Who Really Made Your Blinds?
The Question Most Homeowners Never Think to Ask
When people buy new blinds, they usually focus on three things:
Will they look good?
Will they fit properly?
How much do they cost?
Rarely does anyone ask:
Who actually made them?
Yet after more than 30 years in the blind industry, I've learned that this simple question can become very important years later when a blind needs repairing.
Most homeowners assume the company selling their blinds also manufactures them.
In reality, that's often not the case.
Many blind companies today specialise in measuring, advising, and installing blinds that are manufactured elsewhere.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that business model. Many excellent companies operate this way and provide a great service.
But when something goes wrong five or ten years down the line, that's often when customers discover who really made their blinds.
And sometimes, by then, it's too late.
The Phone Calls That Started This Conversation
This week alone, we’ve spoken with several homeowners looking for help with blind repairs.
Most of the faults were fairly minor.
A worn mechanism.
A damaged bracket.
A broken control.
The sort of issues that often have straightforward solutions.
The difficult part wasn't diagnosing the problem.
The difficult part was explaining that we can only repair blinds that we originally manufactured or installed ourselves.
Not because we don't want to help.
Quite the opposite.
The problem is that if we didn't manufacture the blind, we often have no way of knowing exactly which components were used, or whether replacement parts are still available.
During one conversation, the customer told me they had already contacted the company who originally sold the blind.
Unfortunately, they couldn't help either.
The blind had been supplied by a third-party manufacturer, parts were no longer readily available, and repairing it simply wasn't practical.
The recommendation?
Replace the blind.
That's when the customer realised something they hadn't known when they purchased it.
The company that sold the blind hadn't actually made it.
When Something Breaks, Manufacturing Matters
To be clear, there is nothing wrong with being a measuring and installation company.
Many highly respected businesses work this way.
They provide expert advice, accurate measuring, professional installation, and excellent customer service.
The manufacturing simply takes place elsewhere.
The issue arises when customers believe they're buying directly from a manufacturer when they're actually buying from an installer.
Because when a problem develops years later, the difference can matter.
A company that manufactures its own blinds often has access to:
- Original manufacturing records
- Spare parts and replacement components
- Product specifications
- Experienced manufacturing staff
- Direct relationships with component suppliers
When those resources are available, repairs are often quicker, simpler, and more economical.
When they're not, the process can become much more complicated.
The blind may need to be removed.
Sent back to a supplier.
Assessed elsewhere.
Repaired externally.
Then returned and reinstalled.
For relatively minor faults, the cost of that process can quickly exceed the value of the blind itself.
As a result, replacement often becomes the only realistic option.
Question To Ask Before Buying |
Why It Matters |
Who manufactures this blind? |
Helps you understand where it comes from and who supports it long-term. |
Is it manufactured locally or supplied from elsewhere? |
Gives transparency about the supply chain. |
Can it be repaired if something breaks? |
Not all blinds are practical to repair. |
Are spare parts available? |
Important for long-term ownership. |
Who handles repairs? |
Reveals whether support is direct or through a supplier. |
What happens after the guarantee expires? |
Shows a company's commitment to aftercare. |
How The Industry Has Changed
When I first started in the blind trade over 20 years ago, there were around twelve blind companies manufacturing their own products in Leicestershire.
Today, despite there being roughly three times as many blind companies operating across the county, only three local manufacturers remain.
That statistic tells a fascinating story.
The industry hasn't shrunk.
It's changed.
The reason is straightforward.
Manufacturing is expensive.
Factory premises are expensive.
Machinery is expensive.
Skilled staff are expensive.
Training is expensive.
Quality control is expensive.
For many businesses, it makes far more financial sense to purchase blinds from larger manufacturers and focus on what they do best: measuring, advising, and installing.
From a business perspective, it's completely understandable.
But it also means that manufacturing has quietly moved further away from the customer.
Does It Actually Matter?
Sometimes, not at all.
If your blinds perform perfectly for the next ten years, you may never need to know who manufactured them.
But there can be advantages to buying from a company that manufactures at least some of its own products.
Repairs can often be handled more easily.
Lead times may be shorter.
Product knowledge tends to be deeper.
And when unusual situations arise, there is often greater flexibility to find a solution.
At Barlow Blinds, our roller, vertical, allusion, pleated and perfect fit blinds are still manufactured here in Leicester.
We have been with Louvolite our trusted component and fabric supplier for over 40 years and will never change even though cheaper suppliers are available because consistency is very important to us.
So if a customer calls us years later with a problem, we're not trying to work out who built the blind and what components were used.
We already know.
We know the system.
We know the components.
And in many cases, we can still source the parts required to keep it working.
Five Questions Worth Asking Before You Buy
When comparing blind companies, consider asking a few questions that rarely appear on a quotation.
Who actually manufactures the blind?
This helps you understand exactly where the product comes from.
Is it made locally or supplied from elsewhere?
A straightforward question that provides useful transparency.
Can it be repaired in the future?
Not every supplier offers repair services.
Are spare parts available?
This becomes important if a mechanism eventually wears out.
What happens after the guarantee expires?
The answer often reveals how committed a company is to long-term customer support.
These aren't difficult questions.
But they can tell you a great deal about the business standing behind the product.
Our View
This article isn't intended as criticism of companies that don't manufacture their own blinds.
In fact there are some types of blinds we install that we don’t make.
Many provide excellent service and have built strong reputations doing exactly that.
What we do believe is that customers deserve transparency.
If a blind is manufactured elsewhere, say so.
If it's made locally, explain where.
If repairs may be difficult in the future, customers should understand that before they buy.
Because the day you purchase a blind isn't usually the day that tests the company behind it.
The real test often comes years later.
When a mechanism fails.
When a bracket breaks.
When a spare part is needed.
That's usually when customers discover who really made their blinds.
And that's why it's worth asking the question before you buy.
Doing a little homework will help.
All companies that make their own blinds locally are proud of that fact.
You will see it on their website, on their social media posts and if you really want to put some time in they will be happy to show you around their factory (we love it when people take the time to pay us a visit).
If you are in Leicestershire and fancy finding out more about how we do things please pick up the phone and arrange a factory visit…. The kettle will be on.
Ady Mumford – Factory Manager
Ady has spent over 25 years in the Barlow Blinds factory and understands blinds manufacturing down to the smallest detail. As Factory Manager, he leads the team that makes many of our blinds right here in Leicester, ensuring every product leaving the factory meets the standards we’ve built our reputation on.
