After a year of talks about uniting, the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) will join forces as one organization and go forward as the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA).
Members of the two groups cast formal ballots in favor of forming the new organization with a goal of better serving the North American window making industry.
"The value of the new organization will be a stronger industry voice, offering members and the industry single-source access to critical information. 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 Canadian market, codes and regulatory expertise," AAMA Board Chairman Donnie Hunter said in a news release.
AAMA has more than 300 members that produce window, door, skylight, sloped glazing, curtain wall and storefront products and components for residential and commercial construction markets in North America.
IGMA has about 140 members, including insulating glass manufacturers and suppliers of component materials.
The combined organizations also will be able to pool financial resources to benefit members, according to IGMA Board President Nathalie Thibault.
"A stronger financial position allows for future investments in industry research, technical resources and educational programs, which solidifies the new organization's position as the single source for the industry moving forward," Thibault said in the release.
In addition, FGIA will offer enhanced conference programs and wider networking opportunities as well as expanded technical competencies and a broader document base, Thibault added.
"There will also be more resources available by harnessing the intellectual knowledge of the associations," she said.
An exploratory team made up of members of both groups developed a framework for the unification that will implemented throughout the remainder of the year.
A strategic planning meeting is tentatively scheduled in October to blend the vision and priorities for the new organization for the next three to five years.
Brand development for the new organization also will begin. However, the two groups see value in retaining separate brands for some services, such as technical standards and certification programs. So, the branding strategy allows for an indefinite time where the brands of both AAMA and IGMA are maintained for these aspects of the new organization.