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WeatherGuard Building Products creates and innovates storm protection
for customers increasingly more adept at choosing products.
HP: Please give a detailed
description of your company and its history.
David Zajac, President: WeatherGuard Building Products, Inc. started
operations in June 2002. The initial strategy revolved around selling a
line of aluminum fencing, railing and hurricane protection products
into the homebuilder and dealer markets.
The business grew quickly and made a great leap
forward with the acquisition of the Poma Corp. in September 2003. The
Poma brand name allowed us to make further inroads into the aluminum
railing and hurricane shutter markets with dealers and mass
merchandisers. At this time, we are well positioned for further growth
with our line of quality products, high service levels and brand name
recognition.
The company operates out of one 50,000-square-foot
building located in West Palm Beach, FL. We currently ship hurricane
protection products to customer locations throughout the Southeast
United States as well as to many points in the Caribbean.
HP: Give a percentage breakdown of these products. What one product or
line stands out above the rest?
Zajac: Although we sell a full line of hurricane protection products,
aluminum storm panels and aluminum impact Bahama and Colonial shutters
represent the largest majority. Our customers demand products that
stand up to the highest hurricane wind loads, which is why our .063
aluminum storm panels and Bahama and Colonial shutters are so popular.
HP: Who are your customers? What parts of the country do you service?
Zajac: We market our products primarily under the Poma brand name to
independent dealers and through Home Depot. Most of our dealers are
located in the Southeast United States and the Caribbean.
HP: What are some of the key factors involved in your growth and
success?
Zajac: The brand name Poma Hurricane Products represents our line of
hurricane shutters. The name is synonymous with quality, dependability,
durability and customer service. It has taken time to develop that kind
of brand name recognition, but it has proven to be well worth the
effort.
Our staff of seasoned and experienced sales and
customer service representatives ranks among the finest in the
industry. They know our products, they know their customers and they
are connected to the marketplace. We listen to our customers and
respond with improvements to our existing products and add new products
to the line continuously.
HP: What distinguishes you from the competition?
Zajac: We don’t just react to changes in the marketplace, we create and
innovate. As previously stated, we also recognize trends and position
ourselves accordingly.
Not long ago we developed a patented integrated
impact blade and backing extrusion that simplifies the fabrication of
aluminum Bahama and Colonial shutters and significantly adds strength
to the finished product. Not only do we use the system in the
fabrication of our own shutters, we license the product to other
distributors who can then offer better performing products to their
customers.
One of the most promising and innovative new
products we have in development is the perforated accordion blade
system. Accordion shutters are extremely popular but in the closed
position they shut out light and don’t allow a view to the exterior
from within the home. Our patented perforated blade system will offer
all the strength and protection we have come to expect from accordion
shutters, but will allow a significant amount of light to enter the
home. People will be able to avoid the claustrophobic feeling they get
with conventional accordion shutters during a power outage.
HP: How has your segment of the industry changed since you first began?
Zajac: From a sales standpoint, volumes have significantly increased
because of the recent high number of hurricanes that hit Florida and
the Gulf Coast over the last two years. I also think hurricane
protection products have moved into the mainstream of the buying
public. People have seen the devastation that hurricanes can inflict
and they want to be well prepared in the event a hurricane threatens
their homes and families.
As a manufacturer, public awareness and continued
strengthening of state building codes have caused us to concentrate our
efforts on hurricane products that are stronger, lighter, simpler to
manufacturer and easier to install. In addition, our high level of
customer service and increased manufacturing capacity enable us to get
these products to our customers much faster than in the past.
HP: What trends and cycles do you see occurring in the industry? How is
your business addressing them?
Zajac: One of the biggest trends I see is that hurricane protection
products have begun to move into the mainstream of the buying public.
People are no longer waiting to buy hurricane protection until they
watch TV and see that a strike is imminent. They are tired of waiting
40 weeks for hurricane panels and accordion shutters to be installed on
their homes. They are purchasing hurricane protection in what was
formerly known as the “off season” in January, February and March. They
have become more adept at purchasing shutters and doing the
installation themselves in an effort to avoid the long wait and the
high prices.
Recognizing this trend, we go to market with
products that are consumer friendly in terms of price, ease of
installation and availability. We also carry a large inventory of
standard product sizes and the raw material to ship custom orders in a
very short period of time. Additionally, we have greatly increased our
manufacturing capacity to ensure short lead times and quick order
turnaround.
WeatherGuard Building Products, Inc.
9040 Belvedere Rd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
(561) 790-5799
fax: (561) 795-106
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