Strand Hardware has given its company headquarters a radical make over – improving its energy efficiency, work space and creating a welcoming new hi-tech reception.

It has used products from many of its suppliers and customers for the project including new windows, fire doors, electricals, plumbing, furniture, decoration, carpeting and signage, along with some of its own ironmongery products.

The refurb in the second change project to take place at Strand Hardware in recent months and follows a review and upgrade of its warehousing processes undertaken with WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group).

It has resulted in a more modern, open plan work space for its expanding team – encouraging greater team synergy and literally breaking down walls to silo working which had been enforced by the old layout.

Strand has occupied the premises on the Premier Business Park, in Walsall, since the company was founded more than 30 years ago and according to Managing Director Steve Marshall a little modernisation has been beneficial.

“Although Strand’s offices were perfectly functional, they were looking a little dated and our work with WMG gave us the impetus to extend our programme of improvements. Not only will it enhance working conditions for the Strand Hardware team but also convey a better image of who we are and what we are about to visiting business associates.

“Efficiency has underpinned all our recent changes. This includes energy efficiency and eco-saving measures such as the introduction of natural ventilation, insulation and energy-saving devices,” he said.

Shared facilities including board room, kitchen and bathrooms have been included in the make-over and equipment upgraded. Staff have also benefitted from ergonomically designed furniture and layout.

Its reception has been reconfigured to make it lighter and more airy. It also features digital displays to welcome visitors and showcase Strand’s extensive product range.

A key driver in the process has been digitisation – reducing paper-based processes and transferring its traditional filing system to a cloud based environment.

The company is planning an open day for company contacts and has invited Mayor of Walsall to oversee a rededication ceremony.

Strand Hardware has developed leaner assembly, dispatch and warehousing processes – saving hundreds of staff hours each year – in a joint project with a crack team from Warwick University.

The project with WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) has optimised warehouse layout and movement for the efficient flow of picking, assembly and packing operations across key ranges.

It involved measuring processes via time study and motion analysis through site visits, video capture and process flow assessment. Findings outlined cycle times and mapped the movement of people.

The resulting report outlined a series of recommendations to improve process capacity, including quick wins and minor modifications to warehouse and workstations layout to introduce time savings.

This has led to the introduction of mobile Kanban shelving within the assembly area to allow components to be picked and assembled more efficiently. The double-sided racks allow bins to be restocked by a dedicated person who conveys stock between Strand’s warehouse and its head office on another part of the site.

Steve Marshall, Managing Director of Strand Hardware, said that the project had been “thorough and exacting”.

“Strand Hardware has grown over 30 years. Like most companies, while scaling up, we have focused on customer requirements and day-to-day business operations. We felt that the time had come to review what we were doing and whether we could be doing it more efficiently, which led to the opportunity to work with WMG.

“Having experts come into the business with fresh pairs of eyes, ask the right questions and with the knowledge to assess and analyse our operations has been invaluable. It was important for us not to disrupt warehouse activity, so recommendations had to incorporate improvements that would be easy to apply. In the long term, this will make our business leaner and more efficient – the ideal foundation for future growth,” he said.

The project was undertaken with funding from the Digital Innovation for Manufacturing programme.

Strand Warehouse and Production Manager Andy Michel said that it had been fascinating to work with the University Team: “The results will make the job easier for many of the team and help Strand Hardware in its continuous improvement.”

Chris Wang, of WMG SME Group added: “WMG and Strand Hardware have worked collaboratively to analyse their current assembly area in readiness for optimising their production facility. Across the three recommendations put forward, a maximum 50% reduction in cycle times per unit has been predicted which allows for a 5.105% capacity increase.”

Strand Hardware is taking the panic out of buying emergency exit solutions by outlining key considerations for specification. It urges customers to put ‘safety first’ – prioritising functionality, quality, and performance at the head of decision-making.

CE marked products for fire and escape doors are a must for architects and specifiers and best practice determines that products comply with Construction Product Regulations.

Strand Hardware’s Antipanic Emergency Exit and Panic range meet these requirements. In an emergency or panic situation, they release exit doors by means of a push bar, touch bar or a push pad on outward opening single or double doors.

For day-to-day use, doors can be opened from the outside with an outside access device.

“When an emergency door can be locked or opened from the outside, it should still be freely released from inside – maintaining security without compromising its basic panic function,” said Strand Hardware MD Steve Marshall.

He urges specifiers to identify suitable solutions by considering:

• Product range

Strand Hardware offers PH (modular push bar/push pad range), PHT (touch bar range), PHTM (motorised touch bar range) options.  Selection criteria is provided by the EN standards EN1125 and EN179 and should reflect occupancy levels.  Other matters to be considered include creating clear opening requirements, how the door is intended to be used, whether it is fire resisting, the operating environment etc.  Aesthetics and budget will also have a place, but these are secondary to the life safety aspect.

• Door/frame material and design

Different strikes are used to suit various door materials and construction. For PVCU doors and frames, a range of profile related strikes are available for which the system manufacturer and profile model is needed.  Glass doors require patch fittings to suit the escape device and door construction. Whether the doors are fire-resisting and how the door is hung will also have a bearing.

• Locking latch arrangement and number

Single and three-point locking latches are available across all the ranges with the ability to convert on site from three point to two point in the most cases.  Factors to be considered include whether the door is single or double, construction, material and size.  For double doors requiring escape through both leaves, it is critical that whichever door leaf is operated it must open and whether the doors are rebated through the lock stile section/overlapping plates or are plain edged.

• Outside access

External access can be provided by a mechanical outside access device, using a key, push button digital combination and in most cases either a lever handle or knob.  Again, thought needs to be given to how the door is to be used.  Most electronic access control can be accommodated by use of an internal motorised touch bar.

• Size of door

Door widths and heights should be checked before ordering as many wider and taller doors can be catered for from stock by use of wider crossbars, wider model touch bars and extra-long rod kits.

• Finish

Powder coated white and black finishes are available from stock along with the standard silver grey, which have the option of a green cross bar.  A decorative plated satin stainless steel finish and simulated polished brass are available for many ranges.  Where a high degree of corrosion resistance is necessary the DFine grade 316 stainless steel is available.  Many other finishes can be provided to special order.

For more information on Strand Hardware’s emergency exit and panic hardware range contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call: 01922 639111.

Strand Hardware has introduced new products to its panic and emergency hardware range to provide customers with a one-stop shop for complete solutions to key products.

Armoured door loops, power supply units (PSU) and PSU batteries to provide battery back-up are now available to purchase alongside the Strand Antipanic Motorised Touch Bar range.

Until now, Strand Hardware customers have needed to source these items from other suppliers. Being able to buy them in one place should save time and money by incorporating into existing orders, thereby reducing costs.

The power supply units (PSU) are used to convert the external mains voltage, 240v into the required voltage current to operate the motorised touch bar which is 12 – 24v DC or 12v AC.

The additions have been competitively priced and meet Stand Hardware’s exacting quality standards.

Said Strand Hardware Sales Director Craig Fox: “These products are useful additions to our key motorised touch bar products: the PHTM0, 55 and 57. Most businesses are currently experiencing increased costs throughout their supply chain, so it makes sense for Strand to stock items as a total solutions package and help our customers save time and money.”

For more information contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call: 01922 639111

www.strandhardware.co.uk

Not all finger protection devices are made the same – that’s the message from Strand Hardware which is urging customers to apply the “gold standard” for safety and durability.

BS 8613 specifies requirements and test methods for durability, strength and effective function of finger protection. This includes assessment of durability and effectiveness applied to conditions and temperature.

But not all products sold in the UK meet this standard. In recent years, the market has been flooded by cheap imports, many with components that are far from durable. Often made from plastic, they can become brittle and break, becoming a hazard in themselves.

As the UK’s market leader in the supply of quality finger protection, Strand Hardware only stocks products that ‘meet the mark’.

All BS 8613 products must clearly bear manufacturers markings and classification – making them easy to identify.

Said Strand Hardware’s Sales Director Craig Fox: “None of our stock can be defined as ‘one product fits all’. Our extensive range provides a range of devices for various door materials and applications. We prefer to work closely with customers to provide the ideal solution for their project needs.

In addition to product durability - some products come with a lifetime guarantee - there are other benefits to buying quality: bespoke sizes for items up to 2500mm and special RAL powder coated finishes for customisation.

Often buying choices come down to budget but safety should never be compromised, added Craig.

“When it comes to finger protection, don’t be tempted to buy cheap. It makes sense to buy once and buy quality.”

BS EN 8613: 2017 defines finger protection as “a device intended to minimise the risk of crushing injuries to fingers in the gap between the hanging stile of the door leaf and the door frame".

In premises that are used by the public - especially children, the elderly or vulnerable adults - retail establishments, schools, hospitals, care homes and health centres it is essential to minimise risk.

When it comes to the development and management of commercial buildings, risk assessment and identification of appropriate solutions is essential.

British and European standards provide specifiers, architects/designers, health and safety professionals and facility managers with guidance as to what works well, what type of devices should be applied to various door sets, what’s durable and essentially, what is safe to use.

It is estimated that between 40,000 and 80,000 accidents occur every year, mainly involving children who trap their fingers in doors, leading to serious injury, and in some cases amputation. Many more minor injuries are believed to go unreported. 

The standard is a benchmark to which professionals can refer, fulfilling a duty of care with an understanding of appropriateness and performance values. It also assists manufacturers to design fit-for-purpose products.

There are various types of finger protection devices available, some are integrated within the door system, others cover the gap between door and frame.

For more information on finger protection or assistance with specification call: 01922 639111

Strand Hardware MD Steve Marshall is set to put his best foot forward to raise money for charity by undertaking the final lap of the Three Peaks Challenge.

He and his team mates are tackling Ben Nevis, ‘the daddy’ of the peaks next month (June), which at 1345 metres (4413 ft), has the steepest assent.

Steve will be joined by his painter and decorator brother Richard, Rob Archer, of Record UK, Mark Roberts, of GEZE UK and Steve Newell, from Lovell Homes, who are raising funds for The Stroke Association.

To date they have raised approximately £2,000 for charities – supporting Cancer Research with their first trek up Snowdon in 2020, followed by scaling Scafell Pike for MIND a year later. In addition to the Three Peaks, Steve recently raised in excess of £1,000 for The Alzheimer’s Society when he undertook the Bridgnorth Lions Walk – a 22-mile route in Shropshire.

He began walking as a pastime during lockdown and ramped up his stamina in order to take on the mountaineering challenge.

“Like everyone else, I found being in lockdown frustrating. There was little to do other than go out for a daily walk to pass the time and get some exercise but once I started doing it, I found I enjoyed it and wanted to take it to another level.

“I must have mentioned it to my colleagues in the doors and windows industry because we soon found ourselves pulling a team together for the National Three Peaks,” he said.

The team have created a Just Giving Page and are urging their contacts to dig deep and sponsor them achieve their fundraising summit.

“We chose The Stroke Association because stroke has affected close friends.  There are now 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK and this number is growing. Services have never been more stretched and we want stroke survivors and their families to be able to access the support they need to aid their recovery,” he added.

Anyone who would like to donate should visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stevema

Strand Hardware has rewarded the skills and expertise of two team members by promoting them to senior roles. Jo Wallis, previously General Manager, becomes Operations Director, while Andy Michel moves from Warehouse Supervisor to Warehouse and Production Manager.

Jo joined Strand Hardware in July 2019 and has worked in the industry for more than 20 years. She began her career as a Supply Chain Co-ordinator for Allgood plc before joining GEZE UK as a Purchasing Assistant and later became its Purchasing and Distribution Sales Manager. She is MCIPS qualified and remains a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

In her new role, Jo has day-to-day responsibility for all operational aspects of the business, including health and safety and human resources for Strand Hardware’s 20-strong workforce. She will work alongside Sales Director Craig Fox to support customer service delivery.

Outside work, Jo, who is married to Richard, enjoys running, exercise and spending time with their dog, Molly, who is a 3-year-old cockerpoo.

She said that she is looking forward to taking on more responsibility for day-to-day operations and becoming more involved in developing business strategy to “help strengthen the brand and help support its future growth”.

Andy joined Strand Hardware in 2012 and his new role will also see him take on more managerial responsibility including production planning, co-ordination, administration, efficiency reviews and quality assurance.

His duties now extend beyond the distribution warehousing to include manufacturing, alongside fulfilment and dispatch responsibilities.

In his spare time Andy is a keen amateur photographer who specialises in portraiture and is a committed family man who lives with his partner Edyta.

Strand Hardware’s Managing Director, Steve Marshall, said: “I am delighted to promote Jo and Andy within the company. They are both integral to Strand’s key operations, ensuring their smooth running and maximising opportunities for efficient and effective work practices.

“As a recent newcomer myself, I am pleased that they will strengthen the management team moving forward. They both have amazing qualities: Jo’s purchasing and sales background means that she is very target and deadline driven while Andy demonstrates great diligence and a commitment to managing services which are effectively the heartbeat of our organisation.”

It’s a triple crown for Steve Marshall who has not only taken over as Managing Director of Strand Hardware, but also its two sister companies – Strand Technologies and AliMet Fabrications.

The industry stalwart has taken the helm of the three Midlands companies following a 24-year career at GEZE UK where, for the past two years he served as Operations Director, following roles in the service and commercial teams.

However, his new challenge has taken him full circle – he began his career as an estimator for an aluminium door and window fabrication company (James Gibbons) before moving into the world of automatics (Newman Tonks followed by Horton Automatics).

Steve’s appointment is a significant step change for Strand Hardware and demonstrates a resounding belief in his abilities. It will be the first time that the company has seen day-to-day operations managed by someone outside the family-run firm. Strand was founded by Jonathan Franks in 1991 and his daughter, Catherine, took on the role of Managing Director in 2005. She will continue to help steer the ship in her new role as Chair of Strand Hardware.

Said Steve: “It is such an exciting challenge. They are three fairly different companies which at the same time complement each other. My work at GEZE UK has given me a background in door hardware, albeit that Strand Hardware has a different range of specialist products, but I know a lot of people in the industry that are customers of Strand already.

“GEZE also distributed iContact which is a pivotal product within the Strand Technologies range.   Although a relatively new company, Strand Technologies is going from strength to strength and diversifying into many new markets outside the door industry. I began my career with a door and window fabrications company, so AliMet’s business is not unknown to me either. All three are really, really exciting, and I'm looking forward to working with the teams, helping them develop and achieve further growth.”

He says he intends to spend his first 100 days ‘learning and planning’ - getting to know the teams, existing customers, market segments and identify opportunities for growth, development and diversification.

Steve will be supported at Strand Hardware by Sales Director Craig Fox and General Manager Jo Wallis in managing the day-to-day business operations.

Catherine Franks is to focus on special projects, strategy and investments. She said she felt certain that Strand Hardware and its sister companies were in “a safe pair of hands”.

“I would not move aside, if it were not for the certainty that Steve is absolutely the right person for the job. Managing three companies is not easy, each has its own unique demands but Steve has huge amounts of experience working within complex working environments and to time-sensitive deadlines. I feel confident that he will be able to support all three companies and help them grow.”

There may be a long, hard winter ahead. Amid fears that the UK is heading for a season of ‘super colds’, flu and increase in COVID transmission, the NHS has launched a campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated to boost their immunity. But vaccines are only part of the solution – they can only counter expected strains of diseases that can mutate and strike when our immunity is at its lowest.

The hard cold fact of the winter season is that when the temperatures drop, we head indoors. We commune with others for longer, often without the benefit of natural ventilation. We are in the vicinity of airborne contagion and we frequently touch things that others have – passing on bugs as consequence.

So, what can we, as specifiers, developers and facilities managers, do to stop the spread? As with smart buildings, we must consider how our environments will be used and plan to protect – down to the smallest detail.

Buildings that are in public use need to be carefully considered. Hospitals, care homes, nurseries, schools and colleges accommodate the sick and vulnerable. Other purpose-built facilities will see large congregations: retail, hospitality, leisure and fitness, also need to think about the visitor ‘journey’ as well as travel: trains, buses and planes and their passenger hubs.

Minimising risk reduces opportunities for infection and with this in mind, natural ventilation, contact and cleaning are key.

At Strand Hardware, we work with selected distributors who work closely within specialist sectors. For 30 years, we have listened and worked with them to source, obtain and modify suitable architectural ironmongery to meet exacting standards.

Combining durability with resilience, our range of door and window hardware, control systems and emergency/panic hardware is designed for longevity.

Anti-bacterial coatings can be applied to many of our products – an essential method of defence particularly when used in buildings within the health and care sectors where infection can be prevalent and patients more vulnerable.

We open windows and walk through doors many, many times throughout the day – so frequently that we become oblivious to the contact we may have.

A rigorous cleaning regime is essential but the architecture of a single door, with its intricate fixed and moving parts, can be an obvious trap for dirt and germs. Naturally, there will be a focus on minimising contact transmission by cleaning handles, fingerplates and other door architecture that has frequent use, but what about those all-important fingerguards and drop seals?

As the UK stockist for Athmer finger protection, we know that our products have undergone rigorous testing using a range of cleaning agents.

Extensively tested using the most common cleaning agents and disinfectants from the RKI/VAH list. They were examined for possible reactions and resistance to:

• Bacillol AF
• Incidin +
• Trichlorol
• Optisept
• Milk of lime
• Terralin
• Helipur

The tests found little or no reaction to the 100% pure solutions, with only slight discolouration of fabric due to deposits caused by evaporation of the cleaning products. No negative impact was caused to the durability or function of the components.

Catherine Franks, Managing Director of Strand Hardware, says: “Athmer finger guards offer a quality product range which is durable and reliable, preventing injuries by eliminating the danger of accidental finger entrapment between the closing edges of the door leaf and the door frame. Specifiers should choose products that have been tested to BS8613 as well as being tested with cleaning products.”

The need for deep cleaning to combat disease has never been more pertinent, especially within health and care sectors where efforts to limit contagion have been stepped-up to minimise contamination through contact.

This includes doors – entrances to wards, operating theatres, laboratories, emergency rooms and other public areas.

Naturally, there will be a focus on minimising contact transmission by cleaning handles, fingerplates and other door architecture that has frequent use, but what about those all-important fingerguards and drop seals? All door parts have a propensity to trap dirt or germs but can they take the impact of rigorous cleaning and remain effective?

Strand Hardware is the exclusive UK distributor for Athmer finger protection which has undertaken rigorous testing of its products using a range of cleaning agents.

The products were extensively tested using with the most common cleaning agents and disinfectants from the RKI/VAH list. They were examined for possible reactions and resistance to:

• Bacillol AF
• Incidin +
• Trichlorol
• Optisept
• Milk of lime
• Terralin
• Helipur

The tests found little or no reaction to the 100% pure solutions, with only slight discolouration of fabric due to deposits caused by evaporation of the cleaning products. No negative impact was caused to the durability or function of the components.

Finger protection is a vital safety measure in public buildings, particularly those where children or vulnerable people are present. A closing door will exert a massive amount of pressure on fingers or hands trapped in the hinge gap and can cause injury.

Catherine Franks, Managing Director of Strand Hardware, was keen to point out that not all fingerguards are made equal.

“There are a great deal of cheap plastic finger protectors coming into the UK which may not have durability or resistance to cleaning products. As with heat, cold or aging, detergents can cause plastics to become brittle,” she said

“Athmer finger guards offer a quality product range which is durable and reliable, preventing injuries by eliminating the danger of accidental finger entrapment between the closing edges of the door leaf and the door frame. Specifiers should choose products that have been tested to BS8613 as well as being tested with cleaning products.”

Three leading Midlands entrepreneurs have joined together to launch a new venture – Strand Technologies – producing technology-based solutions for safety, security and control which can be used across a range of industries.

Catherine Franks, Paul Ryan and Simon Bowden all run and manage businesses within the door hardware and automatic doors sector and have previously partnered on other projects.
They have now launched Strand Technologies (April) to spearhead a range of products which can be used to monitor and remotely control a variety of operating systems including automated pedestrian entrances, access control systems, industrial doors, gates and shutters as well as road signage and refrigeration.

Catherine Franks is heading the company as Managing Director, overseeing day-to-day operations and aligning Strand Technologies entrance solutions market alongside her existing business, Strand Hardware.

Simon Bowden, who previously worked for GEZE UK, Record and GU Automatic Doors, has taken on the role of Commercial Director, managing sales and new product development, while RTR founder Paul Ryan, is Director for strategic support for business development.

The business, based in Walsall - the home of Strand Hardware, has iContact among its product range. This is a device which can be applied to any electro-mechanical operating system for remote monitoring, control and diagnostic management.

By connecting the ‘black box’ to automatic doors, industrial gates, shutters and barriers, it uses ‘real time’ information to enable remote or on-site diagnostics and operations via a digital user platform.

iContact has a variety of application interfaces including ‘virtual engineer’, safety reporting and diagnostics, ‘Sentry’ for safeguarding public buildings, and WebTAG for commercial and domestic remote management of buildings.

Strand Technologies also has the Virtual Usher – a range of products to manage volume and footfall entering buildings using a traffic light management process with a user platform to control occupancy rates.

Said Catherine: “iContact was introduced to the market some years ago and was probably ahead of its time but it’s application has extended well beyond its envisaged initial use. We are continuing to develop the system to ensure that it can be fully integrated against technology standards across the globe.

“The pandemic has taught us that there is a need for technology-led solutions to be applied in real situations to enable efficiencies and cost-effective problem-solving. Strand Technologies gives us opportunities to fully focus and develop these types of products and systems to make life easier for the end user.”

Simon reinforces this view: “There is enormous potential within a product range of this type. It offers a great deal of versatility which means that it can be used across a wide range of industries with very specific needs.”

Added Paul: “We are delighted to finally unveil our plans for Strand Technologies. The demand for smart entrances is only going to increase and by harnessing the power of technology, we can extend our products to meet these needs.”

Over the years, the team have proven that they work well together and that business can also be “fun”.

In the lead up to the launch, the directors trickled out a social media ‘teaser’ campaign, ‘The Three Amigos’, which features their younger selves overlaid with hand-drawn illustrations of their personality types: angel, devil and joker.

“Although we are involved in a serious business, we are all of the same mind that it’s important to bring something of yourself to the table. We enjoy working within our industry and Strand Technologies creates a bridge to sell our products within a wider range of markets.

“Technology is the enabler – we are the problem-solvers,” she concludes.