Nationwide Industries® is best known for our innovative and reliable gate hardware. State-of-the-art testing ensures that every customer gets the most out of their investment. Even with the most reliable hinges and latches, customers sometimes have feedback about their experience that we take seriously.
While most of our customers are thrilled with how the new hardware functions, we’re committed to constantly improving. Each time our team hears feedback on a product, we gather that information and begin innovating!
Our Director of Engineering, Erik Timothy, recently sat down with Joe Everest, The Fence Expert, to discuss his team’s process.
Check out the highlights below!
The Voice of the Customer: Driving Innovation
Although Nationwide Industries takes the R&D process seriously, there are always ways to improve a product. Sometimes driven by innovation in materials or design, the voice of the customer rings loud and clear in our process. Through our contact forms and direct dealer interactions, our team takes every opportunity as a chance to iterate on our products.
Beyond customer input, we also consult our sales team or discover new methods in our labs. According to Timothy, our team saves up their product enhancements until we’re ready to release a new product version.
Cornerstone® to Cornerstone®2
Cornerstone
A great example of our process is the Cornerstone family of hinges. Initially, users could adjust the hinges by inserting an Allen wrench in one end of the assembly. While that method was effective, it wasn’t always the most convenient.
Cornerstone 2
End users told our team that adjustments on both ends made the product more straightforward. When Cornerstone 2 came out, we included adjustment ports on both ends, allowing for a better user experience.
Beyond that, we strengthened the hinge to hold over 5,000 lb. of point load. As mentioned in the video, our testing apparatus failed before Cornerstone 2!
Keystone® and Keystone® 2
Keystone
Our team took the Keystone locking latch and innovated with the next version, making it more secure and adaptable. From a 5-pin locking mechanism, which was state-of-the-art at the time, Timothy implemented a 6-pin lock for more security.
Keystone 2
Size was also an issue for some customers in Canada and Europe who needed a slimmer profile. In Keystone 2, users get the same security and function but with a profile that goes down to one inch.
Trident® and Trident® SS
Trident 20″
Unsecured pools are a hazard in backyards and multi-family housing units. Our team created a secure and reliable gate latch with the Trident that keeps children safe and unwanted guests out. But our engineers decided to keep innovating and created something special.
Trident Safe Signal
Trident Safe Signal uses many of the same components as the original but incorporates some new safety features. A 90 dB alarm and flashing blue LEDs let users know when their gate is left open.
In Joe Everest’s video, Timothy discusses the origin of the bright blue lights. His engineering team tested several different iterations in the Florida sun, and blue was the clear winner. You’ll have to check out the video to see how easy it is to swap out the original Trident for the Trident Safe Signal.
Get the Best New Gate Hardware with Nationwide Industries
Innovation is one of the core principles of our engineering team at Nationwide Industries. We take pride in bringing users the best products we can, with the caveat that we’ll keep improving them.
See where you can buy our full line of products to bring the best we’ve got to offer your customers. You’ll see why we’re the fence pro’s number-one choice!