History
(From the Desert Leaf article)

Air and Sun was purchased by Steve Law in 2005, former Vice President of Sales with John Gallagher Company of Madison, Wisconsin. It has been a family owned and operated business that's been in Tucson, Az since 1980. Owners Peter and Cheri Aronsson and staff are dedicated to a wonderful craft that not only protects your home or business from the elements, but adds an attractive look as well.

Located at 2462 N. Park Avenue, just north of Grant, the company's offices and manufacturing facilities occupy historic buildings constructed in 1946. When the Aronssons bought the property in 1982, the roof was literally caving in on one structure, another building was falling down.

Walk through the Air & Sun Shade Products door today, and you'd never imagine it . Peter and Cheri took on an incredible renovation project, and produced a clean, efficient, well-designed facility that lets them and their staff produce anything from a single fabric awning for a home, to -- no kidding -- 80,000 custom made, hand-held flags for fans at the Super Bowl.

Peter and Cheri are exacting when it comes to quality. Virtually every foot of fabric for their awnings is subjected to a light-table test to make sure it is flawless. Each panel for an awning is cut and stitched together by expert seamstresses. Finishing touches include logo design meticulously onto -- or into -- the fabric. (Some businesses backlight their awnings at night, letting their name shine through.) Logos can also be painted on an awning.

Meanwhile, in the shop area, skilled technicians design, bend, build, and paint steel framework to accommodate the beautiful fabric creations. When everything comes together, it's like a work of art being delivered to your door. Peter and Cheri have won first-place awards in international competitions for some remarkable designs.

The Aronssons don't limit their business to commercial businesses. They can also provide an attractive awning addition to your home that will also save you cooling (and heating) cost. Nowadays, there's no need for a hand crank to retract awnings on windy or cloudy days. The awnings can be installed with electronic controls that make them trouble-free. Sensors detect wind and sunlight conditions and adjust awnings accordingly throughout the day.

Before coming to Tucson, it could be said life's fabric is truly fabric for the Aronssons. Though both have roots in Michigan, it was the lure of sailing that brought them to Marblehead Massachusetts, after college. Peter established a sailboat manufacturing and sales company, Little Harbor Yacht Sales -- no small feat in a highly competitive and exacting profession. Cheri was an elementary school teacher who always had an interest in sailing, too.

"I was a sailor all my life, and living and working in Marblehead was wonderful," says Peter. But eventually it was time for a change: "We started going hiking on weekends in New Hampshire to get away from boats. The ultimate getaway from boats seemed to be Arizona."

Peter had spent time with his grandparents in past years, and he and Cheri came out for a vacation in 1980. They ended up buying a house. Within a few months, they were established Tucsonans with two daughters, Kristen and Kate, enrolled in Manzanita Elementary and Orange Grove Middle schools.

But after the move, what should they do to make a living? Both Peter and Cheri had become intrigued with the new synthetic fabrics used for sails on sailboats while Peter had his business in Massachusetts. They brainstormed about starting another venture, and obviously with relocation to Tucson, their attention shifted from sails to awning applications. They ultimately bought the once-run-down complex that is now Air & Sun Shade Products. It was just the two of them. Peter did the designs, selling and installations. Cheri did the sewing.

Today, Air & Sun Shade Products handles, according to Peter, "...about 80%" of the fabric awnings you see in Tucson. Their core business comes from satisfied customers that recommend them to others. The demand for their high-quality products continues to grow.

"The fabrics these days are incredible," says Peter. "We have materials that will last -- under constant exposure to the elements of Tucson -- eight to ten years. Even when we replace awnings for clients, in many cases the colors and fabric durability are not in question when we take them down and replace them with a new design."

Both Peter and Cheri enjoy what they do, and that translates into an excellent working relationship with their staff and even former employees. "We make it fun," says Peter when reflecting on their creativity and work environment. "Many of our previous employees come back and want to work for us again."

There's no doubt why. The energy level, plus quality of workmanship are evident in every business facet at Air & Sun Shade Products. "Satisfaction" and "pride" are perhaps better words to describe what the company produces for its clients and employees. The end results can be seen not only within the Tucson community but internationally.

Whether you want awnings, umbrellas, banners or other fabric framework products, Cheri and Peter Aronsson can produce them. There's no design concept too complex, no job too great: "We can do almost anything," says Cheri laughing. Peter adds: "As long as it involves fabric and framework."

One design challenge was for the protection of an Arizona orange grove of 20 trees. "The grove was at high altitude," explains Peter. "It has to be covered at night (during part of the year) from freezing temperatures. We designed the structure so you push a button, and a fabric "building" unfolds automatically over the trees. Turn on the heaters, and the trees are protected from freezing." When weather conditions improve, press another button and the structure folds up, letting the Arizona sun provide heat and light to produce the final juicy harvest.

"We have completed work in 22 states and three foreign countries," say the Aronssons of their adventurous job history. Come visit the showroom and shop facilities to review past projects and discuss any future creative awning or sunshade ideas you may have.

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