In early 2025, a nearly seamless integration took place between two home automation pioneers in the Netherlands: Kariem Makhlouf’s Comfortica and Sean Schuurman van Rouwendal’s Slimmer Wonen. This combined the expertise of two companies that have been at the forefront of the home automation revolution in the Netherlands from the very beginning. And just like the integration of two well-functioning home automation systems, the collaboration between these entrepreneurs not only went smoothly but it also offers numerous advantages.
Sean Schuurman van Rouwendal and Kariem Makhlouf were both early pioneers in the field of home automation. While Sean’s Slimmer Wonen (Smarter Living) focused on consumers through home furnishing stores specializing in window treatments and flooring, Kariem’s Comfortica focused primarily on business clients and the higher-end consumer segment.
Why this collaboration?
Sean: “I was ready for the next step with my company. I was already working with freelancers a lot, but I was growing so much that I actually needed to hire people on a permanent basis. And that’s a big step. So I started looking into merging with another company. Kariem was my first choice. His expertise is top-notch, which was very important to me. We’ve both been involved since the early days of home automation, and Kariem, like me, has built up extensive knowledge.”
The knowledge Sean had built up with Slimmer Wonen was also invaluable to Kariem. “Sean has a lot of experience with the systems we use,” he says. He adds with a laugh: “And I get along really well with Sean.” Just like with home automation products, it’s crucial that the “internal software”—or personalities—work well together.
How does this collaboration effect customers of Comfortica and Slimmer Wonen?
The integration of Comfortica and Slimmer Wonen will provide more possibilities for customers. This will be visible in home furnishings stores under the new name: Slimmer Wonen powered by Comfortica. Customers will benefit from faster service thanks to Comfortica’s larger installation capacity and will have access to a wider range of home automation products and services, including VEB-certified security systems.
Behind-the-scenes benefits
Behind the scenes, the collaboration is also a success. For example, there’s now a larger helpdesk and automated follow-up for purchasing and sales processes. Sean and Kariem are both experts at organizing the “back end,” ensuring everything runs smoothly up front.
Kariem’s strength lies in bringing together the right hardware and software to create technically beautiful solutions and solve challenges. Sean excels in preparation and collaboration with external parties. “By thoroughly inquiring about a customer’s needs beforehand, we devise solutions before we even arrive on-site. This allows us to complete the installation much faster and identify potential errors or problems before they arise,” he explains.
Walk the talk: how smart do the pioneers themselves live?
What have the home automation pioneers automated at home? With other words: do they walk the talk – do they actually put into practice what they advise?
Kariem laughs: “Um, everything. I have a facial scanner at the front door, an electric door opener, automated window treatments, lighting, air conditioning, and heating. My garage door and windows are also smart.”
Sean has also automated his home: “I have a video doorbell with a smart door lock and intercom. This way, I can answer calls from my phone and open the door for the cleaning lady, for example, without her having to install a separate app. The lighting, curtains, and blinds are smart, but can also be controlled via a wall switch—very convenient for guests. And as a music lover, I naturally have a multi-room audio system. Even my plants are smart: with sensors, I know exactly if they’re getting enough light and water. Now all I need is an automatic pump… but luckily, plants are forgiving,” he laughs.
Sean continues: “My last major project was smart heating control. I have district heating and underfloor heating, and people often say there is little you can do about that. But isn’t it a shame if the heating kicks in during my vacation? When I’m away for a longer period of time, I lower the temperature tipping point by one or two degrees. I also let it cool down by one degree at night. That’s already saved me 30% on energy!”
By joining forces, Kariem and Sean are not only taking home automation solutions to the next level, but also setting the standard for smart living and working of tomorrow.
