GAI enters trade association agreement with Door and Hardware Institute

The world’s largest trade bodies in the architectural ironmongery and door hardware industries have entered into a major knowledge-sharing collaboration agreement to boost the continued growth of the sector in the UK and United States.

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) is the only UK trade body which represents the interests of the entire architectural ironmongery industry including architectural ironmongers, wholesalers and manufacturers. 

It 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.

GAI President Maria Powell commented: “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 agreement, the 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 support each other’s accreditation and certification activities and code of conduct, and share and promote ideas on education and qualifications.

The GAI and DHI will collaborate on communications opportunities, sharing publications of interest to each other’s members and discuss event ideas, topics and meeting agendas.

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