Labor

2022 Industry Pulse Report

The annual Window + Door Industry Pulse survey had few surprises: the market is strong, business is booming and no aspect of the supply chain is exempt from the persistent supply and labor challenges.

Tenured Celebrations

The labor challenge likely will continue for years to come, but once we get people truly invested in this industry and what we do, they’re our greatest spokespeople. 

4 Ways ERP Technology Can Address Labor Shortages

Manufacturers Plan to Expand Despite Some Headwinds

Supply chain challenges eased significantly, while labor, inflation and rising costs put more strain on companies. Despite headwinds, the industry continues to invest in itself, grow and innovate.

Policy, Regulation to Watch in 2022

Tax credits, trade, regulation around safety and supply chain issues are major players in the current legislative and regulatory landscape.

Upskilling Workers and Career Pathways Increase Worker Retention, Study Finds

The top reason survey respondents gave for staying in their jobs was that they had opportunities for career advancement, training and learning new skills. The next most cited reason was their boss treating them well and feeling valued and respected at work.

HBI Challenges Builders to Change Business Practices to Fill Worker Shortage

To ease severe worker shortages that are delaying construction timelines and raising housing costs, home builders must make fundamental changes to the way they do business, Ed Brady, CEO of the Home Builders Institute, said during a press conference at the International Builders’ Show. 

8 Tips to Deal with the Labor Shortage

Supply chain issues and skilled labor unavailability are suppressing the demand-driven residential construction boom. Shortages are overwhelmingly reported for workers in all types of jobs, the worst being in framing crews, and rough and finish carpenters. But labor shortages in the manufacturing…

Job Openings Rise as Manufacturing Slows

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed a slight increase in available manufacturing roles in December, while the ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index highlighted a reduction in manufacturing activity between December and January.

5 Takeaways from the 2022 Industry Pulse

This year’s annual Industry Pulse survey takes stock of how the industry is responding to labor and supply chain challenges, as well as where companies are focusing on business and product growth.

Construction Needs 2.2 Million New Hires from 2022-2024 to Keep Up With Growth

A lack of skilled construction labor is a key limiting factor for improving housing inventory and affordability, according to a new report by the Home Builders Institute.

Chris Yankowich Appointed as CEO of The RiteScreen Company

Awake Window & Door Opens for Business

Awake was co-founded in late 2020 by Scott Gates, John Engelstad, Andrew Darr and Maria Gates with the dream to create a business focused on second chance employment for the formerly incarcerated. 

5 Takeaways from the 2021 Top Manufacturers Report

This year’s Top Manufacturers report revealed several key takeaways about the manufacturing and housing markets as a whole, and how residential fenestration manufacturers fit into it.

Enhance Worker Performance With Automation

Automation, at its core, is the reduction of human intervention during a given process, such as fabricating a window or flat glass. By employing automation, whether it is at the robot, machine or software level, we as an industry can enhance worker performance, while simultaneously freeing up…

The 2021 Industry Pulse

Despite challenges around COVID-19, the industry looks forward to a robust 2021 and beyond as demand is booming and residential construction posts historically strong numbers.

Diversify Your Workforce

A lot of hiring happens because people know people, which is good in some ways, but it also means people often hire those who think like them.

Training Investments

Worker unavailability still ranks highest among the concerns of homebuilders. And, we are currently uncertain about how COVID-19 will further affect the shortage.

Supply Chain Complications

Building materials retailers and suppliers take stock of supply chain disruptions, potential recovery.

At 2020’s Midpoint, Taking Stock of an Unprecedented Year

Thoughts on how manufacturing, automation, workforce challenges, and industry events have changed. Plus, comments on the resiliency of the industry.  

Labor and Automation

Industry 4.0

Click for larger view of infographic. As technology infiltrates more areas of life, data breaches rise. Nearly 9,000 reported data breaches occurred between January 2005 and April 18, 2018, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center. IoT attacks rose by 600 percent in 2017, according to…

Labor and Automation: Not a simple switch

Technology may be enticing and a solution to some labor woes. However, industry companies are faced with many challenges when considering technology investment. Often at the top of the list is cost. “There are levels of automation and workforce reduction in our equipment, but it has a large price…

Grassroots Approach

The problem is clear: the construction industry is booming at a time when labor is scarce. The causes are just as well-known: experienced workers are retiring faster than new hires can fill jobs, and skills are going with them; young people aren’t interested in the trades, nor do they possess the…

Creative Recruiting

Although the worker shortage continues to be a primary concern for the manufacturing and construction industries at large, window and door companies are using a variety of methods to find and train qualified workers.