Manufacturing is Our Advantage

In 1990, Michael Porter (world famous Havard Business School professor on strategy) published a theory called Competitive Advantage. Porter said that a company creates a competitive advantage when it develops goods or services that allow it to provide an advantage of differentiation over its competitors, ultimately creating higher levels of value to the consumer. Smart guy, but a little long winded. Here it is in a nutshell: When a company can do something of value for its customers that its competitors can't, that company has an advantage.

O'Neil Tents is a study in competitive advantage for one simple reason: Manufacturing. O'Neil Tents & Party Supplies has manufactured our own tent tops, side wall and other custom pieces for over 50 years. Our 2,500+ square foot on site manufacturing facility is complete with welding and sewing machines - this means production is handled in house with short turn around times. All of our space, capability and experience would be meaningless though if we couldn't translate them into benefits for our customers.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is an important fundraising event held annually to promote breast cancer awareness and research. Thousands of people participate in the race each year in Columbus, all wearing pink ribbons and shirts as pink is the awareness color for people suffering from breast cancer. Before the event in 2004, we were approached by the Race for the Cure staff on the possibility of having pink tent tops at water and first aid stations to reinforce the theme of awareness. Because of our manufacturing capabilities, pink tents weren't an issue. It's small details like the tent tops that help make events unique.

Our manufacturing was also put to the test this year by the Wendy's Chili Open, an event held at the Columbus Zoo supporting Central Ohio charities. We custom-made a clearspan structure to create an unobstructed seating area that connected local restaurant vendor space to the performance stage. We covered an area that could be comforably heated where guests could enjoy the delicious food and listen to live music. Was it a challenge? You bet. Was it worth it? Absolutely! To see how the tents came together check out this video on youtube.

Manufacturing at O'Neil supports everyday applications as well. Many bars and restaurants have begun using enclosed awning spaces for their patrons to use. We help those establishments meet local code by supplying tear away emergency exits for the enclosures. This creative solution keeps the area walled in for heating but allows quick exit in case of emergency.

Whether its an item for everyday use, or adding elements that will help to make your event special, O'Neil Tents & Party Supplies has the expertise to manufacture exactly what you need. We like to think that the only limit of what we can do is your imagination.