Amarr to Offer Rolling Doors

NEWSLINES

PRODUCT

Amarr to Offer Rolling Doors

In July, Amarr plans to launch its own line of rolling service doors, insulated rolling service doors, rolling fire doors, and rolling grilles. Rolling counter doors will also soon be offered.

“By making these models available, we are further establishing ourselves as a resource for all commercial products,” says Steve Roesner, commercial product manager.

The 4000 Series rolling service doors are available in 18-, 20-, and 22-gauge steel. Models come standard with 50,000 cycles, cast-iron stops, and heavy-duty cast gears. The standard color is gray, but 180 different powder-coated colors and unlimited custom colors are available.

The 4100 Series insulated service doors provide an R-value of 6.29. The 4200 Series fire doors are fire resistant for up to four hours and can be tested and reset from one side of the door or in the closed position. The 4300 Series grilles feature 5/16" solid rods and finishes in mill, clear, bronze, and 180 powder-coated colors. www.amarr.com

Wayne-Dalton Launches Fiberglass-Clad Door

In May, Wayne-Dalton introduced its Model 9800, “the first fiberglass-clad garage door” that offers the look and feel of wood, with insulation and a steel inner shell.

The door’s surface can be painted or stained. Factory stains include mahogany, oak, and walnut, and more will be introduced later this year.

The door also features pinch-resistant panel joints and a polyurethane foamed-in insulation for an R-value of 7.3. The doors are available exclusively through Wayne-Dalton dealers in standard heights and widths. www.wayne-dalton.com

Hörmann Adds Belt-Drive Opener

In May, Hörmann announced SilentDrive, a belt-drive residential garage door opener that can be installed and programmed quickly.

The SilentDrive includes a 4-button mini transmitter and illuminated wall control. Light bulbs are included. Norbert Fritz, president of Hörmann, says the SilentDrive is maintenance-free, HomeLink compatible, and meets all current standards, including UL 325. www.hoermann.com

Linear Announces New Look for MultiCode

In May, Linear announced a new look for the MultiCode family of visor clip transmitters. The new molded design fits the hand, and the visor clip is removable.

Three models are available: a one-button one-channel transmitter, a two-button two-channel transmitter, and a four-button four-channel transmitter. All three feature a test/operate LED. www.linearcorp.com

Northwest Door Introduces Therma Tech

At Expo 2006 in May, Northwest Door unveiled Therma Tech, a new line of insulated steel garage doors. The new line, featuring a thermal break and tongue-and-groove construction, replaces Northwest’s Therma Shield.

Therma Tech offers three panel styles, six window designs, four colors, and three thicknesses of insulation and R-values.

The three styles include “Traditional” raised-panel design, longer “Ranch” panels, and a “Contemporary” flush in a wood-grain texture. www.nwdusa.com

LiftMaster Enhances Slide Gate Operators

In March, Chamberlain announced enhancements to LiftMaster models SL570, SL580, and SL590 heavy-duty slide gate operators. The enhanced models, SL575, SL585, and SL595, will replace the existing line and offer simpler installation.

New features include a larger control box for easier access to major components and improved terminal strip labeling for easier installation. A three-button control station eliminates the need for additional wiring to set the open and close limits for the gate.

Upgraded features on the SL575 (chain drive) and SL585 (gear drive) models include a large accessory tray for mounting accessories, knockouts for running power and control wiring, a universal footprint to simplify retrofit applications, and a lockable external manual disconnect.

The 595 heavy-duty industrial operator should be used on gates that are up to 90' long and weigh up to 2,500 lbs. All three operators are UL 325-compliant for Classes I, II, III, and IV. www.liftmaster.com

BioMetrx Updates Fingerprint-Activated Transmitter

In August, BioMetrx will release its second-generation fingerprint-activated GDO transmitter under the SmartTouch brand name.

The new SmartTouch product is wireless, features a sleeker design, and requires fewer components. SmartTouch can also increase its user limit from nine to 15. Homeowners can authorize family members permanently and provide temporary entry to workers or others who need short-term access. www.biometrx.net

Flexon Introduces Flex-Logic Control Box

In May at Expo 2006, Flexon unveiled the Flex-Logic control box with Touch Screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) for its Speed-Master high-speed roll-up doors.

Flexon says the HMI will simplify the way Speed-Master doors are installed, maintained, and serviced. After the door is mechanically installed and power is run to the control box, the touch screen displays setup instructions that make the door operational.

The status of all door devices is also displayed on the screen, and door limits are set at floor level rather than on a ladder. The screen also includes help menus, pictures and diagrams, event logging, cycle counter, maintenance alarm, and interlocking to other doors and equipment.

The Flex-Logic control box includes a new Intelligent Person and Vehicle detection system that incorporates two activations in one as an inexpensive alternative to induction loop systems. www.flexoninc.com

Rytec Adds High-Performance Low-Headroom Door

In May, Rytec announced the Spiral Low-Headroom door, offering an opening speed of up to 60 inches per second while meeting the low-headroom requirements of parking garages and other commercial structures.

Aluminum slat construction eliminates the need for a second overnight security door. Its anodized aluminum slats resist corrosion. www.rytecdoors.com

TKO Offers Wind-Resistant Dock Door

In April, TKO introduced its CruiserWeight Dock Door with a new Windload Package for installations at risk from hurricanes, tornadoes, or high winds. The door is certified to positive pressure of up to 57.3 lbs./sq. ft. and negative pressure of up to 68.3 lbs./sq. ft.

When equipped with the Windload Package, the CruiserWeight has multiple slide locks. As the storm approaches, engage and secure the slide locks on each side of the three lower panels. Once the storm passes, disengage the slide locks, and the door is operational again. www.tkodoors.com

Rite-Hite Introduces Communication Controller

In April, Rite-Hite Doors announced the I-Comm Digital Communication Controller, a user-friendly, field-programmable door controller that now comes standard with most Rite-Hite doors.

The I-Comm offers a diagnostic text readout stating real-time status, system errors, and troubleshooting tips that help eliminate unnecessary service calls. Door function modifications are field programmable.

Unlike other controllers, a variable-speed drive is optional, yet not required for door functionality. Software upgrades for the I-Comm will be available via a disposable plug-in module that can be loaded by the end user or a Rite-Hite representative. www.ritehite.com

Goff’s Adds High-Speed Wind-Resistant Door

In April, Goff’s Enterprises announced the new Draw-Tite powered roll-up door that withstands high winds.

The door’s tensioning system offers resistance to gusts up to 70 mph. The door is also suitable for facility areas that have high positive/negative pressures.

Standard on the door is an in-tube 110-volt motor that moves the door at 6"/sec. An optional external motor can take the door speed up to 36"/sec. www.goffscurtainwalls.com

Chamberlain Adds New Telephone Entry System

In April, Chamberlain introduced the new Elite EL2000 telephone entry system for gated communities, apartment/condo buildings, office parks, and commercial sites.

The EL2000 system accepts up to 2,000 directory or access codes and features a backlit 5" LCD screen. It also has the ability to display up to 4 lines with 20 characters per line. Unlike other systems, the EL2000 can be ordered as a base unit or with optional Wiegand or RF plug-in modules.

Intelligent features include four built-in relays to activate doors and gates. The system may be set up and maintained remotely via a modem with Versa XS 2.0 access control programming software. The unit can also be programmed directly through the main keypad.

Exclusive features are ADA-compliant voice prompts that guide installers and assist end users with the push of a button. Card and Passport transmitters can be scan-programmed by utilizing the card reader or radio receiver installed in one of the plug-in modules. www.chamberlain.com

Syracuse Stamping Introduces High-Wind Rollers

In May, Syracuse Stamping announced that it now offers high wind-load nylon rollers. The new 2" 10-ball rollers are available in short and long stems. www.syraco.com

DoorLink Adds New Embossment

In May, DoorLink announced the availability of the raised ranch embossment in open-back and sandwich models. DoorLink offers residential and commercial models available as sections-only or as complete doors. www.doorlinkmfg.com

Murphy Offers Door Opener Bracket

In March, J&E Murphy Sales introduced a 21" 12-gauge garage door opener bracket. The bracket comes 40 to a carton, and smaller quantities are available. 248-348-0222

Wayne-Dalton Offers New Decorative Options

In May, Wayne-Dalton announced new decorative angles for Model 9700 doors. The angles can be used on garages with coped corners to match the contour of the garage opening.

The decorative angles come in four kits. Two kits are available for solid doors with square or arched tops; the corner is attached by a magnetized backing. Two other kits are for doors with windows and square or arched tops; the corner is attached with an adhesive backing. www.wayne-dalton.com

Janus Introduces Modified Drum Wheel

In May, Janus introduced a modified drum wheel and replacement door kit.

The 12" drum wheel has a modified design that accepts the attachment of a gear box and sprocket, therefore allowing Janus doors to replace certain other manufacturers’ doors while utilizing the existing brackets. By using existing guides and brackets, Janus says installation time is reduced by up to 65 percent.

The new drum will be a standard part of every new Janus commercial door order. www.janusintl.com

Trac-Rite Offers ZAP Operator

In March, Trac-Rite Door announced the new ZAP space-saving motor operator for self-storage, counter shutters, and several other applications.

The ZAP features a standard three-button control station with remote option available, soft start and stop, simple axle-mount installation, and sensitive obstruction detection for safety. The ZAP motor operator is available for several Trac-Rite roll-up door models up to 12' wide. www.tracrite.com

Amarr Distributes Power Tools

In April, Amarr began distributing Bosch power tools and Maze finishing nails. The program is designed to provide dealers with items that are commonly used.

Amarr is offering 22 different models of Bosch power tools in six test markets. Every item will be stocked in the six Amarr Door Centers in these test markets for the initial rollout. The offerings will include a cordless impact wrench, PowerBox radio and CD player, a circular saw, a mini-grinder, a router, and more. www.amarr.com

Garage Door Accounting Software Adds Scheduler

To help garage door installers manage jobs and staff more easily, Paragon Software has added a scheduler and live local maps to its Paradigm customizable accounting software.

The scheduler allows installers to maintain schedules, dispatching crews in a timely manner and transferring them as needed while avoiding conflicts. Jobs can be scheduled immediately upon order confirmation, and parts are assigned to the job since the scheduler is accessed directly from the accounting software.

Service personnel can find the job location quickly with U.S. and Canadian maps showing aerial views of streets and houses with up-close, full-color details. www.goparagon.com

PEOPLE

Ankmar Names New CFO

In April, Ankmar announced that Greg Clarke has joined Ankmar as chief financial officer.

Clarke joins Ankmar from FMI Corporation where he worked with construction industry companies. Prior to FMI, Clarke held executive positions at Johns Manville, Coleman, and Pepsico.

Clarke holds a B.A. in economics from Amherst College and a master’s degree in finance from Columbia University in New York.

1st United Hires Key Personnel

In May, 1st United Door Technologies announced the addition of key personnel.

Earl Rivard is now vice president of marketing, a new position for the company. He is responsible for the architecture and execution of the marketing strategy and initiatives for the company. He brings several years of experience in marketing, sales, operations, and business development in various industries, most recently in the building industry.

Drew Krenke has been hired as controller, responsible for accounting staff, financial management, and product costing. A certified public accountant, Krenke brings 12 years of experience in accounting, manufacturing, and management.

Amarr Names Director of Credit Services

In March, Amarr announced John Crawford as the new director of credit services. Crawford will manage all credit functions and accounts receivable, seeking to make the department more customer-focused and managing a department of 11.

Crawford graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in 1982. He worked for Ferguson Enterprises for the past 21 years as a store credit manager, regional accounting manager, and district credit manager.

Garaga Adds Sales Director

In March, Garaga announced the appointment of Pierre Guay as sales director. Guay is responsible for North American sales and the Garaga distribution network. Prior to joining Garaga, Pierre was at Kimberly-Clark Canada and USA for 10 years.

Chamberlain Adds to Board of Directors

In April, Chamberlain announced that David W. Schroeder had been elected to Chamberlain’s board of directors.

Schroeder is president and chief executive officer of Intermatic, the world’s largest manufacturer of consumer and industrial energy control products and landscape lighting. He also serves on the board of directors for Alto-Shaam and the National Association of Manufacturers.

Raynor Announces Promotions

In February, Raynor named Brad Kunde the director of business process engineering to improve existing processes and technologies that serve Raynor dealers and employees. Since joining Raynor in 1983, Kunde has held various positions such as applications engineer, engineering services manager, and enterprise resource planning manager.

In May, Raynor announced the promotion of Charlie Ferris to product development manager, leading all residential and commercial product development projects. At Raynor since 1988, Ferris has worked in the residential door department, in product engineering as a lab technician, in the Raynor Academy as technical training manager, and most recently as sectional products manager.

Raynor has also promoted Ann Conway to corporate controller, responsible for the external financial reporting of the company and its subsidiaries, global treasury management, and stakeholder relations. At Raynor since 2004, she recently served as financial services manager. Ann holds a B.S. degree in economics and an MBA.

New Faces Join Marantec

In July, Patrick Irwin joined Marantec America as director of operations. Irwin brings 16 years of similar experience from Dexter Magnetic Technology.

In August, Stephanie Garcia joined Marantec as technical trainer. Garcia comes to Marantec from Field Container where she was assistant human resource manager. She earned a Master of Arts degree in teaching instruction and linguistics at Illinois State University.

In December, Tom Rachfal was appointed to the newly established position of manager of new construction, developing business opportunities within the builder community. Rachfal was previously vice president of sales and marketing at Dinesol Building Products.

In December, Marantec hired Laura Delgado as marketing manager, responsible for developing a communications plan to support the sales team. Delgado has spent more than 10 years in the retail sector and worked at ad agencies in Chicago. She earned a B.B.A. from Texas A&M University.

Lewis Promoted, Appointed to DASMA Post

In March, Angus Lewis, an engineering manager with Ankmar Door in Kansas City, was promoted to director of product performance. In a separate move, Lewis was named vice chair of the Commercial & Residential Garage Door Technical Committee of the Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA).

In his new Ankmar role, Lewis is responsible for engineering, quality control, and product leadership. With 40 years of engineering and related experience in the garage door industry, Lewis has been with Ankmar since 2001.

DBCi Presents Business Development Award

In March, DBCi announced that Shirley Garrett, district sales manager for the commercial door division, had earned the company’s 2005 Business Development Award.

The award recognizes Garrett’s achievements in new business development and market share growth in her territory, as well as retention and expansion of existing business. With more than 30 years experience in the commercial door industry, Garrett has been associated with DBCi since 1995.

Encon Appoints Training Director

In April, Encon Electronics named Tim Nordstrom training director. His responsibilities include the development of curriculum for customer training programs and product enrichment training for Encon’s technical sales team.

With Encon since 1989, Nordstrom has been working in technical sales for the last 13 years. Encon offers its customers free specialized technical and product training.

DBCi Hires District Sales Manager

In May, DBCi (Doors & Building Components) announced the addition of Thomas Brooks as mid-Atlantic district sales manager for the self-storage division. His territory includes 10 mid-Atlantic states.

Brooks has experience creating and implementing marketing campaigns for construction equipment clients for the past five years. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a master’s degree in sports management.

Janus Hires Regional Sales Manager

In May, Janus announced that Tony Badalamenti has joined the company as western region sales manager. Badalamenti brings more than 20 years of door experience in a variety of sales and manufacturing management positions. He is a graduate of St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, in manufacturing engineering.

COMPANIES

Arrow Tru-Line Purchases Collier

In May, Arrow Tru-Line (ATL) announced the acquisition of Collier Industries of Brantford, Ontario, Canada, a manufacturer of garage door hardware and springs for more than 50 years.

David Shaffer, president of ATL, says that the addition of spring manufacturing expands ATL’s line of components for the garage door industry. ATL will maintain the Collier manufacturing facilities in Brantford, adding a strategic distribution point for ATL. Collier’s complete line of spring and hardware products will now be available through ATL.

Founded in 1955 by Joseph Hyde as Hyde Spring & Wire, Collier manufactured all types of mechanical springs, including compression, extension, and torsion.

Chamberlain Acquires Merlin

In March, Chamberlain announced the acquisition of Merlin Garage Door Openers of Auckland, New Zealand. Merlin is the largest dedicated door operator manufacturer based in Australia and New Zealand.

Merlin was owned and operated by Grant O’Malley for more than 17 years. O’Malley will continue to manage the business.

The acquisition of Merlin strengthens Chamberlain’s global position in residential and industrial automation solutions. Chamberlain also recently announced the acquisition of Grifco Precision Products, the largest manufacturer of industrial door operators in Australia and New Zealand.

Overhead Door Sells McGuire, Closes Plant

In May, Overhead Door announced that it had sold the assets, except land and building, of the W.B. McGuire Company to Systems Incorporated of Germantown, Wis. Overhead Door has owned McGuire, a maker of loading dock equipment, since 1987.

Overhead Door says the company has decided to focus its resources on its core business. “We found that it would require an enormous investment for us to become competitive in the material handling category,” says Jim Fanning, vice president of marketing.

The McGuire manufacturing facility in Hudson, N.Y., will close on July 31, and manufacturing operations will be moved to Systems’ plants in Malvern, Ark., and Germantown. Systems manufactures loading dock equipment for warehousing and the motor freight business.

Garaga Expands Operations

In March, Garaga announced the completion of an expansion of its Barrie, Ontario, Canada, operations. The addition almost doubles the plant floor area and integrates a new state-of-the-art production line for a new category of doors.

“This expansion provides us with the flexibility required to develop new products that will better answer the evolving needs of our customers,” says Michel Gendreau, president. Garaga now offers a non-insulated door line for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

The Barrie operation serves the markets of Ontario, western Canada, and part of the United States.

Marantec Breaks Ground for Expansion

In March, Marantec America broke ground for a new North American headquarters in Gurnee, Ill., 40 miles north of Chicago. The move is planned for September 2006.

The new facility is 50 percent larger, allowing for growth and expanded capacity for product warehousing and assembly lines. With increased capacity, Marantec will have the ability to increase operational efficiencies and “take customer service to new levels,” says Neil Giarratana, president.

Michael Hörmann, owner of Marantec, traveled from Germany for the event. Representatives from the village of Gurnee also attended.

DoorLink Adds Production Line

In May, DoorLink Manufacturing of North Kansas City, Mo., announced the installation of a new production line. The new line, with dual rollformers, is expected to more than double DoorLink’s current capacity.

Amarr Offers Parts Kit

In March, Amarr began offering dealers a Service Truck Parts Kit for storing parts and hardware. The kit, available at Amarr Door Centers, contains three separate boxes of parts, including roller carriers, cables, rollers, and multiple fasteners. Two of the boxes fit inside the third box for easy storage.

“Amarr is not just about selling doors, but helping installers be more efficient in their work,” says Tony East, Amarr’s director of engineering services.

A-tech and FrenchPorte Appear on HGTV

In May, A-tech and FrenchPorte announced that they will have a virtual trade show commercial on the HGTV network.

During the 2006 International Builders’ Show, a three-minute video/commercial was produced about the FrenchPorte door. As part of this campaign, A-tech and FrenchPorte will have various 60-second TV spots on HGTV over the next year.

The commercials feature Jennifer Maher, FrenchPorte inventor/co-owner, and Paul McManus, A-tech marketing director.

Roll Coater Expands, Partners With Logistics Firm

In April, Roll Coater announced plans to expand into the southern United States by constructing a new 220,000-sq. ft. coil-coating facility in Mississippi County, northeast Arkansas. The new facility is expected to be in operation in mid-2007. Roll Coater, based in Indianapolis, Ind., is a major supplier of coil-coated steel to the garage door industry.

In February, Roll Coater partnered with Pittsburgh Logistics Systems (PLS) to manage inbound and outbound truck, rail, and barge shipments for all four of Roll Coater’s plants in Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The partnership is expected to improve the speed and scope of load dispatch, ensuring timely shipments.

Top Clopay Dealers Honored on Cruise

In April, Clopay honored 167 of its top dealers for sales and service excellence during the annual Authorized Dealer Conference (ADC), held aboard the six-star Radisson Seven Seas Navigator luxury cruise ship.

The ship, with Clopay dealers as only guests on board, sailed a four-day cruise from Port Everglades, Florida, to Nassau, the Bahamas, and Key West. The trip included business seminars, previews of new Clopay products and programs, sightseeing trips, and sailing tours.

Clopay’s 2007 ADC Conference will be held at the Ritz Carlton in Jamaica, April 29 to May 2. Master and Authorized Clopay dealers must achieve specific sales goals in order to qualify to attend.

Garaga Dealers Honored

In early 2006, Garaga honored its top dealers at its third annual Garaga Experts Meeting held at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Falls, Canada. The event included workshops, tours of local wineries, wine tasting, a dinner theatre, and awards presentations.

Recognized were Kathleen Sheehan of Laurent Overhead Door, Annette D’Allessio of Independent Overhead Door, and Collette LaBarr of North Country Overhead Door. Jean Potter of Danbury Overhead Door was awarded a special award for best advertising campaign.

Chamberlain Dealers Win Prizes at Expo

In May, at Chamberlain’s annual customer hospitality party, a Nikon Coolpix Digital Camera and a Marriott three-night getaway certificate were raffled off to two dealers.

Adam Weber of AE Door and Window in Toledo, Ohio, won the Nikon camera, and Tonya Wall of Crawford Door Systems in Wilmington, N.C. won the Marriott certificate. The raffle was open to the more than 1,500 dealers who attended the customer appreciation event in Las Vegas on Friday, May 19. The event marked Chamberlain’s 100-year anniversary celebration.

Raynor Conference Goes to Disneyland

From April 20-22, more than 500 Raynor dealers and employees attended a Raynor dealer conference at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim. The event offered small-group workshops, business solutions, sales strategies, marketing methods, an awards dinner, and opportunities to enjoy Disneyland and Orange County.

At a special event at the House of Blues, Dennis Winstead of Wilson Overhead Door Service in Wilson, N.C., won the grand prize in Raynor’s Win a Mustang promotion. Winstead won a 2006 V-8 powered, 300 hp Ford Mustang GT. More than 500 dealers entered the promotion by making qualifying purchases of Raynor products.

C.H.I. Adds Architect Services

In April, C.H.I. Overhead Doors announced a partnership with an architectural product representation firm in San Antonio to host an online continuing education program on “Specifying Rolling Steel Fire Doors.” C.H.I. plans for this to be the first of several courses and topics. Architects can take the course online.

The course, approved by the American Institute of Architects/Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), addresses NFPA 80 mandates, fire door terminology, construction details, and other relevant topics.

C.H.I. has also teamed with ARCAT, an online architectural specification supplier, to create a Spec Wizard that writes commercial sectional and rolling steel three-part CSI specifications.

The C.H.I. Spec Wizard, an industry first, will guide the spec writer through a door design and selection process, producing a proprietary specification in standard three-part CSI format. The Spec Wizard has also been implemented on the C.H.I. Web site.

In addition, C.H.I. has added an Architect’s Direct Hotline to allow the construction community to ask product and application questions and get personalized assistance that saves time.

BioMetrx Effectuates Reverse Stock Split

In March, BioMetrx announced it has effectuated a one-for-four reverse stock split and has been assigned a new ticker symbol. The company will be trading under the symbol (OTC BB: BMRX).

The reverse stock split is part of an overall strategy to recapitalize the company as it transitions itself from a development stage company to a commercially viable entity with multiple product lines.

In early 2006, the company received orders exceeding 23,000 units for its first product, the SmartTouch fingerprint-activated garage door opener transmitter.

Bircher Offers Automatic Door Training

Bircher America now offers special training and a tool bag for inspectors of automatic pedestrian doors.

Bircher’s American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) Certification Training Programs are for installers and service technicians. The tool bag, for AAADM inspectors, includes a force gauge, tape measure, and a stop watch.

INTERNET

DoorLink Goes Online

In May, DoorLink Manufacturing announced a new Web site at www.doorlinkmfg.com.

The new site offers a more user-friendly format and a clearer depiction of the products and styles available.

Raynor Updates Raynor.com

In May, Raynor announced a renovated Web site and online shopping for Raynor parts.

The new site features a new look, simpler use, and quick-loading features. The Raynor Parts Connection offers Raynor dealers 24/7 access to purchase parts online at competitive prices.

The Parts Connection is accessible through the secured dealer portion of www.raynor.com. Parts are organized into five groups: residential sectional, commercial sectional, rolling door, residential opener, and commercial operators. Each part listing includes pictures, attributes, and pricing.

C.H.I. Unveils New Web Site chiohd-web.tif)

In December, C.H.I. introduced a newly updated Web site (www.chiohd.com) to continue a marketing makeover that began in mid-2005.

“The Web site is now better suited for all who visit the site,” says Brian Beachy, marketing assistant.

INDUSTRY

IDEA Presents First Professionalism Award to Bellock and Chamberlain

In May, Ed Bellock and The Chamberlain Group became the first recipients of the Commitment to Professionalism Award. The new award, presented by the Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation (IDEA) at Expo 2006, recognizes individuals and/or companies who make extraordinary contributions toward the advancement of industry professionalism.

“There are many on our list of deserving winners of this new award,” says IDEA president Dan Bernacki. “Ed’s personal contributions, coupled with Chamberlain’s remarkable generosity in allowing him time to work with us, make them most fitting as the first recipients.”

Bellock, a full-time trainer for The Chamberlain Group, was asked to render assistance in 2000 when the IDEA board of directors elected to create a Train-the-Trainer program. Bellock not only guided IDEA in creating the program, he volunteered to present the first class in 2001 and has been the only Exposition Train-the-Trainer presenter since that time. Approximately 300 IDEA Sanctioned Trainers have completed the full-day course.

Bernacki Hands IDEA Gavel to Guyton

Dan Bernacki, of Dan’s Overhead Doors & More in Liberty, Iowa, has ceremonially passed the IDEA presidential gavel to Steve Guyton of The Cookson Company. Bernacki has served on the IDEA board of directors since 1998. His two-year term as president expired on July 1, 2006.

Guyton was appointed to the IDEA board of directors in 2002. He was instrumental in developing the IDEA Rolling Steel Fire Door Certification curriculum, serving as co-chair of that committee along with John Polchin of Cornell Iron Works.

In handing over the gavel, Bernacki praised his colleagues on the board and thanked them for their dedicated service to industry professionalism. He noted that IDEA’s progress has been a massive undertaking that is having a positive impact on the industry.

DASMA Participates in National Hurricane Conference

In April, Joe Hetzel, DASMA technical director, participated with FEMA in a presentation on post-Hurricane Katrina damage observations at the 2006 National Hurricane Conference held in Orlando in April. Last fall, Hetzel participated in post-Katrina investigations led by the Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Hetzel discussed the performance of building envelope products, including garage doors and rolling doors, in areas subjected to both high water and high winds. He also commented on codes and standards for building products in such areas.

The conference, attended by over 2,000 people, featured Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center; Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and R. David Paulison, acting FEMA director.

Expo Workshops Reach New Milestone

IDEA workshops at Expo 2006 in Las Vegas crossed a major milestone in industry education. Total attendance at all IDEA seminars topped the 20,000 mark, reaching 21,129. Todd Thomas, IDEA managing director, says this represents more than 36,000 hours of professional development education since 1998.

Attendance at the educational workshops at Expo 2006 totaled 2,800. The head count represents a slight drop in total attendees from the previous two expositions (see story, pp. 58-62). However, Expo 2006 workshops actually had a higher per class attendance average than the last Las Vegas event in 2004.

Plans already are underway for the 2007 event in Orlando. Thomas predicts that Expo 2007 will offer “a new and innovative schedule that will represent the single largest training event in the history of the industry.”

TECHNICAL

Thermal Performance Project Completed

In the spring of 2006, DASMA completed a thermal performance research project that will be used to establish suitable, repeatable means of determining U-factors for garage doors and rolling doors.

Joe Hetzel of DASMA says the results will be compared with results of an ASHRAE research project conducted on similar door specimens. Hetzel chairs a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) task group charged with developing suitable, repeatable test and simulation procedures.

“The outcome of work within NFRC, and related work within ASTM and ASHRAE, should provide the industry with access to reliable means of reporting thermal performance,” he says.

Hetzel adds that DASMA will keep the industry apprised of further developments.

DASMA Proposes ICC Code Changes

DASMA has submitted six code change proposals to the International Code Council (ICC). Initial public hearings will take place in September 2006 in Orlando.

DASMA proposals include the following:

International Residential Code (IRC):
· Incorporate a garage door wind-load table, similar to the one in the Florida Building Code.
· Incorporate ANSI/DASMA 115 as a windborne debris-resistance test option for garage doors.

International Building Code (IBC):
· For rolling doors, change the 120 sq. ft. maximum opening size to 156 sq. ft.
· Incorporate ANSI/DASMA 115 as a windborne debris-resistance test option for garage doors and rolling doors.
· Clarify wind-load testing for garage doors and rolling doors to be permissible to either ASTM E 330 or ANSI/DASMA 108 in non-high-velocity hurricane zone areas.
· Require that UL 325 be met for gate operators and that ASTM F 2200 be met for vehicular gates intended for automation.

Results of the hearing will be published later.

DASMA Proposals Recommended in Florida

In May, the Florida Building Commission approved amendments to the residential and building code volumes of the 2004 Florida Building Code, including all five amendments submitted by DASMA. All these amendments are expected to be published and become effective later in 2006.

Contents of the residential amendments include incorporating a garage door wind-load table and incorporating ANSI/DASMA 115 as a windborne debris-resistance test option for garage doors.

DASMA amendments for the building volume include expanding the garage door wind load table to include rolling doors. DASMA also seeks to clarify wind-load testing for garage doors and rolling doors to be permissible to either ASTM E 330 or ANSI/DASMA 108 in non-high-velocity hurricane zone areas.

Joe Hetzel is pleased that the commission continues to respect DASMA’s input. “With the inclusion of these new code changes,” says Hetzel, “performance of garage doors and rolling doors will be even further strengthened.”

Rolling Door Wind-Load Recommendations Posted

Responding to concerns about rolling door operability in windy conditions, DASMA recently published Technical Data Sheet 279, entitled “Rolling Door Operation Under Wind Load Conditions.”

The document, published by the Rolling Door Division, can help door dealers and building owners understand the effects of wind on door operation.

The document addresses various key issues such as operational wind load versus design wind load, doors with curtain-mounted windlocks, electrically operated doors subjected to wind load, and curtain deflection. You can find the new TDS at www.dasma.com by clicking “Publications,” then “Technical Data Sheets.”

Amarr to Offer Rolling Doors

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