3 minute read
Let Some Light In
Panel Processing's Plantation Shutters
by Josh Weston
Panel Processing’s Plantation Shutters marry luxury looks and affordability, making them ideal for manufactured housing professionals looking for economical sales and remodeling solutions.
In fact, Panel Processing’s National Sales Manager Brad Matuzak said the Plantation Shutters’ high-end design at times has proven to be something of a problem.
Photo courtesy of Panel Processing
“One of the things we’re going to have a hard time overcoming is the idea that they’re too expensive, and dealers and manufacturers tend not to ask how much something costs,” Matuzak said. “The price point is a third of what you could see at Home Depot. Factories and dealers can offer
them to potential homebuyers as a reasonably priced upgrade, but the gut reaction is, ‘Boy, those look nice, too rich for my blood.’”
Panel Processing’s Plantation Shutters are made of PVC and a high density, moisture-resistant composite wood sheathed in a white coating. The louvers are thinner and flatter than those of comparable shutters, allowing 40% more light to come into the room, and they have a tight seal when shut, saving the homeowner on noise, unwanted light, and energy transfer. Aesthetically, concealed tilt-controllers come standard with the product, which makes for a clean, symmetrical look, with none of the cords or sticks of traditional blinds. On top of the luxe design and appealing price point, Panel Processing’s Plantation Shutters arrive in one piece, ready to install. The patented design uses standard cabinet door hinges that anyone can install.
How Did the Panel Maker Get Into Window Treatments?
Panel Processing, founded in 1971 and based in Alpena, Mich., with manufacturing facilities all over the country, has grown to be the largest panel fabricator in North America. While Panel Processing has a history of working with the manufactured housing industry, supplying cabinets
and parts out of the Alabama facility, their Plantation Shutters product line marks a more direct and targeted relationship in the industry.
“We met a gentleman who had a patented product, but no manufacturing capabilities,” Matuzak said. “We’re woodworkers. We were able to pieceoff a section of one plant and take our woodworking ability as well as our folks who do assembly and pack-out, and it was a nice process. Really pretty simple. Within a couple months we were prototyping and spent the last year honing it. It’s really repeatable and we’ve had no returns so far on any of the products.”
Currently, manufactured housing industry leaders Champion Homes and Clayton Homes are using the shutters in one factory each.
Matuzak hopes Panel Processing’s presence at manufactured housing industry trade shows this year will show dealers that their Plantation Shutters are an attractive, affordable upgrade that’s too good to pass up. MHV Josh Weston is a Michigan-based writer with a background in construction and the trades. He covers the housing market, real estate, management, and finance for MHInsider.
Ohio MHC 378 Homesites $9,700,000 Loan Amount Repeat Client Non-Recourse 2 years Interest only
