While attending the 2024 CX event in Scottsdale, we were happy to connect with Ali Zahrieh, our SVP of Strategy and M & A. It's been a big year for him and the team with acquiring and divesting several entities within the legacy PGT Innovations brands. Ali sheds some light on these integration decisions and will continue to help the team with go-forward strategies.

Generosity is such a wonderful thing, and that is the heart behind the MITER Foundation. Supporting several causes and raising millions each year, we are excited to be a part of this! We caught up with Gwen Mallon at the 2024 CX event, and she shared more about about this amazing organization.

What started out as helping distribute relief supplies, has evolved into exploring damage and performance of windows and doors. Our engineering teams learn a lot through this exercise, and partner with other organizations in post storm evaluations. Dean Ruark, our VP of Engineering and Innovation at PGT, shares some of his first-hand experiences in assessing post storm damage in these devastating circumstances.

Lynn Miller and William Knight join me to talk about the process of field water testing. Whether it’s working with an independent third party, or evaluating our products on behalf of our customers, this team covers an important function across the state. AAMA (501 and 502) testing requirements come into play – especially in multi-story and commercial projects. No fear of heights allowed!

What started out as helping distribute relief supplies, has evolved into exploring damage and performance of windows and doors. Our engineering teams learn a lot through this exercise, and partner with other organizations in post storm evaluations. Dean Ruark, our VP of Engineering at PGT, shares some of his first-hand experiences in assessing post storm damage in these devastating circumstances.

Chris Hewitt and I discuss our internal quality testing using a water wall at our PGT Venice facility. Our quality teams choose to far exceed the testing requirements set in place by AAMA, and are intentional about the depth, detail, and frequency of this testing. We cover the details of how this test is performed, and why it’s important for our customers and homeowners.

With about half of our PGT production being vinyl, we wanted to be sure to discuss how vinyl gets its color. How do we keep our products from fading, cracking and chipping? Why don’t we do a full black extrusion? What is cap stock vinyl? How do we meet the expectations of our customers for long-lasting, high-quality products? Listen to Chris Wolf as he shares details about vinyl extrusion color.

Chris Wolf brings his experience as our Supplier Quality and Development Manager, working with our suppliers to chat about our aluminum extrusion finishes. What is the best coating for your windows and doors? Is it anodized or liquid paint or powder coat? How does an aluminum product look like wood? And what is a paint farm? This is a great conversation, and you’ll learn a lot!

Bobbi Jo Henry returns to discuss the sourcing of extrusions and hardware for our products. When demands fluctuate, aligning those demands with capacities of our vendors, is where the science of forecasting comes in. Aluminum, vinyl, colors, and varying lengths for our extrusions, plus thousands of pieces of hardware, make for some large spreadsheets. Maintaining great vendor relationships helps us keep what is needed to meet our customers' demands.

Did you know that there is no such thing as a perfect piece of glass? Chris Hewitt and John Baumgartner and their teams work hard to exceed the industry standards (ASTM) and certifications (SGCC and IGCC) to provide the best quality possible in our products. We discuss testing, which includes breakage tests, measuring, distortion, and suction cup marks. This is a fact-filled conversation that will educate you regarding glass quality.