A History of FarNorth Windows & Doors

For more information on care, maintenance or service for your FarNorth Windows, visit our FarNorth Windows website.

Introduction

The story of FarNorth Windows & Doors is one of integrity, quality, and customer service by some of the most dedicated professionals you will ever hope to meet. This history offers a glimpse into the values and priorities of Scherer Bros. Lumber Company. Although Scherer Brothers Lumber no longer makes the FarNorth line of windows, we would like you to know what made this window group so special to our customers and contributed so much to their success for more than 50 years. The following chronological timeline, photos and video clips, details the FarNorth story.

The Beginning (1900's–1950)

Following WWII, Scherer Bros. began manufacturing window "barn" sashes at the request of customers who were looking for a quicker way to get window parts to the jobsite for assembly and installation by carpenters. It was an early example of responsiveness to customer requests. Other lumberyards, such as Andersen Lumber and Marvin Lumber were doing the same thing.

Window Manufacturing Advancements (1950's–1970's)

Building windows on site was a cumbersome process. There was a better way, and Scherer Bros. soon began building completely assembled windows, frame, sash and glass, and shipped them direct to the jobsite.

Our early manufacturing facility, which survived the flood of 1965, was little more than a rustic out–building where windows were built one at a time by hand. Since we made windows during the long winters for sale in the spring, Scherer Bros. was one of the few lumber companies in the area to offer year round employment for most of our workers.

It was towards the end of the 60's that Scherer Brothers came out with its first casement window and called it PineCraft Windows. This low cost, high quality solution for the emerging new home construction market grew in popularity.

Window Development & The Energy Crisis (1970–1980)

The oil shock of the Carter Administration focused the nation's attention on energy, giving the window industry great momentum. At this time most window units were manufactured by stand–alone window companies and included double pane construction. However, Scherer Bros. continued to develop as a full–service lumber supplier and a window manufacturer. This gave us a distinct advantage in the marketplace.

Casement 80 Developed (1980–1990)

The PineCraft Casement 80 double hung and sliding window units all begin using insulating glass for the first time. This was a great advancement in window technology that quickly became an industry norm in our harsh Minnesota climate. By the mid 1980's casement windows, which operated by a crank, offered much better energy performance. Consequently, Scherer Bros. discontinued both double hung and slider window production to concentrate on casements. Popularity among professional builders continued to grow.

Casement 90 Developed (1990–1994)

Scherer Bros. introduced the Casement 90 and rebranded the window, changing the name from PineCraft to Scherer FarNorth. Vinyl window makers continued improvements and saw growing acceptance in mid market homes. Vinyl windows were known for vastly lower price points than aluminum clad wood frame units. In 1993 Scherer Bros. made high performance LowE glass standard on its units. This was a leading market move in value and quality and other window makers eventually followed by the year 2000.

The loyalty of our customers to the FarNorth window continued to grow with the performance improvements and customer service. Some of the most discriminating and successful builders in the Twin Cities chose the FarNorth window because it was comparable in quality to Marvin and Andersen, and outperformed them in price and service.

Window Consolidation Begins (1994–2000)

The early 1990's was the height of window manufacturing diversification in the Twin Cities area. Semco, Lincoln, Kolbe & Kolbe, Windsor, Hallmark, Hurd, Hayfield, Vetter, Crestline and Norco were all aluminum clad wood window manufacturers with identifiable market share in the Twin Cities. But that began to change as heavy direct to homeowner advertising by national brands started to increase.

In 1995 Scherer Bros. re–introduced a double hung window in response to requests by core customers. Development teams worked directly with builders and remodelers to design the double hung window.

As the 1990's progressed so did the window consolidation trend. Some national windows manufacturers made a concerted effort to dominate the Twin Cities market and overcome the preference for the FarNorth window voiced by so many metro builders.

FarNorth Introduces Casement 2000 (1999–2000)

In 1999 Scherer Bros. introduces the Casement 2000, with extruded aluminum sash and frame with corner key injected technology. By this time most of the window manufacturers competing in this Twin Cities market either left, converted to the lower cost vinyl, merged or were sold. Our FarNorth window was one of the last to remain.

Scherer Bros. Addresses Sash Treatment Problem with Project 39

At about this same time Scherer Brothers became aware of a pre–treatment problem with some sash components supplied to us by a third–party vendor. Two FarNorth experts traveled out to our wood supplier's headquarters with samples in an attempt to find the cause of the problems being experienced by homeowners. Up to this point, Scherer Bros. service technicians had treated any repairs under our standard warranty.

In February of 2000, we received a letter from the President of our wood supplier stating that they failed to treat wood parts sent to us from December of 1996 to December of 1997.

Although the extent of the problem was unknown, Scherer Bros. moved immediately to contact builders and homeowners who might be affected promising to fix any related problem at no expense to the homeowner. It was later determined that 55,000 window units needed to be replaced, costing millions in product and replacement labor.

Without a settlement, Scherer Bros. assembled a team of specialists, created tracking software and processes to inspect, order, receive, finish, assemble, deliver, remove old, install new, move and communicate with homeowners. It was synonymous to starting a whole new company. The process took 4 years to complete, but created a whole new body of knowledge and expertise Scherer Bros. uses today to in its service and replacement window company.

Peter Scherer, CEO, later commented that this was the easiest decision he ever had to make.

"It was a clear cut ethical decision and really rather simple. You do the right thing to fulfill your legitimate responsibilities to your customers. It's one of the core values that have made our company so successful since our beginning back in 1930. It might seem old fashioned, but I believe in the concept that your word is your bond. We promised our customers we would stand behind our products and that's what we did. It was probably the easiest business decision I ever had to make."

Project 39 FAQ's

What were the dates these affected windows were manufactured and what types, sizes and parts of windows were involved?

Casement and double–hungs manufactured from December 1996 through March 1998 (replaced window sash). Casements made from September 1996 to November 1996 (replaced 20" and 26" sash rails and 48" and 60" sash stiles).

How was the manufacturing date determined?

We looked at the invoice date of windows and contacted each homeowner. That is still the only way to determine who is and who is not part of this replacement project.

What if I think I am part of this project, but haven't been contacted, how can I be sure?

In your garage there should be a posting called a certificate of occupancy, and other inspection material left by your contractor or city official. Look for the date on the Certificate of Occupancy. If it is sometime between December 1996 and July 1998, then you should call Scherer Bros. Window Service technicians at 612–627–0730. and ask them to do a search for the invoice date. If you can, provide the name name of the builder which should also be on the Certificate of Occupancy.

What if I'm not part of Project 39, but my windows are discolored or damaged due to condensation or lack of maintenance, can you help?

Yes we can. Scherer Bros. does provide non–warranty work at our standard rates. Call our window and door service group for quotes and conditions at 612–627–0730.

Can you answer questions I might have about window condensation?

Yes, simply click here to our section on condensation or visit the Home Smart website.

FarNorth Moves To New Location (2001)

With the intention to grow our window business still clearly on the table, we moved our window production operation from our Minneapolis yard to a new production facility in Champlin. This move offered more room, and better equipment.

FarNorth Improves Double Hung (2003)

Still hoping for a turn upwards in sales, the decision was made to upgrade the double hung window with thicker sash parts and advanced locking and hardware in an attempt to keep pace with market leaders. However, the window market continued to be more and more competitive and FarNorth sales began to experience a slow decline.

FarNorth Rebranded (2004)

To combat slowing sales, it was decided to rebrand the window and increase advertising and sales prospecting. Unfortunately, the market niche for the FarNorth window line continued to shrink as competitors closed the gap on the price per value equation that had worked so well in the past.

FarNorth Halts Production (2006)

As a result of the changing market dynamics and highly competitive environment, the decision was made in September 2006 to halt production. In October 2006 Scherer Bros. accepted the last order and ceased manufacturing except for warranty and non–warranty service.

Window Experts & Scherer Bros. Lumber Today (2007–Today)

Although we no longer make our own window, Scherer Bros. continues to be the Twin Cities leading supplier of windows. Scherer Bros. sells more Andersen windows than any other lumber company in Minnesota and more Marvin windows than any other lumber company in the five state area! And, we offer free educational training for our customers on such topics as "Best Practices" for window installation and "Green Building Sciences" to help our customers avoid the potential problems of water intrusion issues.

The FarNorth story is about the dedication of a company to serve the needs of customers with the craftsmanship and integrity.