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INTERVIEW
An Industry Profile Interview conducted by INTERIORS MAGAZINE with Bob Griffiths CEO of Shutter Motion and Inventor of the patented 'Louver Mover'
Q - IM:
Please provide a detail account
of your own and your Company's industry involvement?
Bob Griffiths: Design & Development Director, responsible for the original design and implementation of the world’s first front loading geared operating system for operable shutters & Louvers. This one product from which all of our core products derived took 2½ years to develop and patent protect. We then went on to design proprietary framing systems, automation and thermal efficient shading systems. Our business venture started as a real adventure in developing an exotic resort project in the Pacific which featured Plantation Shutters as one of the key architectural elements of the eco development.
After finalizing the specifications we went to the market in search of the Ultimate Shutter! Well it wasn't to be.... no one was prepared to innovate. The stick, the staples, the dowels ...that was the way it was and the way it was going to be!
We set about to change a century old mindset of Louver
control producing the first model in 2001and launching in 2002. We have
quickly established our business credentials in
The business grew at a fast pace and soon formed operating subsidiaries to define the functions of proprietary ownership/management, manufacturing and marketing.
Shutter Motion is exporting both componentry
and framing systems to resellers and licensees and is soon to launch an
agency operation in the
On the home front Shutter Motion are actively seeking
more licensees in
Budget Shutters was established as a licensee within the reselling system and has quickly become recognized not only by the product they represent but also by their fast supply service and continues to gain market share.
Our group of Companies include the following operating entities:
- Millennium Balustrades
Commercial Manufacturer and Contractor of Railing Systems
- Aeroguard Fly Screens
Marketing arm within the group selling rollaway insect screens
- Louvers R Us
Marketing arm within the group promoting the unique Clear Alternative
Glass Louver
- Shutters R Us
Manufacturing division of the Shutter Motion range of products
- Budget Shutters
Retail home sales division marketing under license a select range
of group products
- Shutter Motion (US)
Facilitating entity of Louver Mate USA wholesale sales
Q - IM:
From your observation what is
the direction external window treatments are moving in at the moment?
Bob Griffiths:
We attend the Window Fashion Exhibition held in
Q - IM:
And design wise what's happening?
Bob Griffiths: By design, Architects have many choices available to them. I believe external window treatments have become an integral part of façade treatment as a creative and affordable way (compared to many structural adaptations) of forming relief and interest on the building.
There is of course extraneous influences in window treatment such as local council town planning, and government SEPP policies and land & environment rulings in an attempt to satisfy privacy issues, and urban design criteria and the like brought about by higher density development and energy conservation concerns.
The direction for external window treatments will revert to practicality and not merely as façade treatment. For example, operable shutter fixed blade Louvers, set on a pre determined angle to account for solar or privacy intrusion.
Window treatments fall into two purpose design criteria -External and Internal
External for Visual appeal & practicality vertically mounted to the façade (Façade screening) or horizontally mounted (Awning, overhead screening).
Often the Architect is required to address only the facades visual enhancement, as both sun control and neighbour privacy are not an issue. This may be accomplished by either option mentioned above. The options allow for perhaps bolder profiles, relief within the framing type, colour or choice of screen material.
If considering budget, there are ways of achieving the statement by setting fixed screens, or perhaps plantation shutter blade profiles at double spacing.
If internal energy conservation of the dwelling is of concern, then the choice must be to install external screen. Our own Aluminium Shutter Blade Profiles offer 73% co-efficiency. (Glazed windows actually magnify the heat transmission entering a building and it therefore makes sense to stop it before.
Internal Shutters in
Soft window furnishings have met up with a cycle change after many years.
Hard furnishing have come into vogue much the same as other décor elements have taken over from old favourites. For example wall paper was a given in nearly all residences once. Now gyprock or set render is the preferred medium.
There are many practical reasons for Shutters being included in designing the interior décor on a house, office or restaurant but mostly the designed “look” is foremost in designers mind. Drapery is being replaced with clean look (mostly white) Plantation Shutters.
Q - IM:
What materials are being favoured by designers of outdoor shutters, How are awnings
and screens being accepted?
Bob Griffiths: Designers occasionally are calling for Western Red Cedar for exterior scope but, more so, due to warranty concerns we advise clients to consider Powder Coated Aluminium. Our warranties are extensive but do not cover timber mounted externally. As a disclosed compromised, we can offer clients the inclusion of WRC blades within an Aluminium Frame. This looks especially stunning and meets their expectations with acceptable warranties.
Aluminium Shutters can be powder coated a wide range of colours or anodised so there are very few restrictions on the Architect's design intent.
External Screens may be produced as vertical accented blades so that views are maintained whilst privacy of adjoining neighbours is also secure.
To ensure our strong position as a specified shutter choice we have developed an intruder proof high tensile secure shutter system which guarantees against aggressive impact of intruders attempting to enter a property. The shutter blades withstand a pressure of 8Kn force.
We use this system within the vertical and horizontal shutter blades to ensure no one can fall or force through the privacy screens. This is especially an advantage as a secondary balustrade is then not required as long as the shutter complies with the B.C.A.
Q - IM:
Are Glass Louvers becoming increasingly
popular?
Bob Griffiths: Glass Louvers have enjoyed a revival recently and I believe they will continue to grow as a practical and aesthetic choice of façade and internal room dividing element.
Our Louver division Louvers-R-Us has recently developed the first clear end cap retainer for clear glass Louvers (sounds logical). The Louvers are configured at 122 mm centres, therefore complying with the relevant building codes for child accessibility.
These glass Louvers as with all of our “Louver Mover” mechanized systems can be electronically automated or used manually.
Most of the range of products developed to date are interactive with each other ie: Glass Louvers can be integrated within our Millennium Balustrade, Cedar Shutter Blades and Glass Louvers can be incorporated within the same frame.
Q - IM:
Are Sliding screens a new design
trend. What finish do they come in?
Bob Griffiths: Sliding Screens are a recent design inclusion appearing about 2 years ago on new apartment buildings.
They are very practical in that there is a very little
room given up by the stacking track (a 4 track slider takes up more room
than a single).
Sliders offer apartment residents flexibility in shade during the days cycle and also offer privacy. (Strata Management caring
for privacy issues also are thankful for the
tidy balcony image a shutter can portray.)
Q - IM:
What colours
and finishes are being favoured?
Bob Griffiths: Aluminium finish choices are wide but if there is a particular blend I would say Anodised Matt Silver grey is very popular and some of the pearlescent powdercoat colours also..
Q - IM:
What is the most popular product?
Bob Griffiths: At the moment our most popular product for internal residential use is western red cedar painted Vanilla. The popular size is 90mm. (We do 45, 70, 90 & 115mm). As for external use our most popular product would be the Ellipi 115 and the colour choices have been Anodized and too many powdercoat colours to list.
Q - IM:
Do your products have any unique
features?
Bob Griffiths: Oh yes… unique features are our selling point of difference. Shutter Guard is a market first for guarranteeing against aggressive human impact.Our unique rollaway flyscreen which ensures that the blade does not interfere with the insect screen is yet another exclusive feature. When the mosies are gone, roll up the screen for a clear view. Automation is another added feature we pride ourselves on as being unique to the Louver Mover system.
Q - IM:
Do you have any tips for maintaining
the shutters?
Bob Griffiths: Yes we have developed a care and maintenance program for both Aluminiumand Cedar Shutters. Check out our link on the web.