Delivering innovative sun protection systems Harol

DELIVERING INNOVATIVE SUN PROTECTION SYSTEMS

Harol NV is a market leader in the development and manufacture of sun protection systems and roller shutters. Philip Yorke talked to Marc van de Berg, the company’s sales director about its latest innovative products and move into new markets.

Harol NV was founded in Belgium in 1946 by Leon Draelants who began by producing wooden roller shutters in his small carpentry workshop in Miskom. Draelants built the company up to become a major supplier to the Belgian market, and in 1968 moved into the manufacture of plastic shutters and blinds by purchasing the company’s first PVC profile extrusion machine.

Further success followed, and in 1976 Harol NV was established for the purpose of assembling and marketing an innovative new range of aluminium roller shutters. In 1980, Harol relocated to its new purpose-built, 10,000m2 factory and subsequently launched its own patented sun protection system in 1985. Since then the company has remained a family-run concern and has never looked back. Today, Harol remains a family-run, independent business, managed by Annick Draelants, that offers a diverse international product portfolio with over 300 employees and sales of more than €40 million. Diversity and innovation driving sales

Harol is based in Diest, Belgium and has consistently been one of the most pioneering manufacturers of sun protection systems in Europe.

The company is the clear market leader in Belgium and enjoys a strong market position throughout the rest of Europe including the Nordic countries. Today, Harol has sales offices in France, Germany and the Netherlands and has a growing network of dealers and technical support teams. The company is committed to an ongoing programme of improvement and renewal to optimise the quality and durability of its products. All Harol products are provided with a comprehensive, five-year guarantee on all parts, labour and motor units. Harol also offers its customers, custom-built solutions to meet their changing tastes and needs.

A diverse product portfolio also makes Harol stand out from the crowd as it offers an extensive range of sun protection systems that can be designed and manufactured to suit any individual garden or patio, with screens, folding awnings, external venetian blinds, pivot-arm awnings and sun blinds for verandas. In addition, Harol also provides solutions for completely closing off a home with built-in roller shutters as well as surface-mounted roller shutters to offer optimal security.

Mr Van den Berg said, “ Innovation, quality and optimal company service are the hallmarks of Harol and we continue to strive to offer the best products and services in the industry. As a privately owned family business we can offer a more dedicated personal service and are able to be more flexible and faster-acting when it comes to making management decisions.

“For example, in 2001 we made the strategic decision to acquire a company in Belgium that fabricates high-quality sectional garage doors. This development has led to the creation of a third product group for us and one which offers Harol significant growth potential for the future. However, sun

protection remains our biggest business sector and represents over 60 per cent of our sales, of which 20 per cent are dedicated to our business-to-business customers.”

Expanding global reach

It was not until the 1990s that Harol focused on extending its presence in Europe and this now embraces France, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark and the Czech Republic. Furthermore, this success is likely to be repeated as the company looks further afield to such markets as the USA, Canada, Australia and the Middle East.

Mr Van de Berg added, “We are in discussions with a number of interesting new markets including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. All our products are made in Belgium to guarantee the strict quality that we require throughout the manufacturing process. In these new markets we are working closely with selected partners and installers who are trained to provide the same high standards that we rely upon here in Europe. These markets will also be able to benefit from our latest range of patio awnings which offer shelter from both sun and rain. Our comprehensive five-year guarantees will be effective in these new countries too, despite the fact that many of them experience extreme temperature fluctuations – not a problem for Harol products.

“As far as the future is concerned we expect to continue to see strong organic growth which is our primary goal, but we still keep the door open for the right acquisition opportunity should it present itself.”

In Europe Harol enjoys a reputation that is well known for high-quality products and services, as well as for design and technical innovation. As Europe’s technology leaders, Harol technology is regularly copied by others. However the company expects to be able to build upon this enviable European reputation in all the countries where it is planning to increase its presence. For Harol, the future certainly looks sunny. n

For further information about the company’s sun protection systems and other quality products visit: www.harol.eu

Serge Ferrari S.A.S

Serge Ferrari S.A.S. , based in La Tour du Pin, France produces highly efficient, sustainable and recyclable composite screens for solar shading. Our strategy turned towards innovation allows us to produce and develop materials that set standards for innovative solar protection. Our materials combine extreme strength with thermally efficient surface treatments and our materials are 100% recyclable through Texyloop. This innovative strategy allows us to be a partner supplier for Harol for more than 20 years.