EnergyCore™ Earns 2010 Crystal Achievement Award

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mikron Industries, the most innovative solutions provider for window manufacturers, is pleased to announce its EnergyCore™ window system has earned the 2010 Crystal Achievement Award in the category of most innovative window component from Window & Door magazine.

“Mikron has a rich history of product development and technical leadership focused on differentiated solutions for our customers, and attractive and energy-efficient products for home owners.”

Each year the Crystal Achievement Awards recognize unique innovations in product technology, manufacturing and marketing. A panel of judges representing all segments of the industry selected the Crystal Achievement Award winners for the industry-leading publication. The year’s award winners will be featured in the September issue of Window & Door Magazine and awarded the Crystal Achievement Award trophy at GlassBuild America, September 14-16, in Las Vegas.

Introduced to the market late 2009, with customer partners beginning production in 2010, EnergyCore is being viewed as the most important vinyl window innovation in years. EnergyCore helps vinyl window manufacturers deliver superior thermal performance compared to fiberglass, rigid PVC and wood frame materials. The EnergyCore Fusion Insulated System utilizes an innovative AirCell™ insulating core designed to create a superior-performing thermal barrier.

What this means to manufacturers and their customers is that EnergyCore-enabled window frames can significantly improve full window R-values. EnergyCore’s “K-Value,” a measure of thermal conductivity, is an extremely low .23 K, which is 76 percent lower than Pine, 81 percent lower than Hollow Vinyl and 89 percent lower than Fiberglass. Combining the EnergyCore frame with high-performance triple glazing (such as Duralite by Truseal) can translate to achieving an R-6.7 window. This is truly a new paradigm for the best vinyl window energy savings and performance.

“Being recognized with the Crystal Achievement Award is a significant honor for Mikron, and it affirms the importance of innovation and game-changing technology within our industry,” says David Wemmer, president of Mikron. “Mikron has a rich history of product development and technical leadership focused on differentiated solutions for our customers, and attractive and energy-efficient products for home owners.”

EnergyCore window systems are available in tilt double hung, casement, picture, and double-slider replacement application styles. EnergyCore also features Simulated Divided Lite (SDL) with trim options to fit a variety of regional architectural design styles, premium interior wood grain laminate finishes including Natural Maple, Light Oak, Medium Oak and Cherry, and in a range of popular superior durability exterior colors.

By choosing windows made with EnergyCore technology, manufacturers can increase their ability to gain market share by supplying remodelers a window system that delivers homeowners lower energy bills and exceeds energy standards for years to come.

In August, EnergyCore also achieved the honor of being chosen as of one of 2010's Most Valuable Products (MVP) by industry-leading Building Products magazine. Prior to that, EnergyCore was designated a 2009 Best Products winner by BuilderNEWS magazine.

To learn more about EnergyCore and other groundbreaking products, Mikron will be exhibiting at GlassBuild America in Las Vegas, Nevada (booth #1229), from September 14-16, 2010. Or visit www.mikronvinyl.com; or call 800-456-8020.

About Mikron

Mikron Industries, headquartered in Kent, Washington, and operating facilities in Washington, Illinois and Kentucky, manufactures a wide variety of vinyl and composite window profiles used by major window and door producers. Since the 1970s, Mikron has been committed to protecting the environment through improved vinyl material performance, lengthening product lifespan delivering superior energy efficiency, encouraging material recycling from in-house and customer production scrap returns, and through eco-friendly packaging. www.mikronvinyl.com

Mikron is a part of the Quanex Building Products Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of value-added, engineered materials and components serving the building products markets. It is an ROIC-driven company that grows shareholder returns through a combination of organic growth via new products, programs and strategic acquisitions. www.quanex.com