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April
2003 Newsletter |
Welcome to the DWConline (www.dwconline.com)
newsletter with up-to-date information on what is happening on our Web
site. Instructions for changing your email address or unsubscribing to
this newsletter are listed at the bottom of this email.
This newsletter is sponsored by Trimland, Shutter
Smart and Hunter Douglas
This month please check out the exciting new stories in our April issue.
And the Winners Are . . .
The Window Covering Manufacturers Association (WCMA), New York, NY, has
announced the winners of its annual Product Innovation Awards, offering
industry recognition in dozens of window treatment product categories.
The Vision
In 1992 five young men from Orange County, California each kicked in
$5,000 and started a business selling custom blinds. The business had
a catchy name, Budget Blinds; five employees; and $25,000. In 2002, this
business generated just over $60 million in sales and Budget Blinds’ suppliers
tell them they are the No. 6 leading window coverings retailer in the
United States.
Leads Are Soft, Competition is Hard
As you read this, the phone may be ringing off the hook. On the other
hand, you may need more leads—especially if you manage a team of
decorators who look to you for their livelihoods. And you want good leads,
not just any old leads. Steven Bursten reminds us that when things are
slow, your telephone can become your power tool.
Nature, Naturally
Americans need nature more than ever. We have become a society of techno-slaves
fused at the hip to our computers, cell phones, pagers and our busy,
demanding lives. In order to survive and decompress, we turn to nature
to get us out (momentarily) of our self-dug holes of hard working existence.
Nature is a universal design element that has often been the focus of
great interiors. When you need some extra help in closing a sale, consider
taking some cues from the great outdoors.
Trimland Internet News
Trimland is announcing its new Web site: www.trimland.com. Trimland aims to serve better and offers good information about Trimmings. The new Web site is supported with a database and all requests will be dealt with electronically.
The company also is developing a knowledge-based Internet site (Customers Network) with more advanced uses, which is expected to debut in June. The Customers Network site will allow customers to get online information about their orders, shipments, back orders, packing lists, etc. The Internet site will also be renewed in summer 2003 and will allow customers, agents and reps to get information about Trimland products in more details as well as promotions online. Customers will have their own login information for secure connections.
Trimland USA Moves to New Distribution Center
Trimland USA, Deer Park , NY, a subsidiary of leading Turkish manufacturer Oz-Is Tekstil (Trimland), opened its 15,000-square-foot U.S. showroom and distribution center in October 1998 in Farmingdale. Due to increased demands, the company is moving to its new 45,000-square-foot U.S. showroom and distribution center in April 2003, in Deer Park.
“ Our goal in the United States is to have a full line of merchandise in stock so that our customers’ orders may be filled immediately,” explains Hilda Apikoglu, president of Trimland USA. “We see this as an important step in developing our business in the U.S.”
Trimland USA offers a full line of trimmings for a broad range of products including trims for curtains, draperies and upholstery, as well as decorative pillows and bedroom ensembles. The line includes tassels and tiebacks, braids, cords, tapes, bullion and brush fringes and curtain tapes, velvet and satin ribbons.
Apikoglu points out that the company manufactures at its 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Istanbul. “We feature more than 2,500 colors in our showroom,” she states. “We also make colors to customer specifications, so they can match their products.”
Trimland USA focuses on the middle to upper-end of the market “Quality is our No. 1 priority.” Apikoglu comments, “We strive for perfection. We are not interested in being a low-end producer. We do all of our own design work, and we never copy models or designs from other manufacturers.”
Apikoglu points out that many of the products are hand-made, and each item is hand-inspected. Each of our products goes through four different quality control inspections before it is packed.
All-new BuyWindowCoverings.com Launches
Our consumer portal Web site to home decorating gets a complete makeover. A new look! New added features! This site not only educates consumers on window coverings, but leads them directly to your, the local retailer who fills their particular needs. This completely updated site offers design tips, decorating ideas, advice, Q & A, and a nationwide search capability for consumers to find a particular brand, product or retailer by city, state or ZIP code. Check it out: www.buywindowcoverings.com.
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