Sunburst Shutters and Window Fashions

Dix Jarman, CEO, Sunburst Shutters
IncredibleBank Customer

In the 1970s, Ron Swapp was a pharmaceutical rep in need of some shutters for his home in Phoenix, AZ. After receiving three estimates and reviewing the products that were being offered, he concluded he could build the shutters better than what was being offered at the time. Now, over 42 years later, he has been proven correct millions of times over. Today, Sunburst Shutters, now being run by Ron’s nephew, Dix Jarman, serves customers in more than 80 different markets with 85% market penetration in the U.S. But shutters aren’t their only product solution; in 2008, the company expanded its name to Sunburst Shutters & Window Fashions to better reflect the company’s expanded product line which included blinds, shades, and sliding barn doors.

They Started Something Incredible

Made in America Has Made A Difference 

According to John Barnes, Chief Marketing Officer for Sunburst Shutters & Window Fashions, the company’s commitment to Made in America manufacturing excellence is a key differentiator among a vast number of competitors. In fact, Sunburst’s materials are mostly purchased from national resources while many competitors, who claim their products are Made in America, actually source all their materials from abroad.

Adding to its product excellence is a highly exemplary workforce totaling more than 640 with 50 employees working from the company’s Las Vegas headquarters and retail store. The vast majority of the manufacturing is handled from Sunburst’s factory in Wausau, WI where Barnes said the workforce is superb and highly dedicated with many employees working at the factory for more than 18 years since the plant was operational.

Polywood Innovation and Environmental Impact

Ron Swap and Dix Jarman both saw the need for improvement in the composition of materials for shutters and other products. Particularly in Sunburst locations where the sun and temperatures was extreme, like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Hawaii, and Orlando where wood shutters didn’t have the shelf life or the long-term value.

In the 1980s, the two began the R&D process of searching for a wood substitute that was stronger than wood and wouldn't warp, chip, fade, or peel. A short time later, Polywood® was developed and also proved to be waterproof, fire-resistant, and termite-proof. It insulated up to 70% more efficiently than wood and 1,600% more than aluminum mini-blinds. In time, Sunburst’s Polywood® shutters became the material of choice for consumers throughout North America while also being environmentally responsible. In a prepared statement, Dix Jarman said, "In making a real wood shutter, more than 50 percent of a tree is wasted before it even gets to your window. The Polywood shutter is made from a recyclable wood substitute and a byproduct of natural gas, not a petroleum-based product. It achieves two environmentally sound goals: reducing the amount of energy used in a home and lessening the manufacturer's impact."

Sunburst Shutters and IncredibleBank 

According to Dix Jarman, CEO of Sunburst Shutters & Window Fashions, “IncredibleBank has been the BEST bank partner a business could ever have. It is safe to say we would not be where we are today without them. And furthermore, our phenomenal growth throughout the U.S. both in product offerings, which total in the thousands, and in store openings and market expansion, has been made possible by our partnership with IncredibleBank. We never consider them a vendor; our only consideration of IncredibleBank is as a full-fledged partner in our organization.”



“Even though Sunburst Shutters & Window Fashions is in our fifth decade of operation, we were astounded at the level of partnership we immediately saw from IncredibleBank. This was obviously not a usual bank, but a financial institution that took the time to understand our business, had a deep appreciation for our Made in America commitment, and grasped the significance of our Polywood product innovation, most likely because IncredibleBank is unusually innovative, too. They are great partners in every aspect imaginable.”

 

Dix Jarman

Chief Executive Officer

Sunburst Shutters & Window Fashions

More Incredible Customer Stories


Stengl Marine

In the town of Minocqua, Wisconsin, the summer population increases to more than 19,000 people from a little over 4,000 full-time residents. One of the reasons is because the small township boast 47 pristine lakes that are dotted with boat owners and visitors from around the world including many summer residents from throughout the Midwest. And that’s where Stengl Marine fits in perfectly.
 

Reindl Printing

Prior to 1979, Rick and Lynne Reindl had been contemplating their business future. It wasn’t difficult because their passion was the printing industry, but getting started is frequently the challenge, identifying a passion rarely is. Together, the two owners started Reindl Printing in 1979 renting half the space in what was once a livery stable in Merrill, Wisconsin. Armed with four Davidson Duplicators, Reindl’s success was almost immediate and they rented the other half of the building a mere four months later.
 

Evolutions In Design

And so begins the story of Evolutions in Design, one of the most successful independent retail businesses in Wisconsin, and the go-to store for thousands of customers in need of flowers, gifts, wedding assistance, and mercurial accoutrements. The irony, of course, is that Evolutions in Design has undergone its own evolution at least six different times according to Verhasselt. And to a large extent, the change in business models was done with the assistance of IncredibleBank.