Q+A with Roto North America | Future-forward Hardware Solutions

Roto Frank is becoming synonymous for innovative, tailored and reliable hardware systems that create added value for windows and doors. In addition to focusing on digitalization within its own company, Roto is actively helping its customers increase their efficiency using digital processes and automation.

Dan Gray, director of sales for Roto North America, took the time to sit down with Window + Door to discuss Roto’s involvement in the North American market. He highlights how Roto is positioning itself as a leader in the hardware manufacturing industry while steadily embracing technological advancements and market trend shifts, focusing on Roto’s approach to automation technology integration and safety and security-oriented solutions, and its focus on improving energy efficiency and using sustainable manufacturing practices.

Window + Door: How has Roto evolved over the years, and what sets it apart from other window and door hardware manufacturers?

Dan Gray: We have two manufacturing plants in North America, one in Canada and one in the United States. Local manufacturing offers Roto the ability to build quality into our hardware and better control our delivery service to our customers.

Over the past 20 years, Roto North America has continued to increase the depth of its window and door hardware portfolio. Our core focus and competency in North America is casement/awning and sliding patio door hardware solutions, and we have steadily added line extensions to the portfolio over the years. And in December 2022, Roto acquired Ultrafab, the leading manufacturer of weather-sealing solutions.

WD: How does Roto ensure the quality and performance of its hardware products?

DG: Having the ability to manufacture hardware locally, we can design and manufacture quality hardware from the point of specification to the point of shipment. We purchase only the highest grade of raw materials that help ensure a quality finished product.

WD: Smart technology integration is becoming increasingly important in residential hardware. How is your company incorporating smart locks, sensors and other tech-enabled features into your window and door hardware products?

DG: Roto is the exclusive distributor to original equipment manufacturer for Autoslide automation technology for sliding and hinged patio doors. This technology can aid the growing trend for accessibility from indoors to outdoors in one’s home.

WD: In the trend toward safety and security-oriented fenestration solutions, what advanced security features does your hardware provide to enhance the safety of residential windows and doors?

DG: Roto has been a leader in providing window opening control devices, or WOCDs, for hung and sliding windows since 2010. A WOCD that is properly installed will limit the opening angle of a window to help prevent small children from falling. Our WOCDs are manufactured from quality zinc materials and are 100% compliant with ASTM-F2090-21.

WD: With the increasing focus on energy efficiency from homeowners, how does your company’s hardware contribute to improving the energy efficiency of windows and doors? 

DG: Roto’s hardware is tightly sealing to help ensure the efficient energy performance of the windows and doors. For example, Roto’s casement lock bars have adjustable lock pins that allow for a change in compression when needed to help prevent water and air infiltration.

WD: In the context of sustainability, what initiatives has Roto undertaken to reduce its environmental impact? 

DG: In addition to optimizing machinery, using energy-efficient lighting and monitoring energy usage to identify and reduce energy consumption in our manufacturing processes, Roto North America regrinds injection-molding plastics and reworks scrap zinc to minimize waste and impact on the environment. Our commitment to sustainable practices aligns with the growing awareness of responsible resource management, and we also explore eco-friendly materials for our products.

WD: How do you see the window and door hardware manufacturing industry evolving, and what role does Roto play in shaping those changes? What future trends or developments can we expect from Roto?

DG: The fenestration industry has three prominent trends that impact a hardware supplier: an increase in size (height, width and weight), colors (black is prominent), and automation (opening and closing). One example of how Roto is helping to shape the trend for an increase in the size of casement windows is to offer three levels of hinges that do not require additional processing by the fabricator: standard (125-pound sash), heavy-duty (150-pound sash) and supreme (200-pound sash). 

WD: What challenges does Roto face in the current market, and how does the company address or overcome these challenges? Are there specific industry challenges that you believe deserve more attention or discussion?

DG: The economy has not been friendly to our industry in the past 18 months (high interest rates and a lack of new residential construction), so Roto is focused on adding value for our current customers and enticing prospective customers with the introduction of new products, a reduction in manufacturing throughput times and a strong commitment to quality products.