ATLANTA, Sept. 18, 2019—Window + Door magazine announced the winners of the 2019 Window + Door Awards (formerly, the Crystal Achievement Awards) during a ceremony at GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo in Atlanta. The awards program recognizes the best products in the residential fenestration industry.
“We are proud to honor this year’s products in the legacy of innovation that the Crystal Achievement Awards founded and that the Window + Door Awards promise to continue,” says Emily Thompson, editor in chief, Window + Door magazine. The name change, she explains, is part of the recent redesign of Window + Door magazine. “While our winners still achieve the highest honor, Window + Door Award winners now have a seal that connects them directly to fenestration and clarifies that the recognition comes from a fenestration authority. This change lends a distinct credibility and prestige to the award winners both within and outside the industry.”
All manufacturers of residential windows and doors, as well as component and equipment suppliers, are eligible to be nominated for a Window + Door Award. A panel of judges representing all segments of the residential fenestration industry reviewed nominations and selected winners based on a specific set of criteria for each category. Judges cast their ballots for the products, processes, programs and machines they deem to have a substantial impact on the advancement of the industry.
In addition to being recognized at during GlassBuild America, the winners will be featured in the October/November 2019 issue of Window + Door, in WDweekly and on WindowandDoor.com.
The 2019 Window + Door Award winners are:
- Most Innovative Window: Integrated Rolscreen in Architect Series Reserve Double and Single Hungs by Pella Corp.
- Most Innovative Patio, Multi-slide or Multi-panel Door: TS.X0 by Panda Windows & Doors
- Most Innovative Window Component: SafeGard 2R by AmesburyTruth
- Most Innovative Door Component: System M Pivot Closer by FritsJurgens
- Most Innovative Machine/Equipment: Prozssmcu/Cutting & Fabrication by Protomach/GML Machinery
- Unique Innovation: WinTrax by GED Integrated Solutions
Tony DiFiore, Software and R&D Manager at GED, explains the value WinTrax software will bring to the industry.
“WinTrax is revolutionary for the industry because it automatically tracks windows without manual barcode scans predominately used today. From eliminating lost windows within a facility to those getting loaded onto the wrong truck WinTrax prevents unnecessary remakes and delivery delays, saving time and money. It’s also an exciting technology for the future as its scalability allows for expansion into areas such as automated process routing and takt time data tracking.”
Tony DiFiore
Tim McGlinchy, Executive VP of Engineering, R&D and Software at GED, further recognizes WinTrax for being revolutionary in the industry. “The WinTrax system is revolutionizing the way window and door plants track their product flow through the manufacturing process, high value WIP (work in process) components and finished good warehouse and truck inventory,” says McGlinchy.
McGlinchy points out the unique features of this window tracking technology, which include reducing lost product and rework. “Dashboards give plant supervisors and leaders real-time data to ensure the right product is being delivered in a timely manner to their customer,” adds McGlinchy.
“Our customers have told us they wanted a better system for tracking windows. RFID was a natural solution but it had its challenges. I am proud of the GED Software team and the hard work they put into developing this tracking solution,” says McGlinchy. “It is truly a powerful solution that will save our customers countless hours of searching for lost windows, save our customers from the costs of lost windows or reworks and ultimately improve quality by ensuring proper processing through the plant.”
GED would like to thank Window & Door Magazine for recognizing WinTrax as its 2019 “Innovative Product Award” winner. “The entire GED Software Development team has invested significant resources into WinTrax and the recognition from industry professionals has validated our work,” says DiFiore.
For additional information: Laurie Cowin | 703/442-4890 ext. 188 lcowin@glass.org