Hastings born, CHB raised
Douglas Outdoor & Textile Innovation is a quiet achiever owned by CHB locals.
Humming away in Queen Street West in Hastings, a team of 23 men and women are busy working at all manner of custom creations, including louvre roofs and screens, farm canopies and covers, shade sails, horse truck, caravan and boat fit-outs and upholstery.
While many in CHB might not know it, Douglas Innovation is CHB-owned and intent on supporting the community as the region’s needs shift and evolve.
Owned by Pete Swinburn and Suzanne Hoyt, the CHB pair purchased the 25-year strong business in 2018. The idea was to build something together, provide an outlet for Pete's passion for business, and provide a mechanism for them to give back to community and staff. Douglas Innovation has a growing list of community organizations it has supported over the years.
From Nourished for Nil and the Red Cross, to the Flemington Mud Run, local horsing events and Gumboot Friday, Douglas has developed a strong give-back ethos. Their main sponsorship for 2024 is Big Brother, Big Sister, enabling mentorship and support for a young mentee. “While we are out there installing roof systems across the region, and working on large and small outdoor upholstery projects, we feel our business has a role to play in giving back,” explains Suzanne.
As for lifting up the team, the business has a profit share arrangement and has recently announced the buy-in of Adam Greville, a former apprentice who later returned to the busy workshop. Adam is a passionate outdoor enthusiast, knowing what works and what doesn’t in the field.
He and the team are regularly called on to do work in CHB. “At Douglas we welcome any locals that would like to seek us out for mahi they need doing in the canvas and outdoor living space. We are popping down to CHB all the time doing various jobs on homes, farms, and businesses.” says Adam.
The quality of the work provided at Douglas is evident, and the business has a history of winning awards on a national and international level. Anyone looking at custom roofs, shades or covers is encouraged to remember
the Douglas name and reach out with their ideas. Whatever project you have in mind, they welcome the opportunity to customise and craft it.