Cover A house in Australia with Ziptrak blinds installed. Image: Ziptrak / Durablinds

Watch video: Tony de Maaijer discusses the brand history and future plans for Ziptrak, the revolutionary blinds system he invented and how it's been adapted for Singapore homes

In 1999, entrepreneur Tony de Maaijer received an inquiry from a restaurant. The establishment wanted a window treatment that would allow its patrons to dine outdoors all year round, regardless of the weather.

De Maaijer, who owned an outdoor blinds business, swiftly got to work and within a year, he developed an answer: he created Ziptrak, a track-guided, hand-operated outdoor blinds system that would enclose an interior on rainy or sunny days.

See also: How To Make Your Outdoor Spaces More Versatile

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Founder and inventor of Ziptrak, Tony de Maaijer
Above Founder and inventor of Ziptrak, Tony de Maaijer

“The product options available in the market then were very heavy and difficult to operate,” says the founder of Australian brand Ziptrak. “At that time, I thought there must be a better and easier way to enclose a space. I faced many obstacles to get everything done the way I wanted; the technical aspects, the testing required, and the design and creation of each prototype was extremely detailed.”

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The Ziptrak blinds can be raised halfway if desired on sunny day
Above The spring-balanced Ziptrak blinds can be lowered or raised simply moving it by hand
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Above An archive photo of Ziptrak founder Tony de Maaijer in the 1980s; he started working with window shutters, before homing into the unrealised demand for easy-to-use window blinds

The product options available in the market then were very heavy and difficult to operate ... I thought there must be a better and easier way to enclose a space.

- Tony de Maaijer, founder and inventor of the Ziptrak blinds system -

Ziptrak features a patented spring-balanced track system that glides smoothly and stops at any height; in Singapore, the brand is distributed by Durablinds Trading. The system eliminates the use of bulky cords, and provides privacy and UV protection; it can also be motorised. The blinds also keep out the heat, rain, dust and insects, and will not rattle in strong winds.

Since then, the forward-thinking inventor has also invented the PanoView system, which features super-wide blinds specially designed for high-rise residences. Comprising two sections that can span up to 6m wide and 3.4m high, PanoView offers unimpeded panoramic views when the blinds are raised. Another key product is the Ziptrak Interior Blinds system, which will soon be launched in Singapore. 

See also: Wardrobe Goals: This Stylish Bedroom Was Designed as a Dream Dressing Room

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Above The new Ziptrak facility in the Tonsley Innovation District in Tonsley, Australia

As testament to the firm's growth, Ziptrak is also opening a 3,000sqm new facility in the Tonsley Innovation District in Tonsley, Australia. The AUD$10 million facility (S$9.8 million) will house manufacturing, assembly, distribution facilities, as well as office spaces for its staff all in one place.

In this latest edition of Tatler Talks, de Maaijer speaks to Tatler Asia Homes, Travel and Lists editorial director Kissa Castañeda to share more about the firm's history and how they adapted their products for homes in Singapore.

Above In this edition of Tatler Talks, Ziptrak founder Tony de Maaijer details the early beginnings of his Australia-headquartered company and how his company invented the revolutionary window blinds system. He tells Tatler Asia Homes, Travel and Lists editorial director Kissa Castañeda more about the firm's history and how their products were adapted for Singapore and other tropical countries in the region.

How does Ziptrak differ from other window coverings?
Tony de Maaijer (TM) We were the first in the market with a track-guided solution, and the first to incorporate a spring-balanced system into an outdoor blind. Ziptrak was the first product that created and drove the demand for exterior blinds. While motorised systems are perceived to be convenient, manually operated Ziptrak blinds and their spring-balanced system are always reliable, not dependant on electricity, easy to use, and quick to operate.

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A view of a house with Ziptrak outdoor blinds installed at the patio
Above A view of a house with Ziptrak outdoor blinds installed at the patio. Image: Ziptrak / Durablinds

What are the benefits of using the Ziptrak system in Singapore?
TM Ziptrak is a reliable and robust system designed and produced in Australia, and we partnered with a passionate and capable Singapore company called Durablinds. We have also developed a specific product to suit the Singapore market, PanoView, (which is designed for) high-rise apartments.

See also: How Topic Design Studio Created Stylish Rooftop Areas Designed for Work and Play

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 2 Ziptrak outdoor blinds can be used in rooftop areas. Image: Ziptrak / Durablinds
Photo 2 of 2 The Ziptrak outdoor blinds are perfect for shielding spaces from the rain, strong sun and keeping insects away. Image: Ziptrak / Durablinds

Ziptrak was founded in 1999 with your wife Gustie, and your son, Marc, is currently the managing director. What is it like working so closely with your family?
TM It is wonderful (that) this is my legacy. We started trading (window blinds) in South Australia in 1993. It has been an absolute blessing to work with Gustie, and we were absolutely thrilled when our son joined the business in 2014.

Ziptrak has never stopped evolving; it was the first then and will continue to grow year after year. We’ve structured our business so we can focus on manufacturing and research and development, and possibly the production of every component of the product. From suiting the needs of different markets to improving the ease of installation, everything is continuously refined as feedback and requests come in.

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Ziptrak founder Tony de Maaijer with his son Marc, the company’s managing director
Above Ziptrak founder Tony de Maaijer with his son Marc, the company’s managing director. Image: Ziptrak / Durablinds

Ziptrak is available in Singapore through Durablinds, 32 Old Toh Tuck Road, #01-14/15/16 i-Biz Centre, Tel: 6912 4016. 

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