A Win-Win Solution for Windows

A family-owned business since 1949, Quaker Windows & Doors takes pride in its reputation for quality products. The company's manufacturing facility and headquarters is in Freeburg, Mo.

But even the best shipping controls weren't enough to completely eliminate the damage that over-the-road rigors used to inflict on Quaker's products, especially its metal-framed, industrial windows. The challenge was to find a cost-effective way to eliminate product damage that sometimes occurred during shipping when the metal frames became bent or twisted.

Fortunately, Doug Stansberry of Premier Paper and Packaging knew where to find a solution. A distributor for Laminations and a long-time supplier to Quaker, Stansberry suggested ChannelLock™ as the way to secure, stabilize and protect the windows.

ChannelLock represents a cost-saving, creative way to protect the edges of long, narrow products such as doors, windows and panels during shipping and storage.

“Now we use ChannelLock when we pair two windows together for shipping,” said Curtis Weavers, a design engineer who's been with Quaker Windows & Doors for 23 years. “ChannelLock keeps the windows level during shipping and prevents any racking or twisting.”

ChannelLock is quick and easy to assemble. Two pieces of interlocking VBoard® are placed together at one end and then pushed together for their full length. The result is a strong, snug, three-sided edge protector made without the use of glue or rivets. An adjustable feature accommodates an additional 0.5 inch in width. Outer legs can be printed with a company's logo or message to maximize marketing impact, a feature that Quaker is utilizing.

Because the pieces of VBoard nest together for shipping, ChannelLock can save up to 75 percent on shipping costs compared to pre-formed or pre-assembled edge protection products.