Comfortex Window Fashions owes its existence to two complementary entrepreneurs - Thomas J. Marusak, an aerospace engineer turned businessman, and John Schnebly, a window treatment product researcher. The two combined their creative talents, and in 1986, founded Comfortex Window Fashions to fill the growing need for shades in the residential greenhouse market.From 1986 through 1991, Comfortex evolved from a small regional fabricator of greenhouse shades to a national manufacturer of innovative window treatment products. The Harmony Mill site in Cohoes, New York lent marketing inspiration to the new products Comfortex developed. Symphony® Cellular Shades, Serenade™ Roman Shades and Woodwinds® Wood Alloy Blinds are just some of the product names that were created from a decidedly musical theme.The early 1990s presented a changing business landscape in the United States. The growing number of "big box" stores was squeezing independent window treatment retailers into bankruptcy. Looking for a way to keep its core customer base in business, Comfortex conceived a retail fabrication program that helped transform these small retailers into mini factories, allowing them to easily compete with the national chain stores. Comfortex's innovative Composer Program created a new distribution channel which eliminated the middleman for hundreds of small retail businesses worldwide.Growth and change highlighted the years following. Comfortex established a plant in Melbourne, Florida to service the southeastern market. In 1995, the operation at Harmony Mills moved to its current 125,000 square-foot modern office and manufacturing complex in Maplewood. A year later, Comfortex opened another facility in Phoenix, Arizona to manufacture its patented wood alloy material for the company's innovative line of blinds.Following the 1997 launch of its Shangri-La® line of sheer horizontal window shadings, Comfortex experienced accelerated growth and established a significant international presence. Spring, 2001 brought another addition to the sheer line: Stardust® Soft Sheer Verticals, the perfect Shangri-La companion product. In 2002, Comfortex expanded its product offering to include Woodwinds® Plantation Shutters and Harmony™ Cellular Verticals. The BlindCrafter Program was launched during that same year to create a unified Comfortex brand for Composers interested in expanding their profit opportunity. Two new products were introduced in 2005 to rave reviews: Serenade™ Roller Shades and Woodwinds® SoftShutters™. Currently Comfortex distributes its full, comprehensive line of window treatments to over 50 countries, with full product support in fabrication, marketing and sales.
