Total Installer May-June 2019

Hardware Developments
LOCK IN THE REAL BENEFITS
Kerry Blackford, Head of Product Management at ERA, reveals why Research and
Development (R&D) in the hardware market is the key to helping installers to future-proof
their business.
Installers need to know that their hardware
supplier is not only providing solutions for
today’s market, but that it is keeping a close
eye on that of the future. Future-proofing
installers’ business means being able to identify
coming market trends and being agile enough to
respond to them in a timely fashion.
Not only do we focus on filling product gaps
within our existing product portfolio with
continued investment in new product
development, but much of the company’s R&D
activity centres on enhancing existing products or
adapting products to suit specific window and
door profile systems. This process can be
customer-driven when products are required to
create differentials; our own sales teams who
spot a need for a new solution can initiate it; or it
can be driven when relevant building regulations
or performance standards change. Product
managers also have a big influence on the
process too. We also do gap analysis reviews in
order to identify products that will support and
enhance the company’s package offer.
Once the need for a new product has been
identified, a process-based method is used to
project manage the delivery of it, taking it from
initial concept to delivery.
A 3D CAD system is used to design the new
product and demonstrate its features. Excitingly,
we are also able to make use of our 3D printers
for design validation. They are used to produce
plastic samples of a proposed new product in
order to test that they are suitable for the
application for which they are intended. We also
use metal prototypes for more advanced
functionality and aesthetics testing.
New tooling is commissioned with our approved
“Future-proofing installers’ business means
being able to identify coming market trends and
being agile enough to respond to them in a
timely fashion”
manufacturing partners, and prototypes are then
produced which are then rigorously tested. Testing
is critical, particularly with innovative designs.
After this, provided all stakeholders are in
agreement, the new product can then be taken
through the requisite approvals to ensure they
meet relevant quality standards, and only then
can they be marketed and sold.
ERA’s 3* Kitemarked Invincible Double
Cylinder has competitive edge
A great example of ERA’s R&D activity resulting in
a product to enable installers to differentiate
themselves from their
competitors is the
company’s 3* BS
Kitemarked Invincible
Double cylinder
(pictured). And now the
cylinder, which has five
times the strength of
conventional options,
is available with a
great range of
matching ERA
compatible handles, escutcheons and furniture.
The strength of the cylinder means it offers
maximum protection against attack. In the face of
bumping, lock-picking and drilling it simply will
not snap, thereby providing an effective and
secure solution. The Invincible Door Security
system can withstand over 15 minutes of
sustained attack without the use of a sacrificial
section – so when the intruder has given up and
gone, the key can still be used to open the door.
The Kitemark logo stamped on the face of the
cylinder provides assurance to the end-user that
the 3* Invincible Cylinder meets BSI
requirements, and also acts as a visual deterrent
to potential intruders due to the unique, sturdy
shape of the cylinder.
Ideal for new-build projects, the Invincible Double
Cylinder is manufactured from solid brass and is
available in brass and satin finishes. To ensure
smooth and consistent performance
over time, the lock is endurancetested
in ERA’s test house to
100,000 cycles. Supplied with three
cut keys, the cylinder is available in
single, double and thumb-turn
options.
No additional security hardware is
required alongside the cylinder to
comply with TS007, but installing
this three-star option in conjunction with
the ERA door security system means full coverage
by the ERA Total Security Guarantee, giving the
end user further peace of mind and a £5,000
guarantee.
Contact ERA
01922 490 000
www.eraeverywhere.com
@ERASecurity
PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
JULY/AUG 2019 TI57