Vector Windows’ High-Speed Bet Signals a Manufacturing Revolution

FERGUS FALLS, MN – August 26, 2026 – In the world of manufacturing, speed is a metric of efficiency, but the velocity of investment is a far more telling indicator of strategic confidence. Less than a year after integrating its first in-house FlexScreen production system, Minnesota-based Vector Windows is making an aggressive leap forward. The company announced today it is upgrading to a state-of-the-art FS-HS high-speed Erdman production line, a system capable of fabricating a complete, innovative FlexScreen every 13 seconds.

This move is more than a simple equipment upgrade; it’s a powerful statement about market demand, the strategic value of vertical integration, and the changing competitive landscape in the window industry. For a company to double down on a technology in under twelve months signifies not just product success, but a fundamental shift in its operational and strategic calculus.

The Calculus of Capacity

Vector Windows’ initial foray into in-house FlexScreen production began in November 2025 with the installation of an FS600 line, a system designed as a modular entry point for manufacturers producing fewer than 600 screens per shift. The experience, according to company leadership, was transformative.

"Our experience with the FS600 confirmed that FlexScreen was the right product and the right manufacturing investment for Vector," said Mike Brown, Co-Owner and Vice President of Operations & Supply Chain at Vector Windows. The decision validated the product's appeal among their core customer base: professional builders. FlexScreen, with its damage-resistant spring-steel frame and simple, tool-free installation, directly addresses common pain points that lead to costly callbacks and delays on job sites. By making the innovative screen standard across its product lines, Vector aligned its offering with its guiding philosophy: "Builders Know the Difference."

However, the success of that alignment appears to have quickly outpaced the capacity of the initial system. The investment in the FS-HS line, which offers significantly greater throughput, is a direct response to surging customer demand. "The FS-HS line gives us the speed, capacity, and efficiency we need to support future growth while continuing to deliver the quality and dependable service our customers expect," Brown added. "Producing a FlexScreen every 13 seconds is a major step forward for our operation."

This rapid scaling reflects a robust market. The global window screen market, valued at $4.8 billion in 2025, is projected to climb to $7.6 billion by 2034. Vector’s investment positions it to capture a larger share of this growth by ensuring it can meet demand without compromising the service and reliability its builder-focused brand is built on.

Forging Advantage Through Automation

The technological leap from the FS600 to the FS-HS line is significant. Developed through a strategic partnership between FlexScreen and Erdman Automation, a premier equipment manufacturer in the fenestration industry, these automated lines are engineered to make in-house production not just possible, but more cost-effective than manufacturing traditional aluminum screens. The systems are designed to increase productivity and reduce labor costs, allowing a complex manufacturing process to be managed by a small crew in a minimal footprint.

Vector’s quick progression demonstrates the scalability of FlexScreen’s manufacturing ecosystem. It offers a tiered pathway for partners, from entry-level systems to high-volume powerhouses, allowing them to scale their investment in lockstep with their growth. This model de-risks the initial adoption of new technology while providing a clear roadmap for expansion.

"Vector's decision to upgrade so quickly says everything about the strength of our partnership and the value FlexScreen brings to a window manufacturer," noted Joe Altieri, the inventor and founder of FlexScreen. "They put the FS600 to work and saw firsthand how efficiently FlexScreen could fit into their operation. Moving to the FS-HS line in less than a year is an extraordinary commitment, and I'm excited to see what Vector accomplishes with this increased capacity."

A Niche Innovation Becomes the New Standard

Vector’s move is a powerful case study, but it’s also a single chapter in the broader story of FlexScreen's rapid market penetration. After a breakout appearance on Shark Tank in 2020, where inventor Joe Altieri secured a deal with Lori Greiner, the company embarked on an ambitious multi-channel growth strategy encompassing retail, direct-to-consumer sales, and OEM licensing.

The most significant accelerant to this strategy was the February 2025 merger with RiteScreen, North America’s largest manufacturer of window and door screens. The deal combined FlexScreen's disruptive innovation with RiteScreen’s vast manufacturing footprint and deep industry relationships, creating a formidable force poised to redefine the market.

The success of its OEM licensing model has been particularly noteworthy. By September 2024, FlexScreen had already signed agreements with over 25 window manufacturers, including some of the industry's most prestigious names, to bring production in-house. Vector’s rapid upgrade serves as the ultimate proof of concept for this model, showcasing a clear and profitable path from initial adoption to mass production.

This strategy is systematically turning what was once a niche product into an industry standard. By empowering partners to control their own production, FlexScreen is not just selling a product; it’s embedding its technology deep within the supply chain, creating a durable competitive advantage that is difficult for traditional screen manufacturers to replicate.

"Vector isn't simply adding equipment," Altieri concluded. "They're investing in the future of window-screen manufacturing, and we're proud to be part of it."