Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association History
The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International (RIMA-I) is the only trade association representing the reflective insulation, radiant barrier, and low-e reflective coatings industries. RIMA-I activities are guided by an active board of industry members that participate on national and local levels of building code organizations and governmental agencies.
In 1978 Don Roy (Roy & Son’s), Pat Mascari (Infra) and Robert Dittemore (Superior) met in a hotel restaurant in Los Angeles. The purpose of this meeting was to form an industry trade association. It was decided to name the association the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International, with RIMA as the acronym.
These original three members were invited to Washington DC in 1979 to participate in the DOE/FTC hearings on insulation products. They were joined by Raymond Urias of A.I.M., who became a member. At the completion of the hearings the Federal Trade Commission published what was to become known as the “R-Value Rule“. This rule still governs the way all insulation products and radiant barriers are packaged, tested, and sold.
Some of the other companies that joined the RIMA organization early on were Alfol and Foilpleat, and in the 1980’s were followed by Energy Savers Imports, Reflectix, and many others. RIMA-I had become truly representative of the national interests of reflective insulation and radiant barrier manufacturers. Members participated very actively in ASTM, helping write the testing and installation standards for reflectives. In the second half of the 1980’s RIMA-I accomplished many of its goals, and reflectives took their rightful place in the energy conservation marketplace.
Members are still very active in ASTM as well as ICC, IBC, and ASHRAE, participating in code development and changes, and actively participating in meetings and code hearings throughout the year. With an active membership of 24 companies along with many affiliate members, RIMA-I continues to grow and promote the use and understanding of reflectives based on the same ideals as the founders forty years ago.
RIMA went international in 2007 after the first international meeting was held in Paris, France; and the name then changed to RIMA International (RIMA-I). The International Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Conference (I-RIM Conference) is now held every two years at various locations around the world.