American Architectural Manufacturers Association

AAMA e-News: Opening Thoughts from the President and CEO

Rich Walker, AAMA President and CEO

How effective is a window or door without quality hardware? The hardware is a critical element in any fenestration product. Hardware balances allow sash movement for double hungs, while keepers and sash locks prevent unauthorized criminal entry. Opening devices and hinges pave the way for the introduction of even more new operable window types. If hardware fails, the window either becomes inoperable or the security protection may be compromised.

The importance of hardware and its opportunities for innovation were reinforced for me as I visited two prominent New England window and door hardware manufacturers this month. Bronze Craft, located in Nashua, NH, focuses on commercial fenestration hardware products. Amesbury, headquartered in Amesbury, MA, offers a diverse product line that includes door hardware, weather stripping, weather seals and a specialty line of transportation products for the automotive, aerospace, marine and RV industries.

The Bronze Craft Corporation
In business for 71 years, The Bronze Craft Corporation has produced non-ferrous casting products. Over the years, Bronze Craft employees have been instrumental in developing AAMA window and door hardware performance specifications and shaping the hardware standards used in the AAMA Verified Components Program.

As commercial building stalled during the past few years, President Jim Bernard and Vice President Jim Lajuenesse have refocused on innovation. One of the most impressive results of the increased attention is the Smart Window Sensor. About the size of a Three Musketeers bar, but way smarter, the Sensor mounts on the sash and monitors ambient room conditions, window performance and security. Its wireless communication is solar powered and allows real time interaction with a building automation system. The Smart Window Sensor optimizes energy management, maintains thermal comfort for occupants in all interior micro climates and even creates a multi-sensor array that will work at preventing sick building syndrome.

Although the Sensor is barely a year old, it is already racking up awards. In August of this year, the Smart Sensor was crowned the overall winner in the New York House magazine’s Innovative Green Design Awards competition.

Amesbury Group
During my visit to the headquarters of Amesbury Group, President and CEO Jonathan Petromelis related how the company has evolved from a horse drawn carriage maker to a window accessories powerhouse.

Through strategic acquisitions over the past 25 years, Amesbury has both broadened its window hardware and sealing product lines and geographic footprint, truly becoming a full service, international fenestration components supplier.

Just as recommended personal investment strategies enable investors to remain steady no matter the economic condition, the product diversity resulting from these acquisitions enables Amesbury to better weather the ups and downs of an uncertain economy.

While Mr. Petromelis is cautiously optimistic about a very gradual recovery, he is ever confident in Amesbury’s preparedness for the good times when they do return in earnest.

Both of these companies are prime examples of how innovative thinking and product diversity enables high-performing companies to remain successful year after year.

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