A California window treatments dealer established in the mid-1990s, serving major national retailers such as Costco, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware, as well as direct-to-consumer sales, needed to diversify its supplier network.
Rather than choosing another manufacturer, it looked for a partner that could provide high-quality craftsmanship, reliable service, and the flexibility to support its growing, multi-channel operations.
They found a partner in Onyx Shutters, whom they rate a perfect 10/10.
From the beginning, Onyx stood out not just for its product quality but also for its collaborative, dealer-centric approach and fast lead times. What started as a secondary vendor relationship soon grew into one of the dealer’s most important strategic partnerships.
Setting a New Standard in Wood Shutters
For the dealer, product quality is essential. With decades of experience, the team knows what makes a shutter good versus excellent. Leadership states that Onyx’s wood shutter is market-leading, even among domestic brands.
Two features in particular set the product apart.
Oil-Based Lacquer Finish
Although many manufacturers have shifted to water-based options, Onyx’s lacquer finish offers a visibly richer look and greater durability. Side-by-side comparisons clearly highlight this difference, providing the dealer’s sales team with a strong advantage in the home. The finish boosts the perceived quality and emphasizes the product's premium status.
Mortise-and-Tenon Joinery
Unlike many competitors who use dowels or screws at key joints, Onyx employs true mortise-and-tenon joinery. This technique creates a more durable frame that resists racking and maintains stability over time. For dealers, this high-quality construction allows them to confidently support their installations and minimizes potential long-term service problems.
The outcome is a sturdy, attractive shutter that allows the dealer to differentiate themselves in sales and maintain healthy margins in a competitive market.
Delivering When It Matters Most
While exceptional products are valuable, partnership becomes even more crucial during difficult times.
During times of major industry disruption, such as tariff hikes and global supply chain issues, Onyx showed notable agility and dedication. Unlike other manufacturers that sharply increased prices or prolonged lead times to unmanageable levels, Onyx actively pursued solutions to help the dealer stay competitive.
Communication remained consistent and transparent. Onyx’s openness to collaborating on shipping strategies and pricing reinforced a shared dedication to mutual success. During particularly turbulent periods, Onyx became the dealer’s main shutter supplier by providing stability when it was most needed.
That performance cemented a deep sense of trust—one built not just on promises, but on execution.
A True Client-First Mentality
What sets Onyx apart in the dealer’s view, beyond craftsmanship and operational execution, is its client-first mindset.
The dealer’s leadership team considers Onyx one of its top vendors. They value Onyx’s willingness to collaborate, fairness, and their focus on joint problem-solving rather than self-interest. The relationship appears aligned, transparent, and cooperative—more like a shared team than a standard supplier partnership.
This alignment is particularly crucial for a dealer operating across multiple retail channels, including Costco, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware. Having a supplier that comprehends the importance, responds promptly, and views challenges as shared responsibilities fosters strong operational confidence.
As leadership mentioned, collaborating with Onyx is like being “100% on the same team.
A Foundation for Continued Growth
Today, the collaboration between this California-based dealer and Onyx showcases how outstanding craftsmanship can flourish through sincere teamwork.
With a high-quality product that differentiates itself in the market and a partnership approach rooted in trust, responsiveness, and shared objectives, Onyx has established a durable presence in the dealer’s vendor portfolio. The relationship has weathered economic downturns, industry shifts, and changing market dynamics—becoming more resilient with each obstacle.
When asked about their likelihood of recommending Onyx, leadership responded quickly and confidently: a 10 out of 10. For this dealer, Onyx is not just a shutter supplier but a strategic partner that blends product quality with a dedication to ethical business practices—and they look forward to picking up Onyx’s new line of shades.
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