GROUP PUBLISHER | Martin MCANULTY mmcanulty@annexweb.com
Publication Mail Agreement #40065710. RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESS TO CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT, P.O. BOX 530, SIMCOE, ON N3Y 4N5
email: subscribe@glasscanadamag.com
Printed in Canada, All rights reserved. Editorial material is copyrighted. Permission to reprint may be granted on request. ISSN 0843-7041
CIRCULATION
email: subscribe@glasscanadamag.com
Tel: 866.790.6070 ext. 201 Fax: 877.624.1940
Mail: P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Canada - 1 Year $36.75 (includes GST)
$39.55 includes HST/QST
U.S.A. - 1 Year $50.00 (in US dollars)
Occasionally, Fenestration Review will mail information on behalf of industryrelated groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above.
www.fenestrationreview.com
CANADA’S WINDOW AND DOOR MAGAZINE
The concept of sustainable construction is not what we often think it is. 6
NEWS PPG out of the glass business, Pries now at Skyreach, new standards for vents...
10 SAYING THANK YOU
Centennial Windows and Doors turns a passion for quality into 35 years of success.
Window Wise numbers rise, golf tournament a hit, RenPlan details...
THAT’S RICH Your marketing plan determines the success of your marketing efforts. by Rich Porayko 20 2017 BUYERS GUIDE Canada’s top suppliers to the window and door industry, all in one place.
Pain and profit
by Patrick Flannery
Environmental standards can be seen as an opportunity.
Our cover story this month is on Centennial Windows, one of Canada’s great success stories in the window manufacturing business. One interesting aspect of Centennial’s story is the way this company recognized early that energy-efficient window designs were going to be the wave of the future and jumped in with both feet to make an efficient window and to support the Energy Star program. It is a great example of a company seeing change in society and the economy and building a strategy to take advantage of it. Instead of viewing the high oil prices, high inflation and resulting energy conservation concerns of the late ’70s and early ’80s as a threat, Centennial founder Terry Lee saw an opportunity to get in on the ground floor with a new marketing approach few others were attempting. The rest, as you will read, is history. Fast forward to last week at the Canadian Glass Association’s Glass Connections conference in Ottawa. One of the excellent presentations was by Mark Silverberg of Technoform North America. He was talking about sustainability in the architectural glass industry, which would normally prompt me to ask who I’d offended in order to be forced to sit through another sustainability lecture. To my pleasant surprise, Mark’s talk was both thoughtful and thought-provoking. He started by describing the origins of the term “sustainable” as it applies to industrial practices. The word comes from a paper called the Brundtland Report produced by the United Nations’ World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987. In it, the authors outline the concept of sustainable development as taking into consideration the environment, social matters and...economics. That’s right – sustainability was not initially conceived as something that occurs in opposition to making money. In fact, the model portrays sustainability as similar to
a three-legged stool. Take any leg away, and the whole structure topples. That seems to me a far cry from how most people use the word today. Too often, environmentalists seem to be using the word as a hammer to clobber any initiative that does not meet their planetsaving objectives. The interesting thing that Mark brought out was that any environmental proposal could be equally opposed as unsustainable by pointing out that it is not profitable.
Then he moved on to mention that New York City has environmental targets in place that would require renovations to the fenestration of over a million buildings in the next 30 years. Now that’s what I call “sustainable” – if you are in the business of supplying windows.
At another conference this summer, I heard about the new Product Category Rule for processed glass that has been developed and published in a joint effort by several North American glass associations. With the publication of this document, it is now possible to issue Life Cycle Assessments and Environmental Product Declarations for all fenestration products that are recognized by the various green building certifiers. Who cares? Well, you might if you want to supply windows and doors to a LEED v.4 project. As of October, providing LCAs and EPDs will be the only way to gain certain LEED credits, replacing other methods that existed before. Those who have invested the time and money to develop these reports will have the inside track, especially on institutional projects. It’s another opportunity masquerading as a pain in the ass.
Now all you need to turn that posterior pain into profit is a trip to WinDoor. Fenestration Canada has loaded up the program with experts who can tell you all about sustainability, PCRs, LCAs, EPDs and maybe even LCBOs. See you in Montreal.
INDUSTRY NEWS
PPG exits flat glass business
PPG has announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell the assets of its flat glass manufacturing and glass coatings operations to Vitro, a producer of flat glass and specialty products. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions. Under the terms of the agreement, PPG will divest its entire flat glass manufacturing and glass coatings operations, including production sites located in Fresno, Calif., Salem, Ore., Carlisle, Penn., and Wichita Falls, Texas, as well as four distribution/fabrication facilities located across Canada and a research-and-development center located in Harmar, Penn., near Pittsburgh. PPG’s flat glass business includes approximately 1,200 employees.
“This transaction represents the end of an historic era for PPG as a manufacturer of flat glass, and it is another major step in our portfolio transformation to focus on paints, coatings and specialty materials,” said Michael H. McGarry, PPG president and CEO. “Upon completion of this
Pries moves to Skyreach
Skyreach L&S recently appointed Rick Pries as the company’s technical sales representative for western Canada and the western U.S.A. Based in Edmonton, Alta., Pries will manage the company’s accounts within his region, and actively develop and oversee its respective product portfolio. This appointment is part of the company’s initiative to offer localized product
AAMA standards updates
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document describing the test procedures and performance requirements for pigmented organic coatings applied to aluminum, fiber reinforced thermoset or wood and cellulosic composite profiles for windows, doors, wall panels, skylights, sloped glazing and similar products. The update was made as a clarification to the requirements for outdoor or accelerated weathering testing. The document, “Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Solar Reflective Finishes,” was originally released in 2013. This specification is a supplement to the existing specifications (AAMA 613, 614, 615, 623, 624, 625, 653, 2603, 2604 and 2605) and does not in any way supersede the performance
transaction, the flat glass operations will become part of a company that is focused on growing its core glass business.”
PPG will receive approximately $750 million in gross cash proceeds. Upon completion of this transaction and PPG’s recently announced transaction to divest its European fiberglass operations, approximately 98 per cent of PPG’s business portfolio will be focused on paints, coatings and specialty materials. PPG’s sales manager for Canada, Frank Capporiccio, says all staff are moving with the transaction and contacts and service in Canada will remain unchanged.
features and services.
“[Skyreach] is now at the stage where we need to serve locally in order to grow globally,” said Saylor Huang, CEO of Skyreach. “That’s why it’s imperative we enlisted local experts like Rick, who can translate his area’s distinct wants and needs into tailored products and service.”
Pries has been in the PVC profile extrusion and window industry for over 30 years, with notable management tenures at Gienow Window and Door and Veka Canada. He chaired Fenestration Canada’s Show Committee for WinDoor for many years.
requirements contained in those documents, particularly the weathering requirements.
The AAMA has also released an updated document describing the test procedures and specifications required for sealants. The AAMA 800 document, “Voluntary Specifications and Test Methods for Sealants,” was last updated in 2010. “This document was re-organized to make it easier to follow in terms of material type. Materials and test methods now are grouped together in subsections,” says Mark Toth (H.B. Fuller), chair of the AAMA 800 Maintenance Committee. “This latest version more easily facilitates use by sealant manufacturers and fenestration fabricators. This update will also ease the task of future updates.”
SAWDAC Newsletter
84 Adam Street, Cambridge, ON N3C 2K6
SAWDAC GOLF TOURNAMENT
This year’s golf tournament was a great success as we raised money for a charity called Kids Can Play. We had to move our originally scheduled date as Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, so we moved it out a week and had tremendous weather at Turtle Creek. he course was in great shape and the dinner was fantastic. Many thanks to all that participated and we look forward to seeing you next year.
down to the installer, the Window Wise system is one consumers are demanding to avoid a race to the bottom on price. Consumers know there is always a cheaper price to be had out there but what they want is reassurance of quality and value. This fall we have courses booking well in advance for Window Wise installation training as we have brought on new certified dealers and we are providing refresher courses as well for our current Window Wise dealers.
WINDOW WISE UPDATE
Window Wise has seen the largest increase in window registrations in the past two months we have ever seen over that time period! Our Window Wise-certified dealers have been extolling the benefits of the program, responding to consumers who are demanding more value for what they are purchasing. From the manufacturer right
RENOPLAN FINANCING
RenoPlan continues to grow as the market has demanded and taken advantage of the low financing rates and our 95 per cent loan application approval rating for 2016. Consumers are saying the easy-to-use online credit application is great and this is why so many of our dealers are being effective and successful. If you have
519-651-2812
any questions about joining RenoPlan, don’t hesitate to drop us a line to ask a question on how you can take advantage of this great program.
519-658-4753
1-800-813-9616
and Twitter accounts. We’re sending out daily updates and articles that we find would be helpful to our members and consumers. Please give us a follow as we would love to hear from you.
WORKING-ATHEIGHTS TRAINING
We have begun to offer the full day working-at-heights training course that many provincial governments have mandated to our members. This has really taken off in Ontario as the government has mandated that by April 1 our installers will need this to work on job sites. The training requirement applies to workers on construction projects who use any of the following methods of fall protection: travel restraint systems, fall restricting systems, fall arrest systems, safety nets and work belts or safety belts. These requirements are in the Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training Regulation, and are in addition to training requirements under the Construction Regulation. If you have any questions surround the requirements or looking for an approved trainer, please check out our website.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We have entered into the social media age with launching our Facebook page
IS YOUR COMPANY AN APPROVED WINDOW WISE MANUFACTURER?
Has your manufacturing company been thinking about joining the Window Wise Program? Here are some reasons why you should join:
• Service call reduction – Since the majority of complaints by consumers about their new windows are the result of faulty installation, manufacturers will see a drop in service calls from customers who have joined the Window Wise program.
• Increased demand for sales on higher quality windows
• Increase in associated product sales
• Networking with a high quality group of industry leading dealers.
• 75 per cent of traffic on our Window Wise website is consumers looking for an approved manufacturer.
8 For updates from Canada’s window and door associations, visit fenestrationreview. com > Community > Association news
Nathan White of Henkel LePage looks to stick his tee shot.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Letting in a draft Aderca joins Roto
The National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) Ventilation Rating Task Group, led by Ray Garries as chair, has successfully developed a new ventilation rating for NFRC after several years of task group work. Titled “NFRC 401: Procedure for Determining Fenestration Product Ventilation Rating,” the final document (with edits) was approved by NFRC members at the spring 2016 committee meeting in Alexandria, Va. “This optional rating standardizes the methods to measure the ventilation area of operable fenestration products and delivers a rating based on the ratio of frame area to ventilation area,” said Garries. “The key point here is that NFRC will now be able to supply the key part of the formula for effective natural ventilation, as in the equation from Autodesk. NFRC’s ventilation rating will fill in the ‘A’ in the formula ‘Q wind = K x A x V.’”
Full implementation of the new rating requires additional work on the part of NFRC staff and the board of directors. Now that the procedure for the rating has been accepted by membership, the changes required to accommodate it in the NFRC Certified Products Directory (CPD) must be weighed, accounted for, approved and then completed in the CPD software. Release of the procedure and implementation of the ventilation rating is expected in early 2017.
Andrei Aderca has joined the Roto North America team as a senior product engineer. He has a strong background in engineering and manufacturing design, with more than 20 years’ experience, and has earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. Prior to joining Roto Frank, Aderca worked most recently with Assa Abloy in mechanical and electro-mechanical exit device design and testing. His experience also includes positions with Techmire and Dynacast in Montreal, specializing in tool design in injection molding, die casting and turn-key systems, and Mahle in Trumbull, Conn., doing complex casting design (aluminum, cast iron, using die-casting, low pressure and gravity casting).
“I’m glad to have joined the Roto team,” said Aderca. “There’s an excellent working environment here, with a lot of flexibility, yet everyone is focused on planning and structure, which is essential to success. Teamwork is also key and there’s a philosophy that no one is too big or too small to be involved in the process.”
Aderca reports to Adrian Steenson, director of operations for Roto North America.
LiteZone named CaGBC winner
The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) announced that LiteZone Glass has been named the winner of the 2016 CaGBC Green Building Product of the Year Award for their LiteZone Glass Units. The company was on-hand to receive the award at the Building Lasting Change 2016 Gala Dinner on June 8, which was presented by Shyam Ramrekha, a product manager at UL Environment, who sponsored the award this year. Product submissions were assessed based on four key areas: sustainability, transparency and verification, innovation, and application. LiteZone Glass Units were chosen by the jury because the product addresses both the energy performance and lifespan issues of traditional windows. Using multiple interior layers of film rather than glass allows LiteZone insulating glass units more flexibility to meet different objectives and budgets, attaining insulating values as high as R19.6 at centre of glass, and R17 for the overall window. This level of performance can dramatically improve energy efficiency and comfort. LiteZone has also produced these insulating glass units with a life span of more than 60 years. There are no inert gases used, and no fear of performance loss due to inert gases escaping. Air pressure is equalized between the inside and outside of the unit to greatly reduce stress on the edge seals. Advanced
perimeter edge seals and spacers and other refinements also contribute to greater longevity, reducing lifecycle costs and environmental impacts.
“I’d like to congratulate LiteZone Glass Inc. on winning our second-annual Green Building Product of the Year Award,” said Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of the CaGBC. “Windows are a critical component of better building envelopes but historically developers and owners gravitated toward low insulating values which increase energy consumption and discomfort. LiteZone Glass Units are an innovative, practical solution to these issues, and a great example of how Canadian manufacturers are meeting the growing demand for high performance building technology.”
“We are honoured that LiteZone has won the award,” said Greg Clarahan, president and CEO of LiteZone. “LiteZone is a new kind of insulating glass that can greatly improve the insulating value of windows and thereby make an important contribution to the design of high performing green buildings and to a more sustainable future. After years of development and with LiteZone only recently making its market debut, it is truly gratifying to receive this prestigious recognition.”
IGMA Summer Conference provides a great view
Delegates at the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance 2016 Summer Conference sometimes had to tear themselves away from the breathtaking views and visits by the local wildlife long enough to concentrate on the excellent technical progam Aug. 8 to 10 at the Banff Centre for Creativity and the Arts in Banff, Alta. About 75 IG fabricators and their suppliers gathered to join discussions on cutting-edge technical innovations and changes to standards interspersed with lots of networking and a fun night at a mountain lodge. The theme for the Tuesday-night networking dinner was “Are you a lumberjack?” and most of the IGMA delegates proved that clear mountain spring water does indeed flow in their veins with an impressive display of flannel, work boots, toy axes, hats with ear flaps, false beards and even a Mountie uniform. Prizes were handed out for best mens’ and ladies’ costumes, best lack of a costume, longest sustained effort in support of the industry and most “bear-like” in promoting the industry. In the conference room, delegates heard from the Certification, Emerging Technology and Innovation, Technical Services and Education committees. The content was, as always, fascinating, acting as an overview of the outstanding issues in IG fabrication best-practices and a look ahead to what the industry will be doing in the future to continue to improve and stay competitive. For instance, delegates heard presentations on an update to an ISO-style
Fenestration Manitoba golfs
It took two tries and a three-month timeout but eventually the annual Fenestration Manitoba golf tournament took place this year on Sept. 15 at Winnipeg’s Rossmere Golf and Country Club. The initial date, June 1, was a washout after successive days of rain and a hurricane-like forecast for that day. But it eventually worked out with a pleasant late summer September day on the prairies, which only clouded over in the late afternoon.
“Who knew Winnipeg could be so beautiful in September?” asked a slightly sunburned FenMan president Ryan Dudeck, rhetorically, during a dinner of prime rib and Yorkshire pudding.
“We’re thinking that this is about the 25th or 26th year this tournament has been going on,” said Dudeck, addressing the crowd. “So if you look around the room and if you’ve been playing in this tournament for that long, you know what, we want to thank you for being in the industry that long.”
Among the prizes was one for the most honest score of 87, by a team of four (who will go unnamed) who will were awarded three golfing lessons at Rossmere for their honesty. The premier event sponsors were Cardinal IG and Quanex Building Products, with partner sponsors Veka Canada and
quality program specifically for the glass industry, new ways to do the butterfly test for sealant adhesion, a creative solution to turning monolithic windows into triple IG without ripping them out and an update on environmental declarations for glazing products which will soon be mandatory for LEED projects under Version 4, which comes into effect in October.
The event was led by IGMA president Mark Hutchinson of Intigral and organized by IGMA executive director Margaret Webb and administrative and certification coordinator, Kate Webb. Major sponsors included Cardinal, Dow Corning, Guardian, H.B. Fuller, Intigral, PPG Canada, Quanex, Royal Adhesives/Kommerling and Tremco. The next IGMA conference will take place Jan. 23 to 26 in Clearwater, Fla.
Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors, and a baker’s dozen of dinner and golf hole sponsors.
FenMan past president Al Dueck spoke a few words, as well, a good chance to address the troops. “In our creation of Fenestration Manitoba, as far as I’m concerned, that’s what it’s about, is to continue to focus our time and effort on what we call Fenestration Valley here in Manitoba, just north of the U.S., where there is a huge focus of them,” said Dueck, who paused to thank Nancy Zubriski, FenMan manager, for her assistance in putting the event together. “So, part of what we talk about as an executive is we want to try and get one or two annual events going, and one of them was to put some effort into a conference where manufacturing and fabrication was the primary focus.”
Nancy Zubriski suggested that there were about 80 people golfing and dining this year, including some representatives from the United States, “down east” and Montreal. “Yeah, it was a great day,” she added.
Like an industry event, it was a good chance for industry people to network and also to promote FenMan events coming up over the upcoming winter months. Concluded Dudeck, “And next year, we’ll be back in June and hopefully the monsoon won’t be following us.”
COVER STORY
by PATRICK FLANNERY
SAYING THANK YOU
Connection to customers drives Centennial.
After 35 years in business, Centennial Windows and Doors has taken the time to thank its 65,000 customers across southern Ontario. Billboards like the one pictured have appeared in cities across the province all summer.
As a marketing initiative without a specific sales message, it’s a cost most Canadian window and door companies would hesitate to take on. But, as usual, owner George Warren’s interest in taking the right approach to business rather than chasing the instant dollar has reaped benefits that will be important to the long-term success of the company even if they are hard to quantify. Warren says he has taken phone calls from mayors in the towns where he has posted the ads, thanking him for thanking them. “It’s remarkable, the impact of a simple ‘thank you,’” Warren muses. It’s thinking like that that has kept Centennial in business while other fabricators have fallen prey to shifting market forces over three decades.
Warren credits great people first and foremost for Centennial’s longevity. That’s unsurprising – few companies last long without a
track record of hiring and retaining top talent. But Warren’s connection to his people seems genuine. He knows the name of everyone on the shop floor. As we left the interview, two young men were just arriving for job interviews. Warren seemed to know a lot about them already and was happy to have a relaxed conversation with them right in front of me in the lobby. Perhaps it helped that they had just arrived from his native Newfoundland. But if this is any indication of the interest and camaraderie that Warren holds with even prospective employees, it is not hard to see why he’s had success connecting with excellent personnel. Finding great people has involved more than cruising LinkedIn. Warren says it’s important to know the industry and meet talent by getting out among your peers. And he’s not reluctant to reach outside the industry to bring in the
George Warren and his wife Rita purchase
Centennial from its original
skill sets he needs. Warren has obtained painters from the automotive sector and engineers from the machinery manufacturing world to build custom automation for Centennial. As important as getting those people is listening to them and putting their ideas into action, Warren says. He looks for individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit who are interested in contributing to a team. “It’s about always looking for people who are better than I am,” he jokes. Those who do stick with Centennial really stick. Warren says he has many employees who have been with the company for more than 20 years, and in some cases three generations of a family has worked at the plant.
Warren’s more nuanced answer to the question of Centennial’s success is “systems.” He believes that the specific procedures, policies and organizational framework that Centennial has put in place has led to better products and better service delivery. Developing those systems has arisen from a fundamental commitment to build the best window on the market. That focus has led to steady innovation with a goal to constantly improving. Warren says the company is constantly working on its systems down through the entire business chain from marketing through production to installation.
Warren has found that having consistent processes in place helps him develop his staff. One of the reasons he is able to bring in labour from other trades and have them succeed at Centennial is because there is an established way of doing things that anyone can learn if they have the right basic aptitudes. Watching employees grow in the company and take on ever-greater responsibilities is one of Warren’s great pleasures. “It’s like a fire,” he says of his
efforts to develop talent. “You have to be constantly feeding it.” Warren also takes advantage of relationships with the local University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College to attract bright young minds. There were several co-op students working in the shop on the day of our interview. he has installation crew leaders that started as co-op students 10 years ago.
Warren estimates that 90 per cent of the machinery in his plant was designed in-house, including paint and coatings applicators, CNC machining centres, graining machinery and foam-filling equipment. His IT department wrote the machinery control and enterprise software that runs the company. Centennial has designed its own custom painting
process for jamb extensions and casing trim, its own curing process and its own installation gasket to replace foam. Centennial can finish and dry 10,000 feet of trim and 35 interior doors in an hour. Jamb extensions are supplied finish-painted to the customer’s specifications.
Centennial is now expanding its business into new-home construction. Providing the same quality windows and doors as its replacement business, Centennial sells directly to builders, custom manufactures, and provides full installation for new home developments. Centennial holds the warranty and delivers a welcome package to the homeowner shortly after they move in.
This is another aspect of Centennial’s business made possible by internal control
Billboards like this appeared all around southern Ontario this year. Owner George Warren has received calls from mayors thanking him for thanking them.
COVER STORY
of processes. Communicating with hundreds of customers every day, the company has had to become very good at logistics, organization and coordination. Warren does not think it is possible to get the same level of consistent performance from a dealer network. The company stays in constant contact with the contractor through mobile communications and information about the progress of a build comes to a centralized planning point at the company headquarters. Because the installer is also the manufacturer, and because Centennial has a just-in-time manufacturing process, they are able to react to changes in the schedule without creating miscommunication and backlogs at any part of the delivery chain. The windows are ready when the installer needs to take them to the site, and the installer is there with the windows when the contractor is ready for them to be put in. “Installation drives the making of the windows,” Warren explains.
Building the workforce is a “fire that always needs to be fed,” George Warren says. Once they bring in new staff, Centennial invests heavily in training to ensure their success.
Centennial is growing, with plans in place for a new 100,000-square-foot manufacturing addition next to the one it opened just last year. Warren says it will be used to produce a
new hybrid vinyl/aluminum commercial product with the same thermal performance ratings as their residential products. They are ready if and when vinyl becomes approved as a non-flammable material for high-rise construction. All aspects of the product were developed in-house, including the thermal break. Production is slated to start mid-October. Warren is hiring 30 people to get ready for the launch.
Centennial has 15 branch areas across Ontario: London, Chatham, Kitchener, Brantford, Windsor, Listowel, Burlington, Barrie, Owen Sound, Niagara, Orangeville, Sarnia, Durham, Peterborough, and Newmarket. Its branches are supported by five showrooms and each covers a large territory, supporting a number of sales personnel who live in and serve the counties included in the branch. After 35 years mostly in southern Ontario, Centennial is ready to break out. Warren has plans in place to open branch offices in more locations across the country.
One of Centennial’s claims to fame is its status as a pioneer of Energy Star and Canadian Standards Association certification. Warren worked closely with Steve Hopwood of Natural Resources Canada to develop the Energy Star program right from the start. All of Centennial’s windows are independently tested by CSA certifying that the products manufactured daily are of the same quality as the windows submitted for CSA testing. Certification requires voluntary auditing and includes labeling and confirmation of energy ratings on all products.
Warren sees a future where low-priced products from offshore producers make it more difficult for higher quality manufacturers like Centennial to compete. Educating the consumer is key, he thinks. It’s part of a larger social movement toward instant gratification and an ever-diminishing understanding of craftsmanship. Warren taps his fingers on the table, mimicking keyboarding: “All the young people these days are really good at this,” he says. “But where are you going to find the people who can work with their hands?” With fewer and fewer people who do work with their hands, it becomes more difficult to sell quality made by human hands. Warren is investing heavily in worker training to make sure his staff gets the needed skills, even if they don’t come in his door with them. But he’s not sure what the rest of the industry is going to do.
Warren’s ideas about quality and training mirror his overall philosophy that started with a determination to make better products and retain control of his installation services with a view to delivering the best possible results to customers. It’s a view that puts the customer’s experience first and foremost, a view that Centennial continues to exemplify by saying ‘Thank you.” It is the approach that has kept them around for 35 years, and is likely to do so for at least another 35 more.
Strengthen your business through a powerful network, resources, information and education that enables you to be more competitive and successful.
Have a voice and a seat at the table to address key issues and regulations that impact the fenestration industry.
Engage and benefit from valuable connections regionally and nationally and member-only resources and opportunities. Whether you are a small fabrications shop or a multinational manufacturer, industry supplier or regulator, your organization needs to be a part of this dynamic association.
FENESTRATION CANADA Talent influx
New managers and board members are driving great things.
by ALLAN DOYLE
The first item for my inaugural column is to thank Skip MacLean of Trutech Doors for the last three years of exceptional leadership and vision at the helm of Fenestration Canada. It was under Skip’s direction that Fenestration Canada moved to Zzeem Association Management and initiated the revitalization of the WinDoor Show.
As a way to cope with standard and code changes, Fenestration Canada now has an active Fabricator Council under the leadership of Lisa Bergeron of Jeld-Wen. The Fabricators’ Council holds bi-monthly meetings. Current priorities include the Fenestration Installation Technician (FIT) program that Fenestration Canada has purchased from its developers, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Another priority is to support code change requests for combustible windows. Because of the good work of the Council, we soon may see considerably more flexibility in Canadian codes for the use of vinyl framing in high-rise fenestration.
The move to Zzeem Association Management was done with considerable thought and planning by the executive team. While still new to our industry, the team at Zzeem has provided the necessary planning and execution skills to move Fenestration Canada in the right direction. Zzeem is now engaged with a review of all Fenestration Canada policies including procurement, confidentiality/conflict of interest and anti-trust, along with a review of the bylaws. In the last three months, Zzeem management has added two member-focused programs. The first is Perkopolis, where members can access discounts to a wide variety of products and services such as tickets to events and travel. The second is HASCO health and safety consulting services, where members can access a suite of 35 instructor-led training programs and over 300 online health and safety courses.
Education is a focus of Fenestration Canada in 2016. Along with the comprehensive, “something for everyone” education program offered at WinDoor 2016, Fenestration Canada is planning a series of education seminars across the county in the year 2017. The first opportunity will be a western Canada Technical Session at the Sandman Signature Langley on Oct. 25. We have a great list of speakers that will provide content relevant to B.C. and Alberta fabricators and suppliers.
Train the Trainer is another initiative of the Education Committee. Steve Alward of Atlantic Windows, Jeff Baker of Westlab and J.F. Kogovsek of Maxam Marketing are developing a Train the Trainer toolbox that will enable members to educate architects and building officials across the country and help them better understand the fenestration industry.
The Technical Services Committee is typically one of the most active groups in Fenestration Canada. Committee chair Jean Marios of Energi Solutions de Fenestration is working on changes to the CSA A440 Canadian Supplement. The performance calculator will be updated shortly with the revised changes. The committee is monitoring changes to NAFS.
Coming off a very successful spring meeting in Mont-Tremblant, I was buoyed by the talent and the enthusiasm of the volunteers that make our many active committees. The board was strengthened by the addition of three talented and dedicated industry professionals: Terry Adamson of Westeck Windows, Gary Blad of Loewen Windows and Stephane Labelle of Groupe Eugenie. All three have immediately stepped in to participate on key Fenestration Canada committees.
In addition to the usual June and November board meetings we have added two additional meetings: a teleconference in September and a strategic planning session in March. With so much on the plate, two meeting was insufficient and put too much strain on the executive committee.
The Annual General Meeting committee, headed by Jennifer Small of Screenco, is wasting no time getting things rolling for AGM 2017 in Halifax, N.S. on May 31 through June 3, 2017.
Allan Doyle is general manager and partner of Global Windows and Doors in Richibucto, N.B., and president of Fenestration Canada. He has over 30 years’ experience in the fenestration industry.
FIT & FINISH
Co-op v.s co-op
Hiring one person to hire another turns out to be a really good move.
by Chris Meiorin
This summer I wanted a make a hire here at EuroVinyl Windows. I wanted a fresh set of eyes on the process of an order from the time it is received to the point at which it lands at our customers’ location. I knew what I wanted but was unsure where to go to find such a person or even a job title to plug into a search. “Process Engineer” seemed to have a good ring. A candidate possessing such a title, I assumed, could look at a process and, with engineering, design and implement an efficient workflow. Knowing what you want is easy. Finding the solution, on the other hand, not so easy.
First, I had to establish if this was a contract position with a set term or a full time job offering. As I needed what might be considered an “operations tune-up” I didn’t necessarily need a full time mechanic. I just wanted somebody to come in, look under the hood, find what needed fixing, get the job done and go home. With that in mind, I figured a consultant might be a good option. They would come in, evaluate the operation, make some boilerplate recommendations and leave. All at a hefty price of course. Another option, perhaps, was a co-op student. A fresh set of eyes for sure and at a price point significantly less than an industry consultant. It would allow me to keep them around a little longer, have them really get to know our business and work with the team here to implement a plan. The project would look good on the candidates resume and possibly result in a full time position. However, I was uncertain about the level of enthusiasm that might come with such a candidate and I knew that, being a co-op position, I would have to work to the school’s timeline rather than our own. That being said, the project budget had me leaning towards a co-op student, because there would be less to lose if the results were not optimal. Decision made. Now to figure out how to make it happen.
Toronto is a large and diverse city with an equally as diverse education system. I didn’t have the luxury of calling up the local college and speaking with co-op coordinator.
Before I could even get started, I would first have to figure out what colleges and universities offered the programs best suited to the job description. As I personally make up at least half of the HR department here, I would have to navigate my way through the various college and university departments, write job descriptions, review (and decipher) the prospects courses and grades, set up interviews and conduct the interview itself. With the changing face of modern hiring practices, I might even have to do a background check of the candidate on Facebook or LinkedIn, in neither of which have I any level of expertise or interest. So I did what any self-respecting owner of a small business would do – I hired a co-op to hire the co-op (insert laughing face emoji followed by high-five emoji).
My new HR department now consisted of a third-year sociology student, who was mandated with the task of finding an appropriate candidate to fill the job opening. My new HR representative interviewed me and the rest of the team here to better understand the requirements and job description. Hiring this co-op was relatively easy as she just showed up here at the start of summer break looking for a job. She made her way straight to an interview because she brought me my favorite coffee (which I later found out I paid for) and because she also just happened to be my daughter. One latte later, I had a new HR department and it may well have been the most brilliant move ever executed in Canadian business.
Fast-forward two months and, as I write this, I have a brilliant new individual working as part of our team to assist with the implementation of our ERP software. In fact, we didn’t end up going with a co-op for our original job posting, but rather a recent graduate who not only showed up with an exceptional grade average, but also an unprecedented level of enthusiasm to complete the task assigned. All of this accomplished for not much more than a (really good) cup of coffee.
A WHOLE NEW WINDOOR
Canada’s fenestration show set for a Montreal debut.
WinDoor 2016 is heading to a new venue in Old Montreal, the Palais des Congres de Montréal. This is a “new” event with a new layout, an ambitious and revitalized education program and new networking and social events.
by WINDOOR
There’s a new buzz around WinDoor as the show moves for the first time to the Palais de Congres in Montreal. Just about everything else is new, too.
Fenestration Canada is proud and enthusiastic to welcome the collaboration and support of the AVFQ, the Quebec fenestration association, as a partner in the promotion and content development of the show. With the support of the AVFQ we are expecting tremendous support from the fenestration industry in Quebec. Special thanks to Gilbert Lemay, AVFQ vicepresident, and his team for their support in this new and exciting venture. This is a unique collaboration for Fenestration Canada.
Stephane Labelle of Groupe Eugenie and chair of the WinDoor committee has worked hard to create a new show with a new image and layout in the heart of Old Montreal. Follow his WinDoor blog at windoorshow.ca. The WinDoor Show Committee is looking forward
to hosting members of the fenestration industry from across Canada at this new location on Nov. 15 through 17. If you have never been to Montreal this is a tremendous opportunity to experience one of the great cities of the world and discover new opportunities to learn and grow your business.
Your show committee has promised two great events that will provide many opportunities to network. After a day of committee meetings, the show opens with a cocktail reception and a trip out to Old Montreal for “Doors Open Montreal,” a downtown dining tour. After a jam-packed schedule on Wednesday, the show committee will be hosting the “After Hours” show floor party. Both events are new to the WinDoor schedule and the show committee
SHOW SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fenestration Canada committee meetings
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Welcome cocktail reception
6:30 pm - ? Doors Open Montreal dining tour
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Trade Show
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Fenestration Canada committee meetings and education sessions
10:00 - 11:00 AM “New guidelines on triple glazing” Bill Lingnell (concurrent session)
10:00 - 11:00 AM “CHBA NetZero homes program” Andy Oding (concurrent session)
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Mulling guidelines panel discussion Dave Goldsmith, Robert Jutras and Al Jaugelis
3:00 - 4:00 PM “What’s social media and other marketing tips” Laura Weil and Stephane Labelle (presentation in French and English)
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Networking extravaganza on the show floor
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Trade show
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Fenestration Canada committee meetings and education sessions
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM “Cross country codes update” Jeff Baker (concurrent session)
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM “Get it in writing: A CHBA initiative and its impact on renovator selection by consumers” George Torok (concurrent session)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM “Installation: What’s coming with the new changes”
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM “Train the trainer” Jean-Francois Kogovsek (concurrent session, French)
anticipates great participation from both attendees and suppliers.
If that wasn’t enough, Steve Alward of Atlantic Windows and the Education Committee supported by Jeff Baker of Westlab and J.F. Kogovsek of Maxam Marketing have lined up an impressive, technically focused education program. Nine education sessions are planned with some presentations in either English or French and some offered in both French and English.
Back by popular demand is the Q&A panel discussion with the test labs. This event kicked off two years ago with Fenestration Canada members given an opportunity to sit in on a panel discussion with representatives from all of Canada’s major fenestration testing labs and certification bodies. The panelists answered questions collected from the industry in a survey by Morgan Hanam. The information coming out of that ses-
sion provided crucial clarification for many questions around requirements for structural and air/water ingress testing, and provided a great deal of guidance for how fabricators can better meet those requirements and pass the tests. Having all the labs and certifiers together in one room was something you just can’t find anywhere else, and WinDoor 2016 will reprise that success.
Bill Lingnell, technical consultant for the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance, will introduce new ASTM test methods for triple-glazed IGUs. Triple IGU is going to become more and more common as energy efficiency standards continue to tighten across the country. You will need to know how to make sure the units you buy or fabricate meet the tests.
The NetZero homebuilding concept calls for highly efficient residences incorporating renewable energy sources
that produce enough energy to meet the needs of the home. Obviously, the windows and doors will be a big part of achieving this standard. The Canadian Home Builders Association has programs meant to promote NetZero building innovation and the companies that support it. Check out Andy Oding from the CHBA to find out more.
Changes codes and standards are always hard to keep on top of, but that is what Jeff Baker, Fenestration Canada’s technical consultant, does for a living. Catch his overview of code changes across the country for a quick update on NAFS adoption, energy standards and other regulations that affect your business, or soon will. Also, hear about coming changes to the CSA A440 installation standard.
You also do not want to miss Stephane Labelle, your Show Committee chair, and Laura Weil of Euro Vinyl Windows and Doors as they give you the rundown on the power and potential of social media.
As part of the education presentations Steve Alward and J.F. Kogovsek will be introducing a new initiative by the Education Committee. For now we are calling it Train the Trainer. Fenestration Canada will be producing a series of presentations on various topics that are of current interest to the window and door market. The first presentation on the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS) and the Canadian supplement was presented to a group of building inspectors in New Brunswick. They are designed to allow our members to make presentations in a professional manner with content that is created and approved by Fenestration Canada’s technical experts. This is one more way we are offering value to our membership. Don’t miss Steve and J.F. at WinDoor.
The Show Committee has listened to the concerns of past attendees and has revamped the show. The improved layout, expanded educational content and added networking opportunities are all designed to make your WinDoor experience educational and profitable. All we need now is your presence. Register online today. See you in Montreal.
EuroLine is a manufacturer of high-end fenestration products, and currently the only Canadian company to manufacture a Passive House certified window. Interested in becoming a dealer? Contact us!
745 Capital Commons Drive Toledo, OH 43615 Tel: 419-861-1030
Email: sales@edtm.com www.edtm.com
EVERLAST GROUP OF COMPANIES
299 Carlingview Dr. Etobicoke, ON M9W 5G3
Tel: 416-241-8527, 800-897-5118
Email: Vince@everlast.biz www.everlast.biz
Get it all in one place. Aluminum and Vinyl Storm Doors and Porch Enclosures, Storm Windows, Vinyl, Aluminum and Aluminum Clad Windows, Custom Wood Entry Doors, Cardinal Insulated Glass.
Now entering into our 4th decade of manufacturing vinyl windows and doors, FCI Windows Inc. fabricates the full range of PH Tech Boreal Window systems including European Tilt/Turn products.”Quality Matters”
Since 1982, Novatech has been a staple of the door and glass industry, offering architectural products of unmatched quality. Our products are manufactured with a view to improve confort and safety.
110 rue Industrielle, St-Louis-de-Blandford, QC G0Z 1B0
Tel: 819-364-7270
www.protomach.ca/index.php/en/ home-en
Protomach GML Machinery has been manufacturing high quality production equipment for the window, patio door, entry door and garage door industries for over 20 years, with over 1000 machines sold worldwide.
PVC Architectural has specialized in geometrical shaped vinyl, wood and aluminum windows and doors for fenestration industry. We also offer accessories such as wood trims and wood jamb extensions.
Roto Frank of America, together with Roto Fasco Canada, creates superior customer value as a leading supplier of North American and European window and door hardware.
Email: marketing.industry@ca.sika. com OR collins.ian@ca.sika.com www.sika.ca
Sika’s Fenestration Line -features our high-performance Sikasil® silicones and Sikaflex® polyurethanes. Innovative sealing and bonding systems, engineered to reduce material and energy costs and tailored for your most exacting projects.
SKYREACH L&S EXTRUSIONS CORP.
55 Freshway Drive Vaughan, ON L4K 1S1
Tel: 416-663-1888
Email: info@skyreachls.com www.skyreachls.com
SOLARCAN
650 Rue Jean-Neveu Longueuil, QC J4G 1P1 Tel: 450- 646-0466
WWS is a specialty wood products distributor providing supply chain management services and solutions. We stock the complete range of jambs, mullions, astragals, extensions, vinyl wrap, plus custom profiling services.
WINDOW LAND CO. 901 Lakeshore Rd. E. Mississauga, ON L5E 1E2
Tel: 905-990-1800, 1-877-569-6999
Email: info@window-land.com window-land.com
WINDOWMAKER SOFTWARE LTD.
A - 115 Wolseley St. Toronto, ON M6J 1K1
Tel: 416-762-5299
Email: info@windowmaker.com www.windowmaker.com
WOOD MANUFACTURING COUNCIL
1390 Prince of Wales Dr., Suite 302 Ottawa, ON K2C 3N6 Tel: 613-567-5511
Email: rlipman@wmc-cfb.ca www.wmc-cfb.ca
WTS PARADIGM
1850 Deming Way Suite 120 Middleton, WI 53562
Tel: 608-664-9292, 1-800-387-2951
Email: contactus@wtsparadigm.com wtsparadigm.com
Z Z CONSTRUCTION LTD. #21, 7003, 30 St. SE. Calgary, AB T2C 1N6
