In 1953, Robert (Bob) Burns and his wife, Marie, first started their own blinds business, RJ Burns and Co, “In the beginning stages, we used our backyard shed to assemble blinds with imported kits from Melbourne, before installing them into our customers’ homes.” The business flourished and in 1956, they bought some land in Adelaide to build a factory and showroom to promote their work and encourage business growth. They gradually expanded the premises and employed staff members. 26 years later, Bob sold the business and retired.
Then in 1992, Bob wanted to get back into the blinds industry and partnered up with his daughter Sandy, to help form a new company, known today as, Bob Burns Blinds.
This family ran business is owned and operated in the heart of Adelaide and is now in their third generation of business.
We spoke to co-owner Sandy for our latest Fashionline Member Profile.
Who makes up your team?
Currently we have a team of 18 employees, which includes a CEO, general manager and advisory board. We take great pride in employing local installers and when need be, contracting out our installation work.
What’s special about your service?
To successfully run a business of 65 years, we have built a growing reputation based on the excellent work our employees have provided and the products we sell.
We are very proud of the team we have in place today; all staff have exceptional knowledge of the industry and go above and beyond to best accommodate their customers’ needs.
Which products do you specialise in?
We proudly sell a full range of window furnishings. However, our main sales are internal products such as; roller blinds, vertical blinds, curtains and external products such as; awnings, security doors and ZipScreens, which we proudly manufacture ourselves.
We of course sell other window treatments, such as plantation shutters and roller shutters, however, these are outsourced.
What geographical areas do you cover?
We are primarily based in the metro area of Adelaide and mainly service this area as well as the south and west surrounding areas.
However, our dedicated team often visit other suburbs, even as far as Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsular.
What do you forecast will be the new growing trends over the coming year?
Plantation Shutters has been a window treatment that continues to grow each year and I don’t think this year will be any different. Curtains also continue to be very popular and sales increase each year.
Is there anything new that you’re working on or bringing in this year you would like to mention?
Our main focus for the next few years is to keep our range of products at a manageable level, focus on up-coming trends and concentrate on our in-house manufactured products.
What is your ‘point of difference’ in your local industry?
Our name and brand are our best assets as we have been around for nearly 30 years. We are very proud of our team and the work we produce, our saying is “Made Local, Made to Last”.
What do you love most working in the window furnishing industry?
I have been working in this industry for nearly 40 years and I’m now closing in on my retirement. However, I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges of running such a diverse business. Since joining Fashionline I have enjoyed sharing our work and accomplishments with those in the same industry who can relate to the challenges and craftsmanship.
Is there anything else that you want us to mention in the member profile?
We are a third-generation, family-run business. As I near retirement my children, who currently work within the business, are keen to step up and take over the day to day operations of the business. They will bring new life to the business and the business name will continue to live on.