Did you happen to catch Ray Levy's rebuttal in the recent Window Film Magazine?

Absolutely perfect response!

Mike Feldman

Where’s the Rest of the Story?
Dear Window Film:
I read your interview with Don Wheeler and found it to be only partially accurate (see the March-April issue of Window Film, page 16). Film Technologies International’s (FTI) problems have been going on for years, and I mostly attribute this to poor management. Although Mr. Wheeler was hired by FTI as chief executive officer (CEO) to solve problems, he apparently was not competent at his job. It seems that Mr. Wheeler is neither going to admit responsibility nor fault. It is easy to shift the blame to Asian manufacturers and financial institutions and then walk away. Unfortunately, many FTI dealers and customers will suffer the consequences of Mr. Wheeler’s actions—or lack thereof.  Who will now step up to cover the losses of four distributors, close to 1,000 dealers and more than a million consumers that have been—and will continue to be—hurt due to product breakdown, glass breakage and seal failure with no warranty?   Since the day we were told that FTI was shutting down, I feel there have been many other misdeeds by FTI. We are all doing our best to help our customers and many irate FTI consumers deal with the warranty debacle.

I believe your magazine should be printing the truth and supporting the people still in the business. I realize that your stories are based upon the information that you receive, but you have only received one side of the story.

If you want to hear the customer’s side of the story, I’ll be happy to speak with you. You might even contact the other injured FTI customers to hear their perspective. Don’t you think that hearing and publishing the rest of the story would be a benefit to your readers?

Sincerely, 
Ray Levy
Sunbelt Distributing
Houston, Texas

Editor’s Response
Dear Mr. Levy,
The closing of Film Technologies International (FTI) has proven to be a high interest, yet sensitive, news item. The company’s distributors and dealers weren’t the only inundated with phone calls in the following days and weeks; we at Window Film received numerous inquiries and comments. The resulting patchwork of incoming information contained countless inaccuracies, as well as numerous contradictions, but it did help us ferret out true and accurate information that was needed and desired by our readers. The only way to properly secure that information and report the company’s final days and tribulations was by directly contacting its chief executive officer for comment. In the end, we hope that our questions answered those posed by so many of our readers.

We understand that any sudden closure will have its associated difficulties, and our hearts go out to all involved. Thank you for contacting us with your concerns. Should the information be revisited for a follow up story, we will do our best to put your thoughts and feelings to good use.

Take a moment to read this recent interview with Don Wheeler, President of the now defunct FTI, manufacturers of Sun Gard Window Film, St. Petersburg, FL. Credit to Window Film Magazine for obtaining and posting this exclusive interview.

Here's my recent two cents as they like to say. .

There are many factors facing manufacturers of window film in 2008. Wheeler touched on several of these points concerning global competition and petroleum costs rising. He also threw in for good measure the "China Card" that every one of these companies sites when they present their strategic plans.

Here's a few nouvelle ideas to chew on!

Make the best value products your equipment can produce.
Stop re-packaging other films from assorted vendors and pass them on as your own!
Stop setting up random window tint dealers with no credentials, experience or capacity to grow a market.
Stop recruiting each other's dealers in a feeble, or rather infantile approach of taking the equity of some other companies hard work and investment in that dealer.
Spend some of that money on promoting your window film solutions to someone other than industry types.
Stop the misleading claims and exaggerations of your product offering.
Stop selling commercial projects bidding against your own channel.
Stop carpetbaggers who pretend they have been selling in another city for more than ten years when we all know this is completely fabricated.
Work with your dealers by training them on selling and positioning your product or brand of film. make certain these dealers live up to ethical standards of business. Pssst..it helps to practice exactly what you preach!

Mike Feldman
2/16/08