MEMBER PROFILE | WINDOWS father as Alumil got started in Australia.“ After graduating from high school, I worked as an entry level all-rounder,” he remembers.“ To prepare myself for bigger things, I began talking extensively to as many fabricators in the industry as I could find, significantly building up my technical knowledge in the process.”
Eren’ s father made the decision to bring Alumil to Australia over a decade ago.“ In 2006, my father visited Europe on a business trip in his capacity as an aluminium supplier,” he recalls.“ He was extremely impressed with Alumil products, and resolved to bring them to Australia.”
Yet it took some time for this bold vision to be realised.“ Alumil replied:‘ We appreciate your enthusiasm, but we’ re not ready to enter the Australian market’,“ Eren explains.“ My father’ s initial enquiry proved invaluable seven years later though, when the European market slowed. As the company was doing well in the US, they began conducting their own research to assess the viability of breaking into our industry.
“ In 2013, Alumil shortlisted companies across Australia, with their sales representative visiting capitals and meeting with fabricators and suppliers,” Eren continues.“ When they finally met my father, they decided his expertise would be an ideal pathway into the market.” It was at this point that Eren’ s long-awaited opportunity arrived and he’ s never looked back.
Even today, the operation is surprisingly lean.“ Alumil initially benefited considerably by using the company’ s existing infrastructure to establish the Australian business,” Eren says.“ We started out on a small scale, with a rented office space that we subsequently converted into a showroom.”
Making the decision to supply systems in Australia has involved significant commitment.“ We could have gone down the prefabricated path, but supplying these quality products locally really made good business sense for us,” Eren comments.“ We’ re here to serve as the best possible supplier of European architectural systems, rather than to make a quick buck. Alumil Oceania functions as a local company, creating a range of jobs within our corporate head offices. We eventually aim to encompass the Asia-Pacific region, including New Zealand … but it’ s early days yet.”
Throughout the company’ s Australian expansion, Alumil’ s impeccable pedigree and commitment to quality has proved to be an invaluable asset.“ As an international systems supplier of aluminium products, we partner with the world’ s most reputable manufacturers,” Eren explains.“ We use German-made Dr Hahn hinges, for example, which are widely recognised as the best globally available.”
This dedication has resulted in an inspiring product range.“ This commitment to quality means we can guarantee our products will last and function as intended for many years,” notes Dimos.“ As well as precise extrusion and high-grade componentry, we do all our own testing in-house with the best available materials. For example, our rubber is natural rather than PVC – the latter is cheaper, but begins to lose performance after around five years. Through this painstaking attention to detail, we have built up a reputation for quality and reliability.”
As a result of this dedication, Alumil’ s window systems are uniformly recognised as state-of-the-art.“ Our architectural systems involve double and triple glazing with thermally broken frames, as well as a range of other products from operable roof pergolas to balustrading systems and fireproof doors,” Eren states.“ As well as creating accessories, we prepare technical catalogues and accompanying information required to manufacture the product.”
The company remains a relentless driver of innovation.“ We believe the world is making a rapid and irreversible transition into green building practices, centred on sustainability and energy efficiency,” Dimos comments.“ Windows and doors are a major and often-neglected part of environmental effectiveness, so we ensure our systems meet the highest possible standards of insulation and effectively reducing energy consumption.”
Advanced materials are a hallmark of Alumil’ s designs.“ As one example, Alumil was the first company to incorporate carbon fibre into architectural window systems, façades and curtain walls, which is extremely strong and lightweight in comparison to steel,” notes Eren.“ We’ re always asking‘ what technology can we produce next?’ And we’ re proud of our central role in realising that innovative vision in Australia.”
“ THIS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY MEANS WE CAN GUARANTEE OUR PRODUCTS WILL LAST AND FUNCTION AS INTENDED FOR MANY YEARS.”
As environmental issues become decisive, Alumil is again at the forefront.“ Our efforts to raise awareness of energy efficiency issues have made Australian consumers far more receptive to the need for advanced technology in window systems,” Eren says.“ Taking a comprehensive approach to efficiency is vital. Installing low-E glass is important, for example, but it works best in tandem with measures such as our thermally broken and doubleglazed window profiles.”
Keenly conscious of the importance of exchanging knowledge, Alumil Oceania has benefited immeasurably from AWA membership.“ Joining the AWA was one of our very first moves,” says Eren.“ We signed off on the business plan with our overseas partners, agreed on a business name, and registered with the AWA... all in the same week.”
The partnership between Alumil Oceania and the AWA has grown into a highly productive one.“ We greatly appreciate everything the AWA has done,” Eren says.“ We’ re closely aligned with their way of thinking, and strongly believe that all of us in the industry should work closely together.”
Alumil Oceania’ s dedication to the local industry, coupled with a wholehearted commitment to implementing new technologies, are invaluable assets in the rapidly evolving Australian marketplace.
01 Eren Kanli, Business Development Manager( left) and Dimos Paspaltzis, National Sales Manager( right) in the Alumil Oceania showroom.
WINDOWS MAGAZINE 23