Door Industry Journal - Spring 2017

THE door industry journal spring 2017 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk OPEN DOORS TIME MARCHES ON ……… Well, I can’t believe that our first DHF Gala Dinner was over two years ago, and here we are again having just had our second - this time, at the Belfry Hotel, Sutton Coldfield. The event received excellent support from our members and we had to close bookings when we reached 200 people, which was the maximum for the room. I appreciate that such events as a Gala Dinner may be considered by some as rather passé but, in today’s business world of constant pressure and stress, I think it is quite refreshing to ‘let your hair down’ once in a while. Moving on to business matters, I must first of all say a big thank you to Guy Ainsworth who is retiring at the end of March. Guy has been our PR consultant for 24 years and has made an enormous contribution to getting the DHF to where it is today. Guy has been partly retired for a number of years but that has certainly never impacted on his ability to turn around a story brief into a complete press release in a matter of hours. We all wish Guy a long and happy retirement - the DHF will not be the same without him. However, time and life goes on and I wish his replacement, Jo Spencer, all the best in talking on the role … see page 10 Finally, after many months of hard slog and brain storming we are soon to launch the new DHF website. But, it’s not just about a new website, we are taking the opportunity to revitalise the DHF image. This includes a new logo and literature style, thus creating a new DHF brand. Watch this space … hope you like it. Bob Perry, DHF CEO A regular comment column, brought to you by Bob Perry, CEO, Door and Hardware Federation For more information, please visit www.dhfonline.org.uk the next 10 years, and we are excited to have Jo join us for the journey ahead.” As for Guy, he’s planning on putting his feet up and no-one deserves it more. “I’m looking forward to taking long trips in the caravan, perhaps travelling across Europe. In addition, I’m going to attempt a long-held ambition to read the complete works of a long forgotten Victorian novelist. William Harrison Ainsworth was my great, great, great uncle and in his time, was rated on equal terms with Charles Dickens, but history proved a cruel judge. His books are now out of print but it’s interesting to know there was another writer in the family!” CHAMBERLAIN LIFTMASTER APPOINT ANDREW BUCKLER AS TERRITORY SALES MANAGER FOR THE UK & ROI Chamberlain Liftmaster have recently promoted Andrew Buckler to head up their sales and technical support activity in the UK & Ireland. Having joined the Liftmaster division in 2002, after starting out in the garage door industry back in 1987, Andrew has held a number of positions managing customer service, technical support and more recently in sales support. Director of Sales Northern Europe, Jack Akkermans said: “Andrews’s dedication has proven repeatedly his passion for our company values. Andrew is a cornerstone of our drive to bring the very best products and service to all of our customers”. Chamberlain Liftmaster is a World leader in the manufacture and supply of garage door, gate automation, drive controls and remote controls. Please contact Andrew for further details at: E: andrew.buckler@chamberlain.com M: +44 (0) 7796 148 957 T: + 44 (0) 1935 823900.