The magnificent Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., played host to this year’s annual IDA Expo, and the event was filled with educational seminars and workshops, along with several opportunities for dealers to expand their businesses.
Out on the trade show floor, the healthier-than-expected turnout gave dealers and exhibitors an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn about new products for 2009 and beyond. Innovation was the name of the game this year, and several exhibitors were there to show off their new products, designed to make everything — from installation to ordering to running your dealership — easier and more convenient than ever before. Here is a snapshot of what they had to offer.
Advanced Plastic Corp.
Robert Ellefsen, director of sales and marketing for this Chicago-based weatherseals company, was eager to show off his brand-new Rolled Door Stop (RDS). “We have an innovative design to offset the ordering nightmares and freight issues of getting, and having on-hand, the right lengths,” he explained. The new product is solid, but roll-able and UPS-friendly. It’s available in 150-foot rolls that the installer pulls out and cuts to the desired length for each job, and a measuring scale is embossed on the seal back for added convenience. The door stop comes in 2-inch and 2 and 5/8-inch widths, and all standard industry colors. “You have less stock and less freight, so it’s more convenient,” he added.
Penn Central Spring
Middletown, Penn.-based Penn Central’s, Vice President Allison Mancuso was showing off the many different springs and parts available from this manufacturer at its booth. The company, which was founded more than 40 years ago, has kept its reputation for quality replacement springs. Penn Central has also remained a proponent of safety, says Mancuso. “[End users trying to replace their own springs] don’t realize how mathematical or calculated it is,” she pointed out, which is why the company only sells to professionals in the industry.
Dynamic Closures
At the booth for New York-based Dynamic Closures, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Greg Tromboli had some innovative products of his own to show off. “Our company is geared toward making installation easier,” he explained. “We’ve got news ways to install doors and grilles.” One of these includes the EZ Closure system, which is pre-assembled and engineered to save hours of installation time.
Another is the company’s Lift Ready Rolling Grilles. This system includes front-loading, off-set bracket plates for easy installation of the barrel assembly, which drops in and bolts to the extended steel channel. The grille offers the added convenience of setting the lock at any height, eliminating the need to get down on the floor to flip the lock in place. “We do all the work in the factory, so you have less work to do in the field. You can get it right every time and it’s safer.”
Fehr Bros. Industries
Gary Shoepflin, of Augerties, N.Y.-based Fehr Industries, was busy showing dealers the company’s newest addition to its impressive array of industry products: residential operators. “They’re German-engineered, and feature a DC motor and a lifetime warranty,” he explained. Right now, he added, the company is concentrating on adding many more supplements and products for dealers, including high-cycle, 3-inch rollers which will be available in this month.
Skylink Group
Noel Jefferson had Ontario, Canada-based Skylink’s durable chain-driven professional opener to share with attendees. The opener features a half- or three-quarter-horsepower DC motor, soft-start and soft-stop, automatic light dimming, ultra-quiet operation, rolling code technology and an optional self-learning force setting. The G DR series of Smart Button receivers and keypads are always popular, he added, because they are compatible with any opener.
Finishline Industries Inc.
At the booth for this Conyers, Ga.-based manufacturer of residential and commercial overhead doors, Marshall Granade had a door that fit both of these applications. The Model 350 is a sectional overhead door that features powder-coated finishes and contemporary colors. It also features 1-3/4-inch thickness and butt joints that are all trued, tightened and smoothed for a sleek finish.
Wayne-Dalton
The new commercial line for this Mount Hope, Ohio-based manufacturer was a popular product at the expo. The FireStar is the industry’s first auto-reset insulated fire door, explained Mark Hedquist, director of commercial products. “It comes in five colors, including tan, green and gray, and it’s beneficial for dealers because it drastically reduces install cost and the end-user can test their own product,” he added.
On the residential side, Executive Vice President Jeff Franklin spoke highly of the idrive G2 (as in, Generation 2) operator, which features fewer moving parts and is Z-Wave enabled (available this month). “We’ve got a lot of exciting new products, but behind the scenes, we’re doing work too,” Franklin said. “We’re redoing our Web site, have an enhanced Garage Door Design Center, and our PartnerConnect ordering system has progressed.”
Arrow Tru-Line
At the booth for the Archibold, Ohio-headquartered provider of components such as springs, track and hardware, Marketing Manager Ken Wise showed off the newly redesigned chain hoist for rolling doors. “It’s quieter and lasts longer,” he explained. Wise also shared that the company has released its first new catalogue in 16 years. “We’ve grown quite a bit – we’ve bought three companies,” he exclaimed. The catalogue can be accessed online, or dealers can call, write or e-mail to request a hard copy or a copy on CD. ATL has also redesigned its Web site, he added.
Chamberlain Professional Products
At the booth for Elmhurst, Ill.-based Chamberlain, Director of Marketing Communications Pat Rooney was busy showing dealers the Ad Builder tool from his company. “It’s a turnkey promo that allows dealers to build their own advertising materials using Chamberlain’s resources. The Ad Creator features step-by-step instructions to pick products and product points, drop in your own message about services and prices, and upload your own logo,” he explained. This promo is available through the company’s dealer extranet.
Meanwhile, the Model 3840 Elite Series operator held the spotlight as the new screw-drive version of its predecessor, the belt-driven Model 3850. The 3840 features battery back-up, three-quarter horsepower strength and a quiet DC motor with a lifetime warranty.
“We understand we need to expand technologically – we are industry leaders, and we want to be seen as a partner to dealers, especially in these challenging times,” added Rooney.
Service Spring Corp.
This Toledo, Ohio-based manufacturer of torsion springs has added operator parts to its line up, noted Assistant Vice President of Marketing, Jim Hauter, at the company’s booth. The parts were brought in this past fall, adding 40 extra pages to the catalogue, he explained. “We now offer parts for LiftMaster, Genie, DigiCode and All Star, as well as commercial accessories.”
Byers Product Group
At the booth for Oklahoma City-based BPG, Marketing Director Richard Byers explained they have added a larger model to their popular push-button attic-storage device, the Versa Lift. The Model 32 features 50 additional pounds of storage (250 pounds total) and twice the cubic space of the Model 24. It can also be adapted to features a wireless remote.
Overhead Door Corp.
John Olds, brand manager for the Lewisville, Texas-based manufacturer of residential and commercial doors and operators, said this year he is most proud of the RSX Commercial Operator. “It’s a standard-duty operator with superior functionality that features Voltamatic and Einstein Logic,” he noted. Voltamatic means there is one unit for both single-phase voltages and for three-phase voltages; Einstein Logic allows the operator to automatically configure and troubleshoot for self-diagnosis.
He also described the FireKing insulated fire door, which offers fire protection, energy efficiency and sound control. It comes powder-coated in up to 197 colors and in several wind-load options. “This door really meets what the market is looking for; it fills a hole and allows us to offer a complete range of products.”
HandiSolutions
Dave Phillips at HandiSolutions also had innovation to share with his dealers: the Handi Snap Hooks, which have been redesigned to snap on the HandiWall and stay in place, letting users hang everything from tools to toys. The Handi Wood Modular Cabinet System is a backless cabinet held in place on the HandiWall with hinges and it can hold up to 250 pounds. “You can move it and change its size easily,” Phillips said. The Handi Recycling Center helps end users keep everything “up and off the floor,” as is the company’s tag line, by offering bins that snap to the HandiWall and have flip lids for easy access to contents.
Linear Corp.
At Linear, simplification is the focus — so, it includes fewer inventory items for dealers and predictable pricing. “You don’t have to wait for a sale at Linear,” commented Mukesh Melita, product line manager, “Our prices are always low.” Melita was eager to show off the newest garage-door operator, the LCO75. “It’s rated as a three-quarter horsepower operator that is applicable to both the residential and light-duty commercial market,” he explained. The residential application can include both standard and heavier carriage-house doors. All new Linear products use the same accessories as other products, noted Melita, again reducing dealer inventory.
Hormann Flexon
Hormann Flexon highlighted two new high-speed doors at the show, the Speed Guardian 2000 and Speed Master 1600. The Speed Guardian is suitable for auto, wholesale, retail and condo applications, where there is concern for energy loss in controlled environments. It is designed to handle millions of cycles and leads the industry with a five-year warranty on its drive. The new doors are offered at a lower cost than their predecessor doors, clocking in at 15- to 18-percent cheaper, and are available now.
Hormann
Hormann spotlighted its residential Constellation Series, a brand-new sectional line available in July. It features 2-inch sandwich doors with FingerGuard pinch-resistant joints. “Safety is our focus, as well as durability,” pointed out National Sales Manager Peter Burnham.
C.H.I.
Brant Herring, of Arthur, Ill.-based C.H.I., was busy showing off the custom, real-wood door that is extremely customizable and comes stained or unstained. It’s so new, he added, that the prototype has yet to be named!
The new 2751/2752 models are an extension of the 2700 series, he added. “They have a more standard panel design to fit a broader range of homes, and have more color and window options.” The popular 3290 Aluminum Full View model was also shown, which offers a residential application for a traditionally commercial-style door.
Goff’s Ent.
The manual side seal, spring assist, chain-hoist operated and 70 mph wind-load rated high-speed Curtain Walls from Goff’s move at up to 36 inches per second, announced Ed Cooke. The walls have won a “Product of the Year” award and are applicable in the car wash and food-processing industries.
Bircher
The Intra6 is the new inductive signal transmission system for gates from Bircher, explained President Stephan Zwahlen. “It’s simple, intelligent and long-lasting,” he added. “You have up to two electrical sensors, one on each side, and there is a receiving unit on both sides so there is no wire to string across.” Wireless transmission means no batteries — it’s virtually maintenance free. “If you get a short on one side, it will shut off and the display will tell you the location of the problem,” Zwahlen noted. It’s also simple to install.
Miller Edge
Available this summer from Miller Edge is the CPT Model DIY Sending Edge, a make-it-yourself edge that comes in 50- or 100-foot lengths and can be cut to the desired need, explained Nikki Dinnel, western regional sales rep for the West Grove, Penn.-based company. It can fit any ME123 channels and provides a “quick fix” for sectional door applications at an affordable price.
The Model Cegard Max is a light curtain for use on high-speed, sectional and coiling doors, she added. The “invisible curtain of protection” uses a series of thru-beam photo eyes (16 total) attached near the door track or guides. This provides a dense barrier of light that, when interrupted, signals the door to reverse. It can span up to 32 feet wide and 6 feet high.
TMI
The Screen Pro is the new all-season, bug-blocking roll-up door, announced Chris Cummings of Pennsylvania-based TMI. The new design allows for interchangeable door panels (choose Bug Screen, Bird Screen, Vinyl or Clear) and features a bottom breakaway bar, so that impact will not damage the door. There is also an optional photo-eye sensor available and an optional reversing bottom edge.
