Jaga

In spite of the current economic recession, Jaga is an excellent example of a company that achieves success thanks to design implementation.

By Inge Vranken

The radiation factory breaks through the traditional way of thinking

This family business trom Diepenbeek, established in 1962, is market leader in decorative Low-H20 (low water content) and economical Boost radiators for house-building or building projects.

The company is successful thanks to very innovative healing concepts and products, refreshing new designs, other production techniques and new materials. The most recent radiators of Jaga (Accolade, Geo, Strada, lguana and Knockonwood) illustrate this very well. Jaga appealed to design agency Nivo Design [Hasselt) of Ivo Nysten who - as a designer - wants to walk the beating path, starting from other points of view, techniques or materials. He does the whole development process for Jaga, trom the first idea to the introduction on the market.

Design, innovation, flexibility, quality assurance and environmental awareness play first fiddle in Jaga's policy strategy. This policy has been forced up since 1990 and has done well out. Since 1994 Jaga has grown a lot and knows how to strengthen strategic position on the international market. Its operations cover the whole of Europe and Jaga also exports to Australia, America, China and Japan.

Knockonwood (2003), ontworpen door/created by Ivo Nysten. © Marc Scheepers.
Knockonwood (2003), ontworpen door/created by Ivo Nysten. © Marc Scheepers.

Every year turnover and number of employees rise : 400 in 2003 of which 32 are employed in the own Research and Development Department. Jaga invests more than 3 750 000 € a year in research, development and new techniques. In 2001 Jaga's manufacturing facilities have been expanded considerably into 45 000 m2.

It cannot be mere chance that Jaga is able to boast an impressive record of awards for a number of heating products (Trophée d'Or du Design 1997, Design Plus Award 1999, iF Award 2000 and 2003). It is thanks to all these internationally acclaimed awards that Jaga is the only Belgian company listed in the European Design Ranking.