Rolling Meadows, IL — Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) held its 2012 Fall Conference in Washington, D.C., Oct. 7-10. The conference focused on “Promoting Plumbing as a Profession” and in strengthening the partnerships surrounding the industry.

“As a leader in plumbing avocation, we serve as the voice for the industry leading innovation and legislation. We are dedicated to, and serious about, water efficiency, health, safety, quality and environmental sustainability of plumbing products, while maximizing consumer choice and value in a fair and open marketplace,” says PMI’s executive director, Barbara C. Higgens. “This year’s Fall Conference reinforced that direction and aimed to set a tone for moving forward.”

Focused on strengthening the plumbing industry by elevating its perception as both a vital professional and highly skilled industry, PMI and its members used this conference to layout the framework for strengthening the partnerships in the industry. From manufacturing to legislative and regulatory sectors, from engineering to environmental, from professional to public, from domestic and to international — all sectors were considered.

Higgens continues, “PMI and its members are deeply committed to growing the plumbing industry in safe and sustainable ways and in doing it in partnership with others who share those goals.” Member support of this direction is strong — nearly 100 people attended the conference representing PMI’s member companies and prospective new members from 14 states (a 94% attendance rate). Water Pik, Inc., PMI’s newest member company, was also in attendance.

Seventeen speakers and presenters represented the wide range of partners and interests associated with PMI. The keynote speakers included: Donna Brazile, political strategist and analyst, who delivered the opening keynote address; and Annie Longsworth, CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi; and Erin Streeter, senior vice president of communications for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

Also included in the presenters and speakers were representatives from the American Chemistry Council, the Nickel Institute, NSF International, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Association. International attendees also were present from both Canada and Australia.

Honored at this event was long-time PMI member Craig Selover, director of plumbing products technology for the Masco Corporation. He received PMI’s prestigious President’s Award presented by PMI’s current president, Stewart Yang, vice president of engineering and global faucets for the Kohler Company. Selover served as president for PMI in 1990 and has been a member of the organization for more than 30 years. Established in 2009, the PMI President’s Award is given in recognition of lifetime achievements and outstanding contributions to the plumbing industry.

Following the close of the conference, PMI and several of its members made visits to Capitol Hill to speak directly with legislators about the issues surrounding the plumbing industry today.

PMI’s Spring Conference is scheduled for April 7-11, 2013 at the Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas.

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Danny Lamartiniere joins Tubelite, Inc. as client development manager in Louisiana and Mississippi providing storefront, curtainwall, entrance and daylighting systems to owners, architects and glazing contractor of commercial buildings.

Lamartiniere draws from 46 years in the fenestration industry. He most recently served as a sales representative in the region for U.S. Aluminum. Prior to this, he worked in Louisiana at Allen Glass and at Good Neighbor Glass.

Based on his extensive experience, Lamartiniere says, “I see Tubelite’s storefront and ForceFront™ Storm hurricane impact products as essential to our market. We already have attracted many new customers and see more opportunity ahead.”

Cultivating these opportunities, Lamartiniere and Tubelite are exhibiting at the Design-Build Conference & Expo in New Orleans, Nov. 7-9. Further supporting its clients, Tubelite is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Construction Specification Institute (CSI), the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Glass Association of North America (GANA), and an approved continuing education provider through the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

To contact Danny Lamartiniere and to learn more about Tubelite’s products and personnel, please visit www.tubeliteinc.com.

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Appleton Coated now is accepting entries to the U360 Design Competition for 2013. Winning selections will recognize the effective, creative role that print communication plays in marketing mix, and will celebrate design, content and printing excellence.

“U360 demonstrates the best examples of what paper makes possible. As the name suggests, ‘360’ reflects an ‘all around’ assessment – from idea definition to creative expression and purposeful execution,” says Ferkó X. Goldinger, advertising and promotion manager.

Entries will be judged by a panel of design experts who bring a full-circle view of strategy, design and print production. There is no cost to enter. Submissions must be printed all, or in part, on Utopia and/or Curious Collection, accompanied by a completed entry form, produced in 2012, and postmarked no later than Dec. 7, 2012. For detailed instructions and an online entry form for the U360 Competition, please visit UtopiaPaper.com  and click on the U360 section.

The 2013 winners will be announced next Spring and featured in a showbook distributed throughout North America, on the Appleton Coated website and in other marketing communications.

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Craig Selover was awarded the President’s Award at the Plumbing Manufacturers International’s (PMI’s) Fall Conference in Washington, D.C., held Oct. 7-10, 2012.

Established in 2009 by PMI’s then-president, Walt Strader, the President’s Award is given in recognition of lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the plumbing industry.

Selover is the current director of plumbing products technology for the Masco Corporation. He has been a member of PMI for more than 30 years and served as president of the organization in 1990.

The award was presented by current PMI President Stewart Yang, vice president of engineering and global faucets for the Kohler Company.

“Our industry is served by a number of remarkably talented individuals and Craig Selover tops the list. Working with such industry luminaries over the years, has been my honor and privilege. Congratulations to Craig and all of the past recipients on this well-deserved honor,” says Barbara C. Higgens, PMI’s executive director.

Previous President’s Award winners include:

• Sally Remedios, Delta Faucet Company, 2009
• Shabbir Rawalpindiwala, Kohler Company, 2009
• Klaus Fromme, Bradley Corporation, 2010
• Rick Reles, Kohler Company, 2011
• Paul Patton, Delta Faucet Company, 2011

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Appleton Coated announces Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum selected Antique Egyptian to feature in the second in a limited series of type specimen sheets. These signed and numbered posters highlight classic typefaces, letterpress printing, and Utopia® coated papers and Curious Collection® papers.

“Antique Egyptian defined one of the most memorable messages of the American frontier: WANTED!” says Ferkó X. Goldinger, advertising and promotion manager at Appleton Coated. “The specimen sheets are printed on Utopia One Matte Blue White and SKIN Curious Collection Absynthe and Pink. These bright sheets convey the boldness of this font and print’s ability to stop you in your tracks.”

“There were earlier ornamented Egyptian fonts, but this one is special to Hamilton as it was cut in 1880s during the company’s early years in business,” notes Bill Moran, artistic director for Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum. More than 130 years later, the Museum’s collection in Two Rivers, Wisconsin has grown to 1.5 million pieces of wood type and more than 1,000 styles and sizes of patterns.

Appleton Coated, a Wisconsin-based company incorporated in 1889, has seen many Hamilton fonts printed on its papers. In 2012, Appleton Coated became an official sponsor of the Museum’s type specimen sheet archiving program and documentation of its type collection.

Limited to 500 total posters, Moran printed the 9.25×19-inch specimen sheets on 100-pound cover in two colors on a Vandercook Proof Press. As curators of one of the premier wood type collections in the world, Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum is the only museum dedicated to the preservation, study, production and printing of wood type.

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The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has published QAG-2-12, Voluntary Quality Assurance Processing Guide for Polyamide Thermal Barriers. The document, developed to assist architects, manufacturers, designers and/or owners, establishes assembly guidelines for aluminum composites utilizing polyamide thermal barriers.

“With the publication of the QAG-2-12, AAMA now has four documents dedicated to design, manufacturing and resultant composite properties of thermal barriers in aluminum fenestration,” says Patrick Muessig, chair of AAMA’s Thermal Barrier Task Group. “As energy efficiency has recently been, and will continue to be, an extremely important issue, the creation of these documents aid in the perpetuation of quality in thermally advanced commercial fenestration.”

Developed by AAMA’s Thermal Barrier Task Group, QAG-2-12 covers handling and storage of polyamide thermal barriers, assembly equipment and machinery inspection, quality control and handling and care of completed and assembled profiles.

Thermal barriers create a thermal break between the inner and outer surfaces of aluminum fenestration, which allows for the reduction in heat loss or heat gain. Specifically, polyamide thermal barriers are comprised of an extruded thermoset material typically consisting of polyamide, reinforced with 25 percent of glass fibers for use in fenestration systems such as curtainwalls, storefronts, windows, doors and skylights.

QAG-2-12 references important industry documents which include TIR A8-08, Structural Performance of Composite Thermal Barrier Framing Systems and AAMA 509-09, Dry Shrinkage and Composite Performance Thermal Cycling Test Procedure.

QAG-2-12, Voluntary Quality Assurance Processing Guide for Polyamide Thermal Barriers is available for AAMA members to download at a cost of $10. Non-members may purchase the document at a cost of $30 for download. The specification is also available for purchase on CD and hardcopy. To order QAG-2-12, visit AAMA’s Publication Store.

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The Chicago Metallic® Corporation Planostile™ system is designed to withstand 30 PSF positive and negative pressures (per UL 580, Class 30). Installing this system per Chicago Metallic’s unique UL Construction Number 630, makes this system of 2-by-2-foot metal panels ideal for exterior soffits, overhangs and drive-through canopies.

Chicago Metallic provides architects and engineers with performance information to assist them in meeting their projects’ specific needs. Performance data and charts are available on the website at www.chicagometallic.com and from the company’s technical service department.

The Planostile system features a wide variety of finishes ranging from baked on paint colors to reflective and anodized surfaces. Chicago Metallic also offers wood-grain finishes including MetalWood®, a polymer coating, and WoodScenes®, a dye-sublimated finish on powder coating.

“When using any metal system in an exterior application, it is advisable to contact the manufacturer regarding the environment where the application will occur,” notes Edward Williams, an IIDA affiliate, who serves as Chicago Metallic’s business unit manager, metal ceilings.

As an interior system, Planostile can provide enhanced acoustical performance, achieving Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) up to 0.90. with acoustical backing material and perforations. A broad range of standard perforation patterns are available, as well as custom perforations. Planostile Snap-in panels also may be requested with either beveled or square edges, as 2-by-4 feet wide or in custom sizes.

Planostile Snap-in panels are made of non-combustible material for a Class A fire rating and contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or any substance that would support the growth of mold. Further enhancing the environmental attributes, the panels and suspension typically approach 100% recycled content and are 100% recyclable.

The use of environmentally responsible building materials is a critical component of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® certification process. Supporting LEED goals and documentation, Chicago Metallic includes downloadable resources on its website. Assisting with design and installation details, CAD drawings, Google™ SketchUp models and Revit® 3-D models also are on demand at www.chicagometallic.com.

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Keynote Speaker Thom Singer discussed networking strategies and the importance of forming long-term business relationships during the AAMA Fall Conference, held in Albuquerque, N.M., Oct. 14-17.

During his keynote presentation on Monday, Singer noted there are many choices in life which cause people to stick to their routines. However, Singer told conference attendees that it is important to break away from the routine of interacting with the same people during conferences and start networking with new contacts.

In order to encourage networking during the conference, Singer awarded prizes to those who used his tips to fully engage with others during the Supplier Product Display Reception held on Monday evening. Award winners included Scott Zimmerman of Atlas Material Testing, Dean Peterson of Sherwin-Williams and Michele DeSutter of EFCO.

“I enjoyed meeting so many great people at the AAMA Fall Conference,” says Singer. “Everyone took the message of ‘connecting with people in a social media world’ to heart.”

During the second day of the conference, Singer focused on the importance of utilizing social media platforms as a way to virtually connect with individuals outside of face-to-face meetings. Singer emphasized that networking on LinkedIn and Facebook should be reserved for close, valid connections, whereas Twitter can be used to connect with all individuals and companies within the fenestration industry in order to be aware of what is happening from customers and competitors. However, Singer also noted that “phones are not your friend” during conferences and time should be devoted to face-to-face interactions.

“Thom Singer’s discussion on social media is especially timely for AAMA, as we have recently begun utilizing social media as a means to foster both personal and business relationships outside of our national conferences,” says Rich Walker, AAMA’s president and CEO. “Fall Conference attendees found Singer’s advice on networking strategies especially beneficial, and we hope our members continue to benefit from his tried and true tactics during future AAMA events.”

Visit AAMA at LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

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The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) announced new staff appointments during the AAMA Fall Conference, held Oct. 14-17 in Albuquerque, N.M., which include Ken Brenden, technical director; Dean Lewis, educational and technical information manger; and Rich Rinka, certification manager. These new appointments were made as part of AAMA’s strategic objectives to add value to the association’s membership by expanding the AAMA educational platform and accelerating the development of standards based on gap analysis.

Ken Brenden, Technical Director

As AAMA’s technical director, Brenden will review content of all AAMA technical document drafts and ballots; represent AAMA at selected industry organization events; oversee all code and regulatory activities as well as certification-related programs and supervise all department staff and areas of responsibility including guidance and monitoring of new department employee training. Additionally, Brenden will provide input to Rich Walker, AAMA’s president and CEO, regarding strategic objectives and daily operation of the association.

Brenden has been an employee of AAMA since 2005 and has more than 35 years of window and curtain wall experience in manufacturing, testing, engineering and designing. As an AAMA member in 2004, Brenden was the recipient of AAMA’s Architectural Products Group Distinguished Service Award.

Dean Lewis, Educational and Technical Information Manager

As AAMA’s educational and technical information manger, Lewis will develop and review all educational course content, including FenestrationMasters™; review and edit content of all AAMA marketing materials and media inquiries pertaining to technical activities, as well as review recommended revisions to the InstallationMasters™ training manual and related materials. The role also involves assessing marketplace and member needs to identify needed educational course content, plus maintenance and identification of education accreditations that AAMA should hold.

Lewis has served on the AAMA professional staff since 1999. He began his career in the fenestration industry at PPG Industries in 1973, holding positions in project engineering and product design, sales and customer technical support. Following that, he served as training director for the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society for 16 years where he managed research, editing and publishing of all technical training and reference manuals. Lewis also administered the Society’s, as well as its educational foundation’s, training courses. He has more than 25 years in technical training, publishing and certification in the industrial and military sectors, and has served on standards and certification committees of several national and international standards organizations.

Rich Rinka, Certification Manager

As AAMA’s certification manager, Rinka will direct all certification-related activities of the association with direct management responsibilities for the AAMA air, water and structural Gold Label Certification Program, as well as the AAMA Thermal Certification Program (silver label). Also, Rinka will manage all aspects of the ANSI accreditation requirements in addition to certification-related audits and act as advisory staff liaison to assigned member groups within the association.

Rinka, formerly of AAMA member company Momentive Performance Materials, began his employment at AAMA on Oct. 13. Rinka has a long employment history in technical and engineering support and customer relations, as well as compliance and quality control.

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Deanya Kueckelhan, regional director of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Southwest Region, provided an overview of the FTC’s role in helping marketers avoid making unfair or deceptive environmental claims during the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Fall Conference, held Oct. 14-17 in Albuquerque, N.M.

A primary focus of Kueckelhan’s presentation was an introduction to the FTC’s Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims — also known as the Green Guides — and included a discussion of general principles of advertising law and the Green Guides, types of marketing claims addressed by the Green Guides and emerging environmental advertising issues.

Kueckelhan noted during the presentation that the Green Guides are guides rather than regulations. They help “level the playing field for legitimate business people.” Additionally, Kueckelhan gave examples of violations and warnings that occurred in the fenestration industry and explained why the companies were contacted. Under Section 5 of the FTC Act, the FTC can take action against deceptive claims, which then can lead to FTC orders which prohibit deceptive marketing. Fines can be issued if these orders are later violated.

In order to help manufacturers protect themselves from the pitfalls of using falsified, or deceptive, environmental claims, the FTC Green Guides note the following:
* Disclaimers cannot fix unsubstantiated claims.
* Implied claims and visual images are subject to challenge.
* The entire context of the claim, including connotations, should be considered.
* For reasonable interpretation of the claim, the target audience should be considered.
In the beginning of October, the FTC issued the revised Green Guides, which include new sections on the use of carbon offsets, green certifications and seals, renewable energy and renewable materials claims.

“During her presentation, Deanya Kueckelhan shared with attendees that the AAMA Fall Conference was the first public presentation by the FTC since the new Green Guides were released,” says Rich Walker, AAMA’s president and CEO. “We are honored to be the first group to hear more about the final version of the Green Guides directly from a representative of the FTC.”

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