THE INNOVATION DNA OF D&D TECHNOLOGIES

THE INNOVATION DNA OF D&D TECHNOLOGIES The culture of creativity and innovation that defines D&D Technologies’ business stretches all the way back to 1998. Co-founder David Doyle (one of the Ds in D&D; the other being Neil Dunne), was watching a science program on TV. In it, the merits of rare earth magnets—exceptionally strong permanent magnets made from alloys of rare-earth elements— were being discussed. Leaping off the couch, David knew he’d found the way to make a stronger, smarter, more durable gate latch that wouldn’t jam, stick, rust, or lose its magnetic closing force. Experimenting in his workshop, David developed a prototype of the very first MagnaLatch, a product that would go on to revolutionise the gate hardware market and set a global benchmark for child safety around pools. Fast forward 35 years and the MagnaLatch has been installed on millions of pool and child safety gates all over the world. That game changing flash of innovation didn’t just set a new standard in safety; it sparked a culture of innovation and invention that has seen D&D Technologies grow to become the world’s most trusted hardware brand. According to Richard Zitzelsperger, D&D Technologies Group Product Development Manager, David and Neil’s legacy has created a culture that prizes creative thinking and encourages ideas to come from anywhere—not just the product team. “D&D is a deliberately decentralised organisation,” says Richard. “This means that everyone has a voice, and every voice is respected. At our weekly cross-functional meetings, ideas are shared and opened to creative thinking and problem solving. “Ideas also come from our customers. We listen to what they’re telling us and use those insights to develop new products or product improvements that address the evolving needs of the market.” For all D&D Technologies’ disruptive innovation and experimentation, what makes it work is a robust quality control process that ensures products meet the company’s exacting standards before they go out the door. “When a good idea is surfaced, we jump on it immediately,” says Richard. “We share it. We cultivate it. We test it relentlessly and repeatedly to ensure the product is engineered to withstand tough punishment. “Our mantra is: always be the best—in ingenuity, in performance, in value. We will not settle for anything else. It’s as simple as that.” The original ideas didn’t stop with the MagnaLatch®, in 1990, the product development gurus at D&D Technologies invented their second great innovation in gate safety. Worried about pool gate safety the D&D founders wanted to create a gate hinge that performed at a higher level than the standard coil spring hinges used at the time and along came the TruClose hinge, the world’s first self-closing polymer hinge. Made from super-strong polymer these hinges don’t rust, sag, bind, or stain —even under the most rigorous conditions. The unique housing of the stainless-steel spring requires no lubrication or maintenance. Better yet, the hinges were easy for the homeowner to adjust themselves, eliminating the need for callbacks to the fencing contractor or installer. Next the development team at D&D Technologies turned their attention to revolutionising the way most gates were latched and locked. In 1997, determined that there was a better way, combined the latch and lock in one super-strong, rust-free polymer casing, the best-selling LokkLatch from D&D was born. Taking a radical new approach to the ‘gravity latch’ principle and combining the benefits of key-lockability and reliable latching action with superior design and durable components, the LokkLatch has gone on to become a best-selling general-purpose gate latch for homes, gardens, and back yards. “Over the span of three and a half decades, there have been plenty of imitators and competitors copy our first-to-market ingenuity. But the fact remains, we’re still the original and award-winning standard others follow.”