History of SMA
As told by Frank S. Fitzgerald to the group on our 50th Anniversary Dinner on May 5, 2005, in Palm Beach, Florida .
This industry began to express the need for a trade association in 1953. By 1955 an attorney was engaged to get things started. That was George M. Schlosser, Esq.
The original group of companies included American Screen and New York Wire. Both continue to be members today, 50 years later.
The original group also included: Anjac of El Monte, CA; Loxcreen, of Columbia, SC; Perfection Metal of Birmingham, AL; Reynolds Metal of Louisville, KY; Southeastern Aluminum of Jacksonville, FL; Southeastern Tool & Die of Birmingham, AL; Universal Molding of Lynwood, CA; Vulcan Metal of Birmingham, AL; and Warren Industries of Miami, FL.
While New York Wire never changed it's name, American Screen has been known as Metal Screen, Amsco and Homeshield. Southeastern Tool & Die became Mason Corp.
On July 12, 1956 this group of companies, then known as the FRAME SCREEN MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION met in Washington D.C. at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Business and Defense Services Administration, Office of Technical Services, Commodity Standards Division, National Bureau of Standards for the purpose of instituting the development of a Commercial Standard for aluminum tubular frame screens, the initial purpose for which the association was formed. A tentative draft was submitted at that time together with a request for cooperation of the division on the project.
On November 27, 1956 the proposed Commercial Standard (TS-5342) was submitted to a cross section of organizations for comment. Responses received were reviewed by the technical committee at the Annual Association Meeting in New Orleans, LA on March 25 and 26, 1957. In response to further comments received the association undertook an extensive testing program in an attempt to provide more acceptable requirements and tests for the product. After several more distributions for comments and revisions approval was finally issued on October 10, 1961 as Commercial Standard CS240-61 Aluminum Tubular Frame Screens.
In 1957 the association name was changed to SCREEN MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION. Approval was also issued on November 10, 1961 for Commercial Standard CS241-61 Aluminum Tension Window Screens.
