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WIC 2003 is One Great Opportunity

One great contact, one great idea, one great business seminar -- that's all it takes to make WIC 2003 worth your while. Given WIC's loaded agenda, your odds are good for a substantial return on your investment. DETAILS

WMIA Seeks Partner of the Year

WMIA is seeking nominations for its 10th Annual Partner of the Year Award. The award is presented 

to the manufacturer or importer that best exemplifies the spirit of partnership while working with woodworking distributors. DETAILS

2003 Sourcebooks Available in Bulk from WMIA

Would you like a great give-away for your trade show booth? WMIA is making its 2003 Sourcebook available in bulk to members. No cost to you, just contact WMIA headquarters and request your copies. DETAILS

WMIA Makes Changes to Web Site

Visitors to www.wmia.org are being greeted by a new, user-friendly page that better helps them find what they need. WMIA's Web Commerce Committee reviewed feedback from visitors and implemented the changes. DETAILS

IWF Seeks Challengers Award Judges for 2004

IWF is searching for Challengers Award judges for 2004. Candidates are needed from several industry categories. DETAILS

WMIA News and Notes

News and notes from WMIA. DETAILS

From the Trade Press

The "Rationalized Factory" Must Be Customer-Driven, Flexible, Efficient

Contributed by Wood Digest

Gone are ö or should be -- the days when, during the process of laying out your factory floor, you say to yourself, ãI think Iâll put my saw over by the overhead door and put all the other equipment as close as possible to the break room. If thereâs any space left over, Iâll use it for storage.ä DETAILS

Seven Manufacturing Wastes

Contributed by Modern Woodworking

Lean manufacturing ö the manufacturing philosophy that a company can make products with less capital investment, less floor space requirements, less effort, and in less time ö is a principle that can be adapted to fit just about any business. Having proven its worth in the automotive industry for years, lean manufacturing has permeated into most industrial markets. DETAILS

Modernizing the Rough Mill

Contributed by FDM

Lewis Lumber Productsâ successful adaptation to change won the company WMIAâs Innovator of the Year award. The award was given based on LLPâs implementation of a new high-tech rip-first rough mill. DETAILS

Contract Furniture Makers Weather the Storm

Contributed by Wood & Wood Products

The story of the contract furniture industry during the past two years reads almost like a contemporary version of the story of Noah: ãBusiness owners across the land looked upon their balance sheets and it grieved them at their hearts. And they said, we shall cut costs and stop purchasing, yea, though it may destroy our suppliers.ä DETAILS