Abloy UK and Knightsbridge Security Systems provide flexible security at luxury car dealership H.R. Owen

Abloy UK and Knightsbridge Security Systems have supplied luxury car dealer H.R. Owen with the SMARTair wireless access control solution to secure its extensive 110,000 sq. ft showroom in Hatfield, providing efficient access control while protecting millions of pounds worth of cars.

H.R. Owen is a dealership specialising in the sale, service and repair of luxury and sports cars. It has a diverse portfolio of high-end brands, including Lamborghini, Bentley, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Lotus.

While primarily based in London, the company expanded its operations with a new facility in Hatfield to accommodate its growing business. As with all of H.R. Owen’s premises, this new showroom had high security demands due to the high value of its vehicle offering.

With a multi-brand site such as H.R. Owen, it was crucial to find a security solution that could cater to both operational flexibility and aesthetic considerations. Each brand that H.R. Owen offers has its own design requirements, meaning that security infrastructure needed to blend seamlessly into the overall look and feel of the Hatfield facility.

The size of the site was also a main consideration when looking for a solution that would adhere to all requirements. The site had various types of doorsets, ranging from frameless glass doors to wooden fire doors and electronic barriers, in turn presenting logistical and technical challenges.

Knightsbridge Security Systems had an existing relationship with H.R. Owen, having provided security solutions for its other sites across the UK. Knightsbridge have specified and installer Abloy solutions for many years, and they collaborated to decide which access control solution would best suit the requirements.

Abloy UK recommended SMARTair as it was able to offer scalability and flexibility, with the wireless technology offering easy installation for this high-security environment.

With over 100 devices installed throughout the facility, the solution was able to seamlessly integrate into the building’s design while ensuring the flexibility to meet the unique requirements of each luxury brand.

SMARTair Wall Readers and SMARTair i-max Handles were selected for their sleek design and versatility, aligning with the high-end aesthetic of the facility and the varied needs of H.R. Owen’s staff, visitors and customers.

A key advantage of SMARTair is its wireless technology, which allowed for fast, efficient, and cost-effective installation. With no need for extensive cabling, the system could be quickly deployed, minimising disruption to daily operations. The wireless configuration also ensured that the solution could be easily expanded or reconfigured as the needs of the company, offering long term flexibility and scalability for H.R. Owen.

SMARTair provided the facility with the ability to manage access remotely, streamlining operations. The ability to revoke access remotely provided an added layer of security, ensuring that access could be adjusted in real-time in response to any potential security concerns.

Another feature that was included in this package was the SMARTair Openow access control solution, which allowed staff to use their mobile devices as credentials instead of physical cards. This solution added convenience and security, as it took away the need for physical tokens and made access management more flexible and user-friendly.

As part of this, the Parking Mode feature allowed drivers of high-value goods to access the premises securely without having to leave their vehicles. The system’s remote barrier operation, using mobile credentials from a distance of three to five metres, ensured secure entry while maintaining a smooth and efficient process, reducing the potential for unauthorised access.

Ifazaad Liaqat, Technical Sales Manager at Abloy UK, says: “We were able to work with Knightsbridge to provide H.R. Owen with a cutting edge, wireless access control solution that seamlessly integrated into the dealership’s high-end aesthetic.

“With over 100 devices installed, the system ensures operational flexibility, real-time security management, and future scalability, delivering both convenience and peace of mind.”

Matthew Taylor, Operations Director at Knightsbridge, says: “During the planning stages with H.R. Owen and the architects, it was abundantly clear that Abloy UK’s SMARTair solution was the only real choice for the site.

“Having worked with Abloy UK for a number of years they were an ideal choice to assist us with the designing and planning of this project.”

Sean Nevatte, Group Aftersales Director at H.R. Owen, comments: “Security is paramount as we needed to ensure that we are not just protecting our high value products, but also our staff and our customers.

“Knightsbridge and Abloy UK have been extremely supportive in both the maintenance and upkeep of the system since it was installed. Their reliability and assistance has been unrivalled.”

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