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NEWS +VOX: Roto eyes 2026 growth after resilient, product-driven 2025 performance
As the European building products sector continues to weather subdued demand and heightened cost pressures, Roto’s Western Europe division has emerged from 2025 with a firm, if understated, sense of progress. In a year marked more by steady refinement than standout headlines, the window and door hardware specialist points to gains across product development, customer engagement and operational resilience, and looks ahead to 2026 with tempered confidence.
For a company navigating a market still grappling with post-pandemic construction slowdowns and rising input costs, progress has not come in leaps but in carefully measured steps. Speaking to team members across the business, one theme recurs: that in difficult times, even incremental improvement can be a source of competitive advantage.
Marketing manager Patrice Lurmonte reflects on the success of the division’s sliding and door hardware lines in 2025, with particular emphasis on the Inowa SKG projects and the Pegasus contra-espagnolette, tailored for PVC and timber doors. These innovations, he says, demonstrate Roto’s ability to blend technical expertise with real-world relevance. “Seeing the team’s hard work overcome obstacles and the positive reception from customers was incredibly rewarding,” he notes.
That alignment between engineering and commercial outcomes appears to have bolstered confidence within the business. Lurmonte is realistic about the road ahead but believes the groundwork laid this year leaves the product and marketing team well placed for what’s to come. “We will walk the extra mile to reach our objectives and enhance the customer experience,” he adds.
This sentiment is echoed by colleagues in sales and business development. Philippe Franckart highlights the addition of high-potential accounts via the Inowa range and anticipates stronger interest as new solutions are unveiled, including at the 2026 Fensterbau trade fair. “Exciting new projects like Penguin Flex & Comfort threshold will be shown,” he says, pointing to the next wave of innovation.
In the UK market, there were moments of strategic validation. Sales lead Dave Smith names the growth of Inowa solutions and a key door lock win with Smart Systems as significant achievements. “Patio Inowa is our product of the year,” he says, noting that while the sales cycle remains long, customer reception is strong. Fellow team member Alan Couper highlights a key milestone: the sale of one million Roto TSL units by distribution partner Carl F Groupco, calling it a marker of sustained customer trust.
Internally, product development remained a point of pride. The NX | C concealed hardware system — capable of supporting sash weights up to 120 kg without auxiliary parts — was widely cited as the product highlight of 2025. For sales representative Sercan Vural, the system stands out for “design, security, and easy installation”. Colleague Kees Visser, still relatively new to the company, singles out the Inowa sliding system as a source of personal enthusiasm after seeing it in action with customers.
Marketing efforts have also delivered signs of traction. Newsletter subscriptions and engagement have both increased, according to specialist Subana Akhmedova, while face-to-face events and client meetings helped solidify relationships. These touchpoints, she says, reinforce the brand’s credibility and visibility in a crowded market.
Beneath the surface, operational improvements have played a central role. Upgrades to the company’s digital ordering systems and continued investment in customer support hubs have helped maintain service quality and responsiveness, both vital in retaining customer loyalty amid uncertain market conditions.
People strategy has not been sidelined. Sylvie Hoste, head of HR, points to a renewed focus on succession planning and talent development, along with plans to digitalise training further in the year ahead.
Summing up the mood across the business, Western Europe general manager Chris Cauweberghs remains focused on long-term partnership and resilience. “Difficult times reveal our strengths,” he says. “And in 2026, I expect market improvements that will allow us to reap the rewards of our hard work.”
Why This Matters: This story highlights how Roto’s steady innovation, customer alignment and operational resilience offer a blueprint for navigating volatility in the European fenestration sector, where technical performance, service reliability and long-term partnerships are increasingly critical to sustained market relevance.
