ROOFS , ROOFLIGHTS & LANTERNS
Proud sponsor of the Roofs , Rooflights & Lanterns feature
On course for further growth
At the Roto Group ’ s 17th International Trade Press Day , which this year was held in Rottach-Egern , Bavaria , Christoph Hugenberg , CEO , reported that “ Roto Frank Dachsystem-Technologie ( Roto DST ) can look back on a challenging yet successful first half of 2022 .” The company achieved a two-digit increase in sales in important European markets . This was possible thanks to the consistently reliable delivery capability of the window solutions in “ German made ” premium quality as well as the fast and flexible response to changing requirements in the trade and crafts sectors . It is for these reasons that the manufacturer is expecting continued positive growth in the medium and long term and is investing in the future .
CHALLENGING CONDITIONS
At the beginning of the 2022 financial year , Roto DST too was still feeling the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic , said Christoph Hugenberg . Both Roto and its customers were experiencing staff shortages and the prices of materials were continuing to rise . For example , since January 2020 , PVC had become 62 percent more expensive , aluminium had become 98 percent more expensive and natural gas had become 347 percent more expensive . The situation was amplified by the Ukraine war , which brought with it new logistical and human resource barriers as well as material shortages . “ Despite adjusting our prices by an average of 3.4 percent in February 2022 , it was hardly possible to compensate for the additional costs ,” said Christoph Hugenberg . He stressed that the challenges faced by Roto DST were no different than those faced by the majority of window manufacturers with production facilities in Europe .
TWO-DIGIT INCREASE IN SALES IN GERMANY
These challenges could be offset by positive developments , such as continuously improving material availability , which was also ensured through active management at Roto , as well as increasing demand . A robust construction industry , both in residential and non-residential construction ( 2022 : + 3.3 percent or + 6.7 percent ), a growth of 3.3 percent in the renovation market , and the 2.3 percent increase in orders received in the construction industry compared with the previous year had a positive impact on growth in the current year . In Germany , the company ’ s highest-revenue market , Roto DST was able to achieve a two-digit increase on the previous year in the first half of 2022 .
Roto DST adapted quickly and flexibly to 2022 ’ s new ordering behaviour in trade and crafts . Whereas just a few years ago fabricators were still ordering especially high volumes of goods before a price rise , today they are choosing to build up inventories or place purchase orders as soon as incoming orders are received . In retail , doubt regarding short-term material availability and concern about further price increases has also resulted in stockpiling . Overall , however , Roto DST will be able to end the 2022 financial year with a solid , positive result , said Christoph Hugenberg .
MARKET SHARE GAINS IN MANY MARKETS
A two-digit increase in sales as well as the acquisition of new market shares were recorded in Eastern Europe in the first half of 2022 , in particular in the core markets of Poland , Czechia and Hungary . Growth in Southern Europe was also well within the two-digit range . In particular ,
Christoph Hugenberg emphasised the high number of new market shares gained in Italy . Roto Frank Treppen GmbH , based in Neusäß , also reported a two-digit increase in sales across all markets over the same period .
FRANCE ERODES POSITIVE RESULTS IN WESTERN EUROPE
The trend in France this year adds a drop of bitterness : This core Western European market for Roto roof windows experienced a slight fall in sales . “ Material shortages in roof tiles here have resulted in significant delays , which affect our incoming orders ,” explained Christoph Hugenberg . The export business also reported a slight drop in sales due to the Ukraine war .
“ PARTNERSHIP ” AS A SUCCESS FACTOR
“ The most important factor in our success over the last year was that , since 2020 , we have consistently adapted to our customers ’ requirements and , as an organisation , have continuously provided maximum performance ,” said Christoph Hugenberg , describing the main reason for the company ’ s good performance into the first half of the 2022 financial year . This has enabled delivery capability to be maintained at all times . Professional , efficient processes , competent employees , and high automation as well as good partnerships with suppliers and customers have all been crucial for success .
70 JANUARY 2023 CLEARVIEW-UK . COM