Core values
The guiding principles that help us determine if we are correctly setting and reaching goals with respect to our products, staff, customers and suppliers.
Core values →Company
Independently owned since 1905.
Illinois Window Shade Company designs and manufactures custom solar control solutions including PowerMove® motorized shade systems, SmoothMove® manual shade systems and SmartMove® controls. Our factory is located in Elmhurst, IL by Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
121
Years manufacturing
150,000+
Projects delivered
50
States covered
Nationwide dealer network
Fig. 01Mission
Our mission
To provide custom solutions for solar control challenges through a simple, efficient customer service process.
What that means in practice
- A quote back to you within 24 hours.
- A standard lead time of 10–15 business days after receipt of order.
- Every shade posted on a test rack before it ships.
- A limited lifetime warranty behind all of it.
Fig. 02History
121 Years. Three Locations. Generations of Manufacturing.
1905
Illinois Window Shade Company first opened its doors in January 1905 on the south side of Chicago, building simple mechanical roller shades largely by hand.
1946
Following World War II, IWS relocated to Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, supplying window shades for the new construction rising along Lake Shore Drive. It would remain home for the next 75 years.
1974
The business was purchased from longtime owner Philip Weinstein, beginning the ownership lineage that continues with IWS today.
1975–2000
From its North Broadway facility in Edgewater, IWS built out its manufacturing capabilities and moved beyond residential shades into the commercial market.
2000s
A new generation of the family entered the business, shifting focus toward architectural and commercial solar control — the groundwork for today's product platform.
2010
Full CNC fabric cutting was introduced, taking the factory from hand-measured cuts to digitally controlled, machine-repeatable fabrication.
2015
William P. Lichtfuss acquired Illinois Window Shade Company, beginning the company's current era: preserving a century of manufacturing knowledge while modernizing around engineering, technology, quality and safety.
2017
IWS formalized PowerMove® (motorized shades), SmoothMove® (manual shades) and SmartMove® (controls) — along with its philosophy of being Architecturally Designed with Architects In Mind®.
2017–2020
IWS expanded into motorization, automation, solar fabrics, large-format shades and blackout systems — working directly with architects and contractors to solve solar heat, glare and daylight challenges before products reached the jobsite.
2021
After roughly 75 years in Edgewater, IWS moved its manufacturing operation to Elmhurst, Illinois — near O'Hare and positioned to support a growing nationwide dealer network.
2021
IWS was named to the Inc. 5000, ranking No. 2,707 among America's fastest-growing private companies.
2020s
The Elmhurst factory runs on advanced CNC fabric cutting, Lean Manufacturing principles and documented quality control, with every shade posted on a test rack before it ships. Capabilities now reach shades up to 300" wide and 600" high, with cutting capacity for more than 1,000 shades per day.
2024–2025
IWS expanded its engineering and integration capabilities for sophisticated commercial control environments, including third-party building-control platforms and Lutron® systems.
2026
IWS expanded the PowerMove® platform with Somfy-powered motorization, including the PowerMove® PM8 DC and PM9 AC Motorized Drapery Tracks — IWS Powered by Somfy.
Fig. 03The owner
Born into the business.
Bill Lichtfuss on custom work, on relationships, and on why a $50 panel shade gets the same attention as a $10,000 one.
Manufacturing methods
Proven manufacturing processes that ensure we produce top-quality products with on-time delivery — including shades up to 300" wide and 600" high.
Manufacturing methods →Come see the factory.
Our showroom in Elmhurst is available by appointment. Call 773-743-6025 or send us a note.