The Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Association (VCMA) has broadened its membership requirements in an effort to expand its vendor ranks.
Three significant changes are:
- Companies are eligible if they manufacture or market vacuum cleaners in the North American market. Previously, full members had to have manufacturing facilities in North America.
- The requirement to manufacture “residential” vacuums has been eliminated so that products intended for commercial use will also be covered within VCMA’s scope.
- An associate member category of industry suppliers has also been established.
In addition, introductory flat dues rates have been established, along with plans to immediately incorporate new full and supplier members into the group’s programs, activities and meetings.
The new rules follow a yearlong evaluation by VCMA’s strategic planning committee, as well as the creation in January of a rival floor care division within the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
According to Bud Kirkpatrick, president of H-P Products and current VCMA president, the new eligibility requirements will allow the trade group to “better address issues in the marketplace and speak with a greater industry voice.”
VCMA benefits include a technical and standards program, state and national regulatory monitoring, interaction with key industry and allied association executives and monthly and quarterly statistics. For more information, call (216) 241-7333.
