2024 – A year we will not soon forget!
By: Melissa Dillon, SHIELDS® Marketing Manager Wow, it’s been awhile since we’ve posted on our BLOG!! My what a ride 2024 was. Somehow we are already a month through 2025. Time is a thief! We had several moments in 2024 that will not soon be forgotten. The absolute highlight of the year was being selected in the Top 100 Small Businesses in America by the Chamber of Commerce. It’s called CO-100, which for months we called it C-O 100 and were corrected in D.C. that it is Co, like Co-Op… oops. The whole event exceeded our expectations beyond belief. [...]
THIS IS SHIELDS® Windshields: Creating solutions for businesses, big and small
What does it take to be the best? With 2023 being a record-setting year, SHIELDS® Windshields has proven its vision and core values are continuing to push the company in the right direction - and 2024 has the potential to be even better. It starts with having a great product that serves more than one purpose. Safety is always a huge benefit, but not to be underestimated is the financial impact of keeping machines in operation and reducing downtime. This is the third in a series of conversations hosted by Tim Surber about how the business took shape and grew [...]
We Found a Fraud Website
Hey SHIELDS People, I was doing some research the other day in the attachment industry and I stumbled upon something that caught my eye. It was a website that stated they sold OUR windshields, by name. I had never heard of the company before and that was concerning. I did a little more digging. The website resembled one of our authorized distributors, Skid Steer Solutions. We have worked with them for many years now it this was not their website. After reaching out to Skid Steer Solutions and digging further into the website, we determined this is a Fraudulent website! [...]
THIS IS SHIELDS® Windshields: Building within the framework of community
SHIELDS® Windshields ships its polycarbonate windows throughout the United States and halfway around the world. But no matter how far its reach extends, the company continues to prioritize its commitment to be a good neighbor and an active member of the community. A good business knows the value of developing a strong sense of community. Cultivating it can have a significant impact on long-term success. It happens when there’s a deliberate effort in every aspect of the business. SHIELDS® Windshields has worked diligently at being an active part of the greater Martinsville area, as well as the national and international [...]
The Windshield Guy
Let me tell you a little bit about me, and then I’ll tell you a little bit about my boss – “The Windshield Guy,” aka “The Eye Candy.” I’ll get to that later. I’ve worked at SHIELDS Windshields for over seven years. This job found me by chance. Before I worked here, I helped with some artwork for one of their customers who ordered banners every year for seniors. The Shields liked my work and found themselves in need of a marketing manager and somebody who would be able to do some killer graphics for them. That was me. My [...]
THIS IS SHIELDS® Windshields: How it all began
It’s been almost 50 years since Bill and Jacki Shields started Form Tec Plastics in the basement of their Lake Edgewood home. Since then, the company has continued to expand its footprint and SHIELDS® Windshields has emerged as an industry leader. Tucked away in Martinsville, Indiana, the company has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence, but how well do you know how it got there? Second-generation family member and President, Brad Shields, sat down with his daughter, Director Alyxa McKee, who represents the third generation, and in a podcast, they talk about some of the early days of the company. [...]
Shipping, Shipping, and more Shipping
Let's talk about SHIPPING! We spend a lot of time on our product, process, and bringing you the best polycarbonate windshield in the industry! Part of that includes shipping and there is a lot to shipping - so let's dive in Lead Times Let's start this off by addressing the big thing here...LEAD times! Our lead times at SHIELDS vary. It all depends on what you order and how many. We have our general retail that we do our BEST to keep stocked; however, we cannot seem to keep them on our shelves. We are currently asking 3-5 BUSINESS Days [...]
Volvo Wheel Loader Replacement Windshield
SHIELDS People, I want to tell you about this 1 piece Volvo wheel loader windshield but I also want to praise our team here at SHIELDS! This team pulled off an amazing feat with this Volvo Wheel Loader and I could not let this go untold. If you are reading this then you know we now have the Volvo F, G, and H wheel loader series windshield and windows. Replacing glass is what we do here day and in and out; however, this task was a little unique. Normally we bring in the glass and replicate it but this time [...]
Your Logo on your SHIELDS Product
Hi SHIELDS People! Ever want your logo on all of your stuff? That branding is important so let's talk about that a little! Branding is an important part of a business. It is how you can get referrals, customer retention, and it is how you are recognized in your industry. We understand that this is important to you and we want to help you keep your branding on your equipment. We can help with our part marker lasers. We have part makers that can be customized to your branding by adding your LOGO. Let's dive into this. Whether you have [...]
Heavy Equipment Replacement Doors
Hey SHIELDS People, Let's chat about our heavy equipment replacement doors, specifically about our 1/4" doors and all of our gauges! To make it easy below is a bullet point list of what we recommended our polycarbonate doors are used for, but not limited to the following: 3/8" Polycarbonate Door Grass Mowing General Contracting Material Handling NOT for Demolition NOT for Brush Cutting NOT for Wood Processors 1/2" Polycarbonate Doors Demolition Forestry Application Ground Clearing Brush Cutters Tree Shears 1/4" Polycarbonate Doors People are sometimes not sure if they should get 1/4" polycarbonate to replace their glass. If that is [...]