Quick Summary How do you lead a manufacturing transformation that impacts both people and performance? In this episode, Chris Ruff, Senior Director of Operations at MITER Brands, shares how Florida’s leading impact-resistant window and door manufacturer navigated intense operational change and built a “We Are Florida” culture focused on quality, resilience, and team unity. Listeners will discover how MITER Brands consolidated facilities, moved product lines like the Sparta™ and Scout™ series, and elevated both efficiency and employee morale—all while anchoring its brand in Florida’s hurricane protection legacy. This episode is packed with insights for dealers, coastal homeowners, and industry professionals who want to understand what drives true operational excellence and a people-first approach. What You’ll Learn The inside story of MITER Brands’ “We Are Florida” transformation and how it strengthened team culture and product quality. How impact-resistant windows and doors are designed to protect homes in Florida’s most demanding coastal environments. Practical strategies for improving lead times, on-time delivery, and “as delivered quality” in manufacturing. Why operational excellence, continuous improvement, and a relentless pursuit of 100% matter for both business success and customer trust. Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 01:05 – The challenge and opportunity of integrating MITER Brands and PGT 03:18 – How the “We Are Florida” identity shapes the company’s mission 05:42 – Launching the Sparta™ and Scout™ aluminum lines for coastal protection 07:57 – Improving output, quality, and team morale through daily problem-solving 11:10 – Building a people-first culture and supporting the workforce 12:45 – The meaning of “relentless pursuit of 100%” and lessons from tough decisions Meet the Guest Chris Ruff is the Senior Director of Operations for MITER Brands’ Venice, WinDoor, and Fort Myers facilities. With over 30 years of manufacturing experience, Chris has led teams through major transitions and is passionate about building a culture rooted in quality, safety, and continuous improvement. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned MITER Brands University (workforce and dealer education) Sparta™ and Scout™ aluminum product families “We Are Florida” branded framework On-time, in-full (OTIF) and “as delivered quality” (ADQ) performance metrics Closing Insight & Call to Action “Pride, unity, and a relentless pursuit of 100%—that’s what drives us forward every day.” Subscribe to stay connected and never miss an episode packed with operational insights and industry leadership from MITER Brands.