What Dgs Group does

DGS Group Plc. is a privately-owned UK manufacturer and distributor founded in 1977 that serves the window and door fabrication industry across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company operates a national network of seven regional branches (Castle Donington HQ, Leeds, Maidenhead, Caldicot, Belfast, Glasgow, and Dublin), supported by 120,000 sq. ft. of warehousing, a fleet of 40+ delivery vehicles covering over 1 million miles annually, and a 98.8% on-time delivery rate. Its primary customer base consists of window and door fabricators and insulating glass (IG) manufacturers, served through trade accounts.

The company's core offering is the proprietary Elite® hardware range — friction stays, espagnolette bars, shootbolt systems, door locks, hinges, handles, cylinders, and tilt-and-turn gearing — manufactured at its ISO 9001-accredited plant in Melbourne, Derbyshire, and complemented by EU-produced door hardware. Elite products carry the company's proprietary SILBEAR 480-hour salt spray surface protection, a 10-year mechanical warranty, and multiple third-party certifications including BSI Kitemark, Secured by Design (held for over two decades), PAS 24, and TS007. DGS also distributes third-party brands (Hoppe, Roto, GU, Fullex, Kommerling, Swisspacer, Technoform, Soudal, Bostik, Greenwood, Liniar, Zehnder) and a full sealed-unit consumables line (warm edge spacer bars, desiccants, sealants, PIB tapes, Georgian bars), positioning itself as a one-stop trade supplier.

DGS operates a sales-led, direct-distribution business model with no public pricing. Customers open trade accounts via a downloadable application form, order through local branch contacts or sales representatives, and receive goods via DGS's own fleet for next-day or daily delivery. With 200+ employees and 12,000+ SKUs ex-stock, revenue is generated through hardware sales (proprietary Elite and distributed brands) plus fitting/PVCu consumables, with pricing structured around trade-account terms, monthly billing, and small-order surcharges below £200. The company is owner-managed by Managing Director David Aucott and has no disclosed institutional investors or external funding.

Name

Dgs Group

Legal name

DGS Group Plc.

Website

https://dgsgroup.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Privately-owned UK manufacturer and distributor of window and door hardware, IG consumables, and PVCu building materials, serving fabricators and installers across UK and Ireland through 7 branches, an own fleet, and the proprietary Elite hardware range.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Window and Door Hardware Manufacturing and Distribution

NAICS

Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers (423510)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Wholesale-Lumber, Plywood, Millwork & Wood Panels (5031)

akta.pro primary industry

Windows, Doors & Millwork Distribution (CRAOAFAI)

Keywords

• Window hardware manufacturing
• Door hardware distribution
• Sealed unit components
• Insulating glass consumables
• PVCu building materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Derby

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Distribution of window and door hardware: DGS Group distributes a wide range of window hardware, door hardware, sealed unit products, and PVCu building materials to trade customers (fabricators, installers) across the UK and Ireland. The company stocks 12,000+ product lines ex-stock for next-day or daily delivery via its own fleet.
2. Manufacturing - Elite Friction Stays: DGS operates its own ISO9001 Accredited UK manufacturing plant in Melbourne, Derbyshire producing window friction stays. Over 80 million pairs produced. Products sold under the proprietary Elite brand with 10-year manufacturers warranty.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

DGS Group Plc is a privately owned manufacturer and distributor of window and door hardware, sealed unit (insulating glass) consumables, and PVCu building materials, selling its proprietary Elite brand alongside distributed premium brands (Hoppe, Roto, GU, Fullex, Kommerling, Swisspacer, Technoform, Soudal, Bostik, Liniar, Zehnder, Greenwood) to trade fabricators and installers across the UK and Ireland. The company operates an ISO 9001-accredited manufacturing plant in Melbourne, Derbyshire producing Elite friction stays, with a 7-branch network and own fleet delivering 12,000+ product lines daily.

Product overview

DGS Group Plc is a privately owned manufacturer and distributor serving the UK and Ireland door and window industry since 1977. The company operates a national network of 7 branches with daily deliveries using their own fleet. Their product portfolio centers on the proprietary Elite® brand of window and door hardware (manufactured in UK and Europe with SILBEAR 480-hour surface protection), complemented by distributed third-party brands including GU, Fullex, Hoppe, and Roto. The portfolio spans: (1) Window hardware - friction stays, espag bars, hinges, handles, restrictors, and ventilation; (2) Door hardware - locks, hinges, handles, cylinders, restrictors, and furniture; (3) Sealed unit products - warm edge spacer bars, Georgian bars, sealants, desiccants, and cleaning products; and (4) Fitting products - building plastics, installation materials, tools, and rainwater systems. They offer a 10-year manufacturers warranty on the entire Elite product range, with BSI Kitemark and Secured by Design accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elite: Own brand of UK and European made Window and Door hardware including friction stays, espag bars, door locks, handles, hinges, and cylinders. Features Silbear 480 hour salt spray surface protection. The range includes Elite Standard, Elite Security, Elite Tri-Stay, Elite EasiClean, Elite Egress friction stays; Elite Espag bars including Twin Cam, Flush Casement, Shootbolt; door locks, handles, cylinders; and Tilt & Turn gearing. BSI Kitemark and Secured by Design accredited.

Products and services

• Elite Window Hardware Range Proprietary range of UK and European made window hardware including friction stays, espag bars, shootbolt systems, tilt and turn gearing, handles, restrictors, and ventilation products. Features SILBEAR 480-hour salt spray surface protection and one universal routing detail across all Elite casement window locking mechanisms for ease of fabrication. Includes Elite Standard, Security, Tri-Stay, EasiClean, Egress, and XL & XXL friction stays, and Elite Espag/Twin Cam/Flush Casement/Shootbolt options. For UK and Ireland window fabricators and installers.
• Elite Door Hardware Range Proprietary door hardware range including security door locks, compact door locks, composite door locks, French security door locks, automatic locks, key wind locks, flag hinges, butt hinges, door handles, cylinders, and door restrictors. 10-year manufacturer warranty. BSI Kitemark, Secured by Design, TS007 and PAS 24 certifications across the range. For UK and Ireland door fabricators and installers.
• Elite Friction Stays UK manufactured standard, security, and specialist friction stays designed and manufactured under ISO 9001:2000 quality standard and Secured by Design registered. Variants include Standard, Security, Tri-Stay, EasiClean, Egress, XL & XXL, and Trade Stay. Part of the Elite window hardware range. For window fabricators across the UK and Ireland.
• Elite Door Locks Door lock range covering residential, composite and French door applications. Includes automatic locks, key wind locks, compact locks, and storm door solutions. 10-year manufacturer warranty. Elite Silbear Surface Protection. For door fabricators across the UK and Ireland.
• Elite 2 Star Security Door Handles Elite 2 Star Security Door Handles manufactured and tested to TS007:2024 and Kitemark standards. BSI Kitemark number 821881, BSI TS007 3*, Secured by Design and Kitemark certified. Manufactured in high strength 304 Stainless Steel, Aluminium and Zinc alloys with M6 stainless screws. Available in Chrome, Brushed Stainless, Gold, Black and White. For door fabricators across the UK and Ireland.
• SWITCH Door Hinge SWITCH Door Hinge with quick 'SWITCH' from left to right hand without removing the pin. Only 4mm drill bit required for fitting. Available in 19mm and 21mm height options. 10-year mechanical guarantee, tested for 100,000 cycles. Available in 12 colours. For door fabricators and installers across the UK and Ireland.
• Camel Clamp Patented window fitting and safety device which locks window or door to frame in seconds. Fits any size opening, works on ground and upper floors. Adjustable to nearest mm, single-handed adjustment. For window and door installers.
• Elite Flag Door Hinge Elite Flag Door Hinge ergonomically designed to suit PVC-U door profiles, fully 3D adjustable. Patent pending 'Anti-lift' security feature with 2.5mm steel carriage plate. Signature dimple on cover for suited range. For door fabricators across the UK and Ireland.
• Elite Euro Cylinders Premium quality, high security Euro Cylinders available in Standard (Blue box), 1 Star (Red box - KM 658144), and 3 Star (Black box - KM 561977) variants. TS007 and BSI Kitemark certified. Compliant with BS EN1303:2005 Grade 3. Colour-coded box branding system. For door fabricators across the UK and Ireland.
• Elite Espag Bars Window locking mechanisms including Elite Standard Espags, Elite Twin Cam, Elite Flush Casement, Low Handle, and Elite Shootbolt options. One universal routing detail across all Elite casement products for ease of fabrication. For window fabricators across the UK and Ireland.
• Sealed Unit Products Full range of products for the Insulating Glass industry including warm edge spacer bars, Georgian bars, hot melt sealants, 2-part sealants, PIB tape, desiccant, glass tools, tapes, and cleaning products. For sealed unit / insulating glass manufacturers across the UK and Ireland.
• Warm Edge Spacer Bar Range Every type of warm edge spacer bar including Nanobar R (exclusive), Multitech G, Swisspacer Ultimate, Technoform SP14/SP24, Super Spacer, and standard aluminum bar options. For sealed unit manufacturers across the UK and Ireland.
• Glasmol Desiccant Quality 3A desiccant product, fully compliant with EN12749-2 and 3 and manufactured to ISO9001:2000 standards for sealed unit production. For sealed unit / insulating glass manufacturers across the UK and Ireland.
• Fitting Products Complete range covering PVCu building requirements including building plastics (window trims, fascias, soffits, cladding), installation products (silicones, sealants, adhesives, expanding foams), rainwater systems, packers and gaskets, cleaning products, tapes, and tools. For window and door installers and fabricators across the UK and Ireland.
• DGS PRO Tools Professional-grade tools for glazing and window work including glazing shovel, chisel knife, gasket shears, and moon knife. For installers and fabricators across the UK and Ireland.
• Door Restrictors Door restrictors including Elite Vari-Latch Restrictor, 10 inch DGS Door Restrictor, 10 inch DGS Composite Restrictor, 14 inch DGS Door Restrictor, and Quad Guard. Manufactured and assembled in UK. For door fabricators and installers across the UK and Ireland.
• Window Ventilation Products Window ventilation products including Through Frame Slotvent (S Vent, L Vent, F Vent), Acoustic Vents (up to 45dB(A)), Aluminum Acoustic Vents, Easy Vent and Easy Vent Plus. Greenwood EA window vent range including 2500EA and 5000EA models. For window fabricators and installers across the UK and Ireland.
• GU Locks (Distributed Brand) GU (Gretsch Unitas) face fix and concealed tilt and turn gearing, and GU door locks distributed by DGS Group for various door applications. For door fabricators and installers across the UK and Ireland.
• Fullex Locks (Distributed Brand) Fullex door locks distributed by DGS, designed to offer maximum security and reliability. For door fabricators and installers across the UK and Ireland.
• Hoppe Handles (Distributed Brand) Hoppe window and door handles distributed by DGS including Birmingham, Birmingham Security (TS007), Atlanta and Atlanta PAS24 variants. For door fabricators and installers across the UK and Ireland.
• Roto Tilt & Turn (Distributed Brand) Roto tilt and turn window hardware distributed by DGS including GU Face Fix, GU Concealed, ROTO NX A Face Fix, and ROTO NT Designo Concealed. For window fabricators and installers across the UK and Ireland.

Quantifiable outcome

• On-time customer delivery rate of 98.8%
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• RapierstarcoreTechnology or IntegrationDGS Group and Rapierstar have a long-term supply partnership where Rapierstar provides essential fasteners for all window and door hardware. Rapierstar holds over 1 billion screws in stock at their Cheshire bonded warehouse. The partnership provides supply chain depth and availability matching all hardware components including DGS Elite and UK-made friction stays.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Window Ware: UK trade distributor of window hardware, door hardware, and sealed unit consumables to fabricators and installers. Closely mirrors DGS's one-stop-shop trade distribution proposition across the same product categories.
• ERA Home Security: UK manufacturer of window and door hardware with a heritage comparable to DGS, supplying locks, cylinders, hinges, handles, and security products to fabricators. Overlapping TS007/Secured by Design accredited product portfolio.
• Mila: UK-based manufacturer and distributor of window and door hardware serving the same fabricator and installer customer base as DGS. Overlapping product range includes friction stays, hinges, handles, locks, and ventilation. Closest direct competitor in scale and product mix.
• Avocet Hardware: UK manufacturer and supplier of door and window hardware including locks, cylinders, hinges, and handles. Targets the same trade fabricator channel with comparable security-accredited (TS007, Secured by Design) product range.
• Carl F Groupco: UK distributor of window and door hardware including friction stays, espagnolettes, hinges, handles, and cylinders. Serves PVCu and aluminium fabricators with a similar trade-focused, multi-brand catalogue model.

Broad incumbents

• Roto Frank: European window and door hardware manufacturer distributed by DGS (Roto NX, Roto NT). Operates as a global incumbent in tilt-and-turn and espagnolette systems, supplying fabricators both directly and through distributors.
• Hoppe (HOPPE Group): European manufacturer of window and door handles that DGS distributes (Hoppe Birmingham, Atlanta, T&T ranges). As a principal supplying DGS, it is also a competitor at the manufacturing tier with broader European scale.
• Yale (Assa Abloy): Global door hardware brand with significant UK presence, manufacturing and selling locks, cylinders, handles, and smart home security. Operates at much larger scale than DGS with broader product portfolio including consumer channels.
• Screwfix: Large UK trade-focused hardware and building supplies retailer with national branch and online coverage. Competes with DGS for trade customer spend across overlapping hardware, fixings, and consumables categories.
• Travis Perkins: UK's largest builders' merchant serving trade contractors with building materials, fixings, and associated products. Much broader and deeper than DGS, but overlaps in selling PVCu building plastics, sealants, and installation consumables to trade fabricators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dgsgroupplc
• Facebookfacebook.com/dgsgroupplc

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dgs Group