The NGA-GANA Combination

Members’ Thoughts on the Historic Combination 

On February 1, 2018, two associations with similar missions and complementary ways of making a difference came together in an historic combination to form the largest trade association serving the architectural glass and metals industry supply chain, including glazing contractors, full-service glass companies, glass fabricators, primary glass manufacturers and suppliers to the industry. The NGA and GANA combined are a technical powerhouse that brings some of the best minds to the table to create technical and educational resources while promoting and advocating for glass in buildings.

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Q: Why did the National Glass Association (NGA) and the Glass Association of North America (GANA) combine? 

A: To harness the many resources each association provided into one 501(c)6 trade association representing the glass and glazing industry.  These resources include:  

Q: What are the benefits to members and the industry? 

A: The many positive benefits resulting from the combination started with reducing operational and meeting redundancies and member dues. Learn more about the products and services available to a growing number of industry companies.

Q: When was the combination finalized? 

A: February 1, 2018

Q: How were combination decisions made? 

A: The Boards of Directors of NGA and GANA appointed a Joint Task Force made up of members from both associations. The Joint Task Force met several times over the course of eight months to work through what the combined association would look like, covering governance, bylaws and the final transaction document. 

Following combination, legacy NGA and legacy GANA members formed an Integration Task Force to oversee and advise the Board on transition and integration matters over 18 months.   

Q: How were GANA’s divisions, councils, committees, tasks groups reorganized? 

A:  GANA’s Flat Glass Manufacturing Division (FGMD) was renamed as the Forming Committee.  Its fabrication divisions—Tempering, Laminating, Insulating, and Decorative—were grouped into one Fabricating Committee with seven technical liaisons. The BEC Division was renamed as the Installing Committee, joining with NGA’s glazing contractors and full-service glass companies. Learn more about NGA's Committee structure.

The Glazing Industry Code Committee (GICC) exists to build greater knowledge and acceptance of architectural glass, glazing materials, and glazing systems as safe, efficient, effective, and economical construction products. GICC seeks to educate model code, standard-setting, and building code organizations and officials, as well as the general public. 

The Glazing Industry Secretariat Committee (GISC) is the overseeing body to the ASC Z97 Committee. The ASC Z97 Committee maintains the ANSI Z97.1 Standard—Safety Glazing Materials Used in Buildings—Safety Performance Specifications and Methods of Test.  This standard establishes the specifications and methods of test for the safety properties of safety glazing materials (glazing materials designed to promote safety and to reduce or minimize the likelihood of cutting and piercing injuries when the glazing materials are broken by human contact) as used for all building and architectural purposes. GISC is managed by the NGA. Learn more at ansiz97.com.  

Q: What is the governance structure? 

A: The NGA Board of Directors consists of 13 voting members: 

  • Three glazing contractors 

  • Three full-service glass companies 

  • Two window and door dealers 

  • Two glass fabricators 

  • One primary glass manufacturer  

  • Two glass industry suppliers 

  • The NGA President & CEO as a non-voting ex officio member. 

Q: Who manages the association? 

A:  NGA President & CEO, Nicole Harris, is the staff lead, reporting to the NGA Board of Directors. 

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