Page 21 - HW MARCH 2020

security, windows & doors
In contrast to this flight to price, he says that demand for smart locks is growing
fast, on top of which digital lock and security products are now “definitely mainstream”, demand having moved away from just the early adopters towards
a true mass market as more and more consumers look to be connected.
What’s driving this? “Keeping up with the Jones – we live in a digital world run from our phones and tablets and everything is now going digital with connectivity to phones.
“Plus, consumer feedback is they are looking for smart solutions when it comes to their door security. Many are running home automation so it’s a natural adjacency for their lock to integrate into this, where they can remotely grant or deny access to their door.”
Bryce Carter confirms that Allegion too is seeing “significant year on year growth in the digital product category” and that the
new “jewels in the crown” are locks offering remote connectivity
and remote access.
Demand is particularly strong for products
that are easy to set up and install which will be attractive for DIYers encouraged by the promise of an easy
retrofit, he says.
We’ll return to this later.
BUILDERS ARE GOING DIGITAL TOO
Another driver towards a much broadened base of demand for remote locking products has been emerging over the last 12 months.
Having got used to their new smartphones and liking how easy it is to do their banking and bill paying, not only online
“Consumer feedback is they are looking for smart solutions when it comes to their door security”
but on their phones, the older generation has also now bought into “smart”, says Sean Crowley, General Manager Sales & Operations at KnK Architectural Hardware.
One of the other key changes from this time last year is that demand for digital or smart locks is no longer limited to the high-end DIY or homeowner market.
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MARCH 2020 | NZHJ 19