'Sustainability must be done!'

SUYS has an eye for the (green) future

If there is one company in the awning and roller shutter business that is in full swing, it is SUYS! Not only did it just celebrate its 50th anniversary, but it has had a name change and there is no turning back: SUYS is now SUYS! And that means that its gaze is once again fully focused on the future, a future that should be as green and sustainable as possible, believes director Thibaut Suys. 

Of course, what helps a company like SUYS is that their products serve sustainability. Screens and shutters help prevent heating and cooling, reducing the need for cooling and heating energy. But SUYS wants to do more emphasizes Thibaut Suys, because, "Sustainability has to be done!"

What 'green' initiatives does SUYS have
already taken?

"In the past, we have discussed in Z&R measures we have taken to be more energy conscious. For example, we have almost halved our gas consumption. Furthermore, we have had some 4,500 solar panels installed on the roofs of our company since 2009, so we were there early on. As a result, we now generate a significant portion of the electricity we use ourselves." 

Is there anything you are particularly proud of?

"That's 'Made in Belgium'! We produce our cabinets and slats ourselves, here in Nokere. And also when purchasing our raw materials, we strive to keep this as close as possible. Of course, not everything is possible close by, but short chains are important to us because this keeps transport costs and thus CO2 emissions low."

Are you noticing that your dealers and end users are starting to think it is more important that you as a manufacturer pay close attention to issues such as the environment, reuse and recycling?

"Sustainability is a global theme that, especially for the end customer, has become essential. Everyone consequently pulls the sustainability card and often companies bring a nice story around that. But 'being sustainable' you as a company also just have to live up to that, it can't just be a storyline in your marketing."

A personal question. You yourself have a young family. Does that increase your motivation to pay attention to sustainability?

"As a parent, you obviously always want the best for your children, for their future. Consciously and subconsciously, this is certainly a motivating factor. But it is mainly the ingrained idea of not wanting to waste anything and to produce efficiently and carefully, common sense really. So much is communicated about sustainable business practices that it seems to have become a new norm only in recent years. At SUYS we have always approached things with that approach, sustainability is something you just have to do."