Qualified Remodeler Magazine

SEP 2015

Qualified Remodeler helps independent remodeling firms to survive, become more professional and more profitable by providing must-have business information, namely best business practices, new product information and timely design ideas.

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BENEFIT TO THE PROFESSIONALS While ProVia sees its app being a help for salespeople and those on jobsites, they also aim to help the professionals with its Installer Certifcation Program (ICP) which ofers training, tools and recognition on the com- pany's website. Te program incorporates three diferent levels based on sales volume after reaching the frst Platinum tier. "Te program includes a variety of things — from discounts on tools we ofer to some of our services we provide that other non-Platinum dealers would have to pay for," Wengerd continues. "Every other year ProVia takes these dealers on a trip where — while we do have fun on that trip — the main purpose of that event is the dealer forum. Te forum is an opportunity for us to sit around the table with all these top dealers and get their input on what we're doing right, what we're doing wrong, what they're seeing in the marketplace, and what kind of needs they see emerging." Recognizing that installation is a key to a successful door and a happy homeown- er, Pella extends contractor and remodeler enrollment into its program once certain qualifcations are met. "Pella has a Certifed Contractor Program, and those involved go through a training and are really up to speed on what the Pella product can provide and how to install it correctly," Snyder says. "We really recommend to the customers that they work with those people specifcally just be- cause they are trained on Pella product and are incredibly knowledgeable. We also have a ton of installation instructions and infor- mation available online as well. We know that installation is the most important part of the process to ensure a well functioning door." Te company asks those in the pro- gram to participate in annual training to ensure installers are meeting the company's standards. JELD-WEN views installation as a priority on the same level as keeping up with consum- er trends. "Installation for new construction is one thing, but for remodelers anything we can do to make that process easier and more straightforward, that's always some- thing we're looking at. Part of innovation isn't always the look of the door; installation is also a key part of our innovation map," Monfore explains. | W H E N Y O U S E E decorative glass in many of the offerings from major manufacturers, there is a good chance that the glass is from ODL. "ODL is primarily a manufacturer of door glass inserts and what that means is we make the glass. Our glass is designed to be standard enough that it can go into a variety of manufacturers' doors out there," says Keith Juhola, vice president of sales and marketing. "So depending on what the consumer is looking for we can make a real commodified product like just a clear piece of glass that might go in a patio door. We also manufacture raise and lower blinds between the glass, and then we also do a lot of decorative glass. And the decorative glass is really the art part of our company; it's where we really try to look at trends and what consumers are looking for." One thing the company knows is consumers are looking at glass in a whole different way, partially influenced by websites like Houzz and Pinterest, and are taking advantage of decorative glass in unique ways. "What people are always looking for is a way to express their unique style, whether that's taking one of our intricate, beautiful designs and adding more privacy to it, or we have a custom glass program where people can design glass from scratch. It can go from a napkin sketch to something that will be delivered to you in a couple of weeks," Juhola explains. "We see a lot of people get- ting really wild with that — to a degree they need to be educated on what they can and can't do. Even if you aren't design-minded, give us your imagination and let us be the pen. So we're seeing a lot of personalization, and we're really trying to focus on it." With so many standard decorative glass options available and customization options, ODL provides tools for consumers and indus- try professionals to help with the selection process start to finish. "We have a lot of tools on our website to help guide people: We have a Doorglass Selector, where we guide people toward a glass they like; we have galleries that show different entryways; and then we have where to buy options on the website, which lets you put in a zip code to be con- nected with a dealer of ours," he says. Another tool is the company's catalog which is arranged by architectural styles paired with glass offerings. A glass case can be pro- vided to a remodeler for helping show con- sumers different types of glass and provides a "try before you buy" option. "The thing that's probably most helpful for remodelers and consumers is an application on our website called Your Door Stylizer. You can either upload a photo of your home or look at one of the template homes on the website that shows what the front entryway would look like before and after,"XX says. "We've had this for about three years now and it's been really successful. And it's integrated with social, so you can go on, upload a photo of your home, and if you see something you like you can upload it Pinterest, Facebook or what- ever your preferred social media is and say, "I'm thinking about this for my home. What do you think?" And get people to weigh in on it. It works on phones, tablets and on laptops, so it's easy for a remodeler to walk outside a home during a sales meeting, take a picture and let the homeowner start playing. | Looking Through the Glass QualifiedRemodeler.com QR September 2015 61

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