Phifer Screen Mesh and AUTOSCREEN™: Working Together to Boost Fenestration Manufacturers’ Profitability
Haffner Machinery and Phifer Incorporated, an American-based insect screening manufacturer, have teamed up to develop new offerings and efficiencies for fenestration. Phifer recently tested their heavy-duty screen mesh on Haffner Machinery’s SAC-850, which automatically applies screen mesh to the frame and completes the AUTOSCREEN™ process. These pilots, at one of the largest screen manufacturers in the US, demonstrated that the AUTOSCREEN advantage creates flawless window screens in seconds, even with the sturdiest screens on the market.
Cooper McCormick, Fenestration Regional Sales Manager for Phifer, visits fenestration companies throughout the US. Cooper shares, “These companies are looking to improve processes and create efficiencies. That’s where AUTOSCREEN comes in.”
The fenestration industry is grappling with a significant workforce challenge: an aging manufacturing population. Many of these companies are in rural areas, where retaining younger generations has become increasingly difficult. As seasoned workers retire, the labor gap continues to widen, putting pressure on production timelines and operational efficiency.
This is where automation becomes not just a convenience, but a necessity. AUTOSCREEN alone can produce a screen every 35 seconds, letting these companies reallocate their limited workforce to higher-demand, higher-skill areas. Automation is not only addressing the skilled labor shortage, but energy costs, rework and quality improvements, training needs, repetitive stress injury claims, ERP and infrastructure needs, and more.
By bridging the labor gap with automation, companies can maintain throughput, improve consistency, and future-proof their operations against ongoing demographic shifts in the workforce.
The AUTOSCREEN trio can produce up to 1000 screens per shift, with 3 operators. Increase yields and profitability today.
Cooper shares, “We enjoy working with Haffner. They have a great team. The companies we both serve want efficiencies in screening and looking for new solutions. There’s nothing else like AUTOSCREEN on the market. I go into these manufacturers and see them struggling with staffing. The ergonomics are getting more challenging as windows get larger and larger. Employees have to stretch, causing elbow concerns that automation would eliminate.”
Phifer and Haffner are working with fenestration manufacturers to help them produce quality products and run profitable businesses in the face of workforce challenges, attrition, upskilling, and housing market changes.
“The AUTOSCREEN product is great, and we’re looking forward to demonstrating the system with Phifer mesh at GlassBuild.”
Ready to see how AUTOSCREEN can transform your screening operations?
Whether you're looking to boost efficiency, reduce ergonomic strain, or future-proof your workforce, Haffner Machinery Group is here to help.
Contact Haffner today to learn more about integrating AUTOSCREEN™ or schedule a meeting with us at GlassBuild America 2025 at sales@haffnerna.us.
