Roto Inside | 11.2015

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Issue No. 31

Roto Window and Door Technology Partner and Employee Information

Excited by the ‘WECO 2C’ window’s Red Dot Design Award: (from left) Francesc Gimeno, Iciar de las Casas, one

of the two founders of WECO Windows, and Antonio Dominguez, Roto Sales Manager responsible for Spain and

Portugal. Photo: © Red Dot

Erich Schillinger, Germany: Burglary protection with Roto NT Designo

■ Timber

Page 4

Roto Object Business: In tandem for a successful order

■ Aluminium

Page 8

FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2016: Stability unites – welcome to Roto!

■ Event

Page 7

VEKA Plastics: New to the market with highly insulating sliding doors

■ PVC

Page 12

■ Event On 29 June, the coveted Red Dot Awards for exceptional design were presented at a celebratory gala in Essen. Among the winners: the WECO Windows team, which received the nod from a 27-member expert panel for its ‘WECO 2C’ design window, reported in Roto Inside’s March issue. The editors met with the company founder Iciar de las Casas, who travelled from Spain, and Francesc Gimeno, Roto Managing Director Southern Europe, shortly before the award ceremony.

Red Dot Award 2015

Congratulations: WECO Windows wins prestigious design award

The WECO founder reported that at the end of March she had received a personal let-ter on the forthcoming award from Prof. Dr Peter Zec, Red Dot Awards Initiator and CEO. “Red Dot is by far the world’s most famous design competition and is also considered extremely prestigious in Spain. The fact that we have won an award is a very special recogni-tion and confirmation that our development of the ‘WECO 2C’ is an important contribution to the traditional timber-aluminium window’s further development.”

One of thousandsFrancesc Gimeno, Roto Managing Director Southern Europe, who together with his team developed special ‘WECO 2C’ window hard-ware and also participated in the Essen award ceremony, was just as excited. “Just to give you

The Red Dot Design Awards

were presented on 29 June

in Essen’s famous Aalto

Theatre. Photo: © Red Dot

The WECO window idea is based on transparency and sim-

plicity: large glass surfaces up to six metres wide, which are

not interrupted by profiles. Only glass and the chestnut timber

frame are visible from the outside. Aluminium sash profiles

and hardware are concealed and connected directly to the

glass using special adhesive. The overlaid glass frames can be

coated in any colour on the inside. Triple glazing means that the

window complies with the passive house standard. Turn-Only,

Tilt&Turn or sliding versions can be implemented depending on

the application, and maximum ease of operation is guaranteed,

even for extremely large sashes. This is supported by various

factors, including special hardware developed by the architect

team together with Roto’s Montmeló technicians.

a sense of this award’s importance and inter-national reputation: this year, just under 5,000 products from 56 countries were submitted for the competition. This included design ideas from brands as famous as Apple, Samsung or Audi. I am pleased for WECO and naturally also for our Montmeló developers’ team. Perhaps we will even be able to repeat this success with one of our next jointly implemented product ideas.”

The evening award ceremony’s festive sup-porting programme even matched the prize winners’ good mood: the red carpet led to the official award ceremony in Essen’s famous Aalto Theatre, where around 1,200 guests cheered the Red Dot Award winners. This was followed by a colourful ‘Designers’ Night’ in the Red Dot Design Museum, where night turned to day.

German design award for Spanish windowsHow it all began

■ Event The Red Dot Awards presented in Germany for product design are one of the world’s most famous design awards. Once a year, an international jury of specialists votes on outstanding product designs in a total of 31 competitive  categories.

At the end of January 2015, a preassembled ‘WECO 2C’ win-dow was transported from Madrid to Mülheim an der Ruhr in order to be assessed by around forty judges.

The two founders of WECO Windows: (from left) Rosario Chao and

Iciar de las Casas

WECO Windows, based in Majadahonda, north-west of Madrid, is supported by an entire group of experienced architects. The two founders Iciar de las Casas and Rosario Chao knew each other from numerous international projects. “We designed single- and multi-family houses as well as public educational and cultural facilities, among other things. Over time, we es-tablished our own studio, which then led to the formation of WECO Windows”, says Iciar de las Casas. You can find more information on the Red Dot Award at www.red-dot.de.

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Roto Inside | 11.2015

A discussion with Dr. Eckhard Keill, Chairman of the Board of Directors at

Roto Frank AG

In demand

Roto Inside: You recently had to publish some fairly poor numbers after years of continuously pleasing business developments. When do you believe the Roto board of directors will be able to once again inject optimism?

Dr Keill: We have not lost our optimism, we at Roto are realists. It was clear that economic issues in a market as large as Russia would also impact our sales. Accordingly, Roto ensured that its operations were cost-effective and still managed to record an acceptable result. At the same time, our employees in Russia helped their customers to compete successfully in a difficult environment, which is a remarkable accomplishment.

Roto Inside: But the fall in sales in Russia still had a significant impact on Roto’s overall result …

Dr Keill: That is not surprising, given the market position that Roto has since achieved in Russia. Market leaders have more to

lose than others … But, given that Roto Frank AG companies and business divisions are continuing to grow in other parts of the world, the losses in Russia were able to be partially offset.

Roto Inside: In what circumstances would Roto actually withdraw from a market?

Dr Keill: I cannot imagine such circumstances. A number of things occur and tests are performed before Roto enters a country. If we establish our own national company, we do this because we have decided that we do not want to exit a market, or a country, in the future. Roto always reaches decisions and makes investments with a very long-term perspective. Our capital consists of exceptionally long-lasting relationships with window fabricators, who do not simply enter or exit a market from one day to the next. Window fabricators and door manufacturers need reliable partners who do not simply disappear when conditions take a turn for the worse.

Roto Inside: Does this also apply for political headwinds?

Dr Keill: To be honest, to date, no government has had anything against Roto delivering to a country. But there are naturally  markets, such as in South America, where importing requires administrative effort and customs fees due to the stat-utory conditions. In these cases, I get the impression that Roto can be slower to frustrate and more committed than others.

That is why we are also on a successful path in countries such as Argentina, from which others have quickly withdrawn. Roto respects the circumstances and customs in all regions of the world and we do not find it unreasonable if we have to adapt here and operate according to the rules of the market.

Roto Inside: German made tolerance?

Dr Keill: German made tolerance and thoroughness if you like. Yes, respect for different opinions and work methods is one of the foundations of Roto’s identity, just as the willingness to diligently prepare for entry into a new market. But the most important thing for our customers is that we do not buckle. Not if a market suffers a downturn and not if we have to help them push through difficult periods. Once Roto, always Roto – we effectively see ourselves as a legal immigrant in countries in which we operate. And as a legal immigrant, we follow the laws in our new homeland.

Roto Inside: Your personal forecast for the Russian market?

Dr Keill: I think that the bottom has been reached. Russia’s strong companies will continue to be successful and significantly reduce the country’s dependency on the oil price in the long-term. In any event, Roto Russia will make a contribution and support a return to stability on the European continent.

■ New at Roto Roto broke new ground with the introduction of the Roto NT Designo hardware system in 2006. All system com-ponents are completely concealed in the window rebate. Since then, there have been no limits to the realisation of the aesthet-ically demanding profile views with fully concealed hardware. The second, improved generation of the Roto NT Designo turn-only/Turn&Tilt hardware system has since been released, which offers benefits in window and balcony door production as well as in their assembly at the building site.

Roto NT Designo

Further development at a high level

“Roto was the first provider of a fully con-cealed hardware system and our experience is also  second-to-none”, states Thomas Steiert, Head of Research & Development of Window and Door Technology at Roto in Leinfelden. The improvements in the new genera-tion of the range is also of great benefit for window fabricators.

The Roto NT Designo’s new generation perfor-mance values shine in its established strengths: Sash weights of up to 150 kg can be supported, and sash heights of up to 2,600 mm and large opening angles of 100º can be implemented without any problems. “For one thing, window fabricators’ assembly has been simplified: While pin holes previously had to be drilled in the profiles, this operation step is no longer re-quired for the new Roto NT Designo generation. The on-site window installation is also much easier, as the sashes can be inserted in just a few steps. Together with the convenient 3D stay arm, corner hinge and pivot rest adjustments,

the result is an extremely easy-to-install and safe system”, says Thomas Steiert. Roto NT Designo is already available for delivery for more than ninety PVC and timber profiles. “The profile port-folio, which can be fitted with Roto NT Designo, will continue to grow in the coming months. Our development team is continuously working on the relevant modifications.”

Highly flexible platform strategyAccording to Thomas Steiert, the wide range of hardware innovation applications is particularly made possible by the fact that Roto consistently pursues its platform strategy. “Our goal was and is to keep the individual parts’ variation as low as possible. Roto NT Designo customisation only takes place at the very end of the value creation process, effectively during window and balcony door installation. This provides two benefits for us as a hardware manufacturer: We can respond much more quickly to customer requirements and wishes and we can deliver smaller lot sizes.”

The new Roto NT Designo generation is good news for all Roto partners: Window fabricators who already produce using concealed hardware can now use the new hardware without any conversion. The new Roto NT Designo range has also simplified the conversion for manufac-turers who currently still use surface-mounted hinge-sides.

You can also find more information on Roto NT Designo for windows and balcony doors in the relevant installation, maintenance and operating instructions.

& Roto NT Designo for timber windows and balcony doors – interesting facts on installation, maintenance and operation can be found here: www.roto-frank.com/en/roto-nt-designo/timber/imo

& Roto NT Designo for PVC windows and balcony doors – interesting  facts on installation, maintenance and operation can be found here: www.roto-frank.com/en/roto-nt-designo/pvc/imo

The Roto NT Designo hardware system was an outstanding function and design innovation when it was launched

on the market in 2006, as its components disappear completely in the window rebate. Many window fabricators

now offer windows fitted with Roto NT Designo, whose aesthetically sophisticated profile views delight architects

and builders.

“All the potentials that we identified during the continuous development of the

Roto NT Designo range can now be optimally utilised with the new hardware gen-

eration”, Thomas Steiert, Head of Research & Development of Window and Door

Technology at Roto, is convinced.

With the new fully

concealed hardware

generation, Roto

ensures that the

hardware set from the

Roto NT Designo range

can be quickly adapted

tovarious profiles. This

facilitates and accelerates

the change in window

production between

various models.

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■ PVC “The Russian building industry currently has to rise to a huge challenge”, reports General Director Alexander Barinov, founder and owner of the Moscow based company Okna Barinoff. “Building has to continue, but all investors and builders have been forced to keep a close eye on costs. Window fabricators or distributors also need to take this into account and we are convinced that with Roto and the Roto OK range we are absolutely on the right path.”

Okna Barinoff, Russia

A second pillar

Private builders’ demand for windows in the first half of 2015 fell by about 35 percent compared to the previous year. “As a result, we had to secure our company’s strong growth rate from the past few years with a contemporary product range expansion”, the 41-year old entrepreneur is convinced, after over ten years of developing and marketing windows. Naturally, he himself prefers timber-aluminium windows, such as the Okna Hobbit brand, and Roto NT and Roto Patio range hardware. “But we now also have to contribute to giving people across all income classes in Russia an opportunity to live in new apartments with high-quality windows. Times are hard and everyone is being forced to save, so we cannot simply exclusively retain products that only a few can afford”, reports Alexander Barinov and says: “I consider this a customer-friendly approach.”

Quality at a low priceThe qualified production technician and businessman describes himself as a critical thinker when it relates to component and material quality. “Cost-effective should not and must not mean poor quality. The Roto OK range constitutes the best evidence of this. Only 35 parts in stock can be used to equip traditional PVC Tilt&Turn windows up to a sash weight of 80 kg”, he says with a smile and emphasizes: “PVC windows that permanently

function well and are leak-proof, which we can sell with a good conscience.”

The Okna Barinoff sales and service network, established over ten years, provides commercial and public investors with support, which is the foundation for even cost-effective building leading to good results. “Our commitment to this is just as passionate as our support for private builders who want to equip elegant houses with the best PVC or timber windows. This commitment can also be found at Roto. Whether we are discussing applications of the Roto Patio range or projects for which we recommend Roto OK, our hardware partner is always on the ball and committed to the task. The people at Roto have the same mindset and attitude that we find in our own carefully selected employees”, stresses Alexander Barinov.

Recognise and accept the tasksDespite the current economic problems, he is optimistic of the future: “Every period has its specific challenges and if, like us, you are absolutely committed to having in stock at precisely the right time the windows that are in demand , a company will be sustainable, regardless of changes that arise from political or economic developments.”

Alexander Barinov is convinced by the Roto OK range: “This hardware

turns sashes up to a weight of 80 kg into durable Tilt&Turn windows,

which are leak-proof and provide a high functional safety. And at a

cost-effective price. Good windows for all. For me, this is an expression

of democracy. Especially in difficult economic times.”

Aries, Poland

A heart for the preservation of monuments

The company name Aries refers to the Latin word ‘ram’, the star sign of both the owner Edward Skał and his daughter Iwona. “I decid-ed on the name fairly quickly when I founded the company in April 1992. It has a personal reference to myself and my daughter and it is also understood at an international level”, remembers Edward Skał. The qualified engi-neer previously spent many years working at a state-owned company. In 1989, the then 42 year-old Edward Skał felt a certain atmosphere of change: “It was clear to me that I wanted to do something completely different in my professional life. I quickly found a position as the head of a foreign company’s Polish subsidiary, which manufactured timber products, including for the construction industry. As part of this activity, I learnt a lot about company manage-ment and laid the foundation for the final step towards independence.”

Growth from year to yearIn Łódź, together with a handful of employ-ees, Edward Skał started developing and manufacturing timber windows and doors, the material with which he was already very familiar. His business and production-technical experience paid off as the young company grew from year to year. Aries experienced a genuine growth spurt in 2004 as Poland entered the European Union. “We suddenly had unrestricted access to the Western European markets and were able to access technologies which we had previously only seen at window and mechanical engineering fairs. The EU funding programme

■ Timber Aluminium These days, the fate of the Polish window and door manufacturer Aries is controlled by father and daughter together: Over the years, Edward Skał, who founded the company in 1992, and his daughter Iwona have devel-oped into market-leading specialists. With great attention to detail and even greater technical know-how, they develop windows and doors for heritage listed buildings, which externally comply with their historic aesthetics, but impress ‘internally’ with their modern technology. This means that they are esteemed and in demand beyond Poland’s borders.

allowed us to invest in our machinery technology and make the leap into a new era. Additional funding, which we received for a development based on a submitted patent, helped us through the most exciting phase of the company’s history”, remembers Edward Skał.

In 2012, the former Aries production plant had to make way for a large road-building project in the region. Edward Skał and his daughter Iwona only had five months to get a completely new plant up and running. Today, around twenty specialists work in the modern production area, which recently also expanded its timber window and door production to include aluminium and timber-aluminium elements. “This diversification was inspired by our customers in Great Britain, which has become our most important export market behind Norway and Dubai. England and Scotland have a greater focus on aluminium, so they demand Aries windows in this design.”

Special solutions for heritage listed buildingsIn the export markets as well as in the domes-tic market, especially in central Poland around the cities of Łódź and Warsaw, Aries remains sought-after for its expertise in renovation projects in line with the monument protection provisions. Accordingly, the Aries success is not defined by production quantities, but by the development of windows and doors tailored pre-cisely to customer requirements. “The special solutions for heritage listed buildings certainly represent our unique selling point (USP). But their production still requires a relatively high workload, despite modern machinery. For ex-ample, we manufacture special solutions with a 4 mm clearance so that the frame widths of the new windows are identical to those of the old designs. Our extensive experience in monument preservation is a clear benefit in this respect as well as for the execution of stylistic details, such as historic decorations. We make sure that our products reflect the aesthetics and the original character of old windows and doors. This also allowed us to quickly receive an official license from the Polish monument protection authority, which recognises our expertise.”

Anyone wanting to familiarise themselves with the work of the team headed by Iwona

and Edward Skał can do so by paying a visit to Warsaw. The royal palace as well as the historic Dominican monastery, among others, have been fitted with Aries products. If you were to take a look into those windows and doors you would discover a great deal of Leinfelden technology. “We have worked together with Roto since the establishment of the company and practically all our windows and doors have been fitted with Roto hardware and locks. Besides the close cooperation and the valuable consulting in mat-ters of production control, we also benefit from the good Roto brand name when marketing our products abroad. In particular, Roto is very well known in Great Britain, where we deliver to various distribution networks, architects and building companies, and the name is associated with quality and reliability”, says Edward Skał.

Smooth generational changeThe Aries company concept has been successful for over two decades and was also recognised in 2014 by the Polish window and door manufac-turers association, which awarded the company the prestigious business award “Adler der pol-nischen Fenster- und Türenhersteller” (Eagle in Polish window and door manufacturing). But the founder is particularly pleased with the fact that the family-owned enterprise’s future is secure: “Over the past few years, my daughter has tak-en over a great number of management tasks. She will now gradually start to take over the entire management of the company. A develop-ment that reassures me as an entrepreneur and which fills me with pride as a father.”

Edward Skał, founder of the Polish window and

door specialists Aries

In 2012, Edward Skał and his daughter Iwona had

just under five months to establish a new plant,

after it became clear that the former manufac-

turing plant would have to make way for a major

road-building project. Today, around twenty spe-

cialists work in the modern manufacturing plant

in Łódź.

Specialising in the production of special solutions

for heritage listed building projects means that the

Aries production workshop boasts both modern

machinery technology as well as craftsmanship

with sound judgement.

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Roto Inside | 11.2015

Schillinger timber windows for an impressive new build

Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart

The Rottenburg Episcopal ordinate building, redeveloped and extended within four years, was inaugurated and moved into in July 2013. Based on architect Prof. Arno Lederer’s drafts, the new construction is a harmonious addition to the ordinate’s historic buildings.

A total of 360 timber windows, which are equipped with Roto NT Designo Tilt&Turn hardware, were

installed in the new office building’s facade. In each case, two adjacent windows were positioned at

an angle of 45° to each other to create the visually interesting ‘zigzag facade’. The window elements

were manufactured from an oak-robinia composite, while weather resistant robinia wood was used on

the outside.

The entrance to the Episcopal ordinate’s new building was also supplied by Erich Schillinger GmbH.

The outer side of the door elements are coated with copper.

■ Timber Just over fifty employees work at the traditional company Erich Schillinger GmbH in Oberwolfach, Baden. If you con-sider the size of the projects for which the family-owned company delivers timber and timber-aluminium windows, doors and facade solutions, it is safe to assume that the owner family has been able to establish a particularly efficient manufacturing depart-ment. They also seem to have good and close contact with a number of renowned architects, as building elements produced by the company can be found in a number of prestigious buildings in both the public sec-tor as well as in the hands of large investors in southern Germany.

Erich Schillinger GmbH, Germany

Tradition meets modernity

“The impression is correct. We have deliberate-ly targeted the needs of innovative architects working for demanding builders and the public sector”, confirms General Manager Wilhelm Schillinger, who now manages the company, founded by his grandfather in 1911, together with his sister Edith Chrobok. “Since 1980, we have specialised exclusively in the production of timber and timber-aluminium windows, facades, conservatories and main doors. And, since the 1990s, we have established a special type of window production, which allows us to use a range of special solutions for handling even large orders very quickly and flexibly.”

A study trip motivated the changeAt Roto’s invitation as part of a study trip to America at the start of the 1990s, he visited the window fabricator Anderson and marvelled at its extensive automated manufacturing department. “At the time they were already producing 8,000 windows a day, also due to the fact that they were efficiently coating the individual compo-nents rather than the entire frame. As we were thinking about rationalisation of the surface treatment plant, this was naturally a fantastic inspiration. A paint shop based on the Anderson model required less space, but the new method of operation involved a complete change of all the production processes. Nevertheless: even

my extremely critical father was impressed and encouraged me to continue in this direc-tion.” Thus encouraged, Wilhelm Schillinger toured Europe for three months in order to inspect and select the right systems. In 1992 thetime had come: the completely modernised manufacturing department commenced oper-ation. “Right from the start, we were able to save between 15 and 20 percent of window pro-duction costs”, remembers Wilhelm Schillinger.

Higher productivity through further investmentsIn 2016, a new CNC-controlled machining centre will provide the next leap forward in increasing productivity. “In particular, we want to significantly reduce throughput times in construction of main doors, sliding doors and special solutions”, explains Wilhelm Schillinger, “because these areas are developing very well, just as the facade and conservatory construc-tion, and we want to continue to stand out from the competition.”

The Schillinger Company also became a favour-ite with many architects last but not least for its decision to use high-quality materials and com-ponents. “We now predominantly incorporate Black Forest silver fir, a very high-quality lacquer as well as, upon request, architectural bronze instead of aluminium for the weather shell. This is intended for people who are interested in sustainable construction and the use of natural materials from the region. At the same time, with the Roto NT Designo and Roto Patio ranges we can also accommodate demands for delicate profiles with concealed hardware and extremely convenient operation. Since this year we have been focussing on the design of timber-alumin-ium windows in security grade RC3, a 123 x 150 cm window has already successfully passed testing at the Roto ITC, the Leinfelden Inter-national Technology Centre. That’s why we are now adding a French door with fanlight. We will soon be in a position to offer an entire range of timber-aluminium Tilt&Turn windows and balcony doors with high burglar-resistance.”

Timber-aluminium windows in security grade RC3 with support from RotoThe fact that this is possible in the first place almost came as a surprise to the experienced window fabricator himself: “I was there when the tester at Roto ITC in Leinfelden started on our window. You even start to doubt whether a

window can withstand such an attack. But our window passed the test, probably also because, for the past two years we have been using adhe-sive technology that obviously does not just pay off with respect to statics, but also in burglary protection.” Wilhelm Schillinger will continue to make use of the services provided by the Roto

Edith Chrobok and Wilhelm Schillinger now manage the company, founded by their grandfather in 1911, which since

1980 has exclusively been producing timber and timber-aluminium windows, facades, main and sliding doors as

well as conservatories.

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Timber windows for a passive (low-E) house

A new University of Applied Sciences Offenburg seminar building was officially inaugurated on 1 December 2014. The five-storey new build boasts around 2,500 square metres of floor space for seminar rooms and lecture rooms as well as offices and it satisfies the passive (low-E) house standard. This was achieved thanks to the building shell’s energy quality, the high internal thermal storage masses, modern systems technology with highly efficient venti-lation systems and almost CO2-neutral cooling using a well water system. The modern timber window elements were produced by Erich Schillinger GmbH.

University of Applied Sciences Offenburg

For this new build at the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, the Erich Schillinger GmbH shop,

in Oberwolfach, Baden, produced 160 passive house-compatible facade elements using Black Forest

silver fir. On the outside, thermal insulation was installed under the frame. All visible parts have an

aluminium veneer.

The elements consist of a fall protection fixed glazing as well as an adjacent ventilation flap, which was

fitted with Roto NT Designo.

Timber-aluminium windows for modern, bright rooms

After lessons, many of the 390 primary school children at the Salier-Gemeinschaftsschule Waiblingen comprehensive school attend the adjacent all-day care facility, which since 2013 has been housed in a new building, constructed for about 2 million euros. The striking tim-ber-aluminium elements, which shape the facade’s character, were produced by Erich Schillinger GmbH. But, the building doesn’t just look good, it was also perfectly tailored to the students’ needs, says the sponsor.

All-day care at the Salier-Gemeinschaftsschule Waiblingen comprehensive school

Erich Schillinger GmbH manufactured modern timber-aluminium elements for this new build on the

premises of the Waiblingen Salier-Gemeinschaftsschule. The yellow-green anodised shells accentuate the

facade’s opening elements. They consist of revolving doors and tilt-only elements lying above them.

Erich Schillinger GmbH also used Black Forest silver fir to produce these elements.

ITC in future: “We also receive very prompt support when we want to or have to provide test documentation for a special solution. This makes us flexible and credible.”

An avid photographer, Wilhelm Schillinger pri-marily advertises the family-owned company’s

services with attractive photo books, featuring displays of facade, window and main door system designs. “In particular, this is more appealing to architects than traditional advertis-ing for series-production windows.” Schillinger delivers high-quality timber building elements between the Black Forest, Frankfurt and Munich

and down to the Swiss border. Installation takes place using in-house fitters or selected installers with whom the Schillingers have established long-term relationships. “These companies also have to know a great deal about their craft, as we rarely ask them to install standard windows.” Most facade elements are preassembled at the

plant in Oberwolfach in order to save time on-site and facilitate installation. Cranes and a great deal of technical support are then used on-site.

The right partner for individualistsWith so many large projects, do you still have time for private builders from the surrounds

6 |

Roto Inside | 11.2015

Various concepts for its refurbishment were considered for ten years and once the final decision was reached two years were spent on the construction of the so-called Hospitalhof Stuttgart. The building, which combined old and new in an extraordinary manner, was opened on 27 April 2014. Erich Schillinger GmbH delivered the timber windows in a range of individual shapes.

A centre for education, meeting and culture

The new Hospitalhof Stuttgart

You can find an interesting book published on the internet at the Hospitalhof inauguration.It contains interesting facts on the idea of the building project and its realisation as well as on the Hospitalhof’s history, starting from the middle of the 15th century: http://www. hospitalhof.de/ueber-uns/architekturkonzept/.

The monastery and almost all surrounding buildings were completely destroyed in the Second World War. The church choir was rebuilt, but the south wall of the nave remained in place as a ruin, monument and memorial. A Protestant Church administration and meeting centre was built on the monastery’s foundation walls, for which from 2013 to 2014 an extraordi-nary building ensemble was constructed based on the drafts created by architects Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei, with a complex and layout reminiscent of the original medieval monastery.

The main facades of the new Hospitalhof Stuttgart building were fitted with 290 Roto NT Designo

Tilt&Turn windows. The timber-aluminium windows are made from oak. Sun screening is integrated into

a capital form frame on the outside. A historic church wall with its medieval arched windows is directly

connected to the new building and protects the attractive inner courtyard.

Thousands of people every year attend

around 350 lectures, seminars, art exhibitions,

concerts and pastoral discussion groups in

the education centre. Erich Schillinger GmbH

manufactured a variety of window units,

such as these triangular windows with

rounded tops.

These circular windows provide exceptional

light reduction properties: two folding timber

shutters are fixed to a twisting rod in the

centre of the window.

■ Timber “Wine and culture in Germany’s oldest wine region” is the slogan used by the small municipality of Neumagen-Dhron for advertising itself and its picturesque setting in the Moselle valley, in Germany’s extreme south-west. Anyone familiar with the local joiner ‘Schreinerei Metzdorf’, would probably extend this list to wine, culture ‘and timber windows’. The company founder has been working with timber for over five decades.

Schreinerei Metzdorf, Germany

When work becomes a calling

In 1952, Matthias Metzdorf founded his own joinery, which he has since gradually expand-ed to an impressive commercial enterprise. Today, under his son Karl-Josef Metzdorf’s management twelve employees also manufac-ture about 4,000 timber and timber-aluminium windows as well as 800 main doors every year. But the company founder Matthias Metzdorf’s working day still starts at 7:30 a.m. on the dot every morning.

On 13 June this year he celebrated 93rd birthday, but a retirement free of work is not likely to come into consideration for the oldest active master joiner in Germany. “This work has secured the livelihood of me and my family  for over half a century and I have taken great pleasure in what I do here over that time. So, why would I stop?” the craftsman asks himself and amazed visitors to the workshop.

93 years youngA ripe old age in excellent shape – many wish for it, but only a select few can connect the idea with simply continuing in their profession-al life. But, perhaps the foundation for Matthias Metzdorf’s robust health and mental fitness lies precisely in the daily routine. He stays absolutely true to his customs every day of the week: 7:30 a.m. start work, 10:00 a.m. a fifteen minute morning break with a daily

Probably the oldest active master craftsman

in Germany: in 1952, in the small Moselle

community of Neumagen-Dhron, Matthias

Metzdorf founded a woodworking company that

has always manufactured windows, which have

been equipped with Roto hardware from the

very start. He still works on all the machines,

just as every other team member.

Father and son: Matthias Metzdorf and Karl-Josef Metzdorf work together in the joint workshop every day.

There was no badge of honour, but Christoph

Wagner, Roto regional sales employee, recently

extended our heartfelt thanks with deep respect

for the life’s work of Matthias Metzdorf. Roto

created a photobook especially for the proud

craftsman, as a small memento.

of the Black Forest? “Of course”, says Wilhelm Schillinger, pleased. “We take great pleasure in being able to produce a conservatory project with generally a somewhat more relaxed deadline or beautiful windows for a private resi-dence. Even so, we currently build around thirty conservatories every year, which are constructed apple, 12:00 p.m. to precisely 1:00 p.m. is the

lunch break. No one in the company can ever remember him taking a longer break. At 5:30 p.m., Matthias Metzdorf has a short break that is often used to maintain the vegeta-ble garden before he returns to work until 8:30 p.m.,  depending on the order situation.

And, to avoid misunderstandings: Matthias Metzdorf does not just provide guidance and advice. The master joiner still operates all the machinery, such as for the prefabrication of windows, independently. Incidentally, he often works in his polo shirt or a cap with the Roto logo. Roto has been a partner of Schreinerei Metzdorf since the formation of the company.

“If diamond master craftsman’s certificates were issued by the trade guild, my father would have earned it”, his son Karl-Josef Metzdorf is rightly convinced. There was no badge of honour, but Christoph Wagner, Roto regional sales employee, recently extended our heartfelt thanks with deep respect for the life’s work of Matthias Metzdorf. Roto created a photobook especially for the proud crafts-man, as a small memento. Naturally, Matthias Metzdorf only let a look through this personal gift briefly distract him from his work …

within a radius of about 100 kilometres. We are always successful where our specialists can show you what they are capable of from the planning stage. This applies for private builders as well as for our regular architect customers. Schillinger is always the company you come to when you want something special.”

| 7

■ Event In 2016, some things will be business as usual at Roto and FENSTERBAU FRONTALE. But much will also be new and inspirational, emphasizes Marketing Manager Udo Pauly in discussion with Roto Inside. “Our customers appreciate the stability that Roto stands for. We naturally also take this into account in Nuremberg”, he explains. At the same time, under the motto ‘Stability unites’, Roto will show that every window fabricator can venture into something new with Roto as their partner for progress towards a secure future, no matter the projects to which they commit. “Our customers use Roto windows and doors to build all kinds of buildings. This should show up at first glance in Nuremberg. In 2016, the Roto exhi-bition stand will consist of a diverse ensemble of buildings with an urban character to reflect the Roto customers’ world”, says Udo Pauly on the exhibition stand concept at FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2016.

FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2016

Stability unites – welcome to Roto!

Stability unites – innovations pave the way for future success. But where is the market heading and what is the hardware technology of tomorrow? Roto held intensive discussions in 2014 on this topic with Nuremberg window fabricators. A product idea presented at the time, the Roto Patio Inowa hardware for air-tight sliding doors was subsequently introduced in projects worldwide. Whether aluminium, PVC or timber window fabricators, this Roto innova-tion is now in daily use and will be displayed at FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2016 in combination with all profile materials.

Joint innovation “The Nuremberg concept study on the inno-vation sought by extremely different window fabricators in equally different markets was a fantastic experience”, says Udo Pauly and emphasizes that the FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2016 ‘House of Ideas’ will once again contain studies on the sector’s important development

Roto hardware technology in windows for all kinds of buildings. The FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2016 exhibition

stand will reflect the Roto customers’ world in a diverse ensemble of buildings with an urban character. Product

developments, which window and door manufacturers developed together with Roto, will be on display under the

exhibition motto ‘Stability unites’, together with outstanding practical examples of the work with ‘Roto Quadro

Safe’ campaign marketing tools.

trends. “We are looking forward to holding discussions with our customers”, he adds. “Stability unites – this is the motto we have chosen for the upcoming exhibition, because it is the stable relationships with premium window   fabricators that form the basis for innovative product developments.”

United strength in marketingSince the last exhibition stable relationships have also matured with the ‘Roto Quadro Safe’ marketing offensive. The topics at FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2016 therefore will also include individual window fabricators’ noteworthy marketing measures. “In Nuremberg, we will show how customers have used our practical burglary protection windows campaign in order to approach homeowners and builders. And, because the practical examples displayed by us entice people to become active themselves, we are offering interested parties the opportunity to register at the exhibition as a ‘Roto Quadro Safe’

partner. This will let them reach end customers that have been mobilised by our campaign”, announces Udo Pauly, reporting on the excellent response to the ‘Roto Quadro Safe’ campaign that commenced at the start of 2015.

United on the path to new success“Roto sales departments’ colleagues worldwide

are extremely excited about the Nuremberg ex-hibition, as we are looking forward to receiving valuable feedback on our sector’s key issues”, summarises the marketing manager. “For us, FENSTERBAU FRONTALE 2016 will be the starting point. The starting point for two further years in which stable relationships and services will pave the way for innovations.”

■ PVC “We are marketing ourselves as an Argentinian window fabricator of high-quality PVC windows based on the Euro-pean model. And with great success.” Pablo Zaratiegui, who is positioning the Ventex company on this distinct foundation, manages a small, ultra-modern window factory on the outskirts of Buenos Aires together with his brothers Diego and Andrés. In 1993, together with their father they founded Metales La Plata SRL, which started producing PVC windows in 1998. The company has maintained close contact with Roto since 2008. “This has since led to excellent cooperation in every respect and is also the reason why we now operate such an extensively automated and extremely modern production area”, says Pablo Zaratiegui.

Ventex, Argentina

European windows for a dynamic market

Roto employees provided dedicated consulting support to Grupo MLP SRL, the successor company to Metales La Plata SRL, in its efforts to structure the Ventex brand PVC window production. “Roto helped us combine the latest generation of German ma-chines in an efficient manufacturing process”, remembers Pablo Zaratiegui. The result: with just thirteen employees in the man-ufacturing department, Grupo MLP SRL now produces 10,000 windows and balcony doors every year, of which about 60 per cent are sliding windows and doors and 40 per cent are Turn-Only windows and balcony doors.

Rapid growth with a strong sales departmentThe Ventex sales team itself handles sales in the La Plata region and in the nearby metropolis of Buenos Aires. Three recently founded sales offices in Buenos Aires, Neuquén and Mendoza as well as a network of independent sales representatives are

expected to generate additional sales. “The demand for PVC win-dows is constantly rising in Argentina and, despite the fact that there are around 200 manufacturers in the country, the currently existing demand cannot be met”, explains Pablo Zaratiegui, when asked about why the family of entrepreneurs is already preparing for new, significant investments.

“At the moment, just over 5 percent of all windows sold are PVC windows, but all experts agree that this share is certain to rise to between 15 and 20 percent within ten years. As a result, we will be building a second machining centre in our factory, which will enable us to increase our capacities to 120 elements in eight hours of operation. At the same time, the new machine will also place us in a position to produce Fold&Slide and Lift&Slide doors based on the European model. This addition to our range will make us a particularly attractive partner for planners and

Since 1998, the renamed Grupo MLP SLR produces PVC windows, which are sold under the Ventex brand

in Argentina.

Brothers Diego, Pablo and Andrés Zaratiegui (from the left) jointly manage a small, ultra-modern window factory

on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. In 1993, together with their father they founded Metales La Plata SRL.

distributors in the country. We expect that in the future Ventex will continue to distinguish itself thanks to our supply of the best European product quality and an extraordinarily extensive product range in a variety of colours. The fantastic delivery performance provided by Ventex will ensure us sustainable success. We deliver every window within six weeks, regardless of how unusual the design, regardless of colour, regardless of which Roto hardware and regardless of the location in Argentina.”

A new factory for even higher Ventex qualityIn 2016, or by 2017 at the latest, Grupo MLP SRL will construct a second production area for Ventex brand windows about 20 kilo-metres away from La Plata. It will cover an area of 7,000 square metres, with an additional 5,000 square metres of outdoor space, and provide a fantastic logistics connection to one of Argentina’s most important transport corridors. “We believe in the dynamic development of our company and the Argentina building indus-try”, stresses Pablo Zaratiegui. “That’s why we are investing now and why everyone in the family is committed to the success of Ventex. And if the Argentinian government can also find a way to relax the extremely complicated import regulations for compo-nents, which our industry urgently needs, then the signs for a stronger national economy are genuinely positive.”

8 |

Roto Inside | 11.2015

Roto in Argentina

More than Tilt&Turn

Roto hardware technology has been sold in Argentina since 2007. As one of only a few companies, Roto was able not only to remain in the country, but also to grow significantly, despite the high number of import hurdles imposed by Argentinian regu-lations. Ariel Ferrari, who has been responsible for the market since 2009, now has a team of ten colleagues. “I first came into contact with Roto in 2007 and have to admit that I was imme-diately excited about the company and its philosophy”, sums up the 40-year-old businessman. “Then, when I received the offer in March 2008 to help establish a sales company for Roto in Mexico, I took the opportunity. Since then, I have been able to further develop myself enormously within the Group, both professionally and personally.”

Cementing partnershipsAccording to Ferrari, 2016 will be a year of business consolida-tion in Argentina: “We have grown dramatically in the past few years and we want to stabilise and qualitatively develop our business relationships, some of which are still young. We see ourselves as long-term partners to Argentinian window fabri-cators and will certainly not be withdrawing from the market. Roto Argentina sees itself as a local company committed to the country in good as well as in difficult times; a philosophy that is expressly supported and promoted likewise by the German parent company.”

According to Ferrari, every window fabricator in Argentina sees perfectly customised services as a particular strength of the Roto Group: “Depending on a manufacturer’s size and its needs, we always provide precisely the support that a window fabri-cator needs for positive company development. Regardless of whether this involves product development or the establishment of a machining centre, our organisation has specialists available for all activities.”

Stimulus for new approachesIn future, Ariel Ferrari wants to systematically develop his customers’ knowledge of different opening types of windows. “Initially, Roto was primarily considered to be a high-quality Tilt&Turn hardware manufacturer in Argentina. Now an increas-ing number of customers are also interested in our Lift&Slide hardware. In the future, we want to have an even greater focus on sharing the Roto Group’s extensive knowledge of different opening types, profiles and production modes with window fabricators and system vendors. This is the foundation for joint product developments that allow a market to develop. It will be to the benefit of our customers as well as for the sake of architecture and housing culture.”

However, Argentina’s legislative role must not be underesti-mated in dynamic window market development, says Ariel Ferrari. “We need Argentina to be much more open to foreign

■ PVC Aluminium “At first, Roto was only considered to be a high-quality PVC Tilt&Turn window hardware manufac-turer in Argentina”, remembers Ariel Ferrari, Country Manager, in discussion with Roto Inside, “but we were gradually able to convey the Group’s wide-ranging expertise, such as in the aluminium sector. This is also the reason behind Roto’s pleas-ing growth in Argentina as well as the growing interest in PVC windows.”

The Ventex brand Tilt&Turn windows and Lift&Slide doors with Roto

hardware can be found in the ‘Pampa Building’ in Palermo, Buenos

Aires. The forty spacious apartments are expected to be completed by

the end of the year.

The 50 residential unit ‘Azure Towers’ complex is also expected to have

its building operations completed by the end of this year. Grupo MLP SRL

delivered Ventex brand Tilt&Turn windows and Lift&Slide doors with Roto

hardware for this impressive building in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

The new El Calafate Hospital was built in the Argentinian province of Santa Cruz. Grupo MLP SRL delivered Ventex Tilt&Turn windows equipped

with Roto NT.

Roto Object Business provides comprehensive service

In tandem for a success-ful  order

■ Aluminium It has been almost two years since the new, internationally operating team of specialists was established at Roto. ‘Roto Object Business’ is the title used to describe the activities of those responsible for planning and develop-ment of hardware configurations, which make aluminium windows the perfect solution for virtually every building pro-ject. Roto Inside talked to sales manager Stefano Gianfreda on how aluminium window fabricators benefit from cooper-ating with him and his colleagues in Roto Object Business.

Roto Inside: Mr Gianfreda, which target group does the Roto Object Business specifically target?

Stefano Gianfreda: We provide consultation for aluminium sys-tem providers as well as architects, specialist planners, general contractors and metal workers throughout the world. The aim is to support the planning and construction of windows and balcony doors so that they add maximum value for builders and subse-quent building users. The Roto Object Business team therefore first identifies the specific requirements and develops impressive standard or even special solutions for the ideal hardware.

Roto Inside: What services does Roto Object Business provide?

Stefano Gianfreda: Besides technical consulting and the drafting of solutions, we also build and test prototypes. This often ends with a certified project solution for which Roto also offers individu-al warranty extensions. Furthermore, during hardware installation, we also support metal workers with completion of the design elements with standard or special hardware solutions, which can then be inspected by the client. We often also supervise the production and installation of windows. And we can prepare project-specific documentation for our partners if required.

Roto Inside: Do contracting companies recommend you?

Stefano Gianfreda: Window fabricators generally approach us independently, because they are looking to pitch for a special window and a Roto hardware solution contract. We essentially work in tandem together with many renowned aluminium window fabricators worldwide, in order to develop optimal windows and balcony doors with metal workers. And, because there’s nothing more convincing than a first-class solution, after monitoring, we use precisely this form of practical consulting and close project supervision to help window fabricators compete successfully.

Roto Inside: How many projects has Roto Object Business been involved in?

Stefano Gianfreda: Since Roto Object Business was established about two years ago, worldwide we have supported over 100 projects from planning through to completion. Incidentally, during the cooperation with metal workers we individually adapt the flow of materials and goods to the respective project requirements. Once window production starts, we provide local support for the first production steps.

Stefano Gianfreda, Roto Object Business Sales  Manager, has been part

of the Roto specialist team that has supported aluminium window fab-

ricators since 2007. He and his colleagues can be reached via the email

address object.business@roto-frank.com.

companies who can provide high-quality construction knowl-edge and components and are willing to invest in Argentina. At the same time, our country’s legislators also have to increase awareness of environmentally sensitive and energy-conscious construction. This in turn will have a positive impact on the demand for modern windows.”

| 9

FenêtréA, France

Automate, qualify, communicate

The roots of FenêtréA go back to 1993. At the time, Roland Desnoyer founded FMPB, initial-ly a regional window and door manufacturer. In 2006, the married couple Dominique and Christelle Lamballe took over the company, while the name change to FenêtréA, renowned now amongst French craftsmen, took place two years later. “We have come through a huge development process. In its first year 1993, FMPB employed eighteen staff members. About 340 employees in total now work at FenêtréA, of which 280 are employed in manufacturing and customer service. We organised the sales department as an integrated team of highly qualified sales representatives and technicians”, explains Dominique Lamballe.

This sales team has ensured that FenêtréA now operates throughout France and on the Mediter-ranean island of Corsica. France will remain the company’s core market in the future, contin-ues Dominique Lamballe, although they have recently been working on expanding customer relationships in the border regions of Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Dominique Lamballe exclusively targets professionals as domestic and international customers: crafts-men, window fabricators, aluminium facade manufacturers and other building specialists.

■ PVC Aluminium The French window and door manufacturer FenêtréA, with its headquarters in Beignon, near Rennes in north-western France, is now one of the coun-try’s  market-leading window fabricators. A consistent growth strategy over more than two decades has turned the company into one of the largest and most reliable providers. Roto Inside met with Dominique Lamballe the Board of Directors Chairman, who has controlled the fate of FenêtréA since 2006.

“They are all united by their expectations of first-class PVC and aluminium systems in con-sistently high quality, whether on a small scale for a single-family house or as part of an exten-sive order for a large commercial project.”

High automation level guarantees high qualityIn order to be able to supply all building projects, regardless of size, FenêtréA has invested equally in flexibility as well as production capacity over the past few years. For example, in 2010, the PVC windows and doors production lines were consolidated in a modern production hall. It can now manufacture up to 220,000 window units every year. This was followed by the expansion and complete reorganisation of the aluminium

systems production workshop in 2014, increas-ing capacities to about 50,000 units per year. This indicates one of the critical factors for the success of FenêtréA according to Dominique Lamballe: “In the past few years we have consistently worked on increasing the produc-tion department’s level of automation. Together with sustainable employee development and qualification, we have established the basis for the consistently high quality so appreciated by our customers.”

Environmentally friendlyOperations had to be sustainable, according to the entrepreneur, and the focus had to be on the long-term, for the in-house workforce as well as for external organisations supported by FenêtréA. For example, FMPB, now FenêtréA, have been supporting sailing in France for almost twenty years, and with its own so-called trima-ran since 2007. It participates in various regattas and competitions, financed by FenêtréA and another Breton company as a co-sponsor. “Sail-ing is surely one of the most sustainable sports,

as it literally solely depends on the natural force of the wind. The trimaran in the ‘Multi 50’ class, which stands for a hull length of 50 feet, has already participated in numerous renowned events, such as the ‘Trophée des villes’, a regat-ta from Gran Canaria to Saint-Quay-Portrieux. In 2014 we even managed to win and celebrate a new speed record on the ‘Route du Rhum’, a famous solo transatlantic regatta. And we can naturally also on every occasion use our involve-ment in sailing to establish customer contacts and build customer loyalty. We regularly invite our partners to certain events and for a day on our boat”, says Dominique Lamballe.

FenêtréA has been ‘sailing’ together with Roto in everyday production since 2006. According to Dominique Lamballe, the Roto NT range, in par-ticular, supports manufacturing automation. “The hardware technology is easy to integrate into our manufacturing process, provides maximum flexibility and guarantees precisely the quality that we want to offer our customers. That’s why Roto is the perfect ‘sailing partner’ for us.”

FenêtréA in Beignon, near Rennes in north-

western France, produces about 220,000 PVC

windows and doors as well as 50,000 aluminium

windows and doors every year.

FenêtréA currently employs around 340 staff and is an important employer in Brittany, France.

Modern, process-optimised and highly automated manufacturing processes form the foundation for by FenêtréA’s consistent high quality, which is appreciated by specialists.

FenêtréA has been using Roto hardware

techno logy since 2006. According to the owner

Dominique Lamballe, Roto NT supports manu-

facturing automation and is a perfect match for

FenêtréA’s development strategy.

10 |

Roto Inside | 11.2015

Energy-efficient houses with durable construction could also be built in Oman in the near future. Dipl.-Eng.

Nikolaus Knebel (right in picture), in Oman since 2010, as an Architecture and Urban Development Professor at the

Muscat GUtech, heads up a project for which students and graduates built a low energy house. The GUtech is a

collaborative effort between the Sultanate of Oman and RWTH Aachen University.

■ PVC “It is now ten years since we installed PVC windows in one of our family’s homes for the first time”, recalls Ahmed al Fahdi, General Manager of Almakassab Altyib, the company which his father founded in 2005. “We purchased these windows from Dubai back then and were so impressed that we contemplated building our own PVC window factory. We were convinced of the PVC window product’s success but we still gathered very precise information beforehand and chose our suppliers carefully.”

My Window, Oman

Wisdom from experience

Roto was among the group of suppliers from the outset. The Almakassab Altyib company and the ‘My Window’ brand have been supplied directly from Leinfelden and supported by the export team for six years. “The good working relationship has improved even further since then”, Ahmed al Fahdi is pleased to report, “because our Leinfelden contact partners reg-ularly join us here, answer technical questions and even plan joint marketing measures.”

However, marketing in Oman is not in demand due to the fact that the demand for PVC win-dows is too low, but rather in order to secure the market in the long term. Ahmed al Fahdi is con-cerned: “Unfortunately, too many providers in Oman now sell windows with cheap profiles or hardware and, naturally, regular customers are unable to see that these are unsuitable for use in our country with its extremely high outdoor and air-conditioned indoor temperatures. Our partner Rehau extrudes profiles with specific ad-ditives for the region so that the window profiles do not fade or become deformed after they are installed. Roto supplies hardware with a Roto Sil Nano surface, which withstands saline air and sand significantly longer than any other surface. This type of component provides a unique basis for us to build PVC windows, which justify the trust our customers place in us.”

Explanation and informationTogether with Rehau and Roto corporate repre-sentatives, Ahmed al Fahdi also explained these issues to a Ministry of Defence delegation and to a number of government representatives in June 2015, who, in relation to a new housing project, were dealing with the issue of whether

Sulaiman al Fahdi (left in picture) founded a PVC window factory in Oman in 2005 after he himself realised its

impact on living conditions. His son Ahmed (right in picture) also joined him in the business. He quickly grew into

the responsibility. Ahmed’s secret passion is travel. “I would like to see 50 countries in the world in this lifetime.

I have already travelled to 36”, confirms the father of three. He particularly enjoyed his trips to China and the USA.

Among the major European cities, London, was the one in particular that appealed to him.

Khalid Alharshi flies passenger aircraft to major

European cities for Oman Air. He got to know about

different windows and opening types whilst over there.

When he began building a new house for himself and

his young family in 2014, he looked for a manufacturer

who could build him ‘German’ windows and a folding

system for the living area.

Builder Khalid Alharshi is satisfied: “I can’t tell you how excited I was when I found ‘My Window’ and got exactly

what I had hoped for at reasonable prices. I had previously considered importing windows from Europe. But that

would have cost me a fortune.”

PVC windows were really durable enough for a public sector property. “We were able to make it clear at this meeting that our windows are vir-tually maintenance-free and totally durable, but also that we can handle a project of this mag-nitude with our partners because, for example, we have a quick and secure exchange of data”, says Ahmed al Fahdi with satisfaction and adds: “Of course, we are happy to inform people but I fear that we will soon have to deal with a wors-ening attitude towards PVC windows if more and more customers are irritated by the cheap products.” The reason for this trend towards cheaper components is the tough competition among the ever increasing number of providers.

With a 35 per cent share of the total PVC window market, Oman is regarded as the Gulf region’s most developed PVC windows market. Eberhard Mammel, Head of Export at Roto, recalls how the development began more than ten years ago: “Initially, predominantly Turkish component manufacturers’ sales offices delivered to Oman. However, when demand grew rapidly, some manufacturers like Rehau and Roto decided to invest in providing direct support to their partners in the Sultanate – with resounding success we can now say, because it allowed ‘My Window’ to receive support that formed the basis for a quality brand.”

A new factory for an experienced teamDespite concerns about PVC windows’ image, the al Fahdi family decided to build a new PVC window factory on a recently acquired 8,000 square metre site. The ‘My Window’ brand awareness level is steadily increasing and the current location’s production can no

longer keep up with the annual growth rates, explains Sulaiman al Fahdi in his interview with Roto Inside. The company’s turnover has increased almost tenfold since it was found-ed. “This is also certainly due to the fact that we have employees who have been with us for many years, some even since the com-pany was founded”, states Ahmed al Fahdi confidently. “We want to further expand our success together with them and our part-ners in the industry. This also justifies the recent investment.”

Overall, the Sultanate of Oman offers a good environment for real entrepreneurship, adds his

father Sulaiman al Fahdi, who has invested in business start-ups for many years, to secure his large family’s future. “Property and land value, but also real estate value is constantly rising, which ensures continued demand for companies in the building industry.”

Good reasons for optimistic planningAhmed al Fahdi nods. He also considers the Sultan’s stability-orientated policy to be trend- setting. “There is a lot of building activity in Oman because prosperity is rising continuously thanks to a far-sighted national policy”, confirms Ahmed al Fahdi with delight. “Major events, such as a football World Cup in Qatar, also

| 11

The 42-storey RCMI skyscraper accommodates

315 owner-occupied premium segment apart-

ments, and is a good example of newly created

living space in the heart of Toronto. With its dy-

namic facade design, the tower fits harmoniously

into ‘Downtown’ Toronto.

promote interest in the region, which should already be pleased with the growing tourist numbers. We therefore believe that good PVC windows have a future if we succeed in adequately raising people’s awareness.”

Incidentally, the World Cup is also of interest to the widely travelled family man for another reason: In his spare time, Ahmed al Fahdi is an international football commentator at a radio station. He is regarded as a talented sports expert, sponsors a national football team and is already looking forward to the personal challenges that he too will face with the World Cup in Qatar.

The GUtech low energy house was built

exclusively from products and materials

manufactured in Oman, such as ‘My Window’

windows. Fitted with Roto hardware technol-

ogy, these windows provide energy-saving

ventilation and cooling.

Architects and builders in Oman love design-

ing window shapes and tinted glass. Builder

Ali Aldugashi (left in picture) is looking forward

to moving into his new home.

Sunview Patio Doors, Canada

Toronto is booming, the building business is ‘buzzing’

“If you drive through ‘Downtown’ Toronto today, you will see a truly astonishing number of new buildings on your left, your right, and above you”, explains Roto North and Central America Business Manager and Roto Fasco President and CEO Chris Dimou, whose jobs regularly take him to Ontario and the Toronto metropol-itan area. “A lot of owner-occupied properties are currently being developed into some truly breathtaking buildings.”

Demand for quality continues to growA company that has developed and produced balcony doors for many of these apartments is Sunview Patio Doors. In its large Woodbridge production plant, on the outskirts of Toronto, Sunview Patio Doors manufactures aluminium and PVC balcony doors with unrivalled quality, convenience and, in particular, energy efficiency. For example the ‘Sunview 2900’ series was just recently distinguished as the first, and to date only, Canadian balcony door to receive the ‘Zone 2 Energy Star’ rating. And demand is rising. “We manufacture more or less ‘just-in-time’ here. As soon as a product is complete, it goes

■ PVC Aluminium Toronto, the magical city in Eastern Canada, has increasingly become a ‘boom town’ in recent years, a truly prospering metropolis that is attracting people in increas-ing numbers. The result: Many companies in the Canadian building industry, such as Sunview Patio Doors, can look forward to exciting projects and jobs. Innovative, high-quality products are now in demand.

out to one of the building sites”, reports Sunview Patio Doors General Manager Tony Margiotta. “We have benefited from the good economic situation in Toronto and throughout Ontario, but we would not currently be in the position that we are in if we did not also continuously invest. Highly qualified employees, high performance cutting and punching machines and a fully automated insulating glass line – these are the secrets of our success. And of course being part of a fully customer-oriented yet technology- driven company group, the Vision Group.”

Two valued supporters: Vision Group and Roto FascoAccording to Tony Margiotta, the Vision Group comprises only building industry companies that are considered to be Canada’s leaders in their sector. The Vision Group’s fortunes are direct-ed by Vic de Zen, one of Canada’s best known entrepreneurs and also Chairman of the Sunview Patio Doors Board of Directors. The advanced profile extrusion processes and facilities now also allow Sunview Patio Doors to deliver consistent premium quality for the volumes

This two-part ensemble with almost 350 housing

units in total has been erected in Toronto’s historic

Corktown District. Each of the two buildings has

its own lobby and the two buildings are connected

by a three-storey high glass bridge (on the left of

the picture).

Tony Margiotta (left), Sunview Patio Doors General

Manager, and Vic de Zen, the Vision Group owner

and Chairman of the Sunview Patio Doors Board

of Directors, value the more than 35 years of

collaboration with Roto Fasco.

Canadian fenestration industry partners Roto Fasco Canada and Roto Frank of America

in demand, continues Tony Margiotta. Sunview relies on Roto Fasco products and systems, especially the ‘9700 series door handle’, which can be found in all three of the manufacturer’s door lines. “Our long-term partnership with Roto Fasco is extremely important to us”, explains Tony Margiotta. “Alongside the hardware, han-dles and accessories’ quality, the Roto Fasco service particularly impresses us. The relation-ship between our two companies enables truly successful collaboration.”

For example, Fasco sales representative Domenic Amendola has been working with Sunview Patio Doors for 35 years. “Over the decades, he has become part of the Sunview family”, emphasises Tony Margiotta. “He visits our manufacturing facilities for virtually every new major project development or adaptation, and ensures that Roto Fasco products meet the requirements.” Sunview Patio Doors’ growth in recent years is also supported by Roto’s Kanban logistics system in North America. “Thanks to automatic restocking, we work with very little of our own storage capacity, but can still access the full Roto colour palette or safety range. We are proud of both our balcony doors’ quality and our quick response and delivery capacity. Roto Fasco plays a key role in both of these aspects”, says Tony Margiotta.

The Fasco company’s founding in Missis-sauga, Ontario, dates back to 1956. In 2012, Roto AG acquired it and consolidated it with Roto Frank of America. Since then its name has been changed to Roto Fasco Canada and it handles the production of turn-only balcony door and sliding door hardware and handles as well as zinc die-casting components for a range of industries. Roto Fasco Canada hard-ware can be found in many Canadian and North American residential building windows and doors.

Roto Frank of America Ltd, founded in 1979, is domiciled in Connecticut and delivers an extensive range of products, including X-DRIVE™ sashes and roller shutter hard-ware, the Roto NT range, TITAN hardware for sliding doors as well as hardware from the Roto Patio Life range, the comfort hardware for large sliding doors.

Prospering metropolis: Like virtually no other big

Canadian city, these days Toronto draws peo-

ple from all over the world. New ‘Downtown’

residential properties are highly sought-after. As a

result of this, and the currently low construction

loan and mortgage interest rates, Toronto has

quickly become one of the world’s ‘hottest’ real

estate markets.

12 |

Roto Inside | 11.2015

PublisherRoto Frank AGWilhelm-Frank-Platz 1D-70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen

Editorial boardIngrid Lenz, Udo Pauly

Editorial officeComm´n Sense GmbHLensbachstraße 10D-52159 RoetgenTelephone: +49 (0)2471 9212865Telefax: +49 (0)2471 9212867roto.inside@commn-sense.de

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Total print run12,500 copies

Imprint ■ PVC Renowned PVC profile providers have been active in South Asia and China for many

years in order to introduce the benefits of their product range to builders and window fabri-cators in a market that traditionally favours aluminium windows. And with growing success, as PVC windows with good insulating properties, based on the European model, are now in demand, at least in residential construction. VEKA Plastics in Shanghai worked together with Roto to develop a new system of highly insulating sliding doors, which eliminate what has been a shortcoming in the past. “We are convinced that this innovation will boost the region’s image of PVC windows and offer our customers an extremely promising system”, asserts Kay Puppe, Managing Director VEKA Plastics Co. Ltd., in discussion with Roto Inside.

VEKA Plastics Shanghai, China

New to the market with highly insulating sliding doors

VEKA profiles have been produced in China since 1994. As a result, the company is one of the region’s most market-savvy and experi-enced system vendors. “We operate in almost all countries in South East Asia as well as in the Asia-Pacific region, in parts of India and in China. And other windows and different opening types with single, double and triple glazing are in demand in almost every country”, reports Kay Puppe and adds: “Even within China, different systems are preferred depending on the region. This means that VEKA Shanghai and VEKA Singapore essentially require and produce all of the group’s globally relevant profiles. Our profiles are used to manufacture between roughly 800,000 and a million square metres of windows in the region every year.”

Success in residential construction with the Roto Patio Inowa systemThe innovation developed with Roto was met with a lot of interest, as shown by a market test in Korea. “Window fabricators can use our VEKA ISS 190 profile, which was perfectly aligned to Roto Patio Inowa, to build extremely high-quality solutions at an attractive price.” It is the first time that a highly insulating triple glazing up to a thickness of 52 mm can be used in a PVC sliding door. “We have already received test results from an independent institute, which indicate that this sliding door achieves a Uw value of 1.1. With a bit of fine-tuning, I am sure that we will be able to reach a Uw value of 1.0”, says Kay Puppe, pleased, and adds: “Our customers will soon be able to offer a sliding door with the best insulation values currently available in the Asian market.” The innovative product is also the ideal solution for apartments in multi-storey high rises for another reason: “High resistance to wind and rain, even in the event of a typhoon; the markets in South Asia and China have been waiting for a product like this.”

Better quality sells betterIn China, in particular, building quality is playing an increasing role for the successful market-ing of real estate in light of a huge vacancy rate, especially in residential units, reports Kay Puppe. “In many cities, anyone looking to buy an apartment in China is spoilt for choice and can pay attention to quality. Currently,

65 million residential units are waiting to be sold, even though only about 8 to 10 million additional apartments are required every year. Circumstances that residents in European cities can only dream of …”

Energy efficiency in demand for renovationsInteresting stimulus for the region’s building industry is currently coming from Korea, says Kay Puppe. “A great deal of refurbishments as well as demolitions and new builds are in pro-gress here. The energy efficiency of the building shell is also starting to play an important role.” VEKA has become aware of a growing number of window fabricators looking to get established on the market with high and certified quality. “This is good for VEKA, because we do not sell profiles by the ton, but rather a system in whose correct fabrication we provide extensive training for our partners and their employees.”

In particular, in the Korean market, there has been increased demand for a triple glazed sliding door system, which is highly insulating and can be used in multi-storey buildings. “We were able to develop the ideal solution by using Roto Patio Inowa, with its five locking points, and the ISS 190 profile, which enables the installation of a complete circumferential gasket”, says Kay Puppe, pleased. ”We believe that the overall interest in sliding doors will increase enormously because we have eliminated the major weak-ness of the old systems, the lack of insulation, by using Roto Patio Inowa.”

Marketing support and short delivery timesIn future, VEKA and Roto jointly want to also help system fabricators market their new sliding doors. “We will ensure that attractive advertis-ing instruments are available, as is appropriate for such an interesting innovation”, promises Kay Puppe. “We and our customers have an absolutely unique position in the market with the Roto Patio Inowa system. We must take advantage of this opportunity, and we will also make sure that we do. The high VEKA and Roto supply readiness in the region provides the ideal foundation.”

For highly insulating sliding doors

The fully concealed Roto Patio Inowa hardware stands for simple and safe operation. The sashes can be moved extremely easily thanks to their fully roller-mounted construction method. “The striker movement transverse to the frame profile enables a circumferen-tial gasket system, which significantly improves the Uw value for the overall system and still allows sliding doors to be installed even in exposed positions and heights. Roto Patio Inowa passed the ‘Typhoon test’ and provides optimal protection against draught, noise and energy loss.

Roto Patio Inowa

The new VEKA ISS 190 profile with Euro-groove

can incorporate triple glazing up to a thickness of

52 mm. An independent institute confirmed that a

sliding door with this profile and Roto Patio Inowa

achieves a Uw value of 1.1. “With a bit of fine-tun-

ing, I am sure that we will even be able to reach

a Uw value of 1.0”, says Kay Puppe, pleased. VEKA

customers will soon be able to offer a sliding door

with the best insulation values currently available

in the Asian market.

The market test with selected window fabricators, such as at Yungki, near Seoul, also clearly showed that this system allows VEKA customers to produce extremely safe and

efficient sliding doors at an attractive price.

Impress customers with the highly insulating Roto Patio Inowa sliding door system: The Hajum window factory

team intends to seize its opportunity and is banking on partnership with VEKA and Roto.

Kay Puppe, Managing Director VEKA Plastics

(Shanghai) Co. Ltd., (right in picture) is confident of

the of the innovative system’s success: “Together

with Roto we as a sole provider offer a system

which window fabricators can use to produce

highly insulating sliding doors for high and very

high buildings. In view of this unique position and

the high VEKA and Roto supply readiness in the re-

gion, we will use professional marketing to ensure

that we write a new success story for ourselves

and our customers.” Left in picture: Béchér Jelajla,

Project Manager at Roto Frank AG.