Case Study: Quaker and TCI's Success Story
The Company
For over 65 years, Quaker Windows & Doors has been dedicated to making quality products for the residential, commercial, and architectural markets. The company, founded by the Knoll family in 1949, is dedicated to providing the highest quality wood, vinyl, and aluminum windows and doors. Today, the second-generation owners are continuing this tradition of quality by using the highest-grade materials, cutting-edge technology, and top-notch facilities to incorporate their expertise into every product sold. “A Tradition of Quality” is the company’s motto and pledge. “We constantly strive to build on our reputation for quality along with our history and passion for continual improvement and product development,” says Kevin Blansett, Quaker CEO.
The Problem
To maintain their commitment and legacy to produce the highest quality windows and doors, Quaker was looking for a superior, long-lasting alternative to wet paint for their expanding line of aluminum products.
Quaker quickly saw the advantages that powder coatings have over wet paint including a solvent-free workplace, lower overall line costs, and ease of cleanup. Powder coatings also emit zero to very low VOCs and offer overspray recycling capabilities. Quaker found TCI’s TruDurance architectural powder coatings to be the right alternative to wet paint. TCI’s powder coating benefits are simple: the coatings look better, last longer, and fit with Quaker’s environmental awareness initiatives for “building green.”
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The Solution
In 2009, Quaker switched from liquid to powder coatings to achieve the best possible finish on its aluminum products. When Quaker decided to construct a new paint facility in 2012, they chose to install a turnkey powder coating system from pretreatment to final cure. This new facility, which is one of the largest state-of-the-art powder coating plants west of the Mississippi, has enabled Quaker to reduce painting costs while improving process efficiency and enhancing painting quality.
Quaker partnered with TCI Powder Coatings to supply the high quality powder coating solution they needed to meet the ever-evolving needs and expectations of the architectural market. Working closely with TCI, Quaker Windows & Doors offers only protective and decorative finishes that meet AAMA 2604 and 2605 requirements. Steve Jones, Architectural & Building Products Segment Manager for TCI, says, “Quaker’s powder coating plant is a testimony to their commitment to quality. TCI and Quaker have a shared vision of creating the best possible products and bringing quality to our customers. This is illustrated well in the pairing of TruDurance powder coatings and Quaker Windows & Doors."
For more than 35 years, TCI has been an industry-leading powder coating supplier with a strong commitment to their products and service. TCI has developed products to meet specific customer requirements for many years and as a result has developed extensive technical capabilities in the powder coating industry. TCI uses the highest quality raw materials, develops new innovative formulas for demanding applications, and is constantly improving their manufacturing process. Their technical center houses developmental, analytical, performance, and durability testing that keeps TCI at the forefront of all powder coating manufacturers. Recently, TCI has made significant advancements in architectural powder coatings with the development of their TruAnodize architectural line.