Family firm has contributed to island life for half a century

Many BBSA members have their own tales of woe about supply chain stress – but operating an island-based business brings a unique set of challenges.

“Getting things here is never easy,” says Kirsty Wilson of Talbot & Son. “Everything is on the ferry.”

However, those challenges have never stumped the Isle of Man’s longest-established blind manufacturer and supplier, which this year is celebrating its 50th year in business.

As with many such stories, it all started in a modest way – to be precise in the garage at the home of Bob Talbot, Kirsty & Simon’s grandfather.

Like many such success stories, Talbot & Son grew steadily through hard work, practical know-how and a willingness to adapt.

Kirsty told Openings: “Our grandad started by manufacturing blinds himself, gradually building a reputation across the island for quality workmanship and dependable service.”

Before long, Bob’s son Andy joined the business, and he remains actively involved in the company alongside his wife Hilary.

These days, though, it’s the family’s third generation which is firmly established at the helm. Kirsty and her brother Simon Talbot formally took on the ownership in 2024.

Few family businesses survive long enough to see a third generation take control. Industry statistics often suggest that only around 10% make that transition successfully. For Talbot & Son, however, succession has not simply been about preserving a family name above the door. It has been about protecting a culture.

“Family business extends far beyond the surname,” says Kirsty. “It’s represented by employees who have worked within the company for years and are considered part of the family. A family business is not built by ownership – it’s built by people.”

That ethos is reflected in the company’s remarkably loyal workforce. Talbot & Son employs a close-knit team of eight staff, many of whom have spent decades with the business. One fitter joined at the age of 16 and is now 44. Another long-serving employee recently retired after 36 years with the company.

“We do feel like a family, all of us,” says Kirsty. “I think customers can sense that.”

Over the decades, Talbot & Son has operated from several different premises, expanding each time as the business evolved. Until last year, the company spent more than 30 years based at Derby Square before relocating to its current premises at the Snugborough Trading Estate in Union Mills.

Kirsty explained that the move was not necessarily about finding a larger building, but about positioning the company within a more suitable retail and trade environment.

“We’re now surrounded by like-minded businesses,” explains Kirsty. “There are flooring places, window companies and furniture shops nearby, so being here makes much more sense for us.”

The new premises also house the island’s only dedicated blind and curtain showroom, alongside fully-equipped manufacturing workshops. Customers can browse an extensive range of products while still benefiting from the personal service that has defined the business since its earliest days.

While the company remains rooted in traditional values, the products and technologies it works with have changed dramatically over the past half-century. In the early days, the market was relatively simple, dominated by rollers, verticals and Venetians. Today, the sector is almost unrecognisable by comparison.

“There are so many different blind types now,” Kirsty says. “And the ability to have everything motorised has completely changed the market.”

Motorisation and home automation are now among the company’s fastest-growing areas, particularly over the past year. Talbot & Son increasingly works on integrated smart home projects involving KNX systems, automated curtain tracks and sophisticated shading controls.

Keeping pace with that technological shift requires constant learning – something made more complicated by the realities of island life. Training courses in the UK mainland often involve flights, accommodation and significant additional expense.

“Any sort of training is an issue for us,” Kirsty explains. “When you add everything up for a couple of people to attend, it becomes crazy money.”

Despite those challenges, the company continues to invest heavily in developing its expertise. Simon, in particular, has gained extensive knowledge in automation and electrical integration through a combination of formal training and online learning.

That commitment to innovation has been vital in helping the business navigate changing customer demands and wider economic pressures over the years. Like many long-established family firms, Talbot & Son has weathered recessions, changing consumer habits and major industry disruption.

“Family businesses don’t simply aim to survive difficult periods,” says Kirsty. “They want to thrive, innovate and leave something stronger than they inherited.”

Energy efficiency has become another important area of focus in recent years. Rising heating costs have prompted growing interest in insulating window coverings, particularly cellular blinds and other thermally efficient products.

“We’ve done a big push on insulation benefits,” says Kirsty. “People are much more aware now about heat loss through windows.”

Being based on the Isle of Man also creates a unique relationship with customers. While logistics can be challenging, the company believes local service offers reassurance that online retailers often cannot match.

“If customers buy online and something goes wrong, returns can become a nightmare from the island,” Kirsty says. “Shopping locally gives them peace of mind.”

That sense of trust and accountability is something the company believes has helped underpin its longevity. Talbot & Son has also maintained a long-standing membership with the BBSA, something Kirsty says provides valuable reassurance to customers.

“With every quote, we explain that we’re BBSA registered,” she says. “It shows customers that we’re doing things properly.”

As Talbot & Son celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company is marking the occasion with a major open day event in September, featuring customer offers, giveaways, food, drinks and a prize draw. The celebrations will bring together customers old and new, alongside staff, suppliers and members of the local community who have all played a part in the company’s story.

Looking ahead, the focus remains firmly on continued growth, innovation and maintaining the standards that have sustained the business for five decades.

For Kirsty, and the entire Talbot & Son team, the future is about more than simply maintaining a successful company – it’s about stewardship, continuity and legacy.

“Family business is about people,” she says. “It’s about legacy. And it’s about building something that lasts.”