Rachel Tuckey, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Häfele UK looks at the innovations unlocking efficiency for installers
Forecasts shared by the Construction Products Association earlier this year suggest industry output is set to grow in 2025, with gradual recovery across all sectors, but particularly in private housing new build, and repair, maintenance and improvement, which have faced two particularly challenging years.
While this is positive news for installers, the persistent issue of the skills shortage looms large, threatening to put increased time and resource pressure on those who might soon see their order books fill up. Fortunately, leading manufacturers are responding with innovative products designed to simplify installation processes and reduce time spent on-site.
Installer-led innovations
Utensio is Häfele’s first-ever own-brand collection of in-cabinet storage solutions. Designed to blend style and elegance with intelligent, thoughtful functionality, the range features larder pull-outs, corner and base storage and the UK’s largest capacity integrated bin solution, as well as a wealth of other bin options.
The entire Utensio range is suitable for new installs, or as part of a retrofit renovation. Importantly for installers, it comes with a fitting kit which makes the installation process simpler than anything else on the market.
Wanting to ensure the perfect fit every time, Häfele’s has developed clear-to-follow, picture-led installation instructions, which are supported by time-saving card templates. They include pre-cut holes for the installer to tape the template in the exact position required, and precise guidelines on where drill holes should be made. This eliminates the need for measuring and narrows the margin of error to almost zero, offering significant efficiency and accuracy benefits.
Our aim was to produce fitting instructions that are sympathetic to the challenges installers face each and every time they kit out cabinets with their internal storage solutions – and we believe they’ll be truly game changing.
One tool, multiple uses
Designed to address various installation challenges, Häfele’s UC 16/64 is a true example of a multipurpose tool. A problem solver for any building project, the polycarbonate connection device combines snap-in studs and clips with a latching nose and screw holes, making it suitable for a range of applications, from corner and surface connections to angled and double joints. It can also be used as an assembly aid, cable guide, spacer, and floor guide.
By combining several types of installation needs into one, it removes the need for multiple separate connectors, saving time, space in the toolbox, and cost. It’s truly versatile but also offers invaluable efficiencies for installers working to streamline their processes.
Considered, purposeful design
There’s more where that came from when it comes to Häfele’s range of fixtures and fittings. The IXConnect SC 8/25, for example, is a one-piece connector that requires no glue, dowels or tools to install. Simple in design and entirely concealed once complete, the connector has been developed to dramatically improve furniture manufacturing, by offering a simple and efficient ‘plug and push’ process. To use, installers must simply push the connectors into an 8mm hole before pushing the panel components together by hand, triggering both bolt components of the connector to synchronously expand in the drill hole. Used for cabinets, small furniture items, and drawers, the connectors feature a fixed concealed connection, which means the panels won’t come apart.
Likewise, our iconic Minifix enables installers to quickly create 90-degree mitre joints with ease and is completely concealed when installed. This unique connector – of which we produce 3.2 million each day – is a patented design, based on the principle of having a hemispherical head.
Ergonomic efficiencies
As well as thinking about ways to make it easier to achieve a high-quality finish quicker, we’re also helping installers to make lighter work of tasks.
Levelling cabinetry can be, quite literally, a backbreaking and repetitive task that takes time to get ‘just right’. And the same goes for fitting plinths and wardrobes. But thanks to clever plinth adjusting and fitting systems like Axilo™ by Häfele, that needn’t be the case.
Ergonomically designed, it reduces the risk of back-related injuries and can cut kitchen unit assembly times by almost half. Again, simple tools like this are a great way to improve on-the-job efficiency and enable installers to get through more work in less time.
Time saving services
Alongside time saving products, we’ve also developed a wealth of services that reduce a lot of leg work for installers.
Service+ is our suite of services all designed to save time and increase efficiency. Through Service+ Customised, installers can specify products to exact sizes, quantity and finish, which are then delivered cut to exact measurements and pre-assembled as required. While customers regularly use this service for items such as wardrobe rails or sliding door gear, installers can also use Service+ Customised for bespoke products, including handmade timber drawers, which can be personalised to a customer’s design and come complete with full dovetail joints, usually in just a two-week turnaround.
For installers facing tight schedules and a shortage of personnel, it’s crucial to select products from proactive and customer-focused manufacturers who are consistently innovating with installers in mind. By choosing manufacturers who prioritise time-saving products and services, installers can increase their efficiency on site while still upholding the highest standards in what looks set to be a busy market.
For more information visit Furniture fittings, architectural hardware, electronic locking systems – Häfele.
