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AWA Woman of the Year

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Edith Paarhammer of Paarhammer Windows & Doors has been recognized with the title of AWA Woman of the Year for her contributions to the Australian window industry. Source: Timberbiz

The AWA has initiated the award to recognise the outstanding contributions made by women to the window industry.

The Building Industry is a male oriented industry, and so are suppliers to this industry but over the years industry associations have started to recognise the work done by women ‘in such a male field’.

For example, the HIA Housing Industry Association offers a ‘Business Partner of the Year’ Award for the partners of their members, and the AWA created a ‘Woman of the Year’ Award for outstanding contributions women make to the window industry.

Since 1990, when Paarhammer manufactured their first windows, Mrs Paarhammer has been instrumental in building the business. At first she was ‘on the tools’ in addition to running the office, 24 years later she concentrates on marketing and company direction.

Though her husband Tony is the ‘window expert’, Edith is knowledgeable in all aspects of window and door production, materials, manufacturing methods, energy and bushfire ratings, glass combinations and as such is a source both journalists and industry turn to for technical information and advice.

A large part of Edith’s work in the last few years has been assisting to develop bushfire windows and now with BAL-FZ approval, market the products and educate Shire Councils and building inspectors, in addition to architects, designers, developers and home owners.

Since 2005 she has written regular window newsletters to a large recipient base of architects, builders, designers, Shires, bushfire consultants and media contacts.

Two years ago she started a blog on windows and doors where she publishes the latest information from around the world, covering trends, safety issues, statistics, compliance, and bushfire safety.