Meet Matthew Carroll of Hoover Architectural Products in North Miami

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Carroll.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The Carroll family has a deep history in manufacturing, tracing back five generations to Baltimore, Maryland. In the old days, before air conditioning and climate-controlled rooms, my family worked part time manufacturing awnings and other shade products. Initially, the awnings were built to keep the heat out of buildings and its patrons comfortable. To keep up with the ever-growing demand, Carrroll Awning Company was formed. As the business and family grew, our geographical footprint expanded. In the early 1970’s, Thomas Carroll (my great uncle, Tom), moved to Palm Beach, Florida and purchased a few awning companies. After a few acquisitions, Tom finally purchased a company that was a known leader in the awning industry, Hoover Canvas Products. Hoover was a well-established business that was founded in 1949. Shortly after this acquisition, Tom’s nephew, Jim Carroll (my father) moved his family from Baltimore to Fort Lauderdale to help his uncle, Tom, run his new acquisition. At the time of the acquisition, Hoover primarily serviced Broward and northern Dade Counties. Knowing they had a unique skillset and strong market share, Tom and Jim decided to expand Hoover’s footprint into West Palm Beach by acquiring Awnings By Jay, in 1995. This acquisition, along with a few others, uniquely positioned Hoover as the only fabric awning company with multiple locations in Southeast Florida which inherently offered their customers an unapparelled service experience.

Prior to heading off to college, I asked my father (Jim), if I go to college, what position will I start at when I get out? His reply, “The welding shop”. Perplexed, I again jokingly asked, “So if I don’t go to college, what position will I start at?” His reply, once again was “… the welding shop. No matter what you must learn everything from the ground up and earn it.” Needless to say, knowing that a formal education was important, I went to college and studied business with a minor in marketing, at the University of Central Florida. Looking back, much of what I learned about the family business I learned through every facet of the manufacturing process. And in smaller ways by soaking up the dinner conversations with all my relatives who were in the business. However, it wasn’t until I decided to start a family that I realized that the family business really was for me. Looking back, I now know understand my dad’s logic and his school of hard knocks.

Today as a company, Hoover looks very different yet eerily similar. While we have changed our name (from Hoover Canvas Products to Hoover Architectural Products), expanded our product offerings, increased our manufacturing capabilities, we have always focused on retaining the small-family company culture. With a focus on the employing the best craftspeople, we have set ourselves apart from our competition by incorporating the latest technology to our manufacturing machinery and processes. For example, we utilize automated CNC fabric cutting and precision laser measuring devices to cut and manufacture our awnings. Since day one, Hoover has been an industry leader that adapts new technology to make the manufacturing process more precise and efficient. We will continue this growth in the years to come. Hoover has grown from fabric banners, tents and awnings to products that utilize structural steel, architectural metal, miscellaneous metals, aluminum fabrication, tensile structures, tension structures and large scale/highly engineered fabric structures (5,000+ square foot and capable of withstanding 185mph+ winds).

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Has it always been a smooth road, No. I believe that nothing comes easily and without hard work. I am a very glass is half full kind of person and you should only focus on the opportunities. Hoover wasn’t and isn’t immune from the general speedbumps and challenges that come with growth, change and operating as a 3rd generation family owned company. There is always the ebb and flow within the economy, challenges with cash flow during growth, interfamily pressures/politics of being a family owned company and probably most challenging of all; maintaining the very best craftsmen/employees possible through it all, which I have to say I am the most proud of achieving/maintaining. Everyone knows that one person, two hands, can only create so much. I can still close my eyes and picture my great uncle, Tom, waling though the shop, stopping and talking with each person – genuinely taking interest in what they have to say. Through it all, my dad and now I have always maintained this family business culture – because it’s a part of us. It’s who we are. My employees are not employees, they truly are co-workers and as such we all work together to achieve a common goal to be the best that we can be and produce the highest quality products.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Hoover Architectural Products story. Tell us more about the business.
Historically, Hoover has been known as the leading fabric awning designer, manufacturer and installer in South Florida. Today, Hoover is a 3rd generation family owned (5th generation craftsman) company and manufacturer/installer of fabric structures/awnings, metal canopies, tension structures, retractable awnings, miscellaneous metal and other CUSTOM outdoor architectural products.

What sets us apart: Our people & the pride they have in their work, the depth of skilled craftspeople, our ability to work together as a team, the systems and processes we have in place to ensure only a top quality product is provided, the longevity of our products and reputation as such, our philanthropy and involvement in the community, our desire to keep improving (designs, products, systems, software etc.) and be the industry leader … and this is not just me – but everyone from the sewing crew to the top level managers – it’s imbedded in our culture.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I am a huge believer in luck. But not in the sense that most would qualify as luck. I believe that luck comes in the form of opportunities and timing. The real question is will you be ready to take advantage of the opportunities that may present themselves? So, has Hoover been very lucky? Yes. However, we have also put ourselves in the best position to take advantage of opportunities that come along.

Contact Info:

• Address: 844 NW 9th Ave
  Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311
• Website: hooverap.com
• Phone: 5618444444
• Email: matt@hooverap.com
• Instagram: @hoover_ap
• Facebook: Hoover Architectural Products
• Twitter: @hoover_ap

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