More than 100 industry representatives from Germany and other European countries took part in the second Remmers Window Forum on April 25th and 26th, 2022 in the new Competence Centre for Building and Floor Protection in Löningen, Germany.
The conference agenda included current industry issues such as sustainability, the skilled labour shortage and cybercrime. In addition, the attendees received an overview of the Remmers product innovations for window construction.
Intensive customer dialogue and cybercrime
In his introduction, Martin Stöger, Head of Industry Sales at Remmers GmbH and initiator of the event, explained among other things the main reason for organising this years` Window Forum: The Covid-related postponement of FENSTERBAU FRONTALE to July. "This date is not ideal for us and our customers and the Window Forum offers us a platform for an intensive dialogue."
In the next section, Dirk Sieverding gave insights into the serious hacker attack that hit Remmers hard last year and caused numerous restrictions. At the same time, the managing director of Remmers thanked the partners present for their support in this difficult situation and pointed out the great risk of cybercrime also in the window manufacturing industry. Immediately afterwards, hacker expert Erwin Markowsky showed in his lecture how companies can prepare themselves against cybercrime. Using a simple software, he demonstrated how easily WhatsApp messages can be hacked. The choice of secure passwords is also fundamental, according to the expert. Last but not least, Erwin Markowsky advocated placing great emphasis on safety, especially in day-to-day work. His appeal: “Please be skeptical.”
Attracting skilled workers and seizing opportunities for automation
As an experienced coach and consultant for brand development of craft companies, Armin Leinen showed how companies can counter the shortage of skilled workers offensively. It is important not only to be a customer brand, but also to differentiate oneself as an employer brand in the competition today and in the future. Armin Leinen: “We have to do better than the others. The customer doesn’t know the product but recognises good service.” His tip for the window manufacturers present: “Make the customer a seller. Provide a great experience. Nothing is as effective as word of mouth.”
[Windows in integral construction: Slim profiles, more daylight]
Claudia Max-Heine showed how comprehensive process optimisation can be achieved through automation in window construction. The managing partner of Range + Heine GmbH explained, among other things, how modern painting robots can be used to design more efficient coating processes. "The topic of robots can no longer be excluded from the industry." With the latest technology and improved use of data, the current price increases for raw materials can also be successfully countered, according to the speaker.
Sustainable communication and climate protection without alternative
On the second day, two other prominent speakers appeared in front of the guests: Ex-Football professional and coach Ewald Lienen spoke about leadership and motivation. In doing so, he drew a line from the necessary sustainability of environmental and climate protection to open interpersonal communication. This is essential in order to attract people to abstract goals. His tips: “Rely on active listening and ask what is bothering your employees. Try to understand the individual perception of the employees.” Ewald Lienen provided illustrative examples from professional football, which can also be related to the communication challenges faced by managers in companies.
Afterwards, the well-known ARD weather expert Sven Plöger gave disturbing insights into the current and future effects of climate change – for example, long periods of drought and heavy rain in Germany. Sven Plöger urged us to act consistently, saying that there was no alternative for future generations. “We tend to say A, make B, and wonder that A doesn’t work”, says the speaker.
Sustainable product innovations for the window industry
At the end of the informative two days of the event, the participants received an overview of the latest Remmers product developments from Martin Stöger. In keeping with the topics of the previous speakers, the expert focused on sustainability and emphasised Remmers' efforts to develop environmentally friendly and durable solutions.
A good example is the water-based hydrophobic impregnation Induline IW-130. It is free of film-preserving and wood-protecting biocides and is ideally suited for wood protection on windows and doors. A particular advantage: wood components impregnated with the coating can be returned into the recycling cycle.
Another important product is the particularly resource-saving, water-based and transparent coating Induline LW-722 [eco] from Remmers – an ideal solution for wood-aluminium windows and other wood components. Martin Stöger: “It is a product based on a biomass-balanced binder. For the production of the binder, fossil raw materials were almost completely replaced by renewable raw materials.”
Finally, a real product highlight: The water-based, translucent intermediate and final coating Induline LW-742 Xclimate. This is characterised by a temperature-independent, permanently elastic and therefore extremely weather-resistant coating - it protects wooden components from the climatic challenges of today and tomorrow.
