Door Industry Journal - Summer 2013

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk industry news 9 THE door industry journal summer 2013 LORIENT MIDDLE EAST UNVEILS ITS NEW EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR An exciting new chapter began in July for Lorient in the Middle East. A closer partnership with leading architectural hardware and doorset provider, Laidlaw Interiors Group International, Gulf office is set to reinvigorate its business in the GCC and further afield. Laidlaw has been appointed the exclusive distributor for Lorient’s range of market leading acoustic, smoke and fire sealing systems. With a trading relationship that goes back many years, the two teams know each other very well and Laidlaw staff are already very experienced in working with Lorient’s products. Laidlaw Interiors Group CEO John Jefferies is viewing this partnership as complementary to its Dubai based business. Speaking of the news, Jefferies said, “I’m delighted that Laidlaw is now representing Lorient’s range of premium sealing systems. The market here is loyal to quality brands and Lorient is one of those brands which has been widely specified for decades and has a superb reputation for quality and performance. That is why it fits so well with the Laidlaw offer. We’re looking forward to working with the Lorient team on a number of initiatives and to introducing some exciting Lorient innovations to the region. Our wide range of stock held locally in Dubai means that our customers can be assured of efficient service and speedy delivery”. The partnership, agreed recently in Dubai, gives Lorient Group MD, Maria Simmonds peace of mind that customers loyal to the Lorient brand will continue to be able to be supported with local expertise and knowledge - as well as providing the opportunity to take the range into neighbouring markets; “We couldn’t have made a better choice for a distributor. Laidlaw Interiors Group International, Gulf office has the right presence and reputation, and employs the talented schedulers necessary to give our range of high performance sealing systems the right kind of representation. We’re looking forward to a very successful first year of many working with Laidlaw” said Simmonds. For all enquiries, please contact the Sales team at Laidlaw Interiors Group International out of the Gulf office on +971 4885 7404 or visit the Lorient website for more information www.lorientgroup.com MARIA SIMMONDS, MD OF LORIENT APPOINTED GAI VICE PRESIDENT The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has appointed a new President; John Jefferies, CEO of Laidlaw Interiors Group. John is joined by his new Vice President - Maria Simmonds, Managing Director of Lorient - a respected designer and manufacturer of architectural door seals. The GAI is the UK’s only trade body solely dedicated to promoting the interests of the whole architectural ironmongery industry. Maria joined the GAI Executive in 2006; during that time she has been an instrumental member of the Marketing Committee and worked assiduously on a number of smaller task groups for special projects. In fact, she was a member of the founding group of the Fire Door Inspection Scheme - a joint initiative between the GAI and BWF Certifire. With 20 years’ industry experience, an MBA and Diploma in Marketing, Maria is able to contribute to all aspects of the GAI’s strategic planning and implementation. She is particularly passionate about the highly respected education programme; promoting the GAI overseas and is a keen advocate of social media as a tool for the GAI and IAI. Maria was elected and named Vice President at the GAI AGM and conference on the 18th May and on her appointment said: “Being appointed as Vice President to John Jefferies for the next two years is a great honour. I believe that these are very exciting times for the Architectural Ironmongery industry and I hope that I can contribute to the delivery of a robust future for the GAI both here in the UK and throughout the world. We are an industry passionate about what we uniquely offer and we have an education programme the envy of many professional institutions. Our agenda is challenging, but John and I are supported by both Shaun Brown as National Chairman and Mario Del Signore as Vice Chair of the Institute of Architectural Ironmongers, along with a wonderful team in London. Together we are committed to achieving the right kind of progress for all of our members”.