The revolutionary ‘repair don’t replace’ uPVC kits

Paul Souber, with decades of experience in the safety and security sector, and a trained locksmith himself is founder and MD of Souber® Tools; established in 1990. Having worked for Chubb Locks for 13 years, he brought his extensive engineering skill to this new venture which he devoted entirely to the needs of professional locksmiths – with this comes the crossover to the door and window repair professionals. Within the locksmith trade, Souber Tool’s precision and innovation, have established a strong reputation for high quality, reliability and efficiency of service. This has fuelled our success in the domestic market and export all over the world including Australia, Japan and the United States.

Paul Batty (left) and Alex Appelbe (middle) of Souto (formerly Sashstop), Paul Souber (right) of Souber Tools.

In 1989 Paul invented his first product for locksmiths and it was this that prompted him to begin Souber® Tools to market his invention. Since then new products have been developed at a great pace and the Souber® Tools range now comprises some 600 lines including the acclaimed DBB 5 Minute Morticer. Initially, the company concentrated on the design and packaging of products, with manufacturing being carried out by expert, trusted, contractors. To increase control of quality and precision, many of our manufacturing processes have been brought in-house and we now manage the complete process.

Paul Batty has worked ‘in the field’ for nigh-on 35 years and during that time he’s earned a reputation with his peers and the public as being a master in his trade, carving a niche for uPVC door and window repair and building a fantastic business model, through his brands Safehome and SASHSTOP. One of the biggest ‘secrets’ to his success has been his design and development of repair tools and kit. We say ‘secrets’ because Paul is an open book; always willing and able to share not only his hints and tips but also must-have products such as the SASHSTOP jigs and window jammers, TORCHGUARD plates and installers cases.

When Paul Batty and Paul Souber met, they realised they had a true connection – with more than 80 years’ combined experience and a shared desire to provide innovative tools that make every day easier for door and window repairers, locksmiths, and other trade professionals.

This perfect fit led to some perfect kit… It began with Paul Batty’s idea for a deglazing tool; born 35 years ago but with no one willing or able to make it. He had more ideas too, plus more tools he’d made himself over the years to help him do his job. Cue Paul and Paul meeting up at the golf club at Cleckheaton for coffees, lunch and to ‘thrash out ideas’.

These new tools have been born out of his life’s work, so he surely is the best person to talk us through the need, after all – with necessity being the mother of invention, as we all know. The nature behind the ‘problem’ in itself is quite simple, as Paul Batty explains. The real problem with uPVC doors, that he sees time and time again, is the locks failing.

Door Spreader Kit (left) and Window Mechanism Opener (right)

So, you have the key, but you can’t get in the door (or open the window) because the mechanism has failed. There’s lots of different reasons for this, substandard hardware, doors haven’t been serviced, hinge wear and tear, packers falling out, glass units slip and step. But in all cases, you need to open the mechanism. This process throws up all manner of challenges – mostly that ‘you need three hands’; but also damaging the scotia, adding too much tension to the door to spread it, and not having enough space on an outward opening door to get in or see what you’re doing.

Many have tried to make these door spreaders before – and a lot of locksmiths, and door and window repairers have their own version on their van – the result is a very heavy, long-handled device that could break your foot if you drop it while trying to spread the door and get the mushroom roller tool inside to strike.

Next up, the window opener kit; same problem and same method – but with tools designed for the smaller scale of opening a window from inside a property. In some cases, it can save them 45 minutes or even longer, trying to get a customer into their window. Apparently, some locksmiths will refuse a job of this kind point blank if they know it’ll take them too long to get in, or to save them the embarrassment of not getting in at all. But, with these two kits, packed neatly into their cases and tucked away in your van (and at a more-than-affordable pricepoint), not only are you able to take on this work, you look professional turning up on the job; well-equipped, with a neat and tidy kit – and you know you’ve taken all the tools away with you when you leave (imperative for jobs when you are working in properties with vulnerable people too).

Following the successful launch of these tools in June of this year, both Paul Batty and Paul Souber continue to work together to find more solutions for composite and UPVC doors. They aim to create a family of tools that are effective, sensibly priced, and save associations and landlords thousands. The objective is to gain entry to properties without causing further, unnecessary damage to doors and windows. Of course, the maintenance of doors is far cheaper than replacing them.

www.soubertools.com
www.sashstop.co.uk

Images © Adrian Waine of Photography For Industry