Seeing new demand and a "huge opportunity" resulting from the stimulus package tax credits for energy efficient windows and doors, Andersen Corp. is launching.. read more

As part of its succession planning process designed to provide for smooth transitions, Pella Corp. has named Pat Meyer to succeed current President and CEO Mel Haught...read more

Stürtz Machinery is moving to a new manufacturing facility at the end of June. The new site in Twinsburg, Ohio, offers a larger manufacturing plant floor and overhead crane capacity...read more

As part of it efforts to support industry education, Edgetech I.G. has announced it is sponsoring an energy efficiency seminar at GlassBuild America, scheduled for October 1...read more 

Architects say durability is the most important attribute for a green building product, according to a recent survey commissioned by PPG Industries. It was followed by Energy Star compliance...read more

More News

• New Web Site for Interlock USA
  
• Frank Lowed Named Manufacturer of Year

• Remodeling Market Shows Signs of Recovery
  From the National Association of Home Builders

• Builder Confidence on the Rise
  From the National Association of Home Builders
  

• In Tumultuous Year, Big Builders Lose Market Share
  From Builder Online
  

• Consumers Behaving Greener, U.S. and Canada Still Rank Last
  From National Geographic

• Beware of Doggy Door Drownings
  From ABC 15 News in Phoenix
  (Note: We are repeating this story, because last week's issue featured a broken link.)
  

Christina Lewellen,  senior editor of Window & Door

I was having coffee last week with the president of a window manufacturing company and we got to chatting about how difficult state regulations can sometimes make running a profitable business. There are some serious hoops to jump through, and then there's the issue of taxes. I'm not sure if it was the topic of conversation or the extra caffeine, but it's easy to get your heart pumping on a topic like this.

Some of you may be familiar with Doing Business 2009 report. Basically, it ranks the ease of doing business in countries around the globe from 1 to 181, with 1 being the best. The U.S. ranks third overall in the 2009 version, but comes in at number 46 in taxes. In last year's version, the U.S. was number 79 in taxes so I guess we're getting better in that arena. (To see the U.S.'s rankings in various categories, see this comparison chart.)

For this week's poll, I'd like to create my own "ease of doing business" rankings for our industry. If you don't mind, can you please tell me what hurdle on my list makes it most difficult for your company to run a profitable business. I'm sure more than one applies, so feel free to email me and tell me why you picked your number one choice, and how some of the other options affect you as well.

The Talk..., Page 2

"Are you getting to know your elected officials?"

Talking to Washington apparently isn't a high priority at most window and door industry companies.  Still, there's more conversations  taking place than in the past....read more