Founding Chairman of ASDMA, Alan Cross, died on 23 October.
Leeds born and bred, Alan was educated in Switzerland and on his return home joined Curtis & Sons, a prominent Shopfitting company in Leeds as an apprentice wood machinist. From Curtis’s he moved to Keirnan Building Contractors in Leeds from where he moved in the early 1970s to join Erkulis Brothers Joiners and Shopfitters to take charge of their joinery shop. In 1975 Alan was instrumental in the purchase of a newly formed company, Noberne Doors Limited, which he, together with his business partner Brian Agar, went on to purchase from Erkulis. Alan was very focussed on what he wanted his business to become and his vision, together with Brian Agar’s financial acumen set a firm foundation for the business that Noberne Doors is today.
Alan saw the opportunities within the construction industry for well-made bespoke timber fire doors and this became a keystone of the company’s business. In 1990 Alan and a small group of companies, all of whom were members of TRADAs Quality Assurance Scheme for Timber Fire Doors, saw benefits in joining together to support and promote the timber fire door industry. The Architectural and Specialist Door Manufacturers Association (ASDMA) was born and Alan took on the role of Chairman, a post which he only stepped down from early in 2013.
Alan had an intuitive ability to get the measure of people and to make the best of opportunities. He was a person to whom colleagues and friends alike would go for advice and encouragement and many benefitted from his wisdom and can-do attitude.
Alan embraced life to the full. He was a warm-hearted and generous friend who loved to socialise and was frequently to be found at the centre of any gathering. Those who knew Alan as a friend and colleague have had their lives enriched through knowing him, and will have many happy memories of time spent in his company.