Lutron Electronics has announced significant expansion plans for its automated shade manufacturing operations. The company plans to build an additional 145,000 square-foot manufacturing facility to increase capacity and support category growth among the professional installer community.
Construction will begin in Ashland, VA, in the fall of 2022, and the new facility will be fully operational by early 2024.
The facility expansion comes on the heels of the company’s record growth, continued innovation in battery technology, new shade designs, and growing consumer awareness and demand for Lutron’s automated shading solutions.
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Lutron President Ed Blair said adding another dedicated shade manufacturing facility reinforces Lutron’s commitment to dealers and readies the industry for category growth.
“Lutron’s automated shading solutions offer a significant and sustainable business-building opportunity for the CEDIA community,” he said. “With consumer demand at an all-time high, the opportunity to develop and grow your shade business with Lutron has never been greater. This new state-of-the-art facility, coupled with our steadfast commitment to quality, unrivaled investments in innovation, and world-class training and technical support makes Lutron a strong bet for the future.”
Lutron built the automated shading category and has been offering shading solutions since the 1990s. Since then, the company has substantially grown its global shading business with the Serena, Sivoia QS, Palladiom, and Triathlon product lines, solidifying its position as the global leader and creating significant business opportunities within the CEDIA community.
Blair, who led Lutron’s shading division and has more than 25 shade-related patents, said he is pleased to see shades serve as a strong source of revenue and profitability for dealers and is excited for the category’s imminent growth.
“There’s a lot of room to grow,” he said. “Dealers are just now beginning to scratch the surface. Whether you are new to category or looking to expand your current shades business, dealers can count on Lutron to deliver the high-quality products and design-centric innovations required for their most discerning clients. We are ready to handle the increased demand and will continue to invest significantly in our infrastructure, giving dealers the opportunity to confidently make shades their highest revenue-grossing category.”
To learn more about Lutron’s residential shading solutions, click here.