Exel Composites pultruded rods enhance Umbrosa parasol durability

Belgium company Umbrosa (Roeselare) manufactures a range of outdoor umbrella and parasol systems that are used on terraces and in yards globally, in environments including seasides and jungles. Its systems must endure long-term exposure to high wind speeds, saltwater, rain and UV, meaning they must be designed with durability in mind to remain in place for long periods of time without experiencing damage. To enhance the mechanical performance of its designs, Umbrosa decided to use composite structural supports and engaged composite solutions developer Exel Composites (Vantaa, Finland).

More specifically, Umbrosa has chosen to use composite ribs in many of its parasol designs. The fiberglass ribs are made using pultrusion. According to Exel, because of the high degree of fiber alignment and fiber density, the consistency of the composite ribs is ensured. This was an important feature for Umbrosa, as it prioritized product quality and wanted to engineer products that could be enjoyed undamaged for a long time. 

“At Umbrosa we manufacture products following three different product values: identity, sustainability and beauty,” Christophe Haemers, CEO and founder of Umbrosa, explains. “These values are important because we want to make products that live forever.”

Weighing up these requirements, it was clear to Umbrosa that composites might hold the key to meeting all its design requirements, so it engaged Exel Composites to help engineer a solution.

“The main reason we turned to composites was because of the flexibility and the ability to allow structures to withstand wind loads, because this is the biggest challenge for our umbrellas,” Pieter Willemyns, product development manager at Umbrosa, says. “Composites give the frame the chance to withstand the wind force. Furthermore, the stiffness of composites is important for the ribs of our umbrellas because they hold the canopy open for long periods. Composites give us the balance we need between flexibility and stiffness.”

Exel Composites has provided Umbrosa with various fiberglass composite rods, which are resistant to corrosion, rot, rust, UV and which also have a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), making them highly suitable for prolonged use outdoors.

Since the initial meeting, Umbrosa has enjoyed a close working relationship with Exel’s R&D team, meaning that whenever new designs are considered, Umbrosa can consult with the Exel team early enough to fully optimize the composite design.

“Working with Exel meant we could rely on the technical expertise of our supplier,” Willemyns adds. “We need its technical expertise and advice on how to best incorporate composite materials to the point where it is effectively our co-designer on some products.”

Exel Composites combines a local manufacturing footprint with the expertise of a global company to ensure efficient sales support and technical consultancy is always in reach. It has worked with customers in more than 50 countries and can draw on this experience to help engineer a custom composite solution that meets all business operational challenges and delivers long-term results.