Acrobatikdesafio – Founded in 2013, in Ponta Delgada in the Azores, is a leading company in the civil construction and metalwork sector, dedicated to providing innovative, sustainable and robust solutions to meet the needs of the construction market.
Marco Rego, managing partner, began his professional activity as a carpenter and, in 1997, began working as a metalworker in aluminum solutions. The pleasure for the sector of activity, the desire to generate a business on his own combined with the knowledge of the entire manufacturing and assembly process, led Marco to create his own company in 2013. And thus Acrobatikdesafio, Construção Civil e Serralharia de Alumínios, Lda, was born and today has a team of 10 people, a turnover of aluminum frames in excess of €1M, a strong portfolio of works distributed across the Azores and a vast portfolio of satisfied customers. The company was elected leading PME Líder in 2021 and 2022.
1 - How do you define Acrobatikdesafio?
Marco Rego – Make a self-analysis is not always easy, but Acrobatikdesafio is made up of the entire team, and in this way I can say that we are a company with an innovative approach and with great passion for exceeding expectations. Since our beginning, we have built a solid reputation based on integrity, quality, commitment and a transparent relationship with our customers. We have a future-oriented vision, an unwavering commitment to excellence.
We develop our activity thinking, obviously in the short term as we have daily financial commitments, but above all in the medium and long term, as our solutions must be lasting for sustainable construction and the satisfaction of our customers.
2 - What are the pillars for Acrobatikdesafio’s success?
Marco Rego - As my grandfather who loved football said, “Do not change a winning team”. This applies to many areas, particularly in the world of work. When we have the right team and partners, we shouldn't mess around. We can make some adjustments, but always be very careful. As a founding partner of the company, I always wanted to surround myself with the best professionals (both as professionals and as people!) and create good relationship with suppliers. The focus must be on the customer, but not only. We have to go further and realize that there are other elements in the equation that are equally important. We will never complete a puzzle if we forget some pieces.
3 - Extrusal is a brand well present at Acrobatikdesafio. Why?
Marco Rego – It's true. We have worked with Extrusal since the beginning of our activity. Before founding Acrobatikdesafio, I worked in another company. It was there that I discovered the Extrusal brand and worked with the framing solutions developed by Extrusal, dating back to 1999. Extrusal emerged in the Azores in 1998 through Facondex, its logistics hub located on the island of São Miguel.
This year, Extrusal celebrates its 25th anniversary of activity in the Azores, and I have been working with the Extrusal brand for the same 25 years. The quality of the profiles, the design of the systems and the technical support were evident from the outset. It is important to trust in the material and feel that we have a supplier always with You. There are specific projects that require exclusive solutions adapted to reality, and I can say that in in these types of situations Extrusal is a brand that “does not give up” when there are these challenges that initially seem not to be feasible. We are able, together, to find a solution for every ridiculous situation that arises. This solution is always tested to ensure it is the best for the customer and user. And it is these factors that made Extrusal go from “supplier” to “partner”, many years ago, when I created Acrobatikdesafio.
4 - What has it been like working with Extrusal?
Marco Rego – I can reduce my answer to one word: excellent! We manage our needs effectively and efficiently. Here, it is also worth mentioning that Extrusal's logistics center in the Azores, Facondex, is a great support! The physical presence of the brand on site is very important. I'm still old school! I like contact with people. It is important to have someone, in loco, with technical knowledge to discuss ideas and opinions about the projects. On the other hand, existing physical proximity is crucial when we talk about order management.
5 – Does the Extrusal commercial team in the Azores have an active presence with customers?
Marco Rego - Yes, without a doubt. It is important to feel that our suppliers are present when we need help or support on projects. I appreciate all the professionalism of the Extrusal team, both on the continent and in the Azores. Extrusal has a team of very dedicated professionals with high technical knowledge. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rocha Vieira, who is currently retired, as he was a professional that I am proud to have worked with.
6 - Is it important Extrusal to be geographically close of Acrobatikdesafio?
Marco Rego – Yes, managing the entire process is made easier! Order management, where I emphasize the speed of material delivery, is essential. It is true that there are projects with their own specifications, for example, the surface treatment applied has a special reference and there is no stock. However, for profiles that we use regularly and colors and finishes frequently requested by customers, there is always material available. The same situation for accessories. Facondex works very well with its stock management. On the other hand, when there is a need to go to a construction site or discuss a situation directly with the construction owner or even the prescriber, it is much faster and easier to do so with a partner who is physically close.
7 - Is there a project in which Extrusal made the most impact?
Marco Rego – I can list several situations, however there are two projects that were very challenging in terms of the solutions requested. One of them, the project was even prescribed in another brand of aluminum systems. This brand claimed that it was impossible to develop the prescribed solution due to the size and weight of the sash (a 1-sash pivoting door measuring 330 cm x 240 cm). The construction owner, eager to have the solution implemented in his work, requested our support. Acrobatikdesafio presented the project to Extrusal, and today we have a majestic door at the client as initially designed. The other work was the execution of a harmonious door with interior and exterior opening of 9 sashes and 12 sashes. This door was highly complex both in its execution and in the product applied/assembled: it must be usable and provide comfort to the customer when handling it. After several studies, we managed to assemble the window, and today, we are proud to know that the door remains intact.
8 - What essential characteristics are you looking for in a framing solution?
Marco Rego – Quality, durability and efficiency. The quality of the profiles is fundamental, as is the surface treatment applied. Then we have the quality of the system, that is, the solution itself, the way it is conceptualized. As for durability, the product we sell must be seen as a long-term investment. We don't change the windows in our house every day! And here, it is important to highlight the accessories, the locks, for example. Finally, efficiency and performance have been, on the one hand, a requirement increasingly demanded in specifications, but also by end consumers and project owners. Both new construction and rehabilitation have focused on efficient and sustainable solutions. It is a legal requirement, but also an increasing concern for customers to reduce energy consumption and enhance the comfort of their home. And today, I can even say that there are people who prefer to pay a little more and have a quality, durable and efficient solution.
9 – From the catalog of solutions for Architecture, which are the most applied by Acrobatikdesafio?
Marco Rego – There are four systems that I strongly defend. The B.095 system is a robust sliding system. It can support very high dimensions and sash weights without compromising the handling of the window. It is a system suitable for intensive use, such as hotels, schools or public spaces. However, for single-family houses, I usually apply the B.095 LV system as it has a reduced view of the central profile. It is a solution that focuses more on elegance and the consumer gives more and more importance to aesthetics. For hinged systems, I point to the A.155 system. It is a system with thermal break that allows us to respond to the wide variety of projects we receive, both in terms of opening types and sash sizing, and has an excellent price/quality ratio. Finally, the F.100 Safeglass guardrail system is an elegant and robust security solution, applicable on balconies, terraces, swimming pools, stairs and walls. We have a lot of work with this guard system.
10 – Do you recommend Extrusal’s architectural systems to your clients?
Marco Rego - Yes, without a doubt. It is a brand in which I have full confidence. We have been working with Extrusal for 25 years. I know the solutions and we always have the technical support we need. Furthermore, I can say that problems in work where we apply Extrusal solutions can be counted with the fingers of one hand, and even these were resolved peacefully. The customer does not want to be bothered with solutions that cause problems. Windows that don't slide easily or don't seal are problems I don't want for our customers. I recommend one solution or another depending on the project, and Extrusal is my reference brand in the framing sector. We like and highly recommend Extrusal brand. As I usually say, it is better to invest a little more at the beginning than, after half a dozen years, having to replace accessories or even the entire frame. It's a whole set of related inconveniences: works, wasted time and more financial investment. If we don't want problems, we have to avoid them. To do this, it is important to choose a good brand, and Extrusal is undoubtedly an excellent brand.
11 – Future projects. Is Extrusal still on the list of partners/suppliers?
Marco Rego – Yes, Extrusal is and will continue to be a recommended brand. The market change as the architectural demands, and Extrusal knows how to keep up with these changes. It has a team of professionals attentive to the market and this is important: both in terms of marketing, product development, its production process, as well as its commercial team, where monitoring is very good.