With 25 years’ service with VELUX tucked under his belt, Northern Ireland Area Sales Manager, John Rainey, has unique insight into how this household name has stayed true to its main goal while pushing forward with product development and innovation.
John began his career with the roof window specialist as a Service Engineer. Spending five years in this hands-on role means that what John doesn’t know about VELUX products isn’t worth knowing. This in-depth level of product knowledge has been of great value in his later Sales role with the company. “I know these products inside out,” admits John. “I know exactly which VELUX product suits a certain application and I can advise a customer on what would work best – also, what will not work. I think customers really respect this knowledge base because they know they will end up with the correct product.”
John is part of the VELUX Irish Sales team, which as a group amounts to 100 years of experience gained in the product range. “That’s a lot of knowledge to tap into,” he says.
The team members are regularly on the road, meeting customers and installers on site. “We’re here to offer advice and also to encourage our trade customers to take part in our free online training courses.”
Milestone
VELUX recently celebrated a milestone 80th anniversary. A period of time that has witnessed the company’s expansion into 40 countries and employment of over 11,500 staff members worldwide. While the technology and materials now available may have changed beyond imagination since its foundation years, the company ethos has not. ‘Bringing light to life’ is the mantra and it’s the message that still drives the organisation forward.
“Technology evolves, but the same principles are still there,” says John. “Our products are designed to help create a healthy indoor climate; that’s really what VELUX is all about. The focus is on delivering daylight and fresh air to provide a comfortable indoor experience.”
The VELUX product range includes roof windows, modular skylights, flat roof windows, sun tunnels, blinds and shutters along with flashings, glazing and installation products that can be integrated with the VELUX ACTIVE and VELUX App Control smart home solutions.
“We have three main roof window finishes: white painted pine, clear lacquered pine and white polyurethane all available in a choice of double or triple glazing depending on the thermal insulation value required. We also provide a wide range of flashings.”
VELUX INTEGRA® electric- and solar-powered roof windows come standard with remote control and rain sensors. However, the VELUX ACTIVE home control option takes automation to a whole other level. John explains, “By downloading the VELUX ACTIVE app to your smartphone you can effortlessly control your roof windows or blinds to open or close from the comfort of your sofa or when you’re away on holiday.
“It’s very advanced. You can also set your ideal internal temperature or humidity level settings for the whole home. When levels exceed that setting, roof windows and blinds will automatically open and close to maintain your ideal indoor climate.”
VELUX provide online tools on their website such as roof window and replacement configurators, as well as the Daylight Calculator. “The customer can input what size their room is and if there’s any existing glazing present, and the Daylight Calculator outputs what size and combination of roof windows they’ll need, to achieve recommended daylight levels” John explains.
The company is continually updating its service and product offering. “I remember the day I joined VELUX,” says John. “At the start there was just the humble roof window – now we have VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows, 3-in-1 roof windows, smart home technology and who knows what the future will deliver.
“Ultimately though, our main reason for being remains, to bring light to life.”
Sustainability
Last year, VELUX launched its Sustainability Strategy 2030 – a decade of action to transform the way they do business and the products and solutions they bring to market. Their commitment is to become Lifetime Carbon Neutral by 2041 – the VELUX Group’s 100th anniversary. That means taking responsibility for both their past and future carbon emissions.
T: (+44) 1592 778225
E: sales@velux.co.uk
www.velux.co.uk
