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Special Report

The ‘Fix’ is On
döfix reaches a milestone in helping window treatment workrooms
achieve higher efficiency and new possibilities.

by Howard Shingle

This year, döfix Döhlemann GmbH Germany celebrates its silver anniversary—25 years of providing drapery workrooms around the world with a range of products and special techniques to enhance and ease the fabrication of window treatments. The company was founded by Günter Döhlemann, a textile chemist who followed several years of success in Europe by bringing his iron-on technology to the United States in 1985. Since then, the U.S. corporation has been known as döfix No Sew, Inc. Over the past 25 years, the döfix line of products has increased to more than 220 items. Its customers have expanded to thousands of workrooms worldwide—both large commercial fabricating companies and home-based workrooms. The döfix products fall into five general categories. • Fabric stiffeners, which can be used to create any shape, including three-dimensional forms. Fabric covered stiffener can be used to replace wood in creating lightweight, easy-to-install cornices. • Shade tapes. These iron-on tapes have woven-in loops making possible the fabrication of shades without rings, stitch marks or light holes. • Pleating and header tapes. Each tape product has a particular special appearance to create custom, one-of-a-kind top treatments, sunbursts and treatments for odd-shaped windows. • Production aids. This line of products features among many products, the company’s popular Bortenfix hemming tape and bendable mounting board RPS. • Workroom equipment. The company’s boiler steam irons are recognized as among the best available to the industry. Throughout its history, döfix has been known for always researching and developing new products. Combined with its ability to provide excellent customer service, it is an important part of the company’s continued success.

MILESTONES

This year döfix Döhlemann GmbH Germany celebrates its 25-year anniversary. The following is a brief time line of the company’s history: • 1977—Günter Döhlemann realizes that iron-on products could be a major improvement in the fabrication of window treatments. His knowledge is based on working many years as a textile chemist developing stabilizing stiffeners and interfacings for the apparel industry. He decides it is time to make his vision come true. He founds döfix Döhlemann GmbH. Seeing the needs of his customers and listening to their problems, he starts developing a series of products. • 1979—By this time Döhlemann already has developed a wide range of products, which he proudly presents to an excited audience. The products are sold under the slogan, “Precise, time-saving and sophisticated” and bring a higher efficiency and new possibilities to the window coverings industry. Over the years, even some of the most skeptical people turn into believers. • 1984—As the German fabrication industry just gets used to a new standard of creativity, the astonishing response at a window coverings show in Las Vegas, NV, triggers the foundation of the U.S. corporation döfix No Sew, Inc. in Midland, MI. Due to the close relationship between customers, the research and development department and sales representatives, new, innovative products are being created constantly. • 1987—The first of the döfix decoration books is introduced and is an immediate success. The book, which was specifically created for the window coverings professional, is a combination of an inspirational design book and comprehensive fabricating and cutting instructions. Enormous demand leads to books two and three, created in 1991 and 1995. • 1988—Döhlemann discovers another gap in the window coverings market and develops a series of products for the quick and uncomplicated installation of window treatments. In cooperation with loyal and knowledgeable partners a new product line was born. Due to the rapid growth of the company, more production space is needed and a three-story industrial complex with more than 30,000 square feet is constructed. With the help of his sons, a line of high-tech injection molders and extrusion equipment is set up. To this day, the development and production of the döfix products lay in the hands of the Döhlemann family and their loyal employees. • 1995—With space getting tight again, another even larger building is added. The additional space allows for an increase in production capacity and is used as a showroom to display the company’s large variety of products. • 2002—Twenty-five years of success provides the highest motivation for the future. Thank you to all of our friends and partners for your loyalty and pleasant cooperation.