Home security specialist expands operations towards plastics industry 

Market exploration leads to next step

AXA has been a reliable and valued supplier of hardware for the trade and carpentry industry for more than 120 years. "Wooden doors and frames have been fitted with hinges and locks for a century, which are basically also excellent for the plastics industry," explains account manager Louis Bonnemaijers. "Two years ago, therefore, the question arose as to what it would take to serve this market more broadly as well. An initial market survey immediately produced many enthusiastic responses. Our strong brand name, short lines of communication, European development and production, extensive customization possibilities and recent Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze certification proved convincing to many of our relations."

"In cooperation with a manufacturer of plastic windows and doors, we further explored the plastic market," Bonnemaijers says. "Over a two-year period, we looked at which existing products lend themselves to the plastic window and door industry, which products need to be adapted and which new developments are desired in order to serve this market as broadly and completely as possible as well." This has since led to an interesting and high-quality range of security hardware, door handles, security cylinders, letter plates, window openers, combi bolts, tele-operators and tilt-and-turn window handles. A sneak peek.

Complete range of security hardware

AXA is strong in door hardware. "Our range of security hardware for wooden doors also proved to be well suited for application in the plastics industry," Bonnemaijers says. "However, some modifications were made. For example, the security hardware is spring-loaded and the handle and knob have also been adjusted, because the position of the security hardware is situated a bit closer to the frame. A new narrow hardware line for plastic doors responds optimally to this and comes standard with core pull protection. Because the aluminum door hardware can be anodized and/or ground in several color tones (natural, black and stainless steel), a suitable hardware is available for every door."

Aluminum door handles in various styles

The range of door handles, too, now matches the plastic door industry and has been made suitable for easy mounting on these doors, Bonnemaijers said. "Solid mounting sets and even a smart connection between the door handle on the outside and the hardware on the inside are among the options."

Custom security cylinders

Several years ago, AXA expanded its range of hardware to include cylinders, which also lend themselves perfectly to the plastics industry. "Because the cylinders are completely custom-made in-house and from our own stock, we can guarantee fast delivery times," Bonnemaijers says. "All cylinders are easy to order through the AXA website."

Letter plates in various colors

Anno 2024, front doors must be nearly draft-tight, he knows. "That's why letter plates are spring-loaded these days. On the inside is a draft-resistant flap, between which an integrated extendable shaft construction adapts to the door thickness. AXA's range includes three sizes for this purpose, so that our letter plates can be used in combination with any door thickness. Even for 11 cm thick doors we can supply suitable letter plates! Because the door plates can be supplied in various colors, a harmonious design can always be achieved."

AXAflex combi and tele-operated awnings with special base

Very interesting are also the AXAflex combi- and tele-operated stays, for which a special foot was developed. This simplifies mounting on the reveal side of the frame, Bonnemaijers says. "Because the feet are available in several colors (white, gray, black), the beautiful aesthetics of the plastic window frame are also ensured."

Tilt and turn window handles including night ventilation position

Last-but-not-least, AXA developed a new line of tilt-and-turn window handles in security and standard versions. "The line consists of four handle models without or with lock (SKG**), which, in addition to the usual turn-tilt positions, also feature a night ventilation position," Bonnemaijers said. "By using three different pin lengths of 32, 37 or 40 mm, the handle is again applicable to a wide range of window thicknesses. With this, we offer a considerable range, with which we can also start to become an interesting party for the plastic window frame industry."