Architectural Grilles & Sunshades, Inc.

What Architectural Grilles & Sunshades, Inc. does

Architectural Grilles & Sunshades, Inc. (AGS) is a privately held custom manufacturer of architectural aluminum products headquartered at 22442 S. Fey Drive, Frankfort, IL, founded in 2003. The company designs, engineers, fabricates, and ships exterior sunshades (horizontal and vertical/Brise Soleil), aluminum ornamental grilles, trellis systems, light shelves, perforated and waterjet panels, equipment screens, and storefront/curtainwall fabrication services for architects and glazing contractors nationwide. All fabrication, assembly, and quality control is performed in-house using aluminum extrusions, sheet aluminum, and specialized equipment such as the MAC 440 for extra-long profile cutting and drilling, with finishing capabilities spanning anodizing, AAMA 2604/2605 PVDF/Kynar, powder coat, and woodgrain powder coat.

AGS makes money primarily through one-time project-based sales of custom-engineered products, quoted to specification per project. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; projects range from small standard sunshades (Quick Ship Sunshades Program, 4-5 week lead time, pay-as-you-go) to large custom installations (e.g., 21-ft trellis projections, complex parking deck facades with multiple colors and tube sizes). The company distributes through a network of 15+ independent manufacturer sales representative agencies covering all US states plus Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, supported by direct inquiry via its website, AIA CES approved continuing education presentations, and industry trade shows such as Glass Expo Southeast.

Primary customer segments are architectural firms and glazing contractors specifying sunshades and screening for commercial, healthcare, educational, government, entertainment, parking, and luxury retail projects. Named projects include Intermountain Healthcare Transformation, Advocate Aurora Healthcare, Mercedes Benz House of Imports, 400 N. Aberdeen (Fulton Labs), Will County Courthouse, P-257 Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Buell Theater, NHL Seattle Ice Arena, Carmel Clay Public Library, and Purdue University, among others. The company is led by President John Trainor (founder), with VP of Sales Eric Niemeyer and National Sales Manager Nathan Seaman, and operates with 11-50 employees.

Name

Architectural Grilles & Sunshades, Inc.

Legal name

Architectural Grilles & Sunshades, Inc.

Website

http://agsshade.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Architectural Grilles & Sunshades (AGS) is a privately held custom manufacturer of aluminum sunshades, grilles, trellises, light shelves, and curtainwall fabrication serving architects and glazing contractors nationwide from its Frankfort, IL facility via a 15-plus-agency rep network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Aluminum Products

NAICS

Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing (332323), Blind and Shade Manufacturing (33792)

SIC

Metal Doors, Sash, Frames, Moldings & Trim (3442)

akta.pro primary industry

Louvers, Vents & Architectural Grilles (IMADAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Skylights, Roof Windows & Daylighting (IMADAFAL)

Keywords

• Architectural aluminum products
• Exterior sunshade systems
• Brise soleil manufacturing
• Architectural trellis systems
• Metal fabrication services

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfort

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Custom Architectural Sunshade Systems: Project-based revenue from custom design, manufacturing, and delivery of exterior sunshade and Brise Soleil systems. Projects range from standard sunshades to complex multi-faceted installations with custom engineering and attachment solutions.
2. Architectural Grilles and Ornamental Products: Aluminum ornamental grilles providing unique building accents, sold as custom-fabricated products for architectural applications.
3. Trellis Systems: Aluminum trellis systems for limiting heat gain and providing shade, including suspended, cantilevered, and freestanding configurations with various infill options.
4. Light Shelves: Architectural light shelves designed to help reduce the need for artificial lighting in buildings through daylight redirection.
5. Perforated and Custom Machined Panels: Custom perforated panels, waterjet panels, and custom machined panels for architectural screening, ventilation, and decorative applications.
6. Storefront and Curtainwall Fabrication: Fabrication services for all major manufacturer's storefront and curtainwall systems, including cutting, drilling, milling, notching, and assembly. Customers furnish fabrication drawings and materials.
7. Quick Ship Sunshades: Pre-engineered, in-stock sunshade components with 4-5 week lead time, available in mill finish or clear anodized with standard bracket options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Architectural Grilles & Sunshades, Inc. (AGS) is a custom manufacturer that designs, fabricates, and delivers aluminum exterior sunshades (horizontal and vertical Brise Soleil), ornamental grilles, trellises, light shelves, perforated and custom machined panels, equipment screens, and storefront/curtainwall fabrication services to architects and contractors nationwide. All products are engineered to specification with multiple finish options (anodized, PVDF/Kynar, powder coat, woodgrain, Geolam) and complemented by a Quick Ship pre-engineered sunshade program with 4–5 week lead times.

Product overview

Architectural Grilles & Sunshades, Inc. (AGS) is a custom manufacturer of architectural aluminum sun shading, daylighting, and screening products for architects and contractors. The product portfolio centers on sunshades (horizontal and vertical/Brise Soleil), ornamental grilles, trellises, light shelves, perforated panels, and custom fabricated aluminum components. AGS also offers storefront and curtainwall fabrication services. The company provides standard product lines like Quick Ship Sunshades (KILKENNY, HERCULES, WEXFORD series), the Stanley Series vertical sunshade line, and custom-designed solutions. Products are offered with various finish options including anodized, powder coat, PVDF/Kynar, and woodgrain powder coat. The company operates from Frankfort, IL with nationwide sales representation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stanley Series: Vertical sunshade and privacy screening product line consisting of twenty uniquely crafted products for specific design requirements.
• Quick Ship Sunshades Program

Products and services

• Sunshades / Brise Soleil Horizontal exterior sunshade systems designed to control sunlight, reduce heat gain, and provide glare reduction for buildings. Available in tubular, airfoil, and custom configurations, with finishes including anodized, PVDF/Kynar, powder coat, and woodgrain powder coat. Sold to architects and contractors for commercial and institutional building envelopes.
• Vertical Sunshades / Brise Soleil Vertically mounted sunshade systems including horizontally-oriented shades, vertical perforated panels, and vertical fins for sun control, privacy screening, and building aesthetic enhancement on facades. Sold to architects and contractors for new construction and renovation.
• Stanley Series Vertical Sunshades New vertically mounted sunshade and privacy screening product line consisting of twenty uniquely crafted products designed for sun shading, privacy screening, and building aesthetic enhancement, with various attachment methods for different building substrates including parking garages and sun-soaked regions.
• Aluminum Ornamental Grilles Aluminum ornamental grilles that provide unique architectural accents for building facades, custom-fabricated to architect specifications. Sold to architects and contractors for visual identity and decorative screening applications.
• Aluminum Trellis Systems Aluminum trellis systems for shade, heat gain limitation, and architectural enhancement, available in suspended, cantilevered, and freestanding configurations with engineered deep projection capability up to 21 ft and multiple infill options. Sold to architects and contractors for outdoor and entryway shading.
• Architectural Light Shelves Architectural light shelves designed to reduce the need for artificial lighting by reflecting natural daylight deeper into interior building spaces. Sold to architects and contractors for daylighting and energy-efficiency projects.
• Perforated Sunshades and Panels Sunshade systems and panels featuring perforated aluminum for sun control, ventilation, and decorative architectural applications. Supports sublimated screen patterns for branding and custom designs. Sold to architects and contractors for parking facilities, schools, and medical facilities.
• Custom Machined Panels Custom aluminum panels machined to architect specifications using waterjet and other cutting technologies for architectural screening, ventilation, and decorative applications. Sold to architects and contractors for unique facade designs.
• Equipment Screens Aluminum screening products designed to conceal rooftop and ground-level mechanical equipment while maintaining building aesthetics, custom-fabricated to architect specifications. Sold to architects and contractors for commercial and institutional buildings.
• Storefront and Curtainwall Fabrication Services Custom fabrication services for all major manufacturers' storefront and curtainwall systems, including cutting, drilling, milling, notching, and assembly. Customers furnish fabrication drawings and materials. Includes unitized curtainwall fabrication and glazing of curtainwall, unitized curtainwall, and carrier frames. Sold to glazing contractors and fabricators.
• Quick Ship Sunshades Program Fast-turnaround pre-engineered sunshade program offering standard components — Kilkenny, Hercules, and Wexford series — with 4-5 week lead times in mill finish or clear anodized with standard bracket options. Maximum 60" span, engineering calculations included. Sold to architects and contractors needing faster turnaround on standard products.

Quantifiable outcome

• Finish warranties ranging from 5 to 20 years depending on coating type
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Spohn AssociatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArchitectural installation company and manufacturer's rep agency covering Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Founded in 1976 by Jack Spohn, now led by Eric Spohn. Brings architectural design communities and building contractors together with AGS products. Multiple office locations in Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Louisville. Collaborated on projects including Carmel Clay Library and Fairfield Inn Bardstown.
• Texas Glazing Solutions, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent manufacturer's rep group representing AGS in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Operated by Dustin and Lindsay Price. Focus on glaziers of all sizes from smaller standard projects to larger unique jobs.
• WCJ SalescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer's sales representative covering the Carolinas and Virginia markets. Contact: James Scott and Randall Stevens.
• M.B. & AssociatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer's rep agency covering Michigan. Led by Margaret Brune with 42 years of construction industry experience. Partnered on Byron Center Intermediate School project.
• JHC Sales Corp.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer's representative covering areas north of Highway 84 plus Newburgh. Contact: Jim Crane.
• Vemco Architectural SolutionsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative covering North Dakota and Montana. Contact: Cheryl Albrecht.
• Slayton EnterprisesregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer's rep covering Upper State South Carolina. Contact: Bernie Slayton.
• RE Brown AssociatesregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative covering Florida. Contact: Mike Brown.
• Add Associates, Inc.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative covering New York. Contact: Allen Davidson.
• KTurner Building ProductsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative covering Utah (rest of state). Contact: Kevin Turner.
• MGR GroupregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative covering Georgia. Contact: [email protected].
• Apollo ArchitecturalregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales representative covering Northern California and Nevada (Reno). Contacts: Mike Vizcarra, Matthew Vizcarra, Nathan Vizcarra.
• Mid States Glass and MetalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGlazing contractor for 400 N. Aberdeen Fulton Labs project. Installed AGS aluminum tubes framing parking deck facade with curved slab structure.
• SmithGroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural firm for Advocate Aurora Healthcare Parking Facility project. Designed the wave effect vertical fins with 50 color spectrum variations.
• ESG Architecture & DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitectural firm for 400 N. Aberdeen project in Chicago's West Side. Designed Art Deco inspired structure with AGS screening.
• Wright & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign firm for Will County Courthouse oversized tapered vertical fins project.
• SPARC+ Architecture StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitect for Mercedes Benz House of Imports project. AGS collaborated from conceptual stage through budget and field installation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Construction Specialties: Construction Specialties is a major North American manufacturer of architectural specialty products including sunshades, louvers, grilles, and sun controls. It is the most direct competitor to AGS, with broader product breadth and a larger installed base across the same architect/contractor channel.
• Mapes Architectural: Mapes Industries produces architectural louvers, sunshades, and grilles in aluminum, serving similar building envelope and aesthetic screening applications as AGS. Comparable custom and pre-engineered offering across the same end-market segments.
• Cardinal Architectural Products: Cardinal Architectural Products manufactures architectural louvers, sunshades, and grilles for commercial construction. It competes directly with AGS in custom and standard sunshade specifications.
• Industrial Louvers Inc. Industrial Louvers is a manufacturer of architectural and industrial louvers, sunshades, and ventilation products. Comparable product set and customer base to AGS, with deeper industrial ventilation exposure.
• AeroPro Louvers: AeroPro manufactures architectural louvers, sunshades, and grilles for commercial and institutional buildings. Similar custom-fabrication business model and architect/specifier channel to AGS.

Broad incumbents

• Tubelite Inc. Tubelite is an established aluminum storefront, curtainwall, and entrance systems manufacturer. While not a direct sunshade specialist, it competes with AGS's fabrication-for-glazing offering and serves the same glazing contractor base.
• Kawneer (Arconic): Kawneer is one of the largest North American aluminum architectural systems manufacturers, including curtainwall, storefront, and integrated sunshade systems. AGS fabricates for Kawneer systems and is named in customer testimonials, making it both a supplier and indirect competitor.
• YKK AP America: YKK AP is a major aluminum architectural products manufacturer offering entrance systems, storefront, and curtainwall with growing sunshade attachments. A broader portfolio incumbent operating in the same architect-specification channel.

Emerging players

• Nystrom (CS Group): Nystrom, part of Construction Specialties, offers architectural building products including sun controls and louvers. Comparable solar heat gain solutions but narrower sunshade product depth than AGS.
• Renson (US operations): Renson is an international manufacturer of architectural sunshades, Brise Soleil, and ventilation products. Comparable product focus on exterior solar shading with growing US presence, competing against AGS in higher-end commercial projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/architectural-grilles-and-sunshades-468b37131

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Architectural Grilles & Sunshades, Inc.