|
Industry Profile
Concentration
FUA Window Coverings takes its job of supplying upscale
window coverings seriously . . . and personally.
Photography by Jim Robinette
D&WC: Please give a detailed
description of your company and its history.
José Uribe: FUA Window
Coverings was founded in Mexico City, Mexico, in 1956. A manufacturer
of all types of soft and hard window coverings, we now have more
than 100 employees at our production facility and more than 40 persons
as administrative and sales staff.
Our U.S. operation began in 1995 in Texas and is a smaller operation
of approximately 30 people. We service our customers with a concentrated
line of natural woven window coverings and a brand new line of wood
blinds.
D&WC: What products do you specialize
in today, and have your sales grown with your product line?
Uribe: We have always specialized
in 100 percent woven woods. As we have grown, our U.S. sales volume
has grown likewise and now is 18 times greater than when we began
in 1995.
D&WC: Is your business computerized?
Do you have a company Web site, and how is it uses to communicate
with customers?
Uribe: We do have a Web site
(www.fuawin dowcoverings.com), and some of our customers place orders
via e-mail. But most of our business is still done via fax.
D&WC: Who are your customers?
What parts of the country do you service?
Uribe: We sell nationally and
internationally to wholesalers, retailers and interior design firms.
We employ 19 sales people to service our customers.
D&WC: How has your segment of
the industry changed since you first began?
Uribe: Products have changed,
but not drastically. Technology improves at about the same level
as all the other products in the industry.
D&WC: Where do you see yourself
and your company five years from now? Are there additional areas
within the industry that you would like to get involved in?
Uribe: We would like to become
known as the leader in innovation and service as well as to expand
our worldwide clientele. We believe all of this will be achieved
through localized service and distribution.
D&WC: What best describes your
niche in the marketplace?
Uribe: We manufacture and supply
natural, upscale decorative accessories.
One of our strengths is that we are among the few actual weavers/manufacturers
of our product line.
D&WC: What are some of the key
factors involved in your growth and success?
Uribe: Keeping abreast and ahead
of industry trends and providing top-notch customer service has
made us successful. Above all, outstanding product quality and ongoing
innovation in everything we manufacture.
Industry fashion trends that help us will come and go all the time.
We have to create and promote our own product trends.
D&WC: What distinguishes you
from the competition?
Uribe: In addition to taking
our business personally and being proud of our product and the services
we provide, we also place great importance on customer feedback
and claims.
D&WC: What advice would you
give to other window coverings professionals?
Uribe: Think about your customers’
needs before thinking about your profit.
FUA Window Coverings
899 S. Castell Ave.
New Baunfels, TX 78130
(830) 608-0694
(888) 857-9195
Fax: (830) 608-0677
E-mail: info@fuawindowcoverings.com
www.fuawindowcoverings.com
|
