Company Profile

Artistic Blinds was founded in 1979 as a father and son partnership, between John and Chris Reason. John came from a shopfitting background initially, and started work for Deans Blinds of Putney in London in 1954 as a sales representative. After progressing to Sales Director of Deans (Putney), he moved to Managing Director of Deans (Wessex) of Wellington in 1967, followed by Deans (Greens) of Bristol in 1975 and then Deans (W. Wales) of Swansea in 1977.
Artistic Blinds 1979 - 2001

After leaving school in Wellington Somerset, Chris having grown up with the blinds and awnings industry, started an apprenticeship with Deans Blinds of Putney in 1976 and then worked as an installer for all of the Deans offices, based mainly in Wellington but covering most of the south of England including Wales, London and the Channel Islands.

During 1979, therefore, John was based in Swansea and Chris was based in Wellington, and they decided to amalgamate their skills and form a new company central to both, and hence Bristol was chosen, and with the help of a Business Development Loan from the bank, the lease was purchased on a shop in Fishponds.

Sales, manufacturing and installations of awnings and shutters progressed extremely well with the winning of significant national contracts and the growth of the new company's reputation, and in 1982, The Artistic Blind Company expanded into the manufacture of Roller Blinds and Vertical Blinds for the contract interiors and domestic markets. High profile marketing made this so successful that the increase in staff, stock, machinery and turnover meant the company had outgrown the shop in Fishponds, and in 1988 they secured additional factory premises in Kingswood, Bristol.

The shop in Fishponds was retained as a showroom, whilst additional factory space in Kingswood allowed a further expansion and the company purchased more machinery and moved into the production of Venetian Blinds, specialising in nationwide installations for office interiors and double-glazed partitioning companies, and then Pleated Blinds, specialising in the installation of conservatory blinds to all market sectors. There was also a sufficient capacity at that time for the manufacture of other related products such as insect screens, softshades and curtains.

Artistic Blinds 2001 - PresentSteady growth, and expansion, continued throughout the 1990's within the Kingswood complex, until reaching the end of the leases upon all rented premises, at the end of 2001. Whereupon the company was lucky enough to be offered the freehold purchase of an ideal retail workshop right next door to where they started in 1979. Artistic Blinds had to streamline somewhat in order to relocate into 7500 sq. ft., however the location and timing were perfect, and the transition was made without significantly affecting the company's performance or productivity. So at the beginning of 2002, The Artistic Blind Company now had new premises in Fishponds, with a new telephone number, new web site, new logo, and all of their staff, factory, offices and showroom all housed under one roof.

Further changes would inevitably follow within the organisation. By now Chris' father John had gone significantly past his retirement age, and was looking for an exit strategy, whereas Chris' daughter Michelle, having finished education in Bristol and begun her career within the legal and financial industry, felt the desire to meet the challenges of joining in with the management of this now well established family firm. Other factors also had an influence over the restructure of Artistic Blinds. Changes within the industry, increase in European legislation and the tightening of financial policies, to name but a few. But if something is good and honest and right, then it is meant to be, and these changes can only be viewed as positive challenges. The transition was tough, but successful.

At the beginning of 2004, the partnership between John and Chris was dissolved and a new partnership was formed between Chris and Michelle. Little else has changed, the work ethic, the product range, the marketing direction and reputation and ability to deliver, wherever and whenever required. Artistic Blinds moves into the future with the same goals and targets that it started with nearly thirty years ago, but now with much improved financial security, increased turnover and productivity, and with renewed determination to provide their customers with the most comprehensive range of products and services available within todays competitive marketplace.
Artistic Blinds and Awnings
A Shade Better

Showroom

Whilst being visited daily by many domestic customers from near and far, our showroom has been designed mainly to give architects and specifiers a simple overall view of every individual product available within our extensive range. We have a total of 64 wall boards showing a sample of virtually every single product available in the window coverings industry today, from simple roller blinds through technical specific products to automated solar control and security systems.

We also have samples of some of our exterior blinds and awnings on display, including new products and full support literature, pattern books, price lists and expert technical support and advice.

So why not make an appointment to visit our showroom at your convenience where our friendly staff will be happy to make you coffee and give you a demonstration of whichever products you are interested in and probably some you didn't even know about.

Opening hours:- Mon - Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm Saturday by appointment. If a visit to Fishponds is not possible you could always browse through our virtual showroom on our web-site at:- www.artisticblinds.co.uk

Company Contacts

John Reason	Chris Reason	Michelle Rogers

Company Charter

Artistic Blinds & Awnings have spent nearly thirty years establishing a reputation for quality and efficiency whilst remaining flexible and competitive. Probably around half of the products within their product range are manufactured or assembled in-house, whilst others are outsourced from suppliers who they have the experience to know will only provide a similar quality and service.

Because they service and supply all market sectors, from Trade to Contract, Commercial, Domestic, Retail, Education, Hospital and Government, as well as Foreign, and because they carry out installations which vary enormously individually, the company does not produce price lists within this brochure. There are trade/contract/retail price guides on the website, but only for products, not for travelling or site installation. Discounts are always available and installation costs will vary according to a multitude of factors. The secret to the correct advice and the right type of installation is to start with a survey by the experts. Artistic do not charge for surveys, and strongly recommend all customers take advantage of this fact, regardless of the market sector. As they would prefer to install all products, correctly and efficiently, and most importantly, in line with their customers project completion dates, they would also prefer to survey and measure for the products themselves, and to know that the solution has been correctly identified to the project.

So just pick up the phone and ring 0117 910 9888. The best advice is always free. After listening carefully to the requirements, and then following expert survey and measurement, the only question you are most likely to be asked is which colour you would like. And that decision may take a while, because Artistic Blinds use colours and fabrics from virtually all of the top European suppliers, providing they know and trust the quality of their sources. Another reason why the Company prides itself in the widest range of products available on the market.

Quoted from Thomson Local Directory

"Anything that's made of fabric needs to be well-made and well fitted to look good. Off-the-peg is one way, but if you're looking for that posher style then made-to-measure is best. If you're the one doing the measuring, then measure it three times, a mistake could cost you plenty. In fact, if possible get a quote that includes doing the measuring up for you, that way you're in the clear if something goes wrong. And when it comes to fitting, the same rule applies; leave it to the professionals and just make sure all the work is covered by written quotes. Check on how long it will take to complete too, and hold the company to that timing, and ask about guarantees as well."

A principle we strongly uphold!

Health & Safety

The Company's installers are all both trained and experienced in all relevant aspects of the installation of all products contained within this brochure, and including induction and awareness of working safely at height, personal protection equipment, asbestos awareness, environmental control and recycling policy, COSSH regulations and waste disposal. They will make it clear, for example, where final electrical con- nections to a commercial installation must be made by a fully qualified electrician, and where required, will provide either generic or site-specific method statements and risk assessments. The company has its own documentation policy for health and safety and other procedural matters, and always carries a minimum of £5m Employers Combined Liability Insurance.

Terms & Conditions

1. MER Enterprises Ltd trading as Artistic Blinds & Awnings (the Company) will use its best endeavours to provide goods and/or services within a reasonable time/date referred to but shall not be responsible for any delay beyond its control whether arising from weather conditions/breakdown in services or supplies or howsoever.
2. Payment in full of the moneys due from customer under this order (less any deposit paid) shall be due within 30 days after the month of delivery of the ordered goods or their supply and installation as may be appropriate. If such payment shall not have been received by the Company within 30 days of the date due the Company shall be entitled to charge interest an all sums outstanding at a rate of 4% over HSBC bank PLC standard lending rate for the time being in force until payment.
3. Title to goods or materials supplied by the Company (whether installed or affixed to premises or vehicles or not) in accordance with this order shall not pass to customer on delivery but only upon payment in full by the customer for such goods (and the price of installation if appropriate). The customer may not therefore part with possession of such goods or materials delivered to or installed in any premises or vehicle belonging to any third party. If the customer intends to have any goods or materials delivered to or installed in any premises or vehicles belonging to any third party then it must give prior notice of its intentions to the Company to enable the Company to notify such third party of the Company's reservation of title.
4. A more detailed schedule of our full terms and conditions can be found on the reverse of the top copy of the Company's specific order forms.

Warranty

All articles have been tested by the manufacturer who guarantees every part for a period of TWO YEARS from date of purchase (Somfy/Weinor/Para 5 years). This warranty is valid if the defective part shows faults which can be directly attributed to a construction error or poor quality materials. We will substitute any defective part or return the repaired item carriage free. All parts are guaranteed against failure during the first two years provided:

1. Proof of purchase is presented.
2. The article has been installed following instructions provided.
3. Damage did not occur due to accident, carelessness, storm, wind, water pooling, or normal wear or tear.
4. Artistic Blinds will not be responsible for any labour by third party.
5. The above is an overview of general company policy. As our range of products is so diverse, specific items may carry more or less of a warranty than others. For more detailed information please refer to the specific brochure on any individual product selected.

Payment Policy