AJ is pleased to announce a new time saving service to make your job easier…

  is a web portal that allows you to check on any open order or recent shipment.  By logging onto ajdoor.com you can view the real-time status of your orders. No need to wonder if your PO has been received or when we’ll ship it.  The information is all at your fingertips.  Once an order is confirmed, you can view it on accutrac.   It will have a status of  “Scheduled”, “Scheduled to Ship”, “Shipped”, “Back Order”, or “Partial Ship”.   In addition, you  can easily obtain the tracking information for your shipped orders.   Just give us a call and we’ll set up your secure Username and Password.

 is also an autmated shipment notification email sent the day we ship your order.   Every afternoon AJ will send an email for all orders shipped that day. The shipped report will list the PO Number, Part Numbers, LTL Carrier and PRO Numbers.

The Texas Department of Insurance has granted approval for A.J. Manufacturing Inc’s aluminum and steel-framed Partner and Responder door models to be used in designated catastrophe areas along the Texas Gulf Coast.

When installed in accordance with our instructions, the 21A Partner Door has achieved a Label Rating of +50, -43 psf, while the 41A Responder Door is rated +/- 50 psf.

TDI’s product evaluations can be found on their website at http://www.tdi.texas.gov/wind/prod/dr/dr497.pdf (Partner Door), and http://www.tdi.texas.gov/wind/prod/dr/dr498.pdf (Responder Door).

Bob Kortbein has been promoted to the position of V.P. Sales & Marketing.  Bob was promoted from the position of Business Development Manager for the ACCESS Division.  He will be responsible for all Sales and Marketing activity at A.J.  He can be reached him at 800-328-9448 extension 16.

I am honored to admit spending the better part of my youth and young adult life on the “dumb-end” of a tape measure developing my construction and leadership skills. My father was a Journeyman Carpenter, Job-site Superintendent, Project Manager, and ultimately Partner in Successful General Contracting firm. Just as his experience was built on the proper foundation of an apprenticeship and many years of skill development, a quality project is subject to the quality of the foundation. As your vendor/partner, we not only develop the quality of our materials, designs, and processes, we focus on the quality of our Company Culture – the foundation of our business.

What does a solid foundation look like at AJ? First of all it is wide at the base, we include every single employee in the process by communicating, skill building, and providing the proper tools to be successful. Second, we replace or shore-up weak areas with technology, equipment, process improvement and training. As with any foundation, it is subject to wear and tear and must be maintained. Third, as we work on our foundation, we remain focused on the plan, we are consistent in the execution of the steps necessary to meet the expectations of quality and growth we have established. Last but not least, we are open about the process, the dirty details, the issues that are holding us back and we ask for advice and assistance from experts when needed.

The next time you compare our products against a competitive offering, and the basic cost and performance are similar – ask one more specification question – What is the culture of the vendor?

As my father says…..”If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time, where will you find the time to do it over?”

Build your business and reputation on a solid foundation, by focusing on the Culture.

“In everything we do in life and business, we will be Helpful, Humble, and Honest.”  – Mike Soley Sr. (MBR, Inc.)

Todd Carlson

Robert Rourke of L.E.K. Consulting recently quoted statistics from and commented on a recent survey of more than 500 residential contractors across the United States indicating, despite the difficult and highly competitive construction market, quality remains a high priority in product selection for both the contractor and the project owner.  I was not surprised, I cannot imagine a time or circumstance where project owners could be more focused on value and quality for their money.

I know that it is tempting to trim here and cut there when designing a project, we face the same challenges in the design and construction of our products.  The truth is however, sacrificing quality materials, components, employee skill level, service, and or communication ALWAYS results in higher overall costs.  Am I suggesting that the highest cost, most featured option is necessary for every project or product – absolutely not, but discovery of how, where, why, and how a product may deliver the lowest overall cost is the key.

Ask tough questions, detailed questions of your supply chain, clarify the service level or the material specification, ask for evidence of quality and look for a reference to determine if the product representative is honest and consistent in their service.  Today, more than ever, the importance of the non-material content of our doors and window is as important as the material and workmanship.  What is non-material content?  Detailed confirmation of every order,  Manufacturer processing of freight claims on the builders behalf, Rapid processing of Warranty claims, Lean Manufacturing culture, Support of industry groups and Rapid on-site response when required are all examples of cost saving/lowering content that may be standard in the slightly higher cost product, but lower the overall cost of the item.

Focus on contractor affinity, education, product durability and performance are key for A.J., make them a priority for your customer.  Challenge your team to create moments with customers where you can share your story of quality and value, I am confident the customers will respond and you will overcome the majority share of the cost objection.

Todd Carlson – President  A.J. Manufacturing, Inc.

AJ Partner™ & Responder™ Doors
Pass Certification Requirements to meet Florida Building Code

AJ Walk Doors comply with all requirements of the 2007 Florida Building Code with the exception of the HVH Zones.

Series 3100, 3700, 5100, & 7100 to 3/0×6/8:+55.0/-66.7 psf

Series 3100, 3700, 5100, & 7100 to 3/0×7/0:+49.9/-60.5 psf

Responder R41 & R51 to 3/0×6/8: +50.0/-50.0 psf

Partner 21A & 21S to 3/0×6/8: +50.0/-43.3psf

To view the test data and drawings:

1. Go to http://floridabuilding.org/c/default.aspx
2. Click on “Product Approval”
3. Click on “Find a Product or Application
4. Enter AJ’s application number — # 7445 for series 3100, 3700, 5100 & 7100 and #7648 for Partner & Responder doors.

 A.J. Manufacturing is pleased to announce that Greg Bond has joined the team as territory manager.  Greg has been involved in the construction industry for over 16 years and is excited work with the post frame builders in Ohio, Michigan and New York.

A.J. Manufacturing Inc. unveiled its new EZ-V™, a patent pending vinyl trim system for vinyl windows, at the Frame Building Expo in Indianapolis on March 1.  The EZ-V™ system is available on both the Harmony™ and SilverLine windows from A.J. Manufacturing.

This exclusive and innovative design permits the installation of the vinyl window into a steel clad building with a fully trimmed panning frame that will accommodate the raised ribs of the building skin. EZ-V™ is paintable and tolerant of thermal expansion/contraction.

The benefits of using the EZ-V™ system include a dramatic reduction of installation labor. The EZ-V™ system diverts all water to the exterior of the building ensuring a leak-free installation which requires no subsequent application of J-Channel.

SilverLine® Vinyl Windows are now available from AJ.  These energy efficient vinyl windows are available in Single Hung, Double Hung, Half Round, Horizontal Sliding and Fixed Lite styles.  The heavy duty fusion, welded vinyl construction creates strong, weather tight windows.  Ordered with Low E² Glass these windows meet Energy Star guidelines.   Call AJ for a quote today!