SoftTop, a new sliding roof system that has been developed using a new comprehensive modular concept based on aluminium extrusions from Hydro

Ertec AS, a leading supplier of equipment and components to the marine industry, drew considerable attention at the Marine Equipment Trade Show, METS, the world’s foremost shop window for leisure craft that was recently held in Amsterdam. Attention focused on the company’s new sliding roof system SoftTop when it was nominated for the show’s prestigious design award. The system was developed using a new comprehensive modular concept based on aluminium extrusions from Hydro.

New development concept

SoftTop is a sliding roof made with a cloth similar to the canvas material used in convertibles. At the heart of the system are aluminium extrusions such as the longitudinal fastening rods and the curved roof supports. It is the result of the modular approach recently adopted by the boat industry where the whole production process from design to manufacturing and assembly is seen as a complete flow with customised interfaces for quick and easy installation and total reliability.

“What we are introducing is a modern process in an industry that otherwise mostly uses methods similar to craftmanship,” says Geir Søraker, managing director of Ertec AS. “This permeates the way we think, the whole and modules at all stages! It gives a homogeneous result with advantages throughout the value-added chain where we ensure lean production, tolerances and details that interface with final assembly and installation. The module concept now plays a central role in our future development.”

Great interest from the industry

The new approach has been developed in close cooperation with leading Norwegian organisations in research and innovation, Hydro Aluminium Profiler and boat builders. It may not have won an award at METS but it did arouse great interest from the whole leisure craft industry including the media, other manufacturers and customers.

Extrusions intelligent construction material

The main component in the design is aluminium extrusions that Ertec describes as an ‘intelligent’ construction material. When used correctly it fits in perfectly with the new concept. It provides opportunities for built-in functions that facilitate and simplify as well as eliminating much of the ensuing machining. Consequently SoftTop’s mounting extrusions include built-in functions for fitting to the roof/deck, running wires and fixing the curved roof supports, the cloth and the motor. “Together with Hydro we have developed and exploited the opportunities provided by extrusions to the max as well as aluminium giving us a ‘green’ perspective with minimal maintenance, great durability and simple, environmentally friendly recycling,” continues Geir Søraker.

Flying start

The development work for SoftTop has taken the best part of two years and is now being introduced in Ertec’s markets worldwide. Agreements are being written for manufacturers and production is well underway.

A flying start for Ertec’s new module concept with extrusions at its heart!