Founder of JS Aluminium Window Esmond Pat shares his foresight and lasting commitment to premium European-brand window frames, glazing and shuttering for the home and commercial buildings.
“In Hong Kong, people are knowledgeable, eager to learn more and pursue the best quality in everything they buy,” says Esmond Pat, managing director of JS Aluminium Window, by way of a preamble to the question of what inspired him to launch this niche high-end company. “The price of property here is sky high, so consumers care about the quality of their investment. And as global warming causes more frequent monsoon rages and other unfriendly weather, property owners push to adopt a safeguard first layer of protection.”
Pat identified growth potential in demand for quality windows and window servicing, and the rapid success of JS Aluminium Window seems to have proved him right. The company, which focuses on European frames and glazing, has enlarged its inventory of models, from initially stocking one brand to ranges by four of the continent’s most reputable manufacturers.
“We only carry those we think they are the best,” he confirms. “We carry brands with many window and facade options that offer different solutions.” Some models are offered in an enormous range of subtly different colours, while others allow for the selection of premium frame metal or finishes. Choices also abound in how the windows function, with sliding, concertina and regular swing opening mechanisms.
Along with the core European window and shuttering facade systems, suitable for both residential and commercial structures, related offerings from Pat’s company include retractable sunshades, and typhoon-grade shutters handpicked to be able to withstand the most extreme sub-tropical weather challenges.
On Brand
Some key points of differentiation make the JS Aluminium Window portfolio of quality brands quite special, and worthy of their prices, Pat notes. “All are European proprietary systems. They have particularly high performance in thermal insulation and water management [repelling and draining capabilities]. The products we carry are the best of their kind on the market.
“We’re about offering the best bespoke solution to help our clients choose the right type of window that functions and performs in ways that they require. Also, the products’ clean designs and fine texture and finishing become [important] aesthetics and tasteful mood-setting elements.”
The company is the exclusive Hong Kong distributor of Aliplast Aluminium Systems — a Belgium-based company that specialises in windows, doors, conservatories, sliding systems and curtain facades — that strives for product innovation, design, technical capability and quality. JS Aluminium Window’s client base has risen so quickly that Pat has ventured into an element of production.
“In order to offer the highest bespoke levels and manage the quality of theses products, we have set up our own Aliplast factory in Shanghai,” he explains. “This shortens the production waiting times and freight costs for our architect and developer clients.”
Other brands carried include Solarlux, a German maker known for high-performance bi-folding large-format windows; and Secco from Italy — with bespoke systems in precious premium materials.
Customer Satisfaction
While Pat’s clients are mostly in the architecture, interior design, property developer and construction industry fields, many individual customers approach JS Aluminium Windows directly. And those numbers of small property owners directly requesting glazing consultations have increased from 11 percent in the early years of business to a very sizeable 43 percent today. “In the beginning, it was mostly architects that came to us for fine products from a design perspective or looking for functional window solutions,” Pat says. “Nowadays, knowledge and information flows across the internet. Many individuals even come to us for a consultation before they start a makeover project they’re considering.”
Of the different clients — both construction industry and home or commercial building-owner — that JS Aluminium Window has, there are recognisable constants in their reasons for enlisting the company’s services, besides the elevated durability, function and aesthetics of the products alone.
“We focus on and have put a lot effort into upholding the quality of both our communications and the deliverables,” emphasises Pat. “We’ve always had a 100 percent satisfaction rate according to client feedback. This is because of our superior precise bespoke-solutions service that matches the premium and high-performance products we carry. We had feedback from one architect who chose us over other international window-solution companies because he really appreciated the high level of our service.
Quality Costs
Weighing up the “value” in the premium cost of high-quality frames and glazing (or other panel materials within frames, shuttering and related products carried by JS Aluminium Window) is similar to other top-quality functional products. “You pay for what you get. Guaranteed-warranty ranges have little in common with their ubiquitously installed aluminium-framed counterparts,” Pat says. “Plus window maintenance is part of the standard service — not that it’s often called for with such premium products.” Even coloured coatings are guaranteed for 10 years (except for materials that are oxidation-active, such as bronze or copper).
“There are different reasons why people to come to us,” says Pat. “Our proprietary systems offer high acoustic performance [both indoor refraction of sound and keeping of external noise at bay], which I think many Hong Kong people need.
“Our products are lightweight, which is handy for clients who wish to own a set of oversized windows in flats with high ceilings, and for room corner solutions that look neat and chic and are structurally reliable.
“Apart from aluminium windows, there’s a larger material selection; it definitely becomes more expensive if you are looking for more precious materials, such as bronze, brass — or stainless steel.
“The products speak for themselves, but most importantly each one is a [separate] installation module requiring precise calculations. There’s a lot of manpower involved in what we do — together with our premium products, we might not earn more than a random window supplier on the street for each project. But our goal is perfection — and that further explains our glowing client satisfaction record.”
Pat is a hands-on director: “I’m almost in every role,” he admits. “Although we have comprehensive service and production flows and accurate communications across internal and client areas, I insist on constant reviews with our end-users, as there’s no room for error. Clients come to us looking for high-quality and standards, so I monitor the whole process chain, regardless of a project’s scale — client satisfaction is everything to me.”
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