Windward Design Group has undergone significant change over the past few years — from doubling down on its people by fully staffing its Florida facility to increasing the company’s processes through an investment in enhanced business software.
Now, the company is taking the next step by opening a new facility in Pennsylvania to serve its growing customer base in the Northern part of the country. The company will continue to have a footprint in Florida to serve the Southern states.
“We’ve grown steadily up in the Northern regions,” says Chief Marketing Officer Rachel Peace. “This has been in the making for about six months, and we’re now going to have these two smaller facilities to serve both our Southern and Northern customers more efficiently.”
With steady growth in the Midwest and Northeast regions, coupled with the fact they were already set to move out of their current facility in late 2024, the timing was optimal to expand the company’s physical footprint northward. The move into the new building will start in late January/early February, and Peace says they should be fully functioning by June at the latest.
After extensive research into the implications of maintaining facilities in both Florida and a Northern location, it became clear that a dual-location strategy was optimal. With operational expenses rising sharply in Southwest Florida, coupled with the struggle to find quality labor, a smaller footprint in the state made sense.
Plus, Peace says opening an additional facility in an area with significantly lower costs and an abundant manufacturing labor pool was the smartest strategic move for Windward.
“Based on my conversations with our sales reps in those Northern territories, they’re all definitely very excited about the opportunity this move presents,” Peace explains. “And we also see a lot of doors opening up now that we’ll be up there.”
This move is part of an all-encompassing rebrand strategy the brand has been building up over the past few years.
“We have a new management team that oversees the business day-to-day. We all share the same passion, vision and goals for the business and know our roles and responsibilities in achieving Windward’s success. The future is very bright for our business,” Peace adds.
And while a lot has been going on behind the scenes, the new facility is just one component of the company’s strategy.
“Windward is incredibly excited to embark on this next chapter of growth and expansion which will help us better serve customers through increased efficiencies, reduced costs internally and externally, and improve facilities in both regions, to name a few,” Peace adds. “Our excitement of this next chapter is pouring over into our employees as well, and it is fantastic to see their enthusiasm! Some of our long-tenured team members have even agreed to relocate northward to assist with the new facility’s launch. We are grateful for the opportunities that 2024 and beyond will bring as we continue strengthening Windward. We are truly so blessed.”
I do not know where else to go! We ordered windward outdoor furniture through Patio living last May, our furniture was supposed to be done by August. We have gotten the run around since. Besides hounding patio living, I’ve actually talk with a lady at Windward last fall, that’s when I learned my thread for my sling wasn’t available, so I had to start over. I won’t go through the grueling details, furniture delivery date was supposed to be Jan 15. Now, once again, no answers. Patio living is supposed to find out, clearly they can’t. I’ve tried calling Windward, now all you get is a busy signal. This is a flattering article but I’m not buying it, something’s not right. We’re out over $8000.00 and no furniture and no answers. May will be a year. I’m sending this to you because I can’t find anything else on these ppl. Thanks for listening to my vent even if you can’t help me.