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LAUREL, N.J. — Frankford Umbrellas has recently doubled its production, warehouse space and shipping capability while continuing to focus efforts on reducing its carbon footprint.

According to Frankford, its expansion is a direct result of its growth in sales and volume over the past six years. The company is now supplying more than 400 outdoor specialty retailers and design showrooms, having grown from preciously being a sole supplier to commercial properties in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean.

“We continue to fill the gap between low-end big-box-quality umbrellas and high-end designer choices that are price prohibitive,” said Marc Kaufer, president. “We’ve found that the majority of customers fall somewhere between the low end and the high end. Above all, they want quality and value; they want to get what they pay for. And that’s what Frankford provides to them.

“More and more customers are discovering us, and in order to meet the demand, we need to invest in expanding our production and shipping capabilities, our inventory and our warehouse space.”

Kaufer noted that the company’s strategy to handle supply chain issues and labor shortages brought on by the pandemic played a part in Frankford’s growth. “We made adjustments to accommodate supply chain shortages and were able to continue to keep stock levels up,” he said. “As a result, many customers of our competitors who under normal circumstances wouldn’t have thought about changing suppliers did so as a result of the need for product when it was unavailable during the height of the pandemic.

“They discovered that Frankford could supply them with what they needed, and then were pleasantly surprised at the high level of customer service and the superior quality of our umbrellas.”

Although Frankford is expanding, the company has stated that it maintains a commitment to sustainability. Motion-sensor lighting has been installed throughout its facilities to reduce up to 30% in energy use, as well as continuing to recycle material with more than 42,000 pounds recycled in 2021. Kaufer explained that one of Frankford’s primary sustainability efforts is displayed through its products lasting for more than just a couple years.

“That’s why we use a 10-year fabric that won’t fade and a frame that is built to withstand the wind. It’s pretty simple: when you make a product that doesn’t break, you prevent it from going into a landfill, you prevent the pollution that results from manufacturing replacement products and ultimately, you protect the environment. That’s what sustainability is all about.”

Frankford will also be celebrating its 125th anniversary in January 2023 and has been using its social media platforms to educate customers about its products, services and sustainability efforts, particularly in its “did you know? Frankford Facts” and “Frankford Fit” campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

“Yes, we sell umbrellas, but even more than that, we sell connection,” said Kaufer. “We build a connection with our customers by committing to grow along with them, so that when they have an opportunity to expand, they can count on us to be ready with inventory to support that growth. We are so grateful for each and every one of our customers and are continually determined to earn and retain their trust.”

Erica Crawford, associate editor for Furniture Today, is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa, with a degree in English and a writing certificate in publishing. In addition to bringing her writing talent to the editorial team, Erica will add her late-Millennial perspective.

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