THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF LOCKS AND BUILDERS HARDWARE MANUFACTURERS
ARBEITSGEMEINSCHAFT DER VERBÄNDE DER EUROPÄISCHEN SCHLOSS UND BESCHLAGINDUSTRIE
FEDERATION EUROPEENNE DES ASSOCIATIONS DE FABRICANTS DE SERRURES ET DE FERRURES
WELCOME TO ARGE
ARGE is a Trade Assocition that represents lock and hardware manufacturers within Europe and Scandanavia.
ARGE operates through an:
ARGE Projects and Topics which result in Industry Standards and Regulations.
Lobbying and informing the European Commision is enabled due to ARGEs pan-European presence.
ARGE NEWS
ARGE FORGES ALLIANCE WITH E.D.S.F.
The European Federation of Associations of Locks and Builders Hardware Manufactures (ARGE) and the European Door and Shutter Federation e.V. (E.D.S.F.) will be working closely together in the future. Both European associations will from now onwards be supporting each other in their activities. A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to this effect was signed in mid May 2012.
Following this MoC between E.D.S.F. and ARGE the associations will strengthen relations in technical and selected marketing related matters and activities. A priority is a common strategy regarding European Harmonisation and thus benefits members of both associations.
The E.D.S.F. is the umbrella organisation for Europe´s associations and manufacturers of doors, gates, shutters and components (drive systems). Founded in 1985 and based in the town of Hagen, Germany, E.D.S.F. was the main leader in development of EN 13241-1 – Product Standard for Doors. The federation now has 17 members from ten EU-countries with a growing network.
Founded in 1956 ARGE is the European umbrella association of locks and hardware manufacturers. It represents 15 National Associations within Europe, which serve of over 200 manufacturers. ARGE works on technical issues for the European Committee of Standardisation (C.E.N.).
ARGE is a Lobby institution with links to the European Authorities and Institutes. It aims to represent the interests of its National Associations, manufacturers and users of locks and hardware. With ARGEs and E.D.S.F. pan-European presence, both associations will be taken as an equivalent information platform for the European Commission.
Joachim Kieker, General Secretary of ARGE states: “After years of a good relation between both associations the cooperation with E.D.S.F. is a logical step due to common topics and visions”.
Cooperative activities will include:
- Standardisation and technical issues (e.g. interpretation upcoming product standard “Fire & Smoke” – prEN 16034),
- Marketing & PR activities (e.g. acting at common trade fairs),
- Sustainability issues (e.g. promotion of the sustainable impact of their products), and
- Market Surveillance (e.g. avoiding trademark piracy).
Christian Grabitz, General Secretary E.D.S.F., points out: “All common activities are to strengthen the voice of the door and hardware industry on EU-level to all market players and EU-representatives.”
For further information:
j.kieker@arge.org
info@edsf.com
WORKING GROUP RESEARCH
We wish to support the Convenor of Working Group C in his efforts to research the Development and Trends in the Building Hardware Industry. Mr Koole is requesting responses to his short multiple choice questionnaire from ARGE members.If you wish to participate with this research please contact Mr Koole for a copy at arjen.koole@fme.nl Completed questionnaires are required to be returned by 31 May 2012.
Working Group C is also conducting a questionnaire on Sustainability. To participate in this please contact the Convenor Mr Whitworth, email david@dawhitworth.force9.co.uk , deadline 21 May 2012.
CONFERENCE TIMES
The start time is Thursday, 13 September 2012 at noon from Helsinki Harbour.The return time also at Helsinki Harbour is Saturday 15 September at 10 a.m.
ARGE Annual Conference 2012 on Baltic Sea
Executives Board decides to perform the next annual meeting in September on a Silja-Line ferry boat.
The Executives have decided, to follow a proposal from the Chairman, Mr. Jorma Sirén from Finland, to hold the Annual Conference between September 13th to 15th on a ship of the Finish Silja-Line, cruising between Helsinki/Finland and Stockholm/Sweden and back. The Chairman reassured to the Executives, that these ships are well equipped as conference venues and offer inexpensive flat rates , so that the conference as a whole can be delivered in a cost effective way for both participants and ARGE.
On the arrival day in Helsinki, the afternoon on the boat will be used for several ARGE meetings including the General Meeting. Besides the evening programme, the following extra topics will be discussed on both evenings on board:
- - The new PCR’s influence on customers and producers habits and
- - The influence of Sustainability in new construction and the role of EPD’s
In addition to the official programme, on the 2nd day of the Conference, there will be the chance to take a stroll through the City of Stockholm with its many attractions downtown near to the harbour. You can find details and cruising facilities of the boats on the Silja-Line website:
http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/The official programme of the conference and the invitations including booking facilities will be prepared and sent out by the ARGE secretary before Easter.