Clearview Group and The Door Industry Journal (DIJ) are pleased to announce that from 1st June 2025, DIJ will be owned and managed by Clearview Group. DIJ will sit alongside fenestration magazines Clearview and Pro Installer, and hardware and security title The Locksmith Journal. Following the acquisition, Clearview Group will own and oversee DIJ in its print form, online activity, social media platforms, daily blog and weekly newsletter.
The Door Industry Journal began life in the mid-1990s as a simple one-page newsletter called AGDS, created by the Association of Garage Door Specialists. Derek Hibbart has managed and edited the magazine since 1998, alongside his wife Karen and took the title into private ownership in 2009. Originally volunteering while on the AGDS committee, Derek brought more than 25 years of experience in builders’ merchants, hardware, ironmongery, and garage doors across wholesale, retail, and franchise operations.
This industry insight has helped shape the publication into what it is today, from a single sheet newsletter to three thriving annual print magazines, website, social media, blog and weekly online newsletter to subscribers.
Over the years, the AGDS newsletter not only grew in size and popularity but has also evolved through several names and appearances. Firstly, the newsletter became The AGDS Journal, and later, following the merger of AGDS with the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF), it became The Journal.
In the late 2000s, a decision was taken to widen the publication’s coverage to include the industrial doors sector and the door hardware and locksmith sectors. And, in 2010, to reflect this broader industry coverage, the magazine was renamed The Door Industry Journal. The new name marked a turning point. Since then, the publication has become a trusted, comprehensive resource for professionals across the entire door and hardware sector, with a particular focus on garage doors and commercial products.
Derek Hibbart and DIJ will be well-known to brands and businesses within these sectors, but perhaps not as familiar in fenestration. In fact, Derek and Clearview have brushed shoulders in the past – as there is some overlap in the magazines’ content and reach. So, when Derek and Karen started to think about retirement, and carefully considering who would take over the title, Derek recalled a chance encounter with Steve Sidebottom, Clearview Director and decided to get in touch.
It was in an airport lounge en route to Germany for a Hörmann event, which, according to Derek, was “longer than five years ago but not as long as 15 years ago,” where the two men first chatted a while and swapped business cards – as has happened so many times in the industry. Derek kept the card and called Steve several years later…
“There were several suitors for buying the business,” explains Derek. “But none of them seemed to be the right fit. We wanted the magazine to go to a good home and find a like-minded company that’s values aligned with our own, and ideally had a portfolio that DIJ slotted into neatly.
“When we looked into Clearview Group – Clearview, Pro Installer, and The Locksmith Journal – it felt like DIJ didn’t only nestle into those titles neatly, but in fact was the perfect fit. We also thought that by taking on the magazine, it would open new doors for Clearview Group, too and provide opportunities for their customers and ours to explore new avenues and audiences.”
“I’m stepping down but not stepping back completely just yet,” says Derek. “I’ll still be available for customers – and the team at Clearview – on an advisory basis and to assist with the production of the magazines. I’ve built up a strong relationship with my customers over the past 25 years or so, and made many friends along the way too.”
Steve Sidebottom, Clearview Director added: “We’re delighted to add this established publication to our portfolio of magazines. Derek has done a great job with DIJ and we look forward to building on his template; utilising our experience and in-house resource to take the magazine to the next level, while offering all customers added value across every title.”
To discuss The Door Industry Journal with its new owners and management team, advertising and editorial opportunities please contact steve@cvgroup.co.uk, rob@cvgroup.co.uk, chris@cvgroup.co.uk or call 01226 321450.
