Custom Shop
For Brunt Associates, a Wixom, Mich.-based architectural millwork and carpentry contractor, relying on modern technology is the name of the game. At the heart of the company’s production is a highly automated work cell that includes a Giben beam saw, Morbidelli point-to-point machining center and a large edgebander from IMA America. But it’s what you don’t see on the shop floor that has the company’s owners buzzing these days.

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
Spraying is transferring a liquidized coating from a container to the item(s) you wish to cover. You knew that! The trick is to transfer the material quickly and efficiently with NO defects via uniformly atomized coating material droplets.

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 Challengers Award Winners
The 2006 Challengers Award winners were announced at a ceremony at IWF 2006 in Atlanta

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
Widebelt sander manufacturers are introducing highly sophisticated machines for today’s wood, lacquer and veneer sanding applications. Benefits of the latest group of widebelt sanders include improved surface quality, higher feed speeds and increased flexibility. Here’s a look at some of the most recent widebelt sander introductions for the woodworking industry.

Proving Ground
Joe Banner, Jr., of Banner’s Cabinets in Newland, N.C., knows a thing or two about staying power. His company was founded in 1942, and he is the third Banner man to own the family business. The company now employs 60 people and spreads out over 60,000 square feet.

Sanding Sense
Chalking a panel and analyzing chatter/belt splice marks

Supply Side
As today’s consumers demand more and more state-of-the-art storage solutions, drawer slides are keeping pace by offering less noise, more access and heavier load capacity.

Think Lean
Industry managers’ understanding of lean is evidenced by the continued growth in media coverage and the attendance at lean conferences such as the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME).

Trends
Modern Woodworking interviewed Andy Counts, executive vice president of AHFA (American Home Furnishings Alliance), for an update on the issues affecting U.S. furniture manufacturers.

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
Stiles Machinery is proud to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Trakware Systems Inc. (TSI), a leading provider of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) solutions for engineer-to-order (ETO) and project-based manufacturers in the woodworking industry.

Words of Wisdom
By the year 2010, the number of unfilled skilled worker positions in the U.S. manufacturing segment will reach 5.3 million and increase to 14 million by 2015, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor. The newly entering workforce will not be big enough to replace positions left by retiring baby boomers.