Accelerated diversification in the doors and automation sector
Companies in the doors and automation sector are diversifying to find new business opportunities in an effort to speed up their recovery following the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Representatives from FIMPA, AEPA and AENOR reveal the new path forward for the sector and the effect it will have on the market.
Diversification is always advisable for businesses so that they can protect themselves from the uncertainties they face in the markets where they operate, notes Juan Ramírez, Chairman of FIMPA (Federación de Instaladores, Mantenedores de Puertas y Automatismos—Federation of installers and maintenance personnel for doors and automation). “The sector has already taken part in this dynamic to overcome the 2008 crisis, and now, with the situation that has arisen due to COVID-19, companies are once again spreading initiatives to diversify their business activity, entering sectors where they believe new opportunities await.”
Thus, Ramírez confirms that “a significant number of actors have increased their activity in sectors such as industrial, commercial and garage doors; automatic pedestrian doors and even firebreaks—offering 360-degree solutions in terms of both products and services.”
Access control and the IoT
Juan Carlos Erauso, Chairman of AEPA (Asociación Empresarial de Puertas Manuales y Automáticas—Business association for manual and automatic doors), recalls that “for several years the sector has been diversifying towards access control, implementing parking systems and specialising in home automation. Now we’re in the midst of a massive expansion with networking thanks to the Internet of Things.” With this “we can foresee almost unlimited technological advancement and a world of possibilities opens up; integrating access management and control allows data to flow bidirectionally.”
Finally, Miguel Blanco Rodríguez, Technician in Development Certification at AENOR and Secretary on the Technical committee for 085 certification (Installation and maintenance services for industrial, commercial and garage doors; gates; automatic pedestrian doors and firebreaks), affirms that, after two very complicated years, the sector has maintained and expanded its offering. “New providers are emerging and some manufacturers are betting on manufacturing returning to the EU.” European manufacturers are leaders in this field in terms of innovation, design, solutions, regulations and technology.
What's more, Blanco points out that information technologies aren’t a foreign concept to this sector, “which has integrated them with high service levels.” And he mentions that “we shouldn’t forget installation and maintenance services, which, in the hands of companies in the manufacturing, distribution and independent fields, contribute to providing an updated offering.”
Effects on the market
The enhanced offering in terms of residential, industrial, commercial, firebreak and pedestrian doors; automation; control systems; components and fittings will have a significant impact on the market. For Juan Carlos Erauso (AEPA), this enhanced offering is a natural effect of a mature market, as is the case here. “From a consumer or end user point of view, this is very good news given that they will have a greater offering; and more competition means better products and prices.”
Regarding companies, “This enhancement forces us to become more and more specialised, as well as to constantly seek out ways to differentiate ourselves and provide added value. We have to be excellent throughout the value chain and be more competitive because the customer is constantly making comparisons and evaluations.”
Juan Ramírez (FIMPA) explains that “companies which diversify and cover a wider range of products and/or services face greater difficulties when managing things in order to not lose efficiency, with the latter not always being achieved.” While the market, in turn, sees “a greatly improved offering and competitiveness, enriching the dynamics of the sector itself.”
According to Miguel Blanco (AENOR), this new and improved offering of products and services “will contribute to a new aesthetic and range of functions in terms of constructing new buildings, homes and businesses.” What’s more, the technology that’s applied “will affect the performance, reliability, safety and profitability of facilities.” Ultimately, all of this will also have an impact on “the building renovation business, the industrial sector and private housing.”