Hunter Douglas

Hunter Douglas products are found in millions of homes and commercial buildings around the globe.

We manufacture and market our two principal products lines - window coverings and architectural products - in five geographic markets: Europe (including South Africa), North America, Latin America, Asia and Australia, with assembly operations in more than 100 countries.

We operate as a highly decentralized, global federation of small- and medium-sized companies that manufacture and market similar products that are suitably adapted to local markets. We foster an entrepreneurial management style that is dynamic and performance-oriented. Our guiding principle is one of giving local managers maximum accountability with minimum interference. The result is quick, direct action within local markets worldwide, enabling Hunter Douglas to stay in the forefront of industry trends. We also believe in fostering a work environment, which is safe, pleasant and stimulating for all employees, thereby encouraging their creativity.

Our leadership position flows directly from continuous innovation within our business - in our product lines, manufacturing processes, distribution network and marketing programs. These innovations come from about 21,000 people of Hunter Douglas worldwide. We consider their talents and skills to be the true strength of our organization.

A History of Innovation

	1919-1946 In 1919 Henry Sonnenberg founded a machine tool distribution and subsequently manufacturing company in Düsseldorf, Germany. In 1933 he moved to The Netherlands and established a machine tool operation. In 1940 , he moved to the United States where he founded the Douglas Machinery Company.
1919 Factory Dusseldorf, Germany

In 1946 Henry Sonnenberg established a joint venture with Joe Hunter which developed new technology and equipment for the continuous casting and fabrication of aluminium. This led to the production of lightweight aluminium slats for Venetian blinds. Hunter Douglas, as we know it today, was born.
	1946 50 mm Venetian Blinds

1946-1960 Hunter Douglas aluminium blinds quickly gained leadership in the American market. As innovative as the product was the business model for its distribution. Hunter Douglas developed a vast network of more than 1,000 independent fabricators in the United States and Canada. They sold blinds during the day and custom assembled them in their workrooms at night. In 1951 the Luxaflex® brand name was launched in Europe. In 1953 Luxaflex® products were introduced into South Africa and quickly established themselves as the leading brands in their field. In 1956, policy differences led to the sale of the U.S. business. Henry Sonnenberg moved Hunter Douglas’ headquarters to Montreal, Canada and, using his European machinery business as a base, concentrated on building the window covering business outside the United States.

1950 Aluminium fixed exterior awnings

	1960-1980 Hunter Douglas expanded its operations in Europe and into Australia and Latin America. In 1969 the Hunter Douglas Group went public, and its shares were listed on the Montreal and Amsterdam Stock Exchanges. In 1971, Hunter Douglas’ Group headquarters were moved to Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and Hunter Douglas N.V., became the worldwide Group Holding Company. In 1976, Hunter Douglas reacquired its former U.S. business.
1969 Initial public offering
	1980-2008 Worldwide Hunter Douglas expanded globally including in Asia and its innovative spirit led to the development of revolutionary new products to meet the increasing demand for fashion and functionality. In 2001 the 50th anniversary of the Luxaflex® brand name was celebrated worldwide by Hunter Douglas companies South Africa In 1998 Hunter Douglas acquired Kool Aluminium, their South African licensee and local manufacturer of Luxaflex® products In 2005 the name of Kool Aluminium was changed to Hunter Douglas SA In 2008 a programme was set in place to reinforce the Luxaflex® brand name as the leading supplier of window covering products in South Africa
	2009- In 2009 Luxaflex® will change the way in which blinds are marketed, creating an easy and friendly shopping environment through which the public can source this premium brand of window coverings and sun control products.
Duette® Shades Plissé Shades Venetian Blinds Vintage Venetian Roller Blinds DecoBlinds SunScreens Wood Venetians WovenWood Blinds Vertical Blinds Aluminium Ceilings Classic Awnings   Adjustable Awnings Retractable Awnings DropDown Awnings