Two of the largest trade bodies in the architectural ironmongery and door hardware industry have entered into a major knowledge-sharing collaboration agreement to boost the continued growth of the sector in the UK and USA.
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI), which represents the non-residential, door and hardware industry in North America.
Maria Powell, president of the GAI, said: “Our aim is to build a strong, long-term relationship between our organisations based on reciprocity and mutual benefit to support and further the growth of the architectural ironmongery and door hardware market and its many customers throughout the world.
“We share many common goals and interests. We’re both committed to innovation and technical development, as well as education and training, developments in accreditation, certification and the conduct of the industry.
“These key elements will inform and drive the relationship forward alongside an exploration of the commercial advantages that can be achieved.”
Bob Maas, president of the DHI, added: “The MoU provides an excellent opportunity to leverage the synergies that unite us, as we concentrate on introducing new ways of working together on complementary initiatives, especially education, that can support the aims of both our organisations.
“By pooling our resources in this way, I’m confident that we will achieve even higher levels of value for all of our members.”
Under the terms of the MoU, the two organisations will consider collaboration opportunities between the UK and USA in areas such as advocacy, the improved specification of hardware, innovation and best practice.
They will also share and promote new ideas on education and qualifications, while supporting each other’s accreditation and certification activities and code of conduct.
The two organisations will also collaborate on communications opportunities, sharing publications of interest to each other’s memberships and discussing event ideas, topics and meeting agendas.
