In Its 60th Year, WMA’s Event Focuses on Artificial Intelligence
Millwork and doors aren’t the most high-tech markets, and in its 60th year World Millwork Alliance (WMA) is no spring chicken. But this year WMA’s annual Millwork Convention & Trade Show is going all-in on high-tech topics—including artificial intelligence (AI). Four of the event’s educational sessions key in on how AI can help companies drive growth, enhance services and improve manufacturing through enhanced automation. Other sessions tackle similar high-tech topics, such as cybercrimes and using social media to drive branding.
WMA’s event is about “offering the total show experience,” officials say, including products, services, educational sessions and networking. Meanwhile, the event features an abundance of doors, making it a prime opportunity for [DWM]’s audience.
This year the trade show takes place steps away from San Antonio’s River Walk, at the Henry B. González Convention Center, with meetings and roundtable sessions at the host hotel, the Marriott Rivercenter. Pre-event executive committee and board of directors meetings take place Sunday, October 6, followed by a full day of meetings, education sessions and roundtables Monday, October 7. October 8 is headed off by WMA’s annual Women in Millwork Breakfast Forum, before the show floor opens at 10 a.m.
The Trade Show
Exhibit hall hours at this year’s event are Tuesday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, October 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Following is a look at some of this year’s exhibitors.
Booth 206: IHS Door Company
IHS will display its MDF stile-and-rail interior doors for home or commercial use. The lineup includes various combinations of stickings, panels, glass types and sizes and door sizes to create “whatever a customer wants.” Officials say the company builds doors to the highest construction standards, while pricing them competitively. A STILEChoice guarantee ensures doors are made to exact design specs and delivered quickly.
www.stilechoice.com
Booth 221: Maxcraft Doors
MaxCraft will exhibit what it calls “greener, smarter and better doors,” including three collections of premium, flush-glazed fiberglass doors for the new construction market. American-Classic (AM) doors are designed to match the beauty of natural wood doors with minimum maintenance. Doors are available in Mahogany or Douglas Fir grain and are paint-grade smooth. Doors in the TrueFlex (TF) collection have a very light Douglas Fir grain to duplicate natural wood doors. The result is a door with the flexibility for both stain-grade and paint-grade applications.
www.maxcraftdoors.com
Booth 222: Worldwide Door Components
WMA isn’t the only one keeping up with the times in 2024. Worldwide Door Components has been in components manufacturing for over 43 years but, “We are excited to continue developing innovative new products,” company officials say. Most notable is its patented, adjustable composite door threshold: 4Ever Sill. The company’s new sill is included in its composite family of products, alongside the 4Ever Frame, a Composite T-Astragal and a full line of door trim. According to company information, not only is its proprietary formulation durable and workable, but it offers a “beautiful alternative to traditional wood products.” The material doesn’t rot, warp or split, and it comes with a limited lifetime warranty. A full line of products, including hinges, weatherstripping and door sweeps will be on display in the company’s booth.
www.worldwidedoor.com
Booth 312: Westlake Royal Building Products
Westlake Royal designs and produces a broad range of exterior and interior products, including trim and mouldings, door and window components and shutters. The company will show attendees how the right framing can “make the difference between forgettable and brag-worthy” doors and windows. The trim comes in styles to match virtually any home, door and window type. Products are available in cellular PVC and vinyl, requiring little maintenance, while protecting against termites, moisture and extreme weather.
www.westlakeroyalbuildingproducts.com
Booth 320: Advanced Screen Systems
The safety, security and year-round functionality of homes are significant drivers in today’s consumer purchase decisions. Advanced Screen Systems’ patented, pre-hung entry door system makes this established market accessible to original equipment manufacturers and door shops by marrying OEM entry doors with a high-performance security, pet-resistant or storm door in a fully integrated, pre-hung unit. All three options install quickly and easily at door shops or in the field. Security and pet-resistant doors feature the patented Meshtec Advanced Screen System.
www.advancedscreensystemsinc.com
Booth 416: Novatech
Novatech will display many of its new contemporary steel door and door glass designs at the show. The latest offerings provide unique curb appeal and style for any architecture, officials suggest. Among its newest products are decorative accents for doors with a vertical door lite. Available with an Alunox or black finish, they can be customized via decorative elements. The simple addition transforms the look of the company’s Uno, Vog, Era and Oso doors.
www.groupenovatech.com
Booth 507: ODL
ODL’s booth will include entry doors, decorative and clear door glass, blinds-between-glass and add-on blinds for doors. The company plans to highlight its flush-glazed fiberglass doors in a variety of finishes and textures with “industry-leading” door glass. Eight-foot doors and a new impact-rated Keystone frame will also be on display, “by popular demand,” officials say. Door glass offerings can be combined to solve for security, performance and style.
www.odl.com
Booth 521: GlassCraft Door Company
New home affordability remains a challenge and fiberglass door prices have soared since 2020, say officials for GlassCraft. In response, the company introduced the Value Series of fiberglass doors, which it plans to feature at this year’s event. The product is priced at pre-pandemic levels to combat elevated costs, according to company information. The company’s vice president of sales worked with select dealers to provide “belt-tightening opportunities” to counter the ongoing rise in prices. “GlassCraft believes offering lower-cost fiberglass door products is essential for homebuilders to provide affordably priced homes to new-home buyers,” says Daniel Dietz, marketing director.
www.glasscraft.com
Booth 526: WoodWare Systems
WoodWare will demonstrate its Customer Resource Management (CRM) tool, which drives profitability through enhanced operational and customer insights. The company will demonstrate how to transform a millwork business with its CRM, which, according to officials, is engineered to amplify profitability and operational efficiency. “Our CRM tools go beyond traditional customer management systems by integrating key metrics that drive business success,” says Brad Carter, sales manager. “We provide your organization with powerful tools to not only manage your business processes but enhance them with robust financial data.” The system was designed by a team of industry experts showcasing a deep understanding of door and millwork operations.
www.woodwaresystems.com
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