The global Building and Construction sector is on the cusp of a major evolution. A look at the changing skylines of the big and not-so-big cities of the world would reveal how the once heavy on aesthetics iron and steel reinforcement structures have silently given way to sleek aluminium. It’s almost a norm today to use aluminium facades (on the building exteriors) and aluminium window frames to lessen the use of wood, reduce heat effect, and facilitate smoother opening and closing of panes. There are other benefits also which make aluminium the preferred material for modern day architects, builders, and end users. Use of aluminium windows and doors with advanced coating is also becoming a practice these days although uPVC still stands as a major competitor in many areas.
The future of the global aluminium door window market looks promising. With new opportunities being created in the residential and commercial construction industry, the market is estimated to reach US$7.21 billion by 2021 growing at a CAGR of 5.1 per cent from 2016 through 2021. Following are the top five aluminium windows and doors manufacturers in the world:
(Please note, the ranking below is dynamic and is subject to change under different market conditions)
The Japanese doors and windows manufacturer follows the universal design maxim to create its products - naturally, the end results that customers get to see are high on functionality, easy-to-use, safe, beautiful and long-lasting. All the operations at its window manufacturing line, right from the manufacture of frames, glass and other components to final assembly, are highly integrated. The same is true for its aluminium profiles manufacturing line. The high level of integration allows for improved precision and quality. YKK AP also produces aluminium curtain walls and light and durable metal siding with high-grade aluminium alloy sheets. Being a sustainable industry partner, YKK AP makes it a point to re-use scrap aluminium collected in the form of old window frames and aluminium wheels as well as factory scrap for all its production processes.
This New York Stock Exchange listed company makes aluminium windows and doors that the best of America’s builders and remodelers recommend to their clients. The firm has an extensive product portfolio that defines style, durability, energy efficiency and ease of installation. There are three series of Ply Gem New Construction windows: The Premium Series, the Pro Series and the Builders Series. Plus, there are Replacement Windows which offer best value for money to today’s contemporary home owners.
In the Doors category too, Ply Gem has two products variety to offer: The New Patio Doors and Replacement Doors. The Ply Gem Mira Premium Series aluminium clad wood doors under Patio Doors are designed with exquisite craftsmanship and one-of-a-kind details.
Founded in 1981, PGT PGT pioneered the U.S. impact-resistant window and door segment at a time when the industry was on the verge of embracing the big change towards light construction. Today the company is almost an authority on impact-resistant aluminium windows and doors. PGT® Architectural Systems featuring heavy-duty extruded aluminium frames, laminated glass, mechanically fastened corners, and a wide variety of customizable options, serves the needs of the commercial and residential high-rise window market. Its premium PGT WinGuard aluminium windows and doors promise effortless Hurricane Protection® warranties, significantly reduce outdoor noise and filter out 99 per cent of harmful UV rays, and offer ENERGY STAR® qualified configurations.
4. Apogee Enterprises, Inc.
Apogee is an industry leader in architectural products and services in the U.S. Its architectural framing systems segment designs, engineers, and fabricates aluminium frames for window, curtainwall and storefront systems that comprise the outside skin of buildings.
There are five subsidiaries under Apogee's architectural framing systems segment:
- Wausau: Manufactures custom aluminium window systems and curtainwall
- Sotawall: Designs and fabricates high-performance, unitized curtainwall systems
- Tubelite: Manufactures fabricated aluminum storefront, entrance and curtainwall products
- Alumicor: Makes fabricated aluminum storefront, entrance, curtainwall and window products for Canadian markets
- Linetec: Coats (paint or anodize) aluminum window framing and PVC shutters
Apogee posted a record fiscal in 2016. Its goal is to now reach $1.2-$1.3 billion in revenues by the end of fiscal 2018, said CEO Joe Puishys.
One of the largest listed companies in New Zealand, Fletcher Building is an integrated manufacturer and distributor of world-leading building and construction products and services. On 1 April 1996, the company purchased Comalco Carter Hart Harvey Aluminium to form Fletcher Aluminium, which with its full service industrial shapes division and export capabilities, has developed strong relationships both domestically and abroad.
In 2016 financial year, Fletcher raked in $2.5 billion gross revenue and posted an EBIT of $274 million. In November last year, Fletcher Aluminium entered into a joint venture agreement with Indian aluminium major National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) to leverage their scale, market coverage, product innovation and reliability - the new company will now be known as Altus.
“Together we aim to provide our customers with greater levels of service, consistent lead times, improved logistics, and ultimately a wider range of products,” said Altus managing director Ron Holden on the outlook of the new company.
Any ranking on aluminium windows and doors manufacturers, frames and profile fabricators is incomplete without the mention of Sapa Group. The biggest aluminium extruder in the world - Hydro Sapa produces aluminium solutions for virtually any application and aluminium systems for today’s energy-efficient buildings.
Sapa's portfolio of aluminium-based building systems features the following brands:
- Domal
- Sapa Building System
- Technal
- Wicona
- Original Systems
Sapa improved its underlying EBIT in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with the same period last year. Sapa Building System reported total volume of 77 kilo tonnes output in Q4 2016, which drove up underlying EBITDA to NOK 533 million from NOK 220 million in the same period previous year.
Other leading aluminium windows and doors manufacturers, frame fabricators and building system producers in the world include Schueco International KG (the UK), Guangdong Xingfa Aluminium (China), LIXIL Group Corporation (Japan), Wacang or Guangdong Huachang Aluminum Factory Co (China), and FENAN Group (China).
The aluminium windows segment is projected to remain the largest market within the global aluminium doors and windows sector. Increasing infrastructural development and construction activities worldwide and changing aesthetic sense of consumers are expected to drive the demand for the aluminium windows and doors market in the next five years.
