Latest Articles in SPECIAL FEATURES

  • March 13, 2013
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Segments, Channels, Markets & Trends

    The Top 100 Manufacturers of 2013
    Industry leaders are positioning themselves for growth ahead
    The industry is poised for growth. Last year, most of Window & Door’s 2013 Top 100 Manufacturers enjoyed the beginning stages of a recovery in the new construction and remodeling/replacement markets. Today, they are leaner and still cautious, but ready for more.     With markets recovering, Simonton Windows was one of several Top 100 Manufacturers that expanded its... more »
  • January 8, 2013
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Channels, Markets & Trends

    The 2013 Industry Pulse
    Survey reveals greater optimism among manufacturers, distributors and dealers
    The window and door industry is regaining confidence, according to the 2013 Industry Pulse, Window & Door’s exclusive annual survey of industry executives. After heading into 2012 in a more cautious mood, North American window and door manufacturers and dealers are once again expressing some positive expectations for the economy as a whole, and window and door demand in general.... more »
  • January 1, 2013
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Sales & Marketing

    Adapting to New Tools and Technologies
    More window and door companies continue to embrace social media, but mobile technologies might take longer to establish themselves among manufacturers, distributors and dealers than some expected. These findings are the result of a series of questions included as part of Window & Door's 2013 Industry Pulse study, asking about the electronic tools and media companies use to... more »
  • October 16, 2012
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Close-Ups

    Dealers of the Year 2012
    Window & Door honors excellence in the middle
      Window & Door is pleased to announce its 2012 Dealers of the Year. Honored for Overall Excellence this year are A.W. Hastings from Connecticut and Power Home Remodeling Group from Pennsylvania. The magazine has also recognized four Focused Excellence category winners—window and door retailers and distributors that stand out in the areas of marketing, customer... more »
  • October 1, 2012
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Strategies & Practices, Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Back-to-Basics Marketing
    Universal Windows Direct connects with people "face-to-face"
        Getting the Word Out EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING   Universal Windows Direct Oakwood Village, Ohio Get the Universal Windows Direct team in front of some people and they will sell some windows and doors. A simple concept, perhaps, but one that has served founders William Barr and Mike Strmac for more than 10 years as they’ve grown their company year-over-year at... more »
  • October 1, 2012
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Community Icon Leads in Time of Disaster
    Stan Greer Millwork put community ahead of company in time of need
        Giving Back EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE   Stan Greer Millwork Hereford, Ariz.   In the summer of 2011 in Sierra Vista, Ariz., and the surrounding southern Arizona communities, it took a village to fight a fire. And it also took a long-standing window and door distributor business to support that village. Stan Greer Millwork, a second-... more »
  • October 1, 2012
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Redefining Its Category
    A.W. Hastings carves out its role with innovative services
        Overall Excellence LEADERSHIP IN THE PROFESSIONAL MARKET   A.W. Hastings & Co.  Enfield, Conn.   Throughout the window and door industry, there are a handful of companies that have truly defined their categories. In the case of this year’ Overall Excellence, Leadership Serving Professionals winner, A.W. Hastings & Co. is recognized... more »
  • October 1, 2012
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Strategies & Practices, Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Serving Today’s Buyers with Yesterday’s Values
    Newman Replacement Windows makes service “king” to stand apart
        Going the Extra Mile EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE   Newman Replacement Windows Carlsbad, Calif. Being British gives Duncan Newman and his wife, Natalie, an interesting take on the American Dream. The couple views the 1950s as the heyday of customer service and aims for that wholesome feel of Americana in every aspect of their Southern California window... more »
  • October 1, 2012
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    The New Face of SolarGlass
    Colorado dealer redefines its strategy in the face of diversity
        A Showroom that Sells EXCELLENCE IN RETAIL   SolarGlass Window & Door Boulder, Colo.   When Gwenael Hagan bought SolarGlass Window & Door nearly six years ago, the Boulder, Colo.-based dealer was facing the bankruptcy of the aluminum-clad manufacturer that made up 70 percent of its sales and the start of a deep and prolonged economic... more »
  • October 1, 2012
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    The Power to Manage Growth
    Investing in its people, Power Home Remodeling Group has its eye on the nationwide prize
        Overall Excellence LEADERSHIP IN THE HOMEOWNER MARKET   Power Home Remodeling Group Chester, Pa. Three years ago, Window & Door magazine recognized Power Windows & Siding with a Dealers of the Year award in the category of Leadership Serving Homeowners. At the time, the quickly-growing company had undergone a transformation of sorts, evaluating ways to get... more »