Investing in louvers makes sense. Increase in demand for louvre facades is large

"Corona has made it clear that ventilation is very important," says Johannes Berger, commercial director of Dejo Metaalindustrie. The company focuses entirely on grilles and everything related to them. Increasingly, the grilles are used to promote ventilation in (school) buildings.

Dejo Metal Industry was founded in 1947.

"What sets us apart is our focus on grids and everything associated with them. From a clean-running grid at a school entrance to large architectural projects. Our good reputation and extensive product range bring us to the table of architects, draftsmen, work planners and buyers from various industries." 

Grid facades are thus one of the products Dejo offers, but it is an important product group. "Because of corona, we are seeing an increase in demand for louvered facades. Schools are required to purchase better and better ventilation systems. This often results in unsightly air handling systems on the roof. Architects like to have this protected, while still allowing air to pass through. Then you automatically end up with grilles. They become an extension of the facade, while the installation is out of sight."

Refurbished steel

Severe inflation, rising raw material prices, what effect does this have on Dejo Metal Industry? Berger: "We produce our gratings from stainless steel, galvanized steel and aluminum. Currently, all three are expensive raw materials. However, the materials also have great advantages. Steel that now hangs on the facade will last at least 30 to 50 years before rusting occurs. After that, we can de-galvanize the gratings and then galvanize them again; they are then like new again. Because of the high steel prices it is becoming more and more interesting to do this. We therefore want to start offering this on a larger scale."

If the steel grid does need to be replaced, the raw material still has value. Because steel can be fully recycled. "In fact, the price of steel continues to rise, so those who invest in it are assured of a substantial residual value. The price at which Dejo supplied the product in 1947 is now the price the steel fetches in scrap." 

For this reason, steel is approached differently in the calculation of a building. Where it costs money to dispose of concrete after demolition, steel makes money. This also plays into the financing of a building. Since 2017, Dejo has been selling projects with the option of a buy-back guarantee. After they are returned, the gratings undergo a thorough inspection. They are then refurbished or recycled.

Dejo's grids are produced at a variety of sites, but always in the company's own hands. "We are proud to be Cradle to Cradle certified since 2010. For the tender for the town hall in Venlo where we provided the ventilation grilles, this was a hard requirement. In more and more projects this is the case and we are taking advantage of this. For the Tinbergen College in Roosendaal, Dejo supplied galvanized louvre gratings."

"The blade is mounted at a 45-degree angle. During assembly, the identical louvers were mounted alternately with a 90-degree angle difference, playfully reflecting sunlight during the day. The different shades of gray match the brickwork of the facade."