D&D Technologies Acquires Shut It Gate Hardware
- November 02, 2016
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- Press Releases
Two high quality gate hardware manufacturers unite providing innovation, leadership, and the world’s most trusted gate hardware
CALIFORNIA, October 6th, 2016 – D&D Technologies, leader in magnetic safety gate latches and premium polymer gate hardware announces the acquisition of SHUT IT® Gate Hardware. SHUT IT® is the leader in gate hardware for the fence, ornamental iron and access control industries. The acquisition provides D&D additional product lines of wheels and steel hinges to complement its current premium magnetic safety latches, hydraulic closers, aluminum and polymer product portfolio.
D&D Technologies started out in Sydney, Australia, evolving from a family-owned fencing company in the late 1980's to become a worldwide market leader in gate hardware.
The owners of the D&D Aluminum Fencing Company had been frustrated at the lack of durable gate latches and hinges to complement their custom-made aluminum and glass pool fencing designs. In 1988, one of the owners, David Doyle, saw a science program featuring "rare earth" magnets that never loses magnetic force. Devising a latching mechanism around this idea, using engineering polymers and stainless steel to eliminate rust as well as jamming, the MagnaLatch® safety gate latch was born.
Soon other local fencing contractors and fabricators wanted to use it as well, and D&D Technologies was established to manufacture the latches. Following the success of MagnaLatch®, D&D went on to design and manufacture a complete range of polymer-based latches and hinges at its Sydney premises, including the award-winning TruClose® self-closing hinges, the general-purpose LokkLatch®, and the LokkLatch® Magnetic Gate Lock.
“We are delighted with this acquisition, and we welcome SHUT IT® as part of the D&D family “ says David Calabria, CEO, D&D Technologies. “This is a synergistic and complimentary union of two companies that were born out of the fencing industry, and have provided leadership and innovation to the industry by inventing new products. This acquisition will allow us to expand by providing more brilliant designs and new products to our existing product line up.”
SHUT IT® started as Counsel Industries, LLC and became a leader in the design and distribution of hardware and gate systems for the metal fence and access control industries.
Founded in 1998, Counsel began marketing innovative gate solutions designed to ease installation requirements and eliminate premature wear on expensive automated gate operator systems.
In the mid-1990s, as vehicular access control began to explode as an industry, two veterans of the fence and access control industries, discovered that many of their maintenance and repair issues for automated gate systems were being caused by the faulty or inferior hardware used on many gates. With the help of a team of engineers and an award winning CNC (Computer Numeric Controlled) machinist they set out to develop a line of products that would eliminate the damage caused to expensive operator systems by the poor hardware available in the market.
“It all started with the ORIGINAL BadAss® Hinge.” says Skip Bengtson, Chief Bad Ass, Shut It. “Using bearing technology, the ORIGINAL BadAss gate hinge, is CNC machined to the tightest tolerances in the industry. Due to our unique bushing design The ORIGINAL, like all other SHUT IT gate hinges, produces near frictionless movement with maintenance free usage.”
After years of development and field testing the Arizona based Counsel Industries was born. Since then, Counsel grew from being a local supplier in the Tucson market to a company with a nationwide distribution network and customers around the globe.
In 2010 the company rebranded itself as SHUT IT Gate Hardware in order to better reflect what the company had become. BadAss and HardCore brands were born.
About D&D:
D&D Technologies invented magnetic gate latches (MagnaLatch®) and polymer safety gate hinges (TruClose®) in the 90’s.
D&D Technologies is the recognized leader in safety and premium grade gate hardware manufacturing, including MagnaLatch® magnetic pool and safety gate latches, TruClose® adjustable, self-closing gate hinges, SureClose®* commercial grade closer & hinge, and LokkLatch® gate latches. D&D's diversity of products continually set new standards in design, performance, craftsmanship and innovation–tied together by a singular level of quality. D&D products consistently exceed all relevant safety barrier codes and are backed by a Lifetime Warranty. (*SureClose® is backed by a 2 year warranty).
D&D Technologies is a founder and active member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA).
About Shut It:
Founded in 1998, SHUT IT® Gate Hardware is the undisputed leader in gate hardware for the metal fence, ornamental iron and access control industries. For nearly 20 years SHUT IT® has developed innovative, high quality products, as well as providing industry leading service. All BadAss® and HardCORE® products are designed and assembled in the U.S.A. under rigorous quality control processes.
