Blinds & Shutters - Issue 2-2023
As I write this it seems as if the Government has reached an agreement with the EU regarding trading arrangements with Northern Ireland. This seems long overdue and let’s hope it doesn’t led to a two tier system within the UK and it gets through Parliament. Also energy prices are still high on the agenda and decisions are being made as we speak on whether there will still be any financial help from the Government. Industry does not seem to be talked about as much as consumers, but if the Government really want to control inflation, energy prices have to come down for prices not to continue rising. It’s a tough time for everyone in the UK, I hope it ‘s not going to get any harder for industry. John Hatcher, Editor
As I write this it seems as if the Government has reached an agreement with the EU regarding trading arrangements with Northern Ireland. This seems long overdue and let’s hope it doesn’t led to a two tier system within the UK and it gets through Parliament.
Also energy prices are still high on the agenda and decisions are being made as we speak on whether there will still be any financial help from the Government. Industry does not seem to be talked about as much as consumers, but if the Government really want to control inflation, energy prices have to come down for prices not to continue rising. It’s a tough time for everyone in the UK, I hope it ‘s not going to get any harder for industry.
John Hatcher, Editor
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AWNINGS<br />
A flying start<br />
The “pergola<br />
cubic” from<br />
markilux is a real<br />
success with its<br />
angular design<br />
Although the “pergola cubic” from markilux<br />
only went on sale in the summer of 2022,<br />
it quickly found favour with its new<br />
angular cassette. An understated, simple cubic<br />
form is in demand, as it stylistically complements<br />
today’s architecture and construction methods. As<br />
an angular version of the “pergola classic”, it thus<br />
very quickly became established in the<br />
manufacturer’s pergola product family.<br />
The “pergola classic” from awning specialist<br />
markilux has been a success on the market for<br />
years now. In mid 2022 the manufacturer<br />
launched a new model based on the classic<br />
version – the “pergola cubic” – along with tried<br />
and tested technology, it also features additional<br />
lighting options. In addition, a conservatory awning<br />
with an angular cassette to protect the cover, the<br />
“markilux 7800“, has also been introduced.<br />
According to Michael Gerling, Director of R&D<br />
and Production, this is how the awning quickly<br />
became a hit shortly after its official market<br />
launch.<br />
Great demand in spite of a<br />
late sales start<br />
“We have been selling the ‘pergola cubic’ since<br />
last summer. And we were very pleased with the<br />
high volume of orders that came in basically as<br />
soon as we started selling it,” says a satisfied Mr<br />
Gerling. Because normally products tend to need<br />
a start-up phase to establish themselves in the<br />
market. “We usually launch new products at the<br />
start of the season. This wasn’t possible with the<br />
‘pergola cubic’ for technical reasons and due to<br />
delays in supply chains,” adds Michael Gerling,<br />
although he explains that it is now generally more<br />
and more difficult to plan the development cycles<br />
of new products. And that is why the company is<br />
all the more pleased about the high demand for<br />
the product after it was launched in the summer.<br />
Keeping a close eye on the<br />
market pays off<br />
The angular form of the cassette brings another<br />
new aspect to the design of this product family. In<br />
addition, straightforward cubic forms are more in<br />
demand than ever before, as they pick up on the<br />
geometry of modern buildings. “But for this purpose<br />
the angular components have to be clearly visible<br />
which is the case with our new pergola model. That<br />
is why we are assuming that this angular version will<br />
be more in demand in the future than its sister<br />
model with a round cassette,” explains Michael<br />
Gerling. For him, the “pergola cubic” is once again<br />
proof that it pays to keep a close eye on the market,<br />
invest in trend research and listen carefully to what<br />
customers are looking for. Once again, the<br />
manufacturer has developed an awning for shading<br />
large outdoor areas, with a flexible design and<br />
offering a wide choice of convenience technology.<br />
And that is why it completely fulfils the demands of<br />
the end consumer.<br />
60 <strong>Blinds</strong> & <strong>Shutters</strong> • ISSUE TWO <strong>2023</strong>
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