Fenestration Manitoba has continued to grow and evolve over the course of the past six years from its creation as a formal organization representing the regional window and door manufacturing industry. At the executive meeting this week, a new president was appointed: Gary Blad of Loewen Windows. Gary has extensive experience in and knowledge of the industry and brings many skills to this important role for Manitoba.

I am honoured and excited to be Fenestration Canada’s President in this important and dynamic time for our association. We have a clear mission to support our members across Canada by providing education, networking, and technical resources.

SAWDAC/Window Wise has trained 2,700 installers since December 2017.

The latest Fenestration Manitoba event was particularly rewarding for a number of reasons. First, Nancy Zubriski, executive director, pulled together a wonderful mix of very well-qualified speakers that allowed the topic to be particularly well addressed from multiple angles including real life. Secondly, a room full of high-level window and door manufacturing personnel took a half of a day to participate and then responded with some very gratifying comments.  Chris Howell, director of operations at Alliance Door Products, said, “Thanks again for all of your efforts in pushing our industry forward. John (Howell) and I both really enjoyed the seminar. Great presentations and informative content. We will be sharing our information today with our director of HR in Lynden to bring some awareness to the upcoming changes.” 

Fenestration Canada held its Spring Conference June 4 through 6 at the Hotel Arts in Calgary. The event drew around 130 window and door manufacturers and installers, and their suppliers, to educational seminars, association meetings, and social networking opportunities.

Mar. 9, 2018 -  Dean Lewis of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) passed away March 7 after battling cancer. He spent 45 years in the fenestration industry and was 69 years old.

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.

Fenestration Canada technical consultant Jeff Baker will host a free webinar for association members on Jan. 19 with Amy Eakins of Green Ontario Fund to discuss the agency's window rebate program. Attendees will be able to ask questions of the presenters and the program requirements will be clarified.

Its become something of a tradition! Rather than call it a simple, boring Annual General Meeting, we’ve tried to spice it up a bit and called it the Holiday Reception AND AGM.  Fenestration Manitoba members have an opportunity to mix and mill with fellow industry leaders at a relatively informal event while beginning to close off another eventful year.  And, inevitably and predictably, the Clay Oven does a very fine job in accommodating and serving lots of excellent East Indian food!

Fenestration Canada inducted 15 new members into its pantheon of Pioneers at the gala Main Event dinner on Nov. 29. A fun-filled room of about 600 window and door people welcomed the latest honourees, who will be permanently enshrined in the association's records as making invaluable contributions to the Canadian fenestration landscape. Pioneer inductions occur every three years.

As we celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary, Fenestration Canada is also celebrating 50 years as an association and we’ve come a long way. Fenestration Canada has been changing over the past few years to adapt and remain relevant for our members. We just held our highly successful, well-attended AGM in Halifax this past June, which included lots of fresh new faces as well as the legendary Atlantic Canada hospitality.

Talk renovation with your customers – A letter to SAWDAC members from Jason Neal, executive director.

Oct. 5, 2017 - The Glass Association of North America (GANA) and the National Glass Association (NGA), Vienna, VA, announced unanimous board approval for the combination of the two associations during GlassBuild America's Opening Session in Atlanta last month.

The rain held off long enough for the 2017 Fenestration Manitoba Golf Tournament held on Sept. 19. Over 50 industry representatives gathered at the St. Boniface Golf Course amongst the turning leaves and migrating Canada geese. The evening’s dinner acknowledged the day’s best (and least best) golfers.