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Industry Profile
Two-Week
Notice
Kennedy-White Shutter Co. delivers quality products, superior service
and quick delivery - all with a personal touch.
D&WC: Please
give a detailed description of your company and its history.
Arthur K. White, President: Kennedy-White
Shutter Co. was founded in 2001 in Bonita Springs, FL. We manufacture
custom, built-to-order plantation shutters. Our operations consist
of a 15,000-square-foot, climate-controlled production facility
with plans to expand to 37,000 square feet in the near future.
Kennedy-White Shutter Co. is one of eight White family owned businesses.
We have been in manufacturing since 1965, and, after researching
the shutter industry, we felt we could bring some experience to
this market that would enable us to produce a high-quality product
in half the standard industry time. We currently ship finished products
nationwide in two weeks.
D&WC: Is your business computerized? Do you have a company
Web site, and how is it used to communicate with customers?
White: We are firm believers
that the proper computerization is critical in today’s business
environment. We currently have an enterprise-wide computer system
that enables us to take a proposed order to production in a matter
of seconds.
All orders are bar-coded for tracking from production through shipping,
which enables us to ensure all orders stay on schedule. Our customer
care representatives are able to service our customers much more
effectively by being able to view an entire order, and it’s
up-to-the-minute status with just a couple of key stokes at their
work stations.
Our Web site, www.kennedywhite.com, provides our existing and prospective
dealers 24/7 access to our personnel. We update the site with changes
in technical information along with additions and changes to our
products.
D&WC: Who are your customers?
What parts of the country do you service?
White: We are a wholesale to
the trade manufacturer, which services retail dealers, designers,
builders and other millwork companies.
We worked very hard with several container companies to develop
proprietary packaging that enables us to ship products worldwide
economically and with a damage rate well below one percent. We understand
our customers must receive our product quickly, timely and undamaged.
D&WC: What best describes
your niche in the marketplace?
White: With competition from
low-priced imports and no real barriers to entry domestically, we
positioned ourselves in the market as a company with three competitive
advantages.
1. The quality of product must be unquestioned, which we back up
with a limited lifetime warrantee, in writing.
2. Customer service must exceed expectations and be consistent and
timely, which we have accomplished through employing the best people
and utilizing the best computer systems available.
3. Our two week delivery enables our customers to earn more business
by providing their customers products in two weeks rather than their
competitors’ six to eight weeks, which often times is a deal
closer for Kennedy-White dealers.
D&WC: What are some of the key factors
involved in your growth and success?
White: Kennedy-White has been
able to grow by providing products and services to our customers
that meet their specific needs. We are large enough to produce,
finish and ship 1,200 panel orders in one week for time-sensitive
jobs and small enough to give personal attention to each dealer
to make sure each is getting exactly what he or she ordered.
Our customers asked us to produce a composite product and we have
responded by added the LaPlaya product line in 2004. We have been
looking for a composite product to produce for more than two years.
We were not willing to produce an inferior product that would not
be one of the best in the industry. With LaPaya we have found what
we believe to be the best composite shutter available. Not only
is it a great product, but we also ship it in less than one week.
D&WC: What distinguishes you
from the competition?
White: We understand our role as
a shutter supplier to our dealers, and whatever we can do to help
them become more successful we are willing to do. Differentiation
in this industry is very difficult, so we are working on developing
products that will enable our dealers to offer unique products that
will allow them to stand out from their competition.
One example is our specialty Designer Series that includes custom
faux and textured finishes that homeowners can use to match existing
finishes in their homes. Not only do our dealers have something
unique to offer, but the margins are better due to their uniqueness.
Kennedy-White Shutter Co.
10940 Harmony Park Dr.
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
239 949-6500
866 949-6500
fax: 239 949-6570
e-mail: akwhite@kennedywhite.com
www.kennedywhite.com
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