|
Industry Profile
Same
Products, Different Name
Formerly Richview Window Coverings, the same quality products and
services are offered through HT Window Fashions.
D&WC: Please give a detailed
description of your company and its history.
What window coverings products did you handle initially? What
products do you handle today?
Julian K. Fuller, Vice President of Operations:
HT Window Fashions was established in 1987 in Los Angeles, CA, under
the name Richview Window Coverings. From modest beginnings producing
one-inch aluminum mini-blinds, HT has expanded to Hayward, CA, and
Atlanta, GA, broadening our product offerings to include cellular,
wood, polyurethane and composite window treatments.
D&WC: Who are your customers? How
is your Web site used to communicate with them?
Fuller: Our window treatments
are the preferred choice of dealers, decorators, retailers, contract
and property management specialist and national chains across America.
The recent introduction of our Web site (www.richview.com) offers
our customer the convenience of Internet ordering while introducing
potential customers to who we are and our place in the window coverings
industry.
The addition of experienced professionals like National Sales Manager
Jeff Michel brings new focus to programs designed to support sales
growth by giving our customers the competitive edge they need. Customer
feedback at htwindowfashions@richview.com provides communication
at the customer’s convenience, helping us provide answers and
solutions to a variety of issues, and to stay current with the changing
marketplace.
D&WC: Where do you see yourself
and your company five years from now?
Fuller: Richview Window Coverings
becoming HT Window Fashions represents two goals for the future.
Continued support of single blind orders to full containers and
small dealers to national chains is, and has been, our strength.
Building on that base, HT is working to bring new ideas and new
selections that meet the needs of today’s consumer.
HT represents the solid reputation of consistent past performance
and the source for creative products of the future.
D&WC: What best describes your
niche in the marketplace?
Fuller: While the HT family
of products has grown to 15 lines, the focus is still manufacturing
and selling one-inch aluminum blinds, our acknowledged strength
in the industry.
Minimizing our dependency on outside vendors enables HT to control
the quality and cost of material and workmanship in all our aluminum
products. Our continuing growth and success is built around this
philosophy of providing a quality product at a reasonable price.
This dedication has been the key to our growth and the success of
each innovation HT brings to the marketplace.
D&WC: What trends and cycles
do you see occurring in the industry? How is your business addressing
them?
Fuller: The window coverings
market is constantly changing. Anticipating and reacting to those
changes, along with facing rising raw material costs, fuel and transportation
increases, competitive pressures and world events makes this a demanding
industry. These same challenges, and their rewards, make this one
of the most exciting times to be a part of the window coverings
world.
The customers and consumers of today are intelligent, independent
thinkers who know what they want. They challenge our industry to
do it their way, perfect the first time and completed yesterday.
HT (and our worthy competitors) performs this miracle successfully,
and on a regular basis, and it feels good. To survive in this business,
you have to make your customer happy with your product, price and
service. To be successful, you have to know your customer, know
the value of your product, price and service, and know that you
can make your customer happy. At HT Window Fashions, we feel that
way, and that feels pretty good.
D&WC: What distinguishes you
from the competition?
Fuller: As consumer needs and
tastes change, HT Window Fashions is listening to our customer and
reacting to find the right product, in the right color, at the right
price. The innovations in current window treatment products and
the exciting new products being introduced this year insure that
HT Window Fashions is the right source at the right time.
D&WC: Are there any additional
topics you would like to address?
Fuller: There has been a lot
of conversation and speculation concerning the change from Richview
to HT Window Fashions that took place June 1 this year. Whenever
companies change names and logos there is usually a merger, acquisition
or change of ownership involved. In the case of Richview Window
Coverings becoming HT Window Fashions the reason is much simpler.
The name change honors a respected and revered family member.
Richview Window Coverings/HT Window Fashions
770 S. Epperson Dr.
Industry, CA 91748
(800) 879-9512
fax: (626) 839-8861
e-mail: steve@richview.com
www.richview.com
|
