Origin’s bi-folding doors have struck a chord with customers

ORIGIN, a leading supplier of bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors which entered the UAE market three years ago, today has a good order book, thanks to its quality and innovative products.

The company is now investing $1 million to set up a factory in Dubai which will be operational next year. In addition, its showroom in the emirate is currently being revamped.

Origin, which was established more than 12 years ago in the UK, custom designs and manufactures a wide range of sliding and bi-folding doors.

“When we came to Dubai initially, our main target was the villa market. Later, we started dealing with architects and interior designers as they specify for projects. We also have trade customers, like the aluminium companies who are doing doors and windows and they also recommend our products to their customers,” says Guy Dawson, general manager of Origin Dubai.

“Now our focus is on the projects sector and developers. We have made inroads into projects by developers such as Emaar and Meeras and hopefully, we should soon have some big project announcements this year,” he says.

Origin has been involved with all the villas at the Al Barari development in Dubai and will be doing some outdoor projects at Al Barari over the next few years.

“Our work is generally high-end. We have sold and are selling our products to luxury villa projects like the Emirates Hills, Arabian Ranches, Meadows, Lakes and Springs.

“We also have regular trade customers involved with refurbishment of villas. So far, our biggest market has been the trade sector – selling to villa owners. However, I have a feeling it is going to swing to the commercial sector soon. We are currently talking to a few commercial project developments like shops, restaurants and hotels and are seeing the first orders coming in,” he says.

Dawson ... innovative.

Origin has recently added custom-designed windows to its portfolio. The high-performance glazed units have been introduced in response to the growing demand from the region, and feature Origin’s unrivalled thermal-break technology, resulting in fully energy-efficient windows, according to Dawson.

“This technology ensures minimal transfer of heat from the outside, resulting in significant energy cost savings (30 to 40 per cent savings on energy bills) and a reduction in environmental impact,” he says.

Dawson indicates that the company has been receiving a good response to the windows from the local market.

According to Dawson, the bi-folding door is the biggest development in the doors and windows market in 50 years since double glazing and uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride). These doors combine sophisticated style and elegance with the very latest in high performance and high security multi-point locking systems. Manufactured and assembled in Origin’s UK facility, their unique eight-point locking system conforms to demanding, police-preferred ‘Secured by Design’ standards.

Origin doors at a majlis ... give an outdoor feel when open (below).

Commenting on the company’s best-selling products, Dawson says: “Sliding folding doors are the most popular products. Our bespoke windows, introduced recently, are also getting a lot of inquiries.”

Origin also offers innovative corner sets featuring a unique design with a moving corner post, allowing each of the doors to fold and slide around 90-degree angles, providing an uninterrupted panoramic view and sweeping away the corners to open up the entire room.

“These doors are great for restaurants and hotels as they create more space and also give an outdoor feel,” he points out.

Origin doors also offer superior weather and thermal resistance, keeping out sand and dust as well as heat.

Origin bi-fold doors are coated with an ultra-durable polyester powder manufactured by Interpon, a world leader. “With all this choice and the scope to have doors with different colours inside and out, customers’ options are virtually limitless,” Dawson adds.

Origin also offers handles for its doors and windows.

“Our handles are given the same attention to detail as every other component. Whether one chooses premium stainless steel or colour-coordinated ones, one can be assured of a contemporary handle which offers the same faultless service as the doors themselves,” he says.

The regional market, according to Dawson, is growing and is doing well.

“People are not only building new villas but also renovating existing properties. We view the refurbishment market as a real growth area for us,” he says. “We are also witnessing an emerging trend for outdoor living as garden rooms and majlises are becoming popular.”

Commenting on business levels, he says: “We achieved in excess of 40 per cent growth last year and are forecasting the same for this year. Origin UK is also growing at the rate of 40 per cent year on year and it has been growing every year right through recession.”

The company has been associated with projects in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, India, Nigeria and North Africa.