FAKRO at International IFD Congress

The beautiful city of Edinburgh hosted the 67th International IFD Congress that took place on 25-28 September 2019. This event is conducive to meetings between construction companies and national roofers’ associations. This year’s Congress attracted over 200 participants. FAKRO, a worldwide roof window manufacturer and a partner of the Congress for 14 years now, was naturally among them.

During the meeting, technical directives of the International Roofers’ Association were discussed, taking into account the standards of assembly and use of the product in the building. Speakers raised important contemporary issues such as mental health in the construction industry, impact of the climate change on the industry and a new certification program for roofers. The last issue involves a practical training, the so-called roofer’s improvement passport, in which FAKRO will also participate in the next training season.

During one of the panels of the Congress, Sabina Sujew who is FAKRO Benelux Market Manager and chairwoman of the IFD marketing working group on behalf of the IFD partner member, discussed in detail the future marketing activities aimed at raising the IFD’s awareness and recognition within the industry and at making roofers more interested in the association’s activities.

One of the most important events was the outcome of the IFD AWARD 2019 Competition titled “The most beautiful roof in the world.” The presented buildings demonstrated extraordinary achievements of roofers. A number of 86 buildings from 11 countries and 16 projects from such countries as Great Britain, Austria, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Russia, USA and China received nominations. The project from China won in the sloping roof category, Austria and Latvia turned out to be successful in the flat roof, award in the metal roof category went to USA, while Latvia was victorious in the facade classification.

The new IFD President – Graeme Millar (NFRC) was elected at the General Meeting to lead the Association for the next three years.