Today we’d like to introduce you to Cliff Stanley.
While still completing his university degree, Cliff started The Window Outfitters (TWO) at age 20. As a spin-off from a successful family business in Australia, TWO is a manufacturer and wholesaler of window furnishings, primarily wood plantation shutters. Ambitious from the start, TWO grew rapidly within Australia, building a national framework in the first 3 years. Cliff then moved with his young family to the US to further business growth and pursue his vision of a global business. Now, more than a decade in, TWO operates in Australia, the US, China and the UK. Recognized as one of the largest plantation shutter manufacturers in the world, the focus is now shifting to adding complementary product lines to its existing network.
Cliff continues to operate as CEO and founder and thrives on the challenge of an ever-changing business environment.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not smooth at all. Although we are a still a family business, we are also an international business with a very complex supply chain. We are susceptible to changes in importing rules and tariffs in multiple countries, multiple currencies and currency changes, several manufacturing sites and the logistics of getting a product to market. We have human resource issues with basic manufacturing labor, skilled installation labor and a traditional corporate office dynamic. Even time zones and sharing information across borders is difficult to organize.
We also started our US operations in the middle of GFC and have been forced to change our business model numerous times in order to suit the changing market demands. There are a lot of challenges and a lot of moving parts.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about TWO USA – what should we know?
We manufacture and wholesale window furnishings, specializing in wood plantation and aluminum plantation shutters. We are the first company to bring aluminum plantation shutters to the US and also the first local manufacturer of this product in the US.
We are different because most companies either manufacture, wholesale or provide installation services in our industry. We do all three and believe this holistic integration allows us to serve our customers better.
I’m most proud of the dynamic changes we have made to our company over and over again, in order to be a front-runner in our industry and adapt to a very competitive market. Also the fact that we have been able to expand and replicate our infrastructure in multiple countries at the same time.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Perseverance and self-belief. You really need to believe in what you are doing in order to face challenges over a long period of time. Anyone can do something hard for 3 months but sometimes, you need to hang-in for 5 years to see something finally be fruitful.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2251 Chenault Drive, Carrollton, TX 75006
- Website: www.two-usa.com
- Phone: +1 469-619-0892
- Email: Email: sales@two-usa.com
- Instagram: The ALS Association Texas Chapter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TWOGlobal
- Twitter: The ALS Association Texas Chapter
- Yelp: The ALS Association Texas Chapter
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/TWO_USA
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