MD's Update - September 2019

Dear Valued Customers and Somfy Friends,

Welcome to our Spring edition of Motoreyes which means we are moving into the last quarter of 2019 and "high season" for the window covering industry.

In this edition, you will find our new RRP Pricelist, effective from 1st October, a reminder of our delivery times leading into busy season and details on our recently launched Altus 28 WireFree RTS motor with Lithium-ion external battery.

From a Somfy business perspective we have had an excellent year and are well poised for the coming busy months to support our Fabricator and Somfy Expert Retail partners.

The Interior Window Covering market continues to go from strength-to-strength, we are seeing sustained double digit annual growth in Sonesse 40 and Altus 40 (240V products) and with the introduction of Sonesse 30 WF and Altus 28 WF (embedded battery products) last year, exceptional growth in this segment with a solid increase in motorisation rate in internal roller blinds at End Consumer level.

Somfy Connected RTS solutions remain strong combining indoor blinds & curtains, with exterior patio blinds & screens and external awnings - all on RTS controlled by Somfy Connexoon Window RTS smartphone app control. Across Australia, many of our Somfy Expert partners now have their showroom displays controlled by Connexoon Window RTS and more recently a massive push to have these under Voice Control commands. 

Lots of fun has been had setting up showroom voice commands with the Somfy Expert Retail partners; "Hey Google, show me the sunshine", "Alexa, trigger movie time", "Hey Google, let's party", "Alexa, open the showroom". The possibilities are endless!

Whilst the BMAA 2019 SuperExpo event is now firmly in our rearview mirror, the BMAA AGM in November, to be held in Melbourne, will reveal a draft Strategic Plan which will be presented to members for consideration. Exciting times ahead for the Australian Window Covering Industry and indeed the BMAA.

Best Regards,

Stephen Eggleton

Managing Director

Somfy Oceania