Serge Ferrari is looking for partnership in awnings

At Serge Ferrari, development and innovation are key. "We are always looking for environmentally friendly opportunities," says Bartosz Krefft, Solar Protection Market Manager Benelux, CEE, Nordics, UK and Ireland at the company. In 2024, Serge Ferrari will focus even more on working with recycled materials. In addition, efforts will be made to raise awareness of the Soltis brand.

"Actually, our customers are already ahead of us," says Krefft. "Often they know Soltis better than Serge Ferrari. However, we want the end customer to associate the brand directly with sun protection as well." The website mysoltis.com contributes to this. Here individuals and business customers can find information and inspiration. "Via the configurator, they can then put together their own product. For pergolas, awnings, blinds, vertical blinds or Japanese panels, they can find the right sun protection fabric. Finally, we then refer them to a Serge Ferrari partner for a quote."

In 2023, Serge Ferrari started rolling out the Premium Partner program and is going full steam ahead with it this year. "In Germany the first members have signed up, in the Benelux we are really focusing on the Dutch speaking part and we are now gauging whether companies are interested. The first signs are good!" Joining the program is attractive for several reasons, according to Krefft. "We enter into a close partnership with these companies. We offer even more advice, to find the right type of cloth for each situation, and will train installers. In addition, we will put the various Premium Partners in contact with each other to exchange information and thus help their companies move forward." Participants in the program will also be provided with a display to use the Soltis configurator in the showroom. 

First-generation products made from recycled materials

In its operations, Serge Ferrari strives to achieve the lowest possible carbon footprint. "We are looking for solutions to extract fewer raw materials from the earth," Krefft explains. "An example of this is our Loop product group, the first generation of products made from recycled materials. These 100% recycled polyester yarns are spun by ourselves in Switzerland. In the future, we want to use recycled yarns for all products!" Of course, in anticipation of these novelties, Serge Ferrari already offers an extensive range of awning products. 

"Our Soltis 86 and 92 cloths have been around for many years. They are manufactured using the patented Précontraint® technology, which we apply during the coating process. We are the only ones who can apply this précontraint. This makes the cloth more stable than most other cloths, as well as thinner and more durable. This stability gives many advantages in application: the cloth is nice and taut and lasts longer." 

Another of the company's orderers is Soltis Proof W88. "This fabric is thin, yet 100% wind and waterproof. It allows you to filter the sun in a pleasant way. W88 is suitable for outdoor structures, such as pergolas, zippered retractable canopies or sun sails. It is also widely used by the hospitality industry. Finally, we should also mention the Soltis Veozip. This fabric incorporates hemp thread. It therefore has a mat and textile appearance. Furthermore, it is distinguished by its transparency and the thermal comfort it offers. In addition, Veozip has unparalleled transparency and optimal thermal properties." 

Getting to know the products of Serge Ferrari (and partners) can be done again this year during the Soltis Tour. "In 2023, this was a great success. Therefore, between August and December, we are touring Europe again, this time with two trucks. This way we want to get as close as possible to our customers and our customers' customers."