When Accurate Metal Interlocking Weatherstrip Company decided to close their doors in 2019, Marc Bagala of Bagala Window Works couldn’t let access to these products just fade away. He decided to  purchase their iconic and trusted machines to continue to manufacture this superior quality weatherstripping in his own company. The Accurate company meant more to Marc than simply a supplier of products. The company had played a major role in Marc’s start as a contractor and the success of his business. He knew he had to continue making the products that the Kammerer family had started over 100 years ago:

When Marc Bagala purchased the original machines, he had a desire to continue producing a product that had meant so much to his business.

Marc Bagala was introduced to the Accurate Metal Weather Strip Company 35 years ago when he began his window restoration and weatherstripping installation business. His early mentor was a weatherstrip installer, an original “tin man” if you will, who only used the Accurate brand because they were tried-and-true and the best products on the market in his experience.  

Through the years, Marc continued to purchase weatherstripping from Accurate, getting to know the Kammerer brothers. Boz who always answered the phone in his no-nonsense manner (you had better know just what you wanted to order!), and the sincerity and knowledge that owners Fred and Ron brought to the business. He had an important relationship with them after 35 years of speaking on the phone that went far beyond that of supplier.

After four generations of the Kammerer family building and running the business, they found themselves with no one to pass the business on to. When Marc received their notice that they would be closing down the business, he realized he just couldn’t let it happen. After all, he had made a living and raised his family, and other families, from installing this particular weatherstrip! The quality and durability of the products were unmatched in the marketplace. Marc believes the weatherstripping installation trade saves hundreds of thousands of wood windows from the landfill every year, and it was very important to him to not see this trade die off, taking our architectural heritage with it.

“I think it’s so important that we keep the trade alive. To keep those wooden windows from going to the dump.”

He immediately called Accurate, found out they were selling everything off, and requested a meeting with Fred and Ron. His focus was purchasing the roll forming machines that manufacture the various types of Accurate weatherstrip so he could carry on their craft. The next day Marc and his brother, Carl, were in the truck on the way to NYC to pay a visit to the Accurate facility. He didn’t know where he was going to get the money, but he knew he had to own their machines – he couldn’t let the business with their custom-designed and handmade 100-year old machines that had served their business, and his, so well for all these years just go away.

Marc’s entire professional life and the growth of his window business involved the Accurate products. He attributes his success so much to having this weatherstripping. He deeply believes that if it weren’t for Accurate’s interlocking metal weatherstripping, there would not be so many wooden windows that have been saved on this planet!

“What is important to me is that this has been my life and my livelihood! I just couldn’t see it go away. I do it because of the pleasure I get out of the work we do, and the pleasure our customers get out of it as well! I do it for the love of the trade. I knew that if I could own those machines, I could carry on the critical need for these products.”

Even as long ago as the late 1800’s, people were thinking about energy efficiency, keeping that coal and wood heat in! If Accurate hadn’t existed, those windows wouldn’t have been able to be efficiently sealed and hence would have become history (and the wrong kind of history!) a long time ago.

Wooden windows are so essential to architecture, so much a part of the fabric that makes historic buildings and older homes special. The use of 100 year old machines to manufacture metal weatherstripping to save, likewise, 100 year old windows is true destiny. Marc’s philosophy is to stay with original materials and authentic production – in window repair and weatherstripping – because it works!

“I felt that if Accurate went out of business, the options in the market would be totally inferior. The other retailers would bump their prices way up to make more money. The progress we have made to save wood windows would come to an end.”

Today, Marc’s company continues to manufacture these traditional and enduring products. He owns five of the original Accurate Brand time-tested, custom-made, roll forming machines. His mission is to take care of other contractors and installers, give them a reasonable price on a great product.

“I want to make it affordable for people to use these products, just sell to end-users, and available when they need them – that’s what Accurate did for me, and that is what I want to offer today.”

Whenever I needed weatherstrip, Accurate had it out the door for me the next day. We’ve upgraded to offer ordering online, payment by credit card, and same-day shipping. We also offer custom orders when requested. Whether you’re a contractor, weatherstrip specialist or homeowner, we are here to help you.