Torbay Blinds

Torbay Blinds, blind and awning manufacturing in Torquay

Torbay Blinds Ltd is a blind and awning manufacturer based at Unit C2, Broomhill Way, on the Broomhill Industrial Estate in Torquay, Devon. The company describes itself as a specialist in internal and external blinds with a fitting service in Devon, and it also supplies components to the trade through its Sunkut Systems range. Its own presentation places it among the industry's leading names in innovation and design, a claim the company supports with a series of firsts described on its site.

From a family business to new ownership

The Gratton-Davey family worked in the blind and awning sector from 1957, and the business remained family owned until 2024, when ownership passed to James Walker, an employee of 26 years. The company presents itself as having been a blind and awning manufacturer for more than half a century and sums up its trajectory as 50 years covering the West Country.

According to its own account, it was the first blindmaker to introduce anodised aluminium extrusion and alloy components and became a market leader in that field. It also cites early adoption of computerised bending machines, wet look fabrics and hydem tapes in both the contract and domestic markets.

External domestic range

The domestic exterior catalogue is organised around named awning models and complementary systems:

• Awnings: The Compton, The Kensington, The Buckingham, The Winchester and The Arundel.
• Meteor 265 and the Terrace Awning.
• Dutch Blind and Cubola.
• Special installations, with a dedicated domestic awning gallery.

External commercial solutions

For commercial projects the range is broader and includes both awnings and structures for public and school environments:

• Awnings: The Compton, The Kensington, The Buckingham, The Winchester, Balmoral Cassette Awning, Meteor 265 and Freestanding Awning.
• Shading and screens: Dutch Blind, Vortex Parasols, Cubola, Bip Screen, Drop Down Screen, Approach Awnings, French Sun Screen and French Awnings.
• Special installations: Pavement Barriers, Bespoke Steel Structures, Radius Blinds, School Awnings and Box Lots.
• A separate commercial awning gallery.

Internal blinds

The interior side of the business covers a wide set of blind types: Vertical, Roller, Venetian, Velux, Pleated, Roman, Perfect Fit, Duorol / Vision / Night & Day, Fly Screens and Allusion Blinds.

Sunkut Systems and trade components

Sunkut Systems is the company's component line for the trade, presented as the largest range of awning components in Europe and as British made. The site states that the range grew to 59 components with the advance of glass filled nylon tooling, making it the biggest in Europe, after earlier alloy and myzak components for the Dutch and canopy markets had already become the largest range available in the UK. The range is described as designed by a blindmaker for blindmakers and as enhancing fixed awnings and folding canopies.

The trade section lists Sunkut Dutch Blind Components, Sunkut Dutch Glass Filled Nylon Components, Sunkut Component Application and Sunkut Approach Awning Components. The company also operates a trade login area and publishes separate retail and trade terms and conditions.

Fabrics, motors and automation

External fabrics offered include Sunkut Acrylic, Dickson Acrylic, Coastalene, Sunkut Hydem Tape and Sunkut Scalloping Braids. In motors and automation the company works with Somfy, listing Somfy Connexoon and Somfy TaHoma for external blinds, internal blinds and curtain tracks. New products highlighted on the site are Somfy Perfect Fit Shutters Lite by Louvolite and a Pergola.

Showroom and office hours

The contact page also lists a Torquay telephone number, 01803 617300, and an Exeter number, 01392 270715.