Win-door North America Offers Products and Educational Events This Week

The Win-door North America Show, which began Tuesday in Toronto, drew a smaller attendance than last year, which wasn't a surprise due to the current state of the housing market, according to Patrick Schield, show organizer. U.S. attendance was down 30 percent from last year while Canadian attendance was down 15 percent. However, the number of exhibiting companies was up from last year. More good news was that as of the end of the second day, the Canadian Window and Door Manufacturers Association (CWDMA), show sponsor, added approximately eight new members. And, according to Schield, many companies who walked the show expressed interest in exhibiting next year.

Matt Kottke from Truth Hardware reports having quality visits with customers and perspective customers. He also said companies are still sending representatives to Win-door though they may be sending less people from that company, a sentiment that Schield mentioned as well.

"From the attendee and exhibitor perspective, Win-door is the best value," says Kottke.

Educational Events

One change to this year's show was conducting educational sessions in a special education pavilion on the show floor. (Product demonstrations were also held on the show floor.)

On Wednesday, a session on Canada's Energy Star program drew a packed crowd of 145 people. The session was held again later that day in French and 60 people attended that session.

Steve Hopwood from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) went over proposed changes to Canada's Energy Star program. Phase 1 would take effect in January 2010 while phase 2 would take effect in January 2014. Comments on the proposal are due by January 15, 2009.

"In our minds, Phase 1 would not require any great design changes," said Hopwood. "Manufacturers can meet the requirements with existing technology."

As is happening in the United States, Canada is working to make its requirements more stringent than what exists currently. Additionally, Hopwood says that NRCan is proposing that IG unit third-party certification becomes mandatory-something the Department of Energy has also proposed in the U.S. program. The Canadian proposal also calls for a more uniform approach to product labeling.

Jeff Baker, technical consultant, gave an overview of the Energy Star qualification process and other testing requirements including IG certification.

"If you're considering Energy Star you should look at it now as IG certification will be a requirement of Energy Star," said Baker. "With everything coming up there will be an 18 month backlog with test labs," he predicted.

Phil Lewin of Vinyl Window Designs, a door and window manufacturer in Toronto, ended the seminar with some observations on Energy Star from the manufacturer perspective.

"If you manufacture windows you should participate in Energy Star," said Lewin. "Participation really ups the values of windows as a whole."

He also says that it offers more credence with the customers who are increasingly well educated.

"Consumers are increasingly educated and you need to be as well," says Lewin. "They're also looking for products that are verifiable."

Products

One of the exhibitors who was very busy at the show was Novatech. In fact, the company introduced a number of new products at Win-door. This included three new stained glass designs that were developed after conducting market research with its customers. In fact, regarding the new Gothic Deign, Novatech's Sonia Brossard says, "I think this will be a best seller as everyone loves it."

The company also introduced the Nova Secure steel door, which offers a 3-point locking mechanism and top and bottom anchor points that are beveled. Additionally, the jamb with handle is reinforced, laminated wood which the company says makes the entry door system more durable and sturdy than other doors on the market.

Also new was the Revolutionary Venting Unit, which requires less than ten pounds of opening force for all sizes. It allows for a one-finger operation that is aided by a balance system.

Brossard says the Venting Unit was very popular among attendees and pointed out that it is great for an aging population who needs a unit that is easy to open. The product is so new that it won't be available until early 2009.

Another exhibitor who offered new products included Northern Architectural Products (NAP), which offered a new line of window operators. The Aurora Operator Hardware has a one-piece operator body that delivers structural integrity and long-term durability, according to Maury Shiner of NPA. The products are powder-coated and are available in various colors.

The company also introduced its TUNDRA Patio Door Handles. These are made of Polesium™, a composite material that delivers full thermal insulation between the inner and outer handle sets. The handles can also be powder-coated, which Shiner says is something that is not offered by many companies.

Look for more news from Win-door in the Monday, November 17, edition of the DWM newsletter as well as the December issue of DWM magazine.

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