Above: The founders of Holland Plastics, Doug Green and Bob Penalver in 1968 with the Timothy twins. Click on thumbnail to enlarge.

HOLLAND PLASTICS- THE YEAR IS 1964......

No doubt if you are on this page then you will know what a strip blind looks like and be familiar with them. Have you ever wondered where they came from? Read on and find out as we give you a guide to our history!

THE EARLY DAYS: Bob Penalver had an idea. His father had worked for many years in London installing canopies above the greengrocer shops, the butchers shops and the like. They were the striped awnings that we have all seen over the years. For Bob, the idea of making a blind that hung in a doorway rather then above shop displays was going to inspire a great idea...

In 1964 in a house in Holland-On-Sea Bob set about his new idea. Taking different rolls of plastic he began to cut strips carefully into the same length before pulling them together through a home made contraption consisting of bed mattress springs and a wooden stick to staple the strips to. The result. The first door blind which came out in a bright multi colour.

Bob hung it up and made many small changes until he was happy with the end product. He then set about making a batch which he took to the local shops. Soon after the blinds were selling locally and very well. Now for the next step. marketing and improving the blinds.

THE LATE SIXTIES: With sales taking off during the golden sixties the blind began to sell in London and the south east of England. Bob then met a man called Doug Green who was to become his partner in the company and between them take it on to new successes.

Doug was a renowned salesman and worked all over England. he liked the idea and saw its potential. Between them they worked to get the blind sold all over the country and soon you would be hard pushed to find someone who did not recognise a Holland Plastics Strip blind.

THE 70s & 80s During these years the blinds range grew as did the colour ways available. The original tube type blind was now joined by the value slat type then the Caravan style blind. The success was instant as many people not only liked the bright colours but also found the blind was a genuine help in keeping flies and bugs out whilst letting the air in. Bob & Doug worked on new supporting brackets to replace the wooden ones which bowed in certain conditions. The result was a range of copyrighted brackets which are still in use today.

THE 90s TO TODAY! The nineties saw another new addition in the Heavy Duty blind which is made from three times thicker material then all the other styles. This new blind offered a great value and even more durable type of blind to the customer. It was in the late nineties that the marketplace begun to change as the multiples started to reign supreme while smaller companies suffered. Holland Plastics continued to make the  blinds in England and continued to support the smaller wholesalers with their products. As the Far East loomed large with imported goods we still decided against importing materials ourselves as the quality was not the same in addition to the belief in employing staff in England. After all we are still a family business.

2007 -In 2007 we introduced the silver screen blind into our range to great interest and sales. We also have been asked many, many times by customers where they can get our blinds from as many of the larger stores either stock imports or nothing at all. We tell them we still are here and still serving the great British public! Our blinds are still sold throughout the UK but if you like them and you know a store that does not stock them please call them and let them know! The more blinds we sell simply means the more people we can employ and the more security for the companies future. We believe in our products and enjoy selling them, over the years we have stayed true to our values and will continue to do so.

2009 Onwards!- The year 2009 has new sense of optimism as our blinds reach new proportions of success. Thanks to you, the public and a wide interest in our blinds, the future looks even brighter. Now in our 45th year of trading and still the same family company, we are proud of our products and service. So a massive thank you to you all for your support and belief.

THANK YOU! If you have got this far then thank you for taking the time to read about us. Please feel free to send any feedback or ask any questions. Please see below for just some of the feedback we have received!