NEWS
2018 – NATCT, Chicago-O'Hare International
PV-128 SCS-400™ with Wheeled Hembars at NATCT, Chicago-O'Hare International, IL
In 2018 Plastic-View ATC received the single largest contract for ATCT window shades in FAA history for the North ATCT (NATCT) at Chicago-O’Hare International Airport. The project was years in the making and included extended ongoing communications and personal discussions with the architects, FAA operations personnel, and air traffic controllers who all wanted a state-of-the-art shade solution that complemented the unique design of their facility.
With single piece panes of glass exceeding 18’ in width, 11’ in height, and sloped at 30 degrees, the project posed significant engineering challenges never before faced by a window shade manufacturer. Due in part to the FAA field evaluation of very successful installations of the PV-128 SCS-400™ Motorized Shade System at high profile ATCTs like McCarran Int’l in Las Vegas, San Francisco Int’l, Dulles Int’l in Washington D.C., and Los Angeles Int’l, the FAA awarded the contract to Plastic-View.
Working closely with our partners for many months, Plastic-View designed a customized version of the
PV-128 SCS-400™ Motorized Shade System that met all of the FAA’s requirements and preferences. It featured impressive operational speed with highly customized advanced technology, individual and group controls, and an innovative hembar wheel system for glass slope simulation that eliminated contact between the shade and window. The unique design of this control tower allowed us to intelligently overlap the shades so that there are zero side light gaps.
The project involved advanced planning and coordination of several trades, including the installation team, electrical rehab work, and crane operating services. The crane was necessary to airlift window shades that were as wide as 18’ to the top of the 225’ high ATCT cab roof. The window shades were so wide that bringing them up in the elevators was not an option; they had to be brought in through a roof hatch.
The installation of the shades themselves was very difficult and required custom made scaffolding and a team of highly skilled and experienced installers. Due to the high traffic volumes at Chicago-O’Hare, work had to be performed at night between 10 pm and 5 am, which added to the challenge.
Starting in early December and finishing in under a week, the installation was completed ahead of schedule and yielded fantastic results. Plastic-View wrapped up a record breaking year in 2018 with the most complex and technically challenging installation in our 71 year history and one the FAA proclaimed as “very successful.”
2018 – GSA BUYING OPTION NOW AVAILABLE!
Plastic-View is proud to announce that our ATCT shades are now available on GSA schedule.
Contact us for details!
Plastic-View shades at Lambeau Field, WI
2016 & 2018 – Green Bay Packers
When management at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers, wanted a way to protect the expensive interior furnishings in their luxury suites, they turned to Plastic-View and its partners in 2016. They approved our Triplex Black/Silver/Black 8 material. This is just one of many shade materials offered by Plastic-View that blocks out over 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, one of the major contributors to fading of interior furnishings.
The attractive shade material also preserved and even improved the view out to the field by dramatically reducing sun glare. Guests in the luxury suites have the option of raising the motorized shades (and windows) on Sundays to experience the full exciting sound of gameday. Both can also be lowered when outside weather conditions are too extreme. The shades remain down the rest of the time to protect the interior furnishings. In all, Plastic-View was proud to supply over 400 custom made shades for the historic football stadium.
The results were so positive that again in 2018, Plastic-View and its partners are supplying several more similar shades for the broadcasting booths at Lambeau Field.
Plastic-View shades at Lambeau Field, WI
2016 – McCarran ATCT, Las Vegas, NV (new construction project)
McCarran International Airport has grown to be one of the busiest in the U.S. In 2016, construction completed on a massive, cutting edge new ATCT to help handle the increasing volumes of air traffic. The state-of-the-art facility featured a circular cab design with 18 butt-jointed windows to maximize a 360 degree view out for air traffic controllers. This design also presented a special challenge when it came to window coverage with shades.
The FAA needed an equally state-of-the art window shade system. They turned to Plastic-View and awarded us with, at the time, the single largest contract for cab shades in FAA history. Plastic-View and its partners provided the third major implementation of our proprietary PV-128 SCS-400™ Motorized Shade System, which included high speed motors, Spring Box™ technology, and a highly customized control package. The installation included 18 double shades and careful overlapping of primary shades to achieve virtually full window coverage. The result was the finest ATCT cab shade installation ever completed in the U.S.
PV-128 SCS-400™ with Spring Box™ technology
at McCarran International ATCT, Las Vegas, NV
2006 – PLASTIC-VIEW Receives Export Achievement Award for Accomplishments in the Global Marketplace
Plastic-View was extremely honored to be welcomed by the office of California's 24th Congressional District to receive an Export Achievement Certificate. This award is presented by the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce to recognize U.S. companies that standout in the global marketplace by offering superior products and services. Starting out as only a U.S. supplier, we later set our sights broader and now over 90 nations have received Plastic-View products.
The following is the official press release from the U.S. Department of Commerce:
FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR SUN STOPPING COMPANY PLASTIC-VIEW ATC
PLASTIC-VIEW ATC is a small business but the world's leading manufacturer of window shades for air traffic control tower (ATCT) cabs. Their shades have been installed in 98% of all U.S. civil and military ATCT cabs, as well as in over 75 nations worldwide. While they also offer a full line of window shades for commercial and residential applications, their focus has always been on the very specialized field of ATCT cabs. The firm is located in Simi Valley, California.
PLASTIC-VIEW ATC has worked with the Commerce Department (DOC) during much of its 59 year history and with the U.S. Commercial Service (CS) in particular, for the past 25 years. During this time the firm has used most of the services and programs the DOC and Commercial Service have to offer, including market research reports, export contact lists, Commercial News USA, and many others. The principals of the company, Mr. Sonny Voges, President and Mr. Ryan Voges, General Manager, have been very appreciative of the help the Commercial Service has provided Plastic-View on a periodic basis and have this to say in this regard: "We have worked as closely as possible with the U.S. Commercial Service and it has been of most value to our efforts. This effort is often combined with FAA/AIA."
On another occasion the following was also stated: "The U.S. Commercial Service has been a HUGE HELP to Plastic-View on our export sales." This client company is a typical example of how the Commercial Service's assistance can be combined with the hard work, creativity and international know how exporters demonstrate in order to achieve success in the global market place. Following is a list of some of the services offered by the Commercial Service and which Plastic-View's management has used throughout their journey into the vast territory of foreign buyers: Commercial News USA, ISA reports, export contact lists, U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Shows, and value added assistance.
A key to their success, as well as a business philosophy, is Plastic-View’s commitment to quality. Others can produce cheaper window shades using inferior component parts. For the budget minded residential shopper, this may be acceptable. In an ATCT cab, where air traffic controllers rely on visibility to ensure air and ground traffic safety, human lives are at stake. Only the highest quality window shade is acceptable for this critical application. Every component part has been developed and engineered specifically for ATCT use with no shortcuts taken along the way. Plastic-View window shades dramatically reduce sun, heat, and glare, allowing controllers to perform their duties and easing stress in a pressure filled working environment.
Because of their superior quality, Plastic-View window shades achieve a much longer lifespan over that of their competitors. Over the decades Plastic-View has documented that in virtually every instance, their shades have outlasted those produced by others; Plastic-View shades consistently perform 3 to 4 times longer than their competitors. When viewed as a long-term perspective, Plastic-View window shades’ cost per year is drastically lower than others, making their product the safest and most economical choice.
In addition to providing the world’s best ATCT cab shade, Plastic-View offers their exclusive PV-128 Sales & Service Program. An important part of the program is the maintenance of comprehensive records for the ATCT’s they supply. Operating as a quasi-government agency, Plastic-View monitors shade agings. This allows them to make regular reports to various aviation agencies, which aides in the budgeting process and the formation of a sensible replacement schedule. This helps ensure the ATCT’s in most need of new shades receive them. With the precise shade sizes on file for 2000+ ATCT cabs, Plastic-View has the ability to promptly ship routine or emergency replacements.
With a nationwide network of highly qualified installers, Plastic-View has a trained professional within about an hour’s drive of virtually every ATCT in the U.S. Service after sale is of utmost importance. Additionally, Plastic-View performs the sole research and development for ATCT cab shade technology. Any time they introduce an improvement, they work closely with the government to revise the specifications to ensure ATCT’s continually receive the most up to date advancements. They are currently in their 10th revision.
Entering their 60th year in business, Plastic-View is as dedicated as ever to improving air and ground traffic safety for the flying public. They are developing further improvements to ATCT cab window shades and looking to expand into additional regions.
The U.S. Commercial Service is a U.S. Commerce Department agency that helps small and midsize U.S. businesses sell their products and services globally. The Ventura, California U.S. Export Assistance Center is part of the agency’s worldwide network, which includes 108 U.S. Export Assistance Centers throughout the United States and more than 150 international offices in 87 countries.