The GAI members’ day on 27 May saw more than 200 door hardware professionals from around the world join the virtual event to see what the future holds for the architectural ironmongery industry.
The first keynote session of the day, The Future of Architectural Ironmongery, saw an expert panel debate the construction industry trends that could significantly impact on the role of door and window hardware professionals.
Hannah Mansell, UK group technical director Masonite UK, Paul Martin, UK managing director of dline, Steve Bewick, chief operating officer for access control EMEA dormakaba and Richard Waterhouse, a consultant and former chief executive officer at NBS, joined chair Liz Male, director of PR and communications consultancy LMC, to discuss the key issues affecting the sector and the implications for businesses, individuals and for the Guild itself.
The panellists identified three major themes exercising the sector over the next five years: the changing fire safety regulatory landscape, an increased focus on sustainability, and the significant shift towards data and digitalisation. They also explored issues such as whether they would recommend architectural ironmongery as a career – and the skills and attributes that would be needed by newcomers for a successful future in the industry.
The event continued with the GAI’s AGM, at which Mario Del-Signore, managing director of CES Security Solutions UK, was announced as the new president of the Guild, alongside Kaz Spiewakowski MD of GEZE UK as vice president and Steve Bewick as the Guild’s new treasurer. The rest of the event consisted of a customisable agenda. Attendees could choose between a selection of sessions covering standards, key business issues and member benefits.
As part of a virtual product showcase, attendees could preview new products from a wide range of manufacturers and suppliers, including from GEZE, Forza Doors, HOPPE (UK), Codelocks, Croft, Strand Hardware, Mann McGowan, Masonite UK, Simonswerk, ABLOY and others.
The final keynote of the day was a comparison between British, European and American standards by Laura Frye Weaver, vice president of education, certification and technical activities at the Door Hardware Institute in the USA and Douglas Masterson of the GAI.
The event can be watched at www.gai.org.uk/GAIMD
