Metro Mills is a second-generation business originally established in 1969. For the past 18 years, it has been in the capable hands of Don Kapit and Fred Pepe.
Kapit brings 25 years of merchandising and marketing expertise to Metro Mills. Starting as a fabric sales rep, Kapit is aware of the necessary changes needed to continue to run a successful business. Having received an ACTD degree, his vast knowledge of technology keeps Metro Mills at the forefront.
Pepe, a 30-year veteran of the window coverings industry, began his career as an installer of custom window treatments. Upon graduation from college, he started an installation company and operated a small retail store specializing in custom window treatments. Returning to college he received his MBA and shortly thereafter partnered with Kapit. Throughout his 18 years at Metro Mills, Pepe’s knowledge of manufacturing and the technical assistance needed to produce many of today’s challenging window treatments has allowed Metro Mills to grow and change direction in today’s highly competitive market.
Together Kapit and Pepe are a formidable duo, knowledgeable in all the aspects needed to be successful in today’s business. D&WC: What window coverings products did you handle initially? What products do you handle today?
FRED PEPE : Metro Mills produces top-quality products in an 18,000-square-foot factory. Some of our older equipment has been custom-made and designed for our specific needs. Automated machinery with an assortment of attachments is continually being updated in order to maintain quality.
Metro Mill’s 42-person staff is reliable, dependable and knowledgeable with many employees having more than 20 years of service to their credit, and a few have been employed since Metro Mills’ inception in 1969.
Initially, Metro Mills manufactured draperies and valances. Today, the company offers those products as well as exquisitely manufactured top treatments, Roman shades, balloon shades and upholstered cornices. A complete line of accessory items such as toss pillows, tablecloths, cushions and custom chair pads are also available.
Rounding out the product line are Metro Mill’s custom bedding products. Duvet covers, comforters and bedspreads are all available with an assortment of quilting designs. Dust ruffles and pillow shams in assorted styles are also available offering a complete bed ensemble. D&WC: How has your segment of the industry changed since you first began?
DON KAPIT: The window coverings industry, needless to say, has changed dramatically since our beginning. Years ago, selections, styles and embellishments were limited. Today, they are limitless. Not only has this impacted today’s design, but the standard architecture of today consists of many more Palladian, eyebrow, transom, angled, bow and bay windows. Each one presents a unique challenge when designing window treatments and an equal challenge when manufacturing.
The advantage today is technology. The capability of designers to deliver pictures, sketches, measurements and specifications via the Internet is the most significant change in how we do business today.
Metro Mills can now have the same vision and design concept as the designers themselves. This concept allows us to make suggestions in manufacturing without compromising the design. D&WC: What best describes your niche in the marketplace?
PEPE: Our niche is that we are a complete manufacturing source, able to manufacture a variety of products in a timely manner. We can provide an abundance of experience and knowledge for our customers, confident that we are able to solve their most difficult design problems whether it be a window treatment for a Palladian window, or a 300-inch valance, or a 200-inch-long drapery.
Our experienced staff and management team allows us to be able to manufacture and create window treatments other smaller manufacturers may not be able to complete.
We are a large enough company that we can pride ourself on product consistency and delivery, but small enough to be attentive to our customers who may require our experience and knowledge in processing an order. D&WC: What are some of the key factors involved in your growth and success?
KAPIT: A direct link to our growth and success has been our ability to transfer our knowledge and experience and assist our customers with items or products that they have less experience in dealing with. Our customers often take advantage of our services and fax or e-mail a variety of items and window treatments they have designed. We then calculate a price for our workmanship and an accurate fabric requirement, thus eliminating any doubts. This allows our customer to confidently quote a price to their consumer.
With an updated workroom, automated machinery, technology capable and ready and 55 years of combined industry experience at the top, we are confident about growth and success. D&WC: What are your strengths in the marketplace?
PEPE: Our strength in the marketplace is the fact that we are capable of manufacturing many different items with no limitations. While we have a standard price list, our 24-hour guaranteed price quote is able to assist our customers whose items may not be standard thus requiring a special price.
The fact that Metro Mills can deliver finished product in a timely fashion, made consistent with industry standards or above industry standards at a fair and competitive price has us excited about our market share. D&WC: Do you offer any products other than window coverings?
KAPIT: In addition to window coverings we manufacture custom bedding products and many accessory type items. Bedspreads, comforters and duvet covers with varying styles and quilting designs are all available.
Other bedding products available are dust ruffles and pillow shams—all offered in a large selection of styles combined with an assortment of embellishments.
Increasingly popular today is our line of accessory items: toss pillows, tablecloths and table runners, cushions and chair pads, many with highly detailed options. D&WC: How do you educate customers?
PEPE: Our education, service and customer attentiveness are very much a hands-on program. It is only natural that we include education along with our service and support in order to assist our customers in becoming better skilled. Previously we stated that our knowledge and experience is certainly a strength. In educating our customers on an individual need basis, we look forward to continued growth and strength in our business relationships. Metro Mills
151 Linwood Ave.
Paterson, NJ 07502
(973) 942-8885
(800) 631-0244
fax: (973) 942-4109
www.metromillsinc.com |
