Floris Koopmans is the new President of Unilin Technologies: "Our reputation as a patent powerhouse is no coincidence"

Growing step by step

"Yes, I'm genuinely excited," Floris says on his first day as President of Unilin Technologies. “In our succession planning we had already determined that I would one day take the reins. I just didn't expect it to happen so soon. Still, I feel ready to take up this challenge."

That confidence doesn’t come out of the blue. The combination of technology, intellectual property and business has always fascinated him. "Even during my studies, I realised I didn't want to choose between economics and law. That's why I followed up my degree in economics with a Master's in Law & Economics. What we do at Unilin Technologies sits right at the intersection of those fields. We translate technological inventions into intellectual property and then build commercial partnerships around the licences granted for that IP. I've always been drawn to that unique combination."

When Floris joined Unilin Technologies in 2018, the division was much smaller than it is today. He witnessed its growth firsthand. "At the time, our main focus was on click systems for laminate flooring. Since then, our scope has broadened considerably. Today, we work with technologies for different flooring categories and are constantly on the lookout for new applications and markets. The development of the division these last few years has been nothing short of impressive.”

This evolution is precisely why he is so confident about the future. "We have a strong foundation, a unique position in the market and many opportunities ahead of us. Together with the team I want to build on them in the coming years.”

Unilin Technologies: the leading innovation powerhouse

In the short term, Floris’s main focus is to continue building on the strong foundations that are already in place. "I see no reason to make major changes. We’re on the right track. My ambition is to keep Unilin Technologies stable and healthy, remain a market leader and consolidate our excellent reputation, even in challenging market conditions."

According to Floris, that reputation is no coincidence. “Our patent portfolio is the envy of many of our industry peers. We are particularly fast at translating ideas into technologies and patents. In addition, we have built long-standing relationships around the world with our customers and their customers, and we have extensive legal expertise. How many companies can claim they have been able to get Asian companies to pay for their intellectual property rights? That complete package makes us unique."

He is convinced that even today’s challenging market conditions present opportunities. "There is a lot of uncertainty and customers are looking to play it safe. They know that Unilin Technologies stands for quality, reliability and innovation, and that is why they choose us as their technology partner."

Building the future together

Innovation doesn’t always start at Unilin Technologies. Sometimes, the division is the final piece of the R&D puzzle. Floris explains: "We are shaping our future together with the other divisions of Unilin. Their innovations form the basis for new patents and technologies. Our patent teams are in constant contact with the innovators within Unilin. Our licences have enabled us to transform the flooring industry in recent years.  And we still have a bunch of exciting ideas in the pipeline (winks)."

The team makes the difference

Another unique strength of Unilin Technologies is its people. He cannot emphasise this enough. "I am incredibly fortunate to be able to build on an exceptionally strong team. Everyone brings their own expertise but what truly sets us apart is the way we work together: like an SME within a large organisation. This allows us to make a real difference for our customers every single day."

Floris also explicitly thanks his predecessor. "Bart is leaving behind an impressive legacy. Over 22 years and together with our Patent Director Benny Schacht, he has brought Unilin Technologies to where it is today. Benny helped lay the foundations of our patent activities and, from day one, introduced me to the fascinating world of patents."

Staying close to the customer

Will he miss anything about his previous role? "Yes, the daily contact with customers. Over the past eight years, I’ve built strong relationships with our customers all over the world. I will probably be travelling less than before and therefore see our customers face to face less often, but I definitely want to stay closely connected to our customers and the market. That’s the only way to stay in touch with what’s happening out there."