Dr. Neil McMurdie, director of research & development for MAPEI Corporation, has been elected to the position of third vice president of the Materials & Methods Standards Association (MMSA). The MMSA advises the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on specification recommendations for tile and stone installations. Dr. McMurdie will be helping to steer and direct the organization’s efforts to improve tile and stone standards and test methods in North America, with particular emphasis on helping tie together standards from all global organizations such as the European Standards (EN) and the International Organization of Standards (ISO).

As director of R&D for a major supplier to the industry, McMurdie brings to the MMSA chemical expertise and ties to other global organizations, including his position as Convener of Technical Committee 189, the ISO 13007 committee working on international standards for mortars and grouts. This year McMurdie and the MMSA will focus their efforts on educating the American market about ISO 13007 Standards through work with architects and the Tile Council of North America. Already, the Association’s efforts have resulted in ISO 13007 language being introduced into the next TCNA Handbook, which will be published during 2009.

McMurdie derives great satisfaction from working to improve the standards environment, and commented on his affiliation with MMSA, “The Materials & Methods Standards Association is a group of dedicated individuals who are trying to better our industry, and I am proud to be a part of that effort. The steps we take today will help members of the tile and stone industry work more efficiently and effectively in the future.”