world,” Ortt says.“Higher than Miami-Dade… in terms of wind load—200 miles an hour.” Domus also operates its own test lab and points to Hurricane Irma in 2017 as a proving ground—an event that helped launch the company’s “economical hurricane line” based on performance observed under worst case hurricane conditions. MATERIALS ENGINEERING: QUALITY IN THE DETAILS In Caribbean environments, failure often comes from what others consider minor components. Domus takes a holistic approach to materials engineering, with high corrosion resistance provided by all components including installation fasteners, whereas many window systems break down over a short period of time. “The screws that we use are coated with an industrial coating used in aerospace and food processing and offshore oil and gas,” Ortt explains. “Whereas 99% of windows outside our company are installed using regular steel screws… within two to five years, the screws are totally eaten.” It’s a technical detail, but one that reflects Domus’ broader philosophy: products must be engineered for real Caribbean exposure, not adapted from designs intended for other climates. SUPPLY CHAIN: THE BIGGEST CONSTRAINT— AND THE BIGGEST DISCIPLINE For Domus, supply chain isn’t a secondary issue—it is one of the most difficult structural challenges in the business. “We have to carry probably three to four times as much inventory as North American manufacturers,”Ortt says, citing long lead times, container-based shipping requirements, and the complexity of batching materials at scale. Because many suppliers are oriented toward North American trucking logistics, Domus must adapt processes for container shipping and timing— another example of where technology, planning, and inventory strategy become competitive requirements. 40 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 13, ISSUE 01
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