Ultra-versatile UV windows Nordan

ULTRA-VERSATILE UV WINDOWS

Nordan is a global technology leader in the design and manufacture of low-energy windows and frames. Philip Yorke talked to Johannes Rasmussen, the company’s sales director, about the success of its N-Tech range and the growing demand for its advanced security windows.

Nordan was founded in 1926 by Johannes Rassmussen 1st, a master carpenter who began by making staircases, windows and doors. Consistent growth followed his enterprise and as building methods changed, Rassmussen made the strategic decision to focus exclusively on the manufacture of windows and frames and set about designing one that would be versatile yet be completely secure against the elements. The result was the world’s first ‘tilt and turn’ window, which was an instant success in the Nordic region.

Today Nordan is one of Europe’s most successful window manufacturers with stateof-the-art factories in Otta, Egersund and Arneberg in Norway and Varnamo, Kvillsfors and Tanumshede in Sweden, as well as in Wolsztyn in Poland. The company employs more than 1300 people and in 2012 recorded sales of NOK1.4 billion.

Innovation backed by quality

From the very outset, Nordan has been committed to investing heavily in research and product development and this culture remains today. For more than 80 years, Nordan has led

the field in cutting-edge window technology and design. The most recent examples are its N-Tech concept which produced the world’s first Swan window and its ground-breaking Passive Window and insulated sash and frame. These advanced window systems both offer big energy savings, as well as providing unparalleled environmental friendliness and other user benefits and features.

Nordan’s unique N-Tech range provides up to 50 per cent reduction in heat loss from buildings. A traditional, single-glazed window has a typical ‘K’ value of around 5.0W/m2K, whereas Nordan’s N-Tech windows have a K value of just 0.7W/m2K, making them the most efficient, insulated windows in the world. In order to achieve this remarkably low value, Nordan’s in-house R&D department redesigned the thermal surround of the window sash and substituted it with special aluminium spacers and with super-spacers made of silicone. Unlike typical aluminium spacers, which permit heat transfer through the perimeter of glazed units, this super-spacer provides an extremely effective barrier against heat transfer. The result is that the temperatures at the edges of the glass remain several degrees warmer and this in turn greatly reduces the risk of condensation and the subsequent heat loss. Furthermore, to enhance the quality still further Nordan also uses the highest performing coated glass and fills the void in its glazed units with Argon gas in order to ensure minimal heat loss.

Increasing demand for Passive Window insulation

When Nordan launched its low-energy windows with Passive Window insulated sash and frames, building companies and architects alike applauded its many attributes. The remarkable success of this Nordan

patented product has led to increasing demand and the company’s further investment in production capacity.

Mr Rasmussen said, “We realised that our latest Passive Windows would be well received as they tick all the boxes concerning existing and forthcoming EU legislation. However, we were surprised at just how popular these products have become. We are different in many ways from our competitors and we offer a wider range of products that combine innovation with the highest possible quality. Passive Windows offer low, low U values and excellent quality sound insulation, ideal for use in noisy city environments. They also offer significantly reduced UV exposure. Furthermore, we are involved in every step of the value chain from pest-controlled forestry and the design and manufacturing of all components ourselves, even the special glass.

“We are also strategically located in 22 different places, which means that we are close to our key markets. We also place a high priority on our key accounts and we do that by offering a truly dedicated and professional service. We are the clear market leaders in Norway and Sweden and deliver our products to private home builders and end users. What we like to say is that ‘We are large enough to lead and small enough to care’. All our products are tailor-made to suit the specific needs of our customers and they can rely on our ability to deliver the highest quality products – and on time. We have over 3000 types of products and series customisation means that there are no limits as to what we can produce.

“Our biggest seller today, and possibly the most important growth market for us, is our security window range, although we tend to look at all our products as potential growth markets. Today we are focused on taking market share from the PVC window sector as they are not environmentally friendly and do not have the same visual appeal as window frames made of wood.”

Despite the global economic slowdown, Nordan is confident that it can maintain its annual, growth record of between 10 to 15 per cent and could possibly exceed this in 2013 thanks to its recent acquisition of Kvillsfors Fonster of Sweden. Today the company is in a very strong position financially thanks to its on-going investment in new products, resulting in award winning products that include its Passive Windows, N-Tech concepts and advanced security windows. As a family business, Nordan has the ability to make quick decisions and implement them without delay and is constantly one step ahead of the competition. n

For further information about Nordan’s latest energy-saving products visit: www.nordan.no