AAMA's Keynote Speaker Discusses Fostering Innovation at Annual Conference

Following his keynote presentation, Tucker moderated a discussion panel with AAMA leaders, including Rod Hershberger, CEO and President of PGT Industries; Georges Thiret, Consultant to Graham Architectural Products; and Ray Garries, Corporate Manager of Codes and Regulatory Affairs for JELD-WEN.     

 

“Innovation is especially important in our industry, as fenestration companies need to seek out new ways to separate themselves from the competition in today’s economic climate,” says Rich Walker, AAMA President and CEO. “The panel discussion proved to be a great opportunity for conference attendees to hear from a few of AAMA’s own thought leaders about how they use innovation to advance the fenestration industry.”

 

During his presentation, Tucker emphasized that innovation is not just new technology and products but “the act of creating new, unique or exceptional value for your customers and your company.” In regard to the window and door market, Tucker noted that “innovation is only limited by our imagination” and that it could take between 80-100 ideas to reach one that works.

Garries also spoke of generating ideas during the AAMA member discussion panel. “It takes a lot of ideas to garner innovative concepts,” he said.

 

Additionally, both Hershberger and Thiret discussed how they’ve fostered innovation at their respective companies. Hershberger noted that PGT has an “open-door policy” with their employees, where they are free to develop their “own unique ideas.” However, Thiret noted that innovation can come from the need for your company to survive. Thiret went onto describe the growth of Graham from 40 employees to 400 in just five years.

 

About the Speaker

Robert Tucker is President and Founder of The Innovation Resource. Formerly an adjunct professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, Tucker has been a consultant and keynote speaker for 25 years. In his book, Innovation Is Everybody’s Business, Tucker interviewed 43 innovation-adept individuals from multiple industries and all levels of organizations, and teaches the personal skills necessary to become an innovator.

 

More Information

 

To view Tucker's keynote presentation, visit the Members Only portion of the AAMA website. More information about AAMA and its activities can be found via the AAMA Media Relations page or on the AAMA website, www.aamanet.org.

 

AAMA would like to thank platinum sponsor Zobel North America, gold sponsors Amesbury Group and Quanex Building Products and silver sponsors Joseph Machine Company and Quast Consulting & Testing for their sponsorship of the 76th Annual Conference held in Tucson, AZ, February 24-27.

AAMA is the source of performance standards, product certification, and educational programs for the fenestration industry.SM