Traditionally, G & S Allgood had concentrated on supplying ironmongery to building firms, but under new management, the founders spotted the opportunity to improve the quality of ironmongery in buildings by providing advice and guidance to architects at the design stage.

The new model proved a commercial success as we developed a reputation for innovation, design and an unparalleled quality of service across the sector. A growing UK client base included the new headquarters of Lever Brothers, one of the first tower blocks to be built after the war, and a major project for architect TP Bennett – 150 doorsets for the Diamond Trading Company.

In 1960 Allgood moved to larger premises on Euston Road and fostered stronger ties across the industry. Indeed, Paul Shirville was instrumental in establishing the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers, which has grown to be recognised as the voice of the architectural ironmongery industry.   

In 1965 we launched Modric, the first fully coordinated range of architectural ironmongery and hardware. Conceived by Knud Holscher and Alan Tye, the unifying design of this “modular metric” range sprang from the principles of the Bauhaus style, which advocated the expression of an object’s function through its form, without the need for ornamentation. Modric became almost instantly successful, and remains a benchmark for harmonious design and quality to this day 

Over time, we have added many more ranges to our portfolio, from the versatile Sembla, to our antimicrobial Contego, to the innovative Holt range, which is the only fully coordinated range of ironmongery made from oak.  Common to these ranges is the unique Allgood Quadaxial™ fixing rose, which has been independently tested to 1 million cycles as part of BS EN 1906, far exceeding the standard regulations and means we can offer a 25-year warranty. 

Our expertise in ironmongery products is only matched by our determination to deliver the complete specification solution and we have always sought ways to improve this.  For example, in 1983 we pioneered the first computer-aided specification tool, to simplify the scheduling process.

Today we have the largest and most experienced estimating team in the industry, all GAI qualified and who regularly produce over 100 schedules a week for our clients.  From specialist projects in the UK, to multi-million-pound investments in the Middle East; each project receives the same quality of service and underpinned by our commitment to quality.

Since our inception, we have strived to lead the industry through design, innovation and service.   Seventy years later, Allgood remains privately owned by both families and we may have grown in size, but we have never lost our founding principles.