Sustainability is not a new concept to the security industry, with several manufacturers having for years promoted finding more eco-friendly ways to deliver their goods and services. Yet a clear definition of “corporate sustainability” can be vague, if not elusive. SDM recently caught up with Darren Blankenship, vice president, commercial excellence at dormakaba, to address the topic. Blankenship touches on dormakaba’s own vision of sustainability, as well as where security dealers and integrators fit into the greener picture. 

Healthy buildings are a huge topic of discussion in the security industry. How does sustainability connect with building health?

A healthy building is one that drives a sense of health and safety within the building environment and demonstrates optimal energy efficiency. Today, we’re seeing a cultural shift beyond LEED. When it comes to access solutions, measuring sustainability is no longer limited to a scorecard list. 

It’s become a way to design buildings and spaces that achieve the right balance between a healthy building, security, safety, and productivity or lifestyle for those in it. Healthy buildings depend on achieving this balance. 

What does sustainability mean to your company, from the mission statement all the way to the product offering?

Sustainability is at the core of dormakaba’s vision, which underlines our long-term commitment to shaping a more sustainable industry and future. It impacts our selection of vendors, how our products are manufactured, and our approach to maintenance for employee and environmental safety. 

dormakaba’s sustainability framework is focused on three Pillars: People, Planet and Partnerships. These are documented online and dormakaba is ready and determined to take action for a low carbon and circular economy, to empower our people so that they can unlock their full potential, and to collaborate with others in our value chain to promote sustainable development. 

How can security dealers and integrators keep sustainability in mind during their next project?

Integrators and other building professionals now look at access points and openings as opportunities to add efficiency to an entire design not just one aspect of it. They choose solutions that impact energy and facility efficiency and by default, the environment. 

These choices build upon the strong base started by LEED. Today, thinking about sustainability is more embedded in the mindshare of integrators because they want what’s best for their customers — efficient, high performing buildings that meet or exceed expectations. Their push to deliver efficiency solutions helps drive the development of new technologies which suppliers like dormakaba are working on every day. 

The key for solutions providers, like dormakaba, is to write specs and design access solutions that provide the best environment for the end user. Decisions made early in the design process by architects and integrators — before any dirt is scraped — influence the final environmental and efficiency impacts for any project. 

You can hear much more on the topic of sustainability efforts within the security industry in SDM’s recent podcast, “Greening Security.” In this installment, Amy Musanti, sustainability director at ASSA ABLOY, and Ross Sheil, senior vice president at InfoGrid, explain how to incorporate green, eco-friendly practices into security.