Industry association in motion

This year Laura Nijburg has been president of the Dutch Association of Air Duct Manufacturers (LUKA) for two years. Last June she was re-elected for another two years. She is very much looking forward to that, because the industry is going through beautiful developments and there is still much to do. "Last period we have been quite busy with our training programs and at the moment we are focusing mostly on research and circularity."

LUKA aims to collaborate on knowledge for healthy air quality and specializes to promote the technical development of air ducts. It has all facets of ventilation and air handling technology and actively cooperates with chain parties to optimize air quality and achieve a healthy and clean living and working environment. It monitors the quality of the work done by members, including through quality certificates it issues in cooperation with independent quality officers from TÜV Rheinland. Since this year, the certification process has been fully digitized, says Nijburg. "This is in line with the Quality Assurance Act that has been in effect since January 1, 2024. Quality on construction has to be guaranteed, and we have been doing that for 50 years through our quality certificates."

Curriculum air distribution

Over the past year, LUKA has focused on its courses and the creation of the Air Distribution learning line, in cooperation with technical training provider ROVC and knowledge center Indoor Climate Technology. Both see the importance of making technical education more attractive and encouraging influx into the sector. A new, accredited training course for Air Duct Technician will start in September and the Chief Air Duct Technician course will follow soon. There is also extra attention for lateral entrants, Nijburg explains. "It's a complete learning line that's cut up into four levels, so you can take the courses modularly."

Reuse of products

Nijburg sees that growth is visible within the installation industry. Expectations for 2025 and 2026 are positive. Especially residential construction will get a boost. The growth is well explained by the continuing demand for sustainability and digitalization. Partly for this reason, LUKA is focusing on the theme of circularity. Nijburg: "We are looking at whether existing products can be taken back in time, in which case we are working with an external party. We are also looking at whether we can produce the current product with other materials, but that is still in the research phase."

Joining forces

What remains the basis for all these developments is working together with other industries and organizations, says Nijburg: "By joining forces, we can achieve more. Everyone is working on sustainability and facing staff shortages. By offering our courses in collaboration, we try to take the whole market to a higher level. We like to engage with other associations and see what everyone's strengths are. That way we increase our constituency and make a difference."