Viracon Earns Ethics Award
The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) recently announced that it has recognized six firms for their high ethical standards, including Viracon Inc. This is the first time that ASA has presented Excellence in Ethics Certificates.

President Highlights Serious Materials in Speech
At a recent green economy event in Washington, D.C., President Obama highlighted the re-opening of a Serious Materials’ window plant in western Pennsylvania, the company reports. The company re-hired former employees to produce energy-efficient windows at the plant, which re-opened in March. "It is an honor to be recognized as a company that is helping to lead our economic recovery and push forward towards energy independence," said Kevin Surace, CEO of Serious Materials. A video of the president’s remarks is posted on the Serious Materials’ online press room.

Member Companies Recall Workers
Minneapolis’ Star Tribune recently reported that window companies are recalling laid-off workers thanks to increasing interest in energy-efficient windows that may qualify for federal tax credits. The credits were included in The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, more commonly referred to as the economic stimulus package. Among the companies mentioned in the article: Andersen, which recalled just over a quarter of the employees it laid off at two plants in Minnesota earlier this year; and Simonton Windows, which recalled more than 100 employees at facilities in Illinois and West Virginia.

NFRC Mentioned in High-Profile Publications
This item spotlights the entire membership. On March 17, a USA Today article about the launch of a new Good Housekeeping Seal to recognize environmentally friendly products mentioned other organizations that offer rating systems, including the NFRC. Around a week later, a real estate reporter for the Washington Post mentioned the NFRC in an online feature. Her column addressed using tax credits when purchasing replacement windows.

Members Among Recipients of 2009 ENERGY STAR® Awards

NFRC members were among the businesses and organizations that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy honored for outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency at the recent 2009 ENERGY STAR® Awards ceremony. ENERGY STAR recognized NFRC members Pella Corporation, and Provia Door for their efforts to promote the program through increased visibility of ENERGY STAR-labeled products, and increasing the number of ENERGY STAR-qualified installers and sales representatives. ENERGY STAR also honored Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison for their targeted communications campaigns designed to educate homeowners on the value of ENERGY STAR and energy efficiency, including energy-saving fenestration.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Back to Home Page >>>

Chair's Message >>>

InnerView >>>

NFRC Pursues ANSI Accreditation >>>

ENERGY STAR^® Finalizes Residential Fenestration Criteria >>>

NFRC Makes Progress on Several Fronts During Spring Meeting >>>

Summer Membership Meeting to be held in Baltimore in July >>>

Board Asked to Consider Expanding NFRC’s Scope >>>

NFRC Introduces Meeting Sponsorship Program >>>

John Lewis Joins NFRC Staff >>>

SPOTLIGHT: Thermophysical Properties of Materials Subcommittee >>>

Member Spotlight >>>

Industry Happenings >>>

NFRC Insider | Vol. 3, Issue 3 - April 2009