Did You Know? offers a quick look at the broad scope of activities underway within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Federation of members and partners, highlighting recent accomplishments and new resources related to standardization.
AAMA and IGMA Have Combined and Expanded Their Reach
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, and the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) have officially combined into one organization with the new name, Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA). After a July 2019 vote by both bodies to unify, the two organizations merged as of January 1, 2020.
The AAMA and IGMA Boards of Directors met in early December to finalize the vision and mission of the unified organization.
The vision focuses on improving home and building performance through better glass, window, door and skylight technologies and standards. The FGIA strives to lead the glass, glazing, and fenestration industry through research, consensus-based standards, product certification, advocacy, and education and professional development.
KCMA Launches Workforce Development Database for its Members
The manufacturing industry's skilled labor shortage, coupled with a record low unemployment rate, have underscored the need for a strategic workforce development response. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has launched a database with resources to support the informational needs of its members who are striving to tackle these challenges. While some information is available to the public, the tool was created to support members of KCMA, a trade association representing cabinet manufacturers and suppliers.
Resources available in the KCMA Workforce Development database include:
"We have heard from our members time and time again that one of the biggest challenges they face as an organization is finding - and keeping - skilled workers as more and more Baby Boomers retire," explained Betsy Natz, CEO, KCMA. "Building reliable sources of qualified workers is a sound business investment for our member companies and we are thrilled to offer a centralized source of information for our members to learn about workforce development and gain actionable ideas for how to solve this crisis."
To learn more, visit www.kcma.org/Workforce-Development.
NOCSAE Approved as an ANSI-Accredited Standards Developer
ANSI's Executive Standards Council (ExSC) has approved the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE), an ANSI member, as an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer (ASD) under its proposed operating procedures for documenting consensus on NOCSAE-sponsored American National Standards, effective December 30, 2019.
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