Last week, our Sales & Marketing Manager, Patrik Blondin, began a trip to Germany to connect with our partners at REHAU and attend one of the largest window industry trade shows in Europe.
With more than 800 exhibitors and representation from across the global window industry, this event offers a unique opportunity to explore emerging technologies, automation, and manufacturing advancements.
In addition to the show, Pat will be touring REHAU facilities, meeting with industry leaders, and gaining firsthand insight into innovations that could shape the future of Minnkota Windows. As we continue to invest in quality, efficiency, and long-term growth, opportunities like this allow us to bring a global perspective back to the Midwest.
Here are a few of Pat’s early observations from the trip:
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The first order of business on my trip to Germany for Fensterbau Frontale 2026 was a visit to the REHAU extrusion plant in Wittmund, Germany.
It was about an hour trip from our hotel in Bremen, Germany, and my first experience with the German Autobahn. They make some pretty fast cars over here! We would be traveling at speeds faster than any Interstate highway back home, and still getting passed like we were sitting still.
REHAU's plant in Wittmund opened in 1969 with five extrusion lines and a total of 45 employees. Currently, they have 40 extrusion lines and an additional five lamination lines. All told 550+ people are employed at this massive facility.
While Minnkota Windows doesn't currently receive any of our PVC extrusions from Wittmund, ours come from REHAU's plant in Celaya, Mexico, everything that happens here is the basis for all extrusions in their multiple locations.
Wittmund is the epicenter for all the research and development in their extrusion. If it says REHAU on the time stamp, it's been developed by the folks in Wittmund and passed along to their other extrusion facilities.
One interesting nugget we learned is that they are testing a digital printing process. They hope someday to be able to take any image and transfer that to an extrusion. Consider the possibility of taking a selfie and having that image plastered on each of your windows in your home! We're not quite there yet, but it's an indication of one of the many things they're doing to look into the future.
What they have done with this technology is grab an image of a piece of real wood, with a unique grain pattern, and recreate that pattern as a window extrusion. We saw the real wood right next to the printed window frame and you really couldn't tell the difference. They even FELT identical! This opens the door to even more customizable window options than the 150 different lamination colors this plant currently stocks.
One of the really interesting things we learned was about the REHAU culture. When people go to work here, they don't leave. They celebrate work anniversaries regularly. Recently, they recognized 300+ individuals who have been employed for 25 years. Over half of their workforce have been there for a quarter-century. Talk about dedication!
This was my first visit to any extrusion plant and I'm grateful for the experience. I learned a lot about our industry as well as the pride, dedication and effort REHAU commits to producing the finest PVC extrusions in the world for Minnkota Windows.
Next up, a visit to Munich for some history and traditional German fare and then the Frontale show begins! Really excited to see what REHAU has to share at the largest window exposition Europe has to offer.
Auf wiedersehen!
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There’s a lot to take in, and this is just the beginning.
We’re excited to continue following along as Pat explores new ideas, technologies, and opportunities that could help shape what’s next for Minnkota Windows — and ultimately benefit our dealers and customers.