Our Story

Sentry Doors was formed in 1989 by Gordon and Carolyn Yates from a desire to offer a reliable solution to fire door safety. Initially a distributor of fire doors and fire doorsets, Sentry moved into manufacturing in 1996, as a means of controlling the quality of its offering and to ensure that its customers’ bespoke requirements were never compromised.

Not content to stand still, in 2011 Sentry made the decision to specialise further, developing premium ultra-high specification timber fire doorsets with a commitment to be at the forefront of certification and compliance. This commitment continues to this day.
We celebrated our 30-year anniversary in 2019, which was a key milestone and marked the strategic step to further advance our growth plans. To support our growth plans, The business became part of the Cairngorm Capital portfolio in February 2019, enjoying significant investment in our factories, systems, processes and people and led by an established management team led by CEO, Ty Aziz. Sentry has also benefitted from Cairngorm Capital’s sector knowledge, strategic planning and from the expertise of its operating  partners including Chairman, Jon Gatfield.
 
Cairngorm Capital continued its support backing the expansion of Sentry Fire Safety Group into additional markets through the acquisition of 100-year-old E & S W Knowles company in 2022. This ensured the provision of veneered and lacquered doorsets into complementary markets such as student accommodation, education, commercial fit out and healthcare. Knowles is now integrated into the Group and its range incorporated within our extensive catalogue.
 
Sentry Fire Safety Group is well equipped to respond to regulatory change and increased market demand having substantially expanded manufacturing capacity and extended its geographic distribution. According to a 2024 Real Deals report by BDO LLP, Sentry ranked 3rd for the fastest growing manufacturer in Yorkshire, further solidifying our position as a market lead.

Key milestones

1989 – Sentry established as distributor of fire doors

1996 – Moved into manufacturing to ensure product quality

2011 – Decided to specialise in timber fire doorsets

2019 – Celebrated 30th anniversary and became part of the Cairngorm Capital portfolio

2022 – Acquisition of 100-year-old E&SW Knowles, fire door manufacturers in complementary markets

Key investments

Social Housing

Brooklands Road, Adwick le Street, Doncaster DN6 7BA
01302 337 473 enquiries@sentrydoors.co.uk

Care Home, Education, Healthcare, Commercial, Leisure & Specialist

Moor Lane Industrial Estate,
Perrywell Road, Witton,
Birmingham, B6 7AT
0121 356 7046
sales@knowlesdoors.co.uk