Outdoor Shading Category: The 2026 Z&R Award Goes to CORNELS for Its Innovative Modular Patio Covering

“To be completely honest… I did feel that we had a serious chance of winning the 2026 Z&R Award in the outdoor sun protection category,” said entrepreneur Cornelis Nieuwenhuis of CORNELS, based in Nieuw-Vennep, at the awards ceremony. “But now that the award is actually on display in our showroom, every time we look at it, it feels like a real confirmation that we’re on the right track with our innovations. And to be honest: it took us quite a few years to reach this level.”

The ‘POLLUX CORNELS® Elite Series’—the winning product—is a high-quality, modular patio cover designed for exclusive outdoor living. Every component fits together perfectly. Thanks to a corrosion-resistant coating, integrated water drainage through the slats, separate cable routing, and Somfy IO control via app or remote control, the series offers comfort, durability, and versatility.“”We’re a young manufacturer,“ says Cornelis, who is just 32 years old. ”It’s great that we’re getting noticed. And this is truly a product that was developed based on extensive feedback from the market. We haven’t heard any complaints, problems, or questions about installation. In fact, we’ve received nothing but positive feedback from our dealers. Well, that’s how you know the product is good!“  Still, Cornelis also says that ”a product is never finished.“ Continued development is and remains a must. ”In any case, the foundation has been laid well. It won’t change that quickly now.”

Team effort

Cornelis also emphasizes that it has been an incredible team effort over the past few years. “Of course, I’d like to mention my colleagues Dennis Griffioen, Jarle van de Water, and Linda van der Leer. “From the technological input and research to carefully considering how we shape our marketing… in the end, we do it all together. The Award, which we’re truly very proud of, is therefore for all of us. The outlook is also good. Production takes place in Turkey, which allows us to compete effectively with European market leaders. Personally, I spend about a week every month in the Istanbul area—where our factory is located—and there, too, I see plenty of passion and enthusiasm for striving for the highest quality. And I can tell you one thing: our Turkish colleagues are also incredibly proud of winning this award.”

Erik Imming—project manager of the Z&R trade platform at Louwers Mediagroep—presented the award in the showroom in Nieuw-Vennep. “We received many entries from the market this year for this edition of the Z&R Award. So CORNELS faced quite a bit of competition in that regard. But the jury was clear: in the outdoor sun protection category, the ‘POLLUX CORNELS® Elite Series’ stood out.”