For the first time in company history, Western Window Systems has won a Crystal Achievement Award, handed out each year by Window & Door magazine to businesses for their contributions to the fenestration industry.
Awarded “Most Innovative Manufacturing Process” by a panel of industry experts, Western Window Systems was recognized for its groundbreaking efforts on the company’s new Series 7600 Multi-Slide Door, which achieved an Energy Star rating and DP50 structural rating while maintaining a thin sightline and clean aesthetic similar to that of the company’s popular Series 600 Multi-Slide Door.
“Western Window Systems loves innovation as much as collaboration, so we’re thrilled to share this award with Sierra Aluminum, Ensinger, and Aluro,” says Cameron Wyatt, vice president of design and supply chain. “We’re honored to be receiving our first Crystal Achievement Award for the most innovative manufacturing process, and we look forward to making more contributions in the years ahead.”
To improve the product’s energy performance while keeping the door’s insulating bar (Insulbar) as thin as possible, Western Window Systems collaborated with aluminum extrusion company Sierra Aluminum and high-performance plastics firm Ensinger to maximize the Insulbar design. On the Series 7600, the thermally enhanced regions of the extrusion two functions: 1) act as the interlock itself, and 2) act as a track cap with an integrated screw boss in the sill.
Using the Insulbar in this manner allowed for the possibility of a large strutted area with thin sightlines. Western Window Systems utilizes a complete line of in-house crimping equipment by thermal break assembly company Aluro to bring the aluminum and Insulbar profiles together in the Series 7600 Multi-Slide Door.
“This year’s award recipients stood out among the nearly 100 nominations our judges reviewed,” says Emily Thompson, editor in chief of Window & Door. “Our judges have decades of experience, and we respect their ability to identify the products and equipment that will help elevated the fenestration industry.”
The complete list of award-winners appears in the September issue of Window & Door.
