Legendary Manly business Stuart Blinds has been serving the Northern Beaches for over 75 years. The third generation family owned establishment has been manufacturing blinds since 1932, the same year the Sydney Harbor Bridge opened. Offering a full range of modern window treatments, Stuart Blinds installs, repairs, services and cleans blinds, awnings, shades and shutters. Our Manly spoke with General Manager Allan Garret, the industry expert who oversees the venerable company as it grows to meet a changing marketplace.
O M:
75 years in business! How did it begin?
Allan Garrett: The company was started in 1932 by my wife’s grandfather John Stuart back in 1932 and has zigzagged down through three generations. It’s always been here at 181 Pittwater Road in Manly. My father and mother-in-law are still the directors of the company, and though they are retired they still have an active role. My father-in-law married the youngest of the three Stuart girls and he was in the business for 40 years before he retired. I came in about 16 years ago and took over as GM. We are growing and expanding as a business, offering everything from standard roller blinds to the highest end window treatments. We offer quite an extensive range of products.
O M: Speaking of which, you carry the increasingly green Verosol and Luxaflex lines.
ALLAN GARRETT: Verosol has some interesting concept fabrics and more being introduced this year. Luxaflex has got a product called GREENSCREEN™ which is a recyclable sunscreen fabric. Once the blind has gone through its life it’ll be just like cans and bottles, instead of being tossed in the landfill it can used again.
O M: How has the industry changed in response to growing environmental concerns? Does change happen because customers demand it, or top down with companies taking initiative?
ALLAN GARRETT: Change is generated in various ways- customers’ own personal preference to go green, or specified through councils, by architects keen to use green products and then people latch onto those good ideas and continue to call for it. It’s a gradual thing. It hasn’t been legislated for at this stage, but new houses have energy saving ratings that solar fabrics and windows can help achieve. Manufacturers will have to respond by providing more information on their products’ effectiveness and efficiencies. It’s a gradual thing but is gaining momentum. People are interested in what products are actually made of especially if they have an allergy to something in the product.
O M: How have you as a small manufacturer kept at it with so many pressures to ship production overseas?
ALLAN GARRETT: Many of what we call our “friendly opposition” have closed up their manufacturing side which has enabled them to create greater showroom space, or reduce the amount of space they require or staff. It puts a lot more reliance on bigger manufacturers but at the same time, from our point of view, it is a service that allows us to offer our customers a complete package. We are a one stop shop. And we help our competitors who come to us for parts and light manufacturing.
O M: So manufacturing goes hand in hand with the other services you offer? If one facet is slumping the others can pick up the slack?
ALLAN GARRETT: We’ve got about 12 people on staff that can move within the different facets of the business. Repairs one day and installation or cleaning the next. Most of the people here are long-term. It’s a fairly low-key and friendly environment. We think laterally, which is probably why we have been around so long. And our relationships with real estate agents- we do repair and installation for them which is reasonably big portion of our business.
O M: So cultivating relationships with other businesses has been crucial?
ALLAN GARRETT: Very much so.
O M: How are you preparing to expand?
ALLAN GARRETT: We’re not going to get too big. We want to keep on doing what we are doing, keeping it on the local level, a professional service oriented company and preserving our local identity as a direct to consumer manufacturer. We want to enhance our ability to deal over the counter with customers.
O M: Three generations so far, will there be a fourth?
ALLAN GARRETT: Quite possibly. My son is actually working here today. He’s at college so he’s only working a couple of days every now and then but he’s very good. He’s at the stage to be able to do things without too much supervision.
O M: What are the secrets of your success?
ALLAN GARRETT: We give people value for the price. We don’t give seasonal discounts. Everyone benefits from fair prices throughout the year. If they go out and do comparisons they find us competitive and typically we have a very high success rate with customers accepting our quotes without getting a challenging bid. So we may do fewer quotes per day than other companies but spend more time on each so our conversion rate is much better. 7 out of 10 customers accept our quotes which is pretty high for the industry. We find out what people need and what they actually want. And we treat our employees fairly. Everybody gets a hug!
O M: Any other advice for aspiring businesses?
ALLAN GARRETT: Location is important. We’re on a main street, on a corner, which has been important. We adopt new technologies and materials. We have had to change with the times. Keeping up with trends, what’s on offer and picking up the best. We have a high standard and confidence in the product we offer. That sort of reliability makes it easy to sell.
Thanks, Allan. We know generations of Manly-siders have come to expect only the best from Stuart Blinds. Now anyone searching the internet for window treatments, service or a glimpse into the inner workings of a successful Northern Beaches business can learn more about it from the man in charge!
> Visit the Stuart Blinds Website!