Hunter Douglas offers turnkey solutions with an extensive range of alternatives for commercial buildings, including motorisation, audio-visual operation and solar-sensitive controls with freestanding BMS (building management systems) systems.
“Projects are our field of expertise,” says Chemali and adds, “No matter which Hunter Douglas product is selected, every blind is carefully assembled, by our local licencees, to the customer’s exact requirements, ensuring a perfect fit every time.” 
In line with its innovative spirit, the Middle East office of Hunter Douglas launched a new product called Techstyle acoustical ceilings at the recently-concluded Big 5 Show in Dubai.
“We have surprised the market once more,” says Willem Biesheuvel, general manager of Hunter Douglas Middle East, which this year marks 35 years of successful operation in the region.
“Before developing the patented breakthrough design, we asked leading architects and designers what their ideal ceiling should provide. The answer was: ‘Panels with the monolithic appearance of drywall; great acoustical performance; 100 per cent downward accessibility; and simple installation with access to the plenum.’ The revolutionary design of Techstyle ceilings offers just that,” he says.
Biesheuvel explains: “Techstyle offers large-format and aesthetically-pleasing panels, lightweight, below-the-grid installation, outstanding acoustical performance and easy access. Based on initial feedback within the Middle East, we see great potential. Techstyle ceilings encompass over four decades of Hunter Douglas commercial ceiling expertise, as well as the company’s precision textile engineering. This non-metal ceiling provides exceptional acoustical performance and a more sophisticated look not previously available at an affordable price, opening up a new market in the industry.”
The Hunter Douglas group started off in 1919, when Henry Sonnenberg, father of the current CEO, started a machinery distribution and manufacturing company in Germany and later expanded the operations to Holland and the UK. At the outbreak of World War II, he moved to the US, where he founded the Douglas Machinery Corporation.
With a thriving post-war economy and a booming housing market, Henry Sonnenberg, with his partner Joe Hunter, developed a new technology. They applied a revolutionary continuous casting and fabrication process for aluminium in the production of lightweight and durable slats for Venetian blinds. The new product quickly gained leadership in the market and Hunter Douglas, as we know it today, was born.
Today, the group comprises 155 companies with 64 manufacturing and 91 assembly plants and marketing organisations in more than 100 countries with sales of 1.7 billion euros and 15,500 employees.
Despite these changes, the initial thoughts and innovative thinking of the founders of Hunter Douglas still remain. As a pioneer of coated aluminium products including blinds, metal ceilings and facade systems, the firm has a consistent record of innovation. That constant and consistent stream of innovations and new product launches continues today and allows Hunter Douglas to remain the market leader in WCP and a major supplier of architectural products.

Architectural products
In addition to WCP, Hunter Douglas also offers a wide variety of architectural products under its brand name Luxalon. Over the years, several million sq m of Luxalon architectural building products have been installed, he says.

Facade systems
For its proprietary facade systems, Hunter has combined European technology with efficient manufacturing techniques in order to serve the growing demand for high-tech and made-to-measure, quality facade systems. Says Ronald Been, sales manager Luxalon facade systems: “We are the partner for architects and investors looking for something unique and special. All our designs are made to measure and include necessary non-visible connections and sub-constructions.”
Luxalon QuadroClad is a top-of-the-range facade system, which is an open jointed cladding based on rain screen technology. If technically required, it can also be a sealed system. Integrated channels allow rain and condensation water to escape while windows, doors and sun louvres can also be integrated. QuadroClad is based on honeycomb composite technology that originates from the aircraft industry and is available in a wide choice of skin material and finishes.
“We just finished the new management offices of the HSBC in Dubai Internet City using the system,” says Been.
“This is the first open joint system in the Middle East. It is a perfect example of what we are capable of. The light-weight large panel modules are extremely flat and can be shaped, curved or folded where needed,” he adds.
Luxalon sandwich wall allows designers to translate almost any architectural design into a practical solution. “Our thermally-insulated panels conform to the most stringent regulations in the UK. As a result of new regulations regarding compulsory insulation of buildings, the interest in our sandwich panels is increasing. Not many companies can currently produce panels in line with these regulations. As with QuadroClad, the made-to-measure panels can be curved or cranked in either length or width, or vary in thickness, while windows and doors can be fully integrated,” Been says.
Luxalon MPF facades allow architects to design a modern facade with multiples of panel modules and shapes all with closed joints, capable of withstanding the most severe conditions of water and wind. The design is based on the principle of a ventilated and drained facade. The concealed fixing systems allow for the free thermal movement of the facade panels and avoid problems caused by this action in through-fix systems. Although this system can be used for new buildings, it is mostly used for refurbishing existing buildings, offering clients a “new” building.

Sun louvre systems
External solar systems or sun louvres add an extra dimension to a building. It is the most effective solar heat and light control device, says Biesheuvel. Especially in the Middle East, these systems help to reduce energy consumption and infiltration of direct sunlight and thereby enhance the overall atmosphere in the building.
“As a pioneer in producing and marketing solar protection, we offer an extensive range of classic and innovative shading products, which can be found throughout the region. Not only do we supply products, we also offer extensive support in terms of sun path calculations to ensure that our clients will have the best solution for their building,” he says.

Ceiling systems
Hunter Douglas has a substantial market share for metallic suspended ceiling systems. The product range, also distributed under the Luxalon trademark, is based on the group’s expertise in coil coating, roll forming and product design.
“Our ceiling systems are remarkable, versatile and can be seen in an endless variety of applications throughout the world,” says Biesheuvel. The product range includes a variety of linear ceilings, wide panels, tile and plank-style ceilings and a series of decorative open ceilings.
This wide range includes internal, specialist design and external ceilings that are used for a variety of purposes.
“Exterior ceilings are one of our most successful ceiling types. Our unique coating system combined with the highly corrosion-resistant aluminium offers our clients unique exterior ceilings perfectly suitable for the harsh and humid conditions experienced sometimes in the Middle East,” he adds.
Details about Hunter Douglas products can be obtained from the websites www.hunterdouglas.com, www.luxaflex.com.