Automated roller shutters and venetian blinds are highly popular, and not only in Germany. Since 2006, the company elero has maintained a branch office in Uruguay to look after South American customers directly. The strategy has paid off – the demand for drives and controls from elero for roller shutters and venetian blinds has been rising continually. The many possibilities offered by the South American market were recently a topic for discussion between elero's export manager Thomas Klaus and Paul Riezler, elero's branch office manager in Uruguay, at a meeting with Tabaré Vázquez, the president of Uruguay.

Meeting with Uruguay's president
“The discussion at the meeting was very positive – and not only for us,” explains Thomas Klaus. “President Vázquez welcomes the commitment of German companies; that they are locating themselves in Uruguay is seen positively as German quality is greatly appreciated.” The fact that elero markets its products to German standards in the country is underlined by president Vázquez as being especially positive for economic relationships between Germany and Uruguay. The subject of energy savings is also a key one for Uruguay: The country does not have any fossil fuel resources of its own and has to import nearly 60 per cent of its energy requirements. “President Vázquez is therefore expressly concerned with possibilities for private households to save energy,” reports Thomas Klaus. “Here automated roller shutters and venetian blinds can make a contribution, as shading at the right point in time reduces the need for fans and air-conditioning systems considerably.”

Heat and energy savings as sales arguments
Against this background there are promising opportunities for the roller shutter and sun protection industry in Uruguay. In order to keep temperatures inside the house cool, many customers make use of weather sensors and timers. These control roller shutters and venetian blinds in line with the weather situation or time of day – and thus contribute to effective sun protection. “Warding off tropical heat is not the only reason for the use of clever technology,” reports branch office manager Paul Riezler. “If roller shutters and venetian blinds are closed in good time, they keep off the heat and reduce the need for any additional cooling. This is an important sales argument with rising energy prices.”