United Shade
United Shade, an Airxcel subsidiary based in Elkhart, Indiana, manufactures and distributes window shades and replacement parts for the RV, manufactured housing, and marine industries, serving OEMs and aftermarket dealers such as Camping World.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersElkhart, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
United Shade firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- United Shade
- Legal name
- United Shade
- Website
- https://unitedshade.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- United Shade, an Airxcel subsidiary based in Elkhart, Indiana, manufactures and distributes window shades and replacement parts for the RV, manufactured housing, and marine industries, serving OEMs and aftermarket dealers such as Camping World.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
United Shade industry classification
Industry- Product category
- RV Window Coverings
- NAICS
- Blind and Shade Manufacturing (337920), Curtain and Linen Mills (31412), Window Treatment Retailers (449122)
- SIC
- Motor Homes (3716), Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Window Treatments & Shading Systems (Blinds, Shades, Awnings) (IMADAIAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Window Coverings Manufacturing (Curtains/Drapes/Sheers/Valances) (IMAOAKAC)
Keywords
Where United Shade is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Elkhart
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
United Shade business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- OEM Shade Manufacturing: United Shade manufactures custom window shades and coverings for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the RV, manufactured housing, and marine industries. Products include pleated shades, wood blinds, roller shades, and skylight shades designed for OEM integration during vehicle manufacturing.
- Aftermarket Retail Distribution: Distribution of replacement shades and window coverings through RV dealer networks and specialty retailers including Camping World, Blinds Galore, and Blind Chalet. Dealers purchase products wholesale and resell to end consumers.
- Direct Consumer Parts Sales: E-commerce sales of replacement parts (cords, brackets, motors, knobs, springs) and accessories (First Aid Kits, Class B Cockpit Shades) directly to RV owners through the company website.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Class B Cockpit Shade - Chassis-specific custom-fit shades |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | First Aid Kits - Pleated shade repair kits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Roller Shade Components - Motors, brackets, springs, and hardware |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pleated Shade Parts - Cords, knobs, rivets, and hardware |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Custom Wood Blinds - OEM only |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
United Shade product offering
Product offeringCore offering
United Shade designs, manufactures, and distributes window coverings — including pleated shades, wood/faux wood blinds, skylight shades, and roller shades — specifically engineered for the demanding environmental conditions of recreational vehicles, manufactured housing, and marine applications. The company serves RV OEMs through direct manufacturing sales, distributes aftermarket products through RV dealer networks and specialty retailers, and sells replacement parts and specialty products (Class B Cockpit Shades, First Aid Kits) directly to consumers via its e-commerce website.
Product overview
United Shade is a manufacturer and distributor of window covering products for the RV, manufactured housing, and marine industries. The product portfolio centers on pleated shades (offered in Day, Day/Night, and Night options), wood/faux wood blinds, skylight shades, and specialized Class B cockpit shades. The company also distributes MCD Roller Shades. Supporting the core products is a comprehensive range of replacement parts including cords, brackets, motors, springs, and hardware, plus shade repair kits (First Aid Products). Products are engineered for demanding RV environments with features like constant tension systems, UV-reflective materials, and durable construction to withstand vibration, extreme temperatures, and humidity. United Shade operates from a 70,000 square foot production facility in Elkhart, Indiana—the RV capital of America—with over 20 years of industry experience and more than 30 years of manufacturing expertise.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pleated Shades for RVs Pleated window shades for recreational vehicles offered in Day, Day/Night, and Night fabric options with various transparency levels and color choices including Alabaster, Buff, Opal, Silver, White, Acorn, Ash Gray, Black, Cappuccino, Snow, Suede, Cotton, and Dark Taupe. Engineered for RV travel conditions including vibration, temperature extremes, and humidity.
- Wood Blinds Real wood or faux wood window blinds for RVs with two-inch slats, available in Cord-Lock and E-Z Lift styles, featuring constant tension to reduce rattling during travel. Available in painted or stained finishes.
- RV Skylight Shades Three-rail tension-style pleated shades specifically designed for RV skylights and vents, offered in Day, Day/Night, and Night style options with various fabric types including Deco, Stitchbond, and Laminated Blackout.
- Class B Cockpit Shade Custom-fit fold-and-stow cockpit shade system for Class B RVs, covering windshield, driver-side windows, and passenger door windows. Designed for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2019-current VS30), Ford Transit (2015-current), and Dodge Ram ProMaster (2014-current). Features reflective backing for UV protection and passive climate control. Priced $171.00 – $196.00 depending on chassis.
- Replacement Parts for RV Shades Comprehensive range of replacement components for RV shades including Pleated Shade Parts (cords, knobs, brackets, end caps, springs, rivets, retainers, bushings, screws, sleeves, grommets) and Roller Shade Parts (end brackets, mounting clips, springs, motors, pull cords, control modules). Sold to RV owners and dealers.
- First Aid Kits (Pleated Shade Restring Kit) Shade repair kit for extending the life of pleated shades, including hardware and instructions for restringing two-cord and four-cord day/night shades and two-cord night shades. Compatible with aluminum-railed shades. Priced at $22.25 per kit.
- Black Pearl Motor for MCD Roller Shade 12V motorized motor compatible with MCD roller shades. Allows conversion of manual roller shades to motorized operation. Priced at $182.00.
- Dual Shade Control Module Adapter module enabling integration of motorized shades into older Thor model RV control systems. Priced at $87.00 per control module.
Quantifiable outcome
- Blackout Liner blocks 90% of sunlight
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use United Shade
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
United Shade technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
United Shade partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
United Shade competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hunter Douglas: Hunter Douglas is the largest residential window-covering manufacturer globally. While not RV-focused, their scale and product breadth position them as a credible adjacency threat if they expand into specialty verticals.
- Dometic: Dometic is the largest diversified RV appliance and accessory manufacturer globally, producing windows, interior climate solutions, and shade systems. Direct overlap in OEM RV window treatments at scale.
- Lippert Components: Lippert is one of the largest RV parts manufacturers in North America, supplying thousands of SKUs to OEMs across windows, doors, furniture, and chassis. They compete directly with United Shade at scale in OEM shade distribution.
- ASA Electronics: ASA supplies audio, video, and control systems to RV OEMs, including integrated shade-control electronics. Overlap is emerging in motorized/smart-shade categories where United Shade's Black Pearl Motor sits.
Others
- Winnebago Industries: Winnebago is a leading RV manufacturer and existing United Shade OEM customer - relevant as both a key channel partner and a potential vertical integrator that could internalize shade production.
- THOR Industries: THOR is the world's largest RV manufacturer and major United Shade OEM customer. Vertical-integration risk: an OEM of this scale could in-house specialized shade production over time.
- Dicor Products: Dicor is a sister Airxcel subsidiary listed in United Shade's own website navigation. They manufacture RV roofing, sealants, and window-related products - adjacent Airxcel ecosystem participant with potential cross-sell.
Direct peers
- MCD Innovations: MCD Innovations manufactures roller shades specifically for RVs, including the Black Pearl Motor line. United Shade distributes MCD roller shades on its website and sells compatible MCD parts - direct product/channel overlap in RV shades and motors.
- Carefree of Colorado: Carefree specializes in RV awnings and exterior sun-shading products. Strong overlap with United Shade's exterior awning-adjacent categories and RV shade engineering for travel environments.
Emerging players
- RecPro: RecPro sells aftermarket RV parts and accessories direct-to-consumer, including RV-specific window coverings and shades. Emerging direct-to-consumer competition in the same aftermarket channel United Shade uses.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
United Shade social profiles
Digital presenceUnited Shade financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
United Shade leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
United Shade funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
United Shade M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about United Shade
What does United Shade do?
United Shade designs, manufactures, and distributes window coverings — including pleated shades, wood/faux wood blinds, skylight shades, and roller shades — specifically engineered for the demanding environmental conditions of recreational vehicles, manufactured housing, and marine applications. The company serves RV OEMs through direct manufacturing sales, distributes aftermarket products through RV dealer networks and specialty retailers, and sells replacement parts and specialty products (Class B Cockpit Shades, First Aid Kits) directly to consumers via its e-commerce website.
Is United Shade a public or private company?
United Shade is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was United Shade founded?
United Shade was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is United Shade based?
United Shade is headquartered in Elkhart, United States, in the North America region.
How does United Shade make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. OEM Shade Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are aftermarket Retail Distribution and direct Consumer Parts Sales.
Who are United Shade's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hunter Douglas, Dometic, Lippert Components and ASA Electronics. Others are Winnebago Industries, THOR Industries and Dicor Products. Direct peers are MCD Innovations and Carefree of Colorado. RecPro is listed as an emerging player.
Does United Shade have an API?
No public API is recorded for United Shade.
What industry is United Shade in?
United Shade's product category is RV Window Coverings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAIAN, Window Treatments & Shading Systems (Blinds, Shades, Awnings), with a secondary code of IMAOAKAC, Window Coverings Manufacturing (Curtains/Drapes/Sheers/Valances). Its NAICS code is 337920 and its SIC code is 3716.