Strong market sees a growing network of ‘Repair Partners’
10th June 2014

Whether it’s the social housing or domestic market, a rise in demand for adapted doors has seen hardware specialist Winkhaus UK further strengthen its repair dealer network.
Winkhaus’ range of highly advanced locking systems are proving popular components to be incorporated into existing composite, timber , aluminium or PVCu doors that require adaptation.

Winkhaus is partnering with selected strategic dealers to supply appropriate options from their range of locks; with the AV2 automated locks proving particularly popular.

Repair and adaptation dealers that partner with Winkhaus benefit from a full technical support training programme, including a certificated scheme that needs to be undertaken in order to supply and install automatic multi-point locking systems such as blueMatic AV2-E.

As part of the partnership-building strategy, Winkhaus is also offering marketing support to its network of Repair dealers, which will also see them supplied with blueMatic AV2 –E demo samples for their showrooms and local authority adaptation department demonstrations.

Mike Rushen, Commercial Manager, at Winkhaus comments: “The social housing Decent Homes programme is now over 10 years old, so the home occupiers are older, and a growing proportion have developed certain infirmities linked to ageing through conditions such as arthritis.
“These conditions often make it difficult for people to operate a standard lift lever multipoint door lock and unfortunately a lot of the decent homes programmes had a “one lock fits all” approach.

“By working together with the right repair dealer partners we are satisfying the requirement to upgrade to locking systems that eliminate many of the problems associated with this approach.”

Mike comments further: “The AV2, AV2-E and AV2-B locks are designed for communal and home entrance doors, and they automatically engage the hook locking points of a door when it’s closed, providing instant security without further need to lift a handle or use a key to turn a cylinder.”

The AV2 -E version also allows for integration with a vast range of access control systems such as an audio visual intercom. But according to Mike the choice of the access control lies with the repair dealer or adaptation specifier.
Mike says Winkhaus are very happy to work with these strategic partners to supply products to satisfy what will surely be an increasing demand in an ageing society.