10 YEARS AGO …: NAGDM and DORCMA Approve Consolidation Concept
© 2004 Door & Access Systems
Publish Date: Winter 2004
Author: Tom Wadsworth
Page 58
10 YEARS AGO …
NAGDM and DORCMA Approve Consolidation Concept
At the beginning of 1995, the National Association of Garage Door Manufacturers (NAGDM) and the Door Operator and Remote Controls Manufacturers Association (DORCMA) approved the idea of consolidating into one organization. The American Rolling Door Institute (ARDI) was also invited to join.
Two events helped to prompt the consolidation. One was the issue of reversing mechanisms on garage door openers and extensive interaction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The issue resulted in changes to UL 325 and a new 1993 federal law mandating changes to garage door openers. In 1995, it was noted “how much stronger the industry’s position would have been had one association represented the entire door system.”
Another event was the planned merger of the Far Western Garage Door Association (FWGDA) and the Door & Operator Dealers Association (DODA) into the International Door Association (IDA). It was believed that a unified manufacturers association would complement a unified dealers association.
The consolidation plan was expected to bring several benefits:
(1) A stronger, unified voice before governmental, code, and regulatory bodies.
(2) The elimination of duplicative industry meetings, reducing travel and time expense.
(3) A stronger collective effort to market the industry to architects, builders, and consumers.
(4) An enhanced effort to provide coordinated educational and installation materials to dealers and installers.
(5) Better representation for a larger group of small manufacturers.
The consolidation was expected to be completed before the end of 1995.
Update: The consolidation was indeed completed in late 1995, resulting in the launch of the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association International (DASMA) at the beginning of 1996. As planned, DASMA included a Rolling Door Division, but ARDI declined to participate. Today, both groups continue as separate organizations for rolling door manufacturers.
Industry Groups Form Educational Institute
In late 1994, five industry associations helped to establish the beginnings of the Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation (IDEA). The new organization was a result of efforts by NAGDM, DODA, FWGDA, DORCMA, and ARDI.
IDEA sought “to raise the overall professionalism of our industry through education.” The group started with an interim board of trustees that included six representatives from dealer organizations and six representatives from manufacturing.
The interim board included Ted Billman of Gadco, Don Harrison of Harrison Door, Doug Kidd of National Door Industries, Roe Long of ARDI, Chuck Miller of Windsor Door, Tim Moore of Wayne-Dalton, John Mullen of Genie, Ray Sobel of Hy-Security Gate Operators, Jack Starr of Crawford Door Sales, Mike Truman of Truman Door Systems, Bill Weber of A-E Door Sales & Service, and John Zoller of Crawford Door Sales.
In February 1995, the board met in Chicago to pursue a certification program and develop an agenda. The goal was to have the business plan and curriculum completed by Expo 95 in May in New Orleans.
Update: The first official board of IDEA was formed in November 1995 with Dan Apple as president. After many months of work, the first accreditation exams were offered in May 1997, yielding the first 22 accredited dealers. Today, IDEA’s work has expanded to include developing sanctioned trainers, certifying installers, developing workshops for Expo, and more.
Stanley Offers Hurricane Post Garage Door System
In late 1994, Stanley developed this system that “meets or exceeds stringent hurricane codes, including those of Dade County and south Florida.” Stanley applied for a patent for this post system; no activation was necessary by the homeowner.
Update: Stanley may have been the first company to develop such a product. Their hurricane post system came on the heels of 1992’s Hurricane Andrew and subsequent stronger building codes developed for South Florida.
After Stanley introduced its post system, most other major manufacturers announced their own unique approach to so-called “hurricane doors.” Today, such doors are in widespread use throughout Florida and many other coastal areas throughout the U.S.