Since the dialogue began last year, the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry and the EIFS Industry Members Association have now partnered effective March 1.

According to a press release sent from AWCI/EIMA, the retirement of EIMA’s long-time Executive Director, Stephan E. “Steve” Klamke, set the talks in motion. The EIFS association’s board of directors then decided to undertake a review to enhance the support and operations of EIMA. The board developed an outline for desired association management services to support its future initiatives. The association will relocate its headquarters to AWCI’s office building in Falls Church, Va. According to the release, EIMA will continue to operate as an independent association and will be governed by its board of directors. Its focus will continue to be expansion of the EIFS industry. The two associations share an overlap of members. “EIMA’s expertise in product technology, codes and standards in combination with AWCI’s industry education programs and association management skills are a perfect marriage,” EIMA President David Boivin said.

“Members of both organizations have worked well together for a long time, and we plan to further build on this relationship,” AWCI President Jim Keller said.

EIMA contributed greatly to the development of AWCI’s EIFS - Doing It Right educational program. A combination of the AWCI/EIMA manufacturer members (BASF Wall Systems, Dryvit, ParexLahabra and Sto) along with AWCI, founded two insurance providers, AWCI Insurance Company and AWCI Risk Retention Group, to assure the availability of commercial general liability insurance for EIFS contractors.

“Collectively, we have provided great support to contractors, suppliers and manufacturers in the EIFS industry,” AWCI Executive Vice President/CEO Steve Etkin said. “We look forward to this new commitment of working even closer together to advance the industry.”

As part of the new working relationship, EIMA will continue as an independent association and will use the expert marketing, management and reach of AWCI, according to Peter Balint and Bill Kasik, both members of EIMA’s Executive Board of Directors.