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INDUSTRY NEWS
NORMAN SHUTTERS DOUBLES SHUTTER MANUFACTURING
CAPACITY
Norman Shutters™, Santa Fe Springs, CA, has doubled its shutter
manufacturing capacity. The state-of-the-art facility combines advanced
manufacturing, inventory and quality control systems with time-honored
hand craftsmanship.
“We increased our manufacturing capacity in order to accommodate
growing demand for our shutter products,” said Paul Shih, vice
president of sales and marketing. “Combined with our proprietary
online ordering system, Norman Shutters’ substantial manufacturing
capacity ensures that we maintain consistent delivery times,”
he added.
The company’s team of more than 2,200 professionals create
custom hardwood and composite wood shutters offered in three distinct
lines.
SUPERIOR ROMAN SHADES EXPANDS FACILITY
California-based Superior Roman Shades™ is planning an expansion
of its fabrication facility in Southern California. The expansion,
which will be used exclusively to create custom Roman shades and
woven woods, will increase the company’s production capacity
by more than 100 percent. The expansion is scheduled for completion
in fall 2005.
“This facility will enable us to take our production efficiencies
and customer service to a new level, and make it easier to maintain
our turnaround goals of seven business days for most shades while
maintaining our hand craftsmanship quality,” said spokesman
Hal Roman.
Since introducing its custom Roman shade program in April 2003,
Superior has acquired several hundred dealers and commercial accounts
whose volume has necessitated two physical expansions in two years
(see D&WC, January 2004, page 16).
EXCITING WINDOWS! EXCEEDS GOAL
At year-end 2004, Exciting Windows! shop-at-home service brand had
contracted with 26 window coverings businesses across the United
States—40 percent over its goal. The concept, created by Steve
Bursten, president, CustEmers.com, and Steve Wishnow, executive
vice president, provides clients with training and services to improve
shop-at-home business, attract better customers and close more sales.
In the program, each retailer receives complete training to apply
the Exciting Windows! concept and a selling system that results
in higher sales and profit margins. “We then add business planning
and budgeting assistance; advertising, public relations and media
guidance; complete advertising materials, advanced technology for
Web sites, e-mail newsletters, customer database, management tracking
systems and much more,” said Wishnow.
A national brand image for individual companies sets them apart
from competitors resulting in customer value perceptions that allow
improved profit margins, according to Bursten. “In addition,
it is the technology of Internet databases, online training and
e-mail communications that allow us to provide a full range of service
and support at an affordable cost for a business owner,” he
added.
Exciting Windows! brand service is offered only through experienced
window coverings professionals who operate under their own business
names. Current business owners range from $50,000 in annual sales
to more than $5 million.
HUNTER DOUGLAS BUSINESS BUILDING EXPO SCHEDULE
BEGINS
Window covering dealers and designers had the opportunity to improve
their knowledge of window coverings, design outlook, technological
know-how and business and sales skills with The Hunter Douglas Business
Building ExpoSM held in early February at the San José Convention
Center, San José, CA. The Expo was hosted by Hunter Douglas
Window Fashions in conjunction with its fabricator partner, Hunter
Douglas Northern California.
The day-and-a-half program began with a half day of specialized
classes on specialty shaped windows, best practices and ways to
capitalize on window covering trends. The next full day began with
a keynote address by Kelly McCormick, an expert in business and
human dynamics, entitled “Quit Selling!” McCormick shared
with attendees what really motivates people to buy. Then, participants
chose one of four learning paths of classes for themselves or designed
their own schedule. The classes included entry and advanced products,
and marketing, selling and business-building technology tools. Television
personality and designer Kitty Bartholomew offered a session on
“Designing with Light and Color.”
“Our research has shown that Hunter Douglas dealers who participate
in this kind of training see their sales increase an average of
20 percent,” said Ron Spies, Hunter Douglas vice president
of the Customer Education and Development Group. Spies added that
the company expects approximately 4,000 dealers and designers to
participate in the Expo in markets across the country in 2005.
SUPERIOR ROMAN SHADES ADDS DUAL SHADE LINE
California-based Superior Roman Shades™ has announced a line
of dual shades featuring one of its 22 fabric Roman shade styles
as the front shade and a sheer Roman or a solar roller shade mounted
as the rear shade.
A liberal assortment of colors will be available in the solar shades,
according to a company statement. Dual shade combinations will be
available on low-profile headrails.
DREAMDRAPER TO INCLUDE PATE-MEADOWS DESIGNS
Evan Marsh Designs and Pate-Meadows Designs have announced that
the 2005 release of the DreamDraper® computer-based design system
for window treatments will include the Show Home Line of designs
from Pate-Meadows. More information is available at www.evanmarshdesigns.com.
CREATIVE QUILTING OFFERS CUSTOM DUVET INSERTS
Creative Quilting, Houston, TX, now offers custom-size duvet inserts
in its product line. With deeper mattresses and higher beds being
offered by bedding companies, the former standard sizes for duvet
inserts are no longer large enough for the treatments needed.
The company’s new inserts are offered custom-made to any width
and length up to 118 inches wide by 108 inches long. They are filled
with polyester batting at nine ounces per square yard, with 13 ounces
per square yard available as an option. They are made with 50 percent
cotton, 50 percent polyester-blend material in white, finished with
a bound edge and ties or loops at all four corners.
DRAPER RECEIVES ADEX AWARD FOR PVC-FREE SHADES
Draper, Inc. Spiceland, IN, has received a Platinum ADEX Award for
its line of window shades with PVC-free fabrics. The ADEX Awards
(Awards for Design Excellence) are selected by a panel of independent
judges and are sponsored by Design Journal. Platinum is the top
award level.
Draper PVC-free mesh and blackout FlexShades feature Hexcel’s
PVC-free 1260, 1309, 1277 and Screen Nature fabrics. In addition
to the Hexcel offerings, Draper’s PVC-free line also includes
Roc-Rol, an opaque window shade fabric by Rockland Industries, and
Flocke and Obion Fabrics from 3G Mermet.
In addition to other environmental benefits, PVC-free fabrics tend
to be much thinner and lighter than PVC solar protection mesh fabrics,
so the shades can be constructed using smaller tubes and hardware
systems, leading to less waste, lower operating weights and smaller
bundle diameters, according to a company statement.
WINDO-SHADE ADDS PLEATED AND ROLLER SHADE
LINES
Windo-Shade Distributors, Inc., Houston, TX, has announced it will
now offer Le Plissé pleated shade fabrics and Rollux roller
shade fabrics, both from Vertilux, as an addition to its Estate
Collection of blinds and shades.
The inclusion of the pleated and roller shade fabrics will expand
its popular private label line, which currently includes Estate
Woods natural and synthetic wood blinds; Estate Woven Woods in natural
jutes, reeds and grasses; Estate Shutters, custom wood shutters
with a guaranteed fit program; Estate Cellular Shades in single-
and double-cell honeycomb; Estate COM Shades, laminated roller or
pleated shades; and Estate Mini-Blinds with aluminum slats.
Windo-Shade Distributors is a fabricator and distributor of custom
window covering products. In addition to the Estate Collection,
Windo-Shade offers a complete selection of window covering products
from Levolor, Kirsch, Nanik, Turnils and MechoShade.
ASTRUP OPENS ONLINE SHOWROOM
The Astrup Co., Cleveland, OH, has opened its Online Showroom for
viewing and sampling its fabrics in the High Point Collection. Designers
and fabricators now can view the fabrics, share digital samples
with associates and make decisions faster with this online resource.
Located on the company’s Web site home page (www.astrup.com),
the High Point Collection Online Swatch Showroom allows users to
browse an up-to-date fabric and finish library by category; search
for specific items by category, type, color or style; review small
thumbnail images displayed from search results, and click for a
larger detailed image and specification information; adjust color,
brightness, contrast and light source to view the fabric in the
most lifelike precision possible; print or save detailed sample
images and specifications in PDF format; add several fabrics and
finishes to a project file that can be e-mailed to associates or
clients for further discussion, opinions and approvals; place online
sample orders via e-mail to any e-mail address; and request fabric
samples be shipped to their own address or to a client.
“Our new High Point Collection Online Swatch Showroom takes
all the work out of flipping through fabric swatch pads and stacks
of samples to find and order initial swatch samples of the right
pattern, color and fabric specification for your projects,”
said Carolyn D’Amato, advertising manager.
GET PUBLISHED: CALL FOR PHOTOS
D&WC columnist and author of Dream Floors, Kathleen Stoehr,
is beginning work on a hardcover, full-color book on beautiful window
treatment options to be published in fall 2005 by Randall International.
This book will be one of a three-part series on improving various
areas of the home and office.
Stoehr is looking for professionally shot window treatment room-setting
and close-up photographs to feature in the book, planned as a go-to
source for everyone from homeowners looking for answers and ideas
to designers looking to inspire their clients and offer examples.
Each photograph supplied will offer references to the style number
of the window covering, name, type and also contact information.
A photo caption will identify the workroom/designer, as well as
other crucial information. Photo credits also are given. A Source
Guide in the back of the book bolsters this information as well.
Stoehr puts forth the idea that some of the best products are available
only through the trade and will try to demystify and remove the
reservations homeowners may have about hiring a professional to
help with their interiors, rather than buying ready-made treatments.
This call for photos will be open through March 31. E-mail questions
to kstoehr@chemistry creative.com.
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