About VFDRMA

The Vinyl Fence, Deck and Railing Manufacturers Association (VFDRMA), a Division of the American Fence Association, represents the interests and serves the needs of all vinyl fence, deck and railing related companies.

VFDRMA is pursuing strategies to assure a bright future for vinyl fence, deck and railing. VFDRMA is working for 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.

Code Compliant Vinyl Deck and Guardrail Systems

Click on the links below to download PDF presentations recently given by VFDRMA.

Vinyl Guards and Handrails: Determining Code Compliance (presented at March 2013 webinar)
Code Compliant Vinyl Deck and Guardrail Systems: What to Look For and Where (presented at 2011 ICC-Expo)
 

Deck & Railing Boot Camp

This training is held in conjunction with FENCETECH/DECKTECH, the annual trade show of the American Fence Association. Work side by side with two of the nation's top deck designers/builders (Robin Lopez and Kim Katwijk) and get hands-on personal knowledge from an experience that doesn't exist anywhere else.  Experience the industry guidelines and specifications first-hand by actually building a deck from the ground up.  Learn the details of deck framing, including the spans and connections of posts and beams, and various joist framing techniques.  Explore current decking and fastening options.  Install railings and even cut some stair jacks!  Conclude the training by constructing roof structures over the decks.  This special two-day indispensable industry-specific training session will set you on the path to the profitable outdoor living market. Registration is handled through your FENCETECH registration.  Contact VFDRMA (see below) for more details.

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.

VFDRMA 2013-2014 Steering Committee

Chair
Peter Williams, Jr.
EASTERN WHOLESALE FENCE

Vice Chair
John Purvis
KROY

Secretary-Treasurer
Jeff Duerr
CERTAINTEED BUFFTECH

Immediate Past Chair
Mike Burkart
WAYMARK PRODUCTS

Member-at-Large
Stan Hathorn, CFP
HOMELAND VINYL PRODUCTS

Representative from AFA
Bob Burton
POLY VINYL CREATIONS

Tier III Representative / Marketing Chair
Cindy Zwergel
THE VINYL ANSWER, INC.

 

Past Chair
Stan Hathorn, CFP
HOMELAND VINYL PRODUCTS

           Past Chair
           John Purvis
           PLYGEM/KROY

Past Chair
John Polidan
ENDURIS EXTRUSIONS

Past Chair
Kevin A. Seiling
VEKA INNOVATIONS

Code/Technical Committee Chair
Stan Hathorn, CFP
HOMELAND VINYL PRODUCTS

Standards & Accreditation Chair
Stan Hathorn, CFP
HOMELAND VINYL PRODUCTS

Education and Training Committee Chair
Don Hardekopf
HOMELAND VINYL PRODUCTS

CURRENT VFDRMA MEMBERS

American Maplan Corp
Certainteed Bufftech
Deceuninck North America
Eastern Wholesale Fence
Homeland Vinyl Products
Kroy Building Products
Nationwide Industries
Nebraska Plastics, Inc.
Poly Vinyl Creations, Inc.
South Camden Iron Works
Trost Plastic, Inc.
Ventana USA
The Vinyl Answer, Inc.
World Fence News

For more information about VFDRMA contact:

Sara Wilson
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
saraw@cmservices.com