An AIM Confidential Research Report The Need for Certification Has Never Been Greater Product certification marks help businesses build trust in their products while providing a mechanism for market differentiation between brands. For consumers, certification programs offer assurance that the products they buy conform to specific requirements. For manufacturers, the programs provide a way to […]
Open Showers Trend in 2020 Offers Opportunity to Increase Brand Exposure in Shower Enclosure Specifications
According to an article by Builder-Online, a popular design-build site,[1] open bathrooms with walk in showers will continue to be the trend for 2020. Open showers not only give the appearance of more space, but they offer more functionality and easy access. In 2019 Houzz Bathroom research report[2], designers surveyed indicated size matters. According to […]
Using Specification Analysis to Create a Marketing Strategy for Paint
Interior paints are used in every type of commercial facility. In fact, is there even one facility that does not use some type of paint on their walls or ceilings? For paint manufacturers to increase their position in the commercial market, they must continuously evaluate their presence in the designers’ specifications. The first obstacle is […]
Specifying Ceramic Floors – The Battle Between Aesthetics versus Function
Ceramic flooring is one of the oldest types of floor covering and has been used for many years in commercial and residential properties. The decision on whether to use ceramic flooring verses other types of flooring by architects and designers requires a variety of considerations. According to an article published by Facility Executive[1] titled Choose […]
How Manufacturers Make Sure Their Flush Valve Brand Doesn’t Get “Flushed” Out of Designer’s Specs
As water conservation becomes more and more critical to the commercial building industry, designers need to look at more than just cost and aesthetics when selecting a particular brand or type of flush valve. According to the 2015 EPA WaterSense Fact Sheet [1]there were over 27 million flush valve commercial toilets in existing facilities with […]
Quality is Key to Being a Player in Lighting Control Specifications. Or is it?
Most B2B manufacturing professionals will tell you that you have to be among the best in terms of quality in order to become a part of a designer’s or owner’s short list. In fact, manufacturers have to achieve a certain “level” of quality (the same or better than competitive brands) or they will likely never […]
Maximize Success During the Metal Roofing Boom Through Specifications
Metal roofing has been used in a variety of commercial buildings for years. Retail centers, office buildings, public facilities and industrial properties have benefited from metal roof’s long-term performance, energy efficiency and low life cycle costs. In addition, new styles and shapes that are possible by using metal materials are boosting metal roofing’s design popularity […]
How Architects Specify Acoustical Ceiling Products
In order for manufacturers to get their product specified, they must begin to understand more about how architects or designers select and specify products. Learning how the specification process works can help a manufacturer provide the architects and specifiers with the key information they need to get their brand in the building specifications, or better […]
How Manufacturers of Interior Lighting Should Play the Specification Game
The rapidly changing and complex B2B marketplace today makes it difficult for manufacturers to know where to focus their marketing efforts. Complexity also makes measuring actual brand preference within the design market difficult. Take interior lighting products. Architects and interior designers have many choices when it comes to the brand and lighting options. It used […]
HVAC Specifications—The Importance of Brand
Architects have many factors to consider when selecting an HVAC system for the projects they are involved with. Not only are there many different types of heating and cooling systems to choose from; architects must also weigh a myriad of other factors. For example, what is the appropriate size to maximize the temperature control given […]
Getting Wood Doors on the “Preferred” List of Brands in Your Designers’ Specification
Designers have many brands to choose from when selecting a brand of wood door to specify for a particular project. In fact, according to Allied Market Research, the interior wooden door market is driven by advancements such as eco-friendly doors, a surge in residential and non-residential construction, and increased expenditure on home remodeling in the […]
Take a Peek into How Specification Analysis Helps Vinyl Windows Manufacturers Manage Market Shifts
When it comes to brand selection for vinyl windows, architects have many choices —sometimes too many. While many of the vinyl window specifications are written with very detailed performance requirements, there are usually a number of major manufacturers who can meet those requirements. The brand and product choices that architects ultimately make are dependent on […]
Resilient Flooring: Taking the Right Path to Specification
Architects have thousands of choices to make when designing a building. On the other hand, they also make thousands of trade offs. However, there are always a few elements critical to them. Maybe it is something that is performance-based, such as HVAC or a roofing system; or maybe aesthetics are prominent, such as the flooring […]