Inland offers the best blinds and shutters on the market
Hans and Jackie Reinhardt came to Millthorpe 20-years ago with one simple aim — to make the best venetian blinds on the market.
Two decades on, “Inland Blinds & Shutters” is still operating from the old mill factory from which the scenic village derives its name, with shop outlets now in Orange and Bathurst.
“We came to Millthorpe from Sydney to start a factory producing timber venetian and plantation timber components from Western Red Cedar which we imported from Canada,” Hans explained.
“These parts were wholesaled to blind and shutter manufacturers, mainly in Sydney,” he said, adding that the lure of the retail market soon enticed their interest.
“About 2004, we decided to go into retailing finished timber blinds using the trading name ‘The Wood Blinds Factory’ with a showroom and factory in Millthorpe.
“Some-time later, we opened a retail shop and showroom in Adelaide but found the constant travel to keep that business supplied with stock and the management of it, too taxing for us and closed that business, opening a showroom in Bathurst instead. A little bit closer to home this time.”
Hans then explained that about this time, the window fashion tastes changed somewhat in this country with the dominant colour for shutters and venetian blinds becoming white rather than natural wood colours with a strong trend towards fabric roller blinds becoming apparent.
“This made some of our cedar products redundant as cedar is far-too-expensive to paint white and, if the beautiful cedar grain is not appreciated, we had to turn to imported Basswood shutters to stay competitive, as well having to connect with roller blind manufacturers to satisfy customer demand,” Hans said.
“The name ‘Woodblind Factory’ started to go against-us at this stage because that was not all we did anymore, so we changed our trade-name to ‘Inland Blinds & Shutters’.”
Having a presence in Orange and Bathurst became a huge step forward for the company with the distance for clients to visit greatly reduced from these towns with both showrooms becoming busier than they have ever been.
“We still manufacture timber venetian blinds to customers specifications, but now we also have vast experience with plantation shutters which we install in houses of all styles and ages with our very experienced team, all this at prices which we believe are unbeatable in the central west,” Hans added.
“If you supply us with the measurements of your windows, you will receive an immediate quote from us including any discounts we have at various times.
“We also supply Flex-Fence and wood-grained aluminium shutters to create outdoor shelters. We make these at our Millthorpe factory to your required sizes. Call us on 6366 3699,” Hans concluded.
‘Inland Blinds & Shutters’ showrooms are at 50 Bathurst Road, Orange and 50 Keppel Street, Bathurst.