Sentry Doors expands fire door reach with new takeover

9 August 2022


Sentry Doors Ltd has acquired E&S W Knowles & Company Ltd, accelerating its growth and creating the UK’s leader in timber fire safety and security doorsets.

Established in 1923, E&S W Knowles manufactures specialist timber internal doorsets with fire rated, acoustic and PAS 24 security certification, serving the commercial, healthcare, education and leisure sectors.

It operates nationally from a 50,000ft2 facility in Birmingham, employing about 100 people and achieving revenue of £10m in 2021.

The acquisition adds new products that complement Sentry Doors’ range, focused on the specialist fire doorset requirements of the social housing, public sector, commercial and residential markets. 

Both companies will benefit from the possibilities offered by their new market sectors and an expanded range of products and finishes. 

The enlarged business continues to be headquartered in Doncaster. 

Steve Horner, Knowles’ managing director, will join Sentry’s senior management team, working with Ty Aziz, Sentry’s chief executive.

Ty Aziz, Sentry’s Chief Executive, said: “This partnership will help us to respond to the surge in demand for our products, as well as providing our customers with a fully comprehensive range of fire safety and security solutions, and a greater choice of features and finishes.”

Martin Wright, majority owner of Knowles, said next year Knowles celebrates its centenary and that this was the natural point for him to pass the company to new custodians.