Making an Entrance Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/making-an-entrance 'Making an Entrance' is the podcast which opens the door on the global world of entrance solutions, where security, design and technology meet at the threshold of buildings across the planet. If you specify, manufacture, install, design, service or invest in the systems that decide who -and what- gets in and out, this is your front row seat to the future. Your show host, Steve Dickinson, a professional with over 30 years experience in this field, brings you unfiltered conversations with the CEOs, innovators and entrepreneurs who control the flow of people and goods around the world. From humble beginnings to billion dollar groups, Steve uncovers raw origin stories, hard-won leadership lessons, and the strategic decisions that turned regional businesses into category leaders. But this isn't nostalgia. 'Making an Entrance is the show that dives deep into what's next in the markets, by looking at key social, regulatory and technological trends - including how AI is expected to transform the industry from all angles Copyright Brighter Futures Publishing Ltd 3857f14a-ee57-5f20-8fe4-62a1b57d760a yes en Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:32:57 -0700 Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:33:28 -0700 https://img.transistorcdn.com/vVQHKr1Tbwjg3SXJhTDr9yJ_1F8N2Rp_xl1kffCwEXo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83OWY3/NGJkOWMxMDdiYjcz/OTIzMTM5MDgzOTY5/NWFjZS5qcGc.jpg Making an Entrance episodic Steve Dickinson 'Making an Entrance' is the podcast which opens the door on the global world of entrance solutions, where security, design and technology meet at the threshold of buildings across the planet. If you specify, manufacture, install, design, service or invest in the systems that decide who -and what- gets in and out, this is your front row seat to the future. Your show host, Steve Dickinson, a professional with over 30 years experience in this field, brings you unfiltered conversations with the CEOs, innovators and entrepreneurs who control the flow of people and goods around the world. From humble beginnings to billion dollar groups, Steve uncovers raw origin stories, hard-won leadership lessons, and the strategic decisions that turned regional businesses into category leaders. But this isn't nostalgia. 'Making an Entrance is the show that dives deep into what's next in the markets, by looking at key social, regulatory and technological trends - including how AI is expected to transform the industry from all angles 'Making an Entrance' is the podcast which opens the door on the global world of entrance solutions, where security, design and technology meet at the threshold of buildings across the planet. Doors, Building Materials, Construction, Architecture, Fire Protection Steve Dickinson No No Javier-Pérez-Sánchez, Novoferm Alsal 5 5 Javier-Pérez-Sánchez, Novoferm Alsal full 7f8a629d-1e53-483c-b78d-aadfcdc4e554 https://makinganentrance.transistor.fm/5 Steve Dickinson's guest on today's show is an international commercial leader with a strong technical background and deep experience across the Spanish, Portuguese, and South American markets. He graduated from the University of Cantabria in 1989, in the beautiful northern Spanish city of Santander. 

Making an entrance today is Javier-Pérez-Sánchez, Managing Director of Novoferm Alsal, and President of FIMPA, the Spanish Federation of automatic door installers and maintainers. 

Topics covered in today's show include:

  • Javier's roots and early influences.
  • The evolution of Novoferm-Alsal.
  • The Southern European vs Northern European Dynamic.
  • Expanding across borders to South America and Northern Africa.
  • The invisible infrastructure and regulation of entrance solutions.
  • Technology, smart access and AI.
  • The evolution of leadership and employee expectations.

If you enjoyed the show and want to be among the first to hear future episodes, don't forget to subscribe to 'Making an Entrance' on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

]]> Steve Dickinson's guest on today's show is an international commercial leader with a strong technical background and deep experience across the Spanish, Portuguese, and South American markets. He graduated from the University of Cantabria in 1989, in the beautiful northern Spanish city of Santander. 

Making an entrance today is Javier-Pérez-Sánchez, Managing Director of Novoferm Alsal, and President of FIMPA, the Spanish Federation of automatic door installers and maintainers. 

Topics covered in today's show include:

  • Javier's roots and early influences.
  • The evolution of Novoferm-Alsal.
  • The Southern European vs Northern European Dynamic.
  • Expanding across borders to South America and Northern Africa.
  • The invisible infrastructure and regulation of entrance solutions.
  • Technology, smart access and AI.
  • The evolution of leadership and employee expectations.

If you enjoyed the show and want to be among the first to hear future episodes, don't forget to subscribe to 'Making an Entrance' on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

]]> Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:54:00 -0700 Steve Dickinson Steve Dickinson 2523 Steve Dickinson's guest on today's show is an international commercial leader with a strong technical background and deep experience across the Spanish, Portuguese, and South American markets. He graduated from the University of Cantabria in 1989, in the beautiful northern Spanish city of Santander. 

Making an entrance today is Javier-Pérez-Sánchez, Managing Director of Novoferm Alsal, and President of FIMPA, the Spanish Federation of automatic door installers and maintainers. 

Topics covered in today's show include:

  • Javier's roots and early influences.
  • The evolution of Novoferm-Alsal.
  • The Southern European vs Northern European Dynamic.
  • Expanding across borders to South America and Northern Africa.
  • The invisible infrastructure and regulation of entrance solutions.
  • Technology, smart access and AI.
  • The evolution of leadership and employee expectations.

If you enjoyed the show and want to be among the first to hear future episodes, don't forget to subscribe to 'Making an Entrance' on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

]]> Doors, Building Materials, Construction, Architecture, Fire Protection No Steve Dickinson Erik Klomp, Novodoor 4 4 Erik Klomp, Novodoor full 5a0fc2b5-652e-4579-8246-4532a573cb41 https://makinganentrance.transistor.fm/4 Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Erik Klomp, founder and CEO of Novodoor. 

Erik is a Dutch entrepreneur who lives and works out of Istanbul, operating at the very extreme end of the global entrance solutions market. His company, Novodoor, doesn't just sell doors; they secure some of the largest, highest-stakes infrastructure projects in the world—specializing in complex fire door installations for international airports and mega-developments, primarily across the Middle East.

What makes him unique is that he has constructed a truly global supply chain, stitching together products from Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea, and the United States to deliver a unified solution to his clients. He is also a man who knows a thing or two about endurance, having successfully completed the gruelling Dakar Rally.

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The Dakar Rally mindset
  • Global sourcing: The unified platform in action
  • The reality of mega-infrastructure projects
  • The challenge of global coordination
  • Feedback from the frontline to suppliers
  • The high stakes of fire door compliance
  • The global life, and the meaning of partnership

If you enjoyed the show and want to be among the first to hear future episodes, don't forget to subscribe to 'Making an Entrance' on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

]]> Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Erik Klomp, founder and CEO of Novodoor. 

Erik is a Dutch entrepreneur who lives and works out of Istanbul, operating at the very extreme end of the global entrance solutions market. His company, Novodoor, doesn't just sell doors; they secure some of the largest, highest-stakes infrastructure projects in the world—specializing in complex fire door installations for international airports and mega-developments, primarily across the Middle East.

What makes him unique is that he has constructed a truly global supply chain, stitching together products from Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea, and the United States to deliver a unified solution to his clients. He is also a man who knows a thing or two about endurance, having successfully completed the gruelling Dakar Rally.

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The Dakar Rally mindset
  • Global sourcing: The unified platform in action
  • The reality of mega-infrastructure projects
  • The challenge of global coordination
  • Feedback from the frontline to suppliers
  • The high stakes of fire door compliance
  • The global life, and the meaning of partnership

If you enjoyed the show and want to be among the first to hear future episodes, don't forget to subscribe to 'Making an Entrance' on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2026 04:38:48 -0700 Steve Dickinson Steve Dickinson 2403 Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Erik Klomp, founder and CEO of Novodoor. 

Erik is a Dutch entrepreneur who lives and works out of Istanbul, operating at the very extreme end of the global entrance solutions market. His company, Novodoor, doesn't just sell doors; they secure some of the largest, highest-stakes infrastructure projects in the world—specializing in complex fire door installations for international airports and mega-developments, primarily across the Middle East.

What makes him unique is that he has constructed a truly global supply chain, stitching together products from Germany, Italy, Spain, South Korea, and the United States to deliver a unified solution to his clients. He is also a man who knows a thing or two about endurance, having successfully completed the gruelling Dakar Rally.

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The Dakar Rally mindset
  • Global sourcing: The unified platform in action
  • The reality of mega-infrastructure projects
  • The challenge of global coordination
  • Feedback from the frontline to suppliers
  • The high stakes of fire door compliance
  • The global life, and the meaning of partnership

If you enjoyed the show and want to be among the first to hear future episodes, don't forget to subscribe to 'Making an Entrance' on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

]]> Doors, Building Materials, Construction, Architecture, Fire Protection No Steve Dickinson Anders Majland, Novoferm Denmark 3 3 Anders Majland, Novoferm Denmark full 81be3b51-c1de-4e33-8da9-465e164cf929 https://makinganentrance.transistor.fm/3 Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Anders Majland, Managing Director of Novoferm Denmark, and Regional Manager for Novoferm in Scandinavia. Anders graduated from Syddansk University in Southern Denmark, began his career in advanced electronic control systems, and for the last two decades he's held senior positions in the field of entrance solutions with two of the industry's leading companies: Nassau Doors (now part of Assa Abloy) and since 2012, the Novoferm Group (a member of Sanwa Holdings).

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The Scandinavian market
  • The main challenges faced when doing business across borders
  • Anders' leadership style
  • The 'invisibility' of the entrance solutions market
  • Social, regulatory, and environmental trends in the Scandinavian market - including the impact of European fire safety standards
  • Key technological changes in the industry, including AI and modular building methods
  • The impact of social, regulatory and technological changes on leadership

Please remember to subscribe to our show and leave a rating on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you found this episode.

]]> Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Anders Majland, Managing Director of Novoferm Denmark, and Regional Manager for Novoferm in Scandinavia. Anders graduated from Syddansk University in Southern Denmark, began his career in advanced electronic control systems, and for the last two decades he's held senior positions in the field of entrance solutions with two of the industry's leading companies: Nassau Doors (now part of Assa Abloy) and since 2012, the Novoferm Group (a member of Sanwa Holdings).

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The Scandinavian market
  • The main challenges faced when doing business across borders
  • Anders' leadership style
  • The 'invisibility' of the entrance solutions market
  • Social, regulatory, and environmental trends in the Scandinavian market - including the impact of European fire safety standards
  • Key technological changes in the industry, including AI and modular building methods
  • The impact of social, regulatory and technological changes on leadership

Please remember to subscribe to our show and leave a rating on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you found this episode.

]]> Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:27:43 -0800 Steve Dickinson Steve Dickinson 1678 Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Anders Majland, Managing Director of Novoferm Denmark, and Regional Manager for Novoferm in Scandinavia. Anders graduated from Syddansk University in Southern Denmark, began his career in advanced electronic control systems, and for the last two decades he's held senior positions in the field of entrance solutions with two of the industry's leading companies: Nassau Doors (now part of Assa Abloy) and since 2012, the Novoferm Group (a member of Sanwa Holdings).

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The Scandinavian market
  • The main challenges faced when doing business across borders
  • Anders' leadership style
  • The 'invisibility' of the entrance solutions market
  • Social, regulatory, and environmental trends in the Scandinavian market - including the impact of European fire safety standards
  • Key technological changes in the industry, including AI and modular building methods
  • The impact of social, regulatory and technological changes on leadership

Please remember to subscribe to our show and leave a rating on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you found this episode.

]]> Doors, Building Materials, Construction, Architecture, Fire Protection No Steve Dickinson Michel Akoum/Novoferm France 2 2 Michel Akoum/Novoferm France full be14f325-f902-45ef-8e7e-9a1508db3cd6 https://makinganentrance.transistor.fm/2 Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Michel Akoum, President and CEO of Novoferm France. Michel was born in Lebanon, rose from the ranks of R&D engineers in Paris, before quickly moving into export sales and general management. For the last two decades he held senior positions in the field of entrance solutions with two of the industry's leading companies.

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The company Novoferm France and its place within the Novoferm Group, and their parent company, Sanwa Holdings
  • Advice he would offer to current graduates of his alma mater, the Ecole des Travaux Publics, Paris
  • One thing he would do differently during his career at Novoferm
  • Michel's leadership style
  • Current social, regulatory and technical trends in the French market
  • Key lessons learned during a long career

Please remember to subscribe to our show on Apple, Spotify or wherever you found this podcast.

]]> Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Michel Akoum, President and CEO of Novoferm France. Michel was born in Lebanon, rose from the ranks of R&D engineers in Paris, before quickly moving into export sales and general management. For the last two decades he held senior positions in the field of entrance solutions with two of the industry's leading companies.

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The company Novoferm France and its place within the Novoferm Group, and their parent company, Sanwa Holdings
  • Advice he would offer to current graduates of his alma mater, the Ecole des Travaux Publics, Paris
  • One thing he would do differently during his career at Novoferm
  • Michel's leadership style
  • Current social, regulatory and technical trends in the French market
  • Key lessons learned during a long career

Please remember to subscribe to our show on Apple, Spotify or wherever you found this podcast.

]]> Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:50:39 -0800 Steve Dickinson Steve Dickinson 1662 Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Michel Akoum, President and CEO of Novoferm France. Michel was born in Lebanon, rose from the ranks of R&D engineers in Paris, before quickly moving into export sales and general management. For the last two decades he held senior positions in the field of entrance solutions with two of the industry's leading companies.

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The company Novoferm France and its place within the Novoferm Group, and their parent company, Sanwa Holdings
  • Advice he would offer to current graduates of his alma mater, the Ecole des Travaux Publics, Paris
  • One thing he would do differently during his career at Novoferm
  • Michel's leadership style
  • Current social, regulatory and technical trends in the French market
  • Key lessons learned during a long career

Please remember to subscribe to our show on Apple, Spotify or wherever you found this podcast.

]]> Doors, Building Materials, Construction, Architecture, Fire Protection No Steve Dickinson Ali Ihsan Güneş, FGI 1 1 Ali Ihsan Güneş, FGI full a4b8d7a4-4918-4cae-8293-113837bd941f https://makinganentrance.transistor.fm/1 Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Ali Ihsan Güneş, the co-founder of FGI, an exciting family-owned business based in Sakarya, Turkiye- 125 km east of Istanbul. Together with his brother, Gunay, and other members of the family, he built his business, not once, but twice. His origin story is one of the most traumatic imaginable.

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The company FGI, and the markets it serves
  • Contrasting styles and roles of the two founders
  • Their overall journey into the industry
  • The devastating earthquake of 17 August 1999
  • Perspectives from Ali's roles as Chairman of the Advisory Board at Sakarya Business School, and Vice President of the Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce
  • Trends in social, regulatory and technology - including AI

If you enjoyed the show and want to be among the first to hear future episodes, don't forget to subscribe to 'Making an Entrance' on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

]]> Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Ali Ihsan Güneş, the co-founder of FGI, an exciting family-owned business based in Sakarya, Turkiye- 125 km east of Istanbul. Together with his brother, Gunay, and other members of the family, he built his business, not once, but twice. His origin story is one of the most traumatic imaginable.

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The company FGI, and the markets it serves
  • Contrasting styles and roles of the two founders
  • Their overall journey into the industry
  • The devastating earthquake of 17 August 1999
  • Perspectives from Ali's roles as Chairman of the Advisory Board at Sakarya Business School, and Vice President of the Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce
  • Trends in social, regulatory and technology - including AI

If you enjoyed the show and want to be among the first to hear future episodes, don't forget to subscribe to 'Making an Entrance' on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2025 01:33:42 -0800 Steve Dickinson Steve Dickinson 2187 Steve Dickinson's guest in today's episode is Ali Ihsan Güneş, the co-founder of FGI, an exciting family-owned business based in Sakarya, Turkiye- 125 km east of Istanbul. Together with his brother, Gunay, and other members of the family, he built his business, not once, but twice. His origin story is one of the most traumatic imaginable.

Topics covered in the show include:

  • The company FGI, and the markets it serves
  • Contrasting styles and roles of the two founders
  • Their overall journey into the industry
  • The devastating earthquake of 17 August 1999
  • Perspectives from Ali's roles as Chairman of the Advisory Board at Sakarya Business School, and Vice President of the Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce
  • Trends in social, regulatory and technology - including AI

If you enjoyed the show and want to be among the first to hear future episodes, don't forget to subscribe to 'Making an Entrance' on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

]]> Doors, Building Materials, Construction, Architecture, Fire Protection No Steve Dickinson