Watertown, Connecticut based Eastern Awning Systems, owned by Stephen Lukos, was started by his father Simon Lukos in 1961 as Eastern Aluminum. At that time Eastern was both a wholesale distributor and retailer of aluminum awnings, siding, doors and replacement windows. Stephen took over the business in 1975 and in the early eighties began selling fabric awnings on a retail basis.
In 1985, frustrated by the poor quality, service and support of the predominantly European retractable awning manufacturers and recognizing the growth potential of lateral arm retractable awnings, he chose to discontinue his retail business and began manufacturing and distributing exclusively on a wholesale basis. With a penchant for innovation and sharp focus on details, Eastern has evolved as a national leader in the manufacturing and distribution of retractable fabric patio awnings. Creative forward thinking has earned Steve 5 U.S. product patents and many international patents. One such example is U.S. Patent number 5,273,095 for an ingenious urethane shoulder joint to prevent damage to lateral arms on the Sunflexx awning.
In 1996 Eastern passed another milestone with their brand new 37,000 square foot manufacturing facility. This high tech facility enabled Eastern to further expand product offerings with the mid-priced SunScape lateral arm awning as well as a new roll down front rail shade curtain for the Sunflexx awning.
With a focused corporate philosophy guiding Eastern Awning Systems, Inc. into the future, it will surely continue as an innovative market leader with unequaled products and service.
