MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. - A Menomonee Falls window installer under fire by customers is working with an outside business advisory firm to address a "variety of operational and financial issues," according to press release sent by Cogent Analytics on May 18th.
"Although we have direct participation in guiding every decision within Windows [sic] Select's operations, we cannot represent "full operational and Management control," the press release reads.
The information in the press release differs from what Window Select told customers on May 12th. In that email, Window Select said that "Cogent has assumed complete management and operational control of Window Select, and our current leadership team will take a step back from the business."
The president of Cogent Analytics, based in North Carolina, told Contact 6 it's "making every effort" to honor Window Select's obligations to customers.
Over the last year, Contact 6 received 64 consumer complaints about the window installer – most about work being delayed by several months.
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Window Select is also facing small claims cases, a class action lawsuit, and an eviction from its warehouse property.
In a letter to customers, Window Select said its "core business is still strong" – and it is committed to completing installation work for all its existing customers within the next six months.
News release from Cogent Analytics
Rob Braiman, president & managing director of Cogent Analytics
Thank you for reaching out to clarify our service offerings for Window Select. Cogent Analytics is a business advisory firm, we are currently working with Windows Select and the owner of the company. Cogent Analytics is working diligently with Windows Select to address a variety of operational and financial issues that have arisen in their near-term history. Although we have direct participation in guiding every decision within Windows Select’s operations, we cannot represent "full operational and Management control". We do not associate with the client as a fiduciary, but we are more than happy to share with you the details of the relationship if needed. Additionally, we are of the firm belief that Windows Select is absolutely working every day to "right the ship" and want to do right by their customers and the broader community.
Cogent Analytics’ mission is to do right for this client and people of Wisconsin. We are a business consulting firm committed to transparency and integrity. We help protect the interests of our clients from a total business perspective and consider it an honor to provide our consulting services that can dramatically impact a client’s business, family, and ultimately the community.
Window Select email to customers on May 12
To our valued Window Select customers –
We wanted to take this opportunity to reach out directly to you and share the actions Window Select is already undertaking to do right by our customers.
Candidly, it has been disappointing to see the continuous barrage of attacks and relentless efforts to disparage our company. The unfortunate ways in which others have chosen to portray Window Select over the last several weeks has been inaccurate, lacking context, one-sided and at times, unfair and damaging.
Despite all this, our core business is still strong, and we remain focused and committed to our customers, our people and our partners. As a company, we made the proactive decision – several months prior to any initial media coverage – to take strategic steps that would best position Window Select for both near- and long-term success.
As a first step, in January 2022, we engaged a trusted, third-party business management consulting firm, Cogent Analytics, to work directly with our management team to assist with the operational and financial management of Window Select, including re-engineering our operations, restructuring our finances, and enhancing our installation process.
Further, as of this week, Cogent has assumed complete management and operational control of Window Select, and our current leadership team will take a step back from the business.
This transition will help Window Select achieve its goals for growth while still delivering high-quality products to our customers. In the past 90 days, we have already made dramatic changes under the guidance of Cogent, including, but not limited to:
- Establishing a customer service division to convey more accurate delivery and installation timeframesWe are committed to servicing and completing installation for all existing customers in the next five to six months, at the latest
- We are committed to servicing and completing installation for all existing customers in the next five to six months, at the latest
- Eliminating our marketing and sales efforts, which allows us to better focus on and take care of existing customers
- Significantly cutting overhead costs to help strengthen our financial position and the overall health of the company
Most importantly, having engaged Cogent allows us to continue doing everything necessary to deliver on our agreements – especially with our customers. Customer satisfaction is one of our top priorities, and being a trusted partner to our customers is of the utmost importance.
While the last few weeks have been trying for our company, our sole focus was ensuring our customers were taken care of. That focus remains today and will continue moving forward.
Thank you for your continued patience and support.
Regards,
Window Select