MI Windows and Doors began as Metal Industries in a Florida airplane hangar in 1947. In 2019, the acquisition of Milgard Windows and Doors enabled the creation of a new parent brand—MITER Brands™. Today, the company boasts a national reach that enables them to serve customers across the United States and parts of Canada.
MRC Delivers Long-Term 5S Success for MI Windows
“We use a lot of third-party training, and no one has met my needs as much as MRC did, ever. MRC has been a critical part of our Continuous Improvement journey.”
– Katrina Koppenhaver, Senior HR Manager for Hegins.
Situation
MI Windows and Doors began as Metal Industries in a Florida airplane hangar in 1947. In 2019, the acquisition of Milgard Windows and Doors enabled the creation of a new parent brand—MITER Brands™. Today, the company boasts a national reach that enables them to serve customers across the United States and parts of Canada.
Solution
“MRC offered a much more in-depth, proposal,” Koppenhaver says. “I could tell they really understood that I was going for culture immersion—a journey—not some ‘death-by-PowerPoint’ kind of thing.”
MRC Delivers Long-Term 5S Success for MI Windows
In collaboration with the champions, Kaschak created the training profile, which was then rolled out to all 456 staff in the Hegins facility. Each session included a four-hour simulation, followed by hands-on application in their work areas. “Gene set up a workshop simulation like they have at MRC in our facility,” Koppenhaver says, “So it was a mix of classroom and hands-on training, then they worked in their respective departments, so they could put what they learned to use. That showed them direct relevance to their day-to-day.”
Koppenhaver was especially impressed with Kaschak’s flexibility. The 17 training sessions took place over a six-week period in the winter of 2024-25, and when it came time for the third shift to take part, Gene drove an hour and a half each way to be on site from 2:00 – 6:00 a.m. “That way the employees would not need to change their schedules,” she says.
“Customizing the plan for what they wanted made it work for MI Windows and their people,” Kaschak says. He adds that the biggest benefit was putting the power of 5S in the hands of those doing the work. Kevin Brady, MI Windows’ TPM Specialist, and Tiana Snyder, 6S Champion, echoed that sentiment. “Getting our team members involved was the reason this succeeded where prior 5S training attempts failed,” Snyder says.
Koppenhaver says the original cohort of champions remains in that role. “They meet monthly and continue to be our voice for the journey, making sure we sustain it.” She adds that Kaschak is still supporting them along the way. “He came on site for a recent Continuous Improvement forum we hosted, and he made a point to walk around, talking to team members. It is truly incredible to have someone that invested in our long-term success.”
Results
- Internal 5S Audit scores increased by 30%
- Enhanced 5S organization increased process efficiencies by more than 5%
- Improved employee retention through greater job satisfaction and employee engagement
To learn more about MI Windows and Doors visit their website at MIWindows.com.