FTI’s Closure No Sudden Downfall Wheeler
Clears the Air in an Exclusive Interview

The closing of Film Technologies International Inc. (FTI) in St. Petersburg, Fla., has left a number of questions it its wake. SUN-GARD had been a prominent brand in the window film industry for literally decades. Company officials had confirmed that Wednesday, January 26, was the manufacturer’s last day of operations after more than 30 years.

In an exclusive interview with WINDOW FILM magazine, FTI’s chief executive officer, Don Wheeler, said that the company’s closure was, in fact, due to a long decline. Wheeler assures that he and his employees did everything possible to prevent a closure, including a potential buyout.

The following is an excerpt from Wheeler’s interview:

WF: What would you say, if you’re able to say, made the closure happen so abruptly? Was it just a matter of trying every avenue and, when the final avenue didn’t happen, it was just time and you had to pull the plug?

Wheeler: That’s a fair characterization.

WF: We appreciate your openness. I’m sure there is a lot for others to learn from this unfortunate situation and set of circumstances.

Wheeler: I like to think that we did all that we could do.

This has not been a fun year. I was retired and came back to attempt to salvage the company, and so forth, and everybody here put forth a tremendous amount of effort in the year that I’ve been back and made a lot of sacrifices, and actually accomplished a lot, but the company, in the end—now looking in hindsight—was too steep in a decline …

WF: An unfortunate situation such as this will often offer up a sort of “moral” or anecdote. This is certainly no time for ‘What I would have done differently?’ but would you be willing to share some of the factors leading to FTI’s closure for the benefit of the industry?

Wheeler: There were several factors, in combination, that impacted the company … but one is, not necessarily in order of importance—I do believe the industry is under increasing global pressure; pressure that is squeezing the profit margins of all manufacturers. Others may disagree with that, but I think that is a trend that has been going on for a number of years …