Freight Damage

I suspect all of you have had to deal with freight damage. It is worse now than it has ever been in our industry. I want to share few things a few facts that you may not know or realize about these types of issues.All of our orders are shipped FOB (Freight On Board), when the freight line picks up an order at our plant and signs for it, from that point to actual delivery to the customer that material is the property of the freight line. After material is loaded on the truck any damage that occurs during transit to that material must be noted with the freight line at time of delivery and a freight claim must be filed.It is important that if you or your people think there might be freight damage they need to inspect all material before signing any paperwork and either refuse the shipment or note damage on the freight paperwork, have the driver acknowledge, sign and start a freight claim. If this is not done the chances of being reimbursed is very slim in most cases.Some freight company’s may accept claims within a few days of delivery but most will not. We try and always inform customers, if you receive your order damaged refuse the shipment if at all possible. If accepted but customer files a claim, the freight companies because of tariffs in place are only liable for approximately $0.99 per pound of the overall weight of the material and in many cases that will not cover full replacement cost. If you need additional assistance or would like more information about this issue or any of our other Blog’s please contact me at 800-668-1645 ext 174 or e-mail me at townsend@ccbpwin.com .

Kelly Townsend

National Sales Director

Columbia Commercial Building Products L.L.C.

I want to talk today about our 4000 series products. Are you needing a high performing, thermally broken window but need one that is rated at a class C instead of a HC or AW rating? Tthen look no more. Our 4000 series is the perfect fit for your project. It is a 3 ¾” system and is available in a single hung, double hung and fixed configurations. The single hung 4050 has a C55 rating, the double hung 4000 has a C50 rating, and the 4100 fixed window has a rating of HC70. The 4000 series has full receptor system available as well as internal reinforcing options if needed for your projects.  The operating sashes incorporate marine type glazing. This system is only sold as factory glazed.  If you need additional assistance please contact us at 800-668-1645 ext 174 or visit our website at www.ccbpwin.com for downloadable details, specifications, and test reports.

Kelly Townsend

National Sales Director

Columbia Commercial Building Products L.L.C.

Have you ever reviewed the specifications for windows and wondered exactly what the window ratings mean?  Most times the first thing you see is either a LC, C, HC, or AW followed by numbers usually 50, 55, 65, and 70 and so on. LC stands for light commercial, C stands for Commercial, HC stands for Heavy Commercial, and AW stands for Architectural Windows. The number represents the design load that the window has been designed and performed to in PSF (Pounds per Square Foot). If you see a rating of HC70 then that windows has been tested and passed all prevailing standards  for air and water to meet the HC rating and has passed the structural standards for deflection of 70 PSF.  On the structural side to meet the 70 PSF design load it must have been tested and passed the same structural test but at 1.5 times greater, or 105 PSF. If you need any more info on ratings or help selecting a product please contact your sales representative or us direct here at the factory, we will be more than happy to assist.  Please go to www.ccbpwin.com for details (CAD and PDF), test reports, specifications and architectural brochure sheets.  If you need additional assistance please contact us at 800-668-1645 ext 174 or send a request for info or a quote request direct from our website.

Kelly Townsend

National Sales Director

Columbia Commercial Building Products, L.L.C.

Besides our great window products we offer Storefront, Curtianwall, and Custom Doors.  In storefront systems we offer center set 1 ¾” X 4”, 1 ¾” X 4 ½”, 2’ X 4 1/2” Non- Thermal, and 2” X 4 1/2” Thermal. We offer 2 depths of Curtianwall systems, 2 ½” 6 1/4 “for ¼” glass and 2 ½” X 7 for ¼” and 1” glass. We have narrow, medium and wide style doors and we offer medium and wide style heavy wall doors we call “Hercules Doors”.  Please forward quote requests for these products to us as well and let us show you how we can be your “One Stop Shop” for your project. If you need additional assistance please contact us at 800-668-1645 ext 174 or visit our website at www.ccbpwin.com for downloadable details, specifications, and test reports.

Kelly Townsend

National Sales Director

Columbia Commercial Building Products L.L.C.

As of July 1st 2010 Columbia has entered into a marketing agreement with Armortex. With this agreement Columbia began marketing as well as manufacturing  Armortex low level  blast windows, entrance packages and storefront sidelights.  Armortex also has a full line of bullet resistant as well as medium to high level blast products and the following is more information about Armortex and their capabilities.

ARMORTEX^Ò

ARMORTEX^Ò (formerly Safeguard Security Services) has been in business manufacturing bullet, blast and forced entry resistant products for over 20 years. These products include bullet, blast resistant and forced entry resistant composite fiberglass panels; wood, hollow metal and aluminum doors, transaction, operable and fixed windows, low and high pressure blast windows as well as miscellaneous fabricated products.

Our modern manufacturing plant is located in the San Antonio, TX metro area. The facility is vertically integrated and ISO 9001:2008 Certified.

Benefits of using ARMORTEX products include design assistance (CAD and Solid Works), same day shipments and products that comply with numerous certifications and standards (UL, NIJ, Dept. of State, Dept. of Defense, GSA, ATSM and others).

For more information regarding Armortex products and services contact their Vice President/General Manager, Rick Snelling or Sales Manager, Rod Nelson  at 210-661-8306 or visit their website at www.armortex.com or contact a Columbia representative direct and we will be happy to get you in touch with the fine people at Armortex.

If you need additional info about this or any Columbia products you can call us at 800-668-1645 or send information request from our website www.ccbpwin.com .

Kelly Townsend

National Sales Director

Columbia Commercial Building Products L.L.C.

If you place an order with Columbia Commercial Building Products chances are you have spoken or otherwise communicated with our Accounting and Administrative Manager Ingrid Minckler.

Ingrid came to the US from South Africa. and we are proud that she worked hard and obtained her US citizenship early in her career here at Columbia. Might notice talking to her that citizenship does not collect the British accent and therefore she still has a dose!

Ingrid has been an increasingly valuable part of the company since starting here 14 years ago in 1996 having started as a staff accountant and moved up the ladder to key management. She was but a youngster  when she came here and we treated her right.. Of course she had a pretty good start from her training at the University of South Africa and experience in an accounting firm in her home town of Springs.

In her position she is responsible for HR, and all accounting functions including AR, AP, credit and all financial reporting. She and her staff report to the GM.

She has worked other places but finds CCBP to be great due the team spirit she feels exists at CCBP. Donating time to civic and charity groups such as NCL, which is a mother-daughter situation and the Chamber of Commerce is one of her passions.. She like to travel and experience other cultures and ways of life. (Note she always comes back, so far!)

With all the things at work and her other interests she has little time for her husband and total of 4 children. They frequently come the plant just to see her we all guess. Or, maybe it is because she is a caring and attentive mother. You know the truth here but we wanted to see if you are alert!

One of her duties involves credit which is most times a tough job. She may call you sometime for information to help you in expediting you orders and in that task she excels and takes delight in doing. So please say hello to Ingrid now that you know her better.

If you are a Storefront, Door or Curtainwall customer then you know or will be getting to know Tom Norton, Storefront ……..Manager.

Tom has spent 6 years with Columbia doing all kinds of good work. He has been in inventory control and purchasing, warehouse manager, shipping manager and storefront branch manager. He even did a wonderful job of managing the Houston facility after Ames left and as we stopped that operation to consolidate here in Rockwall. Tom is a team player as everyone at CCBP will attest.

He is not without faults though. He just can’t recall them!

Tom spends his spare time, as allocate by the three women in his life (wife and 2 daughters) hunting and fishing. A NASCAR fan (of course he’s a native Texan) he loves the track as well and never misses a local race.

Tom has daily interaction with customers and while he says it is his favorite part of the job some of us think it is lunch. At 6’4” he needs fuel!

Tom loves challenges and has taken on many at CCBP. His latest is the newly created position, just for his talents, where he not only quotes and enters your orders but prepares all the production instructions. We think Tom’s unique abilities and background made this a logical move and one that benefits our customers as well as the company.

Tom agrees and says “Give me a call, I’ll do ya right!”

Tom handles Storefront including 4 inch, 4.5 inch, Doors whether Wide Style,Narrow Style or Stock Door equivelents, Entry Systems, Curtainwall, Mall Sliders and is involved in the Window department as well.

Reminder, On July 1st 2010 Columbia entered into a manufacturing and marketing agreement with Armortex in San Antonio TX. With this agreement Columbia began to manufacture Armortex low level blast windows, entrance packages and storefront sidelights. If you have a project requiring these products you can forward your quote request direct to Armortex or Columbia and we will forward your quote request to Armortex for you.  Armortex also has a full line of bullet resistant and medium to high level blast products as well. You can view the complete line of products they offer on their website at www.armortex.com and if you need additional info about this or any Columbia products you can call us at 800-668-1645 or send information request from our website www.ccbpwin.com .

Kelly Townsend

National Sales Director

Columbia Commercial Building Products L.L.C.

If you have had a good experience with Columbia Commercial Building Products buying windows from our sales department, you probably already know Gail Caffey. Gail has been in the window estimating department for about 6 years and has a total of 8 years with the company.

Currently she is a Senior Estimator and don’t get cute about this young ladies title either!

Gail also worked in accounting for time and so has a good knowledge of the operations of the company as well as being a super estimator. Along with her work she also takes care of her husband, has 2 daughters, 10 grandchildren and various other family members. In spite of all this Gail gets your quote to you on time nearly every time.

Gail does not like to get behind and thus you don’t either! She loves the customer interface her job provides and is friendly, courteous and supportive of customer needs. Call her for a quote and you will see for yourself.

Are you looking for ways to reduce labor cost? Are trying to avoid fabricating large storefront projects on site?  Do you not own a hydraulic punch system to fabricate storefront efficiently and accurately?  Then let Columbia sell you the storefront material and factory fabricate your project for you. We can fabricate in our factory and ship fully assembled and ready to be installed open (for your glass) and ship direct to the project site just like we do our window systems. All you do is put down the sub-sill, snap prefabricated frame sections together, anchor as required, glaze with your glass, complete all necessary perimeter seals and walk away, complete. Prevents Labor of unloading stock lengths in your shop, labor to fabricate material, load and transport to the project and then install and complete. No left over drop offs around the shop and a reduced liability from fabricating mistakes.  If you need a quote or additional information about fabricated storefront or any of our storefront products please contact Tom Norton our Storefront Products Manager at 800-668-1645 ext 178 or fax request to 972-722-6033 or e-mail   tom@ccbpwin.com.  Please visit our website at www.ccbpwin.com for downloadable details, specifications, and test reports for all our storefront and door products..

Kelly Townsend

National Sales Director

Columbia Commercial Building Products L.L.C.