The Locksmith Journal Mar/Apr 2018 - Issue 55 | Page 59

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HISTORY & HERITAGE • 59
Michael Skelding joined the joint secretariat in 1987 , by which time , the NBA had disbanded , leaving the ABHM to continue alone . DSA had renamed itself the Door and Shutter Manufacturers ’ Association ( DSMA ). The secretariat had also ceased to be directly employed , becoming instead , an independent partnership . The partnership obtained offices in Tamworth , with the old offices in Birmingham being sub-let to a firm of solicitors . By the early 1990s , Eric Skelding had retired having handed over the secretarial roles to Michael . The main focus of both ABHM and DSMA was by now technical standards , increasingly European rather than British .
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 . By now , the federation was looking after four industry sectors : Locks & Building Hardware , Industrial Doors & Shutters , Domestic Garage Doors and Steel Doorsets .
“ DHF is very much regarded as the ‘ centre of excellence ’, with a network of professional consultants in all sectors ”
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 . Following a suggestion by the Health & Safety Executive , in 2011 , Door & Hardware Federation created the Automated Gate Group and in 2013 , a whole new training programme was born . Bob eventually took over the role of CEO officially in 2015 .
One hundred and twenty years later , DHF is going from strength to strength . In this poignant year , there have been significant changes that have seen membership increase to more than 400 , a training programme with more than 1700 candidates trained in automated gates , industrial doors , or garage doors , 10 members of employed staff , 6 consultants , 6 groups , a fresh , new image 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 and are seeking new offices that will 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 ’ ve already kick started 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 .
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL . CO . UK | MAR / APR 2018 Sponsored by Lockex 2018 - Security & Fire Safety