About the Business
Doorcerts Manufacturing (UK) manufactures and supplies high-quality, factory-assembled door sets (whole door systems) ready for installation. This is both for new build and retrofit, across a range of sectors.
The business began in 2020 and has rapidly grown from a 5,000 sq. ft unit in Ripley to 13,000 sq. ft now in Sutton in Ashfield. Doorcerts currently has nine employees within the manufacturing arm and another 19 in its sister company – Fire Door Specialists, which is responsible for fire door installation.
It has built up a reputation for excellent quality and supplying accredited products, which has been the secret to its success so far. Its current lead times of 6-8 weeks also gives it a competitive advantage, compared to the industry norm of 12 weeks.
The business also has a strong sustainability and CSR focus with waste timber being donated to local charities and schools to build planters.
Challenges Faced
Before starting up Doorcerts, Kieran Percival and Co-director Ian Maciejewski had been fire door inspectors and suppliers and had also worked for other fire door manufacturers.
Post Covid-19 they had been frustrated and disappointed with some of the products they were sourcing and realised there was an opportunity for them to produce their own, good quality door sets as a new product range for the company.
The solution
Commercial Manager, Sarah Armson and some of the team have attended several Accelerator workshops over the last 12 months to build their skills and knowledge. This includes Using Marketing to Create Wow Moments in your Business, Mapping your Social Media Content to the Customer Journey and 20 Simple Ways to get your Website generating more Business. Accelerator is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.
Sarah was also looking for networking opportunities around the East Midlands to build her business contacts which is when she came across the East Midlands Manufacturing Network (EMMN). The Network, run by East Midlands Chamber, is exclusive to manufacturers and makers in the region.
EMMN unites local manufacturing companies, enabling its members to harness the cross-industry, business, engineering and manufacturing knowledge necessary to evolve and expand. Members are provided with opportunities to share their experiences with other industry professionals and obtain unique insights into new technologies, resources and information.
Both Sarah and Kieran have attended the Nottinghamshire group since 2023. It was at one of these meetings they heard about Portland College and its new Manufacturing Centre. Portland College is a charity offering residential and day individual study programmes to young adults with disabilities aged 16+
The Impact
The result was that Doorcerts became the first manufacturer to work with Portland College’s Manufacturing Centre. This new working relationship will see learners, who use the Centre, manufacture products that will form part of Doorcerts’ fire-rated doors.
The business is also providing waste timber to Gardens of Giving, a not-for-profit that makes planters for growing fruit and vegetables as they try to tackle issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing, sustainability and food poverty issues.
In further good news, rapid growth looks set to continue for the Nottinghamshire business with turnover on track to more than double this year. Doorcerts also plan to create new jobs.
“East Midlands Manufacturing Network meetings are a great forum to meet other manufacturers and discuss challenges and best practice. They introduced us to Portland College and we’re proud to be a partner for their new Manufacturing Centre. We’ve also been introduced to business support which we’re now looking into, to help with our business efficiency and automation for the future.”
Kieran Percival
Director