VFDRMA

The Vinyl Fence, Deck and Railing Manufacturers Association, is the first division of the AFA. VFDRMA represents the interests and serves the needs of all vinyl fence, deck and railing related companies. The formation of the VFDRMA has received widespread interest from a broad cross section of our industry and is about to enter its second year of operation as a functional division of the AFA. It is desirous that this new division receive widespread support from all levels of our industry to ensure that all levels of membership have a voice in the advancement of our strategic objectives.
Representing the interests and serving the needs of all vinyl fence, deck and railing related companies!

Strategic Objectives

This division was formed with a mandate to advance the following strategic objectives:

Develop product performance standards to govern all manufacturers and establish a comprehensive accreditation program to ensure ongoing compliance with the established standards.

Collectively influence the development of product code requirements for fence deck and railing products.

Develop a marketing campaign to promote the use of vinyl fence deck and railing products.

Develop a third party market intelligence collection program to solicit, assemble and disseminate market statistics and intelligence.

Monitor the activities of consumer and environmental advocacy groups and deploy counter measures to advance the public perception of vinyl fence deck and railing products.

Develop trade and consumer educational programs to demonstrate the engineered performance of vinyl fence, deck and railing products.

Formation of strategic alliances.

Membership Benefits

Membership in the VFDRMA will ensure the advancement of these noteworthy objectives and position your firm to be recipient of the following benefits:

Contribute to the development of industry performance standards that will ensure the positioning of vinyl fence, deck and railing programs to the design and consumer communities at large.

Develop an effective network of industry peers, vendors and potential customers to support and advance your individual business units.

Participate in an educational platform to advance the VFDRMA strategic objectives and collectively lobby for needed building code and trade reforms.

Advance your firm’s reputation through the promotion of your active participation in the association in all market communications.

Benefit by the listing of your firm as a member in good standing in the association directory and website.

The VFDRMA website will provide links to active member sites to stimulate leads and favorably position member businesses.

Provide a platform to voice your ideas, concerns and issues in both formal and informal settings.

Enjoy all AFA member benefits as a member of the VFDRMA division.


Benefits For Fabricators

Availability of the latest information regarding Code and Technical issues.

Opportunity to help develop standards for the vinyl fence, deck and railing industry.

Access to marketing data, training and educational information pertaining to the fence, deck and railing industry.

Be part of an extension of AFA as a division that focuses specifically on vinyl fence, deck and railing issues.

Ability to network with vinyl manufacturers, suppliers and other fabricators through involvement on committees and other division activities.

Membership Criteria

There are four tiers of membership to encourage maximum industry participation and ensure equitable dues assessment for each tier. New and current members will be asked to calculate the appropriate dues amount and remit them with their completed application form. Remittances will be made on an honor system, without the necessity to provide supporting financial documentation with remittance.

As per AFA By-laws, Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies (vinyl manufacturers and suppliers to manufacturers) who are existing AFA members must become VFDRMA division members. If you are a Tier 1 or Tier 2 company and do not submit an application with payment, a dues invoice for VFDRMA will be sent directly to you. Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies will not be entitled to withdraw from VFDRMA and still maintain member standing in AFA. Companies who join VFDRMA and are not currently AFA members will be automatically enrolled in AFA and invoiced for AFA dues.

Tier 3 and Tier 4 companies (vinyl fabricators and users, and support agencies and groups) that are AFA members are encouraged to join VFDRMA but are not required to do so. Any Tier 3 or Tier 4 company that decides not to join VFDRMA can still maintain membership standing in AFA. Any Tier 3 or Tier 4 company that does join VFDRMA must establish and continue to maintain separate membership in AFA.

Tier 1: First Level/ Primary vinyl extruders
Second Level/ Molding and thermoforming manufacturers
This is a voting membership. Member representatives are eligible to hold office. Only one designated individual per Member Company will have voting rights. Other employees in a member company are highly encouraged to participate in the association but will not enjoy voting rights.

Tier 2: Equipment manufacturers and suppliers of all types
This is a voting membership. Member representatives are eligible to hold office.
Only one designated individual per Member Company will have voting rights. Other employees in a member company are highly encouraged to participate in the association but will not enjoy voting rights.

Tier 3: Vinyl fabricators and users
This is a non-voting membership. Member representatives are ineligible to hold office. Member representatives may serve on VFDRMA committees.

Tier 4: Support agencies and groups
This is a non-voting membership. Member representatives are ineligible to hold office. Member representatives may serve on VFDRMA committees.

Download membership application (pdf)

Download membership information letter (pdf)


VFDRMA 2006-2007 Steering Committee

Chair
Denny Yoder, Royal Crown Ltd.
800-365-3625

Vice Chair/Representative to the AFA Board
Kevin Seiling, Veka Innovations
800-654-5589

Treasurer
Leo Sims, Nebraska Plastics, Inc.
308-784-2500

Secretary
Kris Junge, Kroy Building Products, Inc.
800-933-5769 x4211

Member At Large
Brian Hammerbacher, Outdoor Technologies Inc.
800-736-5143

Representative from the AFA Board
Lynn Hayworth, Hayworth Fence
715-832-0300


COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Standards & Accreditation Committee Chair
Aubrey Burke, Outdoor Technologies Inc.
662-728-6261

Code/Technical Committee Co -Chairs
Peter Kotiadis, Royal Group Technologies
905-264-0701

Stan Hathorn, Outdoor Technologies Inc.
800-736-5143

Education & Training Committee Chair
Adam Faulkner, J-I-T Distributing, Inc.
877-266-2845 ext. 201

Marketing Committee Chair
Jane Miner, Enduris Extrusions
770-632-2759


CURRENT VFDRMA MEMBERS

(as of 8/2/06)

Alpine Plastics
American Maplan Corp.
Architectural Testing
Atlantic Fence Supply, Inc.
CertainTeed Corp./Bufftech
D & D Technologies
Deceuninck North America
DuPont (Titanium Technologies)
Eastern Wholesale Fence Co., Inc./EverStrong Profiles
Enduris Extrusions
Fastec Industrial Corp.
Guier Fence Co., Inc.
Hayworth Fence Co., Inc.
Homeland Vinyl Products, Inc.
Hoover Fence Co.
J-I-T Distributing, Inc.
Kroy Building Products, Inc.
LMT - Mercer Group
Mid-Atlantic Vinyl Products
Milacron, Inc.
National Fence Systems, Inc.
Nebraska Plastics, Inc./ County Estate Fence, Deck & Railing
Northwest Vinyl Inc.
Noveon, Inc.
Outdoor Technologies
Patwin Plastics
Pelikan Vinyl Products, LLC
Perfection Fence Corp.
Phoenix Vinyl Products
Poly Vinyl Creations
PVC Fence Systems of Florida
Railing Dynamics, Inc.
Rohm and Haas
Royal Crown Limited
Southern Vinyl Manufacturing, LLC
SSD Control Technology, Inc.
Stallion Fence Accessories, LLC
Stephens Pipe & Steel, Inc.
Summitt Vinyl Industries
T Christy Enterprises, Inc. (Christy's)
The Fence & Deck Store
The Vinyl Answer, Inc.
Triad Products Company
Trost Plastics, Inc.
U.S. Fence, Inc.
VEKA Innovations
Ventana USA
Viewpoint Vinyl
Vinyl Fences, Inc.
Vinyl Industries LLC
Westech Building Products
World Fence News
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information about VFDRMA contact:
Lee Crumbaugh, Membership Development Director
Vinyl Fence, Deck and Railing Manufacturers Association
800 Roosevelt Road, Building C-312, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

(630) 942-6598

(800) 882-4342

Fax (630) 790-3095


Download membership application (pdf)

Download membership information letter (pdf)

Download Membership Criteria and Dues Schedule Information (pdf)

2006-07 Industry Calendar of Events

(as of August 2, 2006)


Tuesday, August 22
Steering Committee
Conference Call
2:00 p.m. CT

Tuesday, September 26
Steering Committee
Conference Call
2:00 p.m. CT

Wednesday, October 4 – Friday, October 6
ICC-ES Meetings
Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park
Birmingham, AL

Tuesday, October 24
Steering Committee
Conference Call
2:00 p.m. CT

Tuesday, November 28
Steering Committee
Conference Call
2:00 p.m. CT

December
TBA

January 31-February 2, 2007
Fencetech '07
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL

Thursday, February 1
VFDRMA Annual Meeting & Breakfast
Orange County Convention Center
Orlando, FL
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, February 27, 2006
Steering Committee
Conference Call
2:00 p.m. CT

VFDRMA AT FENCETECH 06

The Vinyl Fence Deck & Railing Manufacturers Association presented a seminar on February 1 entitled "The Future of Vinyl Continues to Be Bright." Adam Faulkner, of J-I-T Distributing, and chair of the Education Committee, faciliated the session.

Denny Yoder, of Royal Crown Ltd., provided an Industry Update; Sylvia Moore, of Shintech, gave a Resin Update; Craig Wagner, of Architectural Testing, Inc., gave a Code Update; Maureen Williams, of D & D Technologies, discussed PVC Pool Safety; and Tom Luby, of Profit Builders International, discussed vinyl sales and promotion ideas.

FENCETECH 06 Seminar Q & A Session

Vinyl Fence, Deck and Railing Manufacturers Association Seminar

Sylvia Moore questions:

"A number of graphics during your presentation indicated an expected decline in the cost of various feedstocks, and ultimately resin. That seems optimistic. What leads you to believe those costs are actually going down in 2008 and beyond?

Response: capacity, CMA optimism


The APC charts that show overall sales for PVC in the USA reflect that PVC resin sales specifically for FDR in '05 decreased by 16%. Many
believe that PVC suppliers have priced themselves out of the FDR market place as a result of that. It appears at Fencetech this year that
aluminum fence will take cernter stage. Will the PVC makers make any attempt in '06 to make PVC more competitive to re-establish
a foothold in the FDR market so that alternative products like aluminum don't take over the Vinyl FDR market?

Response: This is more of a supply/demand issue.


Why is natural gas so expensive in the US relative to the rest of the world?

Response: That is a question that the panel cannot address.


Could you plese elaborate on the significance of :
China's acetylene carbide process?
Lower cost?
Quality issues?

Response: Damaging to the environment


Where do you forecast resin prices to be in '06?

Response: 2006 prices difficult to predict. We do not know what this years hurricane season has in store for us.

Some plants are just coming on line from last season.
What is the difference between vinyl resin and vinyl compound?

Response: Resin is a raw material
Compound is when plasticisers, impact modifiers and other ingrediates are added to the resin.

How have increases in gas and oil prices impacted demand for vinyl? Is raw material cost or demand for product and manufacturing supply contraints the bigger factor in cost?

Response: More capacity is coming on line. The major constraint on PVC is ethylene-tight for 2006

Does Asia use gas for production of vinyl? How much per mmbtu in Asia?

Response: China uses a coal based process. Environmentally, this process does not use scrubbers.

Tom Luby questions

"Please address lower quality fencing from Big Box stores that are giving vinyl a bad name." "How do we compete with Box Stores."

Response: By offering quality and service. Big Box stores are price only.
Be prepared to sell.


Maureen Williams questions

What are the safety problems associated with using solid privacy fencing around pool areas?

Response: Obstructs visibility of who may be in the pool.


In the past pool companies did not include fence in part of the pool package. Have you seen a more recent change in this behavior?

Response: Absolutely yes. This separation between swimming pool companies and fence installation companies has changed dramatically over the past few years. They are now working more toward partnerships on the front end of the projects.


Craig Wagner questions

How soon do you anticipate ICC education and adoption by insepctors throughout the US?

Response: More of a trend in larger metro areas, but no specific timetable for adoption

I continue to run across inspectors who accept fabricated railing systems by non-listed companies?

Response: It is still up to the local building code official to determine what is acceptable. Unfortunately, you will still need to do whatever it takes to satisfy that person.

Can you briefly explain if in fact a fabricator of a manufacturer's reailing system must be listed in that same manufacturer's report?

Response: Yes, as a general rule and condition.

This question relates to deck and guard railing rules. What is spacing between pickets?

Response: Less than 4"

Must stiffeners be used in both upper and lower rails?

Response: Depends on structure and length of railing. Not much load requirement on bottom rail.

How can we get copies of ICC reports?

Response: Visit ICC-ES.org website for information

Denny Yoder questions

The reason vinyl siding is growing is due to it being a cost savings over wood. Why is PVC FDR more expensive than wood?

Response: There is a difference between cost vs. price. Months/years of service to maintain wood FDR exceeds the initial investment in PVC FDR over the life expectancy of the product(s).

What are the US suppliers doing to combat the China trend?

Response: The domestic manufacturers are watching the imports and pricing. There is difficulty in shipping many of
our PVC FDR products.

How will increased resin costs and rising interest rates impact the growth of FDR vinyl materials?

Response: Interest rates although rising some recently are still in the 6% range easily. We see resin prices plateauing in 2006 and 2007, not necessarily a continued escalation in prices beyond due to capacity increases.

ICC Climbable Guards Issue

Here is the latest on the climbable guards issue with the ICC- CTC: Go the following the websites for more information.

Climable Guards

ICC-ES Evaluation Committee Meetings:
Future Meetings & Agendas

CTC members and interested parties:
In support of CTC Mtg #6, March 9-10, the following postings have occurred since Meeting #5, Feb 2-3.

Main page:

Work plan

BFP:
Code issue- roof vents

Guards:
Study group report; Interim report (subject of public hearing)

NIST WTC:
Interim report (subject of public hearing)

Additional materials to be posted next week (email of posting to follow):
1. TRB updates to their 1/20/06 findings.
2. Day care interim report (subject of public hearing).
3. CTC Mtg 5 minutes.

If you have questions, contact the VFDRMA Code Committee Chair, Stan Hathorn, CFP at
662-726-6604.