Roto service for manufacturers from the Middle East

Mr Stoikidis, what is the current state of the construction industry, for example, in the United Arab Emirates?

Dimitrios Stoikidis: Like in many parts of the world, the momentum in the construction industry and therefore the demand for building elements is currently very high in the Middle East. In the Arab world, there is generally huge investment in new buildings. Roto has some very successful customers here with impressive performance.

How do you organise logistics and service for manufacturers in the region?

Dimitrios Stoikidis: In the Middle East, we collaborate with profile manufacturers, extruders, dealers and architects on the one hand, and directly with fabricators on the other. All of them are supplied directly from our German factories in Leinfelden and Velbert. There are fixed agreements in place regarding order volumes, which we calculate and set together with customers in advance. The result is long-term, stable customer relationships, which we build on with good service. In general, Roto “german made” quality is in very high demand in this region too.

Which systems are the most prevalent?

Dimitrios Stoikidis: Aluminium systems are the most prevalent in the Middle East, which is of course linked to the large number of high-rise buildings used as homes and offices. Here, the statics alone require aluminium systems to be used. But there are also countries where villas, in other words bungalows or

two-storey homes, are equipped with PVC or timber windows. Here, structural requirements matter less than a builder’s wish to express their own design preferences. Even if the aluminium sector is likely to grow more than timber and PVC, every member of staff in my team must be able to respond to customer requests from all system areas, in other words regardless of the frame material. This expertise is indeed a major benefit from the perspective of many customers.

Do your colleagues from Velbert assist you with your work?

Dimitrios Stoikidis: We are supported by many dedicated colleagues from all business areas at many Roto sites. Whether it is design ing special solutions, feasibility studies, test certificates or simply for advice. All customers praise the technical expertise and service quality that we offer together. My team is based in Velbert, where we provide digital or phone support to customers and prospectives from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar and Israel. Key account managers like Arash Tandorost also have meetings on site. However, due to the pandemic, they cannot take place in their usual form. We have nevertheless gone to great lengths to overcome this hurdle and are pleased that our customers are attesting to the excellent quality of the advice they receive from us.

Without any exaggeration, I can say that we are a very experienced team with a good performance. Fast and precise – that’s what sets our working methods apart.

This article was published in Roto Inside 49.