Sun & Shade is a dynamic and constantly expanding company that specialises in nautical upholstery and technical covers for the nautical sector. Based in Genoa, it has been active since 2009 and has established itself rapidly thanks to the experience and passion of its founder, Renato De Pascale.
His in-depth knowledge of the nautical world, regarding both sailing and motorboats, combined with his constant presence on the docks and in the shipyards, have always been the driving force behind the creation of products designed to meet the needs of every type of boat.
A Resilient Company
“Sun & Shade is a relatively young company, but we are proud of being able to grow quickly and become a well-known and appreciated reality in the market,” comments De Pascale. “Even in 2024, we recorded good growth of around 10%: at the beginning of November, we had already reached the budget of 2023. We can confidently state that we have returned to pre-COVID rhythms, and we have achieved these results despite the downturn in the sector, particularly in the boat refitting market for medium-sized vessels.”
Focus on Production
Sun & Shade’s production today is that of a complete nautical upholstery supplier, ranging from sprayhoods, bimini tops, awnings, shades, and every kind of cushion to indoor and outdoor upholstery made with technologically advanced marine fabrics.
“We only use top-quality marine fabrics,” De Pascale emphasizes, “from the best-known brands, such as Sunbrella and Morbhen Soltis by Serge Ferrari. These materials present water-repellent and covering characteristics, ensuring durability and superior performance in marine environments.”
Novelties and Innovations
The company always pays attention to novelties and innovations. “To give an example, for some products such as shades, we include reinforcements in Dyneema: a material with high tensile strength that is widely used on board racing sailboats. All these marine fabrics are always in stock, so that we can guarantee not only a high-quality service but also a fast one.”
With its 9-person staff, Sun & Shade interfaces with the technical departments of shipyards, architectural firms, nautical designers, and private boat owners to transform their ideas into concrete products. Its products ‘go on board’ both in the case of first installations and boat refitting projects.
A Cutting Plotter to Reach More and More Shipyards
A crucial element in the company’s growth has been the cutting plotter, which has made it possible to streamline and speed up production times while minimizing fabric waste.
“The real needs of the market require us to work faster and faster. The plotter is able to cut several pieces at the same time and to organize the cuts in the best possible way in order to obtain maximum output from the material. Thanks to this machinery, we have been able to expand our activity with shipyards, organizing mass processing.”
Shipyards are a key sector for Sun & Shade today, representing the solid backbone of its business.
“They appreciate us both for the quality of our products and for the service we offer, which is deeply problem-solving oriented. Moreover, for us, the human relationship with customers is fundamental: we are always available to take measurements on board, make modifications, and study new solutions.”
The Utility Patent for Cushion Stop Disks
Renato De Pascale is the soul of the company and always on the lookout for new challenges and innovations. In December 2022, he filed a utility patent for securing outdoor cushions without drilling holes in the boat deck. Cushion stop disks are a small but significant accessory that has been used for years to secure cushions.
With the standard Velcro disks normally used by upholsterers, the male disks are attached to the deck with screws, and the female disks are sewn to the cushions. De Pascale, in collaboration with a company specialized in adhesive solutions, selected and tested a double-sided adhesive material with technical characteristics (compatible with the marine environment). This solution is applied to the male disks to avoid compromising the integrity of the deck with a series of holes and to speed up the work.
Created as a challenge, these cushion stop disks have enabled Sun & Shade to further diversify its business. At the end of 2022, the company filed a utility patent for Italy and is now the only company that can market these special disks with double-sided adhesive tape.
“Until a few years ago, Sun & Shade bought packs of 200 disks a couple of times a year. In 2024, after filing the utility patent, the number reached about 10,000 disks. Not only do the shipyards ask for them, but they themselves impose these disks on those who supply their boats.”
A Larger Premises for an Even Better Service
In April 2021, Sun & Shade moved to its current premises in Genoa, covering 300 sq.m. “This new location has allowed us to provide an even wider service and work better. We have also created a showroom where customers can see and touch our marine fabrics and products.”
And this year, the company will grow further. “‘Never stand still’ is the guiding thread of Sun & Shade. We have both Italian and foreign customers, and in recent years, the company has expanded a lot, thanks also to word of mouth among captains and shipyards. Our goal is to provide an all-round and ever-improving service so that we can always have the trust of our customers.”
