Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA)

Name

Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA)

Legal name

Polymeric Exterior Products Association

Website

https://polymericexteriors.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PEPA is a U.S. non-profit trade association founded in 1978 that represents polymeric exterior building product manufacturers and suppliers, offering product certification, installer training, workforce development, and legislative advocacy across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association / Industry Certification Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

EHS Management Systems & ISO Consulting (ISO 14001/45001) (BPAHAJAF), Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Polymeric exterior products
• Product certification programs
• Workforce training certification
• Building code advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: PEPA generates revenue through annual membership dues from manufacturers of polymeric exterior building products and suppliers to the industry. The member list includes raw material suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and product manufacturers.
2. Training and Certification Fees: PEPA charges fees for its certification and training programs: Certified Installer Program ($95 online, $175 in-person), recertification ($99 every five years), and Train the Trainer Program ($375). Installer Trainee Program is free. Revenue supports workforce development operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

PEPA is a North American trade association that serves manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, architects, building officials, and educators in the polymeric exterior building products industry. It delivers the VSI Product Certification Program for cladding products (ISO/IEC 17065 accredited), the VSI Certified Installer Program with tiered credentials, the free Installer Trainee Program, Train the Trainer, and supporting workforce, advocacy, and code-development resources.

Product overview

PEPA operates as a trade association for the polymeric exterior products industry, offering a portfolio of certification programs and training services. The core offerings include the VSI Product Certification Program for manufacturers (testing products against ASTM standards via ISO/IEC 17065 accredited bodies), the VSI Certified Installer Program with tiered certification levels (Bronze through Platinum Plus) for professional installers, and the Installer Trainee Program providing free entry-level training. Supporting products include a Train the Trainer Program, Workforce Development Programs for educators with multilingual capabilities, and the VSI Nation online training platform. Resource offerings encompass a Resource Library covering technical, design, and sustainability topics, an Inspiration Gallery showcasing architectural styles, the Vinyl Siding Installation Manual (available in English, Spanish, and French), and a Social Media Bootcamp for marketing guidance. The Certified Products Directory provides a searchable database of certified exterior cladding products. The Member Portal serves industry manufacturers and suppliers with exclusive resources and committee participation opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VSI Product Certification Program: An independent third-party certification program for polymeric exterior products including vinyl siding, insulated vinyl siding, polypropylene siding, and backed vinyl siding.

Products and services

• VSI Product Certification Program Independent third-party certification program for polymeric exterior products including vinyl siding, insulated vinyl siding, polypropylene siding, and backed vinyl siding. Products are tested and validated by ISO/IEC 17065 accredited certification bodies against ASTM standards (D3679, D7793, D7254, D7445), with Product Certification Listings (PCLs) and Product Evaluation Reports (PERs) published through Intertek and ICC-ES directories. Target customers are manufacturers and the building officials who verify their products.
• VSI Certified Installer Program Five-year industry-recognized certification program for vinyl siding installers. Includes online on-demand, virtual live, and in-person training, examination, and tiered certification levels based on experience. Pricing is $95 online and $175 in-person. Successful candidates are listed in the VSI Certified Installer Registry and may use the VSI Certified Installer logo.
• Installer Trainee Program Free entry-level training program for individuals seeking to enter the vinyl siding installation workforce. Includes a one-hour online course covering fundamental installation techniques, construction safety, and job site basics, with a certificate of achievement upon completion. Designed as a low-friction on-ramp to the paid Certified Installer Program.
• Train the Trainer Program Three-day (2.5-day commitment) in-person training program costing $375 for experienced installers seeking to become certified trainer instructors. Successful participants receive a dual installer and trainer certification valid for five years, enabling them to conduct their own in-person training sessions on behalf of PEPA/VSI.
• Workforce Development Programs Suite of training programs and curriculum assets for educators and career centers, including on-demand e-learning modules, virtual live instruction, and in-person training delivered in English, Spanish, and French. Enables CTE institutions and workforce organizations to integrate vinyl siding installation into their programs.
• Certified Products Directory Searchable online directory of VSI certified exterior cladding products, including vinyl siding, insulated vinyl siding, polypropylene siding, and backed vinyl siding. Lists Product Certification Listings (PCLs) and Product Evaluation Reports (PERs) for use by building officials, architects, and builders verifying code compliance.
• VSI Certified Installer Registry Official online registry of VSI Certified Installers providing exposure and leads for credentialed professionals. Homeowners, builders, and code officials can search by location to find certified installers.
• PEPA Membership Annual membership program for manufacturers of polymeric exterior building products and suppliers to the industry (raw materials, equipment, dealers). Members gain access to advocacy, technical resources, the members-only portal, committee participation, networking, and the use of PEPA's industry voice in code and legislative matters.
• VSI Nation Online Training Platform Online training platform (vsination.com) for vinyl siding installer certification courses, providing on-demand and virtual live training registration for installer trainee and certified installer programs. Supports multilingual (English, Spanish, French) self-paced learning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Installer can earn up to $31,000/year as trainee, $56,160/year as certified installer, $70,000/year as crew chief, and $117,000/year as sub-contractor/owner-operator
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IntertekcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntertek serves as one of the ISO/IEC 17065 accredited third-party certification bodies for the VSI Product Certification Program. Intertek publishes Product Certification Listings (PCLs) and Product Evaluation Reports (PERs) for polymeric exterior cladding products through its directory (bpdirectory.intertek.com).
• ICC-EScoreTechnology or IntegrationICC-ES serves as one of the ISO/IEC 17065 accredited third-party certification bodies for the VSI Product Certification Program. ICC-ES publishes Product Certification Listings and Product Evaluation Reports for polymeric exterior cladding products.
• US Job CorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS Job Corps is listed as a workforce development partner helping connect individuals to vinyl siding installation training and career opportunities. One of several industry partnerships developed to help reach success faster.
• ACTE (Association for Career and Technical Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACTE is listed as a workforce development partner connecting career and technical education students with vinyl siding installation training programs and career pathways.
• SkillsUSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkillsUSA is listed as a workforce development partner helping connect students and trainees to the vinyl siding installation industry through career and technical education.
• NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNARI is listed as a workforce development partner supporting professionals in the home improvement and remodeling industry with access to vinyl siding training and certification.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vinyl Institute:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=OEzc9b6MViU
• Facebookfacebook.com/vinylsidinginstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/we-are-pepa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA)