This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Entrevista a Santiago Quiroga, director de Veteco 2010

"Veteco is an indispensable tool to promote commercial activity in the sector"

Interview with Santiago Quiroga, director of Veteco 2010

Javier García16/04/2010

April 16, 2010

VETECO 2010 features in this Edition with the direct participation of more than 350 companies that account for the occupation of 30,500 square meters in halls 4, 6, 8 and 10 of Ifema (Madrid). He also noted the international presence in this Edition, with more than a hundred companies from 15 countries. Santiago Quiroga, director of the fair, makes an x-ray of the sector of Windows and doors and Windows in this interview and explains what will give them this edition.

Santiago Quiroga, director of Veteco 2010.

What you will see the visitor that approaches this year Veteco?

You will find a very complete and representative range which places the fair as one of the references in the sector of the window and the glass enclosure of the European calendar. A fair, every two years, showing the innovative capacity of a business group that permanent bet on r & d, quality, and adapt their proposals to the current regulations. The fair will, also, with an attractive programme of parallel activities and interesting focused content to show the new business opportunities such as Plan Renove of Windows; the derivative of the sectors of rehabilitation and restoration possibilities, as one of the most dynamic market niches at the moment, or sustainable architecture-oriented solutions.

How many visitors are waiting in this edition?

It is difficult to estimate, but we are confident in reaching the figures of the last call. The almost simultaneous holding of stone, international trade fair for Natural stone and the call for activities as the great forum of architecture 'Great projects 2010-2011' are, without doubt, other two good incentives to attract the interest of a good number of professionals linked to the field of constructionthe architecture and decoration.

What new features would you highlight this year?

Major developments are focused on the incorporation of new technologies, materials, and especially the improvement of quality, one of the features that distinguishes the offer of this sector. Also we will see, as I said, important solutions designed to optimize the energy and environmental efficiency. The offer of Veteco will be completed with the latest ceilings and skylights, structural glazing, light facades, glass, accessories and fittings, automations, coating, Sun protection, shutters, awnings, doors and silicone, sealants, boards, computing, and very innovative proposals in reference to the exterior cladding of buildings.

They also have two exhibition areas...

Yes, one is dedicated to the Renove plans of Windows, where you can get direct information on the initiatives of various autonomous communities, and a space organized by Aenor in which innovative, quality, and technologically advanced proposals will be displayedappropriate to the requirements of the regulations.

"Veteco must continue to evolve and adapt to the changes experienced by the market"

It seems that this year they have opted for social networks...

Yes, in this edition Veteco is present in social networks. Aware of the importance and scope of Facebook, LinkedIn and Youtube have opted for the use of these tools to provide new avenues of communication and participation for all those professionals linked to the world of architecture, construction and interior design in general. In addition, these pages offer the possibility of open debates, request information, leave opinions, see photos, and many other options to keep abreast of the development and what will happen around the fair.

Parallel activities

"In this Edition, we have designed an extensive programme of conferences, workshops and activities to generate a major sectoral event around the fair," said Quiroga. On the one hand, the great forum of architecture 'Major projects' 2010-2011, will be organized in collaboration with the route group. The objective of the East meeting is to generate a dynamic debate on current issues in the sector between first-line architects and emerging young. Studies will be involved with major projects underway such as Ortiz-León, Estudio Lamela, Junquera architects, S-M - A - O, Reid Fenwick Asociados, study Carme Pinòs, DNA architecture, b720, L35, Creus and Carrasco, Moneo Brock, Alonso and Balaguer, Coll-Barreu architects or Smiths and architects.

Also will take place within the framework of Veteco the technical seminar on 'energy efficiency and sustainability in the field of the glass enclosure', organized by Asefave, and in which experts from the sector audit Community directives (building energy rating)(, energy-efficient Windows, ecodesign, green shopping tag), they will discuss the life-cycle applied to the glass enclosure and explain the impact that the strategy of energy saving are assuming the Renove plans of Windows.

Quiroga desataca also the celebration of the Veteco/Asefave Awards, which fulfilled its ninth edition, "recognized nationally and internationally".

Taking into account the crisis overall and, especially, which affect the sector construction, what challenges face the Hall this year?

VETECO must continue to evolve and adapt to the changes experienced by the market. Over the past years, the sector has experienced a major expansion, has internationalised and has experienced considerable growth in parallel to the boom in the construction, has also had its reflection in the fair. At the moment when the situation is not so favorable, Veteco is presented as an indispensable tool to promote commercial activity in the sector.

And what is materialized?

We have renewed the contents according to the needs demanded by the sector, in response to new market niches that serve to enhance the business of the companies. This is the case of the initiatives that we have developed towards the market of rehabilitation, the Renove plans of Windows and sustainable architecture, as well as the strengthening of international advocacy campaigns, which aim is increase the presence of buyers from abroad to explore new export markets.

"Veteco offers a platform where to identify new business opportunities, strengthening distribution networks and strengthening the image of the sector as a whole"

What more can be done by sector fair directed?

It should not be forgotten that the fairs are a powerful marketing tool and, from this point of view, Veteco offers a platform where identify new business opportunities, strengthen the networks of distribution and strengthen the image of the sector as a whole. Business representation gathered around the fair also favors the creation of an area that analyze the market and competition, where information at first hand from leading companies and international companies and, most importantly, where to strengthen the professional relationship and make face-to-face contact with clients.

His experience in the sector, do you think that Spanish companies are competitive in the field of technology?

Without any doubt. Spanish industry is very developed and in recent years has been consolidated as a second producer of Windows in Europe, just behind Germany. Veteco 2010 will find a complete range of products of glass, both double insulating glazing (thermal, acoustic, couplings and solar control), such as tempered glass and silkscreen. Also Windows intelligent and autonomous able to detect temperature, humidity and light levels, as well as the State of opening or closing. The technological level is very high, and these are just some examples of the wide range that is will be exhibiting at the show, along with innovative automation solutions, type curtain wall glass enclosures and cutting-edge designs.

Do you think that it is invested enough in research and development in our country?

Yes, and not only in r & d, design and modernization. One of the keys of this fair precisely lies in the presentation of some content 100% innovative and the large number of proposals of high quality and perfectly suited to regulations which concentrated. VETECO will present an offer that commitment by energy saving, advanced developments in both aluminium and PVC Windows, and insulation for cold and sun protection systems, and automation solutions.

What believes is the degree of involvement of our companies in the field of energy saving and sustainability?

There is growing awareness in environmental issues, motivated also by the development of regulations in this regard, and the trend is to develop a sustainable architecture. From the sectoral point of view, it is working on an energy label in accordance with the criteria of the European Union, similar to which obliges indicate the consumption of household appliances. It also is hoped that published the Royal Decree by which the energy certification of existing Spain buildings, compulsory joining new building certification.

"Veteco will present an offer that commitment by energy saving, advanced developments in both aluminium and PVC Windows, and insulation for cold and sun protection systems, and automation solutions"

Do is view the Renove Plan for Windows? Do you think that it is enough this initiative to support the sector?

The Renove plans are closely related to the growing environmental awareness. Sectoral organizations, both Asefave (Spanish Association of manufacturers of Windows and facades light) and Asoven (Association of PVC Windows) are pushing the Renove plans in all the autonomous communities and the content of this edition of Veteco provides in particular for this initiative tono doubt, was an opportunity to boost the activity of the sector.

What you would be satisfied in this 19th edition of Veteco?

Our main objective is to respond to the efforts that have made businesses that have opted for this Edition, at a difficult time. An optimal assessment of results by business would, therefore, the satisfaction of Ifema and Veteco.

This year Veteco will have a space, sponsored by the Venetian of Saint-Gobain, where a series of videos that showcase some of the most unique rehabilitation work carried out in emblematic buildings in our country will be screened. These include, for example, the maternity leave of O'Donnell in the monastery of San Juan de la Peña in Huesca or the tourist Parador de Toledo, Madrid. The videos can be seen in the Veteco channel on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/VETECO10