An Exclusive Insight into Hunter Douglas Commercial

Jan Henderson, Associate Publisher for Architecture Media shares her recent behind the scenes experience at Hunter Douglas Commercial.

The Hunter Douglas tour was an eye-opener. Here is an Australian company, manufacturing in Sydney, employing Australians and making world-class products. The factory was vast – larger than I initially thought – and the area was divided into sections with each employee designated a space to perform a particular sequence of actions in the making of a variety of blinds and awnings.

State-of-the-art technology is employed for much of the workload and computers are used for cutting and other precision jobs, but what did surprise me was the amount of work done by hand. In a world that is run by computers, this was a revelation. My tour leader explained that computers can't feel the warp and weft and the “pull' of each piece of fabric, and thus, particular jobs can only be performed by the human. Many of the positions on the shop floor are labour-intensive and it is this attention to detail that ensures that each product is perfect. It seemed to me that the quest for perfection is a way of life at Hunter Douglas. 

It was interesting talking to some of the factory workers and it was obvious they hold a great sense of pride in the company and its products. I found out that many employees had been there for years and that employment turnover was low. I could see why:  the team has a clean and comfortable environment to work in, a shared pride in the knowledge that their contributions matter, they produce a range of products that sell well throughout Australia, and the company is involved in constant research and development to maintain the mantle of market leader. This is a real 'family environment' and it is obvious that the managers at Hunter Douglas understand that the strength of a company comes from the dedication of its workforce. I think this is one of the reasons that Hunter Douglas is so successful.

After the tour I was lucky enough to see the next new product hot off the production line, the new Qmotion roller blind technology. I was impressed as this can be retrofitted insitu. The motion is smooth and quiet and the motor is powered by batteries that can last for approximately five years. This is another innovative product to add to the list of quality blinds in the Hunter Douglas stable.

The Best in Motorised Blinds

Motorisation is the way of the future and Hunter Douglas Commercial has a suite of new and innovative products to ensure efficient and seamless operation of window coverings in residential and commercial projects.

An industry first, Qmotion Roller Blind Technology is the only motorisation solution with batteries inside the roller tube. Qmotion Roller Blinds feature precision ball bearings in each tube to minimise friction, reducing the power needed to raise or lower the shade and extending battery life up to five years.

The purpose of Qmotion Roller Blind Technology is to provide a low cost motorisation option for every project as no electrical connections or wiring is required. The blinds use regular D-cell alkaline batteries that are discreetly hidden in the shade's tube and are easy to replace with no need to remove the blind.

Smooth and quiet operation is guaranteed whether using the remote control or manual pull when the remote is not within reach; perfect for commercial environments where the remote can often be misplaced!

Brackets are available in three colours: white, black and silver. Blinds are available in standard roll or reverse roll. They feature no cords, making them child safe for complete peace of mind.

To find out more about Qmotion or any of Hunter Doulglas Commercial's other motorisation options, visit our website or contact Victoria McGregor.

New Technology Gives Roller Blinds the EDGE

Hunter DouglasCommercial Roller Blinds with patented EDGE technology is the new roller blind hardware system which stands for Ergonomically Designed with Greater Efficiency.

Featuring a sleek architectural design with smooth operation and unrivalled inner strength, EDGE technology can be operated using either standard chain drive or motorised technology. All brackets are universal in design and available in two sizes, 38mm and 55mm which ensures the correct bracket can be selected for challenging installations and maximises the drop capacity.

More options with Alpha Awnings

Hunter Douglas Commercial has refined their Alpha Awnings Range with a key focus on improving ease of installation and providing more options than ever before.

The straight drop Awnings, which are available in five guiding options - Alpha STC (Side Tensioned Channel), Alpha Deep Channel, Alpha Cable Guide, Alpha Drop Awning and Alpha Pivot Arm System, span widths of up to five metres and drop up to four metres by incorporating a heavy duty 78mm steel roller tube. They have a unique bottom rail that offers added functionality with stronger locking bolts, hold down straps, new fabric valance options, concealed spline inserts, insect brush and the ability to add additional weight bars for windy conditions. All of these new options ensure that Alpha Awnings are stronger than ever before, making them suitable for challenging coastal conditions.

For further information, visit www.hunterdouglascommercial.com.au

uRemote Revolutionises Window Coverings

uRemote is a sophisticated device that controls window coverings through iPhone, iPad or iPod devices and revolutionises the boardroom environment with its immediate response to opening and closing window coverings at the touch of a button. With the ability to control a number of elements, including lighting and temperature, the uRemote sets the scene in any environment, controlling light and glare, whilst creating instant privacy.


For further information on uRemote and Hunter Douglas Commercial Window Coverings, visit www.hunterdouglascommercial.com.au

Keep Energy Bills Down with Duette Architella Shades

With carbon tax hitting businesses from Sunday 1 July, it is now more important than ever to think about ways to keep energy bills down.

Choosing appropriate insulation for windows, such as Duette Architella Shades, can reduce average heating and cooling costs by at least 43%. Up to 30% of the average electricity bill are often attributed to heating or cooling buildings.

For more information on Duette Architelle Shades visit, http://www.hunterdouglascommercial.com.au/  

Hunter Douglas improves internal protection

Modern spaces now opt for larger windows to bring natural light into the space, however want to keep the heat out. Hunter Douglas Internal Sunscreens are ideal for today’s commercial projects as not only do they create a barrier to the sun’s heat, but they also provide natural light so you can still retain a view to the outside.

For further information, visit www.hunterdouglascommercial.com.au

Fabric Selection Made Easy

The Hunter Douglas Commercial fabric range is one of the most extensive in the window fashions industry with over 200 fabrics to choose from. The MULTIVISION® Fabric Selector Brochure will assist you in specifying the right fabric and colour tone for your commercial project.

Click here to view the brochure

Hunter Douglas Commercial provides protection in both sun and rain

The Hunter Douglas Commercial SUNRAIN® Awning provides protection from the elements - rain or shine. With its unique double pitch design, water runs off the smooth PVC fabric and drains out both sides of the front rail. With a variety of accessories, the Hunter Douglas Commercial SUNRAIN® Awning provides a range of options to suit all requirements.

For further information, visit www.hunterdouglascommercial.com.au or call 1300 733 078.

Hunter Douglas Commercial, where innovation never stops

Hunter Douglas Commercial creates harmony in every room of your office or establishment with PIROUETTE® Shadings, an innovative product that combines the personality of a classic fabric shade with the ability to control light in an entirely new way. Pirouette Shadings feature the revolutionary Invisi-Lift system that allows the horizontal fabric vanes to provide unobstructed views when open, and complete privacy when closed.

For further information, visit www.hunterdouglascommercial.com.au