INDEPENDENT LIVING Lee Rowland
Schlüter-Systems
Matt Broughton spoke to Lee Rowland, Head of Sales at Schlüter-Systems Ltd.
I
t’s fair to say 2024 has been a busy year for Schlüter-Systems, as described by Head of Sales, Lee Rowland: “It feels like we say this every year, but 2024 has been jam packed! We’ve had an incredibly busy year. There are always going to be the usual events and happenings that take place, but this year we’ve added to the mix with the expansion of our training programme and the opening of new office and training space at our existing site in Coalville, Leicestershire.”
After a four-year development programme, the company’s new facilities include a new showroom where products are showcased, the expansion of its training facilities and additional administrative support offices. “With the expansion, we set out some big training targets to increase our capacity and support to the industry,” says Lee. “Our educational focus is underpinned by our ethos “Our products cannot be sold; they must be understood”. We aim to equip installers, contractors and sub-contractors with the know-how to install our products. This year, our capacity to train has increased, allowing us to accommodate 50 people or more, twice a week. By the end of the year, we are set to celebrate our biggest achievement in terms of number of people through the door. “The previous couple of years we have also been focusing on a new target market and we are continuing to see steady growth in the
bathroom sector, with the onboarding of new clients and the training of fixers and installers with our new facility. “
2024 key products
“Over the past couple of years, we’ve introduced Peel & Stick technology to some of our most popular products, first launching DITRA-HEAT Peel & Stick, our electric underfloor heating membrane back in 2022,” says Lee. “This year, our uncoupling membrane, Schlüter-DITRA, has seen the launch of a Peel & Stick version. “Peel & Stick technology simplifies installation, with no tiling adhesive needed to install. This also makes the installation process cleaner and quicker too, saving time on mixing, spreading and waiting for the adhesive to dry. The introduction of Peel & Stick also makes installation more accessible for tricky substrates such as green P5 chipboard, a traditionally difficult substrate to work with. We’ve also introduced Peel & Stick to our water-fed underfloor heating screed panels, BEKOTEC-THERM this year. Not only have we made installation clean, quick and simple for uncoupling, but also for underfloor heating. “ I ask Lee if there have been any customer demands that have surprised the company over the last 12 months? “What’s not a surprise is seeing the ongoing hunger for sustainable products and systems, which we see in all areas of our markets, from large projects specified by architects in London, down to self builds where
clients take the challenge of being sustainable very seriously.
“In terms of trends, what we have seen is even greater demand for some of our more decorative products, for examples tile profiles and drain grates. Rustic colours like coppers and golds are very popular, and even matte black and white have increased in demand. This is largely being led by trends in tile ranges, as the availability of different colours for our decorative products like profiles, drain grates and shelves mean that they can either contrast or compliment the tile. “We continue to innovate and streamline our existing product range, as we have demonstrated with the introduction of Peel & Stick, so there will be some of that coming up, otherwise, watch this space...”
And as for plans for 2025… “We are continuing to invest in all areas of the business at Schlüter-Systems,” explains Lee. “Whether that’s our facilities, specification market or indeed our bathroom and retail distribution markets. This will be ongoing for 2025 and beyond.
“We do have some new ideas where perhaps we can bring our training and education to the market to make it more accessible for all our customers. After all, we take education very seriously! We want to make sure that everyone who wants to access our training can, and equip installers, retailers and specifiers with the right knowledge and understanding for beautiful and longer lasting tile and stone installations.”
38 BKU NOVEMBER 2024
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