Hochiki Europe (UK) Ltd

Gillingham Football Club is excited to welcome Hochiki Europe as its new Rainham End Sponsor. The agreement will see the Rainham End at Priestfield Stadium renamed ‘The Rainham End in partnership with Hochiki’ until the end of the 2026/27 season.  Commercial fire detection Hochiki, whose European head office and manufacturing plant was established over 30 years ago in Gillingham, has been a world-class pioneer in the production of commercial fire detection and emergency lighting products since being founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1918. Gillingham was chosen for the site of the European factory because of the link between Will Adams and Japan. Will Adams was a 16th-century navigator, born in Gillingham in 1564. He was the first European to establish a trade route between England and Japan. New facility The company is spread across three sites in the southeast region of Medway after a multi-million-pound investment The company is spread across three sites in the southeast region of Medway after they recently announced a multi-million-pound investment into a new 24,000sq ft (about four times the area of a basketball court) shipping and warehousing hub in Chatham.  The new facility can increase from 480 to 2,450 pallets with picking times reduced by more than half, from 7 minutes per line to 3 minutes per line ensuring a continued and efficient supply of the highest quality production of life safety devices and systems. Joe Comper comments Managing Director for The Gills, Joe Comper, said, “We are excited to welcome Hochiki as The Rainham End’s official partner. We have been working closely with Hochiki over the last year and they have been amazing." "The club needs to have partners that value the community of Kent as much as Hochiki does. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team there for their fantastic support and I am looking forward to watching this partnership grow.” VIP experience Shinsuke Kubo, Managing Director from Hochiki said, “Hochiki Europe has had headquarters in Gillingham for 31 years and we’re proud to continue our support of the local community." "To celebrate our new partnership, Gills fans will have the chance to win a host of prizes including a VIP experience at the Millwall friendly, training ground visits, and match tickets courtesy of Hochiki. Fans should keep an eye on the Gills’ social media channels to find out how to win.” Winning combination This exciting partnership between Hochiki Europe and Gillingham Football Club promises a winning combination for both sides. Fans can look forward to exclusive prize giveaways while the Club gains a committed partner that values the community. Together, Hochiki Europe and Gillingham Football Club are poised to bag a screamer for the Gillingham faithful and solidify Hochiki's place as a proud resident of the Medway region. 

For nearly three decades, Graham Lowe has been a guiding force in fire safety, serving as Managing Director of Hochiki Europe. Now, as he steps into retirement, Lowe offers a unique perspective on the remarkable transformations within the fire detection industry and how Hochiki Europe has strategically adapted to stay at the forefront. In this interview, Lowe shares his insights and thoughts for the future not only for the team at Hochiki but also for the broader industry. Over your tenure at Hochiki Europe, what are some of the most significant changes you have witnessed in the fire safety industry? For those in the UK fire safety industry, the single most impactful change in recent years was undoubtedly the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, or simply, the Fire Safety Order. Implemented on October 1st, 2005, this legislation established a robust framework for fire safety regulation across all non-domestic premises in England and Wales. This includes workplaces and the shared areas of multi-occupied residential buildings. Responsible persons now have full legal accountability for fire safety within their buildings The Order places the onus squarely on the "responsible person" – typically the building owner, employer, or whoever has control of the premises – to ensure fire safety compliance. This marked a significant shift from the previous reliance on annual inspections by the local fire brigade. Responsible persons now have full legal accountability for fire safety within their buildings. The impact on the fire industry was immediate, and at the time we saw a surge in demand from customers during the year of implementation. Notably, there was a noticeable move away from fire detection products being sold directly over the counter. Instead, the focus shifted towards specialist fire alarm installers and integrators who possess the expertise to design and implement compliant fire safety systems. This reform transformed the industry, placing a greater emphasis on professional fire safety solutions and risk management strategies. What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time as MD at Hochiki Europe? During my tenure as Managing Director, I'm most proud of building a strong Senior Management Team. This team brings together the experience, expertise, and skills needed to propel Hochiki Europe forward. The team has an exceptional sense of teamwork, which is crucial for the company's continued development and success. Strong communication is central to our team's operations, and it's reinforced by a clear mission statement and four key pillars that guide our growth: Expansion: Strategically growing our market reach and influence. Efficiency: Continuously improving our operations to optimize performance. Value Addition: Delivering exceptional value to our customers and partners. Employee Engagement: Fostering a positive and motivating work environment for our team. One of the most important things we’ve done and will continue to do as a senior team is to invest in the company's future. The acquisition of Apex House was a goal I'd been working towards for several years, and it facilitates further investment in our Gillingham production infrastructure. This will allow us to even better serve our customers in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa delivering innovative fire safety solutions. What challenges have you faced leading Hochiki Europe over the years, and how did you and the team overcome them? My tenure as MD hasn’t been without its challenges, but two major events stand out. The first was Brexit. Leaving the European Union ushered in a period of uncertainty, with new procedures and legal issues that continue to evolve. While Brexit presented its own set of hurdles, nothing could have prepared us for the unprecedented global crisis that followed: the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong teamwork and clear contact were essential between management and staff This pandemic had a profound impact on every aspect of our lives, with staff facing personal and professional difficulties. As a business, the most immediate challenge was the complete disruption of supply chains globally. Manufacturers around the world faced issues sourcing third-party products and group-manufactured goods to securing essential electronic components, everything was affected. Shipping delays became the norm, further complicating the business’ ability to meet production demands. For Hochiki, overcoming these obstacles required a collective effort. Strong teamwork and clear communication were essential between the management team and staff. Our HR department played a pivotal role in ensuring the health and safety of all employees during the pandemic. However, our focus wasn't solely internal. We understand the importance of transparency with our customers. We kept them informed of the ever-changing situation, the actions we were taking to mitigate disruptions, and when they could expect resolutions. This open communication fostered trust and helped us maintain strong relationships throughout this challenging period and indeed has established a way of working that we continue to foster today. How has Hochiki Europe adapted to meet the evolving needs of its customers across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa? This revision highlights the positive outcomes of the investments for Hochiki Europe's customers Hochiki Europe is committed to providing exceptional support to our customers around the world. That's why we made strategic investments years ago in establishing Hochiki Middle East, Hochiki India Branch Office, and Hochiki Italia. These entities allow us to deliver enhanced local support, expand our reach to new customers, and ultimately, fuel global growth. This revision highlights the positive outcomes of the investments for Hochiki Europe's customers. It emphasizes the company's proactive approach to international support and the resulting growth opportunities. Do you have any plans to stay involved in the fire safety industry in any capacity? I have no doubt that I will retain my interest in the fire safety industry as it will be difficult after forty years in the industry to let that association go. What advice would you give to young professionals interested in a career in fire safety? My advice to young professionals entering the fire industry is this: it's a secure and standards-driven field with consistent demand. However, to truly thrive, staying updated on the latest developments is crucial. Consider specializing in a specific area to become an expert. The fire safety industry offers not only stability but also profound satisfaction That's why Hochiki Europe is heavily invested in the future of the fire industry through the Hochiki Training Academy. The Academy provides ongoing education and training opportunities, ensuring our industry colleagues have the knowledge and skills to excel. The fire safety industry offers not only stability but also the profound satisfaction of protecting lives and property. By constantly improving fire safety measures, we contribute to the well-being of communities worldwide. Our hope is that the Hochiki Training Academy empowers individuals to become valuable assets in achieving this essential goal. Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience at Hochiki Europe? Looking back on my over 28 years at Hochiki Europe, it's been an incredibly rewarding journey. I started as a Regional Sales Manager and steadily progressed to the role of Managing Director. This experience has fostered immense personal and professional growth. One of the greatest privileges of my career has been collaborating with our diverse team, a true Hochiki family. Together, we've had the opportunity to work alongside exceptional customers from all over the world, across different cultures. This cross-cultural collaboration has been a source of immense pride and learning. And finally... What are you most looking forward to in your retirement? Retirement promises exciting new beginnings. I'm looking forward to tending to my garden and pottering in the greenhouse, enjoying quality time with my wife and family, and hopefully fitting in some regular rounds of golf. After 50 years of dedicated work, it's time to unwind and relish this well-deserved chapter. The whole of the Hochiki Europe team, and we’re sure the wider fire industry, would like to wish Graham all the best in his well-deserved retirement, which officially begins on June 27th, 2024.

Liverpool's Unity Theatre, a champion of new writing, social justice, and community engagement, boasts a rich history intertwined with the building it calls home. Founded in 1983 by unemployed actors and writers, the company initially resided in a converted warehouse. By 2003, they found their permanent home on Hope Street – a former synagogue built in 1957. This unique space, once a place of worship seating 450 serves as a vibrant theatre and a living testament to a bygone era of radical theatre. Unity Theatre The name "Unity" itself reflects a legacy. It's a connection to a national movement that significantly impacted British theatre and politics. The story begins in the 1930s with the birth of Merseyside Left Theatre, which later became Merseyside Unity Theatre in 1944. Renowned for their experimental and politically charged productions, this company's final act was securing the Hope Place building and transforming the former synagogue into the thriving Unity Theatre visitors know. Unity Theatre thrives as a registered charity, producing a mix of professional and amateur productions while fostering community engagement through workshops and mentoring schemes. Challenge: emergency lighting system It also relies on specialist companies to help with some of the more complex upkeep of the building, such as fire safety An organization such as this relies heavily on the generosity of private benefactors and support from arts funding to keep the lights on and the doors open. It also relies on specialist companies to help with some of the more complex upkeep of the building, such as fire safety. Realizing that their emergency lighting system was rapidly aging, Technical Manager - Xenia Bayer knew this would be a massive project to undertake, and financially impossible with ever-tightening theatre budgets. FIREscape Nepto system This was when hope flickered back on. Xenia Bayer said, "While exploring options and regulations with the ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians), I stumbled upon a brochure by Hochiki detailing their newly launched FIREscape Nepto system." She adds, "It felt like a dream come true for our theatre. The features were perfect for this environment." Some of the key features of FIREscape Nepto which appealed to this theatrical mind were: Intelligent and Self-Sufficient: No more tedious lamp replacements or manual system checks. The system runs self-tests, stores reports, and alerts the owners to any maintenance needs. Energy Efficient: The low voltage system promised significant energy savings, a win for both budget and the environment. Adjustable Light Levels: This can be a game-changer for performance spaces. There is regulatory compliance for light levels, but also the ability to achieve complete "blackout" for scene changes and actor entrances/exits. FIREscape Nepto can offer both. a complete replacement system Xenia Bayer continues, "It seemed too good to be true. Reaching out to Hochiki, I hesitantly inquired about sponsorship possibilities, offering site visits for interested parties. Thankfully, after email exchanges and a site visit, Hochiki offered an incredible solution: a complete replacement system." The team at Hochiki worked closely with the installation company - Grainger Fire and Security, experts with over 40 years of experience in the industry. new to-the-market emergency lighting system Hochiki initially reached out to the company’s Managing Director (MD), David Wardman Hochiki initially reached out to the company’s Managing Director (MD), David Wardman, to ask if they would like to get involved in this local charitable project and they jumped at the chance. David Wardman said, "We’ve worked with Hochiki products for several years, always successfully, so the opportunity to work install this new to-the-market emergency lighting system as well as help keep this local hub of the community open was something we were keen to get involved in." easy to install Heading on the project - Will Taylor comments on the ease of installation, stating "Hochiki products are famously easy to install, and FIREscape Nepto was no different. The theatre is quite a large space and so we initially scoped 5 to 6 days for the installation plus commission." He adds, "In the end, it only took 4 days, plus a day for commissioning. We were also able to retrofit using a lot of the old cabling to save on waste, and the new system enabled us to fault find any issues with that old cable so we could replace it if needed." energy savings  Xenia Bayer continues, "The communication with both the Grainger team and Hochiki throughout has been brilliant, we were able to work around shows all the while ensuring everyone’s safety." She stated, "The new system is so much more aesthetically pleasing and saves so much space compared to the previous bulky system. The best outcome is that over the year, based on the old system running costs, we predict we’ll be able to save almost 40 times the energy which equates to just less than £900 in savings a year."  cost savings Xenia Bayer adds, "In our world that is an incredible amount of money which we will be able to plough back into the theatre and the many projects we run for our local and wider theatrical communities." Overjoyed and incredibly grateful, the Unity Theatre looks forward to welcoming artists, communities, and audiences under the safe and efficient glow of the FIREscape Nepto system. Transform day-to-day operations  Xenia Bayer concludes, "This new system won't just replace our old one – it will transform our day-to-day operations and ensure we can continue to shine a light on the arts for years to come, thanks to Hochiki – the show can go on."