An economist at the 2022 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Hybrid Fall Conference gave an update on several aspects of the U.S. and Canadian economies, including the impact of COVID, inflation, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and more. Mike Collins, Managing Principal at EquiNova Capital Partners, offered insight into the macroeconomic backdrop, construction and remodeling activity, key trends affecting the fenestration industry and the current state of the M&A environment.Macroeconomic Backdrop“We can worry ourselves into a recession in this country,” said Collins. “But if you...

Those participating in the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Hybrid Fall Conference were able to observe two crucial and well-known ASTM tests conducted in person: The air infiltration test, ASTM E783, and the water penetration test, ASTM E1105. Both were performed by Bill Bahn, President of Hightower Labs, on an actual window unit on the ground level floor of the conference hotel, the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. Participants saw up close the laboratory equipment used for the evaluation of fenestration products in the field,...

Participants at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Hybrid Fall Conference gathered for a panel discussion about vacuum insulating glass (VIG) and the current state of use in the field, as well as the challenges and opportunities VIG manufacturers can expect. The panel covered the history and properties of VIG, VIG technology and performance and markets served. Moderated by Dave Cooper, Chief Technology Officer of VacuumGlass LLC, the panel included Bill Davis, Senior IG Technical Service and Product Manager at Vitro Architectural Glass; Dr....

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) hosted a safety speaker with expertise in the manufacturing of cut-resistant apparel during the 2022 FGIA Hybrid Fall Conference. Bill Specht, President and CEO of Ark Safety, discussed the hazards of glass plant and manufacturing work and the technology involved in creating solutions like cut-resistant garments plus hand and arm protection during this session sponsored by the FGIA Fenestration Safety Committee.According to Specht, the top five safety hazards in heavy manufacturing include falls – including trips and slips...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) partnered with World Vision, a humanitarian organization helping children, families and their communities overcome poverty and injustice, during the 2022 FGIA Hybrid Fall Conference September 25-28. Together, the two organizations assembled and donated more than 200 backpacks filled with school supplies for students at Parker Community Academy in Chicago, IL, the host city for the conference.“Since 1981, World Vision has worked to create environments in which all children are healthy, educated, cared for, protected, thriving and participating in...

As fall temperatures arrive, fire safety comes back into focus, as October 9-15 is Fire Prevention Week in the U.S. When it comes to a fire emergency, the Window Safety Task Force reminds everyone that doors and windows are the primary and secondary escape routes. This is an especially important topic this fire season, when those on the West Coast are experiencing higher risks of wildfires impacting communities.How prepared are you to escape safely in a fire?“Whether due to a wildfire, lightning or other causes,...

Registration is now open for the 2022 Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) Virtual Western Region Summit, to be held online November 1. This regional virtual meeting will cover several key topics of interest, featuring speakers from key western states to discuss critical legislative and code topics. Register now for access to the FGIA Virtual Western Region Summit.“The topics and speakers chosen for the FGIA Virtual Western Region Summit on November 1 were deliberate, as they are the matters in which those in our region...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) is pleased to announce the release of an updated and modernized version of the Association’s popular Fundamentals of Fenestration education program. Fundamentals of Fenestration, originally released in 2016, is now available as a more dynamic and engaging online education offering.“If you are looking for an introduction to the fenestration industry, you won’t find more relevant content than the Fundamentals of Fenestration,” said Aaron Blom, FGIA Technical Training Specialist. “This course would be especially helpful as part of a...

The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) has released three updated documents describing test procedures and performance requirements for organic coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products. AAMA 2603-22, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Pigmented Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels (with Coil Coating Appendix), AAMA 2604-22, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for High Performance Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels (with Coil Coating Appendix) and AAMA 2605-22, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures...

The Fenestration Association of British Columbia (FENBC) will become a Canadian region of the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA), effective September 1, 2022. The boards of both organizations approved the creation of FGIA’s first Canadian region by integrating FENBC as the newly formed FGIA FENBC Region.The Region will operate similarly to the pre-existing FGIA U.S. regions – FGIA Southeast Region and FGIA Western Region – and will focus on regulatory and government initiatives, product installation, commercial contractor interests and related needs within British Columbia (BC). In...