Window & Door Groups Agree to Merge

WASHINGTON — The Window and Door Manufacturers Assn. (WDMA) and the Fenestration Manufacturers Assn. (FMA) have agreed in principle to  affiliate and eventually integrate operations. The merger is expected to take effect in January 2015.

The two associations said they have worked together in the past, including on codes, standards and technical issues. Headquartered in Tallahassee, FL, the FMA is a regional association representing the window and exterior door manufacturers and suppliers doing business in the southeast and Gulf coast. FMA also represents its members' interest  in regulatory issues, research and performance product testing, and education.

Based in Washington, DC, the WDMA is a national organization representing manufacturers of residential and commercial window, door and skylight products for the domestic and export markets. According to the association, members' products are designed and built to "Total Product Performance" based standards.The WDMA also represents the industry in legislative and regulatory issues.

"WDMA has long had a close working relationship with FMA to advance, promote and protect the interests of the industry in the Southeast," WDMA Chair Ann Duebner, vice president of sales and administration for Eggers Industries, said in a statement. "This agreement will formalize our relationship, maintain continuity and maximize limited resources. We look forward to developing a final plan which will work to the benefit of both WDMA and FMA members."

"The agreement to integrate the operations of the WDMA and FMA will ensure that our mutual interests are well represented in the Southeastern U.S. for many years to come," added FMA President Steve Strawn, product compliance policy manager for JELD-WEN Inc., in a published statement.