Features Association news Community
Fenestration Canada: August 2013

There is a growing perception that a fundamental group of window and
door fabricator owners is underrepresented at industry events, meetings
and discussion forums.

There is a growing perception that a fundamental group of window and door fabricator owners is underrepresented at industry events, meetings and discussion forums. Fabricator involvement and visible participation at the table in helping this association deal with emerging issues of concern, particularly in the areas of code compliance and implications for product conformance, is critical. To address this shortfall, Fenestration Canada is launching a Fabricators’ Council spearheaded by a leading fenestration manufacturer. Lisa Bergeron, government relations manager for Jeld-Wen of Canada, has accepted our invitation to chair this council. The group will be comprised of member window and door fabricators only with the proviso that the council would seek the assistance of experienced experts and regional input as required.

In our view, this bedrock group of fabricators will benefit greatly from the opportunity for companies to meet and discuss a variety of key interests, including the processes for development and implementation of codes. The objective of this council will be to obtain a broader and deeper participation by window and door fabricators at all Fenestration Canada events. It is through the collaborative efforts of those who are directly involved that we can be assured that this group and other committees can work together and maintain perspective on the development of policy and initiatives to protect and promote the long term health of fenestration manufacturing. An effective Fabricators Council will be a long term asset to the practical, effective implementation of initiatives promulgated by Fenestration Canada.

“Window and door fabricators are uniquely challenged as they bring a finished product to market,” Bergeron says. “This council was set up to provide a forum for fabricators to address issues that are inherently specific to commercializing products. Our objective is to engage more fabricators in their association and Industry. We are at a very crucial time in the building industry where the codes and regulations are changing the landscape on what seems like a daily basis. It’s exciting to see Fenestration Canada initiate such a group giving fabricators the opportunity to become more involved in their Industry. I am honoured that the Fenestration Canada executive board has asked me to chair this new council and look forward to working with Industry colleagues on the challenges ahead.”

Fenestration Canada is a membership-driven organization with a mandate to represent and support all aspects of the window and door manufacturing industry across the country. This includes involvement and promotion of high quality standards in manufacturing, design, marketing, distribution, sales and application of all types of window and door products. The association operates through an elected board of industry representatives and members are encouraged to get involved in various committees and working groups to address specific issues of interest to those involved in the fenestration sector. The primary committees are: Technical Services; Government Relations; Edcation; Win-Door Show; Finance; Governance and Editorial/Media Relations.

We invite all interested Fenestration Canada fabricator members to consider getting involved with this collaborative effort which will lead to better understanding and solutions to the challenges that lie ahead for all. Don’t just  wait   for things to happen, become part of the solution – your business profitability and viability will depend on it.

Please call or contact Robert Rivard at the Fenestration Canada office if you wish to support this initiative and participate in this very worthwhile council. Robert can be reached at 1-613-423-7239 or via email at rrivard@fenestrationcanada.ca. As always, we invite members and potential members alike to visit our website regularly for important updates on activities and availability of information and resource materials. The website link is www.fenestrationcanada.ca.