Access Control VS Cremone Bolts - 30-1 Years in...

Louise Frost, Search Manager at Door Controls Direct, a trusted provider of comprehensive door control solutions, sits down with their MD, Gary Hewitt, to discuss all things safety and security.

This might be a little early, but 2025 will mark 30 years in the architectural ironmongery industry for Gary. Why wait to hear his insights on a sector that's evolving rapidly and becoming more complex by the day? After all, there’s no time like the present. So, 30 years it is.

Gary and I have known each other since 2010. But what has changed in the safety and security landscape over those 14 years? And how does the company compare to where we were back when Oasis was battling Blur and Terry Venables had us all hooked on Euro ’96?

And what’s next?

With Door Controls Direct gaining momentum in recent years, what’s the latest innovation that’s pushing the industry forward—whether it’s AI, smart hardware, or new approaches to fire protection and physical security?

Keep reading to find out.

L: Tell me about your journey in our industry to date.

G: It was 1995. I’d just got married and moved from a builder’s merchant to work on the trade counter of an architectural ironmongers in Yeovil. Those were the days when brown smocks hung on cloakroom pegs and museum-worthy joinery tools lined the shop floor.

There’s a rich heritage in our industry, but so much has changed. The trade counter was the best place to learn. Getting hands-on, earning your stripes, building your own knowledge base. You had to serve your time and do the hard yards.

After four years and a Guild diploma, I was drawn upstairs to the specification department. A1 plans rolling off the big printer, calls and faxes with architects. Designing products for buildings that didn’t yet exist. It was a whole new world of architectural ironmongery for me.

Back then, everything was knowledge-led. There were core manufacturers who invested in training, and I worked closely with locksmiths on master key systems. As someone who’s been around for a while, I feel that personal touch—building bespoke systems with clients and architects—has been lost over the years.

With my silver award diploma and solid understanding of both sales and specification, I became interested in management. Through various changes in leadership, I eventually became a director in 2016 and Managing Director in 2018.

It was a traditional path—slow, steady, and considered. That’s how I and many of my peers started out. But now, I see a growing frustration among new entrants with the pace of this long-established route. My challenge is finding ways to speed things up without compromising quality.

Knowledge is the backbone of our industry—and of Door Controls Direct. It’s fundamental to everything we do.

L: What are the challenges now compared to what they used to be?

G: Back in the day, the focus was purely on security—master key systems, door hardware, locking mechanisms. It was about keeping premises safe and managing access. Now, it's safety first, second, and third. That’s what our customers are asking for. We haven’t forgotten security, but it’s now layered with a stronger emphasis on safety and providing expert solutions.

L: You’re leading a business through a tough time—recession, pandemic, cost of living crisis—what keeps you up at night?

G: On a personal level, it's the team. Team development, retention, and safety. Our staff are hungry for growth and learning, and we want to support them. If they aren't passionate and driven, we can’t reach our goals. Alongside that, we're focused on their wellbeing and creating a positive working environment.

Outside the company, supply chain fragility is a constant concern. And with the rise of AI in daily workflows, misinformation is a growing threat. We rely on our expertise to guide customers, but if others use AI to generate content, it could lead to dangerous misunderstandings in our industry.

Other concerns include government cuts to safety budgets and the need for clear regulations. We can help customers meet standards, but only if the rules are in place to begin with.

L: How are you setting the company apart in the industry?

G: We take a digital-first approach. It's not just marketing jargon for us. By hiring a Marketing Director, we've brought in new expertise and upskilled our team. We’ve built in-house digital marketing, branding, and SEO, using our reputation to grow in a modern way.

It took some retraining, but we've moved away from the traditional model. Our edge isn’t just our product range—it's our knowledgeable team. We invest in their growth because that's what sets us apart from larger competitors.

L: What’s the focus for the future?

G: Knowledge is key, but it's not everything. We're also building on our 100-year-old brand. Our goal is to be a digital-first leader in architectural ironmongery and door control solutions.

With construction insolvencies rising, we’re focused on maintaining strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and our team. We don’t want to become another statistic. Door Controls Direct will remain a reliable source of door control solutions.

L: What’s the best advice you’ve received or would pass on to someone?

G:

• Do more of what you enjoy in your job.
• Work with a team you like spending time with.
• Find your direction and stay focused.
• Don’t bring work home with you.

Past, present, and future. Thank you, Gary, for sharing your journey, insights, and vision for the future of Door Controls Direct.

A final word from Gary: The whole industry is trying to find its identity. At Door Controls Direct, we're staying true to ours while remaining adaptable. Many companies try to be everything to everyone, but that’s not sustainable. We’ve learned that the hard way. You can’t be both access control and cremone bolts.