Latest Articles in Operations

  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Southwest Exteriors Eyes the Future
    Short-term customer satisfaction plus long-term planning equals sustainability
      Overall Excellence LEADERSHIP IN THE HOMEOWNER MARKET Southwest Exteriors  San Antonio, Texas   Scott Barr has no intention of retiring anytime soon. And yet, almost every element of the day-to-day operations at Southwest Exteriors, a San Antonio, Texas-based Renewal by Andersen dealer, contributes to a long-term vision of sustainability for the growing company.... more »
  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Staying the Course
    Walker Windows Sticks to Professionals, Stands Apart with Service
      Overall Excellence LEADERSHIP IN THE PROFESSIONAL MARKET Walker Windows  Anaheim, Calif.   Staying on course during a storm is something Walker Windows has perfected. The Anaheim, Calif.-based window dealer was founded to serve professionals and grew during the boom years as its builders and general contractors rode the wave of inflated building demand. As the... more »
  • October 1, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Local Initiative for Global Service
    Lavy Windows is a little company that packs a big punch
      Giving Back EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE Lavy Windows  Camden, Ind. With just a handful of employees and serving homeowners and contractors in a small strip of counties in northern Indiana, it’s impressive to think of the hundreds of children and multiple communities Lavy Windows supports as part of its community service initiative. Guided by the... more »
  • October 1, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Refusing to Settle at Austin Retrofit
    Installation-centric company strives for complete satisfaction
      Plumb, Level & Square EXCELLENCE IN INSTALLATION Austin Retrofit  Austin, Texas After spending decades building a career in the window and door business, John Nelson Sr. still drives by customers’ houses in his free time to show off his company’s handiwork to his wife. “I’ll say, ‘Honey, you’ve got to see this one place we... more »
  • October 1, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    The Next Generation Showroom
    Windows & Doors by Brownell offers virtual companion to retail showroom
      A Showroom that Sells EXCELLENCE IN RETAIL Windows & Doors by Brownell Williston, Vt.   Windows & Doors by Brownell loves homeowners. This isn’t too unusual a concept for window and door companies, but founder and owner Les Brownell has built a retail and showroom strategy around his consumer-centric approach to business. The company has built... more »
  • September 15, 2011
    Resource | Operations

    EPA Video on RRP Certification
    Guide designed to introduce contractors to lead-safe work requirements
    The Environmental Protection Agency has created a video explaining its lead-paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program and its certification requirements for contractors:   more »
  • September 8, 2011
    COLUMN : Industry Watch | Operations, Sales & Marketing

    Batten the Hatches…and Your Wallet
    Long-range forecaster James Madden of Exacta Weather, a non-profit worldwide team of meteorologists, states that there is “a potentially record breaking U.S. winter for 2011-2012, with extremely cold temperatures and exceptional levels of snow." So, given that wallets and maxed-out credit cards have already been taking severe hits at the gas pump and grocery store, it would be wise to... more »
  • August 1, 2011
    FEATURE ARTICLE | Operations

    RRP Record Keeping—The Dealer’s Challenge
    Companies need to follow lead-safe work practices on the job site and in the office
    Your personnel have taken the RRP training, and your company has become an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Renovator. You give out the Renovate Right pamphlet to clients, occupants, and/or parents before every replacement or remodeling job on an old building. You train your employees, put up containment, use lead-safe work practices, and clean the job site within an inch of its life. You do... more »
  • July 12, 2011
    THE TALK... | Operations

    How Would You Like to Read WDweekly?
    You probably noticed that today's WDweekly looks a little different. And if you look closely at the top, you'll see there's a link to view a new mobile version of WDweekly. We know many of you were already looking at WDweekly on your smartphones and we suspect many more will going forward, so we're pleased to introduce this new option today. And we will continue to involve. But we'd like your... more »
  • June 16, 2011
    FEATURE ARTICLE | Operations, Energy Efficiency, Methods & Techniques, Channels

    Assessing Home Performance
    Potential opportunity, but the industry and individual companies need to be aware of movement
    Should window dealers become home performance companies? While the home performance industry is still in its infancy, indications in the marketplace and in regulatory arena point to sharp growth in this field in the near future, according to many window and door industry professionals. “The green movement is the next frontier. If you’re not a business owner willing to change, you... more »