Consort Architectural Hardware - Experts & Thought Leaders

Consort Architectural Hardware has announced the first phase of a strategic rollout of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and CAD capabilities across its range of ironmongery products, with an aim of supporting customers and enhancing digital collaboration throughout the construction supply chain. In this initial phase, Consort has released BIM and digital assets for more than seventy of its high-demand ironmongery products, including levers, door closers, concealed bearing hinges, backset locks, and panic and exit devices. This milestone marks the start of an ambitious program to provide BIM and CAD files for its entire portfolio of product categories, reinforcing the manufacturer’s commitment to transparency, digital integration and customer support. Rising demand for accessible product information BIM continues to play a central role in the design, delivery and maintenance of modern construction projects, and Consort’s initiative responds directly to the rising demand for accurate and accessible product information across the built environment. Daniel May, Director at Consort Architectural Hardware discusses the ongoing project: “As construction standards evolve and regulations advance, the architectural hardware sector must continue to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of a progressive, digital-first industry.” “We recognize the call for reliable, detailed digital product information is growing louder, and the first step of our BIM rollout reflects Consort’s ongoing support to specifiers, contractors and architects as they navigate compliance, efficiency and coordination at each stage of the project lifecycle.” “By offering structured BIM files that cover all compliance, certification and performance data across our growing library of products, we’re empowering professionals to meet both practical and regulatory requirements whilst supporting faster specification, cleaner scheduling and improved collaboration.” Phase two of Consort’s BIM rollout Phase two of Consort’s BIM rollout is scheduled for release in early 2026 and will expand the digital library into deeper hardware categories, covering narrow profile hardware and less-represented mortise items such as flush bolts and thumb turns. This continued development will further support customers throughout the door scheduling process and ensure professionals have access to comprehensive, compliant digital product information.

Consort Architectural Hardware is proud to announce its debut appearance at the London Build Expo 2025, marking a major milestone in the company’s growth and presence within the UK construction industry. The two-day event, taking place between the 19th - 20th of November at the Olympia London, welcomes the best innovation, technology and services across the construction sector, with visitors of stand P40 able to find a wide-ranging display of Consort’s leading ironmongery products and cutting-edge access control solutions for the first time. Transparency, integration and customer support Following a period of investment, Consort will showcase what has been a transformative year for the business, comprising of a strategic headquarters relocation, the launch of a global product brochure and the synchronized roll out of Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities across its products - reinforcing the manufacturer’s commitment to transparency, integration and customer support. These recent developments underpinned Consort’s submittal for Supplier of the Year at the London Construction Awards 2025, where they were shortlisted as a finalist. Latest solutions and recent business developments Daniel May, Director at Consort Architectural Hardware comments on their first UK exhibition: "For over 35 years, Consort has worked closely with key industry professionals in support of the latest design and construction projects, and as we continue to grow as a manufacturer and supplier, we have watched the London Build Expo develop into one of the pioneering events on the UK calendar." He adds, "Our latest solutions and recent business developments are a testament to our continued dedication to quality, service and innovation in architectural ironmongery, and this year’s landmark event is the perfect platform for us to share our expertise as we connect with a network of the UK’s biggest contractors, architects, developers and construction professionals." New and existing customers Daniel May continues, "We’re excited to engage with both new and existing customers in what will be our first time exhibiting at the London Build Expo 2025, and we welcome visitors to stand P40 as we celebrate a year of growth and share our vision for what’s to come." The London Build Expo is the UK’s largest construction show and will welcome upwards of 38,000 attendees, with this year’s event marking 10 years of the show.

Consort Architectural Hardware has unveiled its most comprehensive product brochure yet, reflecting the latest updates to its hardware portfolio in support of architects, interior designers, door manufacturers, ironmongery suppliers, contractors, and specifiers worldwide. At 395 pages, Consort’s new product catalogue has been expanded significantly, with a refined layout showcasing more of the latest designs across its range of door controls, exit devices, and Premium Range of pull handles, lever handles, and bathroom turns. The ‘one stop shop’ brochure also displays Consort’s growing collection of hardware finishes, including over 20 Premium PVD finishes which have been carefully developed to match universally across a variation of ironmongery categories. Newly updated product listing Each newly updated product listing includes a complete list of features, finishes, fire certifications Each newly updated product listing includes a complete list of features, finishes, fire certifications, BS EN standards and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). Specifiers can also find detailed notes on the different standards and finishes to consider when choosing architectural hardware, helping to ensure the most appropriate products are selected for commercial, residential, hospitality, and healthcare projects. Daniel May, Director at Consort Architectural Hardware, discusses the launch: “Following a focused development cycle, we’ve scaled our product portfolio and certifications considerably over the past five years, and we felt a new main brochure was key to supporting our customers throughout the specification process.” Global product brochure “Our new global product brochure will act as a complete guide to our full architectural hardware range, offering clear and up-to-date information on features, certification, finishes, and even project insights,” continued Daniel May. “With one central resource, we’re now able to showcase our newest lever designs, certified solutions, and popular finishes all in one place - making product selection simpler than it’s ever been before.” “We’re proud to invite both new and existing customers to receive our 2025 catalogue and look forward to seeing our latest architectural hardware solutions making a statement in a variety of design projects worldwide.”

The healthcare industry faces unique and significant security challenges. Healthcare security professionals must balance an open, welcoming environment for patients and visitors with the need to protect valuable assets and personnel in a high-stress, 24/7 setting. These requirements direct the physical security technologies deployed in medical facilities. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the unique aspects of the healthcare market, and how should the physical security industry adapt?

The healthcare infrastructure is ever evolving. Facilities are no longer single entities for one, they are sprawling ecosystems that serve a wide range of users, from medical staff and administrators to vulnerable patients, visitors and maintenance personnel. Safeguarding their safety and security, while providing seamless operation is a complex challenge - one frequently solved by access control. Use of access control Today’s security solutions play a central role in protecting people and mitigating risk across much of our built environment. An appropriately specified system is effective at regulating, monitoring and restricting entry and exits, and allows users to navigate an integrated network and its hardware to ensure the right access is provided to the right person at the right time. In healthcare buildings, the use of access control expands further, whereby a system can tackle a host of unique operational challenges - significantly contributing to fire safety, ease of movement and the theft prevention of equipment, medicine and sensitive patient data, and all while protecting human life and preserving privacy and dignity. In healthcare buildings, the use of access control expands. In doing so, access control can become the cornerstone of functionality, compliance and organization in any healthcare environment. Though, as the complexity of projects deepen, decision makers are reminded that coordination is key. Preparing and empowering users Between January and March 2025, there were over 832,000 patient safety events recorded in the NHS. While each of these events may not be directly linked to building security specifically, the healthcare industry is faced with a considerable number of safety incidents, which suggests greater monitoring and mitigation is needed across the board. Access control often provides staff with the vital means of retaining control without impeding care Patient well-being and security will always remain paramount in the sector, and access control often provides staff with the necessary means of retaining control without impeding care. Hospitals for example, sustain a high level of footfall across large campuses with multiple points of entry and on-site patient record systems, presenting a number of simultaneous security tests as a result. Though, unlike other public buildings, where rigid security measures are active at all times, many healthcare environments must strike a balance throughout their security framework to meet a host of one-of-a-kind demands. Use of access credentials With a continuous influx of patients, staff and visitors, healthcare groups are habitually required to remain accessible and inviting around the clock. At the same time, they must also be prepared to deter unwanted visitors in areas of restricted access and lock down intensive wards to ensure patients remain safe and secure under periods of monitoring. For this, the use of access credentials is critical and provides a regulated system for sensitive staff-controlled areas such as pharmacies, wards, and server rooms. By applying role, zone, or schedule-based access, decision makers can authorize personnel seamlessly, empowering facilities to manage patient care without compromising security in the process. Use of access credentials is critical and provides a regulated system for staff. Implementation of AI-powered tools and devices Modern systems may incorporate the use of keycards, biometric scanners, and mobile credentials When it comes to the operation of these systems, training gaps are a concern, however. Over the five years up to February 2025, numbers of NHS doctors rose by 26%, with nurses also up 25%, and this influx of new staff requires education towards the usage of access control.  Modern systems may incorporate the use of keycards, biometric scanners, mobile credentials and in some cases, voice-activation, with the implementation of AI-powered tools and devices set to play a more prevalent role in the future. Each system presents its own benefits and may be better suited to certain projects and areas, but without consultation and proper user education, they can instead become a barrier. Strategy, scalability, performance To alleviate these operational threats, early-stage planning is fundamental. Just as end-user education and training should be built into project timelines, it’s important to consider the growing need for cooperation throughout the entire supply chain of an access control project. A collaborative approach becomes even more critical when innovative solutions enter the market All too often, a lack of evidence-based decision making can hinder the specification of a scheme and its accompanying hardware, whereby choices are made without understanding long-term performance or compliance requirements. Whether approaching a new or retrofit development, ongoing communication allows experts to come together and ensure that product decisions are aligned with the buildings intended use and user base. This collaborative approach becomes even more critical when innovative solutions enter the market and new sector challenges arise. Latest access control products With this in mind, trusted manufacturers will no longer simply deliver the latest access control products, but will aim to work alongside the architects, specifiers, contractors, and facility managers at each stage of the building’s lifecycle to ensure touchpoints are addressed. This is crucial in modern healthcare environments, where the added layer of complexity requires tailored security measures. One area that is often neglected is scalability, for example. As healthcare facilities manage fluctuating patient numbers and a growing level of patient data, along with new regulations, systems must be adaptable and allow for ongoing improvements and updates to the security infrastructure without the need for a complete overhaul. By adopting a scalable system that combines technology integration with ease of use, decision makers can future-proof their building’s security. Manufacturers will no longer simply deliver the latest access control products Complexity of the healthcare industry In truth, access control has become more than a means of restricting access. Modern systems are more equipped than ever before to deliver environments that support care, safety, and operational excellence.  Nonetheless, the complexity of the healthcare industry and its buildings demands more than product innovation - it requires an industry-wide commitment to collaboration, from project conception to product installation and beyond.

Students deserve a safe and positive environment where they can learn and thrive. Teachers and administrators should be able to focus on their primary role of educating students because they feel supported and protected by a comprehensive security plan. Staff require a clear protocol for responding to emergencies. And parents deserve peace of mind that their children are safe during the school day. One of the tools for safer schools is physical security technology. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can physical security systems make schools safer?