Sunguard Shade Structures, Inc. in Sarasota, Fla., is on the leading edge of research and development for heat reduction concepts that protect people and property from the sun’s damaging rays. The company manufactures shade structures that block 93 percent of UV rays, decrease the understructure temperature by 20 degrees, and still allow air circulation. Such desirable properties have made Sunguard’s products popular with a wide range of customers, from day-care centers to the U.S. military.
Recently, Sunguard was developing a new cantilever shading system, called "ShadoWing" for use at automobile dealerships, office building and mall parking lots, and around swimming pools. Connelly believes the ShadoWing shades will be in great demand by auto dealerships in the Sunshine State. "In the summer, there is a period of time in Florida from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. where people don’t want to be outside, much less shopping for a car that’s been baking in a hot parking lot," Connelly said. "ShadoWing will allow auto dealers to extend selling hours because it can lower the internal temperature of a car by 80 degrees."

The company faced a challenge, however, finding an attractive and functional mechanism to lock the cover fabric into place on the metal structure. "Conventional methods of attaching the fabric weren’t working," said Kevin Connelly, Sunguard president. "We had gaps along the perimeter, which is not attractive, and we had to be sure that the fabric attachment could resist 150 mph winds, which is a new state of Florida code requirement. We had hit a major roadblock."
Fortunately for Connelly, he was introduced to the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) by the Sarasota County Committee for Economic Development. Sunguard also is a member of the Sarasota/Manatee Manufacturers Association, which received a briefing about SATOP. In addition, Connelly had spoken to Ed VerVane, owner of South Sun Energy Conservations, who used SATOP to confirm that his Winsulator internal storm windows would be an effective energy conservation measure in Florida. "All signs were pointing to asking SATOP for help," said Connelly.

SATOP put Connelly in touch Richard Wood, P.E., Senior Vice President at AJT & Associates, an Alliance Partner headquartered in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Within a few weeks, Wood presented Sunguard with a solution inspired by his interest in sailing.
The concept consisted of incorporating a rope into the side edges of the awning and a corresponding receiving slot for the awning structure. The fabric cover could then be inserted in to the receiving slot on the structure, "much like a sail is hauled up a mast on a sailboat," explained Wood. "The trick was to transform this solution into a design modification, which could be incorporated into the current design without compromising the integrity of the structure," Wood continued. "It also had to be easy and inexpensive to make – luckily, the best design is usually the simplest." Connelly described Wood’s solution as ideal. "Richard’s design did away with any unsightly fasteners, eliminated all gaps, provided for a seamless fit, and made the shade easier to install," Connelly said. "There is really nothing like it on the market."

The fact that the new design can withstand 150 mph winds, as required by the state in certain locations, is perhaps the most exciting aspect of Wood’s solution. "Sunguard now has a jump on the competition by being able to offer a structure that complies with the new Florida statutes on windloading," Wood said. ShadoWing now is in production and Sunguard is actively marketing it, as well as trying to obtain a patent on the design. Connelly credits Wood and SATOP with saving the ShadoWing product line and predicts that ShadoWing could double sales for 2003.
"We had hit a wall with ShadoWing until we turned to SATOP," he said. "I think SATOP is an amazing tool for any business with a technical challenge. What could be better than having a rocket scientist work for you for free?"