Henri Laniece appointed to lead Somfy Oceania

James Boston: Congratulations on your new role leading Somfy Oceania! Can you share your thoughts on stepping into this position following Stephen Eggleton’s tenure?

Henri Laniece: Stepping into a leadership role at Somfy Oceania is a significant milestone for me. Over the past eight years, I have had the privilege of witnessing the remarkable journey of our team’s success. Stephen’s leadership during this time has truly been exemplary. The Somfy Oceania team is exceptional, enriched by diverse experience from various sectors, they have cultivated a strong foundation in our industry that I am excited to build upon. This unique blend enables us to offer a distinctive and enhanced experience to our customers.

James Boston: You’ve spent 15 years with Somfy across various regions. How have these experiences shaped your leadership style and vision for the company?

Henri Laniece: I have been fortunate to work in various roles within Somfy, initially focusing on marketing and business development across India, France, and the Asia-Pacific region. These experiences have been instrumental in shaping my vision for go-to-market strategies in diverse contexts, ranging from a small business unit to the largest segment of our group. This journey has deepened my understanding of the brand’s strengths and has illuminated ways to enhance the customer experience.

Subsequently, I transitioned to general management positions, first in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and then overseeing the entire Southeast Asia region. Collaborating with individuals from many different countries and industries has provided me with valuable insights into market trends, customer needs and effective strategies for addressing them. Being closely connected to the local market in Australia and New Zealand, its channels and needs, is key in my approach to develop the most beneficial initiatives for Somfy and its partners.

James Boston: Having worked extensively in Asia, what insights or strategies from those markets do you think could benefit the Australian window furnishings industry?

Henri Laniece: The Australian market presents a distinctive landscape compared to many Asian markets, particularly as it is more established in automation, especially regarding rolling shutters and awnings, where automation has become standard. 

Nevertheless, similar to Asia, there remains significant potential for growth in the interior window furnishings automation market. Currently, motorisation rates are low, yet this segment is experiencing rapid growth. 

Targeting the mid to high-end market, our focus is on delivering exceptional value to our customers and end-users. Our approach is one that encompasses business development, channel strategies, sales focus and customer support to enhance the overall automation experience. My experience in Asia provides some inspiration for partnerships with project stakeholders in new builds, as well as promoting curtain automation for an unparalleled comfort experience using high-quality fabric furnishings. 

James Boston: What excites you most about leading Somfy Oceania at this stage in its journey?

Henri Laniece: Over the past decade, Somfy Oceania has achieved remarkable growth, expanding its presence in the window fashion industry while successfully integrating complementary businesses, particularly in gate automation through our BFT brand. I am thrilled to embark on a new chapter in our company’s growth journey, especially as automation increasingly sets the standard in the window fashion sector. In a landscape prioritising sustainable building practices, we are committed to creating value through innovative services and technologies that align with the latest trends in home and building automation.

James Boston: Smart home automation continues to evolve rapidly; how do you see Somfy positioning itself to stay ahead of the curve in Australia?

Henri Laniece: The rapid adoption of new technologies is reshaping the smart home landscape. We firmly believe that Zigbee will emerge as the ideal standard for home automation in the coming years. With the launch of our Smart Shading solutions using Zigbee 3.0, along with our TaHoma suite offering last year, we are well-positioned to embrace future trends. As a leading brand, we recognise our responsibility to support the industry’s transition to smart home technology by delivering an exceptional experience for both end-users and professionals. While implementing new technologies requires significant effort, we are committed to ensuring that home automation provides the right products at the right value.

James Boston: Sustainability is a growing focus in the industry. What role do you see Somfy playing in driving energy-efficient and environmentally conscious solutions?

Henri Laniece: Automated window shading is pivotal for enhancing sustainability and achieving energy savings. By automating shades, we can maximise the benefits of natural sunlight: allowing it in when needed and blocking it out when it’s time to keep the building cool.

In recent years, the dedicated efforts of the Somfy team, in collaboration with our project partners, have demonstrated the significant impact that automated shades can have on energy efficiency in buildings through sun tracking and shadow management. By utilising an open platform like KNX, we can fully integrate shading systems with lighting, creating an optimal balance between natural and artificial light. This integration helps prevent overheating while ensuring the best visual comfort for occupants.

In residential applications, smart home technology is a key driver of energy efficiency, particularly with automated features like scheduling. It’s essential to educate end-users about the benefits of smart shading, which extend beyond comfort to encompass sustainability. Such education addresses not only automation but also the importance of choosing the right products and fabrics to optimise performance.

Finally, we take pride in our commitment to developing eco-designed solutions. Each year, we see increasing sales of our Act For Green labelled products, which are designed with sustainability in mind. These products boast significantly lower standby power consumption and are sourced according to strict guidelines to ensure fair-trade practices and minimised environmental impact over the products’ lifecycle.

James Boston: What are your top priorities for Somfy Oceania in the first year of your leadership?

Henri Laniece: It’s my priority to connect with our customers. I am excited to have already had the opportunity to meet with many different customers across Australia in such a short time. My top priority is fostering strong relationships with our partners, collaborating closely to address industry challenges and uncover optimal solutions together. Alongside these partnerships, Somfy remains committed to delivering exceptional value through superior service, enhancing our brand reputation and staying ahead of market trends with our innovative offerings.

James Boston: Thank you for your time Henri and best wishes for your new role. 

Henri Laniece: Thanks James.