Overhead Offers New Counterbalance
© 2000 Door & Access Systems
Publish Date: Spring 2000
Author: Tom Wadsworth
Pages 2-12
NEWSLINES
PRODUCTS
Overhead Offers New Counterbalance
In November 1999, Overhead Door introduced a new garage door counterbalance system with enhanced safety and aesthetic features. Called ArmorTite, the system’s aluminum spring barrel and galvanized torsion tube give the spring system a polished appearance.
"ArmorTite adds a cleaner, more finished look to your garage," said Pamela Ross, Overhead corporate communications director. Its all-metal construction, she added, is made for durability and low maintenance. There are no plastic parts.
Ross said the ArmorTite is the only counterbalance system available that is compliant with the DASMA 103 code for tamper-resistance. The spring barrel completely covers the spring for added safety.
The ArmorTite system is able to lift doors up to 500 pounds, and it is available as an option for all residential door widths and heights. ArmorTite is available with an extended life, high-cycle spring option.
Johnson Controls Delivers Six Millionth HomeLink Unit
Johnson Controls marked a milestone in December 1999 with the delivery of its six millionth HomeLink Universal Transceiver. HomeLink is a three-button transceiver integrated into the overhead console, sun visor, or rear-view mirror of 103 different model year 2000 vehicles in North America. HomeLink allows vehicle drivers to operate garage doors, estate gates, home lighting, security systems, entry door locks, and other radio frequency devices from their vehicles.
"We have really brought this product a long way during the last four years," said Michael Suman, group vice president advanced sales, marketing, and development for Johnson Controls. "It has transcended from a product that could only open garage doors to a product that can also turn on the lights, open entry door locks and security gates."
When launched in 1995, HomeLink was offered on 14 different vehicle models. In 1999, HomeLink was included on more than 2.4 million vehicles. HomeLink III, scheduled to launch in January 2000, will be available on 103 different vehicle models.
GDO Partnerships
"A major part of the success of HomeLink needs to be credited to the relationships Johnson Controls continues to have with the garage door opener manufacturers," Suman said. "When an automotive consumer can go into any retail, building materials or major home center location and see ‘HomeLink Compatible’ printed on product packaging, it connects and completes the value story."
The HomeLink garage door opener partners are Chamberlain, Craftsman, Genie, Overhead Door, Lift-Master, Stanley, and Wayne-Dalton. HomeLink partners in the estate gate category are Link, Genie, and Stanley.
The Plymouth, Michigan-based automotive business of Johnson Controls employs more than 65,000 people at 275 facilities worldwide. With headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1999 sales totaled $16.1 billion.
Windsor Announces Ranch Panel Sandwich Door
The newest addition to Windsor Door’s residential garage door line is the Model 574, an insulated "sandwich" steel door with ranch panels. The new 1-3/8" thick door was announced in November 1999.
The door includes CFC-free polystyrene foam insulation bonded to the steel skins for a section R-value of 6.4. Model 574 has a tongue-and-groove design and carries a lifetime section warranty and a three-year hardware warranty. It is available in white and in a full range of sizes.
Watertight Photo-Eyes from Lift-Master
Lift-Master introduced in February a new industrial-duty watertight non-contact reversing sensor system for commercial door operators.
The company says the new NEMA 4 Commercial Protector System (CPS) is the only UL-approved system on the market that is self-monitoring. Designed to work in conjunction with all Lift-Master commercial operators, the system includes NEMA 4 watertight photoelectric eyes, ideal for wet or outdoor environments.
With a range up to 45 feet, the eyes are bright safety yellow for high visibility. Heavy gauge metal mounting brackets can be mounted on the floor, the wall, or the garage door track. The eyes accept one-inch conduit and include LED indicators to check alignment.
Three CPS systems are available, each designed for a different Lift-Master operator.
Dimensions Windows at Raynor
Raynor has greatly expanded its line of window options with the new Dimensions decorative windows in both acrylic and glass.
The Dimensions acrylic windows include a variety of leaded and beveled designs. The glass version features three designs of frosted leaded glass and four designs of frosted beveled glass.
The new windows join the current silkscreen and snap-in window designs in a variety of colors. Snap-in styles are also now available in clear or obscure glass. The new window options were introduced in 1999.
Clopay Adds Long-Panel 4052
In January, Clopay announced it newest Premium Series door, the Model 4052. The new door includes a long panel design, a style becoming increasingly popular among homeowners and builders.
"Builders and homeowners are continually looking for more unique and distinctive garage door designs," said Pat Lohse, director of marketing. "The long elegant panel gives popular double doors a more flowing, continuous appearance than traditional short panel designs."
The Model 4052 is 1-3/8" thick with polystyrene insulation pressure bonded between two sheets of steel. It is available in Clopay’s top-of-the-line doors in a broad range of panel designs, windows, and in three colors of white, almond, and sandtone.
Microwave Announces New Infrared Motion Sensor
Microwave Sensors has introduced the DH17 Active Infrared Motion and Presence Sensor.
Designed for high-mount applications, DH17 is identified as a low-cost, low-maintenance replacement for loop detectors. The sensor can be used for activation or safety and is compatible with any manufacturer’s door control.
The microprocessor-controlled sensor is to be mounted 10-20 feet high and develops up to 24 detection zones for reliable motion detection. Pattern width and depth are adjustable. Microwave Sensors is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and at www.microwavesensors.com.
Ankmar Develops New Panel Design
Ankmar Door has developed a new raised panel design for the RP260 Pinnacle, RP240 Master, and RP226 Insul-Core series residential garage doors.
The company says the new design is due to "the overwhelming response generated from the design introduction on the RP138 Legend series last spring." The new panel design has a deep woodgrain embossment, and it is available in an array of colors and in both the traditional raised panel as well as their new long ranch panel.
New Belt-Drive Opener from Raynor
Aviator, a new belt-drive residential garage door opener, has been announced by Raynor Garage Doors.
The opener features a _ horsepower motor with a one-piece rail with a belt drive that operates with no metal-to-metal contact. With noise-dampening foam encasing the inner chassis and a motor vibration isolation system, the opener is designed for quiet operation.
Aviator is supplied with a multi-function control panel that operates the door, the lights, locks out all outside radio signals, and programs remote controls.
Raynor Introduces Horizon Door
Raynor Garage Doors has introduced Horizon, a moderately priced, insulated residential garage door.
Horizon features 1-3/8" thick sections in a two-sided steel sandwich door with polystyrene insulation and a variety of window options.
"Horizon offers homeowners the best of both worlds – performance and value," said David Bullard, Raynor director of marketing.
Gray Color Added at Windsor
In October 1999, Windsor Door added gray to the color options for its Model 530 or 535 residential garage doors.
"It’s one of the most popular and versatile home design colors today," said Sherry Booles, Windsor marketing manager. Gray is Windsor’s fifth residential color option. Previously, these models were available in the four colors of White, Brown, Sandstone, and Almond.
COMPANIES
Raynor to Manufacture in South Carolina
Raynor has acquired a new manufacturing facility and distribution center in the Greenville-Spartanburg area of South Carolina. The building was purchased from Thermal Components Division.
Raynor will manufacture commercial sectional doors in the facility, and the building will also be used a regional distribution center for Raynor distributors in four area states.
"Raynor is a growing company, and we need more manufacturing and distribution space as well as additional good people," said Ray Neisewander Jr., company president.
Distribution center operations were scheduled to begin on January 31, 2000, and manufacturing operations were scheduled to begin in March.
Delden Moving to New Location
Delden Manufacturing Company recently broke ground for a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Kansas City, Missouri. The 84,000 square foot facility, located in Northland Park, is expected to be completed in the summer of 2000.
The new building will replace their current 65,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Kansas City. The new building includes 10,000 square feet for offices and showroom, and 19 modern shipping docks. Renner Supply Company, a Delden installing and service subsidiary, will also locate in the building.
The need for the new building was driven by increased volume demands for both residential and commercial doors and a desire to consolidate all operations under one roof. The Kansas City facility employs about 75 full-time and part-time employees.
Delden was founded by Gene Renner in 1956 as Renner Supply Company. The firm now services lumberyards, dealers, and installing distributors throughout seven states in the Midwest with steel, aluminum, and wood garage doors.
Atlas Expands, Opens New Customer Service Center
Atlas Door opened a new customer service center in Nesbit, Mississippi, in December. The new center will consolidate order entry, technical services, and credit, which have previously been located in numerous locations.
"The new center will allow for improved team integration, thus ensuring prompt decisions are being made and communicated to the customer base," said Roy Eckersley, manager of customer service. He added that the center will improve work flow by having key decision-makers on a customer’s job at the same location.
In addition, Atlas has announced the expansion of both of its manufacturing facilities located in Nesbit, Mississippi, and Tempe, Arizona. Completion of both facilities is expected by the spring of 2000. Atlas Door is a brand of Clopay Building Products.
Windsor is Now Part of Magnatrax
In late December, Magnatrax Corporation became the holding company for Onex Corporation of Toronto. Windsor Door is part of the Entry Systems Group, a division of Magnatrax. Howard Burns is president of the Entry Systems Group, which includes Windsor and Republic Builders Products.
The Magnatrax name was selected to denote size, dynamic growth, integrity, and strength. The establishment of Magnatrax is intended to create a framework for rapid future growth, which is expected to include acquisitions. Onex, a diversified company with $11 billion in annual revenues, has been the majority shareholder in Magnatrax since May 1999.
C.H.I. Implements 5-Star Distributor Program
In December 1999, C.H.I. introduced a new distributorship program that encourages higher levels of professionalism among their dealers.
"The 5-Star award is potentially attainable by all reputable and service oriented C.H.I. distributors, regardless of size," said Tim Miller, C.H.I. marketing manager. One requirement for becoming a 5-Star Distributor is to attain accreditation from IDEA (Institute for Door Dealer Education and Accreditation).
"While becoming IDEA accredited does require a considerable amount of time and effort, we feel all C.H.I. distributors could potentially pass the tests along with the requirements to become a full five star distributor. We are more interested in a quality distributorship than in sheer volume. Quality distributorships foster long term growth and satisfied customers," says Miller.
C.H.I. Overhead Doors is a full line manufacturer of sectional garage doors based in Arthur, Illinois.
Cardo Acquires UK's Leading Door Manufacturer
In February, Cardo Door purchased P.C. Henderson, the UK's leading manufacturer of residential garage doors.
Cardo Door, with annual sales of nearly $500 million (US), is part of the Cardo Group of Sweden and one of the world's largest manufacturers of industrial doors and Europe's leading supplier of dock loading equipment. Cardo Doors are marketed under such brand names as Crawford Door and Normstahl. Cardo Door is also a market leader in servicing these products and one of Europe's largest manufacturers of residential garage doors.
Founded in 1921, Henderson has about 325 employees, and annual sales of approximately $38 million (US). Besides its main plant in northeastern England, Henderson has subsidiaries in Ireland and the Netherlands.
The acquisition, which is part of Cardo Door's strategy for continued growth in the residential garage door market, further strengthens Cardo Door's position as the third largest supplier of residential garage doors in Europe.
"We shall now be the leading manufacturer of residential garage doors in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland, markets where we have so far been a minor player," said Cardo's president and CEO Kjell Svensson.
With subsidiaries in about 30 countries, Cardo is an international engineering group with annual sales of more than $1 billion (US) and about 7,400 employees.
Falcon Foam Sold to Atlas Roofing
In February, Owens Corning announced the sale of Falcon Foam to Atlas Roofing of Meridian, Mississippi.
With manufacturing facilities in Michigan and California, Falcon is a major producer, fabricator, and distributor of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam products in the U.S. Its products are used in garage doors, roofing and wall insulation, and recreational vehicle exteriors.
According to Glen H. Hiner, Owens Corning chairman and chief executive officer, the sale of the Falcon operations supports the company's intent to focus on its core businesses.
"EPS technology is not close enough to our core building materials products and systems, for Owens Corning to pursue a larger presence in the EPS industry," said Hiner. "Divestiture will allow Owens Corning to continue focusing on our core strategies, and it will give Falcon the opportunity to continue growing in a consolidating industry."
New Owner at Taylor
On December 1, 1999, Nick Cangialosi of INC Industries of Lodi, New Jersey, purchased Taylor Building Products of West Branch, Michigan. In operation since the 1940s, Taylor manufactures Perma-Door and Taylor Door steel entry doors and Taylor garage doors. Cangialosi purchased Taylor from American Architectural Products.
Cangialosi says he will focus on innovation, state-of-the-art technology, teamwork, and leadership to bring Taylor into the forefront of the steel entry and garage door market.
Prior to acquiring Taylor, Cangialosi founded and owned Vinyl Building Products, a vinyl extrusion operation in Oakland, New Jersey, and Little Rock, Arkansas. Over the past 40 years, he founded six other window and door companies.
New Truck Decals at Amarr
New decals now appear on Amarr tractor-trailer trucks. These "rolling billboards" feature a house with the "Built For Good" slogan, web site address, and the Amarr 800-number. Amarr’s lead management company is already reporting success from this latest Amarr advertising initiative.
The new decals were announced in December 1999.
PEOPLE
CEO Bolton Retires from Overhead Door
On February 18, Brian Bolton retired from his position as chairman and chief executive officer of Overhead Door. He has been replaced by Masat Izu, who has become chief executive officer, and by Hidetoshi Ichihashi, who is now the president of the Door Systems Group.
Bolton has served in his leadership role at Overhead Door since 1990. He was also active in Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA), having served on the board of directors and being elected president of the association in 1999.
Izu spoke highly of the strong foundation created by Bolton. "I intend to further advance the successes of this legacy," he added, "by elevating and accelerating our commitment to unequaled customer satisfaction, quality, and technological superiority throughout all divisions of the company."
Izu comes to Overhead Door from Energy Conversion Devices of Detroit, Michigan, where he worked for the past 30 years. He has been a director of Overhead Door since 1996.
Ichihashi has served as Overhead’s executive vice president and as a director since 1997. The company's Door Systems Group, which Ichihashi will lead, is comprised of Overhead Door, The Genie Company, and W.B. McGuire.
This management transition at Overhead Door is the first since Sanwa Shutter of Tokyo purchased Overhead in the summer of 1996. Sanwa Shutter is Japan's leading door and shutter manufacturer.
New Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Wayne-Dalton
Wayne-Dalton has named Phillip LaVelle as vice president of sales & marketing. His responsibilities include overseeing the sales force and marketing activities for all Wayne-Dalton product lines.
LaVelle has had an extensive career in the building material industry. His most recent position had been vice president of PrimeSource Building Products, responsible for sales and marketing to building material distributors and national chain accounts. He also was president and CEO of Four Seasons Marketing, and spent ten years with Builder Marts of America as regional manager and vice president of marketing. He received his degree in marketing and finance from Ohio State University.
Marstall to Executive VP at Chamberlain
In November, Stephen Marstall was named executive vice president of Nogales, Mexico, operations for The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (CGI).
With a B.S. in physics from Brescia University in Owensboro, Kentucky, Marstall joined the firm in 1975 as engineering manager. He was promoted to engineering and quality control manager in 1984 and to vice president of engineering and quality control in 1995. He is credited with the design and management of CGI’s operator manufacturing facility in Nogales. Marstall also developed innovative processes for manufacturing and testing garage door openers, unique to the industry.
On January 3, 2000, Marstall officially began his new duties, following the retirement of Ray McMinn, executive vice president of the Nogales plant. Marstall will assume responsibility for all engineering, manufacturing, materials, purchasing, human resources, and quality control systems at the Nogales plant. He reports to David Rolls, president of the Door Automation Group of CGI.
Amarr Names Egan Director of National Sales
Announced in December 1999, Amarr Garage Doors has appointed Patrick Egan to the position of director of national sales. In this position, Egan will be based in Charlotte, North Carolina and will be responsible for national builder accounts. He will report to Greg Gilmer, vice president of sales and operations.
Egan comes to Amarr with three years of garage door sales experience. He is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University where he received a business administration degree, majoring in marketing, management, and sales.
Beckley Promoted at Clopay
Clopay has promoted Dan Beckley to vice president of dealer sales. His new responsibilities are to lead and direct Clopay Building Products’ dealer sales force and grow the residential and commercial sectional dealer business.
"Dan’s leadership abilities and overall industry knowledge will greatly benefit the dealer sales team. He fully understands the dealer network and how it plays a major role in the success of the company," said John Palazzolo, Clopay vice president of sales and marketing.
Before his promotion, Beckley was vice president of commercial sales in which he was responsible for directing the commercial sales force and growing the commercial segments of all brands. Beckley is a graduate of Alfred University.
PEOPLE
New Building Code Affects Door Dealers
The new International Building Code (IBC), published in March 2000, should help streamline the process for obtaining building permits for the garage door and rolling door industries, according to Joe Hetzel, DASMA Technical Director.
Hetzel also said that the new code will likely increase the need for building product labels that indicate that the product meets certain standards. "Windows and glazed entry doors will be required to be labeled in municipalities where the IBC and IRC are adopted and enforced," said Hetzel, "and it’s only a matter of time before garage doors are likely to be included." Hetzel added that DASMA is diligently continuing development of a labeling and certification program for garage doors.
International Building Code
In March 2000, the International Building Code and the International Residential Code (IRC) were published. The new codes were developed over last few years by the International Code Council (ICC), which is made up of the three major U.S. model code agencies (BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI). U.S. state and local building departments choose to adopt and enforce a specific code for their area.
Adoption and enforcement of the IBC and the IRC is expected to take place throughout the nation in the next year. Many believe this will greatly benefit industry since building product requirements will be more uniform nationwide.
IBC, IRC, and DASMA
DASMA has actively contributed to the development of the IBC and the IRC. The organization helped define the integration of new state-of-the-art windload provisions. DASMA also helped influence tabulated simplified windloads that account for loads specific to larger doors. A new set of Windload Guides will be forthcoming from DASMA in the near future.
Concerning fire-related provisions of the new code, DASMA was responsible for clarifications to the operation of rolling shutters. More significantly, DASMA was able to incorporate reference to one of its standards for the first time ever in a building code. The standard, ANSI/DASMA 107, addresses testing of foam plastics in garage doors.
Since the IBC and IRC will be refined on a regular basis, Hetzel said that DASMA will continue to monitor these developments on behalf of the industry.
Gate Operators and UL 325
New Rules Effective March 1, 2000
The Top Ten Frequently Asked Questions
- Is compliance with the gate operator provisions of UL 325 a national law?
No. However, it became a state law in Nevada on March 1, 2000. DASMA is continuing to monitor other states for potential legislation in this area. - Who is going to check the gate system to determine if it is in compliance with the new standard?
According to the current requirements, no one. However, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has submitted a proposed revision to the new International Building Code. If passed, building code officials would then be inspecting gate systems for compliance where the IBC is adopted and enforced. Also, there is the potential for liability if a gate system is not installed in compliance with UL 325. - Am I required to upgrade existing installed gate operators to the new UL 325 standard?
No. There are no requirements to upgrade existing operators. However, upgrading is dependent on the product itself; the operator manufacturer must be consulted on this matter. - Can older operators that do not meet the standard be repaired?
Yes. You may wish to contact your attorney or your trade association legal counsel regarding liability issues in repairing older operators that have no entrapment sensing provisions. - What happens with the product that I have in stock that was purchased prior to March 1, 2000? Can I still install it?
Yes. There is no recall provision in the UL standard. Products that have already been tested and listed can be installed. - Do photoelectric cells or electric edges have to be installed on all gates?
Not necessarily; these two options are among several acceptable options. Contact the operator manufacturer for acceptable protection devices to be installed on a particular gate. - Do I have to install a separate pedestrian gate?
UL 325 states that if the operator is for a vehicular gate, pedestrians must use a separate entrance. - Do the new UL 325 requirements apply to both new and existing gates?
UL 325 requirements will apply to all new construction of gates and existing gates that could be motorized. Older non-motorized gates may need to be altered to meet the new requirements. - Do I have to install guarding or screening on a gate?
Yes; however, this applies only to horizontal sliding gates. The important fact to remember is that if a horizontal gate system is not guarded or screened in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, it cannot be claimed to be in compliance with UL 325. - Is there a difference between a UL listed product, an ETL listed product, or a product listed by anyone else?
Any listing by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) that tests to the UL 325 standard is acceptable. The test laboratories are expected to use the same standard.
For more information on gate operators and UL 325, contact UL directly at 847-272-8800, DASMA at 216-241-7333, or you can purchase the UL 325 standard from Global Engineering Documents at 800-854-7179.
This information has been prepared by:
Operator & Electronics Division
Chamberlain
DoorKing
EMX Industries
FAAC International
Hy-Security Gate Operators
Linear
Manaras Door and Gate Operator
Marantec America
Miller Edge
Moore-O-Matic
Napoleon/Lynx
Operator Specialty Company
Overhead Door / GMI
Raynor Garage Doors
Select Engineering Systems
SIMU U.S.
Wayne-Dalton