If you’re like me, you love to set goals that are possible, measurable, and attainable. With planning anything is possible. Just because there was success in the past, doesn’t mean there will be success in the future – you have to earn it every day! Innovation, maximizing efficiencies, working hard, and wanting to be the very best, is the cornerstone of a successful company. This is my 10-year anniversary as a Vertical Product Specialist for Shepley, representing everything windows and doors from the Andersen Corporation. I remember it like yesterday when Tony Shepley said to me, “Craig, the right fit for you is to be part of our Andersen Window Showcase.” I then said, “Tony, the only thing I know about windows is how to install Windows 95 computer software!” I have learned a lot over the past ten years, and I’ve watched Andersen continue to grow their success too. As my good friend Bill Holzman says, “This is not your father’s Andersen!”
Andersen started in 1903 and, through hard work and innovation, has grown to become an international enterprise. The Andersen management team looks to the future for brand innovation and growth by listening to local builders and dealers. Through this process, some items are discontinued to make room for new product lines. Discontinued items include: basement and utility windows, skylights, roof windows, and a core product – Narrowline double hung. The best discontinuation, in my opinion, was the elimination of the printed Parts Catalog, which was thousands of pages long like volumes of an encyclopedia (Please Google “encyclopedia” if you don’t know what that is. It did exist at one time!). Today, I have the AW Parts Catalog link on the Note app on my iPhone, which I access daily and within seconds at a job site. Every part is easily identified and ordered. Gone are the days of the manual pitch gauge for trapezoids too. Today, download the app “Pitch Gauge” for FREE on your phone! We’ve also said goodbye to poly-vinyl removable grilles and punch out grommets.
Enough of the past, let’s talk about the innovation! In 2008 Andersen introduced the A-Series brand. To release a NEW brand during a recession was a bold marketing strategy. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. The expanded exterior color offerings, alignment, and performance proved to be an instant winner in our coastal market. Andersen acquired the Eagle Window Company and introduced the E-Series. The E-Series brand expanded the product offerings with 57 standard colors and the possibility of a custom color of your choice all with a coastal quality clear coat finish. Other options include: standard stainless steel casement and awning hardware, oversized awning sizes that open to 17”, patio doors with 3⁄4 glass, lite doors with a raised bottom panel (perfect for the farmer’s porch). The A-Series and E-Series combine to create the AW Architectural Collection which has exceeded the expectations of architects, designers, builders, and homeowners who demand a lot when selecting Andersen – the brand trusted by more builders than any other. The Truscene screen innovation was another instant success for homeowners who wanted to maximize any scenic view or just get rid of gnats, AKA no-see-ums! And glass options have expanded to meet virtually every application. Low E4, Smart-Sun, Passive-Sun, triple-pane, Heatlock Technology and impact resistant glass are some of the innovations in fenestration.
The remodeling market on the Cape and Islands has many opportunities for the perfect AW replacement solution. With standard size offerings, as well as custom-sized units (the best kept secret in the market), choose from awnings, casements, double hungs, and patio doors for a great solution at a reasonable price. The 400-Series Tiltwash and Woodwright double hung insert replacement units are great options for the right replacement situation. Expanded exterior color offerings on the 400-Series products now include: black, dark bronze, and canvas. These are in addition to traditional white, terratone, sandtone, and forest green. The other best kept secret is the Tiltwash Conversion Kit. This is a great replacement solution for the thousands of aging Narrowline windows in the market. In 30 minutes you’ve got a new window!
The Shepley Showcase specializes in Andersen Windows and Doors, and more! Other products and topics we are versed in include:
- Weiland Lift & Slide
- Folding outswing doors
- A-Series 3 Panel Gliding Doors
- A-Series Gliding Patio Door, Standard With A RO 7’0” W
- A-Series 10’ H Patio Doors
- Jobsite Service Installation Seminars
Performance Grade
- MA Code Requirements, Including Stretch Energy
- Window Limiting Control Devices
Set Up Patio Door Frames
- Expanded Pre-Finished Interior Options and Wood Species Selections
- DP Upgrade
- Silverline
- Verilock
- Cad Drawing Sign-offs
- Factory Assemby
Visit the Shepley Showcase at 75 Ben Franklin Way in Hyannis and partner with a Shepley professional. I would like to thank the entire building community for allowing my fellow employees and me to partner on your projects. We hope we have met and exceeded your goals! Each project is different, unique, all AW, all Cape Cod! Have a great summer and drive safe!