The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) have officially merged into one organization under the new name, Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA), as of Jan. 1, 2020. The members from both organizations voted to bring this change into effect. Working as a single organization will enable the groups to combine the distinct strengths and knowledge of each organization in order to better serve the North American fenestration and glass industries.
“The value of the new organization will be a stronger industry voice,” said Donnie Hunter, global product management director for Kawneer and board chairman of the AAMA. “With knowledgeable professionals from both the fenestration and glass industries, better synergy for the whole finished fenestration product will be available, as well as direct access to the Canadian market, codes, and regulatory expertise. A combined organization also delivers expanded technical competencies and a broader document base to support more extensive educational opportunities for members.”
Affect on Technical Specifications
Founded in 1936, the AAMA is an advocate for manufacturers and professionals in the fenestration industry and is dedicated to the promotion of quality window, door, curtain wall, storefront, and skylight products. The organization has over 300 members that manufacture products and components for both the residential and commercial construction markets across North America.
One of the key areas of focus for the AAMA is the creation of performance standards, product certifications, and educational programs for the fenestration industry. Among these are Aluminum Technical Specifications, which cover curtain walls, windows and doors, skylights, and more. For the purpose of clarity following the merger into a single association, these technical documents will retain the AAMA name indefinitely, with an additional mention that it is an FGIA document, while the recognition of FGIA is established throughout the industry. For example, the descriptor would be as follows: AAMA SFM-1-14 Aluminum Storefront and Entrance Manual, an FGIA document.
“As a unified organization, FGIA has a wider, material-neutral focus, covering not just a fenestration product’s frame, but also its glass,” said Rich Rinka, FGIA technical manager, Standards & Industry Affairs. “We are increasing the interaction level between fenestration and glazing manufacturers, providing more depth to our knowledge of the industry. We are very excited to be able to continue to create documents like the Curtain Wall Manual, which was just published in 2019, for the benefit of the entire industry. The documents that have previously been provided by AAMA and IGMA will now be available from one source: FGIA. FGIA remains committed to developing relevant industry documents, updating any previously published documents and staying current with market innovations. Additionally, FGIA will continue to have architectural, residential and glass councils to evenly represent interests across its membership.”
Future Plans
The FGIA vision is to focus on improving home and building performance through better glass, window, door, and skylight technologies and standards. The FGIA will strive to be a welcoming community, leading the fenestration, glazing, and glass industry through research, consensus-based standards, product certification, advocacy, and education and professional development.
The organization will hold its inaugural FGIA Annual Conference on February 10-13, 2020, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.