Archives for May 2018

Archive for May, 2018

Hörmann Garage Doors – A Market Leading Brand

Posted 25th May 2018 by Garage Doors

When you think garage doors, you immediately think Hörmann. They have, without a doubt, established themselves as the market leader when it comes to garage doors, with a reputation for quality, durability and reliability. As well as being one of the best known and most trusted garage door suppliers in the UK, they are also the leader throughout Europe.

So who are Hörmann and what makes them the brand of choice for so many people? Let’s find out more.

A Background in innovation

The family owned and run Hörmann company was originally founded in the small town of Steinhagen, Germany, in 1935 and its world headquarters is still based there to this day.

The company as we know it today can trace its origins back to the 1950s and the industrial production of a new type of garage door: the iconic up-and-over garage door which is still a hugely popular solution even today.

In the 1960s, space-saving, vertically opening sectional doors for garages were introduced to the range, as well as for industrial and commercial buildings. This diversification initiated a future-oriented development and established the brand as a true innovator in the field.

Although the product range has been extended greatly since those early days, traditional garage doors remain a core product line and continue to be some of the most popular and best selling products.

Today, the Hörmann Group is managed by the third and fourth Hörmann generation, the grandson and great-grandsons of company founder August Hörmann. Thomas J. Hörmann, Martin J. Hörmann and Christoph Hörmann are personally liable partners.

A world renowned brand

Since its formation in 1935, Hörmann has has produced and delivered more than 15 million doors worldwide. It now boasts over 6,000 employees in 27 specialised factories in Europe, North America and Asia, who work together to develop and produce high-quality doors, hinged doors, frames and operators for use in private garages, homes and commercial properties.

The company has an annual turnover of more than 1 billion euros and is present in over 100 individual sales locations in more than 40 countries. It is also represented by sales partners in over 50 other countries.

Hörmann in the UK

In the UK, the company trades as Hörmann (UK) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hörmann KG.

First established in 1979 from a small industrial unit in Leicester, Hörmann UK saw continual growth and in 1993 moved to new premises at Whetstone in Leicester.

In 2000, as the company continued to expand due to the popularity of Hörmann garage doors, they moved into purpose built offices at their current location in Coalville, Leicestershire, giving them a footprint of 8000 square metres.

In 2006, they built on remaining land to add a further 3800 square metres of assembly/warehouse space and 200 square metres of office space, providing a total building footprint of 12,000 square metres.

Today, UK production of Hörmann garage doors is carried out at their Yeovil site.

As an approved agent for Hörmann garage doors, Arridge Garage Doors offer the very best in quality garage doors at some of the most competitive prices on the market, as well as a full nationwide installation service. With almost 30 years of experience in the market, we are well known for our exceptional knowledge and customer service. To talk to an expert now about the right garage door for you, call us today on 01691 670394.

A Brief History of the Garage Door

Posted 9th May 2018 by Garage Doors

For those of us who keep our cars in a garage, we may well find ourselves raising and lowering the up and over door many times a day. If you have repurposed your garage to use as a workshop, storage room, gym or utility room you may use the main door less frequently, but nonetheless it is an integral part of the garage. But have you ever wondered about who thought up the idea of the up and over garage door that has become so iconic, and where and when it came into being? It would be completely logical to assume that it came into existence around the same time that cars became mass-manufactured. And you’d be right – but the origins go far further back.

Swing low, sweet chariot…

It is generally agreed that the original concept of a garage door dates back to the days of chariots – a early as 450 BC. At this time, chariots were the primary form of wheeled transport and stored in buildings known as gatehouses, where doors were fitted primarily for their defensive function and were certainly not practical.

Interestingly, the modern words car, carriage and carry are all derived from the same origin as the word chariot, whilst the word garage comes from the French garare, meaning ‘to shelter’.

On your cart

As wheeled transport continued to develop and evolve, the horse and cart became a highly important mode of transport and stables and the carriage house or coach house began to be a common sight. At the same time, farmers began to build what were known as cart sheds.

The coach house was another step towards the garage as we know it today, with its primary role being to protect carriages from the elements rather than the enemy. In those days, huge, unwieldy wooden doors were used. They were heavy and opened outwards on bulky, iron hinges, which could make them problematic on uneven ground.

The onset of motoring

As the horse and cart began to be gradually replaced by motor cars, buildings formerly used as stables, coach houses and barns began to be used for storing cars instead – often alongside horses in the beginning! With this new form of transport being faster and able to make several trips a day, the need arose to create lighter weight doors that were easier to handle.

Early doors continued to open outwards on vertical hinges, but rigid metal hinges were replaced with leather strap hinges. However, these would wear out over time and were not ideal for regular, daily use. In addition, drivers began to realise that these outward opening doors were not always practical – especially in conditions such as snow or wind.

Up and over it goes

The up and over garage door that is so familiar today was first seen in America around the start of the 20th century. As early as 1902, American manufacturers—including Cornell Iron Works—published catalogs featuring a “float over door.” Evidence of an upward-lifting garage door can also be found in a catalog in 1906.

It was in 1921, however, that C.G. Johnson – founder of the Overhead Door Corporation – introduced the first up and over door as we know it today. This door could be lifted upwards, folding parallel to the garage ceiling. Keen to market his invention to the public, Johnson and his wife toured trade shows and county fairs across America demonstrating the “Overhead Door” with a miniature garage door mounted on a Ford model T truck. In 1936, Leno Martin further developed this concept with the invention of one of the first one-piece overhead type garage doors.

Although there have been many improvements and adaptations over the years, today’s popular up and over garage door is not a great deal different from these early versions – it is an invention that has truly stood the test of time.

Here at Arridge Garage Doors, we are confident that our expertly fitted, top quality garage doors will also stand the test of time. We pride ourselves on offering excellent product knowledge, technical help, deliveries and general service – all whilst keeping our prices as competitive as possible. To talk to us now about getting your perfect garage door supplied and fitted, call the team today on 01691 670394.