WMIA Keeps Members Informed
Knowledge is power in today’s business climate, and WMIA membership keeps the Edward B. Mueller Co. informed about the woodworking industry, says Tom Reisert, president of the company.
“Even just standing around at a dinner or a cocktail party and talking with my peers, I’m always learning different things,” Reisert says. “Whether it’s about salary compensation, or about a good (machinery) line that I don’t know about, everyone just speaks freely.”
The Edward B. Mueller Co. is a third generation, family-run business that sells and services woodworking machinery in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. It has been a member of the WMIA since the organization merged with the Woodworking Machinery Distributor Association and began including distributors. The company stays active in the association to gain valuable knowledge through a variety of WMIA offerings, including sales and technical training for staff members, access to industry statistics and surveys, and networking opportunities, Reisert says. Read more.
WMIA Provides Access to Network of Industry Experience
The opportunity to tap into a network of knowledgeable woodworking machinery suppliers is one of the best benefits WMIA membership provides, says Jim Scarlett, president of Scarlett Machinery.
“I think the best benefit is just the strong networking forum that (being a WMIA member) provides,” Scarlett says. “You stay in touch with a lot of progressive thinking people. There’s probably a ton of prospects out there that kind of do what we do, but they don’t have that stewardship mentality.”
Scarlett Machinery has been a member of the association since the WMIA merged with the Woodworking Machinery Distributor Association in April 1997. The Grand Rapids-based company sells and services a variety of woodworking machinery in the Great Lakes region, which includes Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. Read more.
WMIA Connections Help Business Expand
Active participation with the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association has given Italpresse USA COO, Dave Ortmayer and his company advantages ranging from new business relationships to exhibit space discounts at the IWF Shows.
“When I first joined WMIA in 1998, I was encouraged to get involved with one of the WMIA committees. Right after joining, an opportunity opened up to participate with the marketing committee, which I have done now for almost 10 years. I currently chair the marketing committee. I have also served on the Board of Directors for a three-year term. Being involved to this extent, has allowed me to get to know a lot of the key players in our industry, both importers and distributors.”
Italpresse USA is an importer member, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Italpresse SpA in Italy. The parent company in Italy manufactures hydraulic presses used in the woodworking and composites industries. Read more.
WMIA Provides Bottom-Line Boost to Atlantic
Meetings at the Woodworking Industry Conference (WIC) have directly aided Atlantic Machinery’s bottom line, says Riccardo Azzoni, president of the New Milford, CT-based company. In fact, about 95 percent of Atlantic’s current distributors were met at WIC, and attending the conference is just one benefit of being a Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) member, he says.
“The conferences have been tremendous for us,” Azzoni says. “They’re an invaluable opportunity for both distributors and importers to meet face to face. You get to know people in a somewhat informal setting. Instead of going into someone’s office, and each person sitting at one side of the desk, you go get a beer together or go to lunch. It makes for a way better way to get to know each other.”
Atlantic Machinery, which is an importer member, has been part of the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association for more than 20 years. Read more.