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Toronto Welcomes the Door and Window Industry
A Preview to Win-Door 2010


For the 16th time, the Canadian Window and Door Manufacturers Association (CWDMA) will host the annual Win-Door in Toronto, this year under the theme “One Show. The Entire Industry. Serious Business.”

The 2010 event is set for November 16-18 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building, Hall E. The more than 3,500 visitors expected to attend will find 100,000 square feet for more than 150 exhibitors.

Patrick Shield, show manager for Win-door, says organizers are expecting a reasonably healthy crowd, particularly as the Canadian and high-end renovation market continues “buzzing along.” Shield notes that a healthy number of U.S. attendees, especially from the New England area, are expected alongside Canadian attendees. 

Company Viewpoints
Just what will those expected attendees see at this year’s show?

Attendees who haven’t seen impact testing previously will have an opportunity for just that as this year’s event will feature demonstrations of blast testing on-site. Attendees also will be able to watch air and water testing via video and then follow up with on-hand experts at the convention center.

For starters, the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) will be answering attendees’ questions about insulating glass in booth #1931. According to executive director Margaret Webb, the association will be offering technical presentations on a wide variety of topics as part of its “Ask the Experts” exhibit.

Ron Crowl, president of Aurora, Ohio-based Fenetech Inc., says his company will exhibit in booth #1913 in order to reach “progressive, forward-thinking glass, door, sunroom and window fabricators looking to improve the efficiency of their operations.” He notes that trade shows are an important component to Fenetech’s growth strategy. “A well rounded marketing and promotion campaign consists of being where the customers are,” Crowl says.

At Win-door, the company will showcase its FeneVision ERP Version 7. The updated software was designed in accordance with the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system and expanded with new functionalities: new production scheduling and auto-batching, business intelligence, enhanced capacity planning and contractor to dealer online ordering tools, as part of the company’s web center.

A number of machinery companies have signed on with “fair-sized booths,” according to Shield. Among them is Erdman Automation Corp. in Princeton, Minn. Jessica Erdman says the company will be looking to reach door and window manufacturers, insulating glass producers and commercial glaziers who pre-glaze panels prior to field installation at the show. She adds that booth #2027 will highlight the company’s “newest developments in insulating glass production and sealing, in addition to our glazing and handling equipment specifically designed for the growing unitized or pre-glazed commercial window market.”

Erdman says the company has “long served the Canadian window, door and glass market and recognizes its economic strength and viability.  Yet there are many customers who may be unaware of Erdman or some of our new equipment innovations and offerings.” Exhibiting at Win-door allows the company to interact with this customer base and continue to build relationships.

Representatives of Edgetech I.G. in Cambridge, Ohio, are planning to showcase new products and new partnerships, while holding interactive, live demonstrations at booth #2031.

“We’ll cover everything Edgetech 360 has to offer, including quality assurance, specialized equipment solutions, technical service, creative marketing support and a wide range of high-performance products that contribute to the energy efficiency, durability and quality needed to meet today’s standards,” says Erin Johnson, marketing director. “But, we’ll also have a few surprises in store for our customers that they won’t want to miss.”

Educational Events
Show attendees also will be able to attend the CWDMA annual fall meeting with technical updates on codes and Energy Star updates, the CWDMA economic forecast and business seminars, in addition to those demonstrations on the show floor.

The show’s keynote, Bob Langdon, returns this year with two presentations: Maximizing Profitability in a Recovering Economy and Strategic Planning for Your Business. Langdon, a CPA and author, will deliver information aimed at helping attendees to design and implement strategies that will allow them to differentiate themselves in today’s competitive market. Both presentations are free with admission badge and will take place November 17 in the Education Pavilion, located on the show floor.

Three other industry speakers will appear at the show to bring attendees important news and updates on technical programs, standards and guidelines affecting the industry. Jeff Baker, CWDMA technical consultant, kicks things off November 17 at 9 a.m.—prior to show opening—to deliver updates on new code requirements, NAFS testing requirements for doors and upcoming changes in the building code and NAFS that window manufacturers will need to meet to achieve compliance with the new building code.

The morning of November 18 brings Steve Hopwood, Natural Resources Canada Energy Star account manager. Hopwood will cover what’s new in the upcoming October 2010 specification, present tips on how to label for Energy Star®, discuss some of the do’s and don’ts on submitting model information and take a look into the future to outline possible changes for the future.

Later that same day, Miles Murphy, CSA standards product manager, will cover the development of the first Canadian program to certify installers of doors, windows and skylights nationally. Known as the FIT Personnel Certification Program, the initiative has been developed to support the need for quality installations that meet industry standards and best practices. Having designed the scope, requirements and certification market, the program is currently focusing on defining the job practice domain as a foundation for competency measurement and certification. The certification program is expected to be launched early in 2011.

Rounding out the roster is a “Power Hour” breakfast presentation from a Canadian economist who will provide a forecast of what industry members and the Canadian economy can expect over the next 12 months. More information about the event is available online at www.windoorshow.com.

USG
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