DHF is the UK’s oldest trade association…
Longevity and sustainability are two words most associated with DHF. Afterall, it is the UK’s oldest trade association with a rich history and heritage dating back to 1897. It started life as an employers’ association named the Brass Masters’ Association, and was formed in Birmingham to negotiate pay and conditions with the industry trade union, the National Society of Amalgamated Brassworkers (later to become the National Society of Metal Mechanics). By 1943, the association had come to be known as the National Brassfoundry Association and by the early 1970s, had established two sections, one dealing with plumbers’ brassfoundry (which kept the NBA name) and a second, dealing with building hardware which was known as the Association of Building Hardware Manufacturers (ABHM).
Today, DHF continues its valuable work as a not-for-profit trade association for companies associated with Locks & Building Hardware; Doorsets; Industrial Doors & Shutters; Domestic Garage Doors and Automated Gates. It remains the ‘go to’ place for technical advice and training which lends itself to raising standards across the industry.
When it comes to training, DHF has much to ‘shout about’!
DHF leads the industry through its exceptional training and is regarded as a ‘Centre of Excellence’, with a network of professional staff members as well as external consultants that can provide support in all sectors. This makes them a single source for technical expertise, information, knowledge, advice, and practical help. In 2018, they moved to premises in Tamworth with its own training academy, demonstrating its commitment in this area. A vocal ambassador for safe, compliant products and installations, in 2019, DHF trained almost 1000 people in the UK and Ireland, with more than 3200 individuals completing at least one of DHF’s safety training courses, whether a diploma or Award course. It was the UK’s very first organisation to offer an official theory-based qualification for those working in the automated gate, industrial door and domestic garage door sectors, and has recently launched a Distance Learning Programme to enable trainees to complete their qualifications, regardless of their location.
It’s been almost 10 years since DHF created TS 007…
In 2011, DHF, together with the Glass and Glazing Federation, created TS 007, a technical specification for the enhanced security performance requirements for replacement cylinders and/or associated hardware. The specification was prepared following the emergence of an attack method focused on cylinders used in locks. In 2019, part two of TS 007: TS 007 – 2:2019 – Enhanced security for mechatronic cylinders and/or associated hardware, was created by DHF. It remains one of the federation’s most successful undertakings.
The members keep on coming…
In 2015, DHF had less than 300 members on its books, but the past five years in particular has seen considerable growth across every area of the organisation; today, it has more than 500 members. The federation continues to support its various industry sectors by representing them on BSI standards committees, liaising with compliance authorities such as the Health and Safety Executive and Trading Standards as well as fire safety organisations across the UK and Europe. In 2019, it expanded its workforce to 13 employees (plus five consultants).
Its rebrand proved ‘transformational’…
2017 – DHF’s 120th anniversary – couldn’t have been a better time to announce the launch of its new strong and modern branding and website. Identifying a need to bring its logo, literature and website up to date, DHF successfully embraced a new ‘look and feel’ without forgetting its roots. The rebrand has proved transformational and moved the trade association onto a more professional footing. Today, DHF members are sought for various councils and bodies across the UK as a result of their affiliation with the federation, and DHF continues to attract the most talented employees in the industry. They have identified the organisation as one that’s ‘going places’.
An influential voice in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy…
In the wake of the 2017 Grenfell tragedy, DHF continues to be one of the industry’s most passionate voices for correctly installed and maintained fire doorsets. Third party certification of manufacture, installation, maintenance and inspection of fire, smoke and security doors is something the federation has lobbied for tirelessly, as well as issues surrounding poorly or ill-fitting door closers. Its 2019 collaboration with Secured by Design (SBD) and the Fire Industry Association (FIA), saw the publication of a joint document on fire safety. The publication: A Guide for Selecting Flat Entrance Doorsets; A publication for housing associations, landlords, building owners and local authorities in England, brings together the best industry advice in one straightforward document, highlighting the fundamental issues of fire safety and security for those selecting fire doorsets and enabling greater clarity in an increasingly complex market. DHF was actively involved in the technical committees of the Industry Response Group, formed in response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s Report: ‘Building a Safer Future’, and also works on BSI Standards Committees, with compliance authorities HSE and Trading Standards as well as fire safety organisations in the UK and Europe.
DHF’s ‘Reachout Programme’ is gathering pace…
DHF’s innovative ‘Reachout Programme’ offers free seminars to its vertical markets. Launched in February 2020, DHF delivered the first seminar to local authorities and housing associations in the West Midlands. This new initiative provided information about selecting a compliant entrance doorset. Fast forward to July 2020 and the seminars adopted a different platform and subject matter. This time delivered via Zoom, it targeted its members’ customers such as facilities managers and supermarket chains on their on-going legal responsibility with regards to owning automated products. These have proved especially popular for local authorities, housing associations, architects and companies with maintenance teams, and are the perfect guide to keeping safe and compliant products on the market.