INSIDE TUCSON BUSINESS: Mon., Jan. 14, 2008
When it comes to window shutters,
Whitney Burns is a leader
>By Lee Allen
As the leader in its sector, Whitney Burns Shutters gets copied on how it does what it does. "That’s a compliment to the reputation we’ve built up," says Tim Burns, president.
Burns and Ivan Whitney, vice president, have been involved in family-owned shutter businesses since the early 1970s. They opened Whitney Burns in 1991 with 3,000 square feet in a business park. As Tucson grew, so did their company which now operates out of 15,000 square feet under roof at its customizing plant-factory- showroom and service location on the westside.
"We were building our business working with high-end homebuilders when shutters weren’t at the top of the popularity chart," says Burns. "But that’s changed dramatically. We grew 20% to 25% every year during the building boom until last year’s drop in the market. We’re still working with clientele finishing off new builds as well as repeat business and remodels.”
"Shutters have now grown to be the number-one window treatment in the world," says Burns. There are a variety of reasons why this transition has taken place, product quality and longevity at the fore.
"People are now realizing that shutter installation needs to be done only once barring desired color or style changes. They’re going to last more or less forever. With drapes you have to clean and repair them – about seven years before they need replacing – while blinds need replacement slats and ords."
Ivan Whitney, left, and Tim Burns started Whitney Burns Shutters
in 1991 and have been involved in family owned shutter
businesses since the early 1970s.
According to Burns, "The average sale to a Tucson home may cover five or six windows at a cost between $1,500 and $2,000, although in some retirement complexes, like the Robson Communities, we deal directly with customers who want their whole house shuttered at a cost up to $10,000."
"Our message is pretty consistent," says Burns. "Although some guys sold their soul and outsourced product – and millions of dollars – during the boom time when it was hard to keep up with demand, our advertising still promotes product made in the USA, not China."
FULL STORY: http://www.azbiz.com