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Glass and timber façade of UFZ Tulln in Austria, an iku® Windows reference installation

About IKU Technologies

IKU Technologies Ltd is a privately owned UK company established in 2020. It builds on façade technology developed in Austria since 2000, and brings three systems to market: external fire suppression, self-cleaning glass façades and automated solar cleaning.

From Austria to the UK

A quarter of a century of façade engineering, now focused on fire safety and clean energy.

  1. 2000

    Founded in Austria

    Julius and Monika Thurnher found iku® Windows to develop glass façades with an integrated cleaning system.

  2. 2007/08

    First high-rise tower

    The first high-rise tower with the system is completed in Kuwait. Projects follow across the Middle East and in Austria.

  3. 2011

    Projects paused

    The system is specified for major high-rise developments until the financial crisis puts ongoing projects on hold.

  4. 2017

    Re-established

    The company is re-established under the current shareholders, who see a new use for the technology after the façade fires at The Address and The Torch in Dubai and at Grenfell Tower in London.

  5. 2020

    IKU Technologies Ltd

    IKU Technologies is established in the UK, first to bring the external fire suppression system to market, alongside façade and solar cleaning.

The team

A small, highly skilled management team with experience across construction, product delivery and marketing, in the UK and the Middle East.

  • Wayne Gearie

    Investor and Shareholder

    Wayne has worked on major building projects across the Middle East, specialising in roofing and waterproof membranes.

  • Carl Chessum

    CEO and COO

    Carl has thirty years with leading brands as supplier, client and contractor, working on product delivery, marketing strategy, CRM and loyalty.

  • Brian Robson

    CTO

    Brian has spent most of his career in construction across the Middle East, specialising in cladding on high-rise buildings.

Recognised for innovation

In 2009 inventor Julius Thurnher received the Viktor Kaplan Medal, Austria's highest award for innovators, which is presented only once every ten years.

All awards

  • 2009Viktor Kaplan Medal, presented to Julius Thurnher
  • 2008Best Innovator, A.T. Kearney, category small and new
  • 2008Speaker award for high-rise buildings, 4th Architectural Congress
  • 2004Mercur, winner in environment and energy
  • 2004Product of the Show, best exterior building product, Planexpo

Work with us

Investors, licensees, partners and project teams: tell us what you are interested in.

Email IKU Technologies

Or write to wayneg@iku-firetech.com directly.