Brel Nederland B.V. is working on its international ambitions

For Brel Nederland B.V., it was a year of pushing forward, innovating, and strengthening its market position, both nationally and internationally. The acquisition of the German company Vestamatic was one of the most significant steps: a strategically placed move to further enter the project market and the German sunshade industry. At the same time, the company from Doetinchem made great strides in product development, with quieter motors, more powerful solar motors, and the new generation of Matter technology. Timo Burlet explains how the company is working on a complete ecosystem of motors and smart-home solutions. An article from Sunshade Magazine.

The Key to the German Market
The biggest strategic step of the year was undoubtedly the acquisition of the German company Vestamatic. “Vestamatic is a company with over 40 years of history,” says Timo. “It wasn't doing well anymore, but it had everything we needed: a German name, a history, and a network.” Brel International B.V. took over the company. “Germany has always been a challenging market for us. With Vestamatic, we finally open the door to a market with enormous potential.”

Brel excels in connectivity. 
 

‘Brel Smart Building is the logical next step for us’

Solar Continues to Grow and Becomes Smarter
“Solar is increasingly becoming the standard,” is the conclusion at Brel. “People choose convenience. For installers, solar has also proven to be a win-win situation. You don't have to drill inside, the adjustment works like a charm, and the technology is now more than mature and reliable.” The solar program became more complete than ever, including the 40 Nm motor for retractable awnings, a quieter 35 mm motor (26 decibels quieter), and new frame variants for solar panels. “For the 40 Nm solar motor, it's a case of 'unknown makes unloved.' The dealers who are now working with it are raving about it. However, for many retailers, it's still an idea they need to get used to: a retractable awning with a battery motor and a solar panel. Yet, it's a solution that scores on all fronts, whether in ease of installation or the aesthetics of the sunshade,” explains Timo.

Timo Burlet: “Brel sells you as a retailer a satisfied customer.”

Brel Smart Building
“Brel Smart Building is the logical next step for us,” declares Timo. “We are building on the success of our Brel Home battery motors, but in a version specifically developed for projects.” While the Brel Home line has proven for years how reliable and efficient solar technology can be, Smart Building adds an extra dimension. “We have expanded the system with a 4G SIM card in each motor. It sounds simple, but the effect is enormous: you can centrally control unlimited motors in one project.” This SIM card is directly connected to the cloud environment. “Each motor 'calls' – figuratively – with the central system. It's two-way communication: we send commands, but the motor sends back its status. So you always know exactly what's happening at each position.” Timo is well aware that solar in the project market is still relatively new. “But 4G connectivity in individual motors? That's truly unique. And everything is developed from A to Z in Doetinchem. A purely Dutch innovation.”

The beauty of Smart Building also lies in its versatility. Timo: “Each motor can be controlled in three ways. Via RF control: the well-known wireless operation with wall or handheld transmitters. Using Bluetooth: ideal for installation, configuration, and on-site service. Or via 4G through the SIM card: for central control via the dashboard on a laptop or tablet. That dashboard is truly the heart of the system. From there, motors are learned, linked, configured, and monitored. And for individual control, the RF transmitters continue to work perfectly.” For projects that need to be linked to a building management system, an API is available. “We seamlessly connect to existing infrastructures. No hassle, no complex integrations,” explains Timo.

Brel Smart Building seamlessly connects to existing infrastructures.

Smart Interaction with the Weather
“What makes Smart Building special is how smartly the system handles weather information. Yes, traditional sensors are coming, but the real power lies in the cloud connection. We use a weather API. As a result, the sunshade anticipates the weather that is coming, not the weather that is already here.” Practically, this means: the sunshade goes up before a storm or rain reaches the building, the motor has its own temperature sensor, and multiple communication routes ensure maximum reliability. “So you never bet on just one horse. That makes the system robust and safe. And of course, we comply with the ISO standards that apply to utility buildings.”

Not Just Informing, But Truly Engaging
With a successful Sunshade Expo 2025 behind us and Polyclose 2026 and Sunshade Expo 2026 ahead, Timo says: “We want installers to not only see us but remember us. The stands at Polyclose and Sunshade Expo will be completely redesigned with a focus on experience.” The philosophy behind Brel is indeed: truly collaborating.
“Brel sells you as a retailer a satisfied customer,” promises Timo. “We always stand beside the manufacturer and the dealer. We listen, think along, and help wherever we can.”

Christmas and New Year’s Wish
"On behalf of our entire team, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a warm New Year’s Eve. And how do you get a warm house during New Year’s Eve? With good indoor or outdoor sunshades with motors from Brel," says Timo with a wink.

Source: Sunshade magazine