The Buzz is Building.

This article by Ryan Bromley, Co-Founder of Kubu Smart Security 🔒 was first published in Total Installer Magazine February 2024 Edition.

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In the landscape of innovation, certain moments stand out as pivotal in how we perceive and interact with technology. 

“You are very fortunate if, during your career, you get the opportunity to launch a product that fundamentally changes a market. To be able to do it more than once, is an honour.” 

You could be forgiven for thinking this statement sounds like something from the mouth of a visionary like Steve Jobs (of Apple fame). But actually, it came from my Dad – Mark Bromley – at a recent client meeting.

Expanding on this, he added, “At Millenco, we introduced the first hook to a multi-point door lock, which completely revolutionised the door lock industry. Today, with Kubu’s latest advancements and the enthusiastic response we are getting from our fabricators, I can sense a similar transformative wave. A significant change in direction is imminent, and we’re not just riding that wave; we’re steering the ship.”

He’d hate me for mentioning him in the same sentence as Steve Jobs, but the impact that he has had over the years in our small industry is nothing to shy away from. 

Jobs’ impact on technology was not just in creating new products but in ushering new ways of interacting with the world. Take the iPod, for instance. Before its launch, music consumption was fragmented – CDs, tapes, and digital downloads coexisted but didn’t offer a cohesive experience. The iPod, coupled with iTunes, streamlined music storage and purchase, transforming not just a product but an entire industry.

Similarly, the iPhone redefined communication, turning a mobile phone into an indispensable life management tool. The iPad took it further, changing our internet interaction from the confines of desktops to the freedom of our palms. Each of these innovations didn’t just introduce a new product; they reimagined existing standards.

In the Fenestration industry, we are now standing on the brink of such a transformation. 

The focus is shifting from clunky “smart” security solutions, focused on your front door, to a more comprehensive approach – smart security sensors for your whole home. A rise that mirrors the broader acceptance of smart home technology, integrating seamlessly into our daily lives. 

Just think how smart bulbs (like Philips Hue or Wiz) have transformed simple lighting into customisable tools that provide easy to use lighting for specific activities (like watching a movie, or doing the vaccing) and added security features (such as simulated occupancy or alarm warnings). 

When companies like Ikea are venturing into the Smart Sensor market, you know the customer demand is there!

Switching back to our industry, it’s not just about adding a technological feature to a window or a door; it’s about redefining what these elements can be. Imagine a home where windows and doors are more than static fixtures, but active, intelligent participants in home security and management. 

This is the future Kubu is steering us towards.

The next few months are set to be a thrilling period in this journey. Kubu’s commitment to innovation is about to culminate in the launch of new products and market strategies that promise to be as impactful as that first hook in a multi-point door lock. 

We’re not just talking about incremental improvements; these are pioneering innovations set to redefine the industry’s landscape. Those we have been speaking to can see that something big is coming, something that will change the game forever.

As we stand on the brink of this revolution, it’s an exciting time for fabricators, installers, and end-users. There’s a real buzz starting to build. 

But this is more than just a product launch; it’s a statement of intent. Kubu is not just following trends; it’s setting them. We are at a pivotal moment where our decisions and actions could dictate the direction of an entire industry. The seismic shift that my Dad spoke of in that meeting is not just imminent; it’s already underway.

As we embrace these changes, it’s crucial to remember that this is more than just change for change’s sake. It’s about understanding and meeting the changing needs of consumers. It’s about creating a future where fenestration products are not merely functional but are integral to the smart ecosystem of a home.

It’s not just about pumping out new products, but about ushering in a new era. An era where the fenestration industry plays a crucial role in the smart home revolution, and where you, as installers lead that charge.

Be Smart. Work with Kubu.