Serge Ferrari, the fabric brand that accompanies our SkyBubbles
Serge Ferrari R&D Center in France
J. We’re off to a strong start! The key, in my opinion, has been and is to put technology at the service of quality, to be aware of what our clients ask of us, to advise them based on our experience and very specifically. In our case, the durability of our product is key; only high quality guarantees powerful durability. Our industrial fabrics are often exposed to the elements and, working in 80 different countries, you’ll guess that the weather conditions are very variable, from high temperatures to glacial cold. Being able to serve and guarantee a product that guarantees durability sets us apart.
Q. For those not versed in the subject, what do you tell someone who asks you “where do you work” and who you’ve just met?
J. I think the best way to define it would be to say that I work for a brand that makes products that we use every day without necessarily knowing that we use them.
P. Context, please (laughs)
J Composite fabrics for outdoor use are used for textile architecture; they are present in modular structures, stands in major football stadiums, in the maritime sector and, of course, in the sun protection of curtains and sails for structures for Glampings such as SkyBubbles. As I was saying, the wear and tear of materials outdoors is much harder than indoors and guaranteeing quality mainly involves guaranteeing durability.
Q. To give you an idea, what durability are we talking about?
J. A few days ago, a client of ours from Palma de Mallorca called us because he wanted our opinion on the possible need to change an infrastructure that he had installed with our product 26 years ago. We studied it; in 26 years, the fabric that we installed at the time had lost only 10% of its mechanical properties… It could even easily last a couple more years! Put into context and taking into account the inclement weather, I think I answer your question. (laughs)
J. It is a market that continues to grow and in which we believe that our contribution can be decisive for its main players. As an opportunity, we see that we are needed especially in the northern European countries, that is, the coldest ones and, of course, in the southern countries so that the user can enjoy the outdoors while being protected from the sun.
Q. The heat, despite being in the Mediterranean, increasingly represents a challenge that brands like Skybubbles have to face from a sustainable perspective and not just from a comfort perspective…
J. Exactly, self-regulation through solar panels is an option to take into account and, of course, our fabric to avoid overheating of rooms that allows them to be kept at a lower temperature than the outside and not waste so much energy… The wear and tear of repeatedly adjusting the temperature of a room that is at 40 degrees during the day is very high and expensive.
P. One question we often ask in our interviews is what goals you have and what you have to achieve them.
J. Continuing to grow means entering new markets where we can be relevant and, above all, having a technically prepared team to not only offer our products but also advise and help those who buy them in technical aspects. The “how” is as important as the “what”, our team must be up to the quality of our products and vice versa, and for the moment we are achieving this!
Q. We have spoken at length and extensively about the quality of your product, but distinguishing it, giving options to the buyer and committing to environmental sustainability is essential to compete in global markets… what do you do about it?
J. You are right on target with your reflection. I would say that our products and our teams, as cores, must be accompanied by 4 fundamental axes:
Creativity when imagining and seeking solutions to the challenges that our clients propose to us, design to guarantee original and distinctive models with a sufficiently wide range of colours that allows us to talk about personalisation and, above all, to reduce the carbon footprint without giving up quality. Innovation must and does lead us to raise the standards with respect to the environmental impact of our product in a real way, without greenwashing.
J. They are transgressive and different habitats that guarantee comfort and an innovative experience in the guest-nature relationship. Together with an adequate selection of suppliers, as you are doing, your concept adds value to a sector that is in full growth. I am sure that a great journey awaits us together.
Q. By the way, this year we have an event, right?
J. Indeed! Serge Ferrari will organize the 2nd “Live Our Lodge” show on November 14 & 15 in the Netherlands, specifically in Hardenberg,
P. Focused on glamping from what we see…
J. Yes, totally. It will have an exhibition area and 4 workshops where we intend not only to exhibit what we do but to connect and seek the needs of our clients.
Q. What will these workshops be about?
J. 4 very focused and concrete topics that will allow us all not only to get to know each other better but also to project the future of glamping;
– Colours and Textures: Composing and assembling future moodboards
– Search for shapes: Imagining the shapes of tomorrow
– Economy: Optimising ROI by investing in accommodation
– Sustainability: Understanding and calculating the environmental impact of the sector.
Q. It looks great!
J. It will be a very productive day, expectations are high. You have to come!
Q. Skybubbles will be there.
J. I like it that way! (Laughs)
Q. Thank you very much for your time Julien!
J. To you!