History

FAKRO is a company born from a desire to redefine the way people think about attics. Its origins date back to the 1960s, when Ryszard Florek grew up in Tymbark and observed how a single window could transform even the darkest interior. This experience resurfaced many years later, when, as a graduate of the Krakow University of Technology, he analysed the European joinery market and noticed that, while roof windows were becoming an increasingly important architectural element in Western Europe, no one in Poland was producing them yet. This realisation marked the beginning of a decision that, in the decades that followed, would influence the development of the entire industry.

In 1986, Ryszard Florek and Jacek Rakowiak founded the Florad workshop in Tymbark. It produced panelling and building joinery components, while the first concepts for roof windows were already beginning to take shape. A breakthrough came with the economic transformation in Poland. In the second half of 1990, the first hand assembled batch of ten roof windows was created, and in January 1991, the FAKRO company was officially registered in a garage next to home in Nowy Sącz. The wooden components were manufactured at Florad, while the metal parts were made by a local craftsman. Just three years later, in 1994, exports to the Netherlands and Slovakia began, confirming that FAKRO was ready to compete in markets that demanded quality and precision.

From the very beginning, the company has invested in the development of constructions that enhance attic functionality and user comfort. As part of its research efforts, the preSelect system was created, setting a new standard in the operation of pivot roof windows. The company expanded one of the most extensive ranges of loft ladders available on the market. Another milestone was the introduction of flat roof windows, including the DXW model, which enables safe walking on the terrace surface.

In 2016, the portfolio was expanded to include INNOVIEW vertical joinery, combining wood and aluminium in a solution tailored to the needs of modern architecture. The latest stage of development is the GREENVIEW family of roof windows, designed with energy efficiency, durability and the aesthetics expected in contemporary construction in mind.

The rapid growth of the company required significant investment in infrastructure. In Nowy Sącz, a key undertaking became the construction of a tunnel beneath the railway line, connecting two areas designated for the expansion of the facility. This development made it possible to create new production spaces, laboratories and halls that have enabled FAKRO’s continued technological advancement.

In recent years, the company has had to operate in a rapidly changing environment. During the pandemic, production capacity was increased and the range of accessories was expanded to address the growing modernisation needs of the market. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, FAKRO initiated an intensive process of automation and the implementation of solutions aligned with the principles of Industry 4.0. These efforts made it possible to maintain production stability and strengthen operational security, even under challenging global conditions.

FAKRO is now present in more than seventy countries. The Group comprises twelve manufacturing facilities and seventeen distribution companies. In recent years, the company has also launched a factory in the United States, creating stronger conditions for further development, increasing operational efficiency and reinforcing the brand’s presence in the North American market.

The company combines its Polish roots with an international perspective, building a position founded on quality, technology and a long term approach to architecture.

FAKRO continues to grow while remaining mindful of the place from which it originated. A responsible approach to design and a commitment to creating products that genuinely enhance quality of life play a key role in this development. Here, roof windows are not merely technical components — they are instruments that open interiors to light and space, giving architecture a more human dimension.

It is a story of determination, courage and vision — a story that continually leads the company toward solutions shaping the future of construction.