Schlappi has a whopping 350 m² more floor space in its factory

In the very year that Schlappi celebrates its 40th anniversary, this ambitious sun protection company is taking a major step toward further expanding its market presence. Director and owner Dennis Schoormans explains. “Awnings will, of course, remain the core of our product line. However, we’ve wanted to produce larger canopies for some time now. And yes, that requires more space. We’ve been able to add no less than 350 m² to our facility.”

Dennis explains that other machines were also purchased to produce those substantially larger canvases. In addition, a wonderful, even larger work table has been installed in the new section of the factory, where production workers prepare the canvases for delivery to the market. “But… there’s another new addition to the family that will also see the light of day from those new square meters…”

Dennis is referring to the production of fabric for scissor-arm awnings—awnings in which the fabric is held out by two metal arms that open and close like a pair of scissors. This is a highly sought-after product, especially in the hospitality industry. Dennis explains that the hospitality industry in the Netherlands is undergoing change. “Every business owner or operator of an outdoor patio is increasingly wondering how they can extend their patio season to boost revenue. Moreover—as we’re seeing in the market—people are willing to invest in this, especially in canopies that are 10 meters wide or more. That’s when you’re talking about the really large patios. So it’s not just about new investments in the hospitality industry; we’re also talking about the replacement market. Terraces need to continue to look neat and inviting. So we can install new canopies on existing systems. And the great thing is: this can often be done with large, striking prints and logos. These can be illuminated in the valances of the folding-arm awnings.”

Umbrella Canopies

As always, for the entrepreneurial couple Dennis and his wife Charlotte, running a business means looking ahead. Because there’s more to it. “We’re also starting to produce awning fabrics for the hospitality industry. To get that production off to a good start and to further develop our expertise in that area, we recently welcomed a new colleague to our office in Tilburg. This person will focus exclusively on this branch of the sun protection industry.”

Dennis acknowledges that it’s difficult to predict the future. “To be honest. We’re living in crazy times. As an entrepreneur, you can’t really ‘look years ahead’ and plan anymore. Still, it feels right. Innovation has always been the foundation for our steady, step-by-step growth. Of course, we’ve listened closely to what’s happening in the market. We translate all these signals into concrete plans. So, we’ve given this a lot of thought. We’ve also already received the first positive responses from our Select dealers, who are eager to purchase these new hospitality products from us so they can supply them to the market. In short, we have every reason to be confident about the future!”