Whether it’s hiking along Cape Town’s mountain trails or paddling in the cold water of the Atlantic ocean, Duncan Snyman, General Manager of AMERICAN shutters® is always up for a challenge. In fact, it was a quest for a new challenge that saw Duncan join AMERICAN shutters six years ago. And according to Duncan, he continues to be challenged every day, in a positive way!

Duncan’s role as General Manager is diverse; it includes product development, marketing, finance and customer service, and it is the latter that he regards as most important. “In the end, it boils down to customer service! AMERICAN shutters has a great range of products, but without a strong customer service ethos we cannot do justice to these products,” says Duncan. “We continuously work on getting our communication right with clients, be it face-to-face, over the phone or via email.”

When asked what shutter design trends are hot at the moment, Duncan is quick to talk about how people are moving away from installing chunky traditional security barriers such as security gates and burglar bars and looking for sleeker more stylish security options for windows and doors, such as security shutters. “The ultimate function meets aesthetic,” says Duncan.

Security shutters no doubt satisfy Duncan’s personal style, “Style is nothing without function. I first look for functionality and then aesthetic, where the two marry you have the perfect mix.”

For all the above reasons, Duncan is most excited about the launch of AMERICAN shutters new range of security shutters, expected in the first half of this year. “We have been hard at work designing a security shutter that will be the best looking shutter on the market in South Africa. Our aim was to create a shutter that looks as aesthetically pleasing as our timber shutter ranges, whilst at the same time not compromising on security features.”

As General Manager, Duncan is responsible for ensuring that the high standard of product development, manufacture, installation and service at AMERICAN shutters is upheld, a leadership role underpinned by his life philosophy of balance. “Life is about balance and my family provide that, when I am at home I am at the bottom of the pecking order which is welcome change to my working hours.”

 

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