l INDUSTRY NEWS l FROM THE PRESS l WMIA WEB SITE l PRINT ISSUE l

WMIA Honors Woodworking Industry's Top Innovator, Educator and Global Marketer 

The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) announced its Innovator, Educator and Global Marketer of the year Awards on September 30 at its annual awards dinner honoring woodworking industry leaders. The event this year was held at Santa Fe âs The Bishopâs Lodge Resort and Spa. DETAILS

WIC 2004 Set for April 21-24 in Tucson

The 13th Annual Woodworking Industry Conference is set for April 21-24, 2004 at the El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort in Tucson, Ariz. Preliminary information has been posted on WMIA's web site. Complete details and registration information will be mailed after the first of the year. DETAILS

Where Will You Be in Five Years?

From a profitability perspective, 2002 was the worst year in memory for most distribution organizations. WMIA members were not exempt from the profitability challenges. DETAILS

NAW's Newest Audio CD Features Michael W. Wright, Supervalu, Inc. 

The newest ãProfiles in Wholesale Distribution Leadershipäú CD set from NAWâS Distribution Research and Education Foundation features a wide-ranging conversation with Michael W. Wright, recently retired CEO and chairman of the board, SUPERVALU Inc. SUPERVALU is one of the largest companies in the U.S. grocery channel. DETAILS

Distribution to Grow Faster than U.S. Economy

U.S. wholesale distribution companies have a bright economic outlook according to a new report by Pembroke Consulting and Economy.com for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) titled NAW 2004 Economic Forecast. In 2004, overall revenues for wholesaler-distributors across 18 industries are forecast to rise 5.6 percent, outpacing next yearâs projected U.S. GDP growth of 3.8 percent. DETAILS

WMIA Welcomes New Members

WMIA has recently welcomed two new importer members and one new associate member into the organization. DETAILS

Industry News

Weinig Introduces New Small Finger Jointer

The Grecon subsidiary of the Weinig Group has introduced the new ProfiJoint finger jointing line. DETAILS

Last Chance for Pre-Show Discount 

on Fresh Wood - New Designs

Enjoy the creative designs that inspired thousands at this yearâs AWFS^¨Fair. Fresh Wood ö New Designs is a beautiful hard-cover photographic art book of the 51 finalist entries from the 2003 AWFS^¨Fair student design competition. Supporting the next generation of woodworking ö 40 percent of net proceeds will be donated to WoodLINKS USA. Each page captures the detail and spirit of these extraordinary emerging furniture designers and woodworkers.  DETAILS

From the Trade Press

The New Economy: Are You Ready?

Contributed by Wood Digest

Companies in woodworking industries can be roughly divided into three similar categories today. Businesses can be distinguished, not so much by the price of their output but by the perceived value of products and services offered and delivered. There will almost certainly be a relationship between the general public perception of output and individual company growth in the new, emerging economy. DETAILS

The Cutting Edge  

Contributed by Modern Woodworking

Ask woodworkers for their impressions of diamond tooling, and you may hear them reply, ãToo expensive!ä Many woodworkers suffer ãsticker shockä when comparing diamond tooling costs to the relatively inexpensive carbide options. But depending on your specific application, an upfront investment in diamond tooling can actually save you money in the long run. DETAILS

"Lean Ain't Fer You"  

Contributed by Modern Woodworking

So, you finally decided that you should explore lean manufacturing, all of its theories and the amazing stories of success and world dominance that lean companies have achieved. Well as they said in the movie "Donny Brasco" about the Mob, "Fer get about it." Don't even think about it. It's a total waste of your time and energy. DETAILS

Equipment Spending Plans Show Growth

Contributed by FDM

Manufacturers are starting to gear up to resume capital expenditures, based on the results of our second FDM 300 Capital Spending Survey. The 70 responding companies were planning on increasing their capital expenditures on equipment in 2004 by $9.85 million, or 13.6 percent. DETAILS

In Praise of Learning

Contributed by Wood & Wood Products

At first glance, Joseph Cannon Jr. does not appear to be the most likely candidate to champion the cause of continuing education. But that has not kept the recipient of Wood & Wood Productsâ first Jerry Metz Achievement Award from getting actively involved in Rhode Island's continuing education system and chipping in his  two cents in an earnest effort to help improve it. DETAILS

One on One: An Ergonomics Guideline Furnituremakers Can Use

Contributed by Wood & Wood Products

The American Furniture Manufacturers Association released the nationâs first industry-specific, voluntary ergonomics guideline in September. The guidelineâs creators say it is a far cry from the non-specific standards the Occupational Safety & Health Administration tried to put in place in the final weeks of the Clinton Administration 2-1/2 years ago.  DETAILS