The Evolution of Shaw

Established 75 years ago, Shaw’s longevity in the industry is powered by a reputation of respect for its customers and a desire to meet market needs with a quality, value for money product.

The company has built a comprehensive network of distribution centres, with a footprint of over 30,000sqm across Australia and NZ, supported by “a highly efficient and friendly national call centre in each country.”

In metro areas Shaw has developed a network of internal courier services, delivering product in first class condition and a timely manner.

Fabric development

The foundation of Shaw’s fabric development program is the Shaw team’s background in manufacturing and coating. It means that they can work hands on with partners and contribute directly to manufacturing processes that support the development and testing of products specific to the window coverings market, rather than buying finished products off the shelf. 

Mark Lewis, who heads up Shaw Performance Fabrics, has extensive experience in fabric manufacturing and the commercial arena. He describes the Shaw story as “one of collaboration, experience and identifying opportunities.” 

“We owe a great deal to our customers who work with us during the development process, but their reward is superior quality and consistent service.”

Shaw’s fabric collection has grown from interior and technical fabrics to outdoor screens and most recently to drapery, with this latest venture pairing Shaw’s roller blind fabric with sheer drapery. The program was instigated through discussion with customers who identified the value of pairing a drapery sheer with a roller blind fabric in the same design and colours.

Aside from beautiful aesthetics, the team at Shaw Performance Fabrics ensures that when a fabric is launched it has been checked for performance and meets the technical specification expected by the market. Shaw fabrics are developed to achieve internationally recognised safety standards for wellbeing and flame resistance, and with consideration for the environment.

Cost efficiency is high on Shaw’s development criteria. The majority of Shaw’s fabrics have multiple widths, which reduce costs of production and wastage for the manufacturing customers.

Hardware offering

With over 25 years’ experience in the external shading systems industry, Ben Hayek heads up Shaw Performance Hardware. 

“Our evolution has been a collaborative process, working with manufacturing suppliers and listening to customer feedback as we improve existing systems, and develop new ones,” he tells WFA. “Value for money does not mean inferior quality with all our products maintaining the highest international QC standards. We use UV stabilised plastics for longevity, virgin materials, market leading pre-treatments and powder coating processes.”

Hayek says the recent rebrand of Shaw External Systems, with a new identity supported by a communication and social media campaign, is successfully driving the message to retail and consumers, embarking on the use of influencers and utilising the experience of the company’s communications team to drive the business and wider window furnishings industry into the future.

Colours and trends

Meanwhile, Shaw’s trend forecasting and colour selection have responded to changing times; during the Covid years worldwide forecasters were unable to meet in the usual hubs of design, so had to work virtually, relying on technology to share thoughts and ideas on where colour trends were going. Sarah Harris, Shaw Australia Marketing Manager, notes that many choices were made based on emotion, a need to be grounded and taken back to nature, but unite in optimism and hope, particularly exemplified by Pantone’s colours of the year 2020 to 2022. 

 “Shaw’s ability to take forecast colours and translate into workablecolour palettes for our industry stems from constantly monitoring of external forecasters and analysingour customer buying patterns. The result is saleable products which consumers want to see on windows and outdoor spaces.”

These colour trends are significant to fabrics and hardware. The external market is the fastest growing in Australia and demand increased once Covid hit even more, as we needed more space at home. Colours have become transitional between outside and inside spaces, and Shaw has chosen core colours which complement bestselling internal and external paints for their fabrics and components.

Shawperformanceproducts.com gives comprehensive product details, with downloadable specification sheets.

Customer support 

Supported by directional trend insights, Shaw customers also have access to an online ordering portal that allows them to check stocks, place orders 24/7, set up order templates and back track to their buying history.

Nick Brice, General Manager, tells WFA Shaw is proud of its evolution to date, adding that this adaptation to changing times and demand continues. It’s a quality he says the company will be proud to showcase at the Super Expo in June, which will in turn provide “a forum for discussion, the sharing of ideas and catching up with industry friends not seen since 2019.” 

 “We’re looking forward to welcoming all expo visitors to our stand,” says Brice. “It will be a time to discuss how Shaw can work with manufacturers and retailers to move forward in the current economic climate. We are very optimistic about our future, with a strong team, product, and most of all inspiring customers to allow us to excel in current and new markets.”