Shelter - Novemer/December 2009

Volume 48, Issue 6 - November/December 2009

AMD Members Gather
to View the Latest Products and Look for Future Opportunities

Millwork distributors and suppliers gathered in October at the Association of Millwork Distributors (AMD) annual convention in San Antonio. While the economy is still hurting, many took advantage of this time to get together and discuss the opportunities ahead and new product offerings.

“We are taking this time to connect with our customers and see how we can serve their needs better,” said Esther Young of Young Manufacturing.

Despite the down economy, new products were still on display.

Alexandria Moulding showed its Flip Face one-cut crown mouldings.

“The reversible crown mouldings reduce installation time and waste,” said company representative Marc Campeau.

The Polincay booth also attracted attention with its new groove wall system. The system consists of slot wall constructed tongue-and-groove MDF mouldings, which the company says creates flexibility not found with a traditional slotwall board. This maximizes the use of space with endless possibilities for design.

Another booth that was quite busy during the show hours was Generation 4 Sales, which was featuring its hinges and hardware products.

“With the economy the way it is, people are definitely out there shopping to see how they can save money and we are happy to show them our product line and see how we can work with them to help them do just that,” said the company’s Pat Fecht.

Attendees also were offered the opportunity to take advantage of education tracks, which included topics ranging from how to sell more to various code updates.
Randy Goruk with The Randall Wade Group LLC presented a seminar about selling more in a down market.

“You need to take a different approach to sales,” he said.

Goruk emphasized that companies that prepare themselves today will maximize their opportunities when the economy does turn around.

Arlene Stewart of AZS Consulting presented a seminar called “Making Sense of Green Building Programs.”

In one part of her presentation she looked at exterior doors specifically and challenged manufacturers to make sure their doors are NFRC-certified.

“Unlabeled doors can kill green projects,” she said.

She also encouraged companies to think before making arbitrary green claims as organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are watching.

“The FTC Act gives the Commission the power to bring law enforcement actions against false or misleading marketing claims, including environmental or green marketing claims,” said Stewart. This language comes directly from the FTC’s “Guide to Green Marketing Claims.”

She reminded attendees that, according to the FTC, there should be a distinction between product, package and service; claims should not overstate the attribute or benefit, expressly or by implication; and any comparative claims should be sufficiently clear to avoid consumer deception.

Most importantly, she reminded attendees to substantiate green claims.

Stewart also encouraged attendees to look at life cycle assessment of their products, which can be defined as the assessment of raw material production, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal.

“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” says Stewart. “If you can’t manage it, you can’t improve it.”

She does warn, however, that it takes a great deal of time and requires gathering and management of much information.
Sharon Durand, president of the National Accreditation and Management Institute Inc. (NAMI), gave an overview on how NAMI and AMD are working together on certification programs so the AMD distributor members will now have a partner that will support them through the certification process.

The 2010 AMD Show will take place October 9-14 in Nashville, Tenn.

Young Goes Retro
Young Manufacturing says its new RetroTreadTM makes it easy to renovate any stair from carpeted to premium hardwood. Young adds that this remodel job is now not only easier, but more affordable as this product eliminates the need to rebuild the complete stair system. The Young RetroTread is made of solid hardwood and has numerous other features and benefits, according to the company.

To complete the remodeled hardwood stair system, the Reversible Return Nosing also is available. This field-installed return is simple and is exclusive to Young, according to the company. The entire Young RetroTread family is offered in red oak, white oak, poplar, hard maple, hickory and Brazilian cherry.
www.youngmanufacturing.com

Get a Little TLC
TLC Mouldings was promoting its lightweight primed MDF mouldings and S4S boards under the brand name Harmony. The company points out that all product manufacturing is done in the United States, raw materials are sourced domestically and also meet the California Air Resources Board’s Phase I standards. The company adds that raw rip stock is also available.

In addition, TLC has updated its 2010 Profile Catalog which showcases the company’s full line of mouldings. The company says it can help customers lower their inventory, increase their returns, reduce backorders and deliver orders in a realistic timeframe.
www.tlcmouldings.com

Trimboard Gets the Royal Treatment
Royal Mouldings featured its Royal S4S Trimboard™, which uses 100-percent cellular vinyl PVC™ technology. The company adds that the product offers a true finished edge over other composite and wood boards by eliminating the open cell edges of traditional trim board making every job quick and clean from start to finish. The True Square™ 90-degree, Stay Clean™ extruded edges have a smooth four-sided finish with Royal’s trademark Poly Select® surface for durability, with no exposed or dirty cell structure to UV light discoloration requiring sand, fill or paint.

The product is available in three standard thickness (6/8-, ¾- or 1-inch), five standard widths (4-, 6-, 8-, 10- and 12-inch) and standard 18-feet and custom lengths. The trimboard is available in both smooth/smooth and reversible woodgrain/smooth finishes. The product is easy to install, according to the company, and can be installed edge-to-edge with other Royal Trimboard® sheet products.
www.royalmouldings.com

For more products unveiled at the show see the September-October issue of Shelter, pages 16-19.