WASHINGTON (14 May 2012) - The Canadian Appliance Manufacturers Association will become AHAM Canada this July, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has announced.

In a statement, AHAM said the amalgamation "follows interest shown over the past several years by appliance manufacturers who wish to benefit from fuller integration of home appliance industry representation in Canada and the United States."

CAMA and AHAM have had a close working relationship for nearly two decades and have co-operated on several advocacy issues. CAMA is one of several membership councils within the Mississauga-based Electro Federation of Canada (EFC).

The vast majority of CAMA members are also AHAM members.

"Over the past year, members of both associations came to the conclusion that a single, dedicated appliance focused trade association representing the industry in both countries was the most efficient and effective way to provide member services and represent the industry before key audiences, including public policy makers," Steve Caldow, chairman of the CAMA executive committee, said in a statement.

The new parent organization said AHAM Canada will employ Canadian experts to represent the industry before federal and provincial governments and will work closely with technical bodies impacting the home appliance industry. AHAM will also provide an enhanced market statistics program for Canada.

Currently, CAMA researches and publishes its annual Major Appliance Industry Trends and Facts Report. The 2012 edition is now available.

AHAM Canada members, trade partners, government and other stakeholders will benefit from the broader AHAM staff resources and member committee structure which guides industry positions, communications and actions.

AHAM Canada will broaden appliance industry representation in Canada to include all AHAM members doing business in Canada, including floor care appliance manufacturers.

In addition to the three person staff in the AHAM Canada office, AHAM Canada members, trade partners, government and other stakeholders will benefit from the broader AHAM staff resources and member committee structure which guides industry positions, communications and actions. Overseeing the association work in Canada will be an AHAM Canada Council comprised of business leaders.

"This step, which the mutual AHAM and CAMA members have overwhelmingly endorsed, is another chapter in the history of our organization of appliance manufacturers maintaining a focus on the industry's future, providing leadership and building strong relationships with customers and stakeholders," AHAM president Joseph M. McGuire said.

Headquartered here, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is a not-for-profit trade association representing manufacturers of major, portable and floor care home appliances and suppliers to the industry. Its web site at http://www.aham.org/.