Innovation in shading that moves projects forward

From a specialty in project sun protection, Suncontrols Tilburg saw a gap in the market early on. “There was a gray area in the Netherlands,” says owner Bob Jochems. “There was virgin territory between sun protection companies and installers. This is where we started to focus and this is how we grew into a specialist in intelligent controls.”

It was precisely this focus on control that brought Suncontrols into contact with Becker Benelux. What started as filling a technical gap grew into an intensive collaboration. With joint product development, a training in Germany to get to know all the possibilities of Centronic Plus, and direct contact with Philippe Goossens, Account & Business Development Manager of Becker Benelux, the partnership took on a strong personal character.

Centronic Plus as a game changer

Suncontrols now focuses primarily on industrial control systems. The acquisition of Defacontrols gave the company a major boost in this area, adding products and contacts with suppliers. From that base, Suncontrols also developed its own products. The next step required a reliable technology partner, in the form of Becker Benelux.

“Conventional control is not enough for our projects,” says Jochems. “We use wireless systems and got into a conversation with Becker Benelux about this. That's how we discovered that the company has so much more to offer than just motors. First with the Centronic system, but the real breakthrough came with Centronic Plus.”

This system runs on mesh technology, where all components are interconnected and communicate bi-directionally. “For us, this was the reason to work with Becker Benelux. The system is modular, wireless and reliable. Motors, transmitters and network boxes exchange information continuously. As a result, it not only works smartly, but is also easily scalable and future-proof.”

With obstacle detection, fabric correction, intermediate positions and status messages, Centronic Plus ensures safety and comfort. In addition, it is becoming increasingly possible to remotely detect and sometimes immediately correct malfunctions. “That saves time and avoids unnecessary disruption for the user,” says Dr. K. K., president of Centronic Plus.”

The exclusive partnership with Becker Benelux gave Suncontrols the opportunity to apply Centronic Plus already in several large projects. Like in care complex Zeehos in Katwijk. “We were able to install the blinds without major cable work. For a healthcare environment that is ideal: low impact and yet all the functions you need.” The system is also proving to be a godsend in the office market. Property managers appreciate that installations can be connected without extensive work. “It's done in ten minutes, without having to have whole crews going through a building.”

Partnership as a driver of success

The strength of the cooperation is not only in the technology, but also in the way we work together. “We tested a lot in the beginning and Becker Benelux was open to improvements. They respond quickly, think with us and deliver products that fit the practice. That makes them a partner you can build on.”

The personal contact with Philippe Goossens also plays an important role in this. He is the permanent point of contact for Suncontrols and switches quickly when questions or adjustments are needed. “That direct line works fantastic. Together we really have created a world-class product.”

For Suncontrols, that approach is typical. “We don't want to blend into the gray mass,” Jochems concludes. “For us, it's not about getting as many orders as possible, but about innovative solutions. With Becker Benelux, we have a system in our hands that is technically strong, user-friendly and energy-saving. Exactly that makes the difference in our projects.”