Mar. 8, 2018 - AmesburyTruth has announced that it has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire Ashland Hardware. The acquisition will enable AmesburyTruth to broaden its hinged window, hung/sliding window and patio door product portfolios. For more than 80 years, Ashland Hardware has been a leading provider of residential window and door hardware to the fenestration industry, supplying wood and vinyl window/door fabricators throughout North America.

Feb. 8, 2018 - Bill Priest has joined the Roto North America team as the Research and Design Manager within the Product Innovation Process. Priest has an extensive background in research and design, with more than 20 years’ experience. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace and a Master’s Degree in Finance.

Screenco Manufacturing has announced the acquisition of Groupe Promax. Promax is a leading manufacturer of patio door screen products located in Quebec City. This acquisition allows Screenco to cover the entire span of North America from east to west. With added production capacities, diverse product offerings and advanced manufacturing technologies, Screenco now has the ability to better service the North American fenestration industry.

Jan. 17, 2018 - JRC United and OrePac have been working hand in hand over the last few months to determine which door machines would help OrePac best to achieve its always increasing production goals. Today, both enterprises are proud to announce they have concluded a multi-million dollar deal that will help OrePac consolidate its leading position in the door industry.

Nov. 23, 2017 - A look inside a home showcasing big glass performance in a NetZero build.

Oct. 30, 2017 - At its meeting on October 19th, the supervisory board of Roto Frank AG decided to once again renew the contract of Dr Eckhard Keill, the chairman of the board of directors.

Oct. 11, 2017 - Vitro Architectural Glass announced that it has hired William Davis as productivity manager and technical services engineer in support of the company’s Intercept stainless steel spacer system technology.

AmesburyTruth has announced that Cindi Freidhof has been appointed to the newly created role of director of industry relations. She will be responsible for managing AmesburyTruth’s engagement with industry associations and events such as the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, the American Institute of Architecture, the World Millwork Association, WinDoor and GlassBuild.

Sept. 25, 2017 - After a three-year venture into the fabricator sales world, Marco Porcelli has returned to the supply side to begin a new chapter in his fenestration career as President of Synergy Sales and Consulting.

Sept. 25, 2017 - AmesburyTruth has joined with Industrial Sales Corporation (ISC) to develop a nationwide partnership. This restructuring allows AmesburyTruth to have uninterrupted U.S. coverage and service customers more effectively than ever before. It also eliminates complexity for their customers by providing a single representative firm covering the entire United States.

Sept. 13, 2017 - H.B. Fuller Company has announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase Royal Adhesives & Sealants, a leading manufacturer of high-value specialty adhesives and sealants. This business consistently delivers industry-leading growth rates, EBITDA margins, and free cash flow that are expected to enhance H.B. Fuller’s position as a global leader in the adhesives industry.

One reason to go to industry events is to get a sense of the issues and trends concerning your fellow window and door people, and FenCon18 in Winnipeg last week certainly provided that. Disruptive technology, continuous improvement, product standards and labour challenges are top-of-mind for owners and mangers in our industry today, if the presentations and discussions around the conference were any indication.

The Fenestra purchasing co-op has come a long way from its beginnings as a small group of fabricators – convened initially by Kevin Pelley of Kohltech and George Warren of Centennial Windows – getting together in 2010 to select a group of preferred suppliers.

One could feel the vibe and excitement in the air at WinDoor 2017. From a Fenestration Canada perspective, we can honestly say that it was a resounding success. The atmosphere on the show floor was positive and exhibitors on the whole were happy with the traffic. Many thanks to the WinDoor Committee for working diligently with Zzeem to deliver an event that surpassed our expectations!

The best place to start this newsletter would be the new Green Ontario rebate program.

Mar. 1, 2018 -  For the first time ever, WTS Paradigm will open its Annual Conference to an even broader audience within the building products industry. Manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and vendors are all invited to participate in what has historically been a manufacturer-only conference. The event takes place September 24-27 in Madison, Wisconsin and will feature a full range of topics to attract the various levels within an organization, so there is something of value for sales and marketing, business leaders, and IT professionals.

Two one-hour sessions are designed quite simply to provide excellent education on the North American Fenestration Standards (NAFS)regulations and provide your company with some better ideas, steps, processes - of how to get on side with less headache and confusion and cost. And you get an opportunity to at least indirectly, help improve the regulations by giving committee members input – not just dance to their rules! There will be approachable, experienced people on hand to talk to in plain English about how make the process more profitable!

Not that long ago, the concept of ERP implementation was purely for the largest companies and implicitly involved a LARGE dedication of time, resources and money and was almost inconceivable as a solution for a small to medium size manufacturers.  It even sounds “complicated” based on the official definition : Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a process by which a company (often a manufacturer) manages and integrates the important parts of its business. An ERP management information system integrates areas such as planning, purchasing, inventory, sales, marketing, finance and human resources.

Installation is sometimes referred to as being 50% of the solution in fenestration but what people sometimes forget is that geographic considerations/predominant weather can be an important factor in that detail.  www.FenCon18.com will have 2 important sessions dealing with high performance Fenestration – first highlighting the National objectives as developed by NRCan based on the Paris accord and the second proposing specific Cold Climate installation details.  And, its quite interesting that a source of discussion on this topic is material developed for a Northern/Indigenous Housing Conference by Jon Eakes. 

North American window and door manufacturers are being confronted to a MUCH greater degree right with rising input costs as unemployment declines and as minimum wages are rising.  Additionally, the task of processing and delivering a high quality product on time is made ever more complex with growing sets of options and performance requirements.  And in today’s competitive world, every serious manufacturer will need to achieve greater efficiency/higher performance.  In addition to making a great product, manufacturers MUST take advantage of the latest technology in production equipment AND software technology!

The fenestration manufacturing industry – including suppliers – come in many different sizes and “shapes” and yet all have the potential to benefit from the investments in technology. Klaes - a Rosenheim, Germany based company with 200 employees in 27 countries – has grown from start up to a global cutting edge status within the window, door and façade industry. 

Under the theme "The more things change, the less they are the same," the annual conference of the Quebec fenestration association, AVFQ, will take place from February 14 to 16 at the Bonne Entente in the authentic and historic city of Quebec. The programming of this conference is under the theme of the future and the transformations that our industry will experience in the coming years. Thus, the confrence will inform and clarify concepts and practices that are likely to have an impact on working methods in the near future.

The Ontario government has announced a rebate program enabling homeowners to receive up to $500 per window to a maximum of $5,000 per project when they install Energy Star-certified windows from a list of approved dealers. The program is offered through the Green Ontario Fund, an agency set up to promote energy-efficient construction and renovations.

In a business era that has manufacturers vertically integrating their sales model, it might seem counterproductive for a manufacturer to focus on the window and door dealer, but in the case of Euro Vinyl Windows of Woodbridge Ont., that’s precisely what they did with Kempenfelt Windows of Barrie, Ont.

The first quarter has started out strong for the association with 27-per cent growth in revenues versus the same period last year coupled with a 16-per cent reduction in expenses.

May 24, 2017 - Around 175,000 construction workers in Quebec went on strike this morning following a breakdown in talks with the provincial government. Union statements pointed to job security and working hours as main sticking points.

April 12, 2017 - The deadline for having all workers who work at heights on construction sites trained in a Ministry of Labour-approved Working at Heights: Construction program has been extended to October 1, 2017. However, employers must still meet specific requirements in order to qualify for the deadline extension.

Feb. 1, 2017 - Following on from a successful diversification of their product range, Great Windows is pleased to announce an expansion of their operating base with the opening of a new office and distributing facility in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Jan. 19, 2017 -  Call it a big glass revolution.

Nov. 24, 2016 - Marvin Windows and Doors of Canada has opened a one-of-a-kind showroom in Calgary. The experiential design center is the largest in the country, and the 6,500 sq. ft. space now acts as the new Canadian design destination. The showroom features curated collections of premier made-to-order wood and wood-clad windows and doors, acting as a design inspiration gallery and shining a spotlight on Marvin Windows and Doors’ most innovative products.

SAWDAC Golf tournamentThis year’s golf tournament was a great success as we raised money for a charity called Kids Can Play.  We had to move our originally scheduled date as Mother Nature didn’t cooperate, so we moved it out a week and had tremendous weather at Turtle Creek. he course was in great shape and the dinner was fantastic. Many thanks to all that participated and we look forward to seeing you next year.  

Neal takes the reinsJason Neal, 44, assumed the duties of executive director of SAWDAC in March. His previous experience was mainly in the world of software sales management, including time at Electrolux and Research In Motion. Neal has a B.A. in Economics from Laurentian University. As executive director, he will take over all functions from the retiring David Mitten, including serving the dealer members, marketing the association’s Window Wise and Renoworks programs and educating the membership about changes to government policy that affect them. His immediate priorities are to expand the benefits available to members and to grow SAWDAC membership across the country. Over the longer term, Neal would like to see the association offer a program similar to Window Wise for doors. “When I met with the board, they said they were looking for someone who could add to David’s good work with the association,” Neal explains. “I liked the autonomy of the position and I like working with dealers. Dealers put so many years into their businesses – I liked the chance to offer programs that will help them.” Doors and Windows:Attendees were shown how to make a header drip cap flashing with end dam that would integrate well with vinyl siding.  Attendees made sample drip caps using hand-held benders.  Much discussion and experimentation centred around how an installer integrated a drip cap with end dam into a vinyl window brick mould with built-in j-channel, which is popular in Atlantic Canada.  No solution was found.Other fenestration installation methods demonstrated were: Proper methods of shimming and fastening Installation of a sub-sill flashing with end dam. Foam insulation application and air-sealing Use of backer rod with caulking / shape of bead for best performance Siding:Paul Martin showed photos of water damage to due mainly to poor flashing of a siding installation.  Attendees discussed why the water damage occurred and how it could have been prevented.  Flashing topics discussed were: Kick-out flashings Drip caps Flashing a round-top window Flashing around a bay window Flashing at the bottom of a wall and at transition planes in the wall. Flashing above a deck Flashing and set-off installation of a wall plate for support of a deck. Capping beams and columns Dos and don’ts of capping and flashing “A lot of topics were covered and the clinic was pressed for time.  Next time we’ll need two days.” Commented David Mitten, SAWDAC Executive-DirectorSAWDAC Training in St. John’s NLDespite delays due to a blizzard, David Mitten and Paul Martin, conducted a one-day, hands-on installation clinic in St. John’s NL on February 10, 2016.  The eleven attendees were a mix of home builders and building inspectors who were looking for more information about the various causes of poor fenestration and siding performance relative to moisture and rain-water ingress issues.David and Paul focused on specific installation methods that a) either caused poor weather performance or b) helped solve water damage problems.

improveit 360, a leading provider of CRM and business management software for the home improvement industry, announces the launch of One-Org for franchises and manufacturers. The new solution acts as a single platform to bring an entire network together into one powerful system, with web-based accessibility and enhanced by custom mobile apps. Now a franchisor and franchisees, or a manufacturer and its distributor/dealer network, can have all their communication, data, and business functionality in a customizable operations platform built exclusively for the industry.

To hear Frank Bruno tell it, there may be no more fitting place to found a fenestration operation than Woodbridge, Ont. He was a mere 16 years old when he joined Everlast Aluminum, a small aluminum shop, back in 1961. Over the next six decades, the company not only changed its name to the Everlast Group, but also changed its location, from cramped quarters in midtown Toronto to a cavernous 45,000-square-foot facility in Woodbridge. 

The function of organic solvents in paint relates to certain properties. They facilitate the paint’s application, it’s drying and the formation of a regular paint film. During application and drying, the solvent evaporates. Ideally a dry paint film no longer contains solvent. However when they evaporate, these solvents release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere with a negative, toxic impact on health and safety and the environment. 

Lamination can be a great finish option for windows. Laminate is a multi-layer construction of high-grade materials. It is constructed to ensure an extended resistance to weather conditions and colour stability. One of the greatest features of laminate is its scratch-resistance.

Don’t blink, or you might miss Port Elgin, N.B., population 450. For tourists, at least, it’s usually a blip on their way elsewhere. But if you do take the turn, you’ll find a small community that’s been at the crossroads of commerce in New Brunswick for hundreds of years.

As stompings under the jackboot of government authority go, it couldn’t have been more pleasant. Debbie Scharf’s tone was friendly and upbeat as she delivered the message to Canada’s window makers that the government plans by 2030 to outlaw the majority of the products they make.

The Fenestration Canada AGM education program took place on the Friday, June 2. The keynote message came from Debbie Scharf, director of the equipment division of the office of energy efficiency at the National Research Council, who outlined the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. That is a document agreed on by Canada's provincial premiers setting out the targets for energy efficiency and emissions controls that various sectors will need to hit in order for Canada to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change. For the fenestration industry, the big news was that governments want all new homes to be at least Net Zero-ready by 2030 – which means windows will need to achieve a 0.8 centre-of-glass U-factor.

May 25, 2017 - Chongqing Polycomp International Corp. has announced that late in 2016 the company moved its North American headquarters from Rowland Heights (Los Angeles), Calif. to Amsterdam (Albany), N.Y., where CPIC owns a fiberglass manufacturing facility. Anticipating significant growth in the North American fiberglass market, the organization also has added several fiberglass and composites industry veterans to its North American team.

April 12, 2017 - The Province of B.C. is providing $500,000 to encourage the development and certification of high-performance windows that will help homeowners and businesses conserve energy and reduce heating costs, and stimulate the high-performance window manufacturing industry in British Columbia.

Ask Marc Rivest and David Johnson how they decided to celebrate more than three decades in business together, and you’ll get a rather candid answer: “With a case of beer,” Marc jokes.

Historically, the winter months for Canadian fenestrators have been used for housekeeping. With good intentions, the projects that didn’t get the attention they deserve during the busy months get deferred to the winter.

Ansley Dueck, continuous improvement manager at Duxton Windows and Doors, recently completed an overhaul of the Winnipeg fabricator's quality and production processes and reported on her experiences at FenCon17 in early February. She has shared this report, which casts light on some of the challenges and benefits of embracing Lean manufacturing processes. - ed.

Mar. 26, 2018 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document establishing performance requirements for fiber reinforced thermoset profiles for use in fenestration products. AAMA 305-18, the Voluntary Specification for Fiber Reinforced Thermoset Profiles, was last updated in 2015.

Natural Resources Canada is circulating proposed changes to the Energy Star standards for residential windows and doors. The changes would constitute a signficant tightening of the standard resulting, NRCan says, in the disqualification of 75 per cent of the Canadian products that presently qualify. 

Big attempts are underway in Canada right now to do nothing less than change the way we build and buy windows. Ontario launched its GreenON rebate program in December, with approximately the same results as a North Korean missile test. It caught (almost) everyone by surprise; generated jubilation in some, anger and alarm in others; cost a lot of money the cash-strapped state can’t afford; and has so far completely failed to hit its target, though the attempt may set the stage for future success.

Feb. 12, 2018 - In mid-December, with little fanfare, B.C. took a bold step toward a future in which every new home, school, office, store — the works — will be built to the highest possible level of energy efficiency.

Feb. 1, 2018 - The 2017 edition of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS — North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights (NAFS) has received final approval and is now available. This standard is the result of a multi-year effort by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA). The updated 2017 standard replaces the 2011 edition of the joint standard.

The document "Market transformation strategies for energy-using equipment in the building sector" lays out a plan formulated at the Energy and Mines Ministers Conference in New Brunswick in August to make Canadian buildings much more energy efficient. It's part of the overall plan to meet Canada's obligations under the Paris Climate Accords to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and it's the plan that Debbie Scharf of the National Research Council has been talking about to industry groups all over the country this years. One section of the plan directly addresses residential windows and outlines an "aspirational" goal to encourage the use of the best technology in windows and reduce emissions from home heating by nine percent across the country.

Oct. 24, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) is currently planning instructor training classes for the InstallationMasters program. Those interested in becoming accredited instructors are encouraged to contact the association now to reserve their spot in one of the upcoming classes.

WinDoor is around the corner and I’ve been helping to put together the education seminars for the event. I’ve found it to be an incredible amount of work, and I’ve only done a small part of it. If you get talking to someone who is on one of Fenestration Canada’s committees, please give them your thanks for the hard work these volunteers do to advance the industry.

Aug. 31, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) currently is planning instructor training classes for the InstallationMasters program. Those interested in becoming accredited instructors are encouraged to contact the association now, so that as many schedules as possible may be accommodated.

Aug. 16, 2017 - The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) recently released an updated document to provide a standard method of evaluating side-hinged door active slabs for their ability to resist a vertical load. AAMA 925-17, the "Specification for Determining the Vertical Loading Resistance of Side-Hinged Door Systems," determines the ability of a side-hinged door slab to remain operable following the application of a vertical load along the lock stile. It was last updated in 2013.

Aug. 16, 2017 - August is a hot, fun season full of BBQs, beach days and renovation projects. As homeowners look to beat the heat, running fans or air conditioning around-the-clock, or adjusting their central air to cool, they may find an increase in their utility bill.

In an email to the editor Phil Lewin, vice-president of technical marketing for Vinyl Window Designs in Toronto, responded to Chris Meiorin's Fit & Finish column in the summer issue of Fenestration Review. His comments posted here with permission.

April 12, 2018 - After posting its strongest growth since 2013 last year, Canada's residential construction industry is forecast to see a small contraction in 2018. Meanwhile, non-residential construction is expecting a modest turnaround this year, according to The Conference Board of Canada's latest outlooks for the two industries.

April 12, 2018 - Canadian municipalities issued $8.2 billion in building permits in February (-2.6%), following a 5.2% gain in January. Single-family homes as well as the commercial and institutional components saw lower levels of construction intentions in February.

Mar. 8, 2018 - Canadian municipalities issued $8.4 billion in building permits in January, up 5.6% following a 2.5% rise in December. The value of permits for three components rose, while industrial buildings (-18.6%) and single-family dwellings (-1.3%) declined. The January increase was largely due to higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings in Ontario.

Breach: defined as infraction or violation of a law, obligation, tie, or standard; or a broken, ruptured, or torn condition or area.

Jan. 27, 2018 - When workers are impaired on the job, whether by fatigue, use of drugs, or consumption of alcohol, it can have serious consequences. To help workplaces take steps to address the issue of impairment, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has launched the e-course Impairment and Cannabis in the Workplace.

Jan. 25, 2018 - Just in time for the fifth anniversary of the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) have collaborated to create StressAssess, a free online survey tool to assist workplaces in identifying and addressing psychosocial hazards that can lead to stress and mental injury.

Jan. 24, 2018 -  Energy efficiency is hard to see, but we feel the benefits in our homes, neighbourhoods, environment, economy and wallets. A clean energy future includes federal investments in innovation to drive economic growth, reduce environmental impact and create new, clean technology jobs for Canadians.

Jan. 10, 2018 -  The value of building permits issued by Canadian municipalities declined 7.7% to $7.7 billion in November, the first decrease in three months. Nationally, the value of permits for all building components declined, with the exception of single-family dwellings.

Politicians in Saskatchewan have responded to reports of vehicles with Saskatchewan plates being sent away from Alberta construction sites with a ban of their own, igniting a war of words between the provinces. 

Ontario's Bill 142 Construction Lien Ammendment Act has passed third reading in a unanimous vote and will now become law in Ontario. The bill implements most of the recommendations in "Striking the Balance: Expert Review of Ontario's Construction Lien Act," a report prepared for the Attorney General's office last summer. Most notably, a payment period of 35 days for invoices has been enshrined and an arbitration system is to be set up to speed payments without use of the courts.

Nov. 23, 2017 - Building permits rose in September for the first time in three months, as strength in the non-residential sector outweighed some weakness in the residential sector.

Nov. 23, 2017 - On Wednesday, Ontario passed landmark legislation that will bring more fairness to Ontario workplaces and create more security and opportunity for vulnerable workers and their families.