Versailles entrepreneurs expand beyond bowling and apparel industries with acquisition of patented noise-reduction business.
VERSAILLES — Local business owners Doug and Lori Davidson have added another company to their growing business portfolio with the recent acquisition of Quiet Fence™ Noise Screen, an innovative product designed to reduce unwanted noise from outdoor air conditioning units, pool equipment, generators and other mechanical equipment.
The acquisition marks a new chapter for Quiet Fence™, a business founded by Ruh and Vivian Diehl that has spent years helping homeowners and businesses create quieter, more enjoyable outdoor environments.
An Innovative Idea That Became a Business
Quiet Fence™ began with an idea in 2009, developed by Ruh Diehl, who recognized the need for an effective way to reduce noise generated by outdoor mechanical equipment.
Rather than simply hiding noisy equipment behind traditional fencing, Diehl developed a specialized noise screen designed to reduce unwanted sound while maintaining the airflow necessary for equipment to operate properly.
His invention led to the development of Quiet Fence™ Noise Screen, incorporating Hushhh BloX® technology and a distinctive sound-reducing interior design.
The company’s innovations are associated with two U.S. design patents, D637,739 S and D747,814 S, reflecting the original design work that helped distinguish Quiet Fence™ from conventional outdoor enclosures.
Over the years, Ruh and Vivian worked to establish Quiet Fence™ as a specialized product for homeowners and businesses looking to reduce equipment noise without sacrificing the appearance of their outdoor spaces.
With the couple deciding to retire, finding the right person to continue the business became an important priority.
“Quiet Fence™ was my husband Ruh’s invention,” said Vivian Diehl, former owner of Quiet Fence™. “We have retired and have been looking for the right person or company to carry on Quiet Fence™. We are thrilled that the Davidsons are continuing Quiet Fence™. Doug and his team will do a fantastic job with this. Their new website looks amazing! We wish them the best of luck to grow this business more than Ruh and I could ever imagine.”
Nearly Two Years in the Making
For Doug Davidson, the acquisition was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Conversations with Vivian Diehl about potentially purchasing the company began nearly two years ago.
“I began the conversation with Vivian close to two years ago about the potential acquisition of Quiet Fence™,” Davidson said. “I was ‘on the fence’ for a while about venturing into a business outside of the bowling and apparel business that we have been in for a long time.”
Ultimately, the Davidsons realized that Quiet Fence™ could be a natural fit with their existing business operations.
Doug and Lori own and operate Community Lanes in Minster, Ohio, along with Bowlerstore.com, an online retailer specializing in bowling equipment and apparel.
A decision made during a previous business expansion helped make the Quiet Fence™ acquisition especially attractive.
“When we built the warehouse expansion at Bowlerstore.com in 2024, we built it much bigger than we needed,” Davidson explained. “My thought was you never know what will happen down the road. As they say, go big or go home!”
That additional warehouse space, combined with the company’s existing infrastructure, made the opportunity increasingly appealing.
“With our experience in selling online, warehousing, distribution and customer service, it was kind of a no-brainer,” Davidson said. “Plus, everything can be housed all in one location here at our HQ in Versailles.”
The acquisition allows the Davidsons to utilize their existing warehouse, fulfillment operations and experienced staff to support Quiet Fence™ without having to establish an entirely separate distribution facility.
A New Website and Plans for Growth
One of the first major projects under the new ownership was the launch of a completely redesigned Quiet Fence™ website just a few weeks ago.
The updated website, www.quietfence.com, offers customers a modern shopping experience with detailed product information, installation guidance and photographs showing Quiet Fence™ in a variety of real-world applications.
While the product was originally developed primarily for residential air conditioning units and pool equipment, the Davidsons see opportunities to introduce Quiet Fence™ to additional markets.
Potential applications include campgrounds, RV parks, food trucks, outdoor events, commercial properties and other settings where generators or mechanical equipment create unwanted noise.
Quiet Fence™ panels are designed to provide a practical and attractive way to help reduce equipment noise while maintaining ventilation. Their modular construction allows customers to create different configurations depending on the equipment and available space.
The Davidsons plan to use their experience in e-commerce, marketing, warehousing and distribution to increase the company’s visibility and make its products more accessible to customers across the country.
Building on the Founders’ Legacy
Although Quiet Fence™ represents a new industry for the Davidsons, the fundamentals of operating the business are familiar.
Their years of experience managing online sales, inventory, shipping and customer service provide an established foundation for expanding the company’s reach.
For Vivian Diehl, the transition offers the satisfaction of seeing her husband’s invention continue under new ownership.
For the Davidsons, it represents an opportunity to take an established, patented product and introduce it to new customers and markets.
The acquisition also keeps Quiet Fence™ operations in Ohio, with the business now headquartered in Versailles alongside the Davidsons’ existing online retail and distribution operations.
What began as a conversation nearly two years ago has now become the latest chapter in the Davidsons’ entrepreneurial journey.
And after spending some time “on the fence” about the opportunity, Davidson and his team are now focused on taking Quiet Fence™ to the next level.
For more information about Quiet Fence™ Noise Screen or to explore its products, visit www.quietfence.com.
