After 40 years: Wirus Fenster boss Ruoff is retiring!

After 40 years: Wirus Fenster boss Ruoff is retiring!

After more than four decades of dedicated work, Christoph Ruoff, the founder of Wirus Fenster GmbH & Co. KG, is pulling the ripcord and saying goodbye to operational business. During its impressive career since the company was founded in 1979, Wirus has developed into a significant player in the German market for windows and front doors made of plastic and aluminum. The withdrawal of Ruoff, who is considered a role model in the industry, is a drastic step for the company, which under his leadership increased production from 500 to around 150,000 windows and 11,000 front doors annually, as nw.de reported.

From August 2024, Thomas Brand, who has been with the company since 1996 and was most recently responsible as operations manager with power of attorney, will take over the position of technical managing director. His colleague Tahir Lambrecht, who will join the team as commercial director in April 2025, has an extensive career in the components trade. Both should continue Wirus' mission and lead the company successfully into the future.

Innovative production facilities and sustainable strategies

The factory premises in Rietberg-Mastholte extend over 30,000 square meters and include production halls, administration buildings, an attractive exhibition and a training center. Particularly noteworthy is the high level of digitalization that comes into play in the areas of sales, production and logistics. Wirus Fenster attaches great importance to sustainable production methods and uses modern systems and renewable energies. This commitment is not only a competitive advantage, but also hits the nerve of an environmentally conscious clientele who are increasingly placing value on sustainable products.

In 2020, Wirus Fenster achieved sales of around 56 million euros and employs around 245 people. The change of ownership in 2021, in which Indus AG took over 70 percent of the shares, is seen as a strategic step to continue to focus on continuity and innovation. This takeover is intended to help set the course for future growth, while the Ruoff family remains present in a key role with 30 percent of the shares, as fenster-tueren-technik.de puts it.

Market challenges and opportunities

However, the situation in the window industry is not easy. As the Munich Strategy points out, the market is faced with falling volumes, rising costs and intense competitive dynamics. Forecasts indicate a decline in the window market of over 3.9% annually until 2025, while the new construction market is particularly hard hit by the crisis. Nevertheless, there are positive impulses from the energy renovation, which are expected from 2025. Companies with solid business models and clear positioning have the best chance of benefiting from a potential upswing.

In times like these, it is more important than ever to have a strong partner at your side and to promote innovative solutions. Wirus Fenster is well positioned to defy the challenges, shape the future positively and thus continue the legacy of Christoph Ruoff.