Bright Idea
Tony de Maaijer discusses the brand history and future plans for Ziptrak, the revolutionary blinds system he invented
In 1999, entrepreneur Tony de Maaijer received an inquiry from a restaurant. The establishment wanted a window treatment that would allow its patrons to dine outdoors all year round, regardless of the weather. De Maaijer, who owned an outdoor blinds business, swiftly got to work and within a year, he developed an answer: he created Ziptrak, a track-guided, hand-operated outdoor blinds system that would enclose an interior on rainy or sunny days.
“The product options available in the market then were very heavy and difficult to operate,” says the founder of Australian brand Ziptrak. “At that time, I thought there must be a better and easier way to enclose a space. I faced many obstacles to get everything done the way I wanted; the technical aspects, the testing required, and the design and creation of each prototype was extremely detailed.”
Ziptrak features a patented spring-balanced track system that glides smoothly and stops at any height; in Singapore, the brand is distributed by Durablinds. The system eliminates the use of bulky cords, and provides privacy and UV protection. The blinds also keep out the heat, rain, dust and insects, and will not rattle in strong winds.
Since then, the forward-thinking inventor has also invented the Panoview system, which features super-wide blinds specially designed for high-rise residences. Comprising two sections that can span up to 6m wide and 3.4m high, Panoview offers unimpeded panoramic views when the blinds are raised. Another key product is the Ziptrak Interior Blinds system, which will soon be launched in Singapore. Here, the founder reveals more about his invention and plans ahead for the firm.
How does Ziptrak differ from other window coverings?
We were the first in the market with a track-guided solution, and the first to incorporate a spring-balanced system into an outdoor blind. Ziptrak was the first product that created and drove the demand for exterior blinds. While motorised systems are perceived to be convenient, manually operated Ziptrak blinds and their springbalanced system are always reliable, not dependant on electricity, easy to use, and quick to operate.
What are the benefits of using the Ziptrak system in Singapore? Ziptrak is a reliable and robust system designed and produced in Australia, and we partnered with a passionate and capable Singapore company called Durablinds. We have also developed a specific product to suit the Singapore market, Panoview, (which is designed for) high-rise apartments.
Ziptrak was founded in 1999 with your wife Gustie, and your son, Marc, is currently the managing director. What is it like working so closely with your family?
It is wonderful (that) this is my legacy. We started trading (window blinds) in South Australia in 1993. It has been an absolute blessing to work with Gustie, and we were absolutely thrilled when our son joined the business in 2014.
Ziptrak has never stopped evolving; it was the first then and will continue to grow year after year. We’ve structured our business so we can focus on manufacturing and research and development, and possibly the production of every component of the product. From suiting the needs of different markets to improving the ease of installation, everything is continuously refined as feedback and requests come in.