Meet the Benelux sales team

Meet the six-strong sales team covering the Benelux region for Roto Western Europe. Roto More caught up with each team member to learn about their sales areas and their thoughts on working for Roto, starting with team leader Gerry Claassens.

Who are the distribution partners for Roto in Benelux?
We have nine different partner companies across the region. In no particular order they are Lecot, Van Langendonck, VBH, Meurer, Destil, Dozon, Voskamp, Polvo, Wijngo.

How important are these partnerships to Roto’s success?
Our partnerships with our distributors are very important for our success. They make sure that on a daily basis hundreds of window and door manufacturers in Benelux will receive their required Roto hardware on time and in full, so they can meet their own customers’ requirements.

In terms of the Roto services, how are they being used in Benelux? Which are most useful and why?
Our configurator Roto Con is the most used one on a daily basis. It helps customers get precise hardware specifications. Other digital services like e-learning and Roto City have a useful role. We also use the Roto International Test Centres to help customers prove product quality.

Which Roto products or services would you recommend most to customers in your region?
We can confidently recommend all Roto product groups (Roto NX, Aluvision, Sliding, Door, etc). All are adjusted for country-specific needs to meet fabricator requirements, and all have proven quality.

Sercan Vural

Covers: Wallonia and Luxembourg

Sercan, how do your customers view Roto?
My customers often say the quality of Roto is very high because they have very few after-sales issues. Our delivery performance impresses them and they appreciate ease of assembly.

Which product is popular for you right now?
A lot of customers are interested in Patio Inowa because it has the advantages of tight air sealing without being a Lift&Slide. In my opinion it is the best sliding system in the world.

Which Roto products or services would you recommend to fabricators?
We have lots of tooling for customers, so they should definitely ask about that.
I also recommend the Roto Con Orders app and the Roto Customer Portal. Also the Tandeo door lock for all materials.

Can you think of some good feedback you got from a customer recently?
I was not with Roto during the Covid period, but I know the company took measures to make sure we kept delivering on time. I hear from customers that we never let them down.

Can you tell us a couple of things you like to do in your spare time?
I like to walk, spend time with my daughter. When possible I like to travel. I also like Mediterranean cooking.

What do you like about working for Roto?
At Roto the best thing is the supportive people, who are wonderful to work with. I like the wide range of work with different product groups and on various window materials.

Jan Willems

Covers: East and West Flanders

Jan, what can you tell us about the customer companies you work with?
Companies range from the largest fabricators to smaller companies making 500-1000 units per year. I am still relatively new, so I have not met all the customers yet. I am building on successes made by our colleague Vittorio when he covered this region.

How do your customers view Roto?
They are familiar with the Roto name. They see us as a quality company that keeps working to improve things even more. It is good that every few years there is a big innovation like Patio Inowa.

Which Roto products or services would you recommend to fabricators?
We are busy with Tandeo locks at the moment and Solid B hinges. For anyone not using them yet, ask me for a demonstration.

Can you think of some good feedback you got from a customer recently?
I can think of two customers who are changing from a competitor to Patio Inowa, even though it is more expensive. It just works better and provides so many advantages.

With Francesc Gimeno, ESWA Director

Can you tell us some things you like to do in your spare time?
I like to enjoy life, have a nice meal out. Hiking, swimming and sailing, also caravanning with my wife and our dog.

What do you like about working for Roto?
The collaboration and openness among colleagues, who are always willing to share information. People want you to succeed in your job here.

Hans Scholing

Covers: Middle and North Netherlands

Hans, are there any things that make your area unique or different from others?
In the Netherlands there is a requirement for SKG certification. We are very unique in our ways of testing. The market is also split between coastal and inland areas. For the coastal regions corrosion resistance and watertightness are very important.

How do your customers view Roto?
In my region when I have annual meetings with customers it is clear that they view Roto as a good brand with a positive image. In the Netherlands it is important to have strong technical support as well as commercial support.

Can you think of some good feedback you got from a customer recently?
We know we are seen as being one of the best manufacturers for delivery performance. Most fabricators rate us in the top three.

Which Roto products or services would you recommend to fabricators?
If a new customer, Roto NX. For existing customers I would say our range of sliding systems. We can cover every need for a sliding door or window. In services, the Roto Customer Portal.

Can you tell us some things you like to do in your spare time?
Spending quality time with family. Motorbiking sometimes – in the past I was a fanatic, now I do it for pleasure when the weather is good. We enjoy caravanning, mainly to France.

What do you like about working for Roto?
My pleasure is the team spirit. We can rely on each other.

Erik Klinker

Covers: Middle and South Netherlands

Erik, what types of windows or doors are popular in your region?
Tilt&Turn windows are the most popular, as is the case across all of the Netherlands. Open-out is going out of style.

 How do your customers view Roto?
They definitely see us as a quality manufacturer with technical know-how. They also appreciate the advantages of the hardware for them and the benefits for their end users.

Can you think of some good feedback you got from a customer recently?
The hardware is flexible, covers everything they need. This is a big selling point for us. We have a complete range, so if they move further into a certain area like doors or sliding, we have more top quality products for them.

Which Roto products or services would you recommend to fabricators?
If they are making doors, we have some products that make a difference: Tandeo automatic locks, also the Solid B butt hinges and concealed Solid C for aluminium. In services there is e-learning for technical and commercial staff.

Can you tell us some things you like to do in your spare time?
Enjoying time with grandchildren. Following football and volleyball. Caravanning, mostly to Italy.

What do you like about working for Roto?
The closeness of the team. Roto Benelux is a very supportive environment.

Vittorio D’Amires

Covers: East and North Belgium

Vittorio, what can you tell us about your customer companies?
Many of the companies I work with have been using Roto for 25 or 30 years. When you provide good support they are not switching their hardware every few years. If you give them the service, they stay.

How do your customers view Roto?
As a strong brand, a German made product that is very trustworthy. They are prepared to pay a premium price. They are aware of Roto’s position as an innovator.

What types of windows or doors are popular in your region?
Mainly Tilt&Turn with concealed hinges. There are many modern buildings in Flanders incorporating windows with large dimensions. Sliding systems are popular. People like having a lot of daylight in their homes.

Which Roto products or services would you recommend to fabricators?
The new Tandeo door lock, also the Solid B hinges because many of my customers work with Roto NX Tilt&Turn hardware but may not be using these products yet.

Can you think of some good feedback you got from a customer recently?
Recently, we won a new customer who had worked with a competitor for 40 years and will now switch to using 100% Roto. They chose us because of the preparation we did with the team and our demonstration assembly of hardware.

Can you tell us some things you like to do in your spare time?
I always played football but stopped 2 years ago. My hobbies now include going to the gym. I have a passion for watches, and I like cars. Most important is family and spending time with my wife and daughter.

What do you like about working for Roto?
The team is always there for you. For example, with the new customer I mentioned, our colleague Fred has given excellent software support. I know I can always rely on colleagues. We all aim for the same goal.