Door Industry Journal - Winter 2017

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk THE door industry journal winter 2017 industry news feature 12 By 2004 ABHM was considering the possibility of a merger with another federation. Michael Skelding suggested that a link with DSMA could be fruitful and it was agreed that ABHM and DSMA would amalgamate to form Door & Hardware Federation – now known as dhf . Door & Hardware Federation inherited the CEO of DSMA – Derek Smith, formerly of Bolton Gate. From that time on Door & Hardware Federation grew, absorbing the Association of Garage Door Specialists; DSMA already included many of the leading garage door manufacturers and this introduced the installers into the mix. The federation was by now looking after four industry sectors: Locks & Building Hardware, Industrial Doors & Shutters, Domestic Garage Doors and Steel Doorsets. In 2008 the decision was taken to have a directly employed secretariat. From 1st November Michael Skelding and Kay Scattergood became employees of dhf . A year later in 2009 Timber Doorsets came into the ‘frame’ and Bob Perry was installed as Executive Chairman. After a suggestion by the Health & Safety Executive, in 2011 Door & Hardware Federation created the Automated Gate Group and a whole new training programme was born in 2013. Bob eventually took over the role of CEO officially in 2015. One hundred and twenty years later, dhf is still going from strength to strength. In this poignant year, there has been significant changes that has seen membership increase to over 400, a training programme with over 1700 candidates trained in automated gates, industrial doors, or garage doors, 10 members of employed staff, 6 consultants, 6 groups, a whole fresh image, a shorter name reference and Eric Skelding celebrating his 100th birthday. As with all good trade associations, things must keep moving forward. dhf find themselves with the need to move premises again. Bob Perry clarifies, “we are now in a position where we have clearly run out of space in the current offices. We’re on the lookout for offices that can see dhf grow internally as well as provide a professional environment for all staff and visitors.” He continues, “the plan ahead for dhf is exciting and we’re already planning to kick start 2018 off with the introduction of a new one-day training course for industrial door installers, adding to our already comprehensive training programme.” For further information about dhf visit the website www.dhfonline.org.uk . Kay Scattergood Together with Messe Stuttgart, we are inviting you to visit this unique industry event. Secure your free admission ticket by downloading your promotional code form the members’ area of the dhf website. Redeem online at www.rt-expo.com/ticket • Select “Redeem promotional code” . • Enter the code and follow the instructions. • Download and print your free admission ticket. ( Please note: The promotional code can only be redeemed online and not at the trade fair. The promotional code can be used multiple times, meaning you can generate an admission ticket for each day of the trade fair.) FREE ADMISSION to R+T 2018 for dhf members