitability of the UK business.”

When Newcastle based Warmseal Ltd was looking to partner with a new hardware supplier for their door production, they looked no further than the manufacturer synonymous with innovation, quality and performance in hardware for the window and door and architectural sectors, HOPPE (UK) Ltd. 

Simon Flint, Manufacturing Director at Warmseal Ltd explains: “HOPPE has got a great name in the industry so when we were looking to switch suppliers, they were the obvious choice.  We chose the Atlanta Handle as it is a clean and contemporary design with some detail without being too fussy – something we knew our customers would like.  It fits well within our product range and the fact it is backed with a ten year operational and ten year surface guarantee means we have peace of mind that it will perform in the field as expected.

“We have always found HOPPE to be helpful and supportive and never had any issues with product failures or returns.  They are a longstanding, well respected and trusted brand name in the industry as they put a great deal of emphasis on quality and innovation. The vast product range coupled with HOPPE’s professionalism gives customers confidence – a confidence which in our experience, is well placed.”

As a manufacturer synonymous with innovation, quality and performance of handles, it’s no surprise that we aim to stay ahead of market demand.  In fact, that’s why we use with confidence the tagline ‘we lead, others follow’.   Achieving accreditation for the relevant standards is extremely important to us and something that drives our development.  The recent launch of our next generation products  saw us introduce  what customers tell us is the most innovative security handle on the market – developed to meet and exceed PAS24 Product Assessment Specification 2007+A2: 2011 (clause A.11, Part 1).  We have also recently achieved a two star rating under the new retrofit security standard TS007 for our new ‘Birmingham’ series of door handles.

With the 2012 version of PAS24 now released – with some significant inclusions with regards to window security – we are working hard behind the scenes to ensure our Security handles will pass the tests.  As the former clause A.11, parts 1, 2 & 3 element of the testing remains unchanged, we are sure we have nothing to worry about.

HOPPE group has been at the forefront in manufacturing security door handles for over 30 years, selling products all over Europe.  During this time we have always met the different rigorous hardware standards required by many countries within the EU.  HOPPE UK was the first to introduce security door handles to the UK in 2006 and since then we have continued to lead the market.  This is reflected in our on phenomenal sales growth year on year resulting over the period in sales in excess of 750’000 security door handles in the UK alone. Our products are widely specified for local authorities, house builders and social housing contracts.  

Our latest Security Handle has been designed with the PAS24:2012 accreditation in mind and we will be first in the queue when the testing begins – currently there is limited test house resource to allow the tests to happen. We value the fact that the market is driven by tough standards, as we are able to prove to our customers that our products are more than fit for purpose.  This is a true indication of our dominant position as a market leader in the manufacturer of security door handles.