Window sector looks to uncertain future at Fen Con trade show

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This article was published 11/04/2025 (198 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Window manufacturers in Canada may have dodged a bullet thus far when it comes to the new trade war, but the short- and medium-term future is full of uncertainty.

Industry organization Fenestration Canada has gathered in Winnipeg for its FenCon trade show (April 9-11) to talk about cleaning up regulatory issues and continuing its efforts to keep its products, especially window glass, off Canada’s counter-tariff list of U.S. imports.

“We’ve been successful so far,” said executive director Stéphane Labelle.

The Canadian industry is completely dependent on imported glass, mostly from the U.S. — there are no domestic flow glass manufacturing facilities — but glass was originally on Canada’s list of counter-tariff items.

“If glass gets on (that) list, the whole industry suffers right away,” said Labelle. “We have been fighting to prevent that for the past few months. So far, so good.”

While the industry has been able to carry on with stable employment levels and slightly lessened demand, the uncertainty is everywhere.

“We have paused a 40,000-square-foot, shovel-ready expansion,” said John Zadro, president of Winnipeg-based OmniGlass, originator of the fiberglass window frame design that has licensed its patents to some of the biggest window makers in the world.

Zadro said he is waiting at least until the end of the Canadian federal election this month before making the next move. “We are being patient.”

OmniGlass, with about 70 employees, exports about 75 per cent if its production into the U.S. The company is regularly presented with incentives to set up production south of the border, Zadro said.

“If my costs go up by 25 per cent (if U.S. tariffs are imposed), I will have to take a look.”

Among other topics, the industry is bearing down on a variety of regulatory issues.

Zhen Liu, president of Silex Fiberglass, is co-chair of Fenestration Canada’s Manitoba chapter, one of the largest in the country. He estimates the industry generates about 10,000 jobs, including manufacturers, installers and glass suppliers.

“All of the different codes can become confusing. We are trying to clarify some, even helping to rewrite some of them,” Liu said.

Fenestration Canada was formed in 1986, as the Canadian Window and Door Manufacturers Association. Fenestration Manitoba, which joined it in 2024, was founded by Al Dueck of Duxton Windows, who also started the FenCon event.

Manitoba window makers have distinguished themselves over the years coming up with technologies such as fiberglass frames and triple-pane windows to deal with frigid winter weather, but trade barriers are a whole other matter.

“I’ve seen first hand how tariffs, evolving regulations and inconsistent building codes are impacting local manufacturers and construction projects,” said Liu. “These challenges are leading to increased costs, project delays and even business closures — all of which have broader implications for the industry and Manitoba’s economy.”

Reliance on U.S. glass puts the sector at the mercy of trade negotiators. Liu and others said trying to establish new supply chains is an expensive and risky proposition.

“We need the (regulatory) obstacles to be eased up,” Zadro said.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca