Andreas, Thomas – you’ve been around for so long, tell me, where have the biggest changes or innovations been in the lock / window sector in recent decades from your point of view?

Andreas Mielke: The biggest changes have been in the area of standardization. Germany has always been the “world standardization champion”, but the EU has followed suit and now thinks in terms of functional systems. The best examples here are emergency exit devices in accordance with EN179 and panic exit devices in accordance with EN1125. Unfortunately, the amount of testing and documentation required has also increased dramatically. Today, you have to be half a lawyer to be able to implement all the standards and regulations almost flawlessly.

However, the greatest innovations today usually consist of reconciling the aspects of function, actuating forces, service life and design in the smallest of installation spaces.

Thomas Mielke: The changing times are clearly recognizable. Twenty years ago, 995 of a property’s 1000 windows were mechanical and 5 were electrified – today, of course, things are different. Even mechanical windows can often no longer manage without cables, whether it’s just for an opening monitoring signal or in the event of a break-in. Security-related specifications for escape routes and automated window openings have evolved from SHEVS to smart homes and so on.

Window weights have also had a major influence on the world of fittings due to security glazing or triple glazing required for energy efficiency. Back then, 140 kg sash weight was the limit, today it is just midfield. WSS currently serves the window hardware segment with various solutions for sash weights of up to 400 kg and developed a wide range of solutions for this market at a very early stage.

What crises in the construction industry do you remember and how were they overcome?

Andreas Mielke: The construction industry has always gone through ups and downs. However, WSS has always had the advantage of an extensive product range, which has mitigated these crises for us in the individual construction sectors. We have always used these times in a forward-looking way to optimize products and processes or develop new special solutions and generate new sales markets.

Thomas Mielke: Yes, exactly. Ups and downs will also be unavoidable in the future. However, the employees at WSS have always accepted these challenges in order to overcome the crises together and grow from them. We stick together, no matter what.

Can you give us an insight into your day-to-day work? What does it look like?

Thomas Mielke: No two days are the same and are full of challenges. I never get bored. [laughs].

My expertise in the field of window technology (manual or mechatronic) is often called upon, be it in application technology, internal or external training courses or in production, e.g. on the subject of “FMEA”, as a technical task force on site, in the construction of sample elements and so on. Sometimes even architects and profile houses approach me, often looking for support in the borderline areas of standard fittings or physics.

In order to overcome such challenges, we are always grateful to work out solutions with colleagues from other teams. Together, you often reach your goal faster.

My role as a trainer for our trainees and examiners at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce is not just an empty phrase for me. Working with young people always opens up new facets / perspectives and is fun.

I am currently also happy to take on the challenge of renovating old facades to preserve buildings worthy of preservation.

Andreas Mielke: I can only confirm that every day is different. The focus is always on the customer. And it’s true: Communication with colleagues, some of whom have become real friends over the years, leads to solutions that no one would ever have thought of before.

The daily challenge of identifying and understanding customer requirements, finding solutions, developing and realizing new ideas with the team that will be needed in the future is the core of my job at WSS.
I enjoy being able to pass on the experience I have gained over many years in the field of application technology and profile systems to the next generation. I am also still learning new things. The well-known saying “You never stop learning” is not just an empty phrase.

Which WSS product inspires you time and time again?

Thomas Mielke: To be honest, I can’t make a decision here. Every product group has its favorites, and I don’t think it would be fair to single out just one, as I stand behind every product in my area. Do you have one, Andreas?

Andreas Mielke: No, it is impossible for me to pin it down to individual products, because there is not just one product with which we can offer our customers a good solution. As a rule, it’s a mix that leads to success.

In other words: Which WSS product would you like to have at home and why?

Thomas Mielke: Balcony / patio doors with handle-controlled comfort hold-open devices would have the best chance of being implemented during the next refurbishment [laughs]. Convenient retrofitting of windows with our new clampable RC parts would also be a sensible option.

Andreas Mielke: I could actually live happily with all the WSS products in our house.
The only thing I can think of spontaneously at home is our shower door hinges, which make a noise every time the door moves, despite regular lubrication. Unfortunately, these are not products with standard dimensions that you can simply replace. However, I am sure that our WSS solution would be better. So I will definitely prefer it when it comes to replacing them.

Thank you very much!