Specialist in blinds and shutters bets on Dutch market

Originally French but now a well-known player in the Benelux, Soprofen has grown strongly in recent years. With roller shutters, sun blinds and garage doors, they have a complementary and innovative range for the professional market. "We want to put our quality and sense of innovation stronger in the Dutch market as well in the coming years," says Bertje Lecluyse, commercial manager for the Benelux. "The first signals already sound positive. There is definitely interest and potential."

Soprofen was founded in 1984 in France by Tryba. They needed a factory that made and exported profiles for windows and doors. Thus was born the société profilage fenêtre, Soprofen for short. "Soon, the development and production of roller shutters, garage doors and, later, sun blinds were added," Bertje explains. "Meanwhile, the window and door profiles are only a by-product anymore. Within our three major product groups, we continue to push product development and innovation every day. In recent years, by the way, this has gained momentum, in the bosom of the French group Bouyer Leroux."

France's largest brickmaker acquired Soprofen about five years ago. They already had two large factories for roller shutters and with this acquisition are putting themselves strongly in the renovation market. In addition, Bouyer Leroux is a specialist in industrial solutions and renewable energy. This expertise also drives Soprofen further in their R&D.

Bouyer Leroux is a SCOOP, a cooperative company. It therefore has no shareholders and does not distribute profits. That means that the money stays in the company to the maximum which gives a lot of room to invest, including in modern production facilities and in R&D. Bertje: "In recent years, for example, we have completely renewed our range, in every product group. Typical are our developments with which we always go a step further than our competitors. Just think of our Goodnight roller shutter, the most darkening on the market, and our Screenamax, which protects larger window sections from the sun with finer guides and a smaller casing than any other brand."

Soprofen is known as a pioneer - they also co-founded solar-powered roller shutters and screens, among other things - and this has to do with their R&D approach. At the start of a product innovation, the manufacturer conducts a thorough market survey, questioning both professional customers and private end customers. "Their needs are often completely different," Bertje knows. "For example, the end customer mainly wants aesthetics, while the installer focuses more on quality and easy installation. The trick is to match those two interests. That sometimes results in completely new products, with which we make a difference. By the way, we produce all roller shutters and screens for the Benelux market in Belgium."

Exactly this sense of innovation, together with strong service, makes Soprofen a sought-after partner for the Dutch market as well. Helping with the start-up of a construction site, developing customized products with professional customers or measuring and installing gates for their partners: no effort is too much. "Traditionally, we build long-term relationships, our service is a determining factor in that. In the coming years, more than ever, we want to prove this in the Netherlands as well," concludes the commercial manager.