The confidence is also reflected in the economic survey conducted by BVT, the National Federation of Door and Gate Manufacturers, in April. According to this survey, 69 percent of manufacturers, suppliers and specialist retailers are anticipating an increase in incoming orders and 31 percent expect a stable demand. 78 percent of those surveyed are even expecting increasing sales in the next 6 months. “The optimism in the industry could not be documented better”, emphasized BVT Chairperson Dr. Claus Schwenzer. The Managing Director of Klopotek mentions fundamental reasons for the successful re-launch of the industry after the crisis years: “With its unique supplier industry, variety of companies, its innovative power and market penetration in Europe, the Middle East, the Near East and North America, the German door and gate industry has once again demonstrated that it can level out even extreme market losses in a short period of time.”
 

Customised solutions and simple installation

FAAC Managing Director Thomas Vogel also sees the industry as being on the right track. According to him, the market is increasingly demanding tailor-made solutions, and in the area of door and gate automation, simple and quick installation is gaining greater importance. As a leading manufacturer of automatic door and gate drives, FAAC GmbH operates these two currents using 24 volt technology, as well as hydraulic drives and intelligent, individually programmable control units, he added. “In the business sector of parking and access, a strong tendency towards access regulations which are flexible to use and have added value in their architectural design can be detected.

We developed an innovative product with the automatic J-class traffic bollards, which satisfy both the high design standards, as well as the reliable access checks”, states Thomas Vogel. He went on to say that roller shutter drives should be simple to install with minimum costs using the current state of technology. In his experience, barrier solutions are still on trend. At the trade fair in Stuttgart the company will showcase the latest generation of the 24 volt barriers.
 

At FAAC one is convinced: Automated systems and services will constantly increase. At the same time, the demands from customers for user-friendliness and serviceability are increasing, as is the durability of the products. Thomas Vogel therefore sees R+T as an interesting marketplace to exchange information and ideas with business partners and obtain current feedback for upcoming developments: “We are looking forward to presenting our latest developments to an international and expert public at R+T 2012 and to starting new projects and cooperation ventures.”
 

R+T: The industry meeting place
“We meet most of our customers during R+T. For GfA the trade fair is a platform and discussion forum. We intensify our customer relationships there”, states Oliver Kosberg, the sales representative from GfA, Gesellschaft für Antriebstechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Dusseldorf, who is responsible for the trade fair. He added: “There is an increasing demand on the market for drives that are as simple as possible to operate and to install. One area of focus of GfA is therefore on the consistent further development of control and drive technology.” He further added that high opening and closing speeds, as well as user-friendly operation, are also future trends because in his experience energy efficiency, durability and comfort form solid decision criteria for customers. “Elektromaten” with frequency inverters would therefore be an innovative solution for the market, he added.

They should be really easy to start up and operate. No complicated parameters should have to be set or adjusted during the installation phase; they should be plug-in and be fit for use with all GfA standard control units. Oliver Kosberg looks to the future with optimism, although there are still uncertainties in his opinion: “On the economic front we see a stabilisation of the market after the turmoil of 2009. According to current findings, an increase in quantity and sales can be anticipated at home and abroad. However, the biggest challenge in the coming years will be the economic situation. Progressive sales increases as experienced before 2009 are no longer to be expected.
 

The door and gate specialists Efaflex are satisfied with the healthy order book for 2011. In comparison to the previous year domestic orders are up well over 20 percent and exports are also booming. “At the moment the investment backlog as a result of the economic crisis is being cleared”, explains Christopher Seysen, Managing Director of EFAFLEX Tor- und Sicherheitssysteme GmbH & Co. KG, Bruckberg. And he also sees an increasing trend towards energy-saving in door and gate systems resulting in doors and gates no longer being regarded today as the last point in hall planning.

“The door or gate is now an important interface in the production process. With regard to a safe material flow and, at the same time, the demand for greater energy efficiency, poor doors and gates are tearing down designs that do not focus on sustainability. Doors and gates are therefore gaining increasing importance as a central component in an industry hall. They are incorporated into the planning process at an early stage.”

Teckentrup, one of the largest manufacturers of doors and door/gate systems in Europe, also sees the future trend in energy efficiency and heat insulation. “We are currently making significant improvements to doors and gates in the area of protection against cold and hot conditions, particularly for warehouses, halls and refrigerated warehouses.

But the topic also plays a key role in the home – especially when the garage is part of the house”, highlights Meinolf Funkenmeier, Managing Director of Teckentrup GmbH & Co. KG. According to him, the new industry sectional door SW should achieve a U value of 0.58 W/m²K for a door size of 5 x 5 metres for example. The door is designed to protect halls against heat loss in which a constant temperature is requested, he added. This is achieved by an 80 millimetre panel filled with PUR foam.

In addition, the steel sections are separated thermally. Special seals between the panels and at the transition between the slat and frame minimise the energy loss. In general, the topic of sustainability is very highly rated at Teckentrup and is also reflected in the life cycle considerations of the products, he further added.

“From the production of the components to recycling, environmental considerations are given the same weight as social and economic aspects”, explains Funkenmeier, who hopes to obtain an interesting exchange of information and ideas during R+T 2012: “We are also expecting many visitors next year and anticipate a public with an even greater international character than in 2009. As Teckentrup is also a specialist for innovative fire protection solutions, we offer many starting points for professional discussions.”
 

R+T, the world leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection systems, takes place every three years. On a total of 105,000 square metres of exhibition space, approximately 800 exhibitors from home and abroad will present their products, trends, innovations and services during R+T 2012. Well-known partners will ensure a first-class framework programme from 28.02. – 03.03.2012 at Messe Stuttgart: The Federal Association for Manufacturers of Roller Shutters and Sun Protection (BVRS), the National Association of Door and Gate Manufacturers (BVT – Verband Tore) and the Industrial Association for Technical Textiles, Roller Shutters and Sun Protection (ITRS) have various target groups in mind. During the Architects’ and Planners’ Day prominent speakers will provide an insight into lightweight construction and facade design. Door and gate industry ready for R+T 2012
 
Sales growth in double figures / Future trends include energy efficiency and simple installation and operation
 
The door and gate industry is flourishing: After an economically difficult year a significant growth spurt is set for 2011 and 2012. The official figures for the first half-year indicate an increase in sales of 15 percent. “Good domestic business with consumer industries who are keen to invest, for example the automotive industry and mechanical engineering, as well as the electrical/electronics sector and chemical industry, and increasingly also the construction industry, are responsible for the upswing”, explains Friedrich Klopotek, Managing Director of BVT – the National Federation of Door and Gate Manufacturers in the professional association IVEST e.V.: “But exports are also a major contributor to the upturn.

Overall for 2011 we are expecting an increase in production and sales of ten to twelve percent!” On the occasion of R+T 2012, which will take place from 28 February to 2 March in Stuttgart, the industry wants to once again match the record year of 2008. The industry also triggers impulses for the leading world trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection systems with its many specialist visitors from home and abroad at Messe Stuttgart.