VERTICAL SYSTEMS REPORT

LOUVOLITE
Louvolite Marketing Manager Jamie Marsden says the company’s vertical offering has been thoughtfully evolved in line with changing market demand.

“We could talk about the new finishing touches that are being produced to give the consumer more visual design options when selecting their next Louvolite Vogue vertical blind. It has to be said that these new items can further enhance the look of what is already recognised as a sophisticated and elegant system.”

“We could also remind WFA readers that the Louvolite vertical blind program is one which has served the industry exceedingly well for over 45 years and that every seven seconds of every working day sees a vertical blind using genuine Louvolite component parts being installed somewhere in the world.”

“But instead, we’ll highlight the latest news on the fabulous Louvolite Vogue motorised program,” he says. “Some readers will recall that Louvolite brought a motorised version of its vertical blind system to the market some 20 years ago. Named Power Tilt, the product was deemed to be ahead of its time using a remote control to rotate the louvres to the desired position, but perhaps at that time it was too far ahead.”

“Of course things change and today blind motorisation is all the rage with the desire to operate louvres via a remote control being absolutely on the money. So Louvolite has re-invented the product and now refers to the product as the Louvolite One Touch Vertical blind motor.”

In terms of new features in the Louvolite One Touch Vertical blind motor, Marsden points to the fact that it’s designed from the ground up to work with the Louvolite Vogue vertical system. “This is an awesome and well recognised product. Being designed specifically for the Vogue program allows the unit to be much neater than it would otherwise have been had Louvolite just adapted a soft furnishing motor system and ‘bolted’ this to the Vogue program.”

“In addition Louvolite wanted to ensure that assembly of the unit for its manufacturing customers was as simple as it could be and required no more technical skill than that which is required for their tubular operating One Touch motors. The Louvolite One Touch Vertical blind motor is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery and can be operated by a suitably modified version of the One Touch remote unit to ensure louvre operation is both various and simple to achieve.”

To help future proof the product, Marsden confirms Louvolite has designed it so that it can link in to its forthcoming ALC (trademark Advanced Light Control) system, allowing operation via a phone App inside or outside of the home or even outside the country.

“To top it all, like all the other One Touch motor programs that Louvolite offers, the One Touch Vertical blind motor system is priced to allow the widest possible market to be accessible to its customers when launched in the first quarter of 2019.

BLINDS BY BORONIA
Michelle Macready, Sales Manager at Blinds by Boronia Group, recalls verticals blinds were once “the cornerstone of the industry.”

“For those of us who grew up with venetian blinds in our parents’ home and saw the struggle to keep them free of dust, vertical blinds were the perfect solution. As sliding doors and windows grew in popularity, the rotating blades and the ease of cord and chain operation made them the product of choice.”

“The introduction of vertical blinds to our industry also heralded a new era of businesses that specialised in vertical blinds. This wave of industry growth propelled the expansion of the Australian blind industry.”

“At Blinds by Boronia we have been manufacturing vertical blinds for many years and continue to offer a variety of options. With the unobtrusive low-profile tracks and the standard profile, your track can be as sleek or traditional as your customers décor requires. Both systems can be custom powder coated on request to blend into window surrounds or to make a bold modern statement. Our operating systems include wand controls in four colours or standard cord and chain controls.

Our tracks are made with incremental spacing, so the blades sit evenly across the opening, making uneven stacks a thing of the past. The links we use are stainless steel ensuring years of hassle-free use. The track profile is double sided and offers a decorative fabric insert if requested.”

“Integral to the vertical blind systems that we have known for many years is the wide variety of fabrics that are now available,” she adds. “From sunscreen to translucent and room darkening vertical fabrics, they are a far cry from the Boucle and Stitchbonded fabrics of the past. Previously the choice of fabrics was very limited, usually just a few ranges often with very few colours. We now have literally hundreds of fabrics to choose from. This choice can cause storage and waste concerns for many small to medium vertical blind manufacturers so Skins N More may be the answer. At Skins N More we offer a cutting service for vertical blades in a huge variety of fabrics saving clients time and money.

Macready confirms that the Blinds by Boronia Group now offers made to measure complete vertical blinds to the wholesale market, while Skins N More carries a variety of vertical blind fabrics for customers to manufacture their own vertical blinds.

UNILINE
Uniline’s Slimline Vertical Blind System is designed for smooth operation that’s whisper-quiet, while offering insulation from the elements. The company notes that demand for the range is driven by its sleek form, which suits modern decors that embrace clean, uncluttered lines. Meanwhile “their practicality makes them ideal for sliding doors or larger windows.”

“Tilt the blades of fabric using a chain mechanism to control the level of light in your home or office, as well as the degree of privacy. Want to see the view? Pull the cord and watch the blades neatly stack away to the left, right or even the centre, to reveal the world outside. Close them to block out heat, cold or glare, or have them partially open. With versatile verticals, the choice is yours.”

Uniline vertical drapes come with two tracking systems: the Slim Series 2000 and the ultra-sturdy Unitrak. Both are available in a wide range of fabrics from the Uniline collection, with tracks in White, Grey, Beige, Birch White or Ebony. Both systems feature stainless steel, rust-resistant spacer links, which give drapes a consistent overlap to block out the sun. Polypropylene weights in the bottom of each drape hold them straight.

SCOTT FREE
Scott Free has been supplying the Majestic vertical system to the market for some time now and during this period, has noted a change in the way blind makers manufacture this industry staple.

“Demand from manufacturers for a simpler and faster way to produce this versatile window covering helped us to develop, with blind makers, a new end cap system for wand controls. The Ezy cap reduces the number of components, supporting faster production assembly. We offer two profiles with four colours in each; our new Ezy Cap has delivered a quality product helping blind makers increase their profitability with vertical blinds.”

“The move away from corded systems resulting from selfregulation in relation to child safety legislation means wand controls are considered the norm now with multiple options in the way they operate and are controlled. The wands that control these systems are becoming more variable with Aluminium and PVC available in various lengths and colours.”

“Corded systems still have a small percentage of the market, and whilst catering for this area continues, it has however seen its demand reduce as the wand options grow. Planetary and Direct drives in Low and Standard profile are available across four colours to support the industries evolving needs.”

“Chainless weights continue to grow in demand; Scott Free now offers multiple colours in these components, combined with a comprehensive offering consistent with the other components across the Majestic Vertical System.”

Pre-linked carriers are offered across all options within the Scott Free Majestic range. Stainless steel and plastic spacers are available in incremental lengths, assisting speedier production by removing the need to have staff assemble them. Bespoke components are available in response to client requirements and demands, further extending the versatility that Scott Free can offer.”

With the release of new vertical ranges in jacquard styles having re-energised vertical blinds, developing a contemporary relevance across various designs, Scott Free now offers 16 different jacquards and three plain coated fabrics, offering a choice of 19 ranges to work in conjunction with Scott Free Majestic Vertical Systems.

“The vertical blind market has always been a buoyant part of what Scott Free offers to the market and we will continue to support and develop componentry for our Majestic Vertical Blind System, to support our customers to develop further smarter and leaner manufacturing of an industry staple.”