Expertise for doors and technology from a single source
Door elements and the associated technology are increasingly being planned in a single step. Regulations, test specifications and trends such as BIM are driving this development. Good reasons for specialist retailers to actively exploit the market potential and position themselves with concentrated expertise. With this objective in mind, E/D/E, in cooperation with EBH AG, initiated the founding of the new ELEMENTec expert group. Following the kick-off event at the beginning of September, numerous specialist retailers have already signaled their interest in participating.
Founded in 2002, EBH AG is the largest cooperation for building hardware in Europe with around 450 member locations. Many companies from the circle of EBH members have been organized in the PRO.ELEMENT specialist group for many years. This proven work will be continued in the future – and expanded to include strategically important fields of activity with the new ELEMENTec specialist group. “This puts specialist distributors in an even better position to provide complex services relating to door elements, building hardware and technology for planners, architects, building operators and installers in the sense of a 360-degree approach,” emphasizes Dr. Christoph Grote, E/D/E Managing Director for Goods and Sales.
Door industry supports the initiative
The complete delivery of elements and technology is driven in particular by test specifications, regulations and standards such as EN-14351 or the BauPVO (EU Construction Products Regulation). BIM will also further strengthen the holistic approach through the digitalization of planning processes, as Frank Brandenburg, Head of Member Management at E/D/E, makes clear: “For reasons of efficiency, door technology is already often ordered together with the door – a trend that is likely to intensify in the near future. At the same time, distributors are increasingly in demand as service and maintenance providers. With the new specialist group, we will create suitable solution concepts to actively develop this market potential.” This will enable dealers to become even more important for manufacturers, for example by strengthening cooperation with selected hardware manufacturers in the contract business. Brandenburg: “As we know from initial discussions, the door industry is behind this concept and welcomes our initiative.” The ELEMENTec specialist group is aimed specifically at dealers with expertise in the field of construction elements and will be mapping a new service area with specific content. The two competence groups Door Engineering and Installer Security Technology are planned for the start. “The joint foundation represents a remarkable step for both E/D/E and EBH, which we expect to create a wide range of opportunities for our distributors,” says Tammo Berner, CEO of EBH AG.
Focus on refurbishment business
The direction of market development is already clearly defined: As the industry focuses primarily on large construction projects, there are promising prospects for the production liaison trade, particularly in medium-sized and smaller construction projects and in the refurbishment business. In addition, there are further opportunities in subsequent maintenance and expansion as well as retrofitting in existing buildings. Because with the increasing complexity of escape route and fire protection technology, for example, the market demand for competent services is also growing. In the case of security technology, for example, reliable support is expected 365 days a year, around the clock. The electrification of door technology and more testing regulations are also increasing the requirements.
The new specialist group will therefore cover a comprehensive range of services, which in turn will be reflected in the two planned competence groups Door Engineering and Installer Security Technology. This entails certain prerequisites for the participating retail companies: they should have specialist expertise and the corresponding personnel resources with planning competence.
or be prepared to create them. Training courses, for example, are also conceivable within the specialist group.
Opening up new business areas
In the field of door engineering, for example, dealers can provide architects and fabricators with comprehensive specialist planning services, including support with BIM data. This also includes the development of new business areas such as electronic and mechanical locking systems. In the next step, it is possible to define customized solution packages with manufacturers for defined segments such as Office or Health Care and to establish these with the processor. In the area of installer security technology, on the other hand, complex requirements in smart buildings need to be addressed. In addition to system consulting, specialist dealers can also provide maintenance and services. To the advance
The prerequisites for active market development include comprehensive knowledge of IT and network technology as well as electrical engineering.
Defining service content
In the coming weeks, conceptual discussions will take place with the first companies that signed the expert group agreement after the kick-off in order to further specify the action plan and service content. Subsequently, the exchange with the industry is also sought. Jens Schlaeger, Chairman of the Management Board of EBH AG,
outlines the goal: “By the end of 2022, the concept should be fleshed out to such an extent that dealers can actively work the refurbishment market from next year. We are therefore on the right track.” [os]
Contact person: Frank Brandenburg
E/D/E Head of Member Management
+49 202 6096-387 frank.brandenburg@ede.de
Tammo Berner
Board of Directors EBH Euro Baubeschlag-Handel AG
+49 202 74791-10 berner@ebh-ag.de
