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J.D. Power and Associates and McGraw-Hill Construction Report:
Among Builders and Remodelers, Simonton Windows Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Windows and Patio Doors
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 7 August 2008 —Simonton Windows ranks highest in satisfying builders and remodelers with windows and patio doors, according to the J.D. Power and Associates/McGraw-Hill Construction 2008 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM released today.
Now in its third year, the study measures satisfaction with residential windows and patio doors based on responses from new-home builders and remodelers by evaluating performance in seven factors (in order of importance): product (20%); warranty and repair service (19%); value (18%); customer service and support (14%); delivery (11%); credit/billing process (9%); and ordering process (9%). The study is designed to provide comprehensive information to assist window and patio door manufacturers in their efforts to improve customer satisfaction.
Simonton achieves an index score of 829 on a 1,000-point scale and performs particularly well in the ordering process, delivery and value factors. Pella and Milgard follow in the rankings, scoring 821 and 813, respectively. Pella performs well in the customer service and support and credit/billing process factors, while Milgard performs particularly well in warranty and repair service.
Despite a challenging economic environment for the homebuilding and construction industries, overall satisfaction has improved notably in 2008 (796), compared with 2007 (780). In addition, value has increased in importance as a driver of satisfaction in 2008, compared with the previous year.
“The increase in importance of the value factor—which denotes builders’ and remodelers’ perception of product value compared to the price paid—is not unexpected, given the current trying times in the housing industry in which both construction and sales are down,” said Jim Howland, senior director of the construction and real estate practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “In spite of the market downturn, however, window and patio door manufacturers have succeeded in satisfying customers by not only providing high-quality products, but also by elevating levels of customer service and support.”
The study finds that the energy efficiency of windows and patio doors has emerged as a particularly important product feature in 2008.
“Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of energy efficient and environmentally friendly building options, and builders and remodelers are responding accordingly to consumer demand by placing particular importance on energy efficiency when evaluating products,” said Burleigh Morton, senior director of research and analytics at McGraw-Hill Construction. “In addition, if builders and remodelers are able to tout the energy efficiency of windows and patio doors that they install, it may give them an edge in the tight housing and construction markets.”
The 2008 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 2,837 new-home builders and remodelers. Each respondent evaluated up to two manufacturers of residential windows and patio doors. The study was fielded between May and June 2008.
About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on boat ratings, car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. 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 across the design and construction industry. Backed by the power of Dodge, Sweets, Engineering News-Record (ENR), Architectural Record, 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 http://www.construction.com/
About The McGraw-Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2007 were $6.8 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.
No advertising or other promotional use can be made of the information in this release without the express prior written consent of J.D. Power and Associates. www.jdpower.com/corporate
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What does J.D. Power and Associates do?J.D. Power and Associates' research, consulting, and performance improvement services are used by a variety of industries to improve product quality and customer satisfaction. The firm's research is based solely on responses from millions of consumers and business customers worldwide. Product and service rankings that result from this research reflect the opinions of consumers and business customers-not the opinion of J.D. Power and Associates. Rankings are derived from nationally syndicated studies that serve as industry benchmarks for measuring and tracking quality and customer satisfaction. J.D. Power and Associates conducts the research, publicly announces the results, and then offers analysis based on consumer feedback to product and service providers to help them improve their businesses.
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