Business

Bloc Blinds opens window for fresh growth

Bloc Blinds founder and managing director Cormac Diamond with design studio manager Julie Lilley
Bloc Blinds founder and managing director Cormac Diamond with design studio manager Julie Lilley Bloc Blinds founder and managing director Cormac Diamond with design studio manager Julie Lilley

MAGHERAFELt-based Bloc Blinds has reached a significant manufacturing milestone, with the company producing its one millionth blind.

Established in 2008, the business has seen a 40 per cent rise in turnover over the last three years, while sales of the company’s award winning patented ‘BlocOut’ blackout blinds have risen by almost 50 per cent year on year.

Founder and managing director Cormac Diamond attributes the company’s growth to Bloc Blinds’ innovative designs and manufacturing expertise:

“Reaching this significant milestone for the company follows business development in recent years, including a £4 million capital investment in our state-of-the-art manufacturing premises in Magherafelt - and since 2014, our products have been sold in John Lewis stores across GB,” Cormac said.

“Part of our growth strategy is an ongoing investment in new product development. An example of this is our innovative BlocOut system, which is used for babies’ nurseries, children’s bedrooms or for light sensitive sleepers.

"We have worked alongside a local sleep expert and have conducted consumer research, which showed nine out of 10 people attribute the BlocOut system to a better night’s sleep.”

He added: “As a growing, innovative business, we aim to build on the momentum gained in our target markets and are committed to expanding our customer base and achieving further success in export markets.”

The company currently employs more than100 staff at its manufacturing headquarters in Magherafelt and in 2017 opened a new retail focused design studio on the Lisburn Road, Belfast.

The flagship store provides consumers with in-home consultation, a professional measure and fit service and following health and wellness trends - with sleep being a universal need - the Design Studio has recently been refurbished with a bespoke ‘sleep hub’ highlighting the benefits of the BlocOut.