In Düsseldorf, Germany, Henry Sonnenberg started a tool distribution and manufacturing company in 1919.
Sonnenberg relocated to the Netherlands in 1933 and founded a machine tool operation. In 1940, he then moved to the U.S., where he established the Douglas Machinery Company.
From 1943 to 1945, Joe Hunter focused on milling contracts for airplane producers such as Lockheed.
In 1946, Sonnenberg created a joint venture with Hunter, which created new equipment and technology for the continuous fabrication and casting of aluminum. Not happy with the name “Sonnenberg,” Henry opted to pick the name “Douglas” from a phone book; thus, Hunter Douglas® was born. This started the production of lightweight aluminum slats for 2-inch Flexalum Venetian blinds.
Hunter Douglas® blinds quickly gained popularity and lead in the American Market. Both the product and the business structure was innovating.
Hunter Douglas® has expanded all over the world and has changed the game with aluminum blinds. The innovation led to the development of revolutionary new products that give consumers a broad range of innovative window fashion products that would satisfy consumer tastes.