Clear Impact Podcast

In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with Morgan Donahue, Owner and CEO of Erdman Automation, to discuss how long-term partnerships, innovation, and customer collaboration are shaping the future of manufacturing in the window and door industry. Morgan shares insights from more than 30 years in automation, including how customer feedback drives Product Innovation, why reliability is critical in manufacturing systems, and how Continuous Improvement creates stronger partnerships over time. What You’ll Learn How long-term partnerships improve manufacturing outcomes Why collaboration matters in automation development How customer feedback shapes machinery innovation The role of reliability in production environments How Erdman Automation approaches Continuous Improvement What future automation trends could mean for the industry Episode Highlights 01:19 Morgan Donahue’s background and Erdman Automation overview 02:53 What makes long-term partnerships successful 04:46 Customer feedback and Product Innovation 07:44 Balancing innovation with reliability 10:19 Building collaborative supplier relationships 12:13 Future trends in manufacturing automation 15:39 Creating value for the end customer using innovation Meet the Guest Morgan Donahue is the Owner and CEO of Erdman Automation, a company specializing in automation systems for the window and door manufacturing industry. With more than 30 years of experience, Morgan has helped lead innovations in insulating glass fabrication, custom machinery development, and advanced manufacturing processes. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned Manufacturing automation systems Thermoplastic spacer technology FlexScreen automation Continuous Improvement principles Collaborative problem-solving Customer feedback loops Reliability-focused equipment design Closing Insight + CTA Strong partnerships are built on collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to improvement. This episode highlights how innovation becomes more effective when manufacturers and suppliers work together toward long-term success. Subscribe to the Clear Impact Podcast for more conversations on leadership, Product Innovation, manufacturing strategy, and industry insights.

What separates a good manufacturing operation from a great one? In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with Bill Webster, Nathan Spencer, and Chris Rothermel from the Gratz manufacturing facility to explore how safety, Continuous Improvement, leadership accountability, and team member engagement shape operational excellence at MITER Brands. The Gratz operations team shares real-world stories about manufacturing culture, process improvements, safety transformation, and profitable partnerships. The conversation highlights how MITER DNA, Every Detail, Every Day operational discipline, and Experience Is Everything influence daily decisions throughout the facility. What You’ll Learn • How strong safety cultures are built through accountability and communication • Why small operational improvements can create major manufacturing results • How leadership credibility impacts team performance and engagement • The role Continuous Improvement plays beyond productivity metrics • Why employee ownership is critical for sustaining operational success Episode Highlights 01:40 – Meet the leaders behind the Gratz manufacturing facility 03:14 – What a strong safety culture looks like on the manufacturing floor 04:08 – The moment that transformed safety culture at Gratz 07:50 – How leadership behaviors build trust and credibility 9:56 – Why innovation in manufacturing does not always require major technology 11:27 – How a simple idea improved operational traffic flow and safety 13:54 – A small Continuous Improvement change that reduced IG remakes 14:36 – Why ownership is critical for sustaining improvements 16:03 – What customers value most from manufacturing partners today Meet the Guests Bill Webster is the Technical Services Manager at the Gratz manufacturing facility and has spent nearly two decades in manufacturing leadership roles across shipping, production, and operations. Nathan Spencer leads Continuous Improvement initiatives at Gratz and focuses on operational efficiency, cost savings, and employee-driven process improvements. Chris Rothermel is the Operations Manager at Gratz and brings more than 40 years of manufacturing leadership experience to the organization. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned • Continuous Improvement • MITER DNA • Every Detail, Every Day • On-Time, In-Full (OTIF) • VPP Star Safety Certification • QR code employee idea system • Team member ownership strategies • Operational Standardization Closing Insight “Creating ownership towards an improvement can be the difference between success and failure.” This episode offers an inside look at how manufacturing leaders cre...

What do builders, dealers, and homeowners need to know about the upcoming Florida Building Code changes? In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with code compliance engineers Lisa Wilson and Lynn Miller to break down the most important updates coming to the 9th Edition of the Florida Building Code and how those changes will impact windows, doors, product approvals, coastal construction, and Energy Efficiency requirements across Florida. Lisa and Lynn explain the real-world implications of updated water infiltration testing, corrosion-resistant fastener requirements, energy performance standards, and new HVHZ Florida Product Approvals. The conversation also highlights the importance of permit timing during code cycle changes, and how to stay informed. What You’ll Learn • How the new Florida Building Code impacts sliding glass doors and water infiltration requirements • Why stainless steel fasteners are becoming mandatory near Florida coastlines • What builders need to know about updated Energy Efficiency requirements • How Miami-Dade NOAs are transitioning to HVHZ Florida Product Approvals • Why dealers should carefully track permit timelines during the code transition Episode Highlights 02:50 – How the Florida Building Code update process works 05:34 – What is changing with water infiltration requirements for sliding doors 5:51 – How the new overhang rules affect covered patio installations 11:42 – New coastal anchorage and stainless steel fastener requirements 14:32 – How Energy Efficiency requirements are changing for new construction 20:26 – What builders and dealers need to know about product approval updates 24:30 – Why permit timing matters during the code transition 28:51 – The risks of relying on AI for building code information 30:34 – Practical ways dealers can prepare for the 2027 code cycle Meet the Guests Lisa Wilson is a Code Compliance Engineer at PGT Innovations with more than 30 years of experience in product approvals, code interpretation, and Florida building compliance. Lynn Miller is the Code Compliance Manager at PGT Innovations and a former structural engineer specializing in building codes, standards development, and fenestration compliance. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned • Florida Building Code • HVHZ Florida Product Approvals • Miami-Dade NOAs • Energy Efficiency performance path calculations • Hurricane Preparedness standards • Water infiltration testing • Standardization processes • MITER Brands University educational resources Closing Insight “It’s always best to double check those sources with the actual building code.” This episode offers practical guidance for builders, dealers,...

What happens behind the scenes before a window or door system ever reaches production? In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with Matt Riland, Director of Product Engineering at MITER Brands, to explore how engineering teams improve product performance, support manufacturing operations, and drive Continuous Improvement across the organization. Matt shares how product engineering teams collaborate with operations, supply chain, service, and quality teams to create better products and stronger customer experiences. The conversation also covers simulation technology, Product Innovation, Standardization, and how MITER DNA influences engineering decisions throughout the product lifecycle. What You’ll Learn • How product engineering teams evaluate windows and doors before production • Why Continuous Improvement depends on cross-functional collaboration • How simulation tools help reduce testing time and improve product performance • The role trust and communication play in profitable partnerships • Why customer experience and manufacturing efficiency must work together Episode Highlights 02:29 – What product engineering looks like inside the window and door industry 03:34 – How engineering teams validate product performance before launch 05:21 – Why small design changes can impact manufacturing operations 07:38 – How teams across multiple facilities collaborate on product improvements 10:06 – Why feedback loops are critical for Continuous Improvement 12:02 – How simulation technology improves engineering decisions 13:39 – The importance of document control and engineering systems 15:18 – Why profitable partnerships are built on trust and communication 16:27 – Matt Riland’s favorite MITER DNA principle and why it matters Meet the Guest Matt Riland is the Director of Product Engineering for MI Windows and Doors and the Sunrise Collection at MITER Brands. He brings more than two decades of experience in product engineering, customer engineering, operational collaboration, and manufacturing support. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned • Continuous Improvement • MITER DNA • Product Innovation • CAD simulation tools • Engineering product data management systems • Standardization processes • Cross-functional engineering collaboration • Every Detail, Every Day operational mindset Closing Insight “Everybody’s feedback is critical to getting to a really good solution.” In this episode, Matt Riland explains how engineering, collaboration, and Continuous Improvement work together to create stronger products, better operational outcomes, and a better customer experience. Subscribe to the Clear Impact Podcast for more conversations ab...

What does it really take to build a safer, stronger manufacturing culture where people feel heard, valued, and motivated to improve every day? In this episode of the Clear Impact Podcast, Sherri Connor sits down with Bryan Richie and Matt Klimchak from MI Window and Door’s Hegins campus to explore how leadership, safety, continuous improvement, and team member engagement drive operational excellence. Bryan and Matt share practical insights from the manufacturing floor, including how behavioral-based safety programs create better accountability, why listening builds credibility, and how creativity shows up in day-to-day operations. The conversation also highlights how MITER DNA and the belief that Experience Is Everything influence leadership decisions, quality systems, and the overall team member experience. Whether you work in manufacturing leadership, operations management, quality, safety, or organizational development, this episode offers actionable ideas for building a more engaged and high-performing workplace culture. What You’ll Learn • How behavioral-based safety programs improve communication and accountability on the manufacturing floor • Why Continuous Improvement goes beyond productivity metrics and impacts culture, quality, and employee experience • How leadership credibility is built through listening, follow-up, and trust • The role creativity plays in manufacturing, process improvement, and Product Innovation • Why team member experience directly affects operational performance and long-term growth Episode Highlights 01:34 – Matt Klemchak shares his background of process engineering and continuous improvement. 02:57 - Bryan Richie shares his education in chemistry and now covers a wide range of areas in manufacturing leadership. 3:56 – Matt Klimchak explains the scale and operational focus of the Hegins campus 04:46 – What a strong safety culture looks like in modern manufacturing 6:16 – How the Hegins facility evolved into a behavioral-based safety environment 9:39 – Why peer-to-peer engagement creates stronger safety outcomes 11:14 – How listening and follow-up build leadership credibility 13:26 – The connection between creativity and manufacturing problem-solving 15:05 – How the Manufacturers Leadership Institute encourages innovative thinking 18:23 – Why Continuous Improvement is about more than production metrics 22:05- Matt shares a story of partnership that was strengthened by solving problems together 23:51 – Advice for someone just starting out in a manufacturing career 28:17 – Matt’s favorite DNA point 28:45 – Brian’s favorite DNA point Meet the Guests Bryan Richie supports quality, training, and Continuous Improvement initiatives at the Hegins campus. His background includes chemistry, operational quality systems, and cross-functional manufacturing leadership. Matt Klimchak serves as Operations Manager for the Hegins campus at MITER Brands. His experience includes process engineering, operational leadership, sa...