Custom Shop
Starting in the 1930s manufacturing panel products for the residential market before moving into paneling for the fast food retail market in the 1970s, Marlite has since evolved to become a leading manufacturer of wall paneling products for the commercial and retail store sectors. Twelve years ago, the Dover, Ohio-based company developed Surface Systems, a line of modular wood veneer wall panels, which allowed it to diversify its project base to include corporate interiors, hospitality interiors, financial services, medical interiors, schools and universities, transportation terminals and museums.

Coponent Product Showcase
The Wood Component Manufacturers Association represents more than 140 manufacturers of dimension and wood component products. In the midst of a rapidly changing business climate, Modern Woodworking spoke with WCMA executive director Steve Lawser about the issues currently facing the component market, as well as the opportunities that outsourcing presents to various segments of the woodworking industry.

Finish Line
I like my coating material “stirred not shaken”— It’s called mixcology. Personally, I would rather spend production dollars on a uniform-looking finish than listen to customers’ complaints about a lack of finish quality. There are a variety of missteps that can occur resulting in a poor finish. Let’s focus on one of those unseen missteps called mixing. Mixing can be a major problem because stirring is usually done inside a container that has no viewport. Out-of-sight, out-of-mind!

Hot Gear
Get descriptions and request information about products from our participating companies.

International Technology
Industry leaders give us the lowdown on what innovations we can expect from international technology

IWF 2006 Category Breakdown
In this month’s installment of IWF Category Breakdown, we highlight machinery, products and supplies of interest to component manufacturers.

IWF First Impressions
Meet these first-time exhibitors at IWF 2006.

Material Issues
Wary of a declining customer base due to overseas imports, Sanford, NC-based Tramway Veneers knew it was time to venture into new markets. Bringing new technology into its Sanford, NC-based plant has made that a reality.

Production Line
San Diego-based Frost Hardwood Lumber Company has been supplying hardwood lumber along with specialty softwood lumber, plywood, particleboard, Formica® and other specialty wood products for more than 95 years. The company’s capabilities also include custom milling and molding services. A change in the marketplace, however, challenged the company to create Miramar Panel Co. in order to provide its customers with the value-added product of laminated panels.

Proving Ground
Before getting the Rover FTK7.4 CNC router, it took the six men of Levi Mize Woodscraftsman, Inc., somewhere between three and four days to process all the cabinet parts.
“Now we do it in four to six hours,” Levi Mize, the Camarillo, Calif.-based company’s owner says. “We are literally building kitchens in the same amount of time it used to take to cut out the parts. My productivity is through the roof!”

Sanding Sense
A proper conveyor belt on a widebelt sander is essential in order for you to achieve your specific desired results. Years ago, widebelt sander manufacturers selected a conveyor belt for each machine based on each specific customer and his application. In today’s world of building “standard” machines in batches, that feature no longer exists. The selection of which conveyor belt will be used is based on lowest cost and a compromise of belt characteristics to create a “general purpose” belt. In almost all cases, this “general purpose” belt is not going to have the ideal characteristics for your specific application.

Supply Side
Modern Woodworking asked cutting tool manufacturers the following question:
“What’s the best advice you can give wood products manufacturers about cutting tools?”

Think Lean
Trying to get better placement and a few more yards, I have been working with a coach recently to improve my golf swing. With his help, I have experienced what he described as the perfect swing — once. It seemed effortless. The feel was light. The crisp sound off the head was solid, and the arc of the flight, direction and distance was perfect. Only problem is to repeat it. Ah, there is my downfall.

Trends
Acombination of creativity and craftsmanship blending with the original character of the house seems to be the right formula for a successful remodeling job if the winners of the COTY awards are setting the standard. Twenty-five national COTY winners were named at the 2006 Evening of Excellence™ by the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI) at its spring board of directors meeting held March 15 – 18, 2006 in San Francisco.

Trends Extra
Woodworking equipment purchases cool slightly in 2005. While most categories held steady or increased, overall acquisitions of woodworking equipment decreased by 3 percent in 2005 over 2004 numbers. A healthy economy along with continuing strong housing and remodeling markets bode well for 2006 increased buying power.

Trends Wood Bits
The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) is requesting nominations for the 2006 Innovator, Educator and Commitment to Excellence Through Technology of the Year Awards.
According to Giordano Checchi, WMIA president, “The WMIA continues its commitment to the woodworking industry by providing it with the state-of-the-art equipment and technological services that make it possible for companies to re-engineer, retool and re-educate in order to compete more successfully in today’s challenging and evermore complex global markets. For 19 years, WMIA has honored individuals and organizations that employ high-technology equipment, machinery and systems provided by WMIA member companies to innovate and capture new markets.”

Words of Wisdom
IWF describes itself as the “epicenter of everything and everyone in the woodworking industry.” Indeed, a trade show like IWF is an event every wood products manufacturer should attend whether or not he has plans to expand his product line or upgrade his equipment arsenal. The chance to see the latest innovations all in one place is like visiting the ultimate toy store for many wood processors. With more than 1,300 exhibitors, there is sure to be a new innovation to improve your business whether it is something as small as the newest decorative drawer handle or as big as a state-of-the-art automated equipment line.