Pro Installer June 2016 - Issue 39 | Page 44

44 JUNE 2016 PRO INSTALLER PRO PRODUCTS www.proinstaller.co.uk PULLING OUT THE STOPS, ROTO HOLDS ITS UK PRESS DAY Pulling together trade publications from across the industry, German manufacturer Roto held its first of many press days in the UK on 13th June at the exclusive Ricoh Arena, Coventry. The day and evening event, which kicked off with an introduction from Western European Managing Director, Mike Piqeur, and saw editors attending from many of the industry’s top named trade magazines, alongside Roto’s sales and technical UK and European based staff. Mike went on to advise the press of the changes that had taken place in the UK in recent years up to the present day and introduced Vese Nenye, newly appointed Business Development Manager for the UK and Ireland. He commented on Vese’s role to enhance and promote the company’s new and existing range of products and to implement strategic service level agreements with all its network of dealer partners. Mike also talked about the company’s global presence and how the UK market is still an exciting proposition for Roto in-terms of new product development and the introduction of the recently acquired PN business and its products to the company’s range. Recognising that European and other Global markets require different products, Roto has looked at a full range of UK specific products, which set to add value to the fabricator and installer, this has come about from its bi-annual customer survey. They have identified customers require products which are easy to fabricate and install and offer a less complicated way of selling to the general public. ‘Me too’ products are not an option for Roto, and Mike explained how they have been investing to develop products which meet industry and production standards, not just now but also for the future, commenting: “We have been working with customers to achieve higher performance standards for our products to give an installed window or door. Testing and approval has taken place of many of our new products for example our new Inowa patio door product, to achieve the upcoming European Commission’s ZEBRA2020. “Zebra2020 focuses on tracking the market transitions to nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEBs) to derive recommendations and strategies for the building industry and policy makers and accelerate the market uptake of nZEBs. “The guidelines associated with this policy form the heart of Roto’s new and existing product development, as we believe whatever happens across the globe, the push towards building sustainable homes will continue to grow and we want our products and our customers to be ready,” explains Mike. The day continued with a presentation on one of Roto’s not-so high-profiled range of products; the DST roof window. Sales director, Simon Cox who is based solely in the UK, talked the press through the business and how the division of the company had been in the UK for the last 8 years promoting the system to installers across the fenestration, building and commercial specification market. Roto’s Roof windows are designed to give the user maximum comfort and ease of access, without compromising or obscuring their view. The windows are delivered into the market ready to be installed. Sold through merchants and distributors throughout the UK, Roto DST offer customers full training for the installation and maintenance of the windows, even going out and helping to install on the customer first fitting. With an easy to use and unique ‘Click’ system around the flashing, the windows can also be fitted by just one person. The most popular of designs from the range comprises of a top-hung and a top third pivot window. Both have their own unique benefits to the end-user dependent on their desired choice. Simon commented: “Our roof windows are produced in our award winning factories in Germany, carefully assembled to the highest level of performance and quality. Because of their ‘Intelligent, but Simple’ fit design, they are a useful addition for installers to add to their product of portfolio. “We offer a variety of support to our customers; advice on fitting, training, specifying the window and a ream of internal technical data through our technical support team. The products can add a new dimension to a h omeowner’s property, and as more and more the market shifts to fitting conservatories with solid roofs and roof extension, the Roto roof window is a very good and competitive product to have in an installers tool box of products.” The day’s presentation finished off with the demonstration of a number of the company’s new products, including Fastio - an automatic opening door system, with low threshold access and useful for domestic and multi-entrance applications, a range of hardware products from the newly acquired PN – including hinges and tilt and turn hardware and of course a display of the Roto roof window designs, styles and colours. At the close of the day, all staff and Editors were treated to good old fashioned German hospitality and entertained with a meal, wine and access to the Ricoh’s exclusive on site Casino.