After more than 20 years, another important sun protection award goes to Zevenbergen 

Celebratory presentation of Z&R Product Of The Year Award 2024

That day, at the headquarters of ROMA Benelux in Zevenbergen, Brabant, they had no idea what was about to happen to them. And that, of course, made the surprise all the greater and all the more fun. Of course, Toon and Danny van Osta and marketing manager Claudia Emmerich knew that Z&R project manager Erik Imming would be visiting them. After all, the appointment had been made. Immediately upon his arrival, Erik 'conjured up' the beautiful Z&R Product Of The Year Award 2024. And a big bunch of flowers. Yep: ROMA Benelux wins the grand prize with the innovative zipSCREEN.2 with Mini Guide. "This makes me absolutely thrilled!" says Toon immediately. "We had to work hard for this innovation. Our contribution to the final result is great. The pride prevails!"

Toon and Danny immediately count back, because once before - in 2003 to be exact - they also won the prestigious Z&R Award. "So it was about time again," jokes father and son Van Osta, who can't take their eyes off the beautiful work of art that is immediately given a permanent place in the showroom.

A minimalist solution that also appeals to architects

"I really dare to say here that this innovative zipSCREEN.2 with Mini guide complements our extensive range. Indeed, our mission in the field of window blinds is to offer a complete range for both standard and special solutions. With this innovation, we have an additional solution complementary to the traditional guide we can offer our partners (see box accompanying this article for the product description, ed.)." "Moreover, by winning this award we see that we are on the right track AND it is additionally an extra motivation to keep telling our story to architects, among others. After all, that's where we want to bring and keep the zipSCREEN.2 with Mini conductor to their attention as well."

The two believe that architects in the Netherlands should actually "take into account" the integration of shading systems earlier in the design process. "Now it is still too often seen as a by-product. But this is no longer the case: sunprotection should be part of a total concept. From highly functional (shading!) to achieving sustainability ambitions, for example. 

Origin of the zipSCREEN

Innovative and wind-resistant awnings at Roma Benelux

Danny explains how the new zipSCREEN with Mini guide came about at Roma Benelux. We were looking for a minimalist awning for sliding doors and glass surfaces without frame posts, but existing steel wire guides did not meet our needs. The wind resistance was too low and led to damage. So we developed the zipSCREEN.2 with Mini guide, which combines the aesthetic advantage of steel wire with the practical advantage of a zipper, keeping the fabric well secured at the sides. 

"Toon explains that the innovation started with a sketch on an A4 sheet, submitted to the parent company in Germany. Despite the differences between the Dutch and German markets, their persuasiveness and expertise allowed the development process to begin. Besides a practical solution, the final product also had to be aesthetically pleasing, and it succeeded. Both the team and the market are very satisfied. The zipSCREEN.2 with Mini guide was launched at Polyclose early this year and immediately received enthusiastic and appreciative responses."

Prior to the award ceremony in Zevenbergen, a nomination round took place (see the previous edition of trade magazine Z&R). The two other nominees for the Z&R Product Of The Year Award 2024 were the company Harol with the Coolscreen and Unilux with the improved (and quieter) Plisséfit screen door. The jury consisted of Geert Janssen, Ton Reijnders and Jerry Helmers. The coordination around the annual Award ceremony was in the hands of project manager Erik Imming.

The zipSCREEN.2 with Mini Guide.

The winning product: 

The ROMA - zipSCREEN.2 with Mini conductor

ROMA offers with the zipSCREEN.2 Mini guide a sophisticated shading solution suitable for large window areas up to 12m² with a max of 3500 mm x 3500 mm. This solution is characterized by a minimalist appearance and nevertheless remains wind stable. Due to the very slim mini-guide, facades can now be subtly fitted with a screen without prominent guide rails disturbing the aesthetics. The zipSCREEN.2 with Mini guide has a visible width of just 8 mm.

This mini guide can be used when it is not possible to attach traditional guides along their full length. This is the case, for example, with sliding doors, glass surfaces with very narrow or no frame posts and all-glass corners with the one angle smaller or larger than 90 degrees. This makes the Mini Guide ideal for use in a row arrangement on the facade. 

The system is attached on each side, at the top with a cabinet attachment and at the bottom with an L corner. It can be further combined with narrow 24 x 62 mm slides including aluminum drop-out profile of 25 x 10 mm. Last but not least, the zipSCREEN.2 withstands a maximum wind force of up to 62 km/h.