Hendee finds new market opportunities

March 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Perspective

Demand and supply: Chuck Hendee creates products to meet customer needs. By Sigrid Tornquist “In general, I don’t think we’ve ever developed a product—or spent any money to develop one—where there wasn’t an existing demand,” says Chuck Hendee, IFM, MFC, president of Hendee Enterprises …
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State of the Industry 2009: Awnings and canopies

March 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies

Challenge, opportunity and growth: Our market forecast for manufacturers of awnings. By Jeff Rasmussen In 2008, nonresidential construction amounted to $712.9 billion, 11.8 percent above the $637.5 billion figure for 2007. This helped to offset a weak residential construction market in 2008, which w…
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Shade structures help restore city park

March 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Projects

Hurricane Katrina’s destructive path along the Gulf Coast took a toll on the City of Lake Charles, La., but a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency helped restore city parks. Shade Systems Inc., Ocala, Fla., a manufacturer of outdoor shade structures, put wind in the sails of the …
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Fabric canopies transform Oldham Schools

February 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Markets, Projects

Fabric canopies unite revitalized buildings for Oldham Schools in England. By Helen Elias The city of Oldham in the northwest of England had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: Oldham Council was awarded £230 million (about $350 million) to spend on transforming secondary education through refur…
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Awning creates shade in corners and tight spaces

February 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Products

Problem: Shade is needed for the corner of a building, or an odd-shaped spot that a standard retractable awning or a shade umbrella won’t accommodate. Solution: The 90-degree SeaShell Awning is designed for creating shaded areas in corners or troublesome tight locations. It does not have footi…
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Sun shade regulations recommended in preschools

February 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Industry News

The consumer group Choice, a founding member of Consumers International, audited seven Australian childcare centers, none of which complied fully with regulations governing UV protection in shading structures. The group recommended regulation of sun shades in preschools to ensure that shade cloth pr…
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The true value of awnings

January 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features

To remain relevant and profitable in a tough economy, awning manufacturers, distributors and retailers need to promote the palpable benefits of awnings. By Holly O’Dell As their bank accounts shrink, consumers are carefully examining every purchase and balking at what they view as an unnecessa…
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Outdura expands performance fabric awning-weight line

January 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Marine, Products, Upholstery

The Outdura performance fabric awning-weight line has added dozens of new stripes to its existing inventory of solids and tweeds, in the 60-inch width favored by the industry. Solution-dyed acrylic fabric is stain-resistant, water-repellent and breathable; properly used and maintained, Outdura will …
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Burak cuts labor costs to improve business

January 1, 2009  |  Awnings & Canopies, Features, Management, Marketing, Perspective

Ed Burak improves the bottom line by shaving time off labor costs. By Sigrid Tornquist “The greatest expense for our business is the labor—shaving time off labor is key to our success,” says Ed Burak, president of Hudson Awning and Sign Co. Inc. in Bayonne, N.J. Burak, who runs the company wit…
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