Somfy Network Spotlight on Porter Preston

“The new normal does not feel normal at all,” Jack Porter Birtwell said when describing the lesson he’s learned in adapting his business to the global health crisis. With a pandemic raging, wholesale window covering company Porter Preston knew there was more they could do to give back. 

Based in Connecticut, the company was founded in 2002 as a wholesale manufacturer of window treatments for contract, hospitality, residential, and healthcare markets. When the COVID-19 crisis hit the east coast hard in March, the company decided it was time for them to use their talents to give back.

Porter Preston soon began utilizing the company’s equipment and resources to manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE) for police, medical staff, and first responders. What made them decide to adapt their business? “Dire need,” said Birtwell. They saw the shortage of PPE happening in their area and around the country and jumped into action. 

Typically, Porter Preston uses their state of the art cutting table to cut woven mesh screen material and roller shades in varying sizes. In the early days of the pandemic, they pivoted to using these same tables to create surgical face shields. They knew they had to act fast to get the product designed and to market as quickly as possible.

According to an article in the local Connecticut Republican-American newspaper, at one point the company’s 28 employees could produce more than 300 face shields a day. In all, the company donated over 10,000 face shields to medical personnel and first responders. 

“I decided let’s do it and do some good,” Birtwell told the newspaper. “People are in need of these.”
Since their pivot, Porter Preston has provided important PPE to healthcare workers, police, fire departments, and even hairstylists. 

Now, Porter Preston is looking at new markets and products, especially in the health care space. 

Porter Preston also offers motorized window treatments, which can offer value in residential, commercial, and healthcare settings. Motorized treatments ensure spaces have easy access to natural light and also minimize the need to touch multiple surfaces in order to control lighting. Plus, natural lighting can improve wellness by boosting Vitamin D, improving sleep, and even enhancing productivity. 

As a long-time partner with Somfy, Porter Preston appreciates Somfy’s reliability and quality products. “Somfy builds loyal, long-term relationships based on honesty, trust, and integrity with its fabricators,” Birtwell said. “Somfy always has your back.”

Porter Preston always enjoys a challenge, whether it’s pivoting their manufacturing process to produce PPE and give back to their community or creating motorized shades for uniquely shaped window coverings.