SunCircle introduces: A franchise concept in addition to the dealer network

SunCircle has been manufacturing awnings since 1990 and has worked intensively with their dealer network for many years. Due to a confluence of circumstances, the company now has the opportunity to set up a franchise concept alongside that network of over 170 dealers. The acquired branch in Nieuwegein is a first pilot, says marketing coordinator Christie Koudijs.

SunCircle produces five different products: screens, drop-down screens, articulated awnings, pergola awnings and shutters. "We are developing the existing and new products on a daily basis," Koudijs explains. "The needs of our dealers are very important in this. When we talk about mounting our products, for example, we look together at how it can be easily mounted." 

Development and production is done at SunCircle at the same location. "This makes it very easy for the colleagues from development to watch the production process. The moment something goes wrong somewhere or we discover a defect, adjusting the product is very easy. You just get a colleague there, instead of having to send the product to another location. It sounds simple now, but it's still a challenging process. We think carefully about the design, and of course we have to test everything properly." 

In recent years, SunCircle has built a large dealer network in the Netherlands. "You can only build such a close network with close contact, which means that we also know very well what is going on at our dealers. We increasingly heard that dealers were struggling with succession. They themselves are often slowly approaching retirement age, but there is no one yet to take over the business." 

Koudijs explains that this was a trigger for the company. "As a manufacturer, we want to get our products into as many regions as possible. Starting franchise stores plays an important role in this. A SunCircle dealer from Nieuwegein was at that time on the verge of wanting to quit the store. At the same time, we were just figuring out the franchise concept. The perfect confluence of circumstances!"

Christie Koudijs sees the franchise concept as an addition to the dealer network. "It is an opportunity for us to fill the blind spots in the Netherlands, to further strengthen our position as a brand. In addition, this way we ensure that stores do not cease to exist. As a retiring dealer, it is a nice thought that the business you have built will be continued. We now have a temporary manager in Nieuwegein, but we are already in talks with an official first franchisee who wants to take over this business in due course." 

"In this pilot phase, we are working on three sites. We have our hands full with that right now. We want to take our time for this learning process and the further development of the concept. We expect to take the next steps by the middle of 2024. For now, the goal is to establish a good foundation on which entrepreneurs can build in the future."