Vertical integration optimizes operation and responsiveness

Not afraid of a challenge on the way to an appropriate answer to every question

Thanks to vertical integration, Aliplast Aluminium Systems can always switch flexibly and respond quickly, for example to develop a specific solution for one particular project or to tailor a product to local needs. Witness a custom facade solution for the Roeselare City Hall (Belgium) or a composite stone sill for the Dutch market.

Aliplast makes aluminum systems for windows, doors, sliding doors, curtain walls, fireproof solutions, conservatories and cladding. As much as possible is done in-house. In the production in Lokeren, the profiles are extruded. However, there is more, as the manufacturer also handles development and engineering, insulation, powder coating, packaging and even transport to customers in the Benelux, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Switzerland. "This vertical integration ensures short lines of communication. We don't need approval from dozens of people to develop new solutions or adjust things. We switch quickly and flexibly, saving valuable time. We also have our own R&D departments in several places in Europe, which also allows us to easily respond to local needs," states sales manager for the Netherlands Marc Mulders. "This is reflected in various projects for which we always take up the challenge of finding an appropriate answer to the questions posed."

Complex facade solution

For example, Aliplast was involved in the realization of the renovated town hall in Roeselare, which stands out, among other things, because of its sophisticated facade finish. Despite its austere appearance, this facade conceals a great deal of complexity. After all, it was important to find an ideal balance between the architects' plans, the needs of the city council and the budget. En cours de route, optimizations were made. A final choice was made for a pedestal in architectural concrete, while the rest of the facade was finished with crepi. In addition, a way was sought to achieve a characteristic grid formation - with a tight mix of horizontal and vertical lines. 

Aliplast Aluminum Systems proved to be the perfect partner for the exterior joinery. After all, the Star 75 windows have a Cradle to Cradle Silver certificate, ideal for projects where sustainability is a priority. Together with installer Luckx, the manufacturer also developed a solution for the intended facade articulation based on architectural fins made from custom extruded aluminum profiles.

"In order to quickly arrive at a suitable solution, we set up a kind of construction team so that we could immediately check all the details in terms of design, stability, load-bearing capacity, watertightness and practical feasibility with the other parties involved and make decisions efficiently. Ultimately, the choice fell on a combination of vertical fins between the windows and one continuous horizontal fin above each floor level," explains Els Uvyn, project manager at Aliplast. "The fins were co-finished by our in-house extrusion experts, after which we developed a custom mold. We then put these on our presses to generate the necessary profile lengths. For the sake of ease of installation, the horizontal fins were placed in two pieces, always paying the necessary attention to proper water drainage. The anchors from the fins to the shell structure, which were also custom-made by us, were additionally calculated in collaboration with a specialized engineering firm because the impact of wind, deformation and the like had to be correctly mapped there as well." 

Circular sill made of quartz and synthetic resin

In turn, the development of a new circular sill made of quartz and synthetic resin shows that local R&D departments allow Aliplast to respond quickly to demands from a particular market. "We often heard requests in the Netherlands to replace sills in aluminum with models in hard stone. But these invariably create a thermal bridge," Marc Mulders explains. "Together with Holonite, a specialist in composite stone, we developed a circular sill made of quartz and synthetic resin with an insulation value many times higher than that of natural stone. Moreover, thanks to the accessories we developed, this sill fits perfectly with our profiles of the Star 75 windows and doors, making the construction water- and wind-tight. We really don't shy away from any challenge to offer our customers the best solution."