The boards of directors for the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) have engaged in discussions with the hope of creating a unified organization that can better serve the North American fenestration industry.
This agreement follows the recommendation made by a joint AAMA and IGMA Exploratory Team after 12 months of thought and collaboration. Moving forward, the team will focus on developing a comprehensive proposal. The team’s priorities are two-fold; how to best serve the needs of the current membership and to develop a new organization that best serves the industry as the new organization progresses into the future. The first combined event has been targeted for the summer of 2019 in Victoria, Canada.
“AAMA and IGMA both have distinct strengths and influential members of the glass and fenestration industry. A combined organization can be even stronger by harnessing the synergies of the back-office and the intellectual knowledge of the associations. One of the advantages for all of our members will be standards for the whole, finished, fenestration product – from glass to framing members, and all the related components. Members will have access to the information they need from a single source,” says AAMA Board Chair Mike DeSoto (MI Windows & Doors).
He continues, “A combined organization also delivers technical competencies and a document base to support more extensive educational opportunities for members.”
IGMA Board Chair Nathalie Thibault (Prelco) agreed and adds, “Within the structure of the combined organization, our strategy will emphasize maintaining a presence in both the U.S. and Canada with an appropriate balance to support all members across North America. We anticipate improved efficiency and time savings through potential sharing of combined events and networking opportunities as well as expanded staff support.”
While there are combined benefits to the AAMA and IGMA members, the organizations also acknowledge the value in retaining separate brand equity in certain services such as the insulating glass certification programs.
Thibault concludes, “A combined organization further strengthens our financial position allowing for future investments in industry research; and for effective delivery of risk management, product ideation and industry thought leadership among member participants. Together, we will have a stronger industry voice for our members.”