Sun Control

Why is Ricky Richards Australia's largest and most preferred fabric supplier?
We are very fortunate to have long-standing partnerships with our suppliers.
In our Sun Control division, we are very fortunate to have long-standing partnerships with our suppliers. Our brands, Outlook, Docril and Barrington, are extremely well-known throughout the sun control fabric industry and the reason behind this is because collectively, these brands have been sold with confidence in Australia by Ricky for over 30 years.

From fabrics used for blinds and awnings to outdoor upholstery fabric and window textiles, we have a large variety of colours and designs suitable for everyone. Including a selection of colours inspired by Colorbond®.

As it is important for us to give back to the community we support and donate money to many Not for Profit organisations. When choosing a Ricky sun control fabric, a percentage of sales is donated to Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) to fund a research fellow as well as being the principal partner for the national event, Melanoma March.

If you are unsure of the best type of sun control fabric for your project, feel free to contact our team of experts. They will be happy to assist you in selecting the most appropriate Ricky fabric for the job at hand.

Browse our range

Blinds &
Awnings

We have blind and awning fabrics that are designed to aid in the reduction of energy costs by lowering the temperature inside. Our awning and blind fabrics are fade resistant, offer sun protection, and can be used in both commercial and residential settings.

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Outdoor Upholstery

Our collection of outdoor upholstery fabric offers a diverse array of colours, textures, and patterns. Suitable for versatile environments, our fabrics are water, mildew and rot resistant, making them perfect for outdoor furniture upholstery.

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Outdoor Curtains

Create outdoor ambiance with Albis, the superior material for outdoor curtains, UV treated, water, mildew and rot resistant.

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Window Textile

Our self-adhesive window film textile, SQUID is transparent from the inside and obscured from the outside. With its printable functionality, this window textile will help create the most innovative window and glass decorations of any shape.

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Darren Best

National Sales Manager

Head Office, Victoria, Tasmania

Phone: 0488 179 772

Email: darrenb@rickyrichards.com.au

Paul Volona

Senior Business Development Manager NSW

New South Wales

Phone: 02 9735 3333

Email: paulv@rickyrichards.com.au

Mike Taylor

Scott Free (Aust)

Phone: 07 5679 1920

Email: mike@scottfreeaust.com.au

Darren Best

National Sales Manager

Darren Best

National Sales Manager

Darren brings 30 years of customer-focused furnishing experience to the team. He’s focused on external furnishing products. Loves hearing the relief in a customer’s voice, when they realise that even though they don’t know where to start, he already has the solution.

1- What year did you start at Ricky Richards?

Jan 2017

2- In words that potential customers, who know nothing about Ricky will understand, what is your role?

To offer a Textile Solution and make dealing with Ricky’s a great experience.

3- What are your professional strengths in this role?

Coming up with a solution to a customer’s problem, sometimes things are not perfect, but I always say to my team, let’s find a solution to offer.

4- Looking back on the year 2020, how has your role changed and how have you adapted to the ‘new normal’?

One of the noticeable changes has been technology, probably fast forwarded everyone, Zoom Meetings are the normal, especially in Melbourne, work from home flexibility has increased which saves time in traffic and more family time.

5- What was one job that you did well in the last 12 months that you know made a big difference to your customer or your team?

Keeping everyone positive and having fun in uncertain times.

6- If you could be a superhero for a day, who would you be?

7- Favourite sports team?

Carlton Football Club

8- What is one thing on your ‘bucket list’?

Re-visit New York, went in 2019 and just touched the surface, magic city.

Paul Volona

Senior Business Development Manager NSW

Paul Volona

Senior Business Development Manager NSW

1- What year did you start at Ricky Richards?

July 2016

2- In words that potential customers, who know nothing about Ricky will understand, what is your role?

My role with Ricky Richards is a Business Development Manager for NSW and ACT. I am dedicated to help my customers, whether they are directly purchasing from Ricky Richards or indirectly through wholesalers. To provide honest advice, information and the tools to help them achieve their goals and importantly service that is second to none. Offer training and knowledge in the Window Furnishings Industry.

3- What are your professional strengths in this role?

My strengths with this role is that I have had over 15 years’ experience in the Industry. I can listen carefully to my customers’ needs and try to deliver these needs or find solutions to any problems they may have. I believe I have very strong relationships and a varied customer network which I can point any new potential customers in the right direction.

4- Looking back on the year 2020, how has your role changed and how have you adapted to the ‘new normal’?

The role in essence has not really changed…in the sense that it is still very much service orientated. That means, if we cannot meet face to face, we can always talk on the phone or via video conferencing. I believe we live in a very lucky country and ‘things’ could be always worse!

5- What was one job that you did well in the last 12 months that you know made a big difference to your customer or your team?

I can honestly say by helping my customers prepare and forward plan or forecast (stock ordering) for the ‘unusual’ busier period we have been experiencing over the last 12 months.

6- If you could be a superhero for a day, who would you be?

I’m a HUGE Marvel fan, so anyone of those heroes would suit me just fine

7- Favourite sports team?

Not really into physical sports, but I do like any type of car racing

8- What is one thing on your ‘bucket list’?

Would love to travel all over Canada

Georgia Digby

Business Development Manager, Textiles

Georgia Digby

Business Development Manager, Textiles

1- What year did you start at Ricky Richards?

2022

2- In words that potential customers, who know nothing about Ricky will understand, what is your role?

I introduce our wonderful outdoor quality textiles to suit customers fabric needs

3- What are your professional strengths in this role?

My textile & product development background helps me understand customer manufacturing & their requirements. Keeping my glass half full.

4- Looking back on the year 2020, how has your role changed and how have you adapted to the ‘new normal’?

I am grateful to be working with a wonderful supportive team at Rickys & take each day as it comes by living in the moment. Health & nutrition is a priority for longevity and remember to Breathe.

5- What was one job that you did well in the last 12 months that you know made a big difference to your customer or your team?

I am new to the team however I see good things coming.

6- If you could be a superhero for a day, who would you be?

Xena- Demi Goddess Warrior Princess.

7- Favourite sports team?

I don’t follow sports sorry

8- What is one thing on your ‘bucket list’?

To live on a greek island village overlooking the sea in a white villa.

Mike Taylor

Scott Free (Aust)

Mike Taylor

Scott Free (Aust)

Scott Free has been working with Ricky Richards since 2019. Adam and Mike look after clients in Queensland and Northern NSW and stock our Sun Control range in their Gold Coast warehouse allowing for faster delivery of orders to those customers higher up the east coast. Scott Free and its staff have a long history in Textiles and Systems and they are an incredible extension of team Ricky.

Adam Back

Scott Free (Aust)

Adam Back

Scott Free (Aust)

Scott Free has been working with Ricky Richards since 2019. Adam and Mike look after clients in Queensland and Northern NSW and stock our Sun Control range in their Gold Coast warehouse allowing for faster delivery of orders to those customers higher up the east coast. Scott Free and its staff have a long history in Textiles and Systems and they are an incredible extension of team Ricky.

Leisa Manning

State Manager Textiles

Victoria

Phone: 0411 479 491

Email: leisam@rickyrichards.com.au

Tim Way

Waypoint Distribution NT

Phone: 08 8357 6744

Email: tim@waypointdistribution.com.au

Phillipa Jackson

Waypoint Distribution SA

Phone: 08 8357 6744

Email: phillipa@waypointdistribution.com.au

Leisa Manning

State Manager Textiles VIC

Leisa Manning

State Manager Textiles VIC

1- What year did you start at Ricky Richards?

2021 Before that 2000 - 2016

2- In words that potential customers, who know nothing about Ricky will understand, what is your role?

My role is to inform, educate, and service the customers of Victoria and Tasmania in everything Ricky Richards has to offer from Sun Control to Technical Textiles.

3- What are your professional strengths in this role?

I believe my diverse knowledge and experience managing many various varieties of textiles would be a key advantage in my role. I have been in the industry for almost 20 years and have developed great relationships and friendships within the industry that I truly value.

4- Looking back on the year 2020, how has your role changed and how have you adapted to the ‘new normal’?

I believe the biggest change that we have all had to go through is adapting to the way we engage with each other and how we develop relationships both business and personal. The reliance on technology such as Zoom has taken some time to adapt to but now offers a new communication approach. Phone communication replaced the face-to-face meeting approach in the short-term during 2021 and remains an essential communication tool when assisting our clients.

5- What was one job that you did well in the last 12 months that you know made a big difference to your customer or your team?

Adapting to not being able to have face-to-face interaction. Regular client and staff Zoom meetings where we could at least see each was a strong focus for myself. For someone who craves social connection, I found other ways to engage with my team and customers that I felt not only allowed me to do my job more efficiently and effectively but was also a benefit to my team and customers. This immediate connection helped keep us in touch with each other on a regular basis during lockdown.

6- If you could be a superhero for a day, who would you be?

7- Favourite sports team?

I don’t really have a favourite sport team (don’t tell my husband that the Bulldogs ie. NRL Bulldogs aren’t my favourite) I do love sport in general though. I enjoy any sport that is exciting, inspiring or competitive. LOVED the Olympics during 2021, wish it was on every year. I have played soccer most of my life. If I had to pick a code, it would be soccer.

8- What is one thing on your ‘bucket list’?

It has probably changed since the challenges of COVID-19, and for this reason I would say that all I want now is to have a life with my family that is filled with health, happiness, and FREEDOM. Sounds so cliché I know, but something I truly value more than any exotic holiday or adventurous journey. When you experience the recent global and health challenges, it’s the simple things in life that become more important to you. Well, they do to me.

Tim Way

Waypoint Distribution NT

Tim Way

Waypoint Distribution NT

In 2021, Ricky Richards and Waypoint Distribution have been working together for 11 years. As Ricky agents, the Waypoint team deliver our premium sun control fabrics across SA, WA and NT as well as keeping stock of our textiles to ensure a quicker delivery time for those customers further away from our Sydney head office. They are an incredible extension of team Ricky. As a company Waypoint Distribution are proud to distribute world class window furnishing products including fabrics for internal and external blinds, hardware and plantation shutters. Waypoint started in South Australia in 1998 and quickly grew to become market leaders in both SA and NT, so it was only natural to expand into the Western Australia market in 2016.

Michael Warchol

Waypoint Distribution WA

Michael Warchol

Waypoint Distribution WA

In 2021, Ricky Richards and Waypoint Distribution have been working together for 11 years. As Ricky agents, the Waypoint team deliver our premium sun control fabrics across SA, WA and NT as well as keeping stock of our textiles to ensure a quicker delivery time for those customers further away from our Sydney head office. They are an incredible extension of team Ricky. As a company Waypoint Distribution are proud to distribute world class window furnishing products including fabrics for internal and external blinds, hardware and plantation shutters. Waypoint started in South Australia in 1998 and quickly grew to become market leaders in both SA and NT, so it was only natural to expand into the Western Australia market in 2016.

Michael Grundy

Waypoint Distribution SA

Michael Grundy

Waypoint Distribution SA

In 2021, Ricky Richards and Waypoint Distribution have been working together for 11 years. As Ricky agents, the Waypoint team deliver our premium sun control fabrics across SA, WA and NT as well as keeping stock of our textiles to ensure a quicker delivery time for those customers further away from our Sydney head office. They are an incredible extension of team Ricky. As a company Waypoint Distribution are proud to distribute world class window furnishing products including fabrics for internal and external blinds, hardware and plantation shutters. Waypoint started in South Australia in 1998 and quickly grew to become market leaders in both SA and NT, so it was only natural to expand into the Western Australia market in 2016.

Phillipa Jackson

Waypoint Distribution SA

Phillipa Jackson

Waypoint Distribution SA

In 2021, Ricky Richards and Waypoint Distribution have been working together for 11 years. As Ricky agents, the Waypoint team deliver our premium sun control fabrics across SA, WA and NT as well as keeping stock of our textiles to ensure a quicker delivery time for those customers further away from our Sydney head office. They are an incredible extension of team Ricky. As a company Waypoint Distribution are proud to distribute world class window furnishing products including fabrics for internal and external blinds, hardware and plantation shutters. Waypoint started in South Australia in 1998 and quickly grew to become market leaders in both SA and NT, so it was only natural to expand into the Western Australia market in 2016.

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Fabric Explorer

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Contact the Ricky team today on 02 9735 3333 or online at sales@rickyrichards.com.au