W&D Weekly - November 7, 2007 | Vol 2, Num 44
(Print All Articles)
AMD Exhibition Features Wealth of New Products
Business may be down, but innovation was clearly up at the Association of Millwork Distributors exhibition, which concluded in Denver on Monday...
Denver—Business may be down, but innovation was clearly up at the Association of Millwork Distributors exhibition, which concluded here Monday. With a substantial number of new products on display, the show may have reflected the words of Larry Ray of GHDC Inc., the incoming AMD president, who noted at the opening ceremonies that despite today’s tough market, he was confident the organization’s members would “take this lemon and make lemonade.”
One of the most noteworthy introductions at the show was a new device from Highmark Digital that targets a relatively untapped business—the replacement door market. The company was showing its JambScan door imaging unit, which measures existing door openings and then provides data to a CNC machine that preps a door slab to be hung in the existing frame, explained David Winter, one of Highmark’s co-founders. Its One-Cut System, which includes the scanning device, software and the door machining equipment, creates a new market by enabling a homeowner to replace and upgrade both interior and exterior doors without the expense of tearing out the existing jambs, he noted.
|
|
|
Highmark Digital introduced a new device for measuring existing door openings—part of a new system enabling door slabs to be prepped for retrofit installation. |
Interest in the system at the show was high, he also reported. “It’s really a whole new market for this industry,” Winter noted, and particularly at a time when new construction is down, the opportunity to enter a completely different market is generating a lot of enthusiasm. “We’re seeing interest at all levels—from home centers, specialty dealers, pre-hangers and manufacturers.”
|
|
|
Amesbury offered a sneak peak at its new Locca electronic hardware line. |
Also adding electronics to its line is ODL. The supplier was showing a new motorized version of its internal miniblind doorlites. The product offers both ease of operation and eliminates the need for external cords or devices to operate the blinds, providing a cleaner look, noted ODL’s Angelo Marasco. It’s done extremely well in consumer testing, he added. Another unique aspect to the new automated system is that ODL is able to supply the blinds with low-E glass. Previously that has been a challenge for internal mini-blind systems, because the blinds eventually can damage the coated surface.
|
|
|
ODL was featuring new doorlites with internal miniblinds with a motorized operation. |
Not all the new products on display in Denver were electronic. Craftmaster Manufacturing was launching a new interior Shaker-style three-panel door. Unlike its raised-panel interior door panels, the new Crossmore model features a flat panel design, which offers a look more akin to MDF doors, “at a significantly lower price point,” said CMI’s Mike Steiber.
|
|
|
Taking an alternative approach to its typical raised-panel door facings, Craftmaster featured a new Shaker style door with a flat-panel design. |
Simpson Door featured a new Performance Series French door model. In addition to composite blocks that prevent water from penetrating the wood stiles, the new door incorporates a medium density overlay and PVC glazing bead on the exterior to enable the doors—even those used in unprotected patio type applications—to better resist the elements, said Brad Loveless, Simpson marketing manager. The new exterior, which is designed to be painted, offers a cost effective alternative to clad-wood patio doors, he added.
Other new items launched at the show included G-M Wood Products’ new DuraFrame jambs, which use rot- and moisture-resistant Alaskan yellow cypress at the bottom. In addition to its vinyl-clad door jambs, EverMark was showing a new fiberglass-clad version designed for use with fiberglass entry doors.
Despite the fact that distributor attendance on the floor of the show appeared to be off, the time is right for many of them to look at new products, suggested Dale Moses of W&F Manufacturing. His company has been promoting multipoint entry door hardware at the show for several years, he noted, and while attendees have been interested, many were simply too busy to add it to their lines. This year, Moses stated, many were stopping by, and talking about doing something to get a program started.
In addition to the show, the AMD convention featured a number of educational seminars, much discussion of potential door certification requirements and a vote to change the association’s bylaws. More detailed coverage will be included in next week’s WDweekly.
Win-Door Set for Toronto Next Week
Window and door manufacturers from Canada and parts of the U.S. will gather in Toronto next week for Win-Door...
Window and door manufacturers from across Canada, as well as parts of the U.S., will gather in Toronto next week for Win-Door North America. The event, organized by the Canadian Window & Door Manufacturers Association, is scheduled to run November 13-15 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Win-Door attendance topped 3,000 last year, a 10 percent gain from 2006. With window and door markets across Canada generally healthier than they are in the U.S., CWDMA is optimistic for this year too. A week ahead of the event, Patrick Shield, the show’s organizer, reports that exhibit space has sold out and pre-registration among attendees is strong, with additional hotel rooms added to the Win-Door block.
“Everything that I have heard from all the exhibitors indicates that there was tremendous numbers and excellent quality traffic in all booths,” reports Robert Latour, CWDMA’s immediate past president, referring to the 2006 show. “After more than 10 incredible years, Win-Door North America has become truly synonymous with being the most focused show in the North American window and door market, and truly international in content. It just keeps gaining strength.”
Win-Door remains unique among North American events in featuring exhibitors that produce profiles, hardware and components for the window market, and supply door slabs, doorlites and other related products to the prehangers market. The show attracts equipment suppliers serving the manufacturing and prehanging segments of the industry too. Equipment exhibitors scheduled to be in Toronto next week include Ameri-Can, ATech, Carlson, Joseph Machine, JRM International, JSA Machineries, Norfield, Vega Automation and Urban Machinery.
Exhibitors come from the U.S. and abroad, but Canadian suppliers generally take center stage at Win-Door. That seemed to be the case even more so last year. Several rolled out new products, particularly on the door side. Novatech Glass Inc., the supplier of doors, doorlites and other components, introduced new fiberglass doors in both woodgrain and smooth finish options. The Quebec-based company also launched a new entry door system targeted at prehangers featuring preinstalled multipoint hardware.
On the window side, Canadian vinyl extruders used the event to promote new hybrid models. Thermoplast was showing what has become a popular option in the Canadian market—aluminum-clad vinyl. Quebec-based extruder Quadraplast took that concept a step further, showcasing a hybrid casement window design that can be fabricated as a vinyl-only window, an aluminum-clad vinyl unit, a vinyl unit with wood cladding on the interior, and a vinyl window with aluminum on the outside and wood on the inside.
The show opens Tuesday, November 13, with an evening reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibition continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and concludes on Thursday, when it runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
An educational program accompanying the show kicks off the event Tuesday afternoon. Elspeth Murray from the Queens University School of Business in Kingston, Ontario, will offer an in-depth seminar targeted at owners and managers of small and mid-sized companies.
Prior to the show opening on Wednesday morning, Jeff Baker of WestLab, will offer an update on codes and standards. Also accompanying the Win-Door show is CWDMA’s regular business meeting, to be held Thursday morning. That session will feature Peter Anderson, a regular at the event, who will offer his economic forecast with a focus on the Canadian window and door market.
More information about next week’s event is available at www.windoorshow.com.
Atis Continues Expansion in Western Canada
Atis Group has acquired Phoenix Glass, a manufacturer of windows and doors for commercial and residential clients...
Atis Group has acquired Phoenix Glass, a manufacturer of windows and doors for commercial and residential clients based on Annacis Island, south of Vancouver, B.C. Following up on the purchase of Allied Windows of Abbottsford, B.C. [read more], and Bestway of Calgary in late 2006 [read more], Atis Group reports that with the addition of Phoenix Glass, Western Canada will represent approximately 20 percent of its sales.
Based in Montreal, the company states it is one of the largest manufacturers of doors and windows in Canada with 10 factories, 1,800 employees and revenues of more than $200 million. In addition to its West Coast brands, the group manufactures, distributes and markets doors and windows for the construction and home improvement markets under the Laflamme, Melco, Solarcan and Vimat names.
Founded in 1992, Phoenix Glass supplies and installs a range of products that include storefronts, skylights, canopies, glass walls, doors and other applications. The commercial sector, particularly high-rise construction, represents the majority of its sales.
“Phoenix Glass will help us continue to serve all sectors of the commercial and residential door and window markets across the country, thanks to the strong relationships the company has built with its customers and employees over the years,” says Robert Doyon, president, CEO and shareholder of Atis Group. “Phoenix’s growing pipeline confirms the respect the company and its employees have earned in B.C. as well as their niche in the growing high-rise market.”
“Selling a family business is a huge step and requires total confidence in the values of the acquiring company and its management team. And that’s what cinched the deal for us–we knew the fit was right when we saw that Robert Doyon and his team shared our values of honesty, respect, integrity and concern for each and every individual,” says Steve Lebedovich, former owner of Phoenix Glass. “I now look forward to exploring the tremendous opportunities before our combined organization, which range from an increased ability to bid on large projects to selling our products through the extensive distribution network Atis has built over the years.”
New CFO for Masonite
Anthony DiLucente has recently stepped in as CFO of Masonite, replacing Fred Arnold, executive VP of finance...
Anthony DiLucente has recently stepped in as chief financial officer of Masonite International, replacing Fred Arnold, executive vice president of finance, who filled the role when it became vacant in early 2006.
“Tony’s leadership experience in finance and general management at leading manufacturing companies will add significant value to our global organization,” says Fred Lynch, president and CEO of Masonite. “His knowledge in cost accounting, financial controls, business analysis and strategic planning will help provide the guidance and direction to drive continuous improvement
at Masonite.”
DiLucente joins Masonite with 28 years of experience, most recently as the vice president of finance for Johns Manville’s Engineered Products Group.
Arnold, who played a significant role in the Kohlberg Kravis and Roberts takeover of Masonite and subsequent IPO, will help DiLucente during the transition period.
Pre-Hanger Group Forms Alliance with FBMA
The FBMA and recently formed American Pre-Hung Door Association have announced a strategic alliance...
The Florida Building Material Association and the recently formed American Pre-Hung Door Association have announced a strategic alliance designed to benefit and strengthen both organizations. The two groups are planning membership drives, educational forums and a joint exhibition next August in Orlando, according to Georgia Smith, APHDA executive director.
APHDA officially launched earlier this year with the goal of bringing together prehangers of doors and suppliers of goods to the prehanging industry. It now has 60 members in 24 states, Smith reports. FBMA, started in 1920, has some 320 member companies serving the Southeast market.
The FBMA convention and Gulf Coast Building Products Expo are scheduled for August 21-24 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts.
- Nation Must Adapt to Greater Wildfire Risk
from The Christian Science Monitor - FSC's 'Green' Label for Wood Products Gets
Growing Pains
from CorpWatch.com - More Subprime Woes Likely Ahead
from Reuters.com
...
Nation Must Adapt to Greater Wildfire Risk
from The Christian Science Monitor
Droughts, floods, severe storms, and sea-level rise often get the lion's share of attention in the litany of projected effects from global warming. But October's disastrous wildfires in California – part of one of the most intense fire seasons in the United States in nearly 50 years – are likely to raise the profile of such events, even if a firm link between the state's fires and climate change has yet to be made... read more
FSC's 'Green' Label for Wood Products Gets Growing Pains
from CorpWatch.com
The environmental group that runs a widely recognized labeling system to identify "green" wood and paper products has acknowledged that some companies using its label are destroying pristine forests and says it plans to overhaul its rules... read more
More Subprime Woes Likely Ahead
from Reuters.com
More trouble lies ahead for U.S. borrowers who have subprime mortgages, as housing woes continue and loans reset at higher interest rates, Federal Reserve Governor Randall Kroszner said on Monday... read more