In 2009, Mila Hardware launched seven major new products – more it believes than any of their competitors and in 2010 – its 30th anniversary year – it is planning to launch a further 10.
In the first quarter alone, this will include: an Evolution butt hinge for composite doors, new Prolinea Style door handles with three lever designs, new Prolinea Style Espag handles, plated finishes for the Ideal Flag hinge and new Prolinea letterplates.
The company’s focus though is not just on new products but also on the continual improvement of products across its entire range. Popular products are constantly being reviewed by Mila’s team of designers looking for ways to make them easier to fit, easier to sell or quicker and cheaper to manufacture and thus more competitive.
For example, its most popular hinge in recent years is the Evolution high security door hinge which was launched in 2003 and has already sold nearly 2.5 million units.
It is a high quality zinc alloy product with a steel hinge pin which combines the adjustment and strength of a flag hinge with the anti-lift properties and subtle sight lines of a butt hinge.
In just three pieces – frame part, sash part and sash cover, it is quick to fit and very easy to adjust. Without the need for additional hinge protectors, it consistently meets both PAS23 and PAS24 standards and has been tested to twice the 50,000 required cycle limit at Mila’s UKAS accredited Test Centre.
It is suitable for sash over-rebate sizes from 14mm to 25mm and, because the frame part of the hinge is the same width as a standard butt hinge, no fiddly or costly frame add-ons are required.
Mila has not rested on its laurels with this product though but has continued to innovate to stay ahead of its competitors. New finishes will be available in 2010 including smokey chrome and satin chrome and a new offset hinge pin which now allows for compression as well as lateral and vertical adjustment once fitted.
A bespoke packaging solution also allows the frame part to be packed separately from the sash part to suit specific fabrication requirements.
Mila also carried out a similar exercise recently with its Prolinea Shootbolt Espag which was an enhancement of the hugely popular 8-series.
The new improved shootbolt is 25% stronger than the original with a smoother and more robust design. It features a new slide tag to make it quicker and easier to fit and it is now available in a single size which can accommodate both standard and reduced depth eurogrooves.
Both these products typify Mila’s approach to the market which is to invest in the innovation which will pay dividends for its customers – whether that is in new or existing product ranges.
When Mila Hardware was acquired by its new parent company Arran Isle Ltd in October 2009, it announced £6m of new investment for the UK businesses.
A significant portion of this will be spent at Mila Hardware on the design, development, prototyping, manufacturing and stock holding which is necessary to bring its product innovations to market so customers can expect to see a continuation of the programme throughout 2010.