Assessments Lead to Expanded Business Model with Future Outcomes
Company Profile
Located in the New Orleans region, Davis Drapery & Interiors, Inc. is a manufacturer of specialty custom window coverings and bedding. From casinos to hotels, the company has provided quality products and services for 50+ years. Some of the products manufactured or provided at Davis Drapery & Interiors, Inc. (DD&I) are drapery and sheers, horizontal and vertical blinds, cornices and valances, custom rods and tracks, 3-M window film, shutters, solar shades, pillows and cushions, comforters and dust ruffles, headboards, cubicle curtains, shower curtains, safety curtains, stage curtains, and much more! Their extensive product list allows their customers a wide variety of choices for many different situations.
Situation
Davis Drapery & Interiors, Inc. was first introduced to the LCTCS MEP of LA in 2018 through the Louisiana Economic Gardening program. The Louisiana Economic Development began this program to help accelerate the growth of Louisiana-based small businesses, like Davis Drapery & Interiors.
DD&I was looking for ways to innovate its customer base as the dynamics of the business had changed. With the guidance of the MEP of Louisiana through the Economic Gardening program, the company received market research that guided them through those dynamics. In 2020 on the precipice of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Davis Drapery & Interiors reached out to Project Manager Dan Stumper for Sales and Marketing Consulting. It was during this project that DD&I agreed to proceed with a Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Matching Grant. The grant has proved very beneficial in the new website development to include an order portal and quoting system. This effort is not complete, however, the forward impact on the DD&I business model will be tremendous. At present, DD&I has increased their backlog of orders from a historical perspective of approximately $300,000 to $900,000. Tasks that previously took days will now take minutes. We can look for more in the digital marketing space in the near future for DD&I as their business grows. After reviewing the company’s business strategy with an emphasis on their marketing process, Stumper was able to collaborate on recommendations for improvements. In 2022, Stumper conducted a Business Continuity Assessment for Davis Drapery & Interiors Inc. with a walk through of the business continuity tool with the client. After understanding their current business impacts and needs based on the Business Continuity Report completed with the client, Stumper again was able to provide recommendations to assist in their overall growth and productivity.
Solution
After noting their three biggest concerns as manpower, material supply, and keeping costs down in the Business Continuity Assessment, LCTCS MEP of LA Project Manager Dan Stumper recommended modifying the Quality Assurance and Quality Control Process outline for what leadership and teams would do to identify, manage, and communicate a potential product issues; develop a custom communications plan; develop a company-wide management plan as part of the business continuity plan; institute written standard operating procedures; and initiate a prioritization process for supplier purchase orders. The customer has since taken the Supply Chain Assessment Survey in the 3rd quarter of 2023 and collaborative results have been established. DD&I’S willingness to move forward and expand their business model has been the true success here. Debora Lambert, General Manager of DD&I has been the focal point for success by being the visionary for the company. The knowledge gained by the company throughout the duration of each assessment could be seen as the start of many successful outcomes in the future!
“Back in 2018 when Dan Stumper walked in our door, I was working on revamping our operations to try to make it more efficient and productive, along with taking stress off the current staff. Dan arrived just at the right time. He brought knowledge and information that has helped our company establish a better focus on the right product and the right set-up to advance our company. When covid hit, I am sure without that proper focus, we may not have survived. However, because we were better prepared, we were able to keep all employees on full payroll, which allowed us to keep the people who are trained on the information systems and journeyman data required to make this company run. Now, because we have utilized guidance and assistance, our company maintains a contract balance of $900,000.00. I am hopeful and positive that with the upcoming website development finalization, our business will continue to grow and prosper. ”
—Debora Lambert, General Manager
Results
As a result, the improvements made by the LCTCS MEP of LA helped the company grow annual revenue significantly.
Cost Savings
Increased/retained jobs
Increase in New Products
Investment in IT
Savings on Investments
Training