Making a lasting mark through innovation
Wenger Fenster is an innovator in the manufacture of windows and doors made of timber and timber/metal. With the support of Innosuisse and Bern University of Applied Sciences (HESB), this SME in the canton of Bern has developed an integrated, active ventilation system that combines indoor comfort and energy efficiency.
To succeed across the decades while remaining at the cutting edge in its sector: such is the successful strategy of the Wenger Fenster family firm. Founded in 1932 and based in Wimmis, in the canton of Bern, this SME specialises in the manufacture of windows made from timber and timber-metal, sliding parts, fixed glazing, entry doors and roof windows. Robustness, energy performance and craftsmanship are its trademarks.
Having focused on technological sustainability from an early stage, Wenger Fenster has built a solid reputation on the Swiss market. Today, the company is recognised as a major player in both new construction and renovation.
Innovation, investment and progress
The company has maintained its position over the generations thanks to a clear strategy: relentlessly innovating and investing in the future. The ambition and perseverance of its successive CEOs have enabled Wenger Fenster to stand out in a highly competitive sector while combining tradition and modernity. “At the turn of the millennium, the company designed and launched the first integral window without visible openings. This innovative model, designed to let in more light and sunshine, provides both comfort and efficiency for better insulation, reduced material consumption and easier maintenance. Although the idea was met with scepticism at first, it became established as a technological reference point and proved to be an idea capable of moving an entire sector forward,” explained Nicole Wenger, CEO of Wenger Fenster.
Always going further
The company has never rested on its laurels. It is continually perfecting its products by listening to its customers. “We try to remain attentive to the problems and expectations of the market in order to provide real answers. This enables us to offer better adapted solutions, make ourselves stand out with our unique selling points and expand our customer base," emphasised the CEO.
In line with this approach, Wenger Fenster has recently reached a new milestone thanks to support from Innosuisse and close collaboration with the HESB. Together, they have developed an active ventilation system that is directly integrated into the window frame. This innovation brings together optimal comfort and energy efficiency. “A basic frame is pre-installed in the sash,” Bernhard Bieri, Technical Director, explained. “The body of the window is then integrated and components such as fans, filters and heat exchangers are inserted into it as a whole. The fresh outside air is preheated by the exhaust air via a cross-flow exchanger, which ensures constant ventilation while minimising energy losses.”
Substantial impact
Wenger Fenster has thus reached a new technological milestone. “Innosuisse not only provided us with financial support for research and development, but also time resources thanks to the expertise of the HESB,” said Mr Bieri. This cooperation has given us access to advanced knowledge outside our core business, such as the simulation of air flows through different components – expertise that is essential for the development of the new active ventilation system.
Thanks to this new technology, Wenger Fenster intends to expand its range by offering its clients better ventilation solutions than just manual aeration. Moreover, since this innovation is independent of the window system itself, it also opens up opportunities in the B2B sector.
The company estimates that the window with integrated ventilation could represent several percent of its turnover within five to ten years. The solution is expected to be commercially available in the next two years, following pilot projects to test the solution in real-life conditions.
