Comment attributed to Paul Smith, Head of Specification Sales at Häfele...

The impact of the Coronavirus created a 175 per cent increase in closures of hospitality and leisure facilities in 2020 compared with 2019 , but hope is on the horizon with the introduction of several different, certified vaccines.

As we start to look ahead to a time when the sector can get back on its feet, businesses in the sector will be looking to create very lean business models, making efficiencies wherever possible.

The slowdown of the sector means that the jobs which have been preserved will be stretched to cover as many different roles within a business as possible.

As a result, many will come to rely on technology and trusted suppliers to help ensure they can continue to operate at the high standards offered before the pandemic.

There is a wealth of products which work in a complementary fashion to make the experience of staying in a hotel – once allowed again – a personal but technologically advanced experience.

For example, remote access control systems like Dialock enable a guest to check in and out at their convenience, gain access to a building’s facilities and secure items within furniture in their room.

It can work in connection with lighting systems like Loox, which are triggered to come on once a user gains entry to their room; with sliding doors, which open at the touch of a button on a smartphone to provide access to different rooms and amenities within a space; and with master keys, which enable operators to maintain control over spaces that are prohibited from public access. All of these activities require less staff intervention.

But bringing all these systems together in the first place requires an expert eye; the knowledge of a team that understands your building type, function and who will use it, and which will also ensure you’re compliant with building and construction industry standards and regulations.

Häfele’s team of specification experts work closely with architects, contractors and hotel operators, helping to bring their ambitions to life.

Whether it’s a refit of an outdated scheme, which aims to make long term time and cost savings, or a new development which is set across multiple locations over several years, we’ll embed ourselves to your vision and recommend the best products and services for your needs.

The 150+ years of experience in our Projects teams means we can visualise what can be put into a space to make it more functional.

The recommendations might be as simple as switching from swinging doors to sliding alternatives to save space, or could be implementing a remote access system like Dialock which – while an upfront investment – gives the guest increased autonomy and security, and will improve the reputation of your brand and save costs over time.

From minimalist design schemes to luxe fit outs, and from boutique, independent facilities to mass market settings which must be consistent in their look and feel, we know which products are most suitable for your purpose and will recommend those which support your needs and budget.

After listening to your brief, our specification team will provide a specification schedule, which is tailored around you and easy to follow. The functionality of your space will be prioritised; it’ll be compliant to health regulations, adhere to your fire safety strategy, ensure you’re able to offer accessibility for people of varying abilities, and have your design scheme considered throughout.

We can supply CAD drawings, images and BIM assets to a design team to help them visualise how each of our different systems – Dialock, Loox, sliding door gear and more – come together into one complementary scheme, and the design can be broken down into great depth, meaning you can explore it by individual rooms if desired.

Once all parties are happy, we’ll then introduce additional, valued services to continue making the process streamlined and cost-effective. Häfele to Order, for example, was created to save time, minimise ordering errors, and improve efficiency on-site and during the installation process of lots of our products.

To support those working on either higher volume projects or in spaces that require made-to-measure components, Häfele to Order allows you to specify products to exact size, quantity and finish, which are then cut, assembled, packaged, labelled and delivered to your specific requirements. It means you only need to purchase precise quantities, cutting down on wasted product, which creates time savings on-site during the fit out process.

Our service provision is built on our experience within the industry and the close relationships we hold with those working on hospitality and leisure projects every day; we’ve designed packages of assistance which support every level of the supply chain, from the architect at initial consultation and design phase, to the installer delivering the fit out and, ultimately, the hotel operator who benefits from their space being a functional, effective place to work and reside.

We’re here to be a part of everyone’s team, to ensure your refit or fit out achieves everything it needs to.