BHMA® was originally founded in 1925 as the Hardware Manufacturers’ Statistical Association (HMSA), with volunteer management. HSMA’s primary function was to gather and distribute statistics. As a result of an expanding membership and mission, the 1960’s brought change to the organization. It was in 1962 that the Association was officially recognized as Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA®). Today, more than 80 percent of all manufacturers of builders hardware in the United States are BHMA® members and, together, these companies produce the vast majority of hardware used in the nation’s commercial and institutional buildings. BHMA® has authored more than 40 commercial and residential standards and sponsors ANSI/BHMA® certification programs to help assure the life safety and security for the industry and for homeowners.
Timeline:
2019
The updated and redesigned BHMA Certified® Products Directory is launched. The newly automated program enhances the speed and productivity of all user groups and is more detailed, accurate, consistent and searchable.
2016
The BHMA Certified® SecureHome™ Label program is launched to help consumers and residential builders purchase products that have been tested and certified to stringent ANSI/BHMA® standards in three areas most important to today’s homeowners: security, durability and finish. As part of the program, the SecureHome.org website is introduced to help consumers to purchase BHMA Certified® residential locks and deadbolts.
2015
BHMA® receives approval from ANSI to publish the industry’s first dedicated residential lock standards — ANSI/BHMA® A156.39-2015 Residential Locksets & Latches and ANSI/BHMA® A156.40-2015 Residential Deadbolts. Both standards establish performance requirements for products used in single and multi-family dwellings, including durability, strength and finish.
2014
In collaboration with a coalition of North American manufacturers, BHMA® works with UL Environment to establish the first Product Category Rule (PCR) for builders’ hardware.
Standards at a Glance are redesigned into single-page documents and renamed “Hardware Highlights.”
2013
BHMA Certified® Products Directory moves online and increases its search-ability options.
2006
BHMA® logo is registered as a product label.
2004
BHMA® commits resources to monitoring the development of model codes and safety standards used in the design, building and compliance process.
BHMA® begins publication of Standards at a Glance, a quick, complimentary reference of ANSI/BHMA® certified product standards.
2000
BHMA Certified® logo is approved.
1998
BHMA® establishes the first third-party certification program for builders’ hardware, eventually launching the BHMA Certified® Products Directory for locks, exit devices, door closers, electromagnetic locks and hinges.
1989
BHMA® institutes the Award of Excellence program. For more on this program, click here.
1985
BHMA® begins joint meetings with the Door and Hardware Institute and becomes a participating association in sponsoring Hardware Industry Week and the National Hardware Show.
1982
BHMA® Board of Directors elects to publish standards for outside consumption with the stipulation that they are first approved by ANSI.
1977
BHMA® is officially incorporated in the state of New York.
1975
BHMA® is accredited as leader in Architectural Hardware Standards.
1970
First standard is published under BHMA® imprint (BHMA® 101 for Butts and Hinges, followed by BHMA® 201 for Cabinet Hardware). These standards are offered at $1.00 each.
1969
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) becomes the vehicle for BHMA® to obtain consensus recognition of its standards.
1964
Launch of BHMA® standards.
1962
First official year of name change from HMSA to BHMA® (Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) and first release of BHMA® Member Directory.
1941 – 1945
During America’s involvement in World War II, HMSA plays a pivotal role in the allocation of strategic materials: it was through association representation that materials were distributed to hardware manufacturers. After WWII, HMSA returns to its original task of gathering and distributing statistics.
1925
BHMA® is founded with volunteer management as the Hardware Manufacturers’ Statistical Association (HMSA).