Another update from Minnkota Windows as we take in everything Fensterbau Frontale 2026 has to offer in Nuremberg, Germany. Pat is on the ground experiencing it all firsthand. Here’s his recap from day one:
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Fensterbau Frontale 2026 opened to sunny skies, warm temperatures, and thousands of visitors from all over the world on Tuesday in Nuremberg, Germany.
Exhibitors filled nearly a dozen halls showcasing myriad products and services dedicated to the fenestration industry. Fenestration is a term not often familiar to many. It refers to the design, arrangement, and proportioning of openings (primarily windows, doors, and skylights) in a building's facade.
I was overwhelmed by the size and stature of this show! I have little to compare a larger show like this back in the U.S., but this is immense!
I began my experience in the REHAU booth (conveniently located near the entrance) and was one of several dozen others who were interested to see what's new for both the North American and European markets. If you read the post from my visit to the plant in Wittmund, you may recall things are quite different on either side of the Atlantic.
REHAU is currently designing a new hung/slider option for the U.S. that was very interesting (see below). Their 590 Transcend Series incorporates both PVC and RAU-FIPRO (fiberglass composite) elements that will allow for durability without steel reinforcement at the meeting rail. This will likely be released later this year and is very exciting for them.
I spent quite some time in the REHAU booth as there was much to see. Many different window and door solutions along with software and marketing services that I intend to learn more about in coming days.
Apparently, the booth has multiple floors that I was initially unaware of. As I mentioned, this show is overwhelming! I'll explore more when I return!
I spent much of the rest of my first day seeking to learn more about automated options for various production processes. I'm a sales guy so I'm not truly even sure what I was seeing. Lots of cool robots and automation that could make Minnkota Windows much more efficient and grow capacity.
Specifically, a nice chat with Philip Gross, who educated me on a cool process to apply paint via vacuum system. The machine is fed full-length profiles and can simultaneously apply paint on a single, or several, surfaces. Once paint is applied there's a second station that cures it and readies the profile for cutting.
The technology on display at Frontale is truly unbelievable. More on that in future posts.
Next up, a visit to a fabrication plant in Schnelldorf, Germany. More time on the Autobahn (this time via coach bus)! I'm looking forward to the similarities and differences between Minnkota Windows and a European facility.