News from the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association

News from the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association February 2006

INDUSTRY NEWS l MEMBER NEWS l FROM THE PRESS l WMIA WEB SITE

Download a printer-friendly version of this issue

Aloha WMIA! Register Today for WIC 2006

Registration is now underway for the 2006 Woodworking Industry Conference. WIC 2006 will be held May 3-6, 2006 at the Wailea Marriott Resort in Maui, Hawaii. WMIA and its partners have designed a program that will maximize the return on your business investment while still allowing you to enjoy everything that makes Hawaii a spectacular destination. DETAILS

WMIA Dues Reminder

Just a reminder that WMIA membership dues were due on January 15. If you have not paid your dues, please do so immediately. Remember, only WMIA members will be listed in the 2007 Sourcebook. Also WMIA members

receive discounts on their IWF booth space. If you are not sure whether you have renewed your membership, contact Carol Hannan at WMIA headquarters.

Ad Deadline Approaching for 2007 Sourcebook

Put your advertising in the best high technology product and service directory in the woodworking industry — the 2007 WMIA Sourcebook. The Sourcebook will be published and distributed prior to the IWF show in 2006 and will be used for two full years at all major industry shows. This is your opportunity to put your message in the hands of more than 20,000 woodworking industry professionals.

The Sourcebook is a quick, easy-to-use reference of products, distributors and suppliers. Your ad is a cost-effective way to increase exposure of your brand and message to the entire professional woodworking community. Click here to reserve your ad today.

Nominations Sought for Partner of the Year Award

A reminder to WMIA distributor members that your nominations for WMIA's 13th Annual Partner of the Year Award are due March 1. This prestigious honor will be conferred upon a domestic or importer supplier of woodworking machinery or tooling during the 2006 Woodworking Industry Conference.

This award represents the spirit of partnership while working with woodworking machinery distributors and the principle of steadfast cooperation between distributors and their equipment suppliers.

We ask that each distributor nominate as least one of its suppliers for this recognition. Contact Carol Hannan at WMIA headquarters with any questions. Click here to download a nomination form.

Compensation Survey Due Back March 1

WMIA has sent out two e-mail announcements about its 2006 Employee Compensation Study. The study will provide participants with benchmarks to compare how their compensation packages compare with other companies in similar industries. Privacy is guaranteed. No one within WMIA will see your company's individual data. Please make sure to return your survey by March 1.

Click here for details about WMIA's Employee Compensation Study.

Click here to download a copy of the survey.

WMIA Scholarship Materials Mailed

By now, you should have received the posters and brochures to promote the WMIA Education Foundation Scholarship Program. WMIA asks you to distribute these to your customers who might want to display the posters in their plants. If you would like additional brochures or posters, contact Carol Hannan at (410) 628-1970. This is an opportunity to show your customers the active role your company takes to improve the industry.

This year's application deadline is March 1, 2006. Click here to download a copy of the application.

WMIA Education Foundation invites you to be a part of our efforts in promoting the fields of wood science and wood technology. By taking an active role through education, we are improving the quality of potential personnel while demonstrating that the woodworking industry recognizes the importance of education.

Industry News

IWF Buyer Registration Open

Buyers /attendees can register for IWF 2006 online at the IWF 2006 website www.iwf2006.com. By registering in advance, buyers/ attendees can save $15 over the on-site registration fee of $25 plus have the convenience of having their badge mailed to them in advance of the show.

IWF is offering additional savings to those companies sending a team of three or more individuals to the Fair. Three or more employees working for the same company at the same locale can register in advance for just $5 per person by going to the IWF website and clicking on Buyer Information – team registration.

Discount hotel, airline travel, and car rental information is also available on the IWF 2006 website.

IWF Donates $20,000 to WoodLINKS USA

The International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair USA, makes another contribution of $20,000 to WoodLINKS-USA bringing the total IWF donations to support WoodLINKS programs to over $140,000 since 2000.

WoodLINKS-USA which was formally launched at the International Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Supply Fair in 1998 continues to be the foundation for continued development, certification, and training for tomorrow’s woodworkers. “IWF has been a tremendous supporter of WoodLINKS since our inception at IWF in 1998, and the $20,000 will continue to help us grow and be successful,” commented Wilf Torunski National Program Director for WoodLINKS-USA.

“WoodLINKS continues to be a grass roots leader in developing young students and works side by side with educational institutions to ensure the great history of our trade will be passed onto the next generation of woodworkers;” commented Russ McBroom, IWF 2006 Chairman and President of Mereen-Johnson Machine Company, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

WoodLINKS USA Announces New President and Board Members

WoodLINKS USA announced that Dr. Paul Winistorfer has been elected President of the Board of Directors commencing January 1, 2006. The term of office will be for two years until December 31, 2007. DETAILS

WMIA Participates in WoodLINKS USA Visioning Meeting

WMIA participated in WoodLINKS USA’s National Wood Industry – Education Visioning Meeting in February. DETAILS

New Publication Available from NAW Shows Distributors How to Maximize Salesforce Productivity

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) announces a brand-new publication titled Restructuring the Distribution Sales Effort for Maximum Productivity. It is your guide through the process from the traditional fully loaded salesforce cost structure to new salesforce models that promise higher profitability. DETAILS

Pittsburg State University to Hold Open House for Wood Technology Office Complex

Pittsburg State University is holding an open house to celebrate the grand opening of its Wood Technology Office Complex. The open house will be held March 28-29, 2006 at the Pittsburg, Kansas campus. DETAILS

WMIA Member News

Click here to read the latest from WMIA members. DETAILS

From the Trade Press

Embattled RTA Industry Turns to Imports, New Designs

Contributed by Wood & Wood Products

Like their counterparts in traditional wooden residential furniture, North America’s top ready-to-assemble furniture companies enter 2006 wrestling with how to compete against imports. Their answer seems to be, not only if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, but also go one better in new product development and speed of delivery. DETAILS

No Bubble Bursting Here

Contributed by Wood & Wood Products

The supposed housing bubble is not going to burst — not in 2006 anyway. If anything, it will deflate slowly to past “healthy levels.” That is the sentiment among several economists tracking the housing market. DETAILS

Meet the New Asian Tiger: Vietnam

Contributed by Wood & Wood Products

Faster than a speeding bullet, Vietnam’s furniture industry is zipping up the U.S. leader board of furniture import sources. Vietnam has gone from a virtual non-entity on the global furniture manufacturing scene at the start of the 21st century to become the sixth largest exporter of wood furniture and components to the United States. DETAILS

Still Made in the USA

Contributed by FDM

Tom Seeley Furniture in Berkley Springs, WV was doing fine when Gat Caperton bought it from its namesake in 1996. It had amassed decades of goodwill as well as name recognition for producing high-quality, all-wood, hand-built furniture. Sales at the time were running under $10 million. That was good, but Caperton thought they could be better. Much better. DETAILS

Uncharted Territory

Contributed by Modern Woodworking

With little encouragement from outside experts, El Monte, CA- based McConnell Cabinets nevertheless made a commitment to switch to 100 percent solids UV finishing for its cabinetry lines serving the residential construction market. The 500-employee manufacturer based its decision on a self-imposed responsibility to contribute to a healthier environment, while at the same time improve the durability and consistent quality of its finishes. DETAILS

Tulane Wood Study: Wood Solids Not a Danger

Contributed by Wood Digest

Solid wood dust is not a respiratory danger to wood workers at levels measured in plants participating in the recently completed Respiratory Health Study of the Wood Processing Industry. DETAILS

3313 Paper Mill Road • Suite 202 • Phoenix, MD 21131 • 410-628-1970 • 410-628-1972 (F)

You are receiving this email as a benefit of your membership with WMIA. You are not receiving this message because you are subscribed to an electronic list. If you have any input you would like to provide about mailings of this type, please e-mail info@wmia.org. To unsubscribe to this newsletter, click here.

Coming Events

May 3-6, 2006

WIC 2006

Wailea Marriott Resort

Maui, Hawaii

August 23-26, 2006

IWF 2006

Georgia World Congress Center

Atlanta, Ga.

WMIA Leadership

Board of Directors

Committee Chairs