Introducing MPO Fenêtres Founded in 1970 in Alençon (Orne), the company MPO Fenêtres (Menuiserie Plastique de l’Ouest) was one of the first French companies in the PVC/carpentry sector to offer a customized service. However, at that time, in France, very little was known about PVC, carpentry and double-glazing technology: these markets were still in their infancy. It took about ten years, and two oil crises (in 1974 and especially in 1979) for the PVC window market to really take off. The commercial policy of EDF (the French public energy provider) at that time favoured the development of this product, encouraging investors to push for “all electric” installations, which would, according to the manufacturer provider, require better insulation of public buildings to reduce heat loss. Despite MPO Fenêtres’s financial losses since the creation of the company in 1978, the managers decided to invest in new office and production buildings. From 1970 to 1997, MPO Fenêtres’s products were rather basic. Two new product ranges were then offered by the company: a range of high quality windows made of aluminium and wood (1997) and windows featuring «+ super heat», with an improved insulation value, made of aluminum with a thermal break (2007). These additions to its product range were introduced in line with the company’s desire to widen its target market. These two new product categories now account for 10% of the company’s turnover. MPO Fenêtres initially specialized in public and collective markets (professional/ major accounts, government, schools, municipalities and other communities). However, from 1995 onwards it developed its sales to individual consumers. The public market today accounts for about 60% of the company’s turnover, while the (still growing) consumers’ market accounts for the remaining 40%. There are 200 employees working for the company, and turnover is over €35 million (source: Internal figures 2010). Significant growth has occurred over the last decade. The company is constantly on the lookout for technical and technological innovations, both of which are well represented in its range of low thermal coefficient products. Further the high requirements of the company in terms of the quality of materials, assembl