SKYLUX

A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY HISTORY

The first generation: Grandfather Albert sees the light.

In 1954, Grandfather Albert Glorieux started a glass and mirror wholesale business in the Belgian town of Kuurne. Albert had a nose for business and saw the potential of plastics. In 1961 he produced the first corrugated sheets under the name Glovo Plastiek. Seven years later, he started making polyester barrel vaults. In 1971, the first skylights saw the light of day.

Together with his sons Pierre and Rik, Albert founded Alpiri Plastics to produce polyester roof curbs for the skylights. A few years later, it was renamed AG Plastics. As you probably guessed, ‘AG’ stands for ‘Albert Glorieux’. The business grew and in 1981 it relocated to nearby Stasegem.

The second generation: Rik expands the horizon

For AG Plastics, 1982 was literally a black year: a fierce fire destroyed the entire skylight production facility. For two years, production was temporarily housed in a nearby building. In 1983 Albert retired and his sons took over his two companies. Pierre carried on the glass business and Rik took charge of AG Plastics.

Under Rik’s leadership, AG Plastics grew rapidly. The product spectrum expanded enormously to include not only skylights, but also verandas, roof gutters, PVC roof curbs, barrel vaults, and more. The infrastructure grew steadily, with more and more company buildings and sites. These were first established on Spoorwegstraat, and then on Spinnerijstraat, too, when further capacity was needed.

Constantly improving

The sky was the limit for Rik and his team. They acquired supplier companies and constantly developed new products. After a development process of more than four years, they launched the Skylux Window in 2012 - a PCV frame with super-insulating safety glass. Innovations in barrel vaults and verandas were also developed.

The third generation: Jean carries on the dream

On 6 August 2014, tragedy struck: Rik died in an air crash. Family, friends and employees were shocked and grieved. But nobody doubted the future of AG Plastics, because Rik had built up a solid team. His son Jean, who had been active in the company for 10 years, took over the helm.

With great passion, Jean is carrying on the lifework of his father and giving the company new stimulus, and has the full support of the staff in this. AG Plastics currently has about 280 employees and the company sites now cover 14 hectares.

A new milestone

In 2016, AG Plastics changed its name to Skylux and the company amazed the world with the launch of iDome, iWindow2 and iWindow3 – three innovative skylights with outstanding insulation, light entry, efficiency and appearance. The response has been very enthusiastic.

Jean and his team continually venture into new markets. In 2016 they started building a factory in the Czech Republic. This was not for the sake of cheaper production, but to facilitate quick, efficient deliveries to existing and future customers in Eastern Europe. Additionally, business is also expanding in markets abroad e.g. in Denmark, Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

More than ever, the mission is to enable everyone to enjoy the benefits of daylight. Hello daylight!

Daylight is our business

THE 1.001 BENEFITS OF DAYLIGHT

There are very few things that are free and offer as many benefits as daylight.

DAYLIGHT ENHANCES OUR SENSE OF WELLBEING

Daylight is a gift from the heavens. It makes us feel good. Did you know that artificial light upsets our biorhythms, leading to mood swings? By contrast, daylight is great for our natural constitution. Providing enough daylight - through a skylight - is therefore essential to get through the day feeling well-balanced and avoiding fatigue.

DAYLIGHT GIVES US BOTH ENERGY AND REST

Daylight comes in various colours and intensities. For example, the rising sun stimulates the production of cortisol, a hormone that makes us more active and improves our concentration. Towards the end of the day, daylight becomes less intense and our bodies start producing melatonin. That hormone makes us restful and prepares us for the coming night. With a skylight you therefore benefit from all types of light.

DAYLIGHT IS ENTIRELY FREE

Daylight is free - it doesn’t come from a power outlet. A skylight dramatically reduces the need for artificial light in your home or workplace. That is not only good for the environment but also greatly reduces your electricity bill.

DAYLIGHT IS SAFER

In the office, in a workshop or at home, you work a lot more safely with daylight from a skylight. That is because blanket lighting from above is three times stronger than light aimed vertically downwards. By ensuring that there aren’t any dark corners, you can prevent an accident.