Director of the Month
Director of the Month: Robert Hartill, Commercial Director at Safeware
FACTS AND FIGURES:
First job: Commercial apprentice at Chubb, Lock & Safe in Wolverhampton
When did you join your current company: I joined Epwin in January 2016.
Most useful/favourite gadget: My favourite weekday gadget is my spin bike. On weekends, it’s a tie between my wine cooler and my Guinness Nitrosurge. Some may say it’s a perfect yin and yang!
Favourite/most useful website: Majestic Wine! It’s my go-to for discovering great wines without the guesswork.
Favourite restaurant for business: La Bellezza in Birmingham. Very swanky!
Business person you admire: No single individual, but I’ve been fortunate to work with several impressive CEOs throughout my career. I’ve learned a lot from each of them.
Biggest business lesson this year: If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got. Embrace change—you never know where it might lead.
Best business decision: Starting work at 13 washing up! It taught me the value of hard work. Forgoing university to join Chubb at 16 was also pivotal and proved to be a very successful career move. I’ve been fortunate that I look back fondly on every business I’ve worked for, and they’ve all been successful tenures. In my current role, expanding our supplier base and developing market-leading products has delivered strong results and opened exciting new opportunities.
Other interests: Fitness, nutrition, a good glass of wine and supporting Liverpool FC—just check my Instagram!
Working Day: Weekdays always start early with an alarm call at 5:30, gym by 6:30 and in the office by 8:00. I begin by reviewing the previous day’s sales figures, tracking performance, spotting trends and identifying any issues that need attention. I then tackle my to-do list, prioritising the high pay-off activities that will drive the biggest results.
I consider my role to be the glue in the middle of the organisation. I’m a jack of all trades—part accountant, part salesman, part buyer. Above all, I’m a proactive project manager, making sure plans are executed, people are aligned and nothing falls through the cracks.
Discipline is key, not just at work but outside of it too. I make a point of leaving the office on time, and by 6:00 I’m on the spin bike—music on, sport on screen and work is out of my mind until the morning.
Working Location: I’m based at Epwin Window Systems Head Office in Telford, which serves as the central hub of our business operations—a perfect fit for the cross-functional nature of my role. On any given day, I’m typically involved in a mix of product development, supplier engagement, customer support and project management.
Being on-site in Telford with all our key teams makes collaboration seamless. Whether it’s a quick conversation by the kettle or a structured meeting in a boardroom, being physically close allows us to tackle challenges quickly and align on priorities. This proximity delivers a fast-paced, solutions-driven environment where ideas move swiftly from discussion to implementation.
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THE INTERVIEW:
Avaluable hardware supplier does more than shift boxes from a warehouse to a fabricator’s premises. They should act as a proactive, strategic partner who truly understands your business and adds value at every stage.
At Safeware, that’s been our philosophy for over 35 years and is one of the key reasons behind our longstanding success.
In today’s competitive market, where challenges are constant and margins are tight, fabricators increasingly value supply partners who work with them to strengthen and grow their businesses. And that’s exactly what we do.
The power of the consultative approach
This all begins with our consultative approach. It means we work hard to really understand your business. During this initial consultation we’ll deep dive into your specific requirements taking the time to understand your unique goals, technical challenges and design ambitions. We identify the obstacles slowing you down and work with you to overcome them.
With our deep industry insight, we recommend hardware solutions tailored to your budget and performance needs. Whether that means improved quality at a similar price point or cost savings without compromising standards, we deliver the hardware solutions that are right for your business.
We also collaborate with our extensive supplier network to develop bespoke solutions that do the job properly the first time, avoiding the need for modification or compromise. Our approach saves you time and money on the shop floor, streamlines the installation process and reduces errors.
Ultimately, it leads to better-made, higher-performing windows and doors, minimising call-backs and maximising customer satisfaction.
We put our consultative approach front and centre at this year’s FIT Show. Visitors appreciated our no-pressure, solutions-focused approach and we had countless meaningful conversations about smarter, more effective hardware strategies.
Delivering the essentials
A consultative approach only adds value if the basics are right. And at Safeware, we take those fundamentals seriously.
Our extensive product range includes over 2,500 lines sourced from more than 70 trusted hardware manufacturers, including Cotswold, ERA, Fab & Fix, Hoppe, Maco, Roto, SFS, Siegenia, Stormguard and Yale. Each product is carefully selected by our qualified team for quality, performance and reliability.
Thanks to our scale and purchasing power, we offer competitive prices without compromising on choice or availability.
And when it comes to delivery, we’re equally committed. Our On Time In Full rate stands at 98.4%, monitored weekly to maintain consistently high standards. All orders are shipped from our Telford distribution centre, with next-day delivery as standard on orders over £500 placed before midday.
Innovative and bespoke solutions
Our in-house technical expertise and strong partnerships with our supplier partners mean we actively work together to develop cutting-edge hardware solutions that give our customers a distinct competitive advantage.
For example, at this year’s FIT Show we displayed an industry ‘first’ with the integration of the Yale SensCheck™ smart security system into a Stellar Aluminium Heritage Casement Window. Together, they offer a seamless fusion of traditional aesthetics and contemporary smart technology.
Meets all the latest industry standards
We also showcased the new Safeware 3* Cylinder, which meets all the latest industry standards – and then some. It also features the revolutionary ALPS (Always Locked Protection System) technology, which provides unparalleled security by protecting against drilling, picking, bumping and snapping, as well as newer threats including twisting and thermal attacks.
We also displayed our new Premium Bifold Door Handle, which combines smooth operation with a stylish finish, making it both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
They’re just some of the latest products in a long track record of innovation. For example, we were the driving force behind innovations including the Safeware 7 and 8 door locking systems, the SFS Dynamic 2D hinge. In August 2022, we were the launch partner of Yale SensCheck™ smart window and door locks, and the aluminium system innovation on display at FIT was an evolution of this offer.
Independent testing and accreditation
Every hardware product we stock is indicative tested – twice. First in our in-house testing facility and then independently tested by a UKAS-accredited organisation. It makes your life easier and saves you time and expense because you don’t have to carry out your own testing. Instead, you can be completely confident that every product we supply meets all the relevant industry requirements.
Tailored marketing support
We don’t just support your operations – we help support your sales too. Our award-winning in-house marketing team provides professional materials and expert advice to help you present your hardware offer with impact and clarity.
The reassurance of scale
Safeware has been quietly and consistently supplying window and door hardware for over 35 years, earning a reputation for reliability, expertise and trust. Our longstanding presence in the industry means we’ve weathered market shifts, built lasting relationships and proven our ability to deliver time and again.
As part of the Epwin Group, one of the largest and most respected names in the UK window and door industry, we offer more than just experience, we offer stability, financial strength and the confidence that comes from being backed by a market leader.
This gives our customers real peace of mind. You’re not just working with a hardware supplier, you’re partnering with a well-established business that has the resources, infrastructure and long term vision to support you now and into the future.
More than the sum of its parts
Every business looks to maximise the value of its supplier partnerships and seek stability where it can. With Safeware you get a hardware supply partner that’s genuinely dedicated to your success and comes with a reassuring track record and reputation. It’s why we’re the name to turn to when you want to elevate the value that your hardware delivers.
