Creative Outdoor Solutions buys Port City Hurricane Shutters

Creative Outdoor Solutions has acquired Port City Hurricane Shutters in a deal that closed Aug. 1, expanding its hurricane-shutter expertise and buying power for coastal North Carolina homeowners. The Wilmington company also plans a new showroom this fall to let customers test storm-protection products before they buy.

Why it matters: - The acquisition adds more than 20 years of hurricane-shutter experience to Creative Outdoor Solutions. - Better purchasing arrangements should give the Wilmington company more flexibility on pricing and product options for homeowners. - The deal strengthens a local provider serving coastal North Carolina, where storm protection is a recurring need.

What happened: - Creative Outdoor Solutions acquired Port City Hurricane Shutters, and the transaction closed Aug. 1. - The Wilmington-based company sells and installs hurricane shutters, motorized screens and retractable awnings. - Port City founder Justin Heckler will remain involved as a strategic advisor.

The details: - Heckler brings more than 20 years of experience in hurricane-shutter systems. - His product and installation knowledge will complement Creative Outdoor Solutions' sales, marketing and installation operations. - The acquisition gives Creative Outdoor Solutions access to more favorable hurricane-shutter purchasing arrangements. - The company expects the improved pricing to support a broader range of storm-protection options at more competitive prices. - Creative Outdoor Solutions plans to open a new showroom this fall at 6622 Gordon Road, Suite O, in Wilmington. - The showroom will let homeowners see and operate hurricane shutters, retractable awnings and motorized screens before choosing products. - Creative Outdoor Solutions serves homeowners across the Carolinas, including Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Leland, Hampstead, Southport and Oak Island. - The company's product line includes roll-down, Bahama and accordion hurricane shutters, plus hurricane and shade screens and retractable awnings. - Port City Hurricane Shutters is a locally owned Wilmington-area company with more than 20 years of experience serving coastal homeowners. - Port City specializes in installation, maintenance and repair of hurricane shutters and impact-resistant doors. - Creative Outdoor Solutions is co-founded by Will Hardison, Matt Costin and Clarence Hardison Jr.

Between the lines: - The deal pairs local technical expertise with a broader sales and installation platform. - Creative Outdoor Solutions appears to be using the acquisition to deepen its storm-protection business while improving customer reach through a showroom and expanded product selection. - The move also signals a push to convert specialized service knowledge into a larger regional offering.

What's next: - Creative Outdoor Solutions will open its new showroom this fall. - The company will use the showroom to demonstrate products to homeowners before purchase. - Heckler will help guide the combined business in an advisory role as the integration continues. - The company said the broader capabilities are aimed at helping more coastal homeowners protect their properties with solutions that fit their needs and budgets.

The bottom line: - Creative Outdoor Solutions is turning a local acquisition into a larger coastal storm-protection platform with more expertise, more buying power and a new customer-facing showroom.