Replacing one of its Speedor range of high-speed doors after 21 years of service is, say Hart Door Systems, unusual but to get repeat orders for two doors with the same history of longevity is remarkable.

"I haven't had time to calculate payback on both these doors but it has to be an impressive figure," said Hart's contracts and export manager, Alan Richardson. "It is a case of lightning striking twice."

One of the Speedors is for Tata Steel's Caerphilly plant and the other is for Nacco Materials Handling at Craigavon, Co Armagh, a door that was installed 21 years ago by the present managing director, Doug Hart. "This is a very timely compliment for us and demonstrates that a quality product supported by regular maintenance is the key to long-term use, often in high traffic situations in extremely busy industrial environments," added Mr Richardson. "There is no reason why doors such as Speedor can’t go the distance. Just like a car, you buy a quality product and maintain it." Hart has just completed its Southern Railways contract to install insulated roller shutters at the Stewarts Lane deport in Battersea, London. This required nine shutters across an overall frontage of some 60 metres. Other insulated rollers shutters have been installed at Tata Steel's Redcar plant. "Our product range is suitably wide and of course we tailor our approach to develop bespoke solutions where necessary with Heathrow Terminal 5 being a prime example," said Mr Richardson. "The economy may be challenging but we continue to invest in the business with our new 6,000 sq ft offices and new members of staff such as Sofia Stromsten joining us as business development manager and Gordon Kipling as service manager."


The new offices in Westerhope, Newcastle upon Tyne, combine with a test area for new products as well as a training facility for clients. It adjoins the factory producing in all some 20,000 sq ft of manufacturing and office space. New products are being introduced such as Speedor Cleanroom that was launched at the recent IMHX show. As the name implies, this new door is for pharmaceuticals, food, medical/biotechnology, electronics and in general any sector that requires strict clean room conditions for production. Accordingly the door is capable of maintaining strict air leakage requirements over specified pressure differentials. Features include the non-touch safety light curtain as well as a clean in-line drive system with integral safety brake. Earlier this year HDS delivered security and fire shutters for Ethiopian Airlines' headquarters at Bole International Airport, Ethiopia. The shutters travelled by road to Brussels International and were then flown to Bole. Several other Hart high-speed doors were sent by sea for installation at Dubai International Airport and an order for fire shutters for Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, was also completed. "There is no doubt that the export market is slower than it has been for some years but we are looking at some interesting projects nevertheless," added Mr Richardson.

alan@hartdoors.com