Chris Kammer (CK): John and Josh, thank you for taking the time to discuss A+W's new vision and mission statements. To start, can you tell us what inspired the new vision statement, "Empowering flat glass processors to achieve operational excellence"?
John (COO): Thanks, Chris. Our new vision statement emerged from our commitment to driving the flat glass industry forward. We recognized the need to not only provide exceptional software solutions but also empower our customers with the tools and knowledge necessary for their continued success. This means leveraging our extensive industry expertise and sharing it through continuous support, training, and development of best practices.
Josh (Sales & Marketing Manager): Adding onto John's point, we wanted a vision that encapsulates our role as a long-term partner to our customers. Empowering them means providing state-of-the-art software solutions tailored to their specific needs. It also means that we help them optimize their operations to stay ahead in a competitive market.
CK: How does A+W utilize its industry knowledge to improve customers' processes?
Josh: We have a deep understanding of the flat glass industry's unique challenges and opportunities. This knowledge allows us to develop software solutions like A+W iShape and A+W Smart Companion, which streamline operations and enhance productivity. We also offer tools and resources that enable our customers to make data-driven decisions, ultimately improving their processes. Additionally, our commitment to continuous learning and improvement is reflected in our trainings and user conferences. By sharing best practices and collaborating with our customers, we help them improve their expertise and skills, leading to more efficient and effective operations.
CK: Can you explain how A+W's software solutions contribute to achieving operational excellence?
John: Operational excellence is at the core of what we do. Our software solutions, whether you’re a glass, window, or door manufacturer, give our customers a competitive edge by automating and optimizing their processes. For example, A+W Smart Delivery enhances logistical efficiency, while A+W Smart Companion/A+W Cantor Smart Companion offer advanced barcode tracking on the shop floor. These solutions not only improve productivity but also help our customers reduce their environmental impact by fostering more sustainable practices. If you think about this another way, our scalable solutions enable customers to adapt to market changes and foster growth. You can utilize A+W’s software solutions to grow your business and stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring that our customers have access to the most innovative, market-leading software solutions.
CK: The mission statement emphasizes building, creating, and innovating. Can you elaborate on how A+W embodies these principles?
John: Absolutely. Building strong relationships with our customers is fundamental to our approach. Our Sales team works closely with customers to understand their needs, while our Professional Services team designs solutions that improve their business processes. Customer Support ensures that we provide backup for any challenges or knowledge gaps they might face. On the creation front, our customers' requests drive our teams to develop new strategies and enhance our software solutions. Our R&D teams are constantly creating new code, which translates into quality software releases. Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and our Innovation and R&D Departments are always exploring new ideas to design software solutions for tomorrow's glass business world, including AI and automation.
CK: How do innovative ideas from employees and customers shape A+W's software solutions?
John: Innovation is a collaborative effort at A+W. We encourage our employees to share their ideas and insights, and we actively seek feedback from our customers. This collaborative approach drives the development of innovative solutions that address real-world challenges. For instance, customer feedback played a significant role in the development of A+W Smart Companion/A+W Cantor Smart Companion, ensuring it meets the specific needs of the industry.
Josh: Our commitment to innovation is also reflected in our investment in the latest technologies, including AI and automation. These technologies are integrated into our products, such as A+W iQuote or A+W Logistics Optimizer, to provide our customers with cutting-edge tools that enhance their operations and drive future success.
CK: Can you share some specific examples of how A+W's software solutions have helped customers achieve their operational excellence goals?
Josh: One great example is A+W Smart Delivery. By automating delivery schedules and optimizing routes, it has significantly reduced delivery times and increased efficiency for our customers, such as PFG Glass in Canada. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces the handling of paperwork. Another example is A+W iShape, which uses CAD Designer to digitize customer templates for quicker glass processing. These are just two examples of how our solutions help customers achieve and surpass their operational excellence goals.
CK: How does A+W ensure that its software solutions stay ahead of industry trends and technological advancements?
John: We have a dedicated Innovation Department that continuously monitors industry trends and technological advancements. This team collaborates with our R&D department to integrate the latest technologies into our software solutions. Additionally, we maintain close relationships with our customers and industry partners to stay informed about emerging needs and opportunities.
CK: What role does sustainability play in A+W's vision and mission?
John: Sustainability is a key component of our vision of operational excellence. We recognize the importance of reducing environmental impact and producing products more sustainably. Our software solutions, such as A+W iQuote, Smart Delivery, Logistics Optimizer, iShape, help customers achieve these goals by optimizing processes, reducing waste, and improving efficiency.
CK: Finally, how do you see A+W's vision and mission driving the company's future growth and success?
Josh: Our vision and mission provide a clear direction for our company and guide our efforts to continuously improve and innovate. By empowering our customers and helping them achieve operational excellence, we are building long-term partnerships that drive mutual success. Our commitment to building, creating, and innovating ensures that we remain at the forefront of the industry and continue to deliver value to our customers.
Our focus on empowerment, operational excellence, and sustainability positions us for future growth and success. As we continue to develop innovative software solutions and expand our capabilities, we are confident that A+W will remain a leader in the flat glass industry and beyond.
CK: Thank you, John and Josh, for sharing your insights on A+W's new vision and mission statements. It's clear that these principles will play a significant role in driving A+W’s future success and supporting the glass, window, and door manufacturers with superior software solutions.
John: Thank you, Chris.
Josh: Thanks, Chris.