Metal
doors metal shutters
DHF - to be lead by David Whitworth
Door hardware industry stalwart David
Whitworth was elected chairman of the Door & Hardware Federation
(DHF) at its recent Conference and Expo.
He will now oversee the implementation of a strategy, unveiled
at the event, designed to increase the size of the federation
and make it more influential in the market place to the
commercial benefit of its members.
The DHF now represents the majority of the key players in
industrial and commercial doors & shutters and garage doors, and
also represents the leading UK manufacturers of building
hardware and architectural ironmongery.
David, who is a director of a number of UK and European hardware
manufacturing and distribution companies, is vice president of
the European Hardware Manufacturers Association (ARGE). He has
twice been chairman of the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI).
He was chief executive of architectural ironmongers the Laidlaw
Group for 30 years which he took onto the Stock Exchange
and went on to become main board director of the Newman Tonks
Group until its acquisition by Ingersoll Rand.
He was described by outgoing DHF chairman Andrew Lloyd, managing
director of Bolton Gate Co Ltd, as a "legend" in the hardware
sector. "His name is synonymous with the door hardware
industry," he said.
David told the conference, held at Loughborough University: "In
his two years as chairman, Andrew Lloyd has worked with chief
executive Ian Wood to put a strategy in place for the
federation. It's my job now to deliver results for the members
and for the industry."
Members heard that there were three key objectives in the
strategy: to promote members' shareholder value; to provide the
highest level of expert direction to members to satisfy the
regulatory and statutory requirements in their markets; and to
grow external awareness of the role of the DHF in the UK
construction market. Over the next two years a wide-ranging
programme of initiatives designed to meet these objectives will
be put in place.
Bob Perry, managing director of Laser Key UK, a division of
Yale, was elected as vice chairman of the DHF.
After the formal meeting, members and delegates attended a
number of workshops covering a wide variety of current industry
topics including certification, the new lock standards, health &
safety and employment issues. Throughout the day, delegates -
including non-DHF members - visited the DHF Expo where more than
30 exhibitors showcased the best of the UK's door, shutter and
hardware industry.
Email:
guy@ainsworth-pr.co.uk