Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. Inc. will lay off 334 production and office employees in response to the “continuing decline in the residential and light commercial construction industry,” reported Window & Door magazine.
Kolbe intends to reinstate the workers, many of whom work at the company’s facility in Wausau, Wis., in early spring 2010, states the manufacturer’s president, Michael Salsieder.
To learn more, check out the full article.–Victoria Markovitz
Despite being a leading skylight manufacturer, Velux heard from some pros and consumers that they were afraid to spec or install skylights because of perceptions they might leak. The company announced yesterday, during a meeting with ebuild editors, that it has created a new unit guaranteed not to leak.
The No Leak Skylight is supported by a 10-year installation warranty that protects against leaking, a 20-year warranty on the glass seal, a 10-year warranty for the skylight and flashing, and a five-year blinds and electronic control warranty. Velux officials told us that the 10-year-installation guarantee–no matter who installs the skylight–is the best in the industry. Not only does the warranty cover repairing or replacing defective products, but it covers the labor, too, says Joe Patrick, senior product manager at Velux.
To prevent leaks, the product sports a three-layer system:
–A pre-attached deck seal on deck-mounted skylights provides a seal between the frame and the roof deck.
–An adhesive underlayment provides secondary water protection.
–Flashing engineered to work with different roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles or metal roofing, acts as the primary water barrier.
The product also features enhanced energy efficiency and aesthetics and faster and easier installation:
–Three layers of low-E coating that improve visible light transmittance by approximately 10% while reducing solar heat gain by 20%, compared with existing models.
–A lower roof profile, a curved design, and a new exterior gray finish.
–Pre-mounted brackets for quicker installation of sunscreen blinds.
–Factory-applied white on interior frames and sashes that eliminate on-site painting.
–A design that eliminates cladding screws and has only one piece to remove during installation to simplify the process.
Even with these additions, the new skylight only costs $40 more than a traditional Velux unit, says Patrick, a cost that doesn’t include the savings earned from faster installation; he could not quote specific installation savings.
The product will roll out to different regions at various times during the upcoming months, but should be available nationwide by May 2010, the company projects.–Victoria Markovitz
William Sibley “Bill” Marvin, the longtime president of Marvin Windows and Doors, died Aug. 31 at his home in Warroad, Minn. He just turned 92 years old last week.
Marvin, who was born Aug. 25, 1917, began his career at what was then Marvin Lumber and Cedar Company in 1939. He was the eighth employee at the firm, which soon began making custom wood and door frames.
According to the company, Bill Marvin “later pushed to expand the offering to complete windows and doors,” creating Marvin Windows and Doors and becoming its president and chairman in 1960. “Under his leadership, the company grew every year except 1961, when the Warroad factory burned to the ground.”
“Bill Marvin had the vision to see that you could create a national market for custom millwork,” said Frank Anton, CEO of Hanley Wood, the publisher of BUILDER. “He found a way to reach a thousand markets of one before it was fashionable. He found a way to bring affordable custom millwork into the hands of builders nationwide. He probably created the pre-eminent custom millwork brand in the industry, one synonymous with architectural style.”
During his career, Bill Marvin received numerous honors for his business leadership and contributions. Among others, BUILDER Magazine named him one of the most influential building industry leaders of the 20th century, Twin Cities Business magazine inducted him into its 2007 Minnesota Business Hall of Fame, and Bemidji State University gave him the Distinguished Minnesotan Award. His contributions were noted locally as well; Warroad High School, from which he graduated, honored him with its Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award in 1995.
He also graduated from the University of Minnesota.
Marvin is survived by his six adult children, 17 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Margaret, who he married in 1941, two infant children, and one granddaughter.
The funeral service for Bill Marvin will be held Friday, Sept. 4, at 11 a.m. in Warroad. For more information,please contact the Helgeson Funeral Chapel in Warroad.
Alison Rice is senior editor, online, at BUILDER magazine.
Pella Corp. has issued a recall for about 6,500 Architect Series and 850 Series casement windows units, the Consumer Products Safety Commission announced yesterday, Aug. 25. The window’s hinge can break, causing the window sash to fall out and posing a risk of injury to persons beneath the window.
The CPSC said Pella is aware of one report of the hinge breaking, causing the sash to fall. No injuries have been reported. The window was sold between September 2007 and April 2009 at distributors nationwide as well as in home improvement stores in Florida.
“Consumers should immediately stop using the window and contact Pella to schedule a free repair,” the CPSC said. “Owners have received direct mail notification of this recall.” For more, contact Pella at 800-374-4758 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. –ProSales magazine.
Here is one positive sign–even if a small one–that the housing market is on the upswing: Gorell Windows & Doors, which specializes in replacement vinyl windows and patio doors, recently recalled the last of its furloughed employees, nearly 100 people total, and even is accepting applications to fill additional positions.
The callback comes in response to rising demand for its products, which the firm says is due to its promotion of the new federal tax credits for energy-efficient windows and doors as well as the upturn in business that typically occurs each spring.
“Although the economy is still challenging, we’re seeing many positive signs that the country is coming out of this recession,” Wayne Gorell, president and CEO, said in an announcement. “Business has been improving steadily every week, and we’re anticipating a good second half of the year for 2009.” –Jean Dimeo
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