Flying High for 30th Anniversary

• Browse By Section
• Security & Hardware
• Flying High for 30th Anniversary

Strand Hardware is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a supplier of door and window hardware including finger protectors, emergency exit and panic hardware, window control systems and glass fittings.

The family-run business, based in Walsall, West Midlands, is marking the occasion by sending a gift to customers and suppliers as a thank-you for their continued support.

The company was established by the late Jonathan Franks, who previously ran Hope Works, a well-known iron foundry manufacturing traditional black antique ironmongery. Franks’ daughter, Catherine joined him in the business in 2000, initially as company secretary and took on the managing director’s role upon her father’s retirement in 2006.

Over the years, Strand Hardware has grown – extending its operations, workforce and premises –while managing to maintain the family ethos on which it was based. Many of its employees have worked for the company for more than 20 years.

Catherine Franks says: “We are not an enormous company - everyone knows everybody else and looks after each other and that has created a sense of team. Even though our staff are not directly involved in scheduling, we invest in training so they have a full understanding of the market and extensive knowledge of our products to best advise customers. The key to our success is customer service – we take care of our customers and protect our reputation by going above and beyond supply.”

Strand Hardware is now the sole UK distributor for some European manufacturers including Athmer (finger protection) and Antipanic (panic hardware). It also manufacturers its own range, Duoflex - adjustable folding openers for timber, aluminium, steel and PVC-U windows.

Strand Hardware is a member of a number of industry associations including the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, the Door Hardware Federation and Council for Aluminium in Building.

Earlier this year, a sister company, Strand Technologies was launched, offering technology-based solutions for safety, security and control of electro-mechanical devices, including (but not exclusively) windows and entrances.

Picture: Catherine Franks (centre) with employees of Strand Hardware.

www.strandhardware.co.uk

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
01st December 2021

Share

Related Articles