Who we are

Where it started

Our story began on land, designing and manufacturing hardware for domestic and industrial gates. Over the following decades, we developed extensive knowledge of locks, hinges and gate hardware, continually improving our products through research, testing and practical engineering.

A challenge takes us offshore

The designers of the Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm approached us with a requirement for closing hinges for turbine access gates. Applying our existing gate hardware expertise to a very different environment marked the beginning of Gatemaster’s offshore journey.

Engineering beyond the original brief

Beatrice demonstrates the approach that still defines our work today. The initial request was for a rising hinge, but testing showed that the standard solution would not provide consistent closing performance under offshore wind loading.

Rather than simply supplying the product requested, our engineers developed and tested a bespoke solution before creating a fully adjustable offshore spring closer. Manufactured from 316L stainless steel, the design combined corrosion resistance, adjustable closing force and straightforward installation for the harsh marine environment.

The result was an effective, reliable closing solution for the Beatrice turbines. This also became the foundation for our growing offshore product range.

Expanding into hatch access

As our involvement in offshore projects grew, new access challenges began to emerge.

We received feedback from several projects experiencing problems with existing hatch systems, particularly uncontrolled closing that could create risks for personnel using access hatches.

Our engineers responded by developing a prototype hatch hardware system focused on providing safer, more controlled operation.

At the same time, we continued refining our offshore gate hinge technology, helping lay the foundations for the SeaSafe Closing Hinge range available today.

Developing our hatch hardware range

Following the initial prototype, we continued to refine and develop our hatch hardware solutions, using project feedback and real-world applications to improve safety, reliability and ease of operation.

This period of ongoing development helped shape the next generation of our hatch hardware range, leading to the development of the FOHO (Foot Operated Hatch Opener), designed to provide safer and easier hatch operation while reducing the need for manual handling.

The FOHO has since become one of our most popular hatch hardware products.

From one solution to an offshore specialism

We continued applying the same engineer-led approach across offshore projects worldwide, adapting proven designs where appropriate and developing completely bespoke products where the application demanded something new.