Reinforced for the future - Berg System Kft., Hungary
István Stefán, owner and managing director of the Hungarian company Berg System Kft., is sure of one thing: “Roto provides us with innovative and reliable products which put us in a good position for whatever tomorrow might bring.” And it has done so since the company was founded in 2013.
István Stefán has been involved in the founding of a window manufacturing company since the mid-1990s. He was still working for the company when the founder decided to establish a partnership with Roto, which continues to this day. “For me, it went without saying that I would also work with Roto when I had my own business due to the good experience I’d had with the company.” His time came in 1998: Stefán firstly opened a building element business with two sales offices in Budapest, followed by another in Eger. In 2013, he made the decision to produce windows and doors in-house.
The benefits of experience
“I’m lucky to be surrounded by a very talented and dedicated team. Everyone was just as keen as me to take this potentially risky step and start production ourselves.” From his many years of experience in trade, he learned which components and machines make it possible to produce windows and doors of exceptional quality. He recognised the strengths and weaknesses of existing products and had a clear objective:
“We produce windows and doors that keep the promises made by us and our dealers.”
Brand-conscious
The decision to process Roto hardware represents, on the one hand, a decision in favour of a brand with an excellent reputation and, on the other hand, a decision in favour of quality and flexibility. “We were new to the market but every dealer we wanted to sell our windows and doors through was familiar with Roto.” Although the business started production “on a small scale”, the assistance it received from Roto from the very outset was the same as he experienced previously. “The experts from the company were generous with their support and advice.”
Rapid change on the market
The Hungarian market has undergone extreme and rapid change since Berg System Kft. Was established. However, this transformation was predicted and something Stefán was counting on. Architects and builders realised that by choosing the right windows and doors, they could increase the value of their property and significantly improve the way in which the individual rooms are used. “We receive orders for room-specific windows which offer a high level of comfort. Word has spread of how many advantageous functions we as a Roto fabricator can offer.”
Roto NX as a pioneer in Hungary
In 2018, Berg System became the first window manufacturer in Hungary to transition to Roto NX, and has never looked back since. “The product range is continuously being extended and covers everything we expect there to be a demand for,” explains Stefán. And that’s not all – staff in production like NX because of its ease of installation. Dealers are pleased with the fault-free functioning and the high level of operating convenience. As for Stefán, he is pleased that he can now meet almost any customer requirement every day.
“We can produce even the most unique element with Roto NX.”
Demand for “normal” energy-saving windows for renovations has plummeted in Hungary recently. The new government funding for old existing buildings, which has been available since July, might change this, but that remains to be seen. However, there are customers who won’t be deterred by high interest rates or increased inflation because they are so determined to attain their dream lifestyle. But it is precisely these customers who are looking for something special and for windows with innovative functions. “The fact that we at Berg System have a lot to offer in this regard thanks to Roto NX is paying off for us.”
Flexible and economical
Berg System Kft. currently has 46 members of staff, many of whom have long-standing professional experience. Their satisfaction and productivity are important to István Stefán. Together, they are always looking for opportunities to improve processes, from order intake to final assembly. If you want to offer custom solutions for private residential construction, flexibility in production is the most important thing. But this must not be to the detriment of economic efficiency. “With the Roto NX range, Roto actually provides us with the best possible support on both of these fronts. At any rate, our staff in production say that production is quicker and more reliable than with any other hardware. And there’s no reason for me to doubt them.”
If new construction activities gain momentum again in Hungary, the demand for elements with triple glazing is likely to grow significantly too. Berg System is well prepared for this. All components required to produce elements with functional glazing and higher sash weights can be obtained from the profile supplier and from Roto within the standard delivery time. “This means that we can easily adapt if new construction activities pick up again. At the moment, around 80% of our windows and doors are used for renovations.”
Winning burglary protection
Stefán observes that the demand for windows and doors with increased burglary protection is continuously growing. This is another development that he was well equipped for as a Roto customer.
“Roto makes it easy for us to produce elements in RC 2 economically.”
The issue of burglary protection for main doors has become hugely important. These doors should always be equipped with multipoint locks. His production staff finds it easy to process the Tandeo locks from Roto. The businessman is excited about the Upgrade-Kit presented at Fensterbau Frontale. “This means that we can offer premium main doors with electronic opening without needing to keep a different lock in stock at the same time. This couldn’t be better for us and our customers. Tailored functions with low stock levels.”
For buyers of main doors, their design is just as important as the burglary protection. “Dark colours and minimalist designs are popular in Hungary too,” reports Stefán. Against this backdrop, Berg System uses the slimline door hinges from the Solid B range in production. The hinges are easy to adjust using the adjustment mechanism, integrated in the roller and are ideal for keeping pace with the latest design trend.
Plans to make the switch: Roto Patio Inowa
And what is the businessman’s medium-term objective? “We want to start producing sliding systems with Patio Inowa as soon as possible because we have been so impressed by this hardware. The groundwork has been laid and we are looking forward to production launch. I know that there is huge demand for tightly sealed sliding windows and doors. The systems equipped with Roto Patio Inowa look good and save space in the room. This is what many customers are looking for.” And like he already knows, the sliding hardware is installed and works in a similar way to Tilt&Turn hardware. “So it will definitely be easy for our team to start producing Parallel Sliding elements.”
Roto City
To conclude, Stefán reports that he is planning to invite trade partners, along with their Roto contact, to the virtual Roto City to train them in all the new developments that Berg System is currently implementing. He appreciates using this digital tool in collaboration with his Roto contact because it makes it easier to train his own employees, as well as his trade partners. “The displays and animations provided there are precise and easy to understand.”
The businessman has experienced a whole host of major challenges over the past 24 months – but this hasn’t dampened his optimism in any way. Stefán summarises the work that has been done this year as it draws to a close: “We use the period when demand is low to extend our product portfolio. It helps us that our relationship with Roto has become ever closer in the 11 years since the company was established. We need innovative but technically sophisticated, easy-to-install hardware so that we can continue to grow. We get this from Roto.”
This article was published in Roto Inside 57.