The Maze
Making a buying decision can sometimes be
an intricate process where a wood products manufacturer may run into unexpected turns
and even some dead ends before finding his
way through the maze of sales talk, price
negotiations and ‘must-have’ features. Modern Woodworking shadowed four IWF attendees
to find out what buying strategies they implemented as they were confronted with the
more than 1,300 exhibitors at this year’s IWF
held at the Georgia World Congress Center
in Atlanta August 26-29.

It's wood shop repackaged
Bob Taylor, co-founder and president of Taylor Guitars in El Cajon, CA, is an advocate of retaining and improving high school industrial arts courses. To back up that commitment, he implemented guitar-making classes, which subsequently have become the hottest classes in high school.

Ahead of the Curve
Bethel Furniture Stock has repositioned itself to remain viable in the face of stiff offshore competition. Its strategy was to modernize its production system and diversify its product offering to stay ahead of the curve.

How Can I Dry The Next Load Better?
DDoing a better job drying lumber requires more than just saying it or looking for a different kiln schedule. Dr. Fred Lamb explains how a genuine commitment by an organization to that goal along with a commitment of resources is necessary to actually improve the existing operation.

Cleaning widebelts —-
Does it make sense? (Part II)
The true end point of any abrasive belt should be when the sharpness of the cutting mineral is worn so that the belts no longer cut, not when they no longer cut due to sanding residue build-up. Howard Grivna explores the pros and cons of various belt cleaning methods.

Are you pushing the rope or pulling?
One of the fundamental ways to bring wastes and improvement opportunity to the forefront of your business is to think in terms of pulling inventory based on immediate demand rather than building to anticipated demand that pushes inventory through your factory. When push come to shove…. implement pull, says Ken Rolfes, lean manufacturing expert.

Redwood takes on the “outdoor room”
As outdoor living areas increase in popularity, redwood usage is extending beyond decking and patio furniture and into paneling and cabinetry, says Chris Grover, president of the California Redwood Association (CRA). Its natural beauty makes it a popular choice indoors, too.

A healthy bottom line
Premier Cabinetry & Fixtures in Ft. Lauderdale uses work cell production to thrive in Florida’s healthcare construction market. Accuracy, flexibility and decreased production time have been the results.