Carl F Groupco
Carl F Groupco is an independently-owned UK distributor of door and window hardware, ventilation, smart locking systems and trade tools, supplying 7,000+ SKUs to fenestration fabricators, installers and commercial contractors from distribution centres in Peterborough and Cumbernauld.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1950
- HeadquartersPeterborough, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Carl F Groupco does
Carl F Groupco Limited is an independently-owned UK distributor of specialist door and window hardware components serving the fenestration industry. Headquartered in Peterborough with a second distribution centre in Cumbernauld, the company operates a national two-warehouse network covering England, Wales, Scotland, the Scottish Highlands and offshore islands, and reports a 98% on-time-in-full (OTIF) target. It distributes more than 7,000 SKUs across door hardware (locks, handles, hinges, cylinders, security add-ons, door furniture), window hardware (locks, friction stays, tilt-and-turn, reversible gearing, vertical sliding hardware), ventilation (trickle, slot and acoustic vents), smart solutions (smart locks and wireless sensors), and trade tools and consumables via its Carl F Direct sub-brand. Proprietary lines include the 'Dynamic' own-brand hardware range and the SmartSecure electronic multipoint locking sub-brand.
Revenue is generated through B2B hardware distribution under a quote-based pricing model, channelled via direct sales trade accounts, the My CFG online customer portal, and the Carl F Direct e-commerce storefront. Customer segments are window and door fabricators, installers, and commercial and public-sector contractors (including social housing). Long-standing supplier agreements with European manufacturers — notably a 60-year partnership with FUHR, plus Roto, Yale, MACO, Siegenia, Hoppe, Kenrick, and others — anchor the supply side, while customer-side relationships span 44+ years (Sovereign Group), 25+ years (Sterling PVCu) and 15+ years (Roundbrand). Certifications relevant to the trade include Secured by Design membership, PAS 24, TS 007, Kitemark, Sold Secure Diamond and Cyber Essentials.
Founded in the 1950s, the company is privately held with no parent or PE ownership. Recent governance changes include the appointments of Owen Coop as CEO (Feb 2024) and Alex Macintosh as CFO (Jul 2024), followed by Sales Director Adrian Gale (Jul 2025), Technical Director John King (Jun 2025) and Sales Manager Dave Walker (Jan 2026). Operational investments in 2026 include additional warehouse capacity and a new customer showroom at Peterborough, while the product roadmap has visibly tilted toward electronic and smart locking hardware since 2025.
Carl F Groupco firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carl F Groupco
- Legal name
- Carl F Groupco Limited
- Website
- https://carlfgroupco.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1950
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Carl F Groupco is an independently-owned UK distributor of door and window hardware, ventilation, smart locking systems and trade tools, supplying 7,000+ SKUs to fenestration fabricators, installers and commercial contractors from distribution centres in Peterborough and Cumbernauld.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carl F Groupco industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Window and Door Hardware Distribution
- SIC
- Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Windows, Doors & Millwork Distribution (CRAOAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Doors, Windows & Millwork Hardware Retail (Locks, Hinges, Handles) (CRAIADAJ)
Keywords
Where Carl F Groupco is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Peterborough
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Carl F Groupco business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Distribution: Distribution of window and door hardware components including locks, hinges, handles, cylinders, and accessories to the fenestration industry.
- Trade Tools and Consumables: Carl F direct division supplies trade tools and consumables directly to window and door fitting industry through e-commerce and direct mail.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based pricing for trade customers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Carl F Groupco product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carl F Groupco distributes a comprehensive range of over 7,000 window and door hardware components to the UK fenestration industry from distribution centres in Peterborough and Cumbernauld. The company supplies locks, hinges, handles, cylinders, ventilation products, and smart locking solutions from leading European manufacturers through direct trade accounts and online portals.
Product overview
Carl F Groupco is a specialist distributor of premium door and window hardware components serving the UK fenestration industry. The company operates as one of the few independently-owned hardware distributors, offering a comprehensive portfolio organized into distinct divisions: Door Hardware (locks, handles, hinges, cylinders, security add-ons, door furniture), Window Hardware (locks, friction stays, handles, tilt and turn, reversible gearing, ventilation), Ventilation (trickle vents, acoustic ventilators, powered units), Smart Solutions (smart locks and sensors), Carl F Direct (trade tools and consumables), and Dynamic (proprietary branded hardware). The SmartSecure sub-brand focuses on electronic multipoint door locking and smart access control technology. Carl F Groupco distributes nationally from Peterborough and Cumbernauld distribution centers, working with European manufacturers including FUHR, Yale, Roto, MACO, Hoppe, Kenrick, and Siegenia. The company also provides the My CFG online customer portal for trade account management, 24/7 ordering, and invoice management.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Smart Secure: Electronic multipoint door locking systems and smart access control technology
- Carl F direct
- Dynamic
Products and services
- SmartSecure
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% OTIF target
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Carl F Groupco
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Carl F Groupco technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Carl F Groupco partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and standard.
- FUHRcoreCelebrating 60-year partnership with FUHR, one of Europe's most innovative door lock manufacturers. Carl F Groupco stocks the full FUHR door lock range including emergency exit locks, multipoint locks, and the SmartSecure electronic locking systems.
- RotocoreLong-standing partnership with Roto, the leading global hardware manufacturer. Carl F Groupco is a major stockist of Roto hardware including the innovative Inowa sliding door system and reversible window gearing. Milestone of selling one millionth Roto Espagnolette Window Lock achieved.
- YalecoreCarl F Groupco is a major stockist of Yale hardware including patio door locks, multipoint locks, window hardware, and smart locking solutions. Long-standing supplier relationship.
- MACOcorePartnership with MACO for shootbolt systems, door restrictors, and hardware components. Carl F Groupco stocks new MACO MKV shootbolt and is a long-term distributor.
- SiegeniacoreLong-term SIEGENIA distributor for bi-fold door hardware, tilt and turn gearing, and lift and slide systems. Carl F Groupco visited their Coventry office for product training.
- HoppestandardSupplier of door handles and window handles from Hoppe including the Atlanta handle which has achieved 200 million milestone sales.
- KenrickstandardSupplier of door hinges, captive door hinges, and security hardware including the AK Touch Secure smart lock.
- GlazpartstandardSupplier of Link Vent MK II and other ventilation products for compliance with Part F building regulations.
- GreenwoodstandardSupplier of acoustic window ventilators and slot vents including EAQ42W Acoustic Window Ventilator and 2500EA/5000EA Slotvent range.
- RW SimonstandardSupplier of Simon Framevent and Simon Acoustic Ventilators for window ventilation solutions.
- Secured by DesigncoreOfficial membership of Secured by Design (SBD), the official UK police initiative for crime prevention. Carl F Groupco has maintained membership for multiple years, renewed most recently for 2026.
- Council for Aluminium in BuildingstandardCarl F Groupco has renewed membership of the Council for Aluminium in Building, supporting the aluminium fenestration sector.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Carl F Groupco competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IronmongeryDirect: UK-based B2B online ironmongery and hardware distributor serving trade customers with broad hardware ranges. Closest direct peer in terms of B2B distribution model, trade customer base, and UK national delivery footprint.
- Hoppe (UK): European manufacturer and direct distributor of door and window handles, supplying UK fenestration fabricators. Comparable product portfolio (handles, security hardware) and overlapping customer base with Carl F's Dynamic and handle categories.
- Roto Frank UK: Global manufacturer of window hardware (tilt and turn, reversible gearing, espagnolette locks) selling directly into the UK fenestration market. Direct overlap with Carl F's window hardware category and many shared fabricator customers.
- FUHR UK: German manufacturer of multipoint door locks, emergency exit hardware, and electronic locking systems (SmartSecure range). Carl F has distributed FUHR for 60 years, but FUHR also sells direct to larger UK fabricators, making it both a partner and a channel competitor.
- Kenrick Hardware: UK manufacturer of door hinges, captive hinges, and security hardware including the AK Touch Secure smart lock. Comparable product categories and UK fenestration customer base, and an emerging smart hardware partner/competitor.
- MACO UK: Austrian hardware manufacturer with UK distribution supplying shootbolts, door restrictors, and smart sensors (Sense by MACO) to fabricators. Highly comparable product mix and customer base to Carl F's window hardware and emerging smart solutions categories.
- Siegenia UK: Manufacturer and supplier of bi-fold, tilt and turn, and lift-and-slide hardware for windows and doors in the UK. Direct product overlap with Carl F's window and door hardware range and parallel go-to-market through fabricators.
Broad incumbents
- ASSA ABLOY UK: Global leader in access solutions with a broad UK portfolio spanning residential and commercial door hardware, smart locks, and security solutions. Competes with Carl F in cylinders, door hardware, and increasingly in smart access, while also serving as parent to direct brands like Yale.
- ERA Home Security: UK-based manufacturer of window and door hardware, locks, and smart security solutions with established UK trade distribution. Overlapping product mix with Carl F across window/door hardware and competitive presence with UK fabricators.
- Yale (ASSA ABLOY UK): Major UK hardware brand (patio locks, multipoint locks, smart locks via Conexis) owned by ASSA ABLOY. Broader portfolio than Carl F, but directly overlapping in cylinders, door hardware, and smart locking sold to similar fabricator and installer customers.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Carl F Groupco social profiles
Digital presenceCarl F Groupco compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Carl F Groupco financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carl F Groupco leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Carl F Groupco funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carl F Groupco M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carl F Groupco
What does Carl F Groupco do?
Carl F Groupco distributes a comprehensive range of over 7,000 window and door hardware components to the UK fenestration industry from distribution centres in Peterborough and Cumbernauld. The company supplies locks, hinges, handles, cylinders, ventilation products, and smart locking solutions from leading European manufacturers through direct trade accounts and online portals.
Is Carl F Groupco a public or private company?
Carl F Groupco is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Carl F Groupco founded?
Carl F Groupco was founded in 1950. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Carl F Groupco based?
Carl F Groupco is headquartered in Peterborough, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Carl F Groupco make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Distribution is the primary driver. The others are trade Tools and Consumables.
Who are Carl F Groupco's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IronmongeryDirect, Hoppe (UK), Roto Frank UK, FUHR UK, Kenrick Hardware, MACO UK and Siegenia UK. Broad incumbents are ASSA ABLOY UK, ERA Home Security and Yale (ASSA ABLOY UK).
Does Carl F Groupco have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carl F Groupco.
What industry is Carl F Groupco in?
Carl F Groupco's product category is Window and Door Hardware Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAFAI, Windows, Doors & Millwork Distribution, with a secondary code of CRAIADAJ, Doors, Windows & Millwork Hardware Retail (Locks, Hinges, Handles). Its SIC code is 3420.