Who Owns Hillarys Blinds? The Definitive Guide to the UK’s Leading Blinds Brand

Hillarys Blinds is a household name in the UK for made-to-measure blinds, curtains, and shutters. But beyond their familiar branding, many still ask: Who really owns Hillarys Blinds today? In this comprehensive guide, we dig into the ownership, history, business structure, and key facts about Hillarys Blinds—providing everything you need to know in one place.

Essential Highlights

Hillarys Blinds is currently owned by Hunter Douglas NV, a leading global window coverings company.
The acquisition took place in May 2017 for £300 million, following several years of growth and private equity backing[1][4][7].
Hunter Douglas has allowed Hillarys Blinds to operate as a standalone unit, maintaining its UK-based management and manufacturing focus[4].
The company was originally founded by Tony Hillary in 1971 and has grown substantially from its Nottingham roots[1][2].
Hillarys Blinds employs around 1,000 staff and works with over 1,000 self-employed advisors across the UK[7][8].
For further details and updates, consult Who Owns UK, Who Owns Hillarys Blinds, or Who Owns for more company ownership profiles.

History of Hillarys Blinds
Ownership: Who Owns Hillarys Blinds Today?
About Hunter Douglas
Business Model and Market Position
Recent Business Developments
FAQ: Hillarys Blinds Ownership & Company Info

History of Hillarys Blinds

The Hillarys story began with a single individual: Tony Hillary, who started making blinds in his Nottingham garage in 1971. He managed all aspects of the business—from manufacturing and fitting to advertising and sales[1][2][5].

Key milestones in Hillarys Blinds’ growth:
– 1971: Founded by Tony Hillary in Nottingham.
– 1978: Moved to a factory and expanded staff to 100.
– 1982: Second factory opened, extending reach across the UK.
– 1985: New head office/factory in Nottingham; annual sales hit £10 million.
– 1990s: Shops expand to 18 locations, with 5,000 blinds produced weekly.
– 1996-2000s: Expanded product range to include awnings, roman blinds, wooden blinds, and pleated blinds.

The company steadily grew into one of the UK’s most well-known window covering specialists, emphasizing custom solutions and in-home consultations[2][8].

Ownership: Who Owns Hillarys Blinds Today?

Hillarys Blinds is currently owned by Hunter Douglas NV, a Dutch multinational renowned for its window coverings and architectural products[1][4][7]. The acquisition, completed in May 2017, was valued at £300 million (approximately $462 million)[4][7].

Previous Owners: Before its sale to Hunter Douglas, Hillarys was owned by private equity investors, most recently Ares Capital Corporation[4][7].
Acquisition Rationale: The deal aimed to accelerate Hillarys’ growth and leverage Hunter Douglas’s global expertise while retaining its UK market leadership.

For more in-depth insights, see Who Owns Hillarys Blinds.

About Hunter Douglas

Hunter Douglas NV is an international leader in window coverings, with a global network spanning over 100 countries and nearly 20,000 employees[4][7].

Market Presence: Operates 130 manufacturing and assembly companies worldwide.
Notable Brands: Owns and operates many leading window covering brands.
UK Impact: The company confirmed Hillarys would continue as a standalone entity, retaining its management team and commitment to UK customers[4].

Learn more about global leaders in the blinds industry at Hunter Douglas Official Site.

Business Model and Market Position

Hillarys Blinds remains focused on bespoke, made-to-measure service for UK and Ireland customers, while also operating online as Web-Blinds[2][5].

Staffing: Employs around 1,000 people directly and collaborates with over 1,000 self-employed advisors nationwide[8].
Product Range: Blinds, curtains, shutters, awnings, and canopies.
Market Share: Maintains a leading 24% share in the domestic made-to-measure blinds market in the UK[8].
Customer Experience: In-home consultations are a hallmark, ensuring tailored advice and accurate measurements for every order.

Recent Business Developments

Since its acquisition, Hillarys Blinds has continued to thrive, expanding its product lines and digital presence while maintaining its UK heritage[2][8].

Sales and Expansion: Processes 10,000 orders weekly, selling around 30,000 blinds each week[8].
Technology: Upgraded order processing systems for faster, more accurate service.
Sustainability & Innovation: Investment in product design, safety, and customer service remains core to its ongoing strategy.

For ongoing business updates or to discover other company ownership structures, explore Who Owns UK and see more company profiles at Who Owns.

FAQ: Hillarys Blinds Ownership & Company Info

Who owns Hillarys Blinds now?
Hillarys Blinds is owned by Hunter Douglas NV, which acquired the company in 2017[1][4][7].

How long has Hillarys Blinds been in business?
Hillarys Blinds was established in 1971 by Tony Hillary and has operated for over 50 years[1][2][5].

Is Hillarys Blinds still a UK company?
Yes, the company maintains its headquarters in Colwick, Nottingham, and continues operating with UK-based leadership and staff[7][8].

Did the sale affect Hillarys’ customers or staff?
Hunter Douglas pledged to keep Hillarys as a standalone business, so day-to-day operations and customer services have remained consistent[4][7].

What products does Hillarys Blinds offer?
They produce made-to-measure blinds, shutters, curtains, awnings, and canopies, focusing on custom in-home solutions[1][2][8].

Where can I find more detailed company profiles?
Visit Who Owns Hillarys Blinds or browse company ownership insights at Who Owns.

How large is Hillarys Blinds today?
Hillarys employs 1,000 staff and works with a network of over 1,000 self-employed in-home advisors across the UK[7][8].

Authoritative Resources:
– Who Owns UK
– Hunter Douglas Official Site
– BBC News Business
– Retail Gazette
– Wikipedia: Hillarys Blinds

For more on company ownership in the UK, visit Who Owns.

Who Owns Hillarys Blinds