History of Aristocrat Retractable Awnings
When Craft-Bilt president Andy Stone was newly married, he went to Sweden to meet his in-laws and it was there that he saw retractable fabric awnings on almost every house, store, and business.
After returning to his home in suburban Pennsylvania, Andy began noticing how many back yard decks and patios stood empty on the nicest, brightest afternoons of the summer.
“Our deck is too hot,” people told him, in answer to his question why people stayed inside on such lovely days.
Retractable Awnings are the answer, Andy thought.
In 1986 Craft-Bilt developed a new department to manufacture lateral arms retractable patio awnings, and a complimentary line of window and basket awnings. Using Swedish technology and American manufacturing, Craft-Bilt entered the market under the trademark Aristocrat, to reflect the “royal” nature of this high end, beautiful awning.
To show how far we have come, by 2007, Aristocrat awnings were awarded outstanding achievement honors by the Industrial Fabrics Association International
Today, Aristocrat Awnings are the fastest growing awning line in the US.
(Note: In Canada, Aristocrat Awnings by Craft-Bilt are marketed under the trademark Craft-Bilt.)