We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leslie Chapus. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leslie below.

Leslie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?

I think Covid-19 has impacted all the businesses in different ways. We are in the construction industry and we know that this is one of the sector that has been very impacted in different aspects, in positive and negative ways.

One of the effects of every crisis are impact on costs, supplies availabilities, economies, travels, finances, social climate and of course health as the most important one.
Companies like us has to get adapted to supply chains shortage, shipping issues, lack of human resource and we have been very happy to be in a State like Florida where restrictions have been much more flexible than other states. We had to adapt ourself to substitute materials, try new vendors, change some of our references, anticipate bigger lead times, increase inventory in case things could get worse. Our team expertise in the industry allowed us to bring quick solutions and avoid too big impacts on our customers.

In addition to that, we have changed and adapted our means of communication. Tools like Zoom has taken a big space in my way to communicate with our dealer network, doing trainings via webinars , working on virtual shows and not in person anymore.

Leslie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Azenco designs and manufactures an award-winning range of innovative pergolas, cabanas, car ports and swimming pool enclosures that elegantly compliment any architectural style and optimize every residential or commercial outdoor space. Combining functional durability, precision manufacturing and innovative features imparts an elegance to each Azenco product. Made in America with European design, Azenco products are manufactured in Miami, Florida for distribution within the US, while the company’s six facilities throughout France supply European markets. Whether customers choose from its line of innovative designs or require a custom-crafted solution, Azenco’s localized manufacturing enables it to streamline fabrication, delivery and installation timelines. For more information on Azenco and how its range of offerings can transform any outdoor living space,
I have personally joined the team in Europe, at Azenco Group, in 2014, and worked on the global expansion of the company.
We decided with Charles to found Azenco Outdoor in the US in 2017 to then dedicate 100% of our time to the company in 2019 when we have opened the first factory in the US.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My business partner is also my partner in life. I have been in the Pool and Outdoor Industry since I am 17 years olden parallel with my time at College , I have opened my first company coordinating events and working on shows like the international pool and spa show in Europe, helping companies to grow their business internationally during the show. in 2017, during the Pool Spa Expo in Las Vegas, I had invited several of my customers to visit us on the show and Charles was one of them. We met for the first time in that show and share the same life almost since then.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

We manufacture and design all the products we sell. this is part of Azenco’s DNA. Charles design all the products we manufacture and for all his businesses since 1996. I am a passionated of design, machinery, materials etc…even if my main role is to manage the company and all the marketing and business development aspect I think it is crucial to understand both side of it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://azenco-outdoor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azenco.outdoor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/azenco-international/