 |
| Team DORMA |
 |
| Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane |
Keeping a low profile and blending in with the environment personifies how this company has made a name for itself. But that’s all set to change ….
DORMA, a leading supplier of door technology products and systems, turns 100 years old in 2008 - and wants the whole world to know about it!
The company’s main manufacturing plant in Hallam, Victoria - the Australasian Head Office - will be the first in the world to kick-start centenary celebrations planned on DORMA Day, July 5th. From here, they will be sending a live, televised broadcast that will be transmitted directly to the company’s international head offices in Germany. This highly-technical, unprecedented event for DORMA will enable Australian staff to celebrate the company’s birthday simultaneously with their international colleagues across different time zones.
The quiet performer is now stealing the show
Michael Smith, Regional Manager for DORMA Australasia, says it’s a coming of age for the company. “For many years, we’ve been regarded as the quiet performer: we’ve just got on with the job in hand, ensured our products are reliable and trustworthy; and offered a sound service and maintenance team as back up. But now, with our centenary and a market-leading position, it’s an excellent opportunity for us to show the world just how far we’ve come!”
“Once you start looking, the DORMA brand appears wherever there are doors,” states Mr. Smith. “Every day, thousands of DORMA products are being used in high-traffic, key establishments across all Australian cities.” Recent DORMA installations include both Sydney and Melbourne’s International Airports, the Adelaide, Melbourne and Darwin Convention Centres; Westpac Place in Sydney; Westfield Shopping Centre in Chermside, Queensland; Southern Cross Station in Melbourne; the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane plus a plethora of hotels, hospitals, offices, schools and public buildings. “They all rely on DORMA to provide the essential role of safe and reliable building and room access and space management,” adds Mr. Smith.
It seems DORMA customers are more than happy to endorse their supplier’s products. At Westpac Place, security and performance are essential to the smooth running of this corporation says Danny De Sousa, Facility Manager: “Door systems have to be completely reliable. Its products have proved to be exactly that since being installed nearly two years ago.”
Having an excellent back up is just as important as reliability, says 7 Eleven’s National Construction Manager, Geoff Fagan. “Obviously, aesthetics are important – the products we utilise need to look good - but equally important are reliability and serviceability. And we know absolutely that we’re going to get that support from DORMA.”
International theme for family-focused company
This family-owned company, who perpetuates strong family values throughout its enterprise, will ensure customers and staff will be able to join in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. For example, an international culinary event featuring food from all corners of the earth will be served on DORMA day for staff and their families to enjoy.
The company is also producing a one-off, highly creative ‘mock’ newspaper which is being sent to over 20,000 Australian and New Zealand architects. This tells of DORMA’s fascinating past, its present achievements and how it sees itself in the future!
Next time you step into a public or commercial building, look closely and it’s likely you’ll spot the discreet DORMA crown logo on the quiet automatic door systems; or on the multiple door control devices integral to any building; or on the ultra modern glass fittings that create today’s highly desirable interiors; or on the movable walls that facilitate essential partitioning of room space.
DORMA Australasian history
DORMA’s Melbourne office first opened in 1982 and has rapidly expanded with additional offices in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. DORMA Australia and New Zealand employs more than 350 staff in five Divisions, namely: door control products; automatic door solutions; movable walls; glass fixtures and fittings; and service.
DORMA’s International history and background
On July 1, 1908, Rudolf Mankel and his brother-in-law Wilhelm Dörken founded the company Dörken & Mankel KG in a small forge shop in the little town of Ennepetal in Germany. The two young entrepreneurs had picked up on an idea from far-away America. There, double doors which opened in both directions – like those seen in classic western saloons – had long enjoyed major market success. Mankel and Dörken saw their chance and decided to introduce double-action door hinges to Germany. Having begun production with just a handful of employees, they were quickly flooded with orders from all directions and widened their product range to include door hinges, door springs, door closers and sliding door gear.
DORMA has around 6,500 employees globally and the Group’s worldwide operations generated 838 million euros (1.4 billion Australian dollars) in its 2006/2007 financial year. |
