Rolltec® Wins 3 Awards in the Retractable Awnings Category at the 2005 IFAI Expo in San Antonio, TX

Rolltec® Rolling Systems Ltd, of Concord, Ontario, was honored with the 2005 International Achievement Awards presented by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) for its exceptional specialty fabric projects.

Year after year, Rolltec® Rolling Systems Ltd inspires awe and raises the standards for excellence within the awning industry. The IFAI sponsored world-class competition recognizes companies for their cutting edge design and technology created with specialty fabrics.

Rolltec® Rolling Systems Ltd won three awards in the Retractable Awnings category of the competition: an Award of Excellence for the project Awnings over Terrace Area, an Oustanding Achievement Award for the project Retractable Awning for Restaurant Terrace, and an Outstanding Achievement Award for Retractable Awning for Restaurant Patio in Downtown Toronto.

Selected from 363 entries from 17 different countries, the International Achievement Awards winners represent many of today's top professionals in the specialty fabric industry. All entries were judged by a diverse panel of industry experts, editors, architecs, educators and design professionals selected for their knowledge of the particular category of competition. Judging was based on complexity, design, workmanship, uniqueness and function of the project.

Award for Excellence for the project Awnings Over Terrace Area

This project consisted of three Adalia X3M™ awnings, with full Somfy automated controls, installed on a house in a prestigious residential area in Toronto. The awnings were designed to provide the homeowner with shade over his terrace and inside living area. By installing retractable awnings, the homeowner was able to control the environmental temperature inside, and significantly reduce the air-conditioning cost during summer time.

The difficulty of this project was in installing awnings on an uneven stone surface. The stone surface was carefully chiseled to accommodate the size of wall brackets, which were installed using epoxy glue shields and threaded rods.

Outstanding Achievement Award for the project Retractable Awning for Restaurant Terrace

The restaurant owner's idea was to increase seating area and to be able to use the patio without worrying about weather conditions. Previously used umbrellas did not provide patrons with sufficient shade and protection from rain. The owner decided to replace umbrellas with a single retractable awning.

After completing the project, the owner was thrilled with the results. On top of achieving the original objectives of creating additional seating, the awning also helps to significantly reduce air-conditioning cost on hot summer days. The terrace became the most favorable place for restaurant patrons. The difficulty of this project was in the installation of the huge 32-foot-wide awning on wooden decorative planks. Special anchors with spacers hidden behind wall brackets were fabricated.

Outstanding Achievement Award for the project Retractable Awning for Restaurant Patio in Downtown Toronto

A beautiful fabric awning in conjunction with bright colors on the wall, sign and window frames makes this restaurant stand out on this dull looking street and drastically increases business. The restaurant owner is able to use his patio as a smoking area. The additional seating space created allowed the restaurant to accommodate more people in busy weekend hours and during outdoor festivals and events.

The complexity of this project was in the installation. When we were originally approached by the customer, there was no solid installation surface. We had only two uneven columns to work with. Our installers built out the wall, reinforcing it with wood, and finished it with aluminum cladding to complement the existing exterior.

Rolltec® Wins International Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2004 IFAI Expo

The 57th annual IFAI competition garnered 370 entries from companies in 21 countries. This was the second highest number of participants in the program's history. Rolltec® walked away with an Outstanding Achievement Award for a project in downtown Toronto.

The owner of a restaurant in downtown Toronto wanted to be able to use the patio without worrying about weather conditions, and also to use it as a smoking area. He was very specific about what he wanted: artwork and fabric that enhanced the Spanish style of the restaurant, and a graphic that exactly reproduced the multicolor logo.

The patio was large and configured so that it required two awnings. These were manufactured using three lateral arms and fabric supports. Complexity was in installation and artwork: limited space between the sign and the top of the door required the use of the most compact awning system. Special cedar adapters were provided to match existing window and door frames. The restaurant now stands out on its crowded street, attracting more customers with its European flair.

Rolltec® Wins International Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2002 IFAI Expo

Professionals from 12 countries submitted 292 entries in 26 categories this year. IFAI's panel of expert judges awarded Rolltec® Rolling Systems Ltd with an Award of Outstanding Achievement for a very unusual project.

Rolltec® made a retractable awning over the 2M Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, Arizona. The awning extends from the floor to cover the telescope automatically by remote control. Prior to the installation, personnel had to cover the telescope manually.

Rolltec® Wins International Outstanding Achievement Award at the 1999 IFAI Expo

Rolltec® Rolling Systems received an outstanding Achievement Award in the International Achievement Awards competition at IFAI Expo 1999, held October 28-30 in San Diego, California. The event was organized and sponsored by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI).

Rolltec® won the award in the Retractable Awnings category. The project consisted of a series of five Paramount retractable awnings designed for a residential mansion near Toronto, Canada. Each awning is completely automated, including sun and wind sensors and group controls.

The 52nd annual International Achievement Awards competition drew 340 entries from 117 companies and 13 countries around the world. Companies from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, France, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States all submitted entries, contributing to the international dynamic of the event.