As a materials and components vendor I do plenty of quality audits. These audits can be a tedious affair. However, when I visit this one customer in Kentucky, the quality audits aren’t so bad. Do I dare to say enjoyable? Before starting the audit, I always meet with Frank. Frank is the president and owner […]
With concerns over COVID-19, many door and window companies canceled their traditional sales meetings, typically held during the winter months, to prepare their sales group for the kickoff of the spring selling season. Suddenly spring is already here, and the fenestration selling season has begun. Demand in the fenestration industry is so strong these days […]
As a material and component supplier, I have experienced the unpleasant task of passing along my share of price increases to door and window customers. Obviously, the news is less than welcome on the receiving end. So, what can door and window manufacturers do to remain competitive, given the latest series of material and component […]
Lately, I have been checking in with my customers asking them how long they think this robust door and window market will last. “Do you see this strong demand lasting all year long? If so, it is going to be another stellar year!” The answer I am getting most of the time is a resounding, […]
It is no secret that 2020 was a tough year on the supply side of the economic equation. When the pandemic first reared its ugly head in March of 2020, some in the industry were expecting the worst. Then, the year that many assumed would surely be a bust actually turned out to be a […]
Today, I was asking a department head about a certain purchasing agent that I had not heard from in a while. I found out that she was promoted. “Oh, great,” I said, “What is her new position?” I asked. “She was promoted to trainer,” he said. This singular statement made me ponder the importance of […]
Passing the gas retention portion of the insulating glass (IG) certification test can be a challenge. It is a very demanding test. The IG units must average 90% fill rate at the beginning of the test and 80% after, while enduring a rigorous series of weather cycling procedures. Here are four tips to help you […]
It is the start of a new year and a new race for superiority in the marketplace. Door and window manufacturers are just exiting the starting gate. So, in 2021 what factors will help win the race? There are three: 1). Lead Time I asked a handful of my window customers if I order windows […]
Many of my customers were still so busy at the end of the year that they had to forego their annual plant shutdowns. This is a “good news – bad news” scenario. The good news is: They were so busy they could not afford to shut down their plants. The bad news is: They could […]
As the holidays approach and 2020 winds down, I reached out to industry associates and asked them what one word they would use to describe 2020. The answers I received were “uncertain, unbelievable, isolated, confused, transformational, volatile, stolen, exigent, adaptive, evolutionary, arduous, fortunate, prosperous, exhausting, and unforgettable.” Yes, I remember in March when the virus […]
