J.D. Power and Associates and McGraw-Hill Construction Report: Among Builders and Remodelers, Marvin Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Windows and Patio Doors

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Marvin ranks highest in satisfying builders and remodelers with windows and patio doors, according to the J.D. Power and Associates/McGraw-Hill Construction 2007 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM released today.

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Now in its second year, the study measures satisfaction based on responses from new-home builders and remodelers evaluating performance in seven factors (in order of importance): product; warranty repair and service; delivery; price; sales and marketing support; ordering process; and credit/billing process. The study is designed to provide comprehensive information to assist window and patio door manufacturers in their efforts to improve customer satisfaction.

Marvin ranks highest among builders and remodelers in satisfaction with windows and patio doors, with an index score of 819 on a 1,000-point scale, and performs particularly well in five factors: product; warranty and repair service; delivery; sales and marketing support; and ordering process. CertainTeed and Simonton follow in the rankings, scoring 809 and 807, respectively. CertainTeed performs particularly well in ordering process and credit/billing process.

The study finds that overall satisfaction declines by 26 index points in 2007, decreasing to an average of 780 from an average of 806 in 2006. In particular, decreases in the product, warranty and repair service and delivery factors fuel the overall decline.

"Builders and remodelers desire a durable product that is easy to install and operate, especially since the quality and ease of use of the installed window or patio door reflects on the builder or remodeler in the minds of consumers," said Burleigh Morton, senior director of research and analytics at McGraw-Hill Construction. "In the highly competitive window and patio door industry, there are many brands available to builders and remodelers. Manufacturers must provide excellent products and customer service otherwise builders and remodelers will quickly seek out other vendors. Study findings indicate that high levels of satisfaction lead to higher levels of customer loyalty."

The 2007 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 2,677 new-home builders and remodelers. Each respondent evaluated up to two manufacturers of residential windows and patio doors.

About J.D. Power and Associates

Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is an ISO 9001-registered 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 car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit http://www.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 , 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 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 2006 were $6.3 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

Media Relations Contacts: Elaine Pacheco John Tews Cohn & Wolfe J.D. Power and Associates 8730 W Sunset Blvd., 5th Floor 5435 Corporate Drive, Suite 300 Los Angeles, Calif. 90069 Troy, Mich. 48098 (310) 967-2961 (248) 312-4119 Elaine_pacheco@cohnwolfe.com john.tews@jdpa.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. http://www.jdpower.com/corporate

Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking (Based on a 1,000-point scale) Marvin 819 CertainTeed 809 Simonton 807 Andersen 805 Pella 794 Milgard 782 Industry Average 780 Weather Shield 747 MW (Ply Gem) 743 JELD-WEN 741 Atrium 738 Silver Line 727 PGT Industries 718

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