MENU You are here Home » About Uni-Systems About Uni-Systems Who is Uni-Systems? Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2018, Uni-Systems is recognized as the leading designer and advocate of kinetic architecture, creating transformative, mechanized structures that change with climate, need or purpose. Headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, Uni-Systems earned its reputation as a world-class leader in motion technology by profitably completing more than 120 projects for the military, aircraft, and entertainment industries over the last fifty years. The company has assembled a multi-disciplinary team of engineers capable of handling all aspects of integrated, movable structures from design development through fabrication management, installation, and maintenance. This highly capable team tackles complex challenges and provides Uni-Systems’ customers with reliable, cost-effective solutions that integrate large-scale, mechanized features for use in multiple market situations. Primary applications include retractable roofs for sports and entertainment arenas, and aircraft maintenance platforms. Additional applications include retractable fields, movable seating, and other innovative solutions that bring static structures to life. Uni-Systems has excellent project success, safety, and reliability records. The company’s project management expertise assures that large-scale projects are consistently delivered on time and within budget. Uni-Systems History Uni-Systems was established in 1968 from the invention of a remote-controlled yard gate. Founder Cyril Silberman purchased industrial property for a fabrication shop and devised a system to protect it from vandalism. He patented his creation, which lead to business in the development of large, movable structures. The company initially was commissioned for military-based work related to the Vietnam war, and at this time 80% of Uni-Systems’ business came from the government. Uni-Systems later turned to the airline industry to apply its expertise, developing specialty doors for a Northwest Airlines hangar after the airline purchased the 747, a wide-body airplane, which was too large for the traditionally-sized space. Uni-Systems has a long history of serving the global aviation industry. A core component of the aerospace industry that Uni-Systems serves is the aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MR&O) market. As an example, Uni-Systems designed and created a unique solution — the Uni-Dock — to assist maintenance crews servicing airplanes. This product is widely used in the United States and abroad. Having built its credibility in both the airline industry and with the military, Uni-Systems attracted attention for movable roofs for sports arenas because of its unique delivery systems. The company entered the booming sports stadium industry by invitation in the mid-1990s: Uni-Systems was asked to provide a solution for the retractable roof at Minute Maid Park, prospective home of the Houston Astros. Subsequently, Uni-Systems provided the mechanization systems and related engineering services for a facility that has since been described as a “jewel” of major league baseball. En-Fold is proudly manufactured with the highest degree of precision and quality in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company has designed, fabricated, and installed the mechanization components for six of the last eight retractable sports stadium roofs built in North America, including Reliant Stadium, Minute Maid Park, University of Phoenix Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, Cowboys Stadium, and Marlins Ballpark. En-Fold, the world’s first and only pre-engineered, stadium-grade, fully-automated, retractable fabric awning, is a product of fifty years of engineering, design and honed expertise. These systems are ideal for upscale commercial and luxury residential applications, in addition to premier entertainment facilities. En-Fold employs the same technology and programmable systems as the large-scale, stadium-sized retractable awnings, the same level of expertise, collaboration, and precision went into En-Fold’s design and development: When you buy En-Fold, you experience the same level of sophistication as in any major facility around the world. RETRACTABLE ROOF AT MINUTE MAID PARK Houston, Texas RETRACTABLE ROOF AT COWBOYS STADIUM Arlington, Texas RETRACTABLE ROOF AT LUCAS OIL STADIUM Indianapolis, Indiana RETRACTABLE ROOF AT UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX STADIUM Glendale, Arizona RETRACTABLE ROOF AT RELIANT STADIUM Houston, Texas RETRACTABLE ROOF AT MARLINS BALLPARK Miami, Forida RETRACTABLE ROOF AT HOME RUN CELEBRATION Miama, Florida RETRACTABLE ROOF AT SWEDBANK ARENA Solna Municipality, Sweden CITY CREEK CENTER Salt Lake City, Utah RETRACTABLE ROOF AT CAS ATRIUM San Francisco, California NEW YORK METS HOME RUN APPLE Flushing, New York RETRACTABLE AWNING FOR POOL ENCLOSURE Utah RETRACTABLE ROOF AT PRIVATE OBSERVATORY Minnesota RETRACTABLE ROOF AT STARLIGHT THEATRE Rockford, Illinois RETRACTABLE ROOF AT AMERICAN AIRLINES UNI-DOCK Fort Worth, Texas ABOUT UNI-SYSTEMS’ FOUNDER AND CEO, CYRIL SILBERMAN: Cyril Silberman is CEO and founder of Uni-Systems, LLC. With a background in mechanical engineering, he established the company in 1968 in Minneapolis, MN. Cyril currently leads a design office for Uni-Systems in Miami Beach, FL, where he also resides. He also serves on .... READ FULL BIO PATENTED TECHNOLOGY Uni-Systems LLC holds a number of patents for retractable roofing systems. Currently, the company has six, active stadium patents: US Patent 6718696 B2 Movable Wall for Stadium US Patent 7594360 B2 Lateral Release Mechanism for Movable Roof Panels US 8800214 B2 Automated Covering System US Patent 5,152,370 Bridge Docking Structure for Aircraft US Patent 5,375,283 Bridge Docking Structure for Aircraft US Patent 5,381,575 Bridge Docking Structure for Aircraft US Patent 5,671,567 Support Facility US Patent 6,082,054 Retractable Stadium Roofs and Transport Mechanisms US Patent 6,367,206 B1 Retractable Stadium Roofs and Transport Mechanisms US Patent 6,415,556 B1 Transport Mechanism for Large Structures such as Retractable Stadium Roofs US Patent 6,698,141 B2 Convertible Stadium and Method of Operating US Patent 6,789,360 B2 Retractable Roof System for Stadium US Patent 8,186,107 B2 Cable Drive and Control System for Movable Stadium Roof Panels REGISTERED TRADE NAMES En-Fold® Uni-Dock® (US/International) Previous RETRACTABLE AWNING AT QUINTO LA HUELLA RESTAURANT Miami, FL Next Get inspired. Envision En-Fold® GET FRESH INSPIRATION IN YOUR INBOX Stadium-Grade Retractable Awning System INQUIRE NOW or call 763-404-8820 En-fold® Overview Retractable awning Product Details Services & Support Sustainability Pro Resources Project Gallery Inquire Now About Uni-Systems From the company who designed, engineered, and built the world's most iconic, large-scale, kinetic structures and stadiums. En-Fold® is a registered trademark of Uni-Systems, LLC. | © 2021 Uni-Systems, LLC