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Summer is the season for the external blinds category, with a plethora of advances entering the market in line with the demands of the Australian climate. Belinda Smart reports.
PINZ
Pinz National Sales and Marketing Manager Kate Bessell says that the seasonal nature of external blinds the summer season has been keenly anticipated by Pinz. For the 2019 / 2020 season, the Pinz operations and management teams spent considerable time during the second half of 2019 on continuous improvement processes, focusing on quality control and production efficiencies of all systems in preparation for the season.
“This time was well spent particularly given the increased complexities with a number of key products in the external blind market,” she says. “The last quarter of 2019 saw the long anticipated introduction of the Ziptrak extruded aluminium pelmet as one example. This release features not only a modern, square aesthetic, but it also comes with a number of configurations and sizes, allowing for various installation options and blind sizes.”
Pinz Business Development Manager, Darren Evans commented that although to the market this may seem like a reasonably straightforward new product release, behind the scenes it has meant development of costing and purchasing models, production and quality processes, changes to packaging, training of customers and much more.
“While Pinz embraces these product releases as they serve to rejuvenate the market for the product they can also be quite a challenge for fabricators.”
“Putting aside the challenges of new product releases in the lead up to the season aside, we are very pleased with our performance this summer with strong category growth and short production lead times that the market has come to expect and demand from Pinz.”
“A push towards meeting the pre-Christmas installation deadline of our retailers traditionally leads to a slow start to production in January, with retailers on holidays and some still with an overflow of December orders to install, however the start of 2020 has been very strong, exceeding our expectations. We can only hope this continues well into the first half of 2020 and look forward to seeing what else this category has in store for us.”
OZROLL
National Sales & Marketing Manager Jack McDonald comments that the Slidetrack business, acquired In 2018, continues to thrive. “Having acquired the Slidetrack brand that year, by the middle of 2019 we had secured distributors in every state, which proliferated order volumes and challenged our operations to keep up in terms of production capacity. We invested heavily in equipment to improve efficiencies and consistency, in line with the increased demand, and successfully produced thousands of fully assembled blinds in the lead up to Christmas; over 90 per cent of which were dispatched within five days of order.”
“Operating as both manufacturer and fabricator is a real point of difference for us in the market, facilitating our ability to meet short lead times. It also means we can react fast to retailer needs and make revisions or additions to our catalogue that will make selling and installing easier. Not only that, we are able to offer comprehensive quality assurance, with a guarantee that covers both the product and assembly. All of this means our distributors and their customers can have confidence before, during and long after the installation.”
“Industry should expect new releases throughout the year, from componentry alterations to completely new product designs. The plan is to have a solution to as many applications as possible and we are already working on some really exciting ideas.”
LUXAFLEX
The Luxaflex External Window Fashions range is specifically designed to withstand the harsh UV and demanding weather of the Australian climate, a spokesperson for the business confirms, adding that the most recent addition to the portfolio is the Luxaflex Evo MagnaTrack Awning. The vertical external shade is trusted to remain stable and resilient in Australia’s most erratic weather conditions.
“Australian engineered and designed, the Evo MagnaTrack Awning is the most technologically advanced awning available on the current market, with its overly generous, wide application of up to 6.5m and up to 4m drop. The only straight-drop awning system in Australia to boast a self-correcting feature that allows the fabric skin to effortlessly return to its channel if dislodged, the Evo MagnaTrack Awning has patented magnetic technology that holds its fabric taut, ensuring a smooth finish.”
“The magnetic force in the track system allows the fabric to move while under wind pressure as it floats within the channel. Once the wind pressure subsides, the magnetic bond of the rare earth neodymium magnets will automatically re-tension the fabric back to its original appearance, a world-first in functionality which goes far beyond what a standard zipped system can do. Using nothing more than the awnings remote control, this technology vastly reduces costly service calls, compared to standard zip systems.”
“External blinds can aid in substantial savings on a home’s cooling bills. The harsh climate, combined with large windows in Australian homes results in increased levels of heat travelling through our windows and doors.”
“The Luxaflex Evo MagnaTrack Awning can also assist in providing substantial savings on home electricity bills. With up to 87% of a home’s heat gain in summer through the windows, Evo Awnings can reduce cooling energy costs by up to 60%. When combined with Luxaflex Spectra Sunscreen’s ability to eliminate up to 95% of heat from solar radiation, the Evo MagnaTrack Awning can bring you long term savings and help you feel comfortable all year round.”
A popular trend is to colour coordinate external blinds with the home. As such, Hunter Douglas, the company behind the Luxaflex brand, is always undertaking research into the most popular shades.
“We then use these insights to develop and introduce new colours to the latest seasons of Luxaflex awning ranges.”
NORFOLK BLINDS
Ben Roco, External Window Furnishings Consultant at Norfolk Blinds, says the effects of climate change are increasingly seen as the key driver for innovation in the business.
“Regardless of your stance on the climate change debate, it’s hard to ignore the statistics within the 2019 annual climate statement, released by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology,” he says.
These include:
“Australians spend over 90 per cent of their time indoors and as the Australian climate warms and cooling becomes a greater percentage of many homes’ and buildings’ energy load, the importance of effective and sustainable solar shading solutions has increased substantially.”
“Effective solar shading has a significant impact on not just the energy consumption of a home or building, but also on the thermal and visual comfort of the occupants. The need to control excess heat and thermal comfort is equally important in all types of buildings, from residential to commercial.”
“From a thermal efficiency perspective, windows are the weak link in a home or building envelope. It’s estimated that 80-90% of a home’s heat gain is through glazing and 40% of a home’s heating energy is also lost through glazing. And although internal thermal blinds or curtains can assist in preventing heat loss, they are not overly effective in preventing solar radiant heat gain. External awnings, however, are recognized to be extremely effective in preventing solar radiant heat gain as they block incoming solar radiation before it enters the home or building through the glazing. In addition, external blinds can also reduce heat loss in cooler conditions when closed.”
“Selecting the right external awnings can be a daunting task, so we’ve made it easy. Manufacturing an aesthetically pleasing range of solutions that’s not only effective at blocking solar radiation, but that is also a sustainably responsible solution.”
Norfolk’s Axis awning range represents the latest in design, styling and functionality, with a common headbox that is aesthetically appealing, providing for a consistent looking façade.
The Axis awning range can span five metres wide with an enclosed headbox or open roller option, a cost-effective alternative to the market. The range also shares a unique bottom rail that offers consumers added functionality with options such as: locking bolts, hold down straps, concealed spline inserts and weather strips.
The Axis awning range has been developed to offer maximum flexibility and ease of use for consumer operation.
Incorporating the best of technology and design, to deliver a completely solar powered system. No hard wiring required for motor operation, eliminating the need for a certified electrician. Simple and easy to install, saving money, reducing energy costs and environmentally sustainable.
A range of 240 Volt motor solutions allows the Axis awning range to be operated at the touch of a button via remote control or wall switch. Optional accessories include Neo control, providing intelligent awning control via smartphone or tablet, sun and wind sensors, and custom integration into home automation systems.
The 9:1 ratio gear ensures easy operation that is not dependent on the user’s strength. Specifically designed for straight drop applications, the 9:1 ratio gear can withstand high wind situations and is available in a selection of Black, grey and white for improved colour coordination with most fabrics. A range of polished zinc crank handles are available in: 800mm, 1200mm, 1600mm, 2000mm and 2400mm lengths.
BLINDS BY BORONIA GROUP
Sales Manager Michelle Macready confirms that during the past six months the Blinds by Boronia Group has experienced growth in its wholesale awning sales. “The introduction and perfection of external sunscreen fabrics in wide widths, has revolutionised the way we use awnings. Suddenly outdoor areas become rooms when the external sunscreen is coupled with a side retention system. These awnings simply suit the way Australians like to live. It helps us all take advantage of the fabulous weather that Australia has to offer without compromising the amount of light entering the home.”
Well regarded as a wholesale manufacturer of a full range of quality interior blinds, The Blinds by Boronia Group has partnered with the Dalekit Awnings Covered Program for many years. “With Dalekit being an exterior blind specialist and the Blinds by Boronia Group continuing to bring quality and excellence to the wholesale window furnishings market, it made sense to be able to add external awnings to our already extensive range.”
BLINDS BY PETER MEYER
“Kubata is the latest release from Weinor,” confirms Managing Director Simon Meyer. “The modern cubic design has really hit the ground running fast becoming one of our best sellers. The beauty of this contemporary design is that it is not affecting sales of our other key selling folding arm awnings. Along with this folding arm awning, Weinor has already released an external roller blind that can be made up to 6000mm wide in the smallest cassette available on the market of 75mm.”
“The Kubata awning can be manufactured up to 7000mm wide with only two arms required to operate at this width, something that is truly unique to folding arm awnings and highlighting the strength of the arms weinor have developed over the last 60 years. Along with this, the Kubata also incorporates patented wind locks, which stop arms blowing up in gusty uplift winds, LED Lights, reliable water management system and Weinor’s patented Optiflow technology – The Kubata Opti-Flow-System from Weinor, is fitted with a support profile across the whole width of the awning for optimum fabric tension and positioning. The Kubata awning also has bullet proof “long life” arms that have been tested to over 100 000 cycles, which is approximately 20 years’ life expectancy. Over this 20 years, the unique long life arms had less than 0.01mm of stretch, which means optimum fabric tension for the life of your awning. On top of this you also have the fact that the Kubata awning is a simple back bar awning under the sleek cubic cassette, which makes for super easy and flexible installs.”
“Meanwhile, The Vertitex 2 not only can span a massive six metre width, but it can do it in a cassette that is the smallest on the market. Sizes available are 75mm, 92mm and 112mm (for Zips only) as we can span four metre drops with the 92mm cassette. This is all possible by the patented Optiflow technology that weinor have developed which ensures the small 35mm tube (which allows for the extra fabric to achieve the long drops in small cassettes) is always supported by a profile in the cassette. Available in Zip, Channel and Cable, it truly is a system that is unsurpassed in quality with features that set it apart from the crowd. All Weinor products are available in 56 standard colours including 9 TREND colours which are modern textured finishes, all at no surcharge.”
“Weinor is still considered the new kids on the block in Australia with only five years of experience selling into our market, but with over 60 years’ worth of development and hundreds of thousands of awnings sold throughout mainland Europe and the UK, the name is growing fast down under. Weinor Australia, through their distribution agents Blinds by Peter Meyer, is still growing its exclusive network of dealers throughout Australia with a focus on regional area development throughout 2020, as well as establishing a stronger foundation throughout Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory.”
THE SHANN GROUP
Melissa Vine, National Product Manager – Industrial Fabrics, confirms the Urban Track range continues to evolve. “When The Shann Group mass launched the Urban Track track guided blind system to Australia back in 2016, our intention was always to keep moving the product forward, innovating and changing its design to make it aspirational and functional for our customers, and to stand above its competitors.”
“The recent introduction of the exclusive central locking mechanism has been a prime example of this type of innovation. The unique system allows the blind to be locked off at any position and can be operated from inside or outside the blind. It has been incredibly well received and accepted, being labelled the best on the market by fabricators and customers.”
“The improvements keep coming,” she adds. “Shann has launched a new, lightweight pelmet for the Urban Track system that is stronger and more cost effective than its predecessor. This gorgeous pelmet creates the perfect finish to the system, while protecting operating components and fabric. As well as the new pelmet, we have introduced a heavier base rail. The new base rail is sturdier, making it more durable for the motorised Urban Track.”
“And in even more exciting news, we are pleased to announce that all the major aluminium components of the Urban Track, side channels, bottom rail, are now manufactured locally, right here in Australia. That’s a product that’s designed and assembled in Australia, with a solid commitment to continue to source as many components as possible locally.”
“Working beautifully with Urban Track are the new colours recently launched in the ever-popular Atmosphere external screen mesh range, Polar and Icon. Taking cues from stunning Hamptons beach style, Polar is a brilliant white, featuring the latest in UV resistant fibre for even better performance. Icon is at the other end of the colour spectrum, a statement dark grey with charcoal notes, a perfect complement to inky-black and dark coated aluminium and steel.”
“The market is strong for Urban Track type systems,” Vine concludes. “There are several quality products available, resulting in a lot of choice for fabricators and customers. We have seen excellent growth with the Urban Track product and in our retailer network. Our challenge is to keep improving Urban Track to continue to build and cultivate the product offering in such a competitive environment.”
WIDESCREEN
Widescreen is positioned as a high performance Australian designed and made retention system, featuring WSZ zip-guided technology. Its concealed flexible retention zip and floating base rail allow for the smoothest fabric presentation possible, while creating a completely sealed finish reducing wind, rain, glare, heat and eliminating insects.
Tony Hopkins of Widescreen global supplier Abra says the product is ideal for the Australian market as it delivers an outdoor area that’s usable all year round. And it offers fabricators a flexible system, he adds, as with minimal component changes the system can be used in a number of applications:
Such flexibility enables manufacturers to capture a broader client base without increased stock holdings associated with carrying multiple systems, Hopkins says. “Each variation stands high in its class. The Widescreen Retention system is capable of narrow and wide spans up to 6500mm wide, and as with all variations offers motorised, manual crank options, with spring operation launching soon.”
“Widescreen external blinds have many unique features to simplify fabrication, installation, improve reliability and provide the performance necessary to function for years to come. Placing high importance on aesthetics, slim and compact fittings are designed to integrate sleekly with any style of architecture. Capable of wide spans, long drops, and having interchangeable components, Widescreen is the perfect customised solution for external and internal comfort and shading.”
Abra Aluminium is the Global Wholesale Supplier of Widescreen products; it supplies the components and extrusions to fabricate Widescreen indoor and outdoor blinds, and does not manufacture or sell the blinds themselves, says Hopkins. All fabrication of the finished product is by Authorised Widescreen Fabricators. “Abra works directly with the fabricators supplying the components required from its large stock holdings distributed via Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne warehouses.”
The Widescreen website is a comprehensive resource for Widescreen customers, he adds. “The site is continually growing and includes a number of useful resources, including the latest product updates as well as installation guides, fabrication guides and marketing tools such as brochures. For registered users, the site resources can be accessed at any time. Abra also provides Widescreen marketing materials, including portable demonstration blinds, display cases and brochures. We invite anyone interested in joining the growing network of Widescreen fabricators to contact Abra.”
B.A.C. WHOLESALE
B.A.C. Wholesale Managing Director Chris Reynolds confirms a number of updates to its Solare ‘alfresco’ blind range.
Among the company’s most in demand products is the Solare Verticali, designed for protection against wind, rain, UV and insects while offering privacy for alfresco, pergola, balcony or terrace areas. Solare Verticali also has application as a motorised window blind and is the most wind resistant and extremely durable commercial grade system within the Solare range. It offers an alternative to traditional window shades with its sleek modern linear design.
“Aside from the Verticali itself, we have also recently added components to the Solare range that enable it to be a straight drop (called the Solare BASIK) with the addition of strap runners and blank end caps which integrate into the bottom rail. This addition also serves as a foundation for the soon to be released ‘Solare Wire Guide’ addition to the Solare Range. Further scheduled releases in 2020 for the Solare range include radial and square headboxes which give the retailer three full headbox options to address any shape of architecture or customer requirement.”
Benefits of the Solare range:
“The Solare offers a new product line with multiple options and for manufacturers has a low initial investment, with only 11 product lines required to stock the basic Verticali components, presuming they stock other common components,” said Reynolds. “It gives retailers a chance to have that point of difference to enable them to return to the increased margins once witnessed in the side channel market.”
“The Australian market for side channel blind systems has become increasingly competitive/saturated and retailers are screaming for a point of difference as discounting drives profits down on the common side channel blinds currently in the market.”
“This is an ever growing market in Australia with an increased focus on outdoor living and design by new homeowners and renovators. The outdoor space has become an institution in dining and entertaining in Australia these days. The challenge is for retailers to have a strong position in the market, value add their business and qualify themselves as a better prospect over the ever increasing backyard operation.”
