Door Industry Journal - Summer 2016

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 24 THE door industry journal summer 2016 industry news TEAM BUILDING DAY FOR AMO GROUP STAFF AMO Group recently held a team building day for its staff. The morning comprised of a classroom based exercise on how to work better with one another using the principles of Disc. The afternoon was spent at Wakefield Beer Festival. The Beer Festival is held annually at the newly refurbished Unity Hall in Wakefield Town Centre, organised by members of Wakefield Round Table, the event raises money for local charities. This year one of the main beneficiaries was Wakefield Hospice, AMO Group’s chosen charity. Andrew Crookes, Managing Director said: “I was approached to be a sponsor for the event at a hospice networking event (Business Buddies) that we are involved with. We do what we can to support the Wakefield Hospice and this was an ideal opportunity to do this whilst rewarding the staff for their continued support and hard work. “The morning was very interesting, looking into how best to communicate with different styles of people. It was a warm day and by lunchtime we had all worked hard enough to deserve a well-earned drink. As sponsors, we had access to the bar with over 100 Real Ales and Craft Beers from all over the UK. There was even Prosecco on tap along with live music and street food”. All in all, a good day was had by all. www.amosecurity.co.uk www.discprofile.com IRONMONGERY ACCOLADES FOR HOPPE UK Two of HOPPE UK’s most highly qualified and experienced door hardware experts have received recognition this year from the Institute of Architectural Ironmongers (IAI). Andy Matthews, HOPPE UK’s head of sales for UK and Ireland, was awarded the IAI’s most prestigious accolade – the IAI Fellowship Award – for 2016. Andy was praised for his tireless work championing the value of IAI membership, and in particular promoting the Registered Architectural Ironmonger (RegAI) qualification. RegAI is a significant and meaningful qualification which must be renewed every year. Registered Architectural Ironmongers are required to demonstrate the highest possible standards of education and professionalism, and must prove they are fully up-to- date with industry standards, regulations and legislation. HOPPE UK is one of the most qualified hardware manufacturers and suppliers, with five RegAIs in the company, all of whom help to improve door and window hardware specifications and add value to HOPPE’s services to the market. Andy is a professional sales manager who has worked in the architectural ironmongery industry for nearly 30 years and has been part of the HOPPE sales team for almost 10 of those. He became national chairman of the IAI in 2011 and took the organisation forward, revitalising the national AGM and receiving the Guild of Architectural Ironmonger’s (GAI) Award for Services to the Institute at the end of his tenure in 2013. He currently serves on the Guild’s executive committee. Karen Nelson is also one of HOPPE’s RegAIs and is business development manager at HOPPE with specialist expertise in hinges. She has 15 years’ experience in the industry and has been with HOPPE for a year. Karen has now also been appointed as chairman of the IAI’s Midlands branch. Although this is one of the Institute’s most active and well- supported branches, Karen has strong ambitions to increase the number of qualified architectural ironmongers attending its meetings and maintaining CPD to gain RegAI status. She also intends to grow the branch’s unique charitable fund-raising efforts. Over the last few years, IAI Midlands branch members have raised almost £1,000 to support the YETGA Theatre School. Karen says: “HOPPE provides huge support to the IAI and the GAI, and encouragement to me, Andy and others in the business who want to give something back to the industry.” Founded in 1988 HOPPE (UK) Ltd is a market leader in the field of door and window hardware. Based in Wolverhampton, where it operates from a purpose built state-of-the-art distribution centre, HOPPE UK is committed to serving customers with pride. HOPPE’s products have been tested to meet the latest European and British standards, offering quality and innovation to all sectors of the market. The company is part of the family-owned HOPPE group with manufacturing plants across Europe and North America and more than 3000 employees. www.hoppe.com/gb/en/home