WDMA, FMA announce formal affiliation agreement

The Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) and the Fenestration Manufacturers Association (FMA) today announced an agreement in principle to formally affiliate and eventually integrate operations. As organizations dedicated to representing the window, door and skylight industry, the agreement will allow the industry to enhance and expand its representation of the industry in the Southeastern U.S.

For a number of years, WDMA — a national industry association with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C. — and FMA — a regional association headquartered in Tallahassee, Fla. — have worked closely on codes, standards, and technical issues impacting the industry in the Southeastern U.S. FMA Executive Director Dick Wilhelm has often represented both organizations before state and local governments. The organizations also share a significant number of the same members.

With Wilhelm's eventual retirement, the leadership of both organizations decided the time was right to start planning the formal integration of the two associations to assure the continuity of industry representation in the Southeast and explore ways to enhance it.

"WDMA has long had a close working relationship with FMA to advance, promote and protect the interests of the industry in the Southeast. 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," said WDMA Chair Ann Duebner, vice president of sales and administration for Eggers Industries in Two Rivers, Wis.

"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 Klamath Falls, Ore.

Over the coming months, both organizations will begin the process of formalizing the details of the agreement for final approval by both groups, with the formal change expected to take effect in January 2015. In the meantime, WDMA and FMA will continue to maintain their current close working relationship.