Hunter Douglas Inc. announced that it has acquired the assets of Gulf Coast Window Covering, a prominent longtime fabricator and distributor of Hunter Douglas custom products.  The company is based in Houston and serves retail dealers in Texas and surrounding states.

Gulf Coast Window Covering will continue regular operations until the business is merged into the Fabrication Division of Hunter Douglas by the end of March of this year.  Some key Gulf Coast Window Covering sales staff will continue to serve in their previous roles after the merger is completed.

Bill Gaul, Gulf Coast Window Covering Chairman and CEO, and Tom Connell, President, will remain with Hunter Douglas for an extended period of time to help assure the effective and orderly transition of the business. 

Since its inception in 1978, Gulf Coast Window Covering has been closely associated with Hunter Douglas. Beginning with mini-blinds and vertical blinds in the early years and adding Duette honeycomb shades in 1985 and additional new Hunter Douglas products later, the company grew rapidly and expanded to five buildings before relocating in 2003 to its present facility on six acres in southwest Houston. The company has received a number of honors, including Window Fashions magazine’s first Fabricator of the Year award in 2005.    

 “We are pleased to acquire this outstanding operation,” said Marv Hopkins, Hunter Douglas President and CEO.  “We are grateful to Bill Gaul and Tom Connell and all the Gulf Coast Window Covering employees for their friendship and support over the years.  We also thank Tom’s father, Bob Connell, for his leadership of the company from 1978 until his retirement in 1997.  Hunter Douglas and our Fabrication Division, led by Randy Liken, are firmly committed to continuing to provide exceptional service and support to Gulf Coast Window Covering customers.”