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CWDMA UPDATE

Kevin Pelley, president of the Canadian Window and Door Manufacturer
Association (CWDMA), and Mike Nolan, president of the EMS Chiefs of
Canada, officially opened Win-Door 2010 on Nov. 16

Kevin Pelley, president of the Canadian Window and Door Manufacturer Association (CWDMA), and Mike Nolan, president of the EMS Chiefs of Canada, officially opened Win-Door 2010 on Nov. 16. Retiring CWDMA Directors were also recognized on Nov. 17.  Scott Target of Global Windows and Doors and Martin Tremblay of Servitek Fenestration Inc. received Service Awards in recognition of their hard work.

Morgan Hanam of Enermodal Engineering at the CWDMA 2010 Annual General Meeting in Niagara-on-the-Lake at the Pillar and Post. The association’s 2011 Annual General Meeting will take place in Banff, Alta.

The CWDMA and Win-Door would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of Win-Door 2010:

• Livingston International – EMS
• Novatech Group Inc. – Parking
• Richersons Enterprise Limited – Parking
• Royal Group/Thermoplast – Lunches/beer cups
• Truth Hardware – Badge lanyards/pillar wraps/EMS
• Trimlite – Registration desk
• Cardinal IG – Codes & Standards Update – by Jeff Baker, CWDMA Technical Consultant
• Screenco Manufacturing – Strategic Planning for Your Closely Held Business by Bob Langdon
• UltraFab – Economic Forecast by Peter Norman of Altus Group

The CWDMA fall meeting was held on Tuesday, Nov. 16, a change from its traditional Thursday morning time slot. The CWDMA board members and committee chairs presented an overview of their activities from the past year and highlighted upcoming activities and initiatives.

As always, the educational sessions were well attended. On Wednesday, Nov. 17, Jeff Baker, CWDMA Technical Consultant, presented an informative update on codes and standards. The focus was on NAFS testing requirements for doors and upcoming changes in the building code and NAFS that window manufacturers will need to implement to achieve compliance with the new building code.

Returning speaker Bob Langdon offered two seminars, the first of which was Strategic Planning for Your Business. In this program, Langdon illustrated how to differentiate products and services in the marketplace, thus enabling a higher gross margin. Langdon’s second seminar, Maximizing Profitability in a Recovering Economy, highlighted how to increase one’s understanding of the Profit and Loss statement, thus enabling preparation of a viable financial business forecast.
 

Thursday, Nov. 18 featured three well-attended sessions:

• Peter Norman, general manager of Altus Group Economics, presented an informative financial forecast. Norman is a specialist in economic and demographic analysis, construction economics, building products, technology studies and forecasting services. A welcome addition to the Win-Door program, Norman has a well-rounded background in the real estate and construction industries.
• Steve Hopwood from Natural Resources Canada covered new developments in the October 2010 ENERGY STAR specifications. He also provided tips on how to label for ENERGY STAR, discussed some of the do’s and don’ts of submitting model information and outlined possible future changes.
• Miles Murphy, product manager for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), reviewed the development of the first Canadian program to certify installers of windows, doors and skylights. This national initiative, known as the F.I.T. Personal Certification Program, has been developed to support the need for quality installations that meet industry standards and best practices, while promoting energy efficiency and consumer confidence. Murphy provided a progress report to date that included timely information on the scope of the program, subject matter being developed for certification, knowledge and practice domains, and more.

The prestigious CP Loewen Award was also presented on Nov. 17. The award, which recognizes outstanding dedication, commitment and accomplishment in the window and door industry, was presented to this year’s deserving recipient, Clare Knechtel of KML Windows and Doors. CWDMA recognized a career dedicated to improving our industry, with generosity of spirit and respect for all involved.

An active participant in the CWDMA, Knechtel was involved in resolving technical issues involved with codes. He was a contributor to the development of the technical standards for testing sashless windows. He regularly attended and was a vocal participant in the CWDMA’s meetings, while always remaining dedicated to “getting the work done.” He also served on the WDMA Board – the CWDMA’s U.S. counterpart – where he continually looked out for Canadian interests and worked to strengthen relations between the two associations. He was also actively involved in AAMA, regularly attending meetings.

The James Parker Booth Awards presentations took place on Wednesday, Nov. 17. Edgetech IG took first place overall for the second year in a row. Kevin Pelley (second from left) president of the CWDMA, and James Parker (second from right), presented the award to Edgetech IG’s marketing director Erin Johnson (left), and executive vice-president Larry Johnson (right).

In 1964, Clare Knechtel left Time Glass in Sarnia to join the Robert Hunt Corporation in London, Ont. Here he introduced Pella Wood Windows to the market. In 1982, Knechtel left Robert Hunt Corporation and formed Knechtel Millwork in London with his wife Carole and children. Manufacturing custom architectural windows and doors, he grew the business dramatically with regular trucking runs into the U.S. market.

Over the next 20 years, the company grew to employ 325 people. KML’s quality and service as a manufacturer of “one-of-a-kind” windows and doors caught the attention of Andersen Windows, and in 2001 Andersen bought KML. Visit www.cwdma.ca to read more about our recipient.

Congratulations to the 2010 Win-Door award winners! The James Parker Booth Awards presentations took place on Wednesday, Nov. 17. Congratulations to Edgetech IG, who took first place overall for the second year in a row. Trimlite was awarded second place in the large booth category and Apricot Coating Systems took the award for best small booth. Well done and congratulations to all the winners!  
 

2011 AGM – Banff!
Mark your calendar now for the 2011 CWDMA Annual General Meeting! The beautiful Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alta., will be the setting for the CWDMA AGM on May 26-28.

As always, an informative seminar package will be offered in addition to a variety of networking and social activities set in the spectacular Rocky Mountains. Extended stay packages will be offered at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Further meeting and registration details will be posted as plans are finalized.
 

Keep your CWDMA listing current
Members are encouraged to review their membership directory listing regularly at www.cwdma.ca. Each member is listed on the website and the listing is linked to your one-page membership directory listing, and to your website, if you wish. The online directory is organized by membership category. E-mail or fax the CWDMA office if your listing requires any adjustments we can either make the required revisions for you or send a username and password so you can make the corrections. There is always good traffic to our site, so please ensure your information is current.