Home Improvement Sector Projected to Reach $575.5B by 2031

After three years of “unprecedented growth” for the home improvement sector, Home Depot reports that its figures for the first quarter of 2023 are down from Q1 2022. The big box retailer reports sales of $37.3 billion for the first quarter of 2023, marking a 4.2% decrease from the same time last year. Comparable sales […]

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Editor’s [re]Marks
By Drew Vass
Editor
[DWM] Magazine

Self-driving cars; artificial intelligence; humanoid robots; electric vehicles—and now Apple is set to introduce a new “mixed reality” headset. Suffice it to say that—technologically, at least—things are getting pretty interesting. I wouldn’t say we’re the Jetsons yet, but it feels like we’re finally getting somewhere. But is that somewhere a place we all want to […]

Plavecsky’s Ponderings
By Jim Plavecsky
Owner
Windowtech Sales

With all of the supply chain issues and labor shortages we have seen during the last few years, manufacturing costs have risen dramatically. While things are settling down in the supply chain for the most part, the higher costs of materials, components and labor seem like they are here to stay. Because of this, coupled […]

Ray’s Fenestration Innovation
By Ray Garries
President
Global Fenestration Advisors

In 45 years of general and engineering management, I’ve compiled an extensive list that seems to work to improve innovation at all levels of a company. In a recent article, I found it noted that innovation and new products and services are down 14% compared to 2020. I also hear from our industry friends that […]

Tyson’s Take
By Tyson Schwartz
Chief Happiness Officer and Partner
Zen Windows

Over the last few years, the pandemic has given our industry unprecedented growth. It also has led to many great opportunities for all of us. When business was growing at historic rates, experimentation with lead generation was plentiful and we were all still finding ways to get new customers. Whether on the retail side or […]

Lessons From the Tank
By Joe Altieri
President
FlexScreen

“Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” – George Bernard Shaw. The official Merriam-Webster dictionary lists change as a transitive verb, and I’m not arguing with the authority, but I think of it more as a noun. Change – like gravity – is a constant “thing” in life and […]

S.A.L.E.S. Is Not a Dirty Word
By Dave Yoho
President
Dave Yoho Associates

In preparation for 2023, Dave Yoho Associates conducted abundant research and surveyed our existing clients to drill down on current sales and marketing challenges that are impacting the industry. Here are several hard truths that we uncovered: 79% of Companies Have Trouble Following Up on Unsold Leads The word “trouble” is understandably very vague. Many […]

Shop Talk
By John Ryba
Technical Services Manager
Quanex Building Products

Today, there are more ways than ever to optimize your manufacturing processes. And there are more reasons than ever why such changes are necessary. In an environment where you’re continuously challenged to do more with less, no one can afford to sit around without being proactive. This can seem daunting. But tackling today’s challenges doesn’t […]

Beyond the Label
By Deb Callahan
CEO
National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)

The term “superhero” was first used in 1899. Since then, definitions vary. I like a combination of the definitions from Merriam –Webster dictionary and the Britannica dictionary for real people: exceptionally skillful people and those who do dangerous work. On April 25, the National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Women in Fenestration group met to discuss […]