Standing still by definition means going backwards

As a manufacturing company, you must continuously invest in new products, adapted machinery and technically skilled people. Only in this way is it possible to maintain and even strengthen your position in a competitive market. At Gerdes Fenster und Türen, in addition to plastic frames, windows, doors and sliding doors, they now produce aluminum systems. A third modern production facility was also put into operation for this purpose. Today, the company is building a new production hall next to "Werk 1" in Lengerich and is also continuously looking for new, technically skilled employees. After all, for the German manufacturer, standing still means as much as going backwards.

Anyone looking for frames, windows, doors and sliding doors will certainly find a suitable solution for any home or project at Gerdes Fenster und Türen. After all, the German manufacturer has been a Schüco Premium Partner for plastic systems for decades and can therefore count on direct support from Schüco Germany. 

"By now we know the properties and possibilities of the profiles inside out and also do not shy away from any challenge. For example, we were the first Schüco partner worldwide to manufacture an electrically driven lift-slide system of the LivingSlide type. This system is super insulating and can be easily opened and closed via a switch or an app, ideal for people with disabilities or seniors, for example," says sales and marketing manager Benelux Anthonius Gabeler. 

Gerdes has been focusing not only on the German market since 1998, but also manufactures systems for new construction and renovation projects in the Benelux. The efforts of Gabeler and his team in the Netherlands are paying off, as more than 80% of the products now find their application there. "In the Netherlands and Belgium, in recent years we have seen a trend toward energy-efficient and sustainable (re)construction, in which insulation and airtightness play an important role. In this area, we have already gained a lot of experience in Germany, which has eliminated all teething problems," adds the sales and marketing manager. "All systems consist of materials that are 100% recyclable and are custom-made. Especially the elements in the standard colors for the Netherlands are delivered at short notice, even in this period of material scarcity."

Quality with a big 'K'

Gerdes products score highly in terms of thermal insulation, energy efficiency, acoustic damping and burglar resistance. The police also had to experience the latter. When they had to "break into" a house with a standard door during an intervention, it was not easy. Neither a crowbar nor a power saw enabled them to get through. 

Meanwhile, they are not sitting still at the German manufacturer. There is a healthy ambition to grow further as a company, but not at the expense of quality in product and service. To respond to recurring demands from the market, they chose to also produce and supply Schüco aluminum window frames. This opens up possibilities for applications with larger windows and fire doors, for example, or for very large projects. For the production of these aluminum systems, a third plant with modern machinery was put into operation.

Growing healthy

Meanwhile, name recognition is also driving increasing demand in the Netherlands. To cope with the steady growth in the various countries, the manufacturer continues to invest continuously in facilities, machines and people. "Work on our new building next to 'Work 1' in Lengerich is progressing smoothly. The structural work has been completed and the contractors are now working on the interior design. This self-sufficient building with super-insulating walls and floors will help us expand capacity and support our (new) partners in the precast industry even better," concludes Anthonius Gabeler. 

"It immediately becomes an additional asset to attract new people. We are also looking across national borders for this purpose. For example, for six months we have employed an Iranian, who had already lived in several countries and had worked in the plastic frame industry there. Through the special recruitment program "Job Aid Ukraine," we recently came into contact with a Ukrainian refugee with relevant experience. When he displayed his know-how and enthusiasm, we were immediately convinced. After all, the combination of these two factors is precisely the strength of all our employees."  

More information can be found on the website: www.gerdes-fenster.de/nl