Regel-air Becks has been dealing with the subject of domestic ventilation for over 25 years in order to prevent mould caused by excessive humidity.
Interview with Thomas Verhoeven, Manager at Regel-air Becks GmbH & Co. Kg.
Easy Engineering: A brief description of the company and its activities.
Thomas Verhoeven: Window vents are installed to allow ventilation when the window is closed. Buildings used to leak and there was no problem with mold in the apartment because the apartment ventilated itself through leaks. In tight buildings there is no longer any air exchange and ventilation measures must be implemented. This is where our systems are used. You can use our window fans for cross ventilation as well as supply air elements for exhaust systems and shaft ventilation. The combustion air supply is also an area of application for our products.
E.E: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
T.V: Regel-air’s main areas of activity are the sale and production of window ventilators. However, what sets us apart from other companies in the industry is our service concept and advice, as we create complete ventilation concepts free of charge and provide our customers with intensive training. Our target groups and customers are now very diverse. It’s not just the window fitter, the architect and planner, but also facility managers, heating engineers, chimney sweeps, painters and varnishers and many more.
E.E: What’s the news about new products/services?
T.V: The latest and newest ventilator is the Regel-air FFL-m. It is concealed in the window rebate and can be operated with a small lever when the window is closed. The system is mounted with just three screws. It can be installed in such a way that the vent can be completely closed, or it can be installed with basic ventilation. This ensures that a defined amount of air circulates in the apartment despite the closed fan.
E.E: What are the ranges of products/services?
T.V: We have a wide range of window vents with automatic wind pressure-responsive flaps and manually operated ventilators. Of course, we have products for all window materials such as PVC, wooden and aluminium windows. It is important to us that our products fulfil all standard requirements, such as air, driving rain resistance and noise protection, without compromising comfort in the home. To ensure that our products are used optimally, we plan the ventilation concepts for our customers or provide a free calculation tool.
E.E: What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
T.V: The situation is very good for us at the moment. Because we are not only active in new construction (which is currently declining in Germany due to the economic situation), but we are also strong in refurbishment, we are hardly noticing the crisis in Germany. Our products are not expensive and have been firmly established in the industry for 25 years. We have systems for small amounts of air or for high amounts of air. However, it is important to us that the user can still close a certain part of the ventilation when there are high air volumes so that there are no drafts when the weather is extreme.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
T.V: The trend towards motorised ventilation with heat recovery is currently declining, as more affordable solutions are being sought for residential buildings. Here, for example, you can combine our window ventilator with exhaust air systems. In this way, fresh air flows into the home via our systems and the fumigated bad air flows outside via the exhaust air system. Of course, great importance is also placed on ensuring that the buildings look modern from the outside. All of our products do not change the external appearance of the facade. Which also plays an important role for monument protection, among other things.
E.E: What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
T.V: Our core product is the classic window rebate ventilator. This has been continuously developed over the years and is available for virtually all PVC and timber windows. But the new FFL-m has been incredibly well received since its launch at Bau in Munich in 2023.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2024?
T.V: I think 2024 will be another successful year for us, as the issue of ventilation in new builds and when replacing windows must be taken into account. We are broadly positioned and our services set us apart from the competition, ensuring that our window vents are planned and installed in large projects as well as smaller ones.