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D & D Technologies Celebrates Completion of First Decade in U.S.
D & D Technologies was born of the Australian Standards for Pool Fencing and of Australian government fencing legislation, considered by most industry experts as the strictest in the world. In the late ‘80s, these standards forced D&D’s management to “think outside the box” to develop reliable and effective, non-corrosive self-closing and self-latching gate hardware. The Magna-Latch? magnetic, self-latching pool and safety gate latch and Tru-Close? adjustable, self-closing hinges were the result of this effort.
In early 1991, the company’s award-winning line of “Hi-Performance Hardware” was introduced to the United States market at a fencing industry trade show. Company representatives brought along a supply of Magna-Latch? magnetic latches (found on over 70% of all pool gates in Australia), and one fencing company bought them all.
Not long after this show, a Phoenix fencing manufacturer got involved as a distributor of the Magna-Latch and Tru-Close hinges, and throughout 1991, the company’s network of distributors grew at an accelerated rate.
D & D continued to sell to the U.S. market from its head office and manufacturing plant in Sydney, Australia. In 1995, current President and CEO David Calabria came on board and one of the largest fencing companies in the U.S. joined the distribution system.
In January, 1996, the company changed its distribution system by establishing a U.S. headquarters, D & D Technologies (USA), Inc., in Orange County, California.
Since then, the company has experienced phenomenal growth.
According to Calabria, “The company’s philosophy is to supply niche markets with innovations that are clearly superior to traditional devices. It is our goal to remain at the cutting edge of technology and to provide cost-effective product solutions for end users, including the fencing and locksmith industries, landscape architects and consumers.
“In 1998,” Calabria says, “we introduced the Lokk-Latch, truly a ‘better mousetrap,’ in response to an expressed need for a stylish gravity or D-style latch that would be lockable, rust-free, and accessible from both sides of a privacy or pedestrian-access gate. This product met with immediate success, and remains one of the most popular items in our line.”
“In the new millennium, we’ve continued to introduce new products,” Calabria continues. “Although the 20 plus styles of Tru-Close hinges meet most needs, we’ve designed several other hinge styles to address a variety of uses: the Tru-Close Round-Post Hinge? for gates with round posts; the Multi-Adjust? hinge which offers the ultimate range of vertical, horizontal and tension adjustment for large, heavy or high-traffic gates; the Mini Multi-Adjust? and the Mini-Multi Round for regular weight gates, and the economical, general-purpose Multi-Fit? hinges for most light house and garden gates.
Most of these products have versions for wood, metal or vinyl gates.
“The Lokk-Latch has proven to be extremely popular with the fencing trade, and inspired even more ideas for the ‘ultimate’ privacy-gate latch, D&D Technologies’ Lokk-Latch PRO?. The Lokk-Latch PRO shares many features with the Lokk-Latch, but contains a security six-pin lock that can be keyed-alike to most household doors by a locksmith. The PRO can be locked or unlocked simultaneously from either side of the gate. Like other D&D products, it’s made of glass-reinforced polymers, so will not rust or stain.”
Calabria continues, “The revolutionary? Lokk-Bolt, a new style of drop-bolt which, like the Lokk-Latch PRO, can be keyed-alike to most household doors, has also been enthusiastically greeted by our customers. This product, which provides double-drive gate security without the irritation of bolts dragging across driveways, comes in 18” and 24” models to meet expressed industry needs.
D&D Technologies newest product, Z-Lokk™ magnetic gate lock, has been designed to save installation time and money, while providing an attractive, secure latching system for commercial and residential properties. The Z-Lokk, formed of tough engineering polymers and 316-grade stainless steel components, will not rust or corrode, and can be installed with no milling, hole drilling or welding.
D&D Technologies’ Senior VP Sales & Marketing Jim Paterson says, “We truly believe we’ve designed a revolutionary locking gate latch. We’ve combined the magnetic technology that has made the Magna-Latch® hugely successful for over a decade with 6-pin locks, to provide added security. This stylish new gate lock is the result of years of fencing industry research. And with the attractive lever latch design, the Z-Lokk will meet Federal ADA standards.”
The Z-Lokk can be re-keyed to other locks, and is suitable for all metal picket-style gate applications except for pool gates. (The company’s Magna-Latch is designed for pool and child safety gates.) The Z-Lokk is adjustable vertically and horizontally. Two models fit gate frames from 1” – 1 5/8” and 1 ¾” to 2 ½”. Like other D&D products, the Z-Lokk carries a limited Lifetime Warranty.
Paterson concludes, “D & D Technologies has achieved an excellent reputation as one of the world’s most innovative, high quality gate hardware manufacturers. We are committed to continuing our focus on safety, supported by our tradition of quality, reliability, service and innovation.”
As part of that commitment, a key component of D&D’s mission is promoting pool safety, with the goal of reducing toddler drownings in backyard pools. Toward achieving that goal, D&D Technologies is the founding sponsor of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (see www.drowningprevention.info).