Somfy Network Spotlight on Lafayette Interior Fashions

In a normal year, Lafayette Interior Fashions focuses its energy on creating beautiful window coverings for residential and commercial projects of all sizes. But 2020 wasn’t a normal year. 

Instead, Lafayette found themselves stepping up to help when the COVID-19 health crisis hit their community. Like so many communities across the country, Lafayette’s home state of Indiana found itself with a shortage of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) for frontline workers. Lafayette knew they could help and joined a state-wide consortium to put their equipment to use making much-needed face masks. 

Founded 70 years ago, Lafayette Interior Fashions is still family-owned and operated today. The company that started with one man taking orders and making window treatments has now spread to over 40 states and employs over 500 people. But at heart, the company is still a family business. 

Having grown and changed over the years, Lafayette understood the importance of pivoting quickly to address this moment in time. The company increased ways to connect with customers using digital tools and continues to support their teams as they adjust to the new normal. 

It’s a balancing act manufacturing high-quality window fashions and protective face masks, but the Lafayette team understands how important it is to give back to their community. We were glad to have the opportunity to talk to Lafayette about pivoting to create masks, adjusting their business to COVID realities, and how motorization is becoming the new normal.

What are you doing right now to adapt your business? 

 In early April, Lafayette began sewing modified N95 masks for the state of Indiana as part of a consortium. At the same time, we began working on more ways to connect with our customers virtually. Our sales teams quickly adapted to utilizing Zoom for meetings and trainings. 

What made you decide to adapt your business during COVID-19?  

We really don’t feel that there was much choice and truly were fortunate that our teams had already been working on more digital tools and assets.

What was the process like to create masks in addition to window treatments?  

The face mask project was a combined effort with several other companies, so the process was set by a state-appointed committee. Internally, we identified personnel throughout our facility with the appropriate skillset and allocated machinery to sewing masks on certain days of the week.  

As everything began to re-open throughout the summer, we were faced with the challenge of balancing the resources committed to face masks and our normal production line. For the employees involved in the project, we know they all felt pride in helping where they could.

What lessons can you share that you’ve learned in adapting to the new normal?  

We have had to learn patience and set realistic goals for time and project management. Every area of our business has been affected, including supply chain, marketing, customer relations, and most importantly employee relations. The new normal is a major change for our employees and working through their personal challenges will continue to be a major focus into 2021. 

Tell us a bit of background on your company. How did you get started?   

The Lafayette Venetian Blind as known today was founded in 1950 by Joe Morgan, Sr. Originally, he would travel around Indiana early in the week to sell and take orders, return to Lafayette and build the orders mid-week, delivering them late in the week. We remain family-owned and operated. While the second generation is still extremely active in day-to-day operations, both third and fourth-generation family members are also involved in the business.

What do you like about motorized products and working with Somfy? 

Motorized products will become the standard. The automated, hands-free trend has exploded in the last 10 years. Phones, TVs, lights, HVAC, and everything in your car have all gone hands-free, voice-controlled, and automated.  

Window coverings were being motorized and automated long before anything else, but it was rarely seen outside of a commercial application and even then, it was considered a luxury. 

Somfy really put a focus on bringing that commercial control to residential applications. They worked with us on making it less of a luxury item and a more realistic option for the residential consumer. The connected market has grown exponentially and having Somfy as a partner has helped Lafayette become a driving force for motorized shades in the connected home.

What’s an example of one of your favorite motorized installations or jobs? 

We see a lot of different types of motorized installations here. Recently we supplied RS485 motorized Genesis Roller Shades and support for a full Somfy Digital Network job in the Willis Tower in Chicago.  That was very satisfying to not only see happen but also see how easily it can be done when everyone involved cares as much about motorized products as we do.  

On the other hand, we find it just as satisfying to see a first-time motorized customer complete a simple RTS job after being nervous about the idea in the beginning.

Click here to learn more about Lafayette Interior Fashions