Heating up Rettig Heating

HEATING UP

Rettig Heating, of Rybnik, Poland, is a part of the Rettig ICC Group, the world-leading radiator producer. In 2012 it celebrated its 20th anniversary. “During that time Purmo, the name of the Rettig’s ‘flagship’ brand, has become synonymous with the whole segment of panel radiators in Poland, offering the highest quality for a reasonable price is our main aim,” says marketing and sales director Wojciech Makowski to Dariusz Balcerzyk.

IN 1992, the political changes in eastern Europe led the Rettig Group to establish itself in Poland by acquiring TKM Company, the sole Polish importer of the Purmo radiators. In this way, Rettig Heating was founded.

“At that time the Polish market was dominated by primitive cast-iron radiators, with no ability to control temperature. Opening windows was the only way of regulating it. So, lobbying for modern heating systems was our first task. We had to convince customers that our systems are better, more efficient and saved money,” recalls Mr Makowski.

The quality of the Purmo radiators quickly won clients’ hearts, who appreciated their functionality and aesthetics. Sales went sharply up. As a result of their commercial success, the strategic decision was taken to start production in Poland. In 1993 a part of Silesia Steelwork in Rybnik, south Poland, was purchased and a year later the first Purmo radiators were produced there. Soon, the company established itself as the leading supplier of heat emitters in Poland and has become the undoubted leader of the market. “Total sales of our three most serious competitors taken together are lower than sales of the sole Rettig Heating,” stresses Mr Makowski.

Heat from Finland

The Finnish Rettig Group is active within the heating industry, marine industry and real estate development. In 2006, the parent company Oy Rettig AB was divided into two legal entities: Rettig Group Ltd and Tarkala

Kiinteistöt Oy. All assets relating to the business operations of Rettig ICC are now held by Rettig Group Ltd.

Rettig ICC’s (Indoor Climate Comfort) product range includes steel panels, convectors, decorative and bathroom radiators, underfloor heating systems, thermostatic valves for heating and cooling, and radiator manifolds together with electronic control equipment and programmers. The products are marketed via two brand umbrellas: Purmo Radson and Vogel & Noot.

Rettig is the largest manufacturer of radiators in Europe, with an annual turnover of around €1 billion. Its products are manufactured in 15 plants located in 11 countries across Europe. In total, the output of the factories reaches 9 million units. In April 2012 the group finalised the acquisition of Hewing, one of the leading manufacturers for PE-Xc pipes and MT-multilayer pipes.

Number 1 branch

Rettig’s Polish business unit employs more than 400 people and it is constantly being developed. For example, with the opening of the new high-speed panel line in May 2008 the Rybnik plant is now achieving an average output of 10,000 radiators per day and has become the single largest plant within Rettig ICC.

Today, there are three welding lines and two painting and packaging lines in Rybnik. Other production halls are home to the manufacture of insulation for underfloor heating, side and top panels.

Annual sales are estimated at more than €120 million. In quantity terms, about 75 per cent of all production is sold abroad, while in value terms exports make up around 65 per cent. “It’s hard to name all foreign markets where our radiators are present, since most of exports are made via the Rettig group and we simply don’t know where our final clients live,” says Mr Makowski.

All about heating

Rettig Heating’s market offering involves a thousand items of radiators. There are three main lines of products in the company’s offer, including panel radiators, special decorative radiators and under-floor heating systems. The Purmo panel radiators are manufactured according to the ISO 9001 and ISO

14001 quality and environmental systems. Each radiator undergoes the most stringent production, anti-corrosion and finishing treatment to ensure a product of the highest quality and integrity capable of many years of trouble-free performance even in the most demanding conditions.

Rettig ICC also produces various decorative radiators, both vertical and horizontal, and the Purmo under-floor heating system, which is increasingly popular with homeowners. Under-floor heating saves 6–12 per cent of energy used for heating and can lower indoor temperatures by 1–2˚C.

The company is proud of the fact that it introduces new products every year. In 2011 it introduced a promotion campaign for low temperature radiators. The idea behind this product is that radiators are still frequently associated with ‘old-fashioned’ high-temperature heating systems. However, when combined with low-temperature heating systems, radiators are the ideal heating solution. Without any changes in operation or effectiveness, radiators can quickly heat a room, providing optimal comfort and increased efficiency at lower costs.

The Vido dual climate convector is another new solution that helps to achieve optimum temperatures in the home or the office. At first glance, it is a traditional heater which heats the house in winter. However, the typical heaters are useless in summer, but Vido also protects against high temperatures. After setting the temperature, the machine can blow cool air into the room.

Asked about the future, Mr Makowski replies with no hesitation: “We’re going to act better and better to consolidate our leadership positions. And of course we will continue to introduce new products.” n