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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 | www.patioandhearthproductsreport.com
Get
Grilling
Page 18
Backyard
Beauties
Page 52
SUMMER CLASSICS
REGENCY FIREPLACE PRODUCTS
MEMPHIS WOOD FIRE GRILLS
SEASIDE CASUAL
Colorado's Chic Culinary Store | 32
INSIGHT FIBERBUILT
BUILT
for
Florida shade company
prospers as residential and
hospitality markets expand.
SUCCESS BY LARRY THOMAS
AS 2020 BEGAN, manufacturer FiberBuilt Umbrellas & Cushions Despite the downturn, she notes “As restrictions have eased, which fortu-
had a lot to celebrate. It was the Florida-based company’s 20th anniversary, that the company’s CEO, Paul Knapp, nately coincided with the beginning of
and all signs pointed to another year of strong sales for its signature umbrellas didn’t lay off any employees and kept the casual furniture season, we’ve been
that feature flexible fiberglass ribs. operations running throughout the slammed with new business. We’re now
But as we all experienced, about three months into the year, the begin- pandemic by implementing a combina- focused on hiring additional employees,
nings of a worst-case scenario unfolded. A pandemic brought the hospitality tion of social distancing, mask wearing but that continues to be a challenge.”
busine ss to a halt, and since the majority of FiberBuilt’s sales come from hos- and remote work procedures for its The com pany also has seen a solid
pitality customers, within weeks those stellar sales forecasts became irrelevant. staff. He also centered sales efforts on uptick in retail sales for both its umbrel-
“Prior to the pandemic, we were on track to have a banner year in 2020,” the retail market since so many people las and custom replacement cushions.
says Chantell Holmes, the company’s retail sales manager. “As you might were now spending all day every day at “We chalk that up to homeowners’
expect … sales took a hit. But we continued to fill orders that were already in home. “FiberBuilt’s employees ha ve desire to reimagine their surroundings
house, and we saw an increase in retail sales for standard and custom products.” always been there, giving their best for in a more comfortable, colorful, fashion-
the company, and we were able light,” Holmes says. “People began
determined to be there for improving their outdoor space when the
them as well,” Knapp says. indoor walls started closing in.”
The company even She notes that sales of FiberBuilt’s
forged ahead with plans for Market umbrellas have remained
a new 88,000-square-foot strong, along with a noteworthy
headquarters and factory in increase in orders for Cantilever, Beach,
Pompano Beach, Florida, and Lucaya umbrellas.
which opened its doors in According to Holmes, homeowners
January of this year. The have come to appreciate the impor-
strategy paid off. As pan- tance of shade products as they refur-
demic restrictions have bish outdoor living space because it
eased in recent months, allows them to enjoy their time out-
those 2020 forecasts have side more fully. That has resulted in
already been surpa ssed. increased orders for larger canopies
“The hospitality market that deliver shade footprints of 10-
is definitely sprucing up and foot square and 13-foot diameter.
preparing for vacation and “There’s also a meaningful interest in
business travelers who have umbrellas with design options such as
Above: Lucaya umbrella from the Prestige Collection a pent-up desire to get away scalloped valances and fringe, as well as
Top: Venice umbrella from the Euro Collection from home,” Holmes says. continued on page 97
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PATIOANDHEARTHPRODUCTSREPORT.COM
INSIGHT FIBERBUILT continued from page 58
more unique shapes that bring an addi- hospitality and con-
tional element of architectural appeal or tract furniture seg-
contemporary silhouettes,” she says. ments remain the com-
The new Pompano Beach facility pany’s bread and but-
includes a showroom geared toward inte- ter – accounting for
rior designers – a move that proved for- more than half of sa les.
tuitous and has helped drive increased Of late, Holmes
business with the design channel. Many notes that the compa-
designers, in fact, now bring clients to the ny is seeing increasing
showroom to see the products in person. numbers of retailers
Umbrellas with
“Designer business has increased, not establish contract fur- scalloped valances
only for residences, but also for condo- niture divisions or are increasingly
popular.
miniums, HOAs, schools and RV parks,” devote more resources
Holmes says. “When a designer gets to market segments
involved, the specifications for the such as condomini-
umbrellas tend to become more creative ums, apartment com-
with the addition of custom options such plexes, time share
as scalloped valances, fringes and logos.” developments and
Plus, they coordinate the canopies office parks with outdoor seating and FiberBuilt’s umbrellas are made for use the supply chain woes that have plagued
with orders for matching cushions to dining areas. in high-traffic and high-wind locations.” all segments of the home furnishings
update the comfort of the existing furni- “The construction, specifications and The new headquarters and factory industry for more than a year.
ture. She adds that designers sometimes durability of products appropriate to have enabled the company to maintain “Supply chain issues remain a con-
choose separate fabrics for the top and these locations are more in line with h os- its domestic production of all cushions, cern, but we’re working with our domes-
underside of the umbrella, which further pitality for which FiberBuilt’s wide array pillows, poufs, and the majority of its tic and overseas suppliers to bring in
customizes the client’s outdoor space. of shade products are designed,” she says. umbrella canopies and bases. Holmes components as quickly as possible ,” she
But while the retail segment, which “We have maintained that commitment says some components are imported, but says. “We’re doing everything we can to
includes e-commerce sites, is showing to commercial-grade strength. most come from U.S. suppliers, which bring our lead times back to pre-pan-
impressive post-pandemic growth, the Homeowners appreciate that has shielded the company from some of demic time frames.”
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PATIOANDHEARTHPRODUCTSREPORT.COM
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