Well, here we are once again heading for a new version of Energy Star that will begin in 2023 with even tougher requirements. As I completed my travels during the first half of this year, I noticed an overall lack of concern regarding the upcoming Energy Star changes. My customers seemed focused on the present […]

During the last few weeks, I have visited customers, and the topic of Energy Star has come up. Everyone wonders if the EPA will stick with the stringent requirements outlined in drafts 1 and 2 of Version 7.0 or move to some halfway point. This would give window and door fabricators extra time to adjust […]

With inflation on the rise and high gasoline prices biting into the discretionary income of working Americans, employers are tasked with ensuring that their wage rates are optimized to attract and maintain a reliable workforce. I recently returned from a road trip and spent time on the manufacturing floors of some of my top customers. […]

Right now, window and door fabricators live in a world where creating demand for their products is no issue. The day-to-day challenges of their business are driven by supply chain issues, labor shortages and long lead times associated with new equipment. But with inflation on the rise, interest-rate hikes being doled out by the Fed […]

This is the third blog to complete the series entitled the three “M” s that Will Define Your Company’s Future. The final “M” and perhaps the most important is Manpower. Your company can have the greatest Marketing plan and invest in the most modern automated Machinery, but without this third M, Manpower, you will be […]

Earlier this month, I wrote about The Three “M”s that Will Define Your Company’s Future, with the first M being Marketing. The second M is Machinery. Never before has machinery been so important to the window and door industry. Machinery does three things. Number One: Machinery improves efficiency if used correctly. The operative words here […]

The first M is Marketing. Over the many years that I have been in the fenestration industry, I have seen a diminishing emphasis on marketing. When I first became involved in the late 80s, marketing was a big thing. A great deal of emphasis was placed on creating differentiation between a company’s product line vs […]

During the pandemic many salespeople transitioned to the use of videoconferencing to conduct sales calls and meetings. These business tools have proved to be invaluable. Conferencing software isn’t niche anymore—it’s the main place where most meetings happen these days. It’s true for all types of companies and allows more key people to be involved in […]

One of my favorite hobbies I have enjoyed over the years is pistol and rifle shooting. Early on, when I was just getting started in the sport, we were taught one of the key marksmanship fundamentals—“follow through.” It means you must continue aiming, continue focusing on your breathing and hold control even after the shot […]

As a representative of various window and door component suppliers, I frequently visit customers to perform in-house quality audits on the plant floor to ensure the materials I sell are appropriately used to make the highest quality products. After completing an audit recently, I commented to the general manager about the exceptional manufacturing facility he […]