RCN
RCN is a Portuguese manufacturer of bespoke minimalist aluminium window, door, and facade systems (EXPansion brand), serving architects and developers across high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial projects in 46 countries through direct specification sales and European channel partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersÁgueda, Portugal
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What RCN does
RCN — formally RCN - Innovation In Aluminium Systems, Lda — is a privately held Portuguese manufacturer founded in 2016 and headquartered in Travassô, Águeda, Portugal. The company designs, produces, and installs minimalist aluminium window, door, and architectural systems marketed under the EXPansion brand (sub-lines EXP 24, EXP 36, EXP 54, EXP G, EXP PIV, EXP X, EXP F, EXP R, EXP REV, plus the newly introduced EXP G FLIP). RCN's technical differentiation centers on ultra-slim profiles (6mm central profile via the I-View solution on EXP 36), large-format glazing (up to 18m² per leaf on EXP 54, 1000kg panel capacity), and specialized opening configurations including hidden rails, frameless corner openings, pocket systems, curved glazing, and motorized guillotine panels — engineered to maximize natural light and dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior spaces. Reported performance metrics include thermal coefficients as low as 0.7 W/m²K, water tightness up to Class E1500, and acoustic insulation up to 44 dB.
The company operates a project-based, specification-driven B2B go-to-market, working with architects and developers at the design stage, with sales executed through dedicated Global Sales, Portugal Sales, and Technical Sales Support teams alongside a network of channel partners (Framesystem in France, Group Ceyssens in Belgium, 20 Milímetros in Portugal, Alport and Kinoussis in Greece). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; quotes are handled through direct sales consultation. Revenue is generated from hardware sales and installation of bespoke systems, with the customer base spanning high-end residential, hospitality (Domaine de La Rose/Lancôme, Domaine de Verchant), and commercial segments (E-goi offices). RCN claims 5,571 completed projects across 46 countries and holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IMPIC certifications, plus Portuguese institutional recognitions (PME Excelência 2022, Inovadora Cotec / PME Líder / Gazela in 2023). The company is led by co-CEOs Rúben Estima (Sales) and Carlos Rodrigues (Industrial Design) and received institutional backing from Oxy Capital in 2022.
RCN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RCN
- Legal name
- RCN - Innovation In Aluminium Systems, Lda
- Website
- https://rcn-aluminium.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- RCN is a Portuguese manufacturer of bespoke minimalist aluminium window, door, and facade systems (EXPansion brand), serving architects and developers across high-end residential, hospitality, and commercial projects in 46 countries through direct specification sales and European channel partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RCN industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Window and Door Systems
- NAICS
- Metal Window and Door Manufacturing (332321)
- SIC
- Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442), Prefabricated Metal Buildings & Components (3448)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Exterior Doors (IMADAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Storefronts, Curtain Wall & Window Wall Systems (IMADAIAG)
Keywords
Where RCN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Águeda
- HQ country
- Portugal
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
RCN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Aluminium Window and Door Systems: RCN manufactures and sells minimalist aluminium window and door systems including sliding, pivot, hinged, guillotine, and facade solutions. The company appears to offer both product sales and installation services based on project descriptions referencing completed installations.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
RCN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RCN designs, manufactures and custom-installs ultra-minimalist aluminium window, door, facade, balustrade and cladding systems sold under the EXPansion brand (EXP 36, EXP 54, EXP 24, EXP PIV, EXP G, EXP X, EXP F, EXP R, EXP REV). Systems are engineered with profiles as slim as 6 mm, per-leaf glass areas up to 18 m², weights up to 1,000 kg, hidden rail integration, frameless corner and pocket openings, curved glass capability, and thermal coefficients as low as 0.7 W/m²K. Each project is sold through direct consultation with the Global, Portugal or Technical Sales teams and produced to project-specific specifications.
Product overview
RCN (RCN - Innovation In Aluminium Systems, Lda) is a Portuguese company specializing in minimalist aluminum windows and architectural solutions. Founded in 2016 with the EXPansion brand, the company offers a comprehensive portfolio of window and door systems including sliding (EXP 36, EXP 54, EXP 24), pivot (EXP PIV), guillotine (EXP G), hinged (EXP X), along with complementary architectural products including balustrades (EXP R), cladding (EXP REV), and facades (EXP F). These systems are designed to maximize natural light, enhance views, and create seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. The company serves projects across residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors in 46 countries with over 5,500 completed projects.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EXPansion: The EXPansion brand of minimalist aluminium window and door systems introduced in 2016. Includes various product lines such as EXP 24, EXP 36, EXP 54, EXP G, EXP PIV, EXP X, EXP F, and EXP REV.
Products and services
- EXP 36 Sliding System Versatile double-glazed sliding system with optional Hidden Rail (HR) and I-View central solution featuring a 6mm profile — the thinnest on the market. Supports corner openings, pocket openings, maximum height 5m, maximum area 12 m², and glass thickness up to 36 mm. Designed for architects and developers seeking transparent, minimalist openings for residential, hospitality and commercial projects.
- EXP 54 Heavy-Duty Sliding System Large triple-glazed sliding system for challenging spaces, with maximum area 18 m² per leaf, maximum height 6m, glass thickness up to 54 mm and weight capacity 1,000 kg per panel. Built for architects specifying very large glazed surfaces and seamless indoor-outdoor connection in premium residential, hospitality and commercial projects.
- EXP 24 Compact Sliding System Compact sliding system for outdoor applications and smaller interior spaces, available with or without thermal break. Features an 18 mm central profile, maximum area 8 m² and is suited to projects where thermal performance is not the priority and minimalist elegance is required.
- EXP PIV Pivot Door and Window System Pivot door and window system with central or offset axis reaching up to 5 m height, maximum area 8 m² and weight capacity 500 kg. Supports multiple panel configurations including glass, wood cladding and metal sheet, combining security, elegance and modernism with ultra-fine profiles for premium residential and hospitality projects.
- EXP G Motorized Guillotine System Motorized guillotine system that moves glass panels up to 1 tonne, integrating invisibly into floor and ceiling with concealed side rails. Delivers refined, fluid aesthetics connecting interior and exterior spaces for architects and developers of high-end residential, hospitality and commercial projects.
- EXP X Hinged Window System Hinged windows with concealed sash and steel finish including rust-effect option — described as the finest on the market. Features a 50 mm profile, height up to 3.5 m, glass thickness up to 42 mm and thermal coefficient as low as 0.7 W/m²K, combining elegance, heritage and modernity for premium projects.
- EXP F Facade System Facade system with profiles of only 34 mm enabling large fixed glazed surfaces up to 6 m², glass thickness up to 48 mm, weight up to 250 kg, water tightness up to Class E1500 and acoustic insulation up to 44 dB. Designed for facades where transparency is the architectural language.
- EXP R Balustrade System Balustrade system combining safety and refinement with sleek lines and discrete profiles. Provides solid security for interior and exterior applications without compromising minimalist aesthetics.
- EXP REV Cladding System Modern cladding solution for elegant facades offering vertical or horizontal slat designs as independent elements or complete panels. Customisable colours and finishes, integrating harmoniously with architectural language.
- EXP G FLIP Minimalist Sash Window
Quantifiable outcome
- Central profile as thin as 6mm (I-View) - the thinnest on the market
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use RCN
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
RCN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature13 records
RCN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FramesystemcoreFramesystem is a partner for RCN projects in France, working on Domaine de La Rose (Lancôme) and Domaine de Verchant hotel projects. Framesystem provides local distribution and support for RCN minimalist window systems in the French market.
- Group CeyssenscoreGroup Ceyssens is a partner for RCN projects in Belgium, working on Villa 1 and Villa 2 residential projects. The partnership enables RCN to serve the Belgian market through a local partner.
- 20 Milímetroscore20 Milímetros (also referred to as 20 MM) is a partner for RCN projects in Portugal, working on RM & PB House, PG House, and Patio House. The partnership provides local market support for Portuguese projects.
- AlportminorAlport is a partner for RCN's Latypi Residence project in Mykonos, Greece. The partnership enables RCN to serve the Greek market through a local partner.
- KinoussisminorKinoussis is a partner for RCN's Kalliopi Residence project in Argolis, Greece. The partnership provides local market expertise for RCN projects in the Greek market.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
RCN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Technal: Technal is a French-origin manufacturer of aluminium windows, doors, and curtain walls for high-end residential and commercial architecture, comparable in target segment and minimalist design philosophy to RCN.
- Finstral: Finstral is a South Tyrolean manufacturer of PVC, aluminium-clad, and aluminium windows and doors, competing in the same premium European residential and architectural fenestration segment as RCN.
- Sky-Frame: Sky-Frame is a Swiss frameless sliding window specialist targeting the same luxury residential minimalist segment, often specified on the same RCN archetype projects.
- Solarlux: Solarlux is a German specialist in folding-sliding and large-format glazing systems for high-end residential and commercial projects — competing directly with RCN's EXP G guillotine and large sliding portfolio.
- Panoramah!: Panoramah! is a Portuguese manufacturer of minimalist sliding window systems — an Iberian same-category peer overlapping with RCN's domestic Portuguese market and minimalist profile positioning.
- Reynaers Aluminium: Reynaers is a leading Belgian manufacturer of aluminium window, door, sliding, and curtain wall systems with strong architectural specification relationships across Europe — directly comparable to RCN's product range and enterprise GTM motion.
- Aluk Group: Aluk designs and produces aluminium windows, sliding doors, and curtain walls with established European distribution — overlapping RCN's product portfolio and target architect/specifier audience.
- Vitrocsa: Vitrocsa is a Swiss specialist in frameless and ultra-minimalist sliding windows — a direct minimalist-niche competitor to RCN's EXP 36 and EXP 54 lines with similar ultra-thin-profile positioning.
Broad incumbents
- Schüco: Schüco is a global German incumbent in aluminium and steel building envelopes (windows, doors, facades) at much larger scale, directly competing in the premium commercial and residential segment where RCN plays.
Regional players
- Roca Windows: Roca Windows is a US-based aluminum and impact window manufacturer focused on the Americas market — relevant as a same-category but geographically non-overlapping peer with comparable product scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RCN social profiles
Digital presenceRCN compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
RCN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RCN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
RCN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RCN M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RCN
What does RCN do?
RCN designs, manufactures and custom-installs ultra-minimalist aluminium window, door, facade, balustrade and cladding systems sold under the EXPansion brand (EXP 36, EXP 54, EXP 24, EXP PIV, EXP G, EXP X, EXP F, EXP R, EXP REV). Systems are engineered with profiles as slim as 6 mm, per-leaf glass areas up to 18 m², weights up to 1,000 kg, hidden rail integration, frameless corner and pocket openings, curved glass capability, and thermal coefficients as low as 0.7 W/m²K. Each project is sold through direct consultation with the Global, Portugal or Technical Sales teams and produced to project-specific specifications.
Is RCN a public or private company?
RCN is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was RCN founded?
RCN was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is RCN based?
RCN is headquartered in Águeda, Portugal, in the Europe region.
How does RCN make money?
One revenue line is on record: aluminium Window and Door Systems.
Who are RCN's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Technal, Finstral, Sky-Frame, Solarlux, Panoramah!, Reynaers Aluminium, Aluk Group and Vitrocsa. Schüco is listed as a broad incumbent. Roca Windows is listed as a regional player.
Does RCN have an API?
No public API is recorded for RCN.
What industry is RCN in?
RCN's product category is Architectural Window and Door Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAIAA, Exterior Doors, with a secondary code of IMADAIAG, Storefronts, Curtain Wall & Window Wall Systems. Its NAICS code is 332321 and its SIC code is 3442.