Secured by Design status achieved
24th June 2014

Oldham based Gemini UPVC recently became the first Network Veka fabricator to achieve Secured by Design accreditation on the Veka French Door. Gemini UPVC achieved this industry first with the assistance from the Guardian Door Hinge Protector - a newly launched product from component supplier GT Window Products.
The Guardian is a next generation hinge protector that moves away from the traditional dog bolt solution. It offers the same benefits as a dog bolt but without the hassle of routing the frame, saving significant fabrication time. It also has adjustment features for easy onsite installation.
When Gemini UPVC learned GT Window Products was developing this solution, Gemini managing director Paul Griffiths approached GT to see if this new innovation could help him achieve the coveted Secured by Design accreditation.
Paul commented: “I was shown the Guardian while it was still a prototype but was immediately impressed with the design and potential of the product. Very quickly Gemini UPVC and GT Window Products embarked on a programme of indicative testing to speed up development to bring this product to market. Once we were both happy with the final indicative test results a set of French doors was sent for testing and passed with flying colours. Gemini UPVC is the first Network Veka fabricator to offer a Secured by Design accredited French door which gives us a major competitive advantage and I would like to thank GT Window Products for helping us with this project.”

Asa Turley of GT said: “At GT Window Products we strive to offer unique solutions to the issues our customers face either in the fabrication or installation process. Guardian is another example of GT working with a customer to improve their product security and I am pleased the project was a complete success. Working with Paul has been very beneficial as it gave us the opportunity to develop the Guardian from a concept to an accredited finished product in a relatively short space of time.”

As a result of the tests, the Guardian Door Hinge Protector will become a standard feature on the Gemini range of doors, Paul concluded: “We aim to offer our customers the very best we can in terms of quality and security and are always looking at new ways and ideas to improve our product. In addition to the added security on doors this has also been extended to the window production line, fitting the GT Stay Guard hinge protector to all of Gemini UPVC casement windows as standard which have been tested to PAS024. Secured by Design is a recognised industry standard and it gives our trade customers a powerful added extra they can offer to homeowners.”

Gemini’s desire to constantly improve is clearly working. Following a surge in new business the company recently expanded into a neighbouring unit and is continuing to grow at a rapid rate.

www.gtwindowproducts.co.uk
http://geminiupvc.co.uk/