Expert team gets off to a good start
The newly founded expert team of Door Innovation began its work two years ago. Since then, the professionals led by Tom Vermeulen, Head of Sales Door & Door Innovation, have been making good progress. Roto Inside spoke to him and Dieter Manz, Head of Sales Door for the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), about the benefits for door manufacturers.
Vermeulen sums up the team’s achievements so far: “As a specialist team, we have managed to scale up our contact with door manufacturers and add very attractive products to the Door portfolio.” He explains that this is the result of the close collaboration between the design engineers in Kalsdorf, the product managers in Leinfelden-Echterdingen and the Door Sales team. This was aided by the well-organised cooperation with other expert teams like Roto Aluvision or colleagues from Deventer.
Distribution of tasks creates added value
“The transfer of knowledge within the Roto Window and Door Technology Group works really well, and our customers benefit from that too.” The Door Sales experts support large door manufacturers directly on the one hand while, on the other hand, they act as advisors to colleagues in Roto regional sales internationally. The aim is for companies which produce windows and doors to have a single point of contact for their questions regarding any Roto products – and this contact will be a member of the sales team for their country. “From a customer’s perspective, this is the best way to distribute tasks,” explains Tom Vermeulen.
Dynamic development
Vermeulen, who boasts many years of experience in companies in the door hardware and door lock industry, is certain that very exciting developments lie in store: “We were able to set ambitious aims from the very outset because our colleagues in the team have been working in the Door segment and at Roto for many years.” The range of services and products has developed in a similarly dynamic fashion.
Variety and product quality
Door hinge versions and locks have been created to expand the existing product range and to meet the current needs of PVC and aluminium door manufacturers: efficient to process, requiring no maintenance, durable, slimline design, available in various surfaces.
“The Solid product range now offers a huge variety of hinges for external doors made from all materials,”
highlights Dieter Manz. He believes this is important because taste is subjective, so designers should have the freedom to choose. Manz grins and explains: “It’ not only the door hinges which have to prove themselves to be ‘resilient’ – this is also required of Roto employees on occasion. Alongside the very best product quality, they have to offer solutions for unusual requirements.”
Bespoke services
Vermeulen nods and gives examples of these requirements: “There have been manufacturers of PVC doors who wanted Roto to supply them with special packaging for door hinges which would be compatible with their storage systems. We delivered. Manufacturers of aluminium doors wanted us to provide them with applications of Solid B and Solid C hinges for their profiles. We delivered.” He believes that this willingness to focus on customers, more than anything else, is what shapes the reputation Roto enjoys in the industry.
New impetus
So what does the near future hold? “First of all, new impetus for manufacturers of aluminium doors,” explains Mr Vermeulen. The Door team caused quite a stir in the industry with the Solid C concealed door hinge. But there’s more to come from the team. “We’re keeping a very close eye on international trends in design,style, fabrication and automation. We are optimistic about the initial conversations we have had with customers about the new developments planned for 2023. The market seems to like what we have to offer.”
This article was published in Roto Inside 52.