HOPPE News

As a manufacturer, it’s imperative that our products meet the correct standards. It’s also important to have a team who know what they’re talking about so that we can help you specify the right architectural ironmongery for your project.

That’s why we invest in our staff and their training.

We are so proud to have a team who are committed to their own personal development so that they are equipped with the latest industry knowledge. Many of our staff hold recognised industry qualifications and can advise on relevant regulations and technical requirements for both safety and security.

Here’s an overview of the different qualifications and how this helps you as a specifier:

Registered Architectural Ironmongers (RegAI)

A RegAI is a fully qualified architectural ironmongery professional who has completed their Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) Diploma and is now maintaining a high level of knowledge via the GAI CPD programme.

This means they have committed to keeping fully up to date with the latest legislation, industry standards, and products to ensure they’re always providing the most up-to-date best practice specification advice.

We currently have six RegAI team members, some of whom have worked for HOPPE for more than 20 years:

• Andy Matthews, head of sales
• Karen Nelson, business development manager
• Donna Davison, business development manager for the architectural division
• Andy Syms, senior business development manager
• Garrath Willshaw, business development manager
• Sharon Darby, marketing services

Guild of Architectural Ironmongers Diploma

The GAI Diploma equips people with the skills and knowledge required for specifying and scheduling hardware on projects built to UK and European standards. Through the diploma they can specialise in scheduling door systems or electric hardware and access control.

Before starting the GAI Diploma, the team had to complete the Certificate in Architectural Hardware which provides an overview of standards, industry best practice and products.

HOPPE (UK) has ten GAI Diploma holders, as well as five members of staff currently undertaking their Diploma and Certificate in Architectural Hardware studies.

Fire Door Inspection Scheme (FDIS) Diploma

The FDIS Diploma provides an overview of fire doors and the associated components as well as testing and certification, regulations and standards, inspection and maintenance. It has specific modules covering timber and metal fire doors, glazing, seals, and architectural ironmongery.

HOPPE (UK) has four team members who hold the FDIS Diploma so you can be reassured that you’re specifying the correct hardware products for fire doors in any building type.

CPD

As well as keeping themselves up to date with the latest industry regulations and advice, we can help you and your team stay informed by delivering CPD training. HOPPE (UK) offers free, in-house CPD sessions for door and window hardware suppliers including:

• AccessControl
• Ironmongery specification in a post-pandemic world
• Ironmongery and Fire Safety
• Ironmongery for Specialist Applications
• Ironmongery and security
• Ironmongery and accessibility

For more information or to book a CPD session contact Andy Matthews on 01902 484 439 or email [email protected]