Paradise Cushions & Umbrellas
Paradise Cushions by FiberBuilt is the retail division of FiberBuilt Umbrellas, Inc. Paradise was created in order to provide the retail marketplace with products made to the same rigorous standards as the hospitality industry. Residential customers can be assured that our cushions, umbrellas and accessories are manufactured for years of comfort and performance. Along with quality construction, we maintain an operation that is nimble enough to constantly adjust to the ever-changing styles and color trends of home furniture designs.
Our company headquarters and growing production facilities are located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Our excellent relationships with domestic and international suppliers allow us the flexibility to provide shade products from overseas or as partially assembled components that are then completed by our skilled production staff. Our inventory policy insures that we can provide Quick Ship programs for cushions, umbrellas and accessories.
All cushion and pillow products are manufactured to order in our Ft. Lauderdale factory. We work closely with the mills to insure best pricing and contemporary fabrics. Our commitment is to timely delivery, fashionable products and 100% customer satisfaction.
National Hardware Show
May 8 - 10 – Las Vegas
Casual Market
Sept 25 - 18. – Chicago
A Midwest native, Knapp was lured to Florida in 1980 for both the weather and the business opportunities. The climate was right and this instinctive entrepreneur started and grew several successful businesses. Then in 2000, Knapp found the ideal way to combine his background in drafting, engineering, machining and metal fabrication, with his interest in fishing and the outdoors, when he founded FiberBuilt Umbrellas.
Since day one, Knapp has personally built or overseen the development of every prototype of every umbrella style. He still supervises all research and development activities whether for a new shade product, furniture collection or piece of equipment for the ever growing factory. For example, after identifying a need in the marketplace, Knapp researched the wheeled bases that were available. He engineered a superior wheeled option for FiberBuilt's highly popular fiberglass bases.
Under Knapp's leadership, FiberBuilt negotiated the acquisition of two well-respected cushion and pillow factories. By bringing on skilled, experienced staffers to fill key positions in sales and production, Knapp was also able to aggressively expand the product lines for both FiberBuilt and Paradise Cushions.
"My chief objectives are to make sure that FiberBuilt & Paradise's products are the best in the industry, that they fill a need in the marketplace with regard to style, features and price points, and that we always improve our production methods. By maintaining our commitment to listen to designers, distributors and end-users and a focus industry trends, we will continue to pro-actively expand our offerings and widen the net to entice new and returning customers."
Born in the Dominican Republic, Felix was raised in Puerto Rico. His family then moved to New York City and he attended the distinguished American Institute of Banking where he specialized in the areas of letters of credit, correspondence and investigation. During his twenty year career at Bank of America, he focused on international money transfers, telecommunications, anti-money laundering examinations and bank reconcilement.
Upon moving to Florida, Felix worked at V Finance Investments as the firm's Margin Clerk for over a decade where he was responsible for wire transfers, credit and anti-money laundering issues. Six years ago, Felix transferred those strategic and highly detailed-oriented skills when he joined FiberBuilt as Chief Operating Officer. He is charged with overseeing and advancing the finance, sales and operations departments. This entails re-evaluating FiberBuilt's procedures, setting objectives, implementing plans and increasing efficiencies.
"Whether the enterprise is financial services or manufacturing, everything boils down to the success of your operations – the accuracy, speed, quality and productivity of your people and your systems. We are continually moving forward and growing the right way, keeping customer satisfaction in all market segments our top priority. The changes and improvements we've put in place so far, both those obvious to our clients as well as those behind the scenes, are only the beginning. This company has great potential and we're poised for significant growth in our second decade."
A graduate of Northwood University with a Bachelor's degree in Business and an MBA from South University, Beckner spent fifteen years as a highly respected national accounts manager in Ford's heavy trucks division before entering the hospitality industry. For the past twenty five years he has also been involved in law enforcement, first as an officer for the City of Miami and later as a reserve officer and Chaplain with the City of Sanford.
A founding partner of FiberBuilt Umbrellas, in his capacity as President of Sales, Beckner oversees hospitality, retail and online sales and development of new markets for the corporation's three brands: FiberBuilt Umbrellas and Cushions, Paradise Cushions and Guy Harvey Outdoors.
He is currently on the Board of Trustees for the AH&LA Educational Foundation, a member of the Allied Executive Committee of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and co-chair of the Supplier's Council of the American Resort Development Association.
"Our day to day objective is to continue to grow on a fast track. The economy is picking up and this is the perfect time to reinforce the breadth of FiberBuilt's offerings and increase retailers' awareness of the quality, price points, quick turnaround, and custom capabilities of Paradise Cushions."
Beginning as an International Sales Associate for a home furnishings firm specializing in American made products, Forseth's career has been devoted to the specialty retail and hospitality industry. Prior to joining FiberBuilt she was associated with a one of the country's foremost outdoor furniture companies where she was responsible for both retail and hospitality sales.
As National Sales Manager, Forseth's responsibilities include all aspects of contract sales, from interacting with FiberBuilt's network of independent representatives, designers, purchasing agents and property owners to structuring standards packages for hotel chains based on the requirements, design scheme and budget of each brand. In addition, she is involved in product development, oversees customer service to ensure timely and accurate processing of orders, and participates in designing the content and branding message of all collateral and marketing opportunities.
"What a joy it is to work in an industry that's always so dynamic, stylish and challenging, yet whose goal is to create the most relaxing, inspiring and enjoyable environments possible."
CUSHION & PILLOW WARRANTY
We warrant our Paradise Cushions products for a period of 90 days from the original date of purchase to the original owner. All Paradise products are designed for residential use. This limited warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials. We will repair or replace the defective product at factory discretion with the same or similar products (if original is discontinued) at no charge. All spun polyester and versions of such fabrics are under a prorated warranty by the fabric mill for a period of 90 days. All furniture grade acrylic fabrics have a prorated warranty of five (5) years by the manufacturer. This warranty protects the fabric from becoming un-serviceable due to loss of color or strength from normal exposure to weather elements of sunlight, mildew, rot and atmospheric chemicals. In the event your cushion, pillow or fabric fails, contact us to inspect the problem and submit a claim (consumer must retain receipt of purchase in order for warranty to be effective). All cushions and fabrics must be properly maintained and cleaned regularly for warranty to be applicable.
UMBRELLA WARRANTY
Paradise Cushions warranties our two piece fiberglass ribbed Garden, Patio, Terrace, Market and Beach Umbrellas, and all Wood Umbrellas, as well as all Tents and Bases for a period of one year from the date of purchase, to the original purchaser, against defects in materials and workmanship. Though our umbrellas have successfully passed wind tests over 50 miles per hour, Paradise Cushions does not recommend allowing umbrellas to remain open during storms or strong winds. Customer is responsible for taking the umbrella down when winds reach unsafe conditions. Normal care and maintenance of products is required to insure years of problem free use. For warranty to apply products must be properly cared for and maintained and all umbrellas must be secured in a properly weighted base. Modifications made to the product after production may void warranty. Damaged umbrellas should be immediately taken out of service. This warranty does not cover the umbrella pole, crank or tilt, normal fading of fabrics and finishes and chemical stains. Tilt is recommended for residential use only. Using a tilt in a commercial setting voids the warranty. This warranty does not cover any damage due to acts of God, abuse, misuse or vandalism incurred to the umbrella after purchase, nor does it cover customer’s own material. This warranty does not provide coverage or reimbursement for loss of use, time, inconvenience or other damages resulting from any defect in the product. To find out more about our warranty or to file a claim, please contact our customer service department at: 866-667-8668. No returns will be accepted without prior approval.
UMBRELLA FABRIC WARRANTY
Fabric options offered vary by product. Marine grade solution dyed acrylic fabrics are warranted against light fastness for a period of six (6) to ten (10) years depending on the fabric mill. Furniture grade solution dyed acrylic fabrics are warranted for a period of five (5) years. The fabrics are covered under a limited prorated warranty provided directly from the fabric mill. This warranty covers the fabric becoming un-serviceable because of loss of color or strength from normal exposure conditions including sunlight, mildew, rot and atmospheric chemicals. Warranty does not cover ripped, torn or frayed fabric or seams. It does not cover labor and installation supplied by Paradise Cushions or any other dealer. In the event that your fabric fails, please contact us to inspect fabric, submit a claim and secure replacement fabric. All fabric must be properly maintained and cleaned regularly for the warranty to be effective. Spun Acrylic, Vinyl Coated Weaves, Customer’s Own Materials, and select marine grade fabrics do not carry an additional warranty.
