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Latest Articles in September 2008

October 1, 2008
THE TALK...

Have you traveled to China for business?

So who can tell me how to say “wish me luck” in Chinese? This weekend I leave for my very first trip to China. I’ll be visiting Suzhou and Shanghai, as I mentioned in my column this month, and while I’m dreading the plane ride, I’m really excited about the trip itself. The purpose of my visit is to learn about doing business in China; I’ll be meeting with many ... more »
September 15, 2008
SPECIAL FEATURES | Design & Performance, Markets & Trends

Crystal Achievement Awards 2008

Window & Door Honors the Industry's Innovators in Products, Manufacturing and Marketing
Window & Door Honors the Industry's Innovators in Products, Manufacturing and Marketing more »
September 15, 2008
FEATURE ARTICLE | Strategies & Practices

The Best Defense is a Good Offense

Tips to protect manufacturers and dealers from improper field testing
It is an ever-increasing occurrence in the window-and-door industry-a manufacturer or dealer receives notice that a field test has exposed a leak. The repercussions which may flow from this depend largely on how the leak-identifying field test was conducted and how the manufacturer or dealer reacts.A "properly" conducted field test can be loosely defined in a legal dispute as one which ... more »
September 1, 2008
COLUMN : Talking to Dealers | Strategies & Practices

China on My Mind

By the time you’re reading this, the Beijing Summer Olympics will have long since closed. But as I write this, we’re deep into Olympic obsession mode (at least my household is). I know the Olympics themselves are now yesterday’s news, but if you’ll indulge a gal a bit, I’m hoping to strike up a conversation about China.About four years ago, not long after I first ... more »
September 1, 2008
Meetings & Events | Codes & Standards

DOE Issues New, More Stringent Energy Star Criteria

Industry offers initial feedback at August stakeholder meeting
Manufacturers wanting an Energy Star label on their windows will need to make some significant product line changes, including potentially, the use of triple glazing. The Department of Energy issued new proposals for more stringent Energy Star criteria for windows, doors, and skylights in August, and hosted a public stakeholders meeting to gather industry feedback.Speaking at that meeting, ... more »
September 1, 2008
COLUMN : Integrated Marketing | Sales & Marketing

Local Internet Advertising Continues to Grow

It's no secret that small and large businesses are shifting marketing resources from print to online activities that can add value beyond lead generation. Local search marketing, including pay-per-click advertising on search engines, is the leading interactive medium for retailers and dealers. Growth in revenues at newspaper and local television station Web sites indicates many companies are ... more »
September 1, 2008
FEATURE ARTICLE | Markets & Trends, Close-Ups

MI Going Green and More Upscale

Manufacturer launching new cellular product line targeting wood window buyers.
With the MIyota way, boards around the plant allow workers to track performance and look for improvement. Chris Rothermel, assistant manager at MI's Gratz plant, says employees now embrace the concept. What does it take to be green? Like many other manufacturers, MI Windows & Doors has been working to answer ... more »
September 1, 2008
Meetings & Events | Products, Segments

Millwork Distributors to Gather in Florida

AMD expanding educational program to better serve members and increasing efforts to welcome new members and guests
AMD's exhibition has reflected door industry trends with an expanding range of door styles and options on display.  Several innovative new products were debuted last year at the Association of Millwork Distributors' annual exhibition in Denver. The leading showcase for the door industry moves to Florida this year, running Oct. 13-15 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in ... more »
September 1, 2008
COLUMN : Opening Remarks | Markets & Trends

Sales May Be Down, but Innovation Isn't

The past several months, I have been feeling bombarded with headlines about housing market woes, a lackluster economy and the rising costs of gas. Throw in the industry-specific reports of another window or door plant that's closed down, it can get depressing. When so many headlines are gloomy, it's a real pleasure to put the focus on new products and technologies that highlight creativity and ... more »
September 1, 2008
COLUMN : Industry Watch | Strategies & Practices

Shaping the Economy vs. Waiting for It

Last March I suggested in this column that the handwringing over the housing slump and the general recession that many were sure it would bring were overwrought. Let's see, some six months later, where all that stands.In essence, the jury is still out. True, the housing crunch and its economic downturn have reached epic proportions and remain the highlight of campaigns for Presidential hopefuls. ... more »

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With Obama's election, how do you feel about the next four years?

I know there are a lot of readers out there less than thrilled with Barack Obama’s victory in yesterday’s election. Past polls we ran showed... »

Top 100 Manufacturers of 2008

Our annual rankings of the 100 largest manufacturers in North America, based on sales volumes. The industry's unofficial scorecard, the list is divided into 10 sales range categories, providing facts, figures and recaps of important developments at major players in the residential window and door business. »

A stimulus program for replacement windows and doors…

Right now, there’s much talk about the need to bail out U.S. automakers. Those in favor say actions are necessary to save the economy from falling into... »

Focus on the long-term