Name: Keith Laduzinsky
Company, Location , and Years of Service: Interbuild, Israel – 22 years
Current Position: Owner
Summary of Previous Industry Experience: Started at Interbuild
Total Years in Industry: 22 years

How did you get your start in the door and hardware industry?

I started out at Interbuild working in the field, installing hardware, master keying systems, and arranging hardware storerooms on project sites. When Interbuild stopped being a hardware distributor, I worked servicing projects and trying to set up a Contract Project Division with the new distributors. This didn’t work out, so I took a half a year off , and came back to Interbuild.

Who have been mentors to you during your career?

The Alper Family , Zalman, Jonathan and Josh.

Zalman Alper, for realizing that the Israeli Market needed someone to do architectural hardware schedules.
Josh Alper , great knowledge of products and their applications.
Jonathan Alper, influential in changing a whole country’s attitude toward standards, both architectural hardware and fire.

What changes have you seen in the industry over the years?

Beside the obvious advances in electronic hardware, I see a small trend in spec writing.  Architects, after being burnt over and over with EQUALS and look-alikes, are looking more for performance specifications.  This is helping them to justify keeping the architectural hardware specifications – very quickly it becomes clear that you are comparing apples to oranges. I am also seeing a growing appreciation for the distributor that is offering a high level of service, in product knowledge, installation knowledge, and warranty. It is very easy today, especially being overseas, that people get on the net, get pricing, import items and in the end have bought the wrong product.

What is the best part of your job?

Walking with the architect through a building or project, where the architectural hardware specification was held. Only then does the architect understand that he can achieve all of today’s demands and code requirements on openings, in keeping with his vision of the building.

What career would you purse if you weren’t working in the hardware industry?

Is there any other?

What’s your favorite hardware related product?

Door closers, especially concealed pneumatic door closers.  We did several special applications for the front doors of private homes. Opens with no sound – amazing, magic.

What would your colleagues / customers be surprised to learn about you?

That it’s been almost two years that I haven’t smoked.

What’s your proudest accomplishment?

Seeing my four children become adults.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Movies, swimming, and sitting around with friends over a good cup of coffee.
Not necessary in that order.

What words of wisdom would you give to people entering the industry?

Education, Education, Education. Take as many courses as you can, related to your field.  Also if possible, try and get into the field occasionally, it helps in understanding the product from an installer’s view point and the problems they come across.

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