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Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature
The Architectural Woodwork Manufactur-
ers Association of Canada (AWMAC)’s mis-
sion is to develop and promote the use of
quality standards for the manufacturing and
installation of architectural woodwork. The
association also promotes adherence to qual-
ity standards, while promoting sustainable
practices. President Scott McVittie said AWMAC has
made great strides over the years developing
its core values and initiatives. “The Architec-
tural Woodwork Standards (AWS) manual has
been developed jointly with our sister associ-
ations in the USA, the Architectural Wood-
work Institute (AWI) and Woodwork Institute
(WI). A new standards manual will soon be re-
leased thanks to a very dedicated and knowl-
edgeable group of members from all three
associations.” McVittie says the architectural design
community regularly specifies according to
AWS guidelines.
AWMAC also oversees the Guarantee and
Inspection Service (GIS). “This program,
when specified, provides an independent in-
spection of the shop drawings, a sample
mock up unit and full inspection of the fin-
ished goods on site to ensure all products are
built according to the current AWS manual,”
McVittie says. “Projects successfully com-
pleted by AWMAC members are granted a
two year guarantee to the owner and en-
dorsed by AWMAC.”
AWMAC also promotes trades education
and sponsors an apprenticeship contest. The
eight chapters each have their own method
of assisting the education of students acquir-
ing finishing carpentry trade skills. Some
chapters provide bursaries, for example.
AWMAC maintains programs to promote
members’ interests and is introducing new
initiatives that focus on the sustainability of
human and environmental resources.
“AWMAC’s continual challenge is to pro-
mote the use of the Architectural Woodwork
Standards (AWS) to the design authority,”
McVittie says. “Once the AWMAC standards
are specified, it is design authority’s inherent
responsibility to ensure the standards are fol-
lowed.” He adds that AWMAC members who are
well versed in the manual will be able to meet
the specifications and have a knowledge ad-
vantage. “The GIS program is designed to
provide assurance to the owner and the de-
sign authority that the wood products they
have purchased meet the specified standard
and will be guaranteed when AWMAC mem-
bers are contracted.”
In recent years, AWMAC’s partners pro-
gram has generated enough revenue to sup-
port a national office. (Partners are associate
members that have sponsored the associa-
tion and receive advertising and other bene-
fits.) From this program, the association has ini-
tiated a strategic plan that allows AWMAC’s
board to focus on the long term goals and
leave the day-to-day management to a pro-
fessional manager and staff.
“The newest chapter to join AWMAC is the
Quebec chapter,” McVittie said. “AWMAC is
working towards providing the full slate of
programs in the French language. This in-
cludes the translation of our new standards
manual.” The Quebec Chapter will host the AWMAC
annual general meeting May 28-30, 2014, in
Quebec City.
For more information, visit awmac.com.
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Fall 2013 – 35