Glass Times editor, Luke Wood, visits Maco UK to learn more about how the business is operating under a new globally focused structure, its outlook for the year ahead and growing interest in the Sense by Maco smart technology.

When Mr Neuwirth was appointed CEO of the Maco Group in March 2025, it quickly became clear that his leadership would be both visible and decisive.

Based at Maco’s global headquarters in Salzburg, the CEO has taken a notably hands-on approach to the business, starting with an extensive tour of Maco’s facilities around the world before turning his attention to products, developments and customers.

Maco is a truly international business, supplying hardware solutions into 40 countries, supported by 16 office locations and six subsidiary production facilities. In the UK, Maco has been established since 1986, originally in Dartford, Kent, and now operating from Sittingbourne. The site is home to a high-tech logistics centre alongside dedicated testing and training facilities, underlining the importance of the UK market within the wider Group.

With a global workforce of around 2,400 people, the structure allows teams to be formed across departments and territories to work on specific projects, while individuals and resources are shared across multiple initiatives.

“Everyone is encouraged to have a voice,” explains Maco UK managing director, Kevin Whiting. “From warehouse teams through to directors, there’s a real sense that you’re part of the same team. It gives people purpose, drive and a shared vision for where the business is going.”

While the UK remains a unique market in terms of window and door design, Maco UK is fundamentally engaged in the wider global framework.

“That doesn’t mean losing focus on our UK customers – far from it,” Kevin stresses. “What it means is that we can draw on a much wider pool of expertise, while still tailoring everything to the needs of the UK market.”

Speed of decision-making has also improved. “There’s a real attitude now of ‘if we can do it, let’s get it done’. That makes a difference not just internally, but to our customers too. We’re more cohesive as a business than we were even two or three years ago.”

Looking ahead to the UK market, Kevin is realistic about the challenges that remain. “The market is still suppressed, and expectations for organic growth in 2026 are fairly low,” he says. “That said, there’s clearly potential there if consumer confidence starts to pick up.”

He notes that homeowners are increasingly well-informed.

“Consumers are doing their homework. They’re researching products and solutions – they just seem to be waiting for the all-clear that now is the right time to spend.”

Against that backdrop, Maco is targeting growth and capitalising on an increasing interest in smart technology, through its Sense by Maco range.

Sense by Maco includes Matter-approved sensors that communicate seamlessly across major smart platforms, from Amazon to Apple. Importantly for the UK market, the sensors are retrofittable into any Maco hardware, regardless of age, creating a straightforward upselling opportunity for installers.

“Smart hardware needs to do much more than simply tell you a window or door is open,” Kevin says. “That idea alone hasn’t really excited homeowners. Sense by Maco allows installers to offer a fully integrated smart home solution – covering security, energy efficiency, lighting, heating, air quality and more.”

While it is a global system, Kevin believes the UK represents a significant growth opportunity.

“With a new generation of homeowners coming through, and in the current market conditions, it’s exciting for us to be a part of that and to be able to offer it alongside our traditional hardware solutions. The sensors are quick and easy to fit, on both new and existing windows, and they allow installers to add real value to every installation.”

With a more dynamic connected global structure, renewed momentum and a clear product roadmap, Maco appears well positioned to turn collaboration into competitive advantage.