FLUSHING, NY — National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems’ chief operating officer Steve Chen has been appointed as president. Company founder Thomas Chen previously held this position, and he is now named Chairman. The new corporate roles are effective March 1, 2018.The promotion of Steve Chen reflects his expanding role in directing the strategic initiatives and operations of Crystal Windows, as well as its related subsidiaries and affiliates across the country. It also marks the smooth transition from the founding generation of this family-owned business to the next generation. “Steve’s leadership has brought Crystal to new heights, and he has many exciting plans for this company going forward,” said Thomas Chen, Crystal Chairman and Founder.

Since taking the role of COO four years ago, Steve has focused on integrating Crystal’s primary operations in New York with its other national production facilities in St. Louis, Scranton, Chicago, and Riverside, CA, resulting in greater capacity, flexibility, and responsiveness. He expanded the company’s staff of sales, customer support, and engineering professionals to meet the more sophisticated needs of Crystal’s customers. Steve embarked on a significant investment in a new multi-million dollar enterprise-wide computer system to manage the company’s quoting, sales, production, delivery and other vital operations, and allow qualified trade customers to quote and place orders directly in the Crystal system. Under his direction, the company also invested in major new equipment and expanded factory space at all its locations.

In other activities, Steve Chen served as the president of the 100-member Northeast Window & Door Association, completing the successful merger of this organization with the national Window & Door Manufacturers’ Association. He serves as a judge for Window & Door Magazine’s national annual industry achievement award program, and he is active with many local business, community, charitable, and educational organizations.Thomas Chen started Crystal Windows in 1990, after coming to America from his native Taiwan and working in several jobs in New York City. With drive, entrepreneurial spirit, and an instinct for opportunity, he built Crystal into a national fenestration leader. Crystal now produces nearly 500,000 windows and doors per year, has a national workforce of over 700, and boasts almost one million square feet of manufacturing space.

Philanthropically, Thomas established several organizations to promote Taiwanese culture and art, and to support higher educational programs for immigrants. Besides his philanthropic and charitable endeavors, Thomas will continue his corporate involvement with strategic investments to serve the design and construction market.In other Crystal news, the recognition of the award-winning manufacturer’s' success continues as the company was once again included in the major business ranking of New York City area minority-owned firms. In its March 12, 2018 edition, noted publication Crain's New York Business included Crystal Windows on its annual list of the New York area's largest minority-owned companies. Others on the list this year include perennials Sigma Plastics, Goya Foods, Palladium Equity Partners, Bartlett Dairy and several other relatively large firms new this year.

Over the years, many minority firms on the Crain’s list have come and gone, while others have grown significantly, forcing some off the list. Nevertheless, Crystal Windows’ strong steady growth has kept it on the Crain's list for the past 21 years, since 1998.

The Crain's list is comprised of the largest privately held firms that are at least 51% minority-owned and headquartered in New York City or in seven surrounding New York and New Jersey counties. The ranking is based on annual company revenues from the prior year.