Hailo is well known to consumers as a producer of ladders, stepladders, and other household consumables – and they can rest assured the products are made of light yet sturdy aluminium from Hydro.
"When you think of Hailo you think of aluminium, and when you think of aluminium Hailo comes to mind – as well as the red dot logo. Our characteristic trademark is extremely important to us," says purchasing manager Ulrich Weigel.
Hailo has its head offices and manufacturing plant in Haiger in the German state of Hesse. The company is well known to consumers as a producer of ladders, stepladders, free-standing and built-in kitchen waste bins, ironing boards and other household consumables.
Hailo’s products all have a modern design, with clean lines, excellent functionality and smart technical solutions. For innovation is more than just a slogan for Hailo. In fact the company’s strategy is that, at any given time, 15 per cent of its sales revenues will come from new products.
 |
| CONTACT PERSON: When Hailo order aluminium from Hydro, Stephanie Eckert ensures that they get their metal at the right time and at the right quality. In the picture she is flanked by Hailo's Friedrich-Ernst Weller and. Ulrich Weigel. (Photo: Dag Sunnanå) |
"That is our aim, at least," says Friedrich-Ernst Weller, the leader of Hailo’s consumer goods innovation team. "We have made innovation a matter for the whole organization. All our 500 employees have the chance to pitch in their ideas. We have organized the actual ideas generation effort into teams, which has proved extremely successful.".
Over the years Hailo has come up with a number of breakthrough products which have become familiar household items, but it is primarily in the development of aluminium ladders and stepladders that Hailo has made its mark.
"This product area uses rollformed aluminium, and Hydro has not only been an important supplier, but a long-term and active partner. And we are proud of the collaboration between our two companies," says Ulrich Weigel, pointing to the fact that product development is often undertaken in close cooperation with the company’s suppliers.
Hailo is famous for its aluminium products, with aluminium making up over one-third of the company’s total material consumption. Working with Hydro’s experts in the field of aluminium is therefore a valuable resource for Hailo, and gives their relations with the company an extra dimension.
But the emphasis on innovation and new product development is not simply about creating an elegant image. As Friedrich-Ernst Weller points out, being first with new and functional products is crucial to continued success in an increasingly demanding consumer market.
However, aluminium access ladders, external lift systems and safety solutions for industrial buildings and wind power facilities represent a new and more professional product area for Hailo. This is an extension of Hailo’s expertise in the design and construction of ladders for various applications. Here too, the use of aluminium almost goes without saying.
Hailo’s main market is in Germany, but the company also has substantial sales in France, Spain and many other European countries.
