TenCate Outdoor Fabrics: 'Plain awning fabrics made in Holland'

"Unique in its simplicity, that is the strength of The Essential Collections from TenCate Outdoor Fabrics," believes sales manager Ekkehard Kamp. "Powerful fabrics form the basis for this new line of awning fabrics. This time not in iconic prints, but rather in solid colors." TenCate explains how this collection completes their assortment. "To every question, we now have the answer in house!"

"For years, print awning fabrics were in high demand," says Kamp. "But a change in the landscape is taking place. If you look at northern European houses, nowadays you see almost only plain cloths." For this reason, the only manufacturer of awning fabric in the Netherlands has gone back to the drawing board. 

The Essential Collections is a good example of TenCate's customer focus. "You ask, we turn," states product and account manager Martijn Rebergen. "We always look at changes in the market and make sure we are ahead of the curve. Because we operate throughout Europe, we actually deal with different awning markets. For years we have been the market leader in Greece, where there is still a huge demand for printed awning fabrics." TenCate manages to solve that international puzzle time and again.

'The whole garden covered'

Whereas most manufacturers make awning fabrics from acrylic, TenCate works with polyester. This material has a high resiliency and is easy to clean. "The polyester fabric comes in the Essentials Collections in many different variants," Rebergen explains. "We have three thicknesses, where the lightest cloth is suitable for small areas, such as parasols, the middle one is a standard sunshade cloth and the heaviest is perfect for covering large areas. Think, for example, of a complete garden canopy. So with that, TenCate has the whole garden covered!" 

The fabrics from The Essential Collections are now available in a dozen colors. From shades of gray to summer eye-catchers. "Whatever the end customer wants, we have it in stock," assures Kamp. "Our stock is huge and we are very flexible. For example, the fabric you want can even be ordered by the roll. We find it important to unburden our customers. We do that with our short lines and fast delivery times. Also beyond the national borders." 

Dutch knowledge and technology

The complete production of TenCate awning fabrics takes place in the Netherlands, and the gentlemen are rightly very proud of that. "The main company TenCate has existed for almost 400 years and it is impossible to imagine the Dutch textile industry without it," says Rebergen. "TenCate is the only Dutch manufacturer of sun awning fabric. And we think that's very important." 

"Only if everything is done indoors can you guarantee high quality," Kamp adds. "The entire product is made with Dutch knowledge and technology and therefore always carries the Made in Holland quality seal."