A Suffolk manufacturer is geared for further growth this year - after seeing sales soar from the pandemic onwards.

Caribbean Blinds of Sudbury is predicting its best year yet after ending 2023 on a high with the launch of its Dream Gardens showcase with an al fresco festive feast in December.

The £6m turnover family-run business - started 37 years ago by the previous generation - has seen a 117% rise in turnover from 2021 to 2023 and has added to its momentum by building a 10,000sq ft factory extension - bringing its combined floor space of 30,000sq ft.

The extended space at Woodhall Business Park means it can hold higher levels of stock  - up to £1.5m-plus - at any one time allowing it to meet high demand for its products. 

Sudbury Mercury:

Last year, the company was ranked 17th in the Elite Business Top 100 UK SME Awards 2023 reflecting its high levels of growth.

Managing director Stuart Dantzic said this was down to a number of factors - including rising demand for its blinds products. The firm was quick to recognise the increasing value customers were placing on their gardens.

"The pandemic was a catalyst for change in consumer attitudes, and it played a significant role in our growth," he said.

"We adapted by recognising the increased value people placed on their gardens during lockdown.

"This shift in perception - coupled with our commitment to Sudbury and a locally sourced workforce - has propelled us forward."

The company has focused on helping the local economy, he said.

"We’ve also adjusted our hiring practices, focusing on attitude over skill, and actively engaging with the community. Our goal is to continue growing while maintaining our connection to Sudbury," he said.

"The plan is not just about numbers – it’s about employing individuals from the surrounding areas, contributing to the local economy, and reinforcing our commitment to Sudbury and its residents."

The firm's 2,500 sq ft Dream Gardens site - which is open to customers to come and see - features an outdoor living space featuring all five different versions of Caribbean Blinds’ popular luxury pergolas and accessories including decking, outdoor kitchens and furniture.

"We wanted to provide our customers with an immersive experience where they could visualise the potential of their own outdoor space," said Stuart.

"In 2024, we plan to host regular outdoor events at our show site, providing visitors with an ongoing opportunity to experience the epitome of outdoor dining and living."

Last year, the company joined landscape professionals' trade body the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).

This gives it access to a range of resources and benefits designed to encourage and promote an environmentally, ethically and commercially sustainable landscape sector.