Door Industry Journal - Summer 2012

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk THE door industry journal summer 2012 industry news DHF PROMISE OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS DRIVES UP QUALITY LEVELS Compliance with minimum technical standards by Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) members is now assured following a key appointment to the federation’s technical advisory team. Don Sowley will act as a DHF-approved inspector of the new scheme, ensuring members adhere to standards of capability, customer service and quality. He will also help manufacturing members of the DHF needing assistance in achieving audited factory production control as part of the process of meeting the quality assured standards. The scheme is part of a major initiative from the DHF, the voice of the UK door and hardware sector, designed to further drive up quality levels in the industry. It applies to all members involved in the manufacture, supply, installation and maintenance of their products. It is one of a number of strategies adopted by the DHF which is raising the bar in terms of the standards of technical competence offered by its member companies. The full implementation of the DHF scheme from April 1, 2012 follows the introduction last year of a strengthened Code of Conduct governing members’ standards of workmanship, quality assurance, training, safety and business integrity. Executive chairman Bob Perry pointed out that “raising standards” has been the clarion call underpinning the federation’s quality drive for the past few years. “The scheme recognises the consistent high standards adopted by our members by establishing formal and measurable criteria against which our members can be judged. The appointment of Don Sowley as inspector is the guarantee to customers that the quality levels of all our members is subject to inspection. “It means that specifiers, contractors and end users will be able to obtain products and services of a guaranteed quality from DHF members. It is also their reassurance that DHF members they are dealing with are meeting all their obligations under forthcoming CE marking legislation.” A number of quality assured standards must be reached by members, depending on whether they are manufacturers, installers, service & repair companies or distributors. These include having third party audited factory production control schemes in place, offering compliance with harmonised standards and making declarations under the Machinery Directive. Other minimum levels to be attained by DHF members include being compliant with various repair, service and installation standards, fire door certification and demonstrating a commitment to training. For more information, visit www.dhfonline.org.uk 8 PLEASE HELP SOUTH WEST GARAGE DOORS SUPPORT CANCER RESEARCH A team from South West Garage Doors will be cycling the length of the UK, the hard way, in aid of cancer research. The 234 Challenge - Top 2 Bottom, 3 riders 4 Cancer Research - will set out from the most northerly point in Scotland, Dunnet Head, on September 5th. The team expect to reach their destination, the southern most tip of England, Lizard Point, 9 days later, cycling an average of over 92 miles a day. Covering the 833 mile route from North to South is considered the most difficult direction to choose as the geographic formation of the UK means steeper hills have to be climbed at the end and the prevailing “summer” winds are usually from the southwest and will be in their faces. Though keen leisure cyclists, the three man team of Jon Burtenshaw, his son Jack Burtenshaw and colleague Matt May, have never considered anything like this before. Having shared the trauma of family members suffering from cancer the trio where determined to do something to fight the disease. Support has already been received from Hörmann (UK) Ltd and their Transport Manager, Mick Dunne, has planned the route and will drive the support vehicle. Jon Burtenshaw is calling on the whole of the door industry to help them to smash their modest £3000 target. “This will be the only time we are going to do this and to be honest, I’m not looking forward to the pain but hope we can achieve a great deal for a very worthy cause.” If you want to contribute to the fundraising effort go to www.justgiving.com/234challenge and don’t forget to add some words of support. FROM DUNNET HEAD TO THE LIZARD POINT