In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with Morgan Donahue, Owner and CEO of Erdman Automation, to discuss how long-term partnerships, innovation, and customer collaboration are shaping the future of manufacturing in the window and door industry.

Morgan shares insights from more than 30 years in automation, including how customer feedback drives Product Innovation, why reliability is critical in manufacturing systems, and how Continuous Improvement creates stronger partnerships over time.

What You’ll Learn

• How long-term partnerships improve manufacturing outcomes
• Why collaboration matters in automation development
• How customer feedback shapes machinery innovation
• The role of reliability in production environments
• How Erdman Automation approaches Continuous Improvement
• What future automation trends could mean for the industry

Episode Highlights 01:19 Morgan Donahue’s background and Erdman Automation overview 02:53 What makes long-term partnerships successful 04:46 Customer feedback and Product Innovation 07:44 Balancing innovation with reliability 10:19 Building collaborative supplier relationships 12:13 Future trends in manufacturing automation 15:39 Creating value for the end customer using innovation

Meet the Guest

Morgan Donahue is the Owner and CEO of Erdman Automation, a company specializing in automation systems for the window and door manufacturing industry. With more than 30 years of experience, Morgan has helped lead innovations in insulating glass fabrication, custom machinery development, and advanced manufacturing processes.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

• Manufacturing automation systems
• Thermoplastic spacer technology
• FlexScreen automation
• Continuous Improvement principles
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Customer feedback loops
• Reliability-focused equipment design

Closing Insight + CTA

Strong partnerships are built on collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to improvement. This episode highlights how innovation becomes more effective when manufacturers and suppliers work together toward long-term success.

Subscribe to the Clear Impact Podcast for more conversations on leadership, Product Innovation, manufacturing strategy, and industry insights.

What separates a good manufacturing operation from a great one? In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with Bill Webster, Nathan Spencer, and Chris Rothermel from the Gratz manufacturing facility to explore how safety, Continuous Improvement, leadership accountability, and team member engagement shape operational excellence at MITER Brands.

The Gratz operations team shares real-world stories about manufacturing culture, process improvements, safety transformation, and profitable partnerships. The conversation highlights how MITER DNA, Every Detail, Every Day operational discipline, and Experience Is Everything influence daily decisions throughout the facility.

What You’ll Learn

• How strong safety cultures are built through accountability and communication

• Why small operational improvements can create major manufacturing results

• How leadership credibility impacts team performance and engagement

• The role Continuous Improvement plays beyond productivity metrics

• Why employee ownership is critical for sustaining operational success

Episode Highlights

01:40 – Meet the leaders behind the Gratz manufacturing facility

03:14 – What a strong safety culture looks like on the manufacturing floor

04:08 – The moment that transformed safety culture at Gratz

07:50 – How leadership behaviors build trust and credibility

9:56 – Why innovation in manufacturing does not always require major technology

11:27 – How a simple idea improved operational traffic flow and safety

13:54 – A small Continuous Improvement change that reduced IG remakes

14:36 – Why ownership is critical for sustaining improvements

16:03 – What customers value most from manufacturing partners today

Meet the Guests

Bill Webster is the Technical Services Manager at the Gratz manufacturing facility and has spent nearly two decades in manufacturing leadership roles across shipping, production, and operations.

Nathan Spencer leads Continuous Improvement initiatives at Gratz and focuses on operational efficiency, cost savings, and employee-driven process improvements.

Chris Rothermel is the Operations Manager at Gratz and brings more than 40 years of manufacturing leadership experience to the organization.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

• Continuous Improvement

• MITER DNA

• Every Detail, Every Day

• On-Time, In-Full (OTIF)

• VPP Star Safety Certification

• QR code employee idea system

• Team member ownership strategies

• Operational Standardization

Closing Insight

“Creating ownership towards an improvement can be the difference between success and failure.”

This episode offers an inside look at how manufacturing leaders cre...

What do builders, dealers, and homeowners need to know about the upcoming Florida Building Code changes? In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with code compliance engineers Lisa Wilson and Lynn Miller to break down the most important updates coming to the 9th Edition of the Florida Building Code and how those changes will impact windows, doors, product approvals, coastal construction, and Energy Efficiency requirements across Florida.

Lisa and Lynn explain the real-world implications of updated water infiltration testing, corrosion-resistant fastener requirements, energy performance standards, and new HVHZ Florida Product Approvals. The conversation also highlights the importance of permit timing during code cycle changes, and how to stay informed.

What You’ll Learn

• How the new Florida Building Code impacts sliding glass doors and water infiltration requirements

• Why stainless steel fasteners are becoming mandatory near Florida coastlines

• What builders need to know about updated Energy Efficiency requirements

• How Miami-Dade NOAs are transitioning to HVHZ Florida Product Approvals

• Why dealers should carefully track permit timelines during the code transition

Episode Highlights

02:50 – How the Florida Building Code update process works

05:34 – What is changing with water infiltration requirements for sliding doors

5:51 – How the new overhang rules affect covered patio installations

11:42 – New coastal anchorage and stainless steel fastener requirements

14:32 – How Energy Efficiency requirements are changing for new construction

20:26 – What builders and dealers need to know about product approval updates

24:30 – Why permit timing matters during the code transition

28:51 – The risks of relying on AI for building code information

30:34 – Practical ways dealers can prepare for the 2027 code cycle

Meet the Guests

Lisa Wilson is a Code Compliance Engineer at PGT Innovations with more than 30 years of experience in product approvals, code interpretation, and Florida building compliance.

Lynn Miller is the Code Compliance Manager at PGT Innovations and a former structural engineer specializing in building codes, standards development, and fenestration compliance.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

• Florida Building Code

• HVHZ Florida Product Approvals

• Miami-Dade NOAs

• Energy Efficiency performance path calculations

• Hurricane Preparedness standards

• Water infiltration testing

• Standardization processes

• MITER Brands University educational resources

Closing Insight

“It’s always best to double check those sources with the actual building code.”

This episode offers practical guidance for builders, dealers,...

What happens behind the scenes before a window or door system ever reaches production? In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with Matt Riland, Director of Product Engineering at MITER Brands, to explore how engineering teams improve product performance, support manufacturing operations, and drive Continuous Improvement across the organization.

Matt shares how product engineering teams collaborate with operations, supply chain, service, and quality teams to create better products and stronger customer experiences. The conversation also covers simulation technology, Product Innovation, Standardization, and how MITER DNA influences engineering decisions throughout the product lifecycle.

What You’ll Learn

• How product engineering teams evaluate windows and doors before production

• Why Continuous Improvement depends on cross-functional collaboration

• How simulation tools help reduce testing time and improve product performance

• The role trust and communication play in profitable partnerships

• Why customer experience and manufacturing efficiency must work together

Episode Highlights

02:29 – What product engineering looks like inside the window and door industry

03:34 – How engineering teams validate product performance before launch

05:21 – Why small design changes can impact manufacturing operations

07:38 – How teams across multiple facilities collaborate on product improvements

10:06 – Why feedback loops are critical for Continuous Improvement

12:02 – How simulation technology improves engineering decisions

13:39 – The importance of document control and engineering systems

15:18 – Why profitable partnerships are built on trust and communication

16:27 – Matt Riland’s favorite MITER DNA principle and why it matters

Meet the Guest

Matt Riland is the Director of Product Engineering for MI Windows and Doors and the Sunrise Collection at MITER Brands. He brings more than two decades of experience in product engineering, customer engineering, operational collaboration, and manufacturing support.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

• Continuous Improvement

• MITER DNA

• Product Innovation

• CAD simulation tools

• Engineering product data management systems

• Standardization processes

• Cross-functional engineering collaboration

• Every Detail, Every Day operational mindset

Closing Insight

“Everybody’s feedback is critical to getting to a really good solution.”

In this episode, Matt Riland explains how engineering, collaboration, and Continuous Improvement work together to create stronger products, better operational outcomes, and a better customer experience.

Subscribe to the Clear Impact Podcast for more conversations ab...

What does it really take to build a safer, stronger manufacturing culture where people feel heard, valued, and motivated to improve every day? In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with Bryan Richie and Matt Klimchak from MI Window and Door’s Hegins campus to explore how leadership, safety, continuous improvement, and team member engagement drive operational excellence.

Bryan and Matt share practical insights from the manufacturing floor, including how behavioral-based safety programs create better accountability, why listening builds credibility, and how creativity shows up in day-to-day operations. The conversation also highlights how MITER DNA and the belief that Experience Is Everything influence leadership decisions, quality systems, and the overall team member experience.

Whether you work in manufacturing leadership, operations management, quality, safety, or organizational development, this episode offers actionable ideas for building a more engaged and high-performing workplace culture.

What You’ll Learn

• How behavioral-based safety programs improve communication and accountability on the manufacturing floor

• Why Continuous Improvement goes beyond productivity metrics and impacts culture, quality, and employee experience

• How leadership credibility is built through listening, follow-up, and trust

• The role creativity plays in manufacturing, process improvement, and Product Innovation

• Why team member experience directly affects operational performance and long-term growth

Episode Highlights

01:34 – Matt Klemchak shares his background of process engineering and continuous improvement. 02:57 - Bryan Richie shares his education in chemistry and now covers a wide range of areas in manufacturing leadership.

3:56 – Matt Klimchak explains the scale and operational focus of the Hegins campus

04:46 – What a strong safety culture looks like in modern manufacturing

6:16 – How the Hegins facility evolved into a behavioral-based safety environment

9:39 – Why peer-to-peer engagement creates stronger safety outcomes

11:14 – How listening and follow-up build leadership credibility

13:26 – The connection between creativity and manufacturing problem-solving

15:05 – How the Manufacturers Leadership Institute encourages innovative thinking

18:23 – Why Continuous Improvement is about more than production metrics

22:05- Matt shares a story of partnership that was strengthened by solving problems together

23:51 – Advice for someone just starting out in a manufacturing career

28:17 – Matt’s favorite DNA point

28:45 – Brian’s favorite DNA point

Meet the Guests

Bryan Richie supports quality, training, and Continuous Improvement initiatives at the Hegins campus. His background includes chemistry, operational quality systems, and cross-functional manufacturing leadership.

Matt Klimchak serves as Operations Manager for the Hegins campus at MITER Brands. His experience includes process engineering, operational leadership, sa...

What does service, sacrifice, and patriotism look like inside a modern American family? In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast brought to you by MITER Brands University, host Sherri Connor sits down with Aaron and LuAnn Shadle to share a deeply personal conversation about military service, Gold Star families, leadership, resilience, and the values that shape strong communities.

Aaron Shadle, a CNC machinist at MI’s Gratz Operations and former Navy SEAL radio operator, joins his mother LuAnn Shadle to reflect on their family’s connection to military service and the loss of Aaron’s brother, Brett Shadle of SEAL Team 6. Together, they discuss patriotism, workforce discipline, community support, first responders, and the role organizations like the MITER Foundation and Navy SEAL Foundation play in supporting veterans and their families.

This episode offers meaningful insight for manufacturing professionals, workforce leaders, veterans, first responders, and anyone interested in leadership, service culture, and community impact.

What You’ll Learn

- What it means to be part of a Gold Star family

- How military service shapes leadership, discipline, and work ethic

- Why community support matters for veterans and first responders

- How the MITER Foundation supported Navy SEAL Foundation fundraising efforts

-How the MITER Foundation helped establish the Gold Star Monument in Harrisburg PA

- Why younger generations benefit from understanding sacrifice, service, and patriotism

Episode Highlights 01:12 – Aaron and LuAnn Shadle introduce their family’s military background 02:16 – What it means to become a Gold Star family 02:31 – How the Navy SEAL Foundation supported the Shadle family after loss 03:19– Aaron explains the physical challenge of the Navy SEAL Foundation Hudson Swim 04:00 – How the MITER Foundation supported veteran fundraising efforts 05:13 – Aaron shares how patriotism changed after military service and personal loss 06:48 – LuAnn reflects on supporting military families and first responders 8:20 – Why Arlington National Cemetery left a lasting impact on local students 10:39 – The value of military service, skilled trades, and workforce development for young adults 11:41- The impact of the work of MITER Foundation for their communities

Meet the Guests Aaron Shadle Aaron Shadle is a CNC machinist at MI’s Gratz Operations and a former U.S. Navy SEAL radio operator who served with SEAL Team One. He brings firsthand perspective on military service, leadership, resilience, and workforce discipline.

LuAnn Shadle LuAnn Shadle is a Gold Star mother whose family has a deep history of military service. She shares powerful insights on sacrifice, patriotism, community support, and honoring those who serve.

Tools, Frameworks, and Organizations Mentioned

- MITER Brands University

- MITER Foundation

- Navy SEAL Foundation

- Gold Star Family support systems

- Workforce development and skilled trades

- Community leadership and people-first culture

Closing Insight

“Freedom is not simply handed to us. It is protected through service, sacrifice, and the people wi...

What happens when supply chain teams become innovation partners instead of just material buyers?

In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast from MITER Brands University, Sherri Connor speaks with Mario Ferrucci about supplier collaboration, strategic procurement, product innovation, and how cross-industry partnerships help improve manufacturing, customer experience, and operational efficiency across the window and door industry.

Mario shares how trusted supplier relationships, emerging technologies, and collaborative problem solving help MITER Brands stay competitive while creating better products for dealers and homeowners.

● How supplier partnerships create competitive advantages

● Why customer feedback influences product innovation

● How cross-industry technologies improve window and door products

● Why supply chain teams are becoming strategic innovation partners

● How MITER Brands approaches collaboration, confidentiality, and product development

0:54 – Mario Ferrucci explains his role in strategic procurement and new product development

02:01 – How supplier collaboration creates new ways to solve industry challenges

02:55 – Balancing innovation speed with intellectual property protection

03:47 – The story behind Milgard’s SmartTouch lock evolution

04:54 – Why customer perception impacts product decisions

06:21 – How emerging technologies succeed only when they solve practical problems

09:06 – Cross-industry innovation from aerospace, coatings, and consumer electronics

11:36 – Why supply chain is evolving into a strategic business function

13:17 – Mario explains why “Bias for Action” is his favorite MITER DNA principle

Mario Ferrucci is Commodity Manager for New Product Development within the strategic procurement team at MITER Brands. He specializes in supplier partnerships, international trade, product innovation, and manufacturing collaboration.

● Strategic procurement

● Supplier collaboration

● SmartTouch lock innovation

● Cross-industry product development

● Supply chain optimization

● MITER DNA principles

● Product iteration and customer feedback loops

“Supplier innovation and collaboration really is just adding another lever to your toolkit.” – Mario Ferrucci

This episode highlights how collaboration, creativity, and strategic partnerships continue to shape the future of manufacturing and innovation across MITER Brands. Visit Milgard Windows and Doors Visit MITER Brands Visit MITER Brands University

Subscribe to the Clear Impact Podcast from MITER Brands University for...

What does it take to transform an established window and door brand into a luxury architectural experience?

In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with Anita Holman and Crystal Perez to discuss the strategic rebrand of Western Window Systems into Western Architectural Openings. The conversation explores luxury brand positioning, customer experience strategy, architectural branding, and how Western is redefining indoor-outdoor living through design, service, and innovation.

What You’ll Learn

- Why Western evolved into Western Architectural Openings

- How customer research shaped the rebrand strategy

- What luxury branding means in the window and door industry

- How architects, dealers, and homeowners influenced the new direction

- Why customer experience is central to modern brand growth

Episode Highlights

03:07 – The research and strategy behind the Western rebrand

04:11 – Why luxury positioning created a major opportunity in the market

06:28 – How customer experience became a defining part of the new brand

08:57 – The meaning behind the four Western brand pillars

10:02 – What “Widen Your Horizon” represents beyond the product

10:58 – Why the name changed to Western Architectural Openings

12:34 – The symbolism behind the new logo and architectural identity

16:09 – MITER Brands DNA statements that shape leadership and growth

Meet the Guests

Anita Holman is the Vice President of Brand and Channel Marketing at MITER Brands and has spent years helping shape branding strategy across the organization.

Crystal Perez is the Brand Manager for Western Architectural Openings and has been instrumental in the growth and evolution of the Western brand experience.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

- Luxury brand positioning strategy

- Customer experience mapping

- Western brand pillars

- “Widen Your Horizon” core purpose

- Architectural branding strategy

- Dealer showroom activation support

Closing Insight

Great brands are built through vision, alignment, and customer experience. As Anita Holman and Crystal Perez explain throughout this episode, the Western Architectural Openings rebrand reflects more than a visual update. It represents a strategic commitment to luxury design, architectural innovation, and meaningful customer relationships.

Subscribe to the Clear Impact Podcast for more conversations on innovation, leadership, branding, and the future of the window and door industry.