Company to Receive Corporate Award at 2007 Governor’s Hurricane Conference FMA Recognizes PGT for Service “Above & Beyond”
VENICE, Fla., May 9, 2007 -- PGT, the leading provider of residential impact-resistant windows and doors, will receive the Corporate Award at the 21st Annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference May 16 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center. The company will be honored for its contributions to advance hurricane preparedness and mitigation techniques. Meanwhile, the company was recently presented with the 2007 Executive Director’s Award by the Fenestration Manufacturer's Association (FMA) for its advisory role to various building code committees and work groups.
“My appreciation in receiving this recognition goes first to our employees,” said PGT President and CEO Rod Hershberger. “Each day every individual on our team makes an extra effort to go above and beyond the ordinary. Our employees have made PGT an industry leader demonstrating their commitment to be Visibly Better.”
It’s particularly special to receive the Corporate Award because Florida is our home base,” said Debbie LaPinska, PGT Vice President of Sales and Marketing, who will accept the Governor’s Award on behalf of PGT. “We’ve made a corporate commitment to aid the State’s efforts to make homes and buildings safer for Floridians. We are proud to be a partner in this collaborative effort and we’re pleased to share this year’s award with StormSmart.”
With manufacturing facilities in Florida and North Carolina, and more than 2,000 employees, PGT is dedicated to helping ensure that structures in Florida and other coastal regions are stronger and safer. The 26-year-old company’s involvement with home hurricane protection began more than a decade ago after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida. The company worked with Miami-Dade county officials and others to create wind-borne debris testing protocols and then developed PGT® WinGuard® Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors, the #1 residential impact-resistant products in the industry.
Today, PGT code experts, remain active in assisting government officials craft testing standards. Through PGT University (PGTU), the company’s on-site training facility, employees and building trade professionals are continually educated about new building code requirements. Additionally, PGT code experts serve on public committees responsible for reviewing and improving building code requirements.
ABOUT THE HURRICANE CONFERENCE:
The conference runs from May 14-18 and features workshops to increase awareness and improve preparation in order to lessen the effects of man-made and natural disasters. This year’s theme is “Building on Past Successes … Preparing for Future Challenges.” PGT received the Corporate Award in 2005 for employee-relief efforts after Hurricane Charley devastated Charlotte County and impacted nearly half of its employees living in the region. The manufacturer extended support to 840 of its workers and their families by providing them with a family relief center, food and supplies, repair services and relocation assistance.
ABOUT PGT’S CODE COMPLIANCE EXPERTS:
In their roles as public affairs and code compliance experts, team members are responsible for educational efforts directed at local, state, regional, national and international legislators, regulatory officials, insurance industry representatives, industry associations, architects, builders and developers. Each regularly gives educational seminars related to code education and speaks to architects, engineers, builders, homeowners, building departments and the media on code related issues. The PGT code compliance specialist actively serves on the Construction Specifications Institute, Fenestration Manufacturers Association, Florida Building Materials Association, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF) also serving on the Code --MORE-- Interpretation Committee. Additionally, the organization contributes to the Florida Building Commission Product Approval Workgroup, the Commission’s Hurricane Research Advisory Committee and its Structural Technical Advisory Committee. The organization has had a presence at all Building Commission meetings since 2001.
ABOUT PGT:
PGT® pioneered the U.S. impact-resistant window and door industry and today is the nation’s leading manufacturer and supplier of residential impact-resistant windows and doors. PGT is one of the largest window and door manufacturers in the United States. In its 26th year, the company employs more than 2,000 at its manufacturing, glass laminating and tempering plants, and delivery fleet facilities in Venice, Fla., and Salisbury, N.C. Sold through a network of over 1,300 independent distributors, the company’s total line of custom windows and doors is now available throughout the eastern United States, the Gulf Coast and in a growing international market. PGT’s product line includes PGT® Aluminum and Vinyl Windows and Doors; WinGuard® Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors; PGT® Architectural Systems; and Eze-Breeze® Sliding Panels. PGT Industries is a wholly owned subsidiary of PGT, Inc. (NASDAQ: PGTI). www.pgtindustries.com.
