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NEWS RELEASE:September 5, 2006 BACK TO NEWS ARCHIVE

Simonton Windows Ranks Highest in Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door Manufactures

Simonton Windows ranks highest in satisfying builders and remodelers with residential windows and patio doors, according to the J.D. Power and Associates/McGraw-Hill Construction 2006 Residential Window and Patio Door Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction Study released today.

The inaugural study is designed to provide comprehensive information to assist window and patio door manufacturers in their efforts to improve customer satisfaction. Overall builder and remodeler satisfaction is based on performance in seven factors. They are (in order of importance): product (25%), warranty and repair service (25%), delivery (14%), price (11%), sales and marketing support (10%), placing orders (9%) and credit/billing (7%).

Simonton receives the highest ratings in four satisfaction factors: warranty and repair service; delivery; price and placing orders. Simonton is followed in the rankings by CertainTeed and Marvin in a tie, Anderson, Milgard, Pella, respectively.

"Product and warranty and repair service together account for 50 percent of overall satisfaction, which are two areas that reflect directly on builders and remodelers from the standpoint of homeowners," said Jim Howland, senior director of the real estate industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. "An average of only 5 percent of respondents say they purchase residential windows and doors exclusively from one manufacturer. Clearly there are many good substitutes available to builders and remodelers, so excellent customer service and product differentiation are critical to maintaining and expanding market share."

The study finds that customer satisfaction plays a significant role in creating customer advocates among new-home builders and remodelers. Manufacturers receiving an average index score of 806-the study average-on a 1,000-point scale receive an average of 7.5 recommendations from customers. An increase of 30 index points leads to an additional 0.4 recommendations given out.

"Competition is fierce in the residential windows and doors market, so recommendations from home builders and remodelers can have a significant impact on a manufacturer's bottom line," said Burleigh Morton, senior director of research and analytics at McGraw-Hill Construction. "Providing outstanding performance in the areas that are most important form the point of view of customers can lead to greater levels of loyalty, and ultimately to an improved bottom line as manufacturers build a larger and increasingly loyal customer base."

The study also finds that the occurrence of problems can have a significant impact on customer satisfaction. The study examined three types potential problem areas in the relationship builders and remodelers have with the window supplier: timeliness (products arriving on time), order accuracy and billing. Of these, timeliness of product delivery has the greatest impact on overall satisfaction. Customers who did not receive their order when expected report significantly lower scores on average, than those who did receive products on time.

The 2006 Residential Window and Patio Door Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 2,343 new-ho9me builders and remodelers. Each respondent evaluated up to two manufacturers of residential windows and patio doors.

J.D. Power and Associates and McGraw-Hill Construction have also collaborated on three other related studies: 2006 Commercial Window and Door Subcontractor Satisfaction Study, 2006 Residential Window and Patio Door Architect Satisfaction Study, and the 2006 HVAC and Water Heater/Boiler Subcontractor Satisfaction Study.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, California, J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, consulting, training and customer satisfaction. The firm's quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

About McGraw-Hill Construction
McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP), connects people, projects and products acress the design and construction industry. Backed by the power of Dodge, Sweets, Engineering News-Record (ENR), Architectural Records, and Regional Publications, the Company provides information, intelligence, tools, applications and resources to help customers grow their business. McGraw-Hill Construction serves more than one million customers within the $4.6 trillion global construction community. For more information, visit www.construction.com

About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, educaion and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Business Week and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 290 offices in 38 countries. Sales in 2005 were $6.0 billion. Additional information is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.

About Keystone Windows & Doors:
Established in 1987 by Michan Rhodes, Keystone Windows & Doors is a full service, family-owned distributorship of quality windows and doors. The company specializes in design consultation, remodeling expertise, door retrofitting and professional installation services and offers a wide selection of wood, vinyl, aluminum and fiberglass windows at its Seattle-based showroom. To view Keystone's complete list of trusted manufacturers, click here.

Contact Info: Keystone Windows & Doors