Door Industry Journal - Summer 2015

industry news 23 THE door industry journal summer 2015 SOMMER/DOCO CUSTOMERS ENJOY A GERMAN JOURNEY The team at SOMMER/DOCO recently put a smile on their customers’ faces by organising an all-expenses paid trip to Germany. The party explored the culture of German manufacturing and gained an insight into why SOMMER/DOCO is one of the leading manufacturers in Europe. The trip included a factory tour of SOMMER, product demonstrations and the chance for a bit of fun. Star of the show during the SOMMER factory tour was undoubtedly the new base+ operator, which had the assembled throng buzzing with excitement about the new generation of top quality SOMMER operators. Members of the party also got the chance to learn more about the DOCO EXS40 domestic sectional door system. This impressed everyone and there was very positive feedback on the quality of workmanship and design. There was time for some relaxation too, thanks to a visit to a nearby shooting club. Everybody had the chance to show off their marksmanship skills using .22 calibre rifles fitted with competition triggers, before enjoying a meal of local food and beer. On the next evening, the party enjoyed a tour of the Gerber Brau brewery and discovered how one of Germany’s best beers is produced. “Good company and a fascinating insight into SOMMER/DOCO products and working practices, not to mention great food and beer, made this another fantastic SOMMER/DOCO promotional trip,” says Theuns Liebenberg, Technical Sales Manager at SOMMER UK. “We are confident that a few more people are ready to join the SOMMER/DOCO family, or expand their existing relationship, as they have now seen just what a professional operation is being run in Germany.” For more information about the great products and services from SOMMER/DOCO please contact the sales teams at sales@sommeruk.com and sales@doco-international.co.uk Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk ALLEGION ACQUIRES SLIDING, FOLDING DOOR HARDWARE LEADER BRIO Allegion, plc, a leading global security products and solutions provider, has recently acquired the assets of Brio, a division of RMD Industries Pty Ltd. Brio is a market-leading designer and manufacturer of sliding and folding door hardware for commercial and residential spaces in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Phil Street, Commercial Director for the UK and MEA regions at Allegion, said: “The acquisition of Brio allows Allegion to enter the sliding and folding door hardware market with an already strong brand reputation and high-quality products, while also providing expansion opportunities around the world. “The sliding and folding door hardware market has obvious synergies with the ‘around-the-doorway’ security markets Allegion leads, so we already have the technical capabilities needed to support this new product offering for our customers. With our strong global specification writing teams and sales coverage, we’ll be able to leverage Brio’s position across the globe to drive growth for Allegion and our portfolio of brands.” Brio’s suite of products includes door hardware systems and accessories for interior sliding and folding doors; WeatherfoldTM exterior folding doors; straight-sliding, top-hung doors; straight-sliding, bottom-roller doors; and retractable insect screens. Brio General Manager Styli Pelekanos said the acquisition was a strategic one for both entities. “To be part of Allegion is exciting - almost overnight we are expanding our global footprint,” said Pelekanos. “Brio has spent many years developing a wide range of unique products that have benefited and solved problems for our customers.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. For more information on Allegion’s door solutions portfolio, please go to www.allegion.co.uk