The earth is a global marketplace, with ironmongery available from manufacturers worldwide. In this globalised economy with vastly fluctuating prices, why should you still consider buying British? Being realistic, British manufacturers are unlikely to beat overseas rock-bottom prices, but there are many other factors to take into consideration. Here we delve into why home-grown ironmongery is well worth consideration.
Materials
A strong, long-lasting handle starts with the raw materials chosen. Instinct has built a strong reputation from our usage of Grade 316 stainless steel – a superior steel often chosen for its anti-corrosive properties. Most British ironmongery manufacturers choose to work with longer-lasting materials such as solid brass and stainless steel. These materials are harder to work with, but this means the products will maintain both their appearance and functionality over time. Overseas raw material is often poorly recycled, which means that it degrades much faster and is weaker due to impurities.
British Standards for ironmongery ensure that the products are not only of a high quality, but are also safe. Key standards include BS EN 1906 for door handles, BS 3621 for locks and BS EN 1935 for hinges. Standards such as these ensure consistency and reliability. The product then lasts longer – so gives overall better value over time.
Looking for certification such as ISO 9001 can help customers to establish a company’s quality management system and be sure that the ironmongery meets customer and regulatory requirements.
The process of crafting ironmongery
Instinct is a proud member of the Made in Britain community. Using the Made in Britain mark not only signifies the origin of the product, but also carries with it a certain expectation, as around the world British products are renowned for their high quality and craftsmanship. This is down to a long history of skilled manufacturers taking pride in what they do. This is certainly the case at Instinct, where the founders of our business had many years in the trade before striking out on their own, over 30 years ago. The rigorous standards we are subject to in UK manufacturing means that the items produced must meet (and exceed) expectations. We achieve these high standards by blending the more artisanal elements of ironmongery with the latest technology. The craft work involved in creating ironmongery is important, which is why at Instinct we are helping to pass down hand-polishing skills through the generations. Alongside this, we look at how we can ensure the safety and comfort of our staff. This often means the heavy lifting is now done by a machine rather than a human. This doesn’t mean we’ve downsized on staff though; it simply means that our people are upskilled and now oversee the work being done.
In our business, we have heavily invested in relevant machinery, increasing the scope of our CNC department and introducing waterjet technology alongside traditional cutting methods. This means that the techniques used for even simple techniques such as bending metal are done to an extremely high standard. You can check the quality of your ironmongery with our guide here. When you couple technological advancement with human skill, you get the best of both worlds. This results in a crafted, well-made handle with the most advanced features, fully inspected and tested. Being a bespoke company allows us to adjust processes quickly and produce items that are specific to the job. This contrasts with overseas mass-production companies, where a slight change might mean a significant difference in lead times.
Look and feel
Not only is British ironmongery celebrated for its durability, but for its good looks too! Over the centuries there have been many timeless designs from British designers, which have been much admired and emulated. These classic elements remain in many of the designs we see today. Modern classics can make a big difference to a building, from the grandiosity of an oversized brass pull to the small detail of an embossed logo. Being a bespoke British manufacturer, Instinct is an expert at taking elements of existing ironmongery and turning this into a new, stunning design to perfectly complement a building. Not only that, we have the technology to restore some of these yesteryear designs, meaning they can be enjoyed for many more years to come.
Ethics
Alongside good looks and longevity, using a British manufacturer means you can be sure of the product traceability. British manufacturers adhere to strict labour and environmental law, meaning you have full confidence in the ethics behind your purchase. Instinct in particular are listed as a Living Wage provider. This means we are providing a wage for all our staff covering the real living wage, as opposed to the minimum wage. The factory environment also plays a part – our own factory is a pleasant place to work, with non-excessive working hours. The same cannot always be said for overseas providers.
This forms part of sustainable building regulations, part of the current net zero plans from the British Government. Instinct has gone one step further and now has an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for our lever and pull handles, meaning our handles can be used for a wider range of UK projects. Buying from the country of manufacture also means that the carbon footprint is much, much smaller than by importing. Many newer projects are calling for this type of legislation, to show that the overall building is as sustainable as possible. Getting your ironmongery close to home can help push this through.
British made products will often have stronger consumer protection. British manufacturers are obligated by law to support and resolve issues, with the majority going over and above the minimum requirements.
Economy
Buying British supports the immediate economy, creating jobs and adding money back to the country. Whilst this alone may not be a consideration for your client, continually choosing overseas products will lead to the gradual erosion of skills in the UK, meaning eventually there is no other option but to choose these imported items. Whilst British ironmongery may not be right for every job, there is certainly scope to include it on many occasions – especially those where a longer-lasting, individual solution is the best choice.
But price always needs to be considered.
Let’s be honest; British-made products often come with a much higher price tag than overseas competitors…which is tempting for budgets. However, overseas products often fail much earlier than their British counterparts. It is therefore essential to consider overall value, rather than just initial costs.
British prices are often much more transparent when compared to overseas products. This is because of the associated costs or lead times involved with transport or wait for returns/repairs. Buying local eliminates many of these hidden costs.
Overall, buying British has many advantages that should be taken into consideration alongside budgetary constraints. British items are built to last, which is why Instinct offer their 25-year guarantee. With end users becoming ever-more aware of environmental responsibility, buying British is a smart choice. By choosing British ironmongery, you are investing in excellence. To find out about Instinct Hardware's range of British-made ironmongery, simply look at our products or contact us for any more bespoke needs.
Find out more about Instinct Hardware on their member profile page here
Member-created content 2 months ago | From members