MD's Update - September 2024

Dear Valued Somfy Customers, Partners and Friends,
 

I hope this issue of Motoreyes finds you well and that you and your teams are ready for the approaching high season.
 

At Somfy, our team is ready and we are well-stocked to fully support you as the season ramps up. Year to date, things are going well, with sales ahead of last year and ahead of fiscal budget, with a DIFOT north of 90% and plenty of Somfy stock in-hand to fulfil orders. We know some parts of the market are doing it tough, but we continue to see the momentum of our new range of motors with Zigbee 3.0 grow. This includes the roll-out of showroom updates for our Somfy Retail Expert Partners (REPs), ready for the season ahead.
 

In this issue of Motoreyes, we are proud to share more about our latest end-user campaign and Smart Shading product updates, including news of Somfy's global 'Red Dot Design' award for the new Ysia control range.
 

But I've got some personal news to share…
 

After a long and rewarding career, I've decided that the time has come to embark on the next stage of my life and announce my retirement as Managing Director of Somfy Oceania. As I reflect on a professional journey that began five decades ago as an electrical apprentice, I am immensely proud of what we've achieved together in my time here at Somfy.
 

When I joined Somfy, I had not long returned home after 15 years abroad, managing global subsidiary companies. It was a privilege to bring that experience back to Australia and work with such a passionate and dedicated team. Together, over the last 12 years, we've navigated challenges, embraced opportunities, and built a strong team of talented people. I am proud to have represented such a trusted European brand here in Oceania alongside my team. Overall, and together, we have grown the business nearly four-fold.
 

Over the years, we have worked hard to bring innovation and motorisation to our customers, always focusing on their needs and the evolving demands of the market. The successful launch of the Somfy Retail Expert program, significant projects like 200 George St, and the adoption of connected solutions such as MyLink, Connexoon, and TaHoma are just some of the milestone accomplishments I’ll carry with me. More than the projects, though, it's been the people—our talented, committed team—that have made my time at Somfy so meaningful.
 

I am confident in the future of this business. With the completion of recent major projects like convergence with BFT Automation, the 3PL roll-outs for both Somfy and BFT, a strong executive leadership team in place, and our supply chain firmly on track, Somfy is in a great position to continue its growth and deliver for our customers. I am delighted to pass the reins to Henri Laniece, a trusted senior executive across Somfy Asia Pacific with deep experience. I am confident that Henri will lead Somfy into an exciting and successful future and look forward to introducing Henri when he joins us here in Sydney.
 

As for me, I'm ready to head into retirement (20 January 2025) with the same gusto and enthusiasm I've gone into all of life's stages with. I'm looking forward to spending more quality time with my family, pursuing hobbies, and perhaps even slowing down to enjoy life's simpler pleasures—we'll see! I'll continue to serve the industry as a director, and vice-president, on the WSAA (formerly BMAA) board through to October 2026, advocating and working to foster a more collaborative, professional, and environmentally sustainable future for our industry.
 

Thank you for your trust and partnership throughout my journey, it has been great fun. Somfy Oceania is in excellent hands, and I look forward to watching it continue to thrive.
 

Warm regards,

Stephen Eggleton

Managing Director, Oceania

Somfy Pty Limited