Achieving more together, worldwide
Hawa Sliding Solutions AG: Merger creating the global technology and market leader for sliding solutions in rooms and furnishings
The merger of the two sister companies Hawa AG and EKU AG at the beginning of the year created a powerful global technology and market leader for sliding solutions in rooms and furnishings with a considerable amount of application diversity. The two internationally active companies will be utilizing synergy effects under the name of Hawa Sliding Solutions AG in the future, under joint management. The two Swiss locations of Mettmenstetten and Sirnach will be retained. The Hawa and EKU brands will also continue to be used as product name brands. As the current figures show, the merger that was announced in April of last year is taking place against the background of sound financial development of two rock-solid companies. The consolidated group sales achieved by the 238 employees in 2016 increased by 4% compared to the previous year to 70.6 million CHF. A two-digit increase in North America made an important contribution to this. The trend in Europe continued to be stagnating.
Hawa AG has been developing and producing sliding solutions for creative building culture for more than 50 years. It is known as the world’s leading premium provider of sliding fittings in the areas of furnishings, room partitioning, shop fronts and facades. EKU AG has been operating in the sliding fitting market since 1992. It has made a name for itself with innovative solutions in interior design and furniture manufacture. The company focuses on fittings for sliding doors made from glass and wood for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, offices and bathrooms. Hawa Sliding Solutions now brings the recognized expertise of these two companies together, and will be the new, international specialist with inspiring sliding solutions on buildings, in buildings and on furniture in the future. This product range width and depth will sustain the international growth of the Swiss provider of premium sliding door solutions over the long term, and consolidate its role as a pulse generator and trendsetter for innovative and superior solutions for architects, designers, fabricators and trade partners. The company management remains in the reliable hands of Gregor and Heinz Haab, the sons of the company founder. They will be assisted in managing the company by directors from the two former sister companies.
Achieving more together with the customer
The objective is to achieve full integration of the two companies and the brands by the end of 2018, resulting in a harmonious transition for everyone involved, including employees and customers. “The goal is to significantly increase our innovative force with the implemented synergy effects and provide customers with an even more comprehensive range of sliding solutions”, says CEO Gregor Haab. Heinz Haab adds: “If we wish to achieve more together, we always think about our partners in trade, industry and about cabinet makers/joiners, interior designers and architects. Our prime objective is to enhance their benefits. We make them successful with inspiring solutions, and in future they will receive all of their products from a single source, which will certainly make many things simpler.”
Investment in international growth
Hawa Sliding Solutions is going to develop its role as a global player in the long term. A wide range of growth initiatives have been started within the company for this purpose, including the development of sales on the North American market and expansion of the company’s market presence in Asia. The opening of a new branch with a showroom in Singapore in May marks the beginning of these market activities in Asia. The company already has branches in the USA, Dubai and Doha.
Hawa Student Award 2017
Hawa Sliding Solutions is continuing the good tradition of Hawa, and is presenting a Student Award to architecture students for the fourth time. “More than a roof over your head” is this year’s topic. It is about creating emergency living space for about 200 people on a fictitious construction site in Zurich. 39 teams and several individual participants have submitted entries. This year’s winners are architecture students from Berlin, Stuttgart and Hanover. The award ceremony took place on March 9, 2017 in Zurich.
Interzum, the world’s leading trade fair: Powerful presence
Hawa Sliding Solutions will be making it possible to experience the new company concept and the benefits to partners and customers at the world’s leading trade fair in Cologne from 16th to 19th May 2017 on booth C-038 in hall 7.1. Among other things, the HAWA-Concepta innovations and the successful EKU-Frontino with optimized running gear will be appearing on the booth. Specialist visitors will be able to obtain ideas and suggestions for clever sliding solutions on furniture and buildings in four inspiration zones. The trade fair team will also be available for providing advice and answering questions.