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ePaper created 2014-11-25, 15:27:45 | version 1.33.01
4 | Roto Inside | 11.2014 Alexandre Yamamoto is the marketing manager at Vicom Metais. The company has developed into an important player in the Brazilian window market in just four years. Vicom Metais wants to establish windows in Brazil based on European standards. Management considers its partnership with Roto to be the supporting pillar for the successful implementation of its own objectives. Quality from Brazil for Brazil Vicom Metais ■■ Aluminium Vicom Metais is a young company. In 2010 it was spun-off from the Brazilian Viametal Group, a group with over 26 years experience in aluminium fabrication. Experience that Vicom Metais employees have transferred to the production of high-quality windows. It manufactures the elegant ‘Infinite’ product range, valued for its quality, in Campinas, a modern industry and technology centre in the state of São Paulo. Vicom Metais employs a highly qualified staff of over one hundred at this location. The company has developed into an important player in the Brazilian window market in just four years. “We have been able to record a rapid rise in sales every year since our establishment. We currently deliver our systems to about twenty licensing partners who sell and mount windows and doors”, reports Alexandre Yamamoto, marketing manager at Vicom Metais. He believes that there is a simple explanation for the company’s success: Simply use only the best to produce the best. Right from the start the company aligned itself to European product and manufacturing standards and established relationships, such as the one with Roto. “Our solutions are primarily found in houses where builders and residents value durable and convenient components. ‘Infinite’ is the first product range manufactured in Brazil that was designed for all opening systems in line with European standards. We provide a range of dif- ferent frames with different opening manners, Vicom Metais was founded in 2010 as a spin-off company from the Brazilian Viametal Group. In Campinas, a modern industry and technology centre in the state of São Paulo, over one hundred employees produce aluminium profiles for the ‘Infinite’ window system. glass thicknesses and types of handles and colours. So our products can essentially be used with all types of modern architecture, regard- less of whether a traditional or avant-garde style is required.” Moreover, the ‘Infinite’ system is designed so that windows and doors can be mounted and installed relatively quickly and easily – an advantage that licensees appreciate, says Alexandre Yamamoto. The aim: a seamless distribution network The window pro considers the task of finding new, suitable licensing partners as the key factor for success in the coming years. Vicom windows and doors can currently generally be found in the Central-West, the South-East and the South of Brazil. The aim is to fill the remaining ‘blank spots’ on the sales map with qualified partners as quickly as possible. “We remain focussed on expansion and naturally want to continue expanding our distribution network. We are plan- ning to double the number of licensing partners in the country in the coming year. But the key still remains quality over quantity, as only those who set the highest standards for themselves can present our brand to their clients the way that we want and expect. So we need to be on the same ‘wavelength’ with respect to our approach to quality.” New quality standards promote quality For its windows and doors, Vicom uses the strengths and qualities of an entire range of Roto solutions: Roto Line, Roto Patio Lift, Roto AL 540, Roto AL Designo, Roto Patio 6080, Roto Swing … Therefore, Alexandre Yamamoto is also completely confidently looking forward to the future. “The trend towards more quality will continue to intensify in Brazil, last but not least due to the stricter government quality stand- ards that are now in place. I also expect that we will benefit from the cooperation between Fermax and Roto. Fermax knows the Brazilian window market very well and the cooperation will facilitate an even faster and more intensive adaptation of new Roto products to the require- ments and ‘particular characteristics’ of Brazilian builders as well as inspire joint developments – all for the benefit of our customers.” Sources of error: Slanted blocks lead to cracks in the glass. A chemical reaction due to the material’s incompatibility loosens the composite film. A wide ‘failure range’ Spacer blocking fault ■■ Research Spacer blocking faults can get expensive. So it’s good to know where and how they arise. Roto Inside spoke to Andreas Braun, market product manager at Roto, among other things for the Glas-Tec product group. He has been working in the window and door industry for over 40 years and is familiar with the typical and unusual faults that occur. Roto Inside: Mr Braun, what changes, including changes to standards, materials and design, has the spacer blocking of facades and windows undergone in the past three years. Braun: Things have generally been and remain in a state of flux. You could call it a permanent change process. An exception to this is the standardisation which is medium- and long-term by nature. In our area, the Technical Guideline (TR) 3 ‘Spacer blocking of glazing units’ can essentially be viewed as a standard. The 2009 version remains in force and applies for the spacer blocking of windows/doors and facades, while it also prescribes tolerance testing for all materials that come into contact with the glazing unit. The fabricator has to provide the corresponding documen- tation, while the manufacturer of the blocks has to provide the pressure resistance documentation. Roto has been responsible for both these requirements for many years, in coordination with the ift Rosenheim. The test results and data are available. Unfortu- nately, not all the providers on the market act in the same manner. The responsibility for professional spacer blocking always lies with the end-user, that is, the window fabricator. Roto Inside: What faults occur especially frequently in practice during spacer blocking? Braun: In general, the problems always start if the TR 3 is not complied with. The window fabricator is then liable for the resulting short-term and long-term damage. We are aware of a wide range of potential faults, which we have seen in practice, if spacer blocking is not implemented correctly. For example, problems arise if the block depth does not align to the depth of the window pane. So, a 46 mm wide triple glazing uses a 30 mm block underlay, which means that it only covers two panes, or it has been installed askew. Stress damage and loss of function are inevitable as the load transfer is no longer ensured. Other com- mon causes of damage include: Blocks are fixed using untested, non-TR 3-compliant plastic materials, such as adhesives, etc. This can lead to destruction or functional loss and make it necessary to replace the pane. Another risk is if an incorrect tool is used dur- ing glazing, such as a metal tool instead of an appropriate block trowel. This increases the risk of damage to the edge of the glaz- ing as well as glass breakage. If inadequate blocks are installed, which prevent the necessary air circulation in the rebate area and the vapour pressure equalisation; this generally also leads to glass damage. Another issue that is hard to believe, but which is a reality in many areas, is the attempt to replace ‘genuine’ glazing blocks with completely unsuitable materials, such as broken-off folding rulers and sealing strips. The consequences are obvious and problems are only a matter of time. Roto Inside: So the best thing would be to avoid errors.What do you recommend? Braun: Professional spacer blocking is not rocket science. First of all, the TR 3 must be consistently complied with. To ensure that this is the case in practice requires well-trained employees. So, appropriate qualification is always a logical and sensible investment. Roto provides a video, the blocking guide, which is available for download, as well as training courses that you can book ... Careful project planning also reduces the risk of errors substantially. && More information on professional spacer blocking and available Roto glazing units can be found at: www.roto-frank.com/en/roto-glas-tec