James Latham, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading distributors of timber, panels and decorative services, is celebrating its connection with Halspan, a pioneering manufacturer of premium door components, marking three decades of collaboration.
Commemorating 30 years of successful partnership, both brands are using this significant milestone to recognise the transformative effect this union has had on the fire door industry.
Establishing early synergies
The relationship between the two organisations began in 1995, when Halspan introduced a groundbreaking concept to the market: pre-tested fire-resistant interior particleboard door blanks.
Produced using an ingenious proprietary method, they comprise a three-layer particleboard core, consisting of a core of long-grain woodchip to give it its screw-holding properties and two deck layers of high-density fine woodchips; suitable for finishing with veneer, Laminate, PVC, or pre-primed Kraft Paper.
However, what really made the range stand-out to James Latham, reflecting its own values of only stocking the very best, verified products, was the rigorous third-party testing Halspan had undertaken across its entire range.
Continuous testing
Early on in discussions, it became apparent to both companies there was a larger commercial opportunity than originally thought.
The product’s fire-resistant qualities were particularly appealing, achieving BS, EN and UK standards, verifying performance for various combinations of cores, seals, and hardware across ratings from 20 to 120 minutes through independent assessments; almost unheard of for timber door blanks at the time.
Crucially, the pre-testing removed a significant barrier to entry, as purchasers no longer needed to conduct their own costly fire tests. Combined with the range’s impressive durability, acoustic performance and environmental certifications, James Latham saw the intellectual property potential and immediately recognised a massive gap in the market.
Using its extensive knowledge and expertise of the UK and Irish specification sector, James Latham worked to create an entirely new space through which to sell Halspan’s blanks.
It meant, for the first time, joinery companies could source pretested door blanks and manufacture compliant fire doors themselves; a game-changer for the industry, with the appetite for this groundbreaking product only growing as fire safety regulations continue to ratchet.
To this day, Halspan continues to test its products to ensure they remain compliant and ready for market. This ongoing commitment is key to maintaining trust and meeting ever-tightening fire safety standards.
A story of mutual growth
That was just the start of a three-decade relationship that grows stronger each year, characterised by shared initiatives and mutual growth. A prime example of this symbiosis was Halspan’s supporting the establishment, introduction and development of James Latham’s dedicated door product specialist team, directly helping them deepen technical knowledge across the business and strengthening both companies’ market positions.
Commenting on this milestone, John Martin, Founder and Chairman of Halspan, says, “Our 30-year collaboration with James Latham has been built on trust, vision, and shared commitment. From the beginning, James Latham saw the potential in Halspan and helped turn a new idea into a market-leading solution. Their support has been instrumental in establishing a strong and enduring partnership that continues to shape the fire door industry.”
Nick Widlinski, Panels Director at James Latham, adds, “From our perspective, Halspan has been an exceptional partner for three decades. Its innovative approach to fire door safety components aligned perfectly with our commitment to bringing high-quality, fully certified and technically advanced products to market. Furthermore, its ongoing commitment to R&D and ensuring accurate up-to-date testing means that it maintains its market-leading position whilst helping us uphold our position as the UK and Ireland door blank vendor of choice. This partnership is living proof of how two forward-thinking companies can work together to create lasting value for the industry and the customers we serve.”
Ultimately, the 30-year James Latham and Halspan collaboration has provided both organisations with a trusted foundation for growth, built on reliability and shared commitment to excellence. This dependability has enabled both parties to navigate industry challenges with confidence whilst delivering consistent value to customers throughout the UK and Irish construction community.
Looking ahead, both companies remain committed to building on the trust and reliability established since the mid-90s, with a shared vision for continued growth, innovation and excellence across all areas of collaboration.
