Latest Articles in Close-Ups

  • May 10, 2012
    FEATURE ARTICLE | Close-Ups

    Seeing Success in Diversification
    American Vision Windows sets sights on solar, garage doors and window coverings to thrive during the recession
    American Vision Windows started selling windows, but the business has evolved in recent years, diversifying with the addition of a broad array of product lines. The expansion in product offerings, however, hasn’t changed the company’s focus—American Vision remains a home improvement company, working with owners to increase the energy efficiency and value of their homes.... more »
  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Management, Operations, Sales & Marketing, Close-Ups

    Dealers of the Year 2011
      Window & Door is pleased to announce its 2011 Dealers of the Year. Honored for Overall Excellence this year are Walker Windows from California and Southwest Exteriors from Texas. The magazine has also recognized five Focused Excellence category winners—window and door retailers and distributors that stand out in the areas of marketing, installation, customer service,... more »
  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Empowered for Perfection
    Perfection Glass Puts Customer Service into Employees’ Hands
      Going the Extra Mile EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE Perfection Glass  Kennewick, Wash. Shawn Linhoff has learned that if you give employees the ability to make decisions with the full support of the leadership team, the employee will win, the customer will win and, ultimately, the company will win. As the head of Perfection Glass, a Kennewick, Wash., company... more »
  • October 12, 2011
    SPECIAL FEATURES | Operations, Channels, Close-Ups

    Giving Customers a Fix
    Window-Fix focuses on solutions in its unique business model
      Out of the Box EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATIVE THINKING Window-Fix  Brooklyn, N.Y. The team at Window-Fix doesn’t have a strong preference about whether they sell replacement windows or not. This might seem somewhat problematic given that it’s one of the New York City metropolitan region’s most prominent window retailers. But with a vast range of... more »
  • 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 »
  • July 11, 2011
    FEATURE ARTICLE | Close-Ups

    Meeting High End Needs with Craftmanship and Technology
    Kolbe & Kolbe keeps focus on continuous improvement and product development
    Producing high quality windows with employees dedicated to excellence. That was the vision of Herb Kolbe, one of the founding brothers of Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. Inc., and it enabled the company to establish itself as one of the leaders in the high-end window and door market.     Kolbe sees its employees as craftspeople building one window or door at a time.  ... more »