The Architectural Woodwork Institute and the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association Sign Standards Development Agreement

A formal Contributing Association Agreement between the Stairbuilders and Manufacturers Association (SMA) and the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) was executed on June 24th in Spartanburg, SC at the first stop on the SMA's National Workshop Tour. Steve Guenzel, SMA President and Greg Lutz, AWI President signed the agreement that spells out the cooperation between the two organizations in the development of the new AWI/ANSI Standard for Architectural Woodwork.  
 
Steve Guenzel, SMA President stated, "We are very pleased to be invited by AWI to provide valued input regarding stairway, handrail, and guard construction.  Although this is but a small part of the realm of architectural woodwork that will be covered in the AWI/ANSI standard, stairbuilding is a specialized field in which our members are experts.  Being asked to participate by the AWI recognizes the value of our expertise as peers in a much larger industry.  We look forward to the best practices of the stair industry being vetted through the ANSI consensus process and the resulting level of acceptance ANSI Accreditation will bring to our niche industry".
 
AWI President Greg Lutz noted, "The signing of our agreement with SMA marks the beginning of an era of mutual cooperation between many industry stakeholders working for and in the best interest of our entire industry.  We are proud of our affiliation with SMA and promise that our combined efforts will surpass any prior architectural woodwork standards to date.  AWI's collaboration and combined efforts with many different subject experts allows our new industry standard to embody the wisdom and experience that can be found nowhere else." 
 
Expert volunteers from SMA will author a draft ANSI/AWI/SMA Stair and Railing Section for the industry's next generation of architectural woodwork standards, which is one of many sections to be compiled under AWI's authority as an ANSI Standard Development Organization (SDO). Under the agreement, both associations will use the American National Standard Institute and AWI's approved standard writing Procedures for creating the first voluntary industry consensus standard.   AWI is working to involve other stakeholders in the architectural woodwork industry in the ANSI consensus process to provide an accredited definitive standard of quality for Architectural Woodwork.
 
For more information about AWI's next generation of architectural woodwork standards and to find out how you can collaborate and participate in the AWI's new standards writing process, contact AWI Technical Services Manager, Ashley Goodin at agoodin@awinet.org

 
About AWI
The Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1953.  Today, AWI represents nearly 4,000 members consisting of architectural woodworkers, suppliers, design professionals and students from around the world. AWI's mission is "To be the global leader in architectural woodwork standards, industry-specific education and member networking opportunities."
 
About SMA
The SMA is an active network of Stairbuilders, Stair Part Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers. Ancillary companies that provide services and/or products in support of the industry, as well as design and regulatory professionals are also members. Each member's value contributes to the comprehensive expertise of the association.   Formed in 1988, its mission is "To be the Greatest Resource of Knowledge and Tools Contributing to the Success of our Members and Industry"