Door Industry Journal - Summer 2014

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk THE door industry journal summer 2014 MUL- T -PLEXED INNOVATE TO DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH Encouraging signs of a strengthening of Britain’s economic recovery have emerged with new figures showing that investment by businesses grew by a larger than expected amount in the first three months of this year. Here, Steve Ross, Managing Director of Mul-T-Lock looks at what this means for the door and hardware industry. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that investment rose by 5%, or £1.6bn, on the previous quarter to £33.4bn in the first three months of 2014, meaning five consecutive periods of growth for the first time since 1998. The improvement, which indicates that the UK is becoming less reliant on consumer spending, was responsible for half of the overall first- quarter GDP rate of 0.8%. Such positive developments are welcome news, and whilst it may only be cautiously received, it will undoubtedly bring fresh opportunities to the door market. It is going to place a premium on innovation, creating the future products that excite customers both technically and in an ability to deliver first class service across the board. Mul-T-Lock UK is already on the case with the launch of new products and services, designed to provide credible and effective hardware solutions that can be easily installed to ensure high performance durable security, and this is in the arena of innovative mechanical solutions alongside advances in access control. We are working with our network of professional partners across the UK and Ireland to ensure new products and services deliver on what is being asked for and what the market requires Take the new addition to our popular SMARTair™ portfolio; SMARTair™ Genesis, a unique access control system based around electronic handle sets which allows access rights on entrance and interior doors to be amended on a daily basis, via convenient uploads and downloads at the point of entry to a building. Mul-T-Lock SMARTair™ Genesis system is the perfect match for any small to medium sized application. The system allows organisations to manage doors from the convenience of their own desk in a wirefree electronic access structure. Critically, SMARTair™ Genesis offers a cost effective, manageable and flexible security solution that has been designed specifically to ensure our professional installers can complete the installation process; even without prior experience of working with access control. In summary, we are under no illusion that although the economic recovery is gathering speed, budgetary constraints will remain in place for many. Increasing innovative product development is a proven driver of growth, and something to which Mul-T-Lock is absolutely committed, to develop and add business value for the benefit of our customers and their customers at the same time. A regular comment column, looking at the bigger picture, brought to you by Steve Ross, Managing Director at Mul-T-Lock. Steve Ross Managing Director Mul-T-Lock UK For more information on SMARTair™ Genesis or the mechanical and access control solutions available from Mul-T-Lock, please visit www.mul-t-lock.co.uk Locksmiths. When guests leave and forget to return keys, alongside the obvious security vulnerabilities on site, it becomes difficult to run the hotel efficiently. “We have worked with MC Locksmiths Services Limited a long time and trust their judgement, so when they recommended switching to an access control system as stylish and cost effective as SMARTair™, we had little hesitation. “The system is fantastic; it was installed effortlessly and is really easy to use, even for those staff who are not computer literate. We arranged for our other hotels to be upgraded and would have no issue in recommending SMARTair to other independent hotel operators.” Mark Corrin of MC Locksmiths Services Limited added: “SMARTair™ electronic handle sets real advantage over its competition is how easy it is to install, programme and maintain, alongside its stylish finish. These are all critical features to offer a hotel environment where any maintenance work has to be carried out with due care not to affect the daily operations, or the guest experience. With it being supplied by Mul-T-Lock, globally renowned for offering premium security, the end result is a high performance access control management system for owners, staff and guests’ peace of mind.” Steve Ross, Managing Director of Mul-T-Lock concluded: “Mul-T-Lock SMARTair™ is cleverly designed as an all-in-one wire free access control system, perfectly suited for the professional locksmith to install. Its ability to deliver flexibility, convenience and usability, wrapped in an aesthetically appealing design, and offered at a substantially lower cost than traditional integrated access control systems, ensures HQ Bars and similar independent hotel chains can instantly meet the security demands of today’s ever changing hospitality environment.” Mul-T-Lock SMARTair™ overcomes many of the obstacles traditionally associated with access control systems as an intelligent electronic device with ease of use at the heart of its design. For further information on Mul-T-Lock SMARTair and the full range of solutions available for independent hotels, please visit www.smarthotelsecurity.co.uk.