WDMA Open & Close

In this episode, WDMA’s Steve Orlowski sits down with Scott Hanlon, Director of Programs with the National Fenestration Rating Council to discuss a new program to streamline energy performance testing of windows, doors, and skylights. Hanlon will cover how the new methodology leverages the simulation process that it has used for three decades producing fair, accurate, and credible ratings which measure the energy efficiency of fenestration products.

In this episode, WDMA’s Mike O’Brien and Kevin McKenney discuss the outlook for industry policy issues in Washington for the remainder of the year. Then Mike talks with Michelle Nissen of AmesburyTruth about some of the trends in the hardware industry and her perspective on the state of the window and door industry.

In this episode, Mike O’Brien talks with John Burns of John Burns Real Estate Consulting about his market outlook and his firm’s “window and door hotness index.”  The WDMA’s Kevin McKenney and Steve Orlowski discuss the potential implications of proposed Canadian formaldehyde regulations on U.S. manufacturers.

In this episode, WDMA’s Jeff Inks talks with Dr. Robert Tenent about current NREL R&D projects.  Then WDMA’s Mike O’Brien and Kevin McKenney have a discussion policy issues dominating the agenda in Washington, including tariffs, trade, energy and taxes and what to expect this fall in Washington.

In this episode, WDMA’s Mike O’Brien talks with Brad Farnsworth of The Farnsworth Group about the 2019 WDMA Market Study results. Then Mike has a conversation with Jaye Schroeder of Franklin Adhesives and Polymers about the latest trends in adhesives and their use in the industry.  

In this episode, WDMA’s Jeff Inks talks with Marvin’s Brad Fevold about rating products using the WDMA I.S.11, the Industry Standard for Analytical Method for Design Pressure Ratings of Fenestration Products.  Then WDMA’s Mike O’Brien talks with Greg Jansen from Stiles Machinery about innovations and trends in the use of machinery in the industry.

A important subject for all companies in the industry is how to foster a better safety culture.  WDMA’s Mike O’Brien talks with Regina McMichael, CSP, about how companies can move from a compliance-driven safety culture to more humanity-based safety solutions that improve safety and employee retention at the same time.  The author of “The Safety Training Ninja,” she shares her knowledge from 30 years of training across numerous industries. 

As the building season kicks into high gear, WDMA’s Mike O’Brien has an in-depth discussion with Craig Webb, president of Webb Analytics and the former editor-in-chief of Remodeling magazine.  They discuss key takeaways from the recent Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Remodeling report, the attributes of successful remodelers, the dramatic impact of technology, why so many remodeling businesses fail and many other issues in this wide-ranging discussion.    

With the shutdown over, WDMA’s Mike O’Brien and Kevin McKenney discuss the outlook for many of the critical issues that could impact the window, door and skylight industry.  From trade and tariffs to energy policy to regulatory policy and emerging state issues, Mike and Kevin discuss what the current situation is and what may have the best chances of moving forward in a divided Congress.

Jeff Inks, WDMA’s Sr. VP of Advocacy, talks with Jeff Baker of WESTLab Canada about proposed federal requirements in Canada on energy efficiency.  Then, Steve Orlowski, WDMA’s Sr. Director of Standards and Technical Activities, has a conversation with David Claypool of Lexington Manufacturing about how they are fulfilling the need for engineered components in the industry and their commitment to sustainable forestry practices.