AWFS Exhibitor Spotlights
As this year’s largest woodworking industry trade
show, AWFS Vegas is the place to catch up on the
newest machinery, products and supplies in the market. The exhibitor profiles and new products in this special
84-page section represent many of the leading
manufacturers and suppliers and the products they offer.
Custom Shop
Birmingham, Ala.-based Brasfield & Gorrie is a full service general contracting, construction management and design/build business, serving mainly the healthcare, industrial, office, institutional, retail, education and water treatment facilities markets throughout the Southeast. Having grown exponentially during its 40 plus years in business, the decision was made last year to establish its own architectural millwork department to help handle its increased capacity.
Finish Line
Stain is a coloring agent used to enhance or change the appearance of raw material. In the case as woodworkers it’s to make the wood product as pleasing to the customers eyes as possible. Stain is not a filler or protectorate just a colorant.
The First Word
I received an email earlier this month from a reader who was lamenting the trend of companies investing too heavily in machinery in order to replace workers. “Good idea,” he says, “as long as developing human potential, investing in communities and building good relationships is not your goal.”
Hot Gear
Get descriptions and request information about products from our participating companies.
International Technology Showcase
Material Issues
What is the outlook for some of the more popular North American hardwood species?
“Red Oak markets will take on a softer feel over the next few months,” says Barrett “Upper-grade Red Oak will be especially difficult to move, and common-grade Red Oak shipments will slow to flooring plants, many of which will stop purchasing #1 Common altogether. Lower prices will lure Far Eastern, Mexican, European and Middle Eastern buyers to the table and lift Red Oak out of the doldrums during the second half of the year.
Production Line
After adopting a lean manufacturing philosophy last year, Custom Cupboards has since made strides in reducing waste and improving the overall efficiency of its 200,000-sq.-ft. cabinet operation. The Wichita, Kan.-based company is currently undergoing a complete realignment of its value stream, reorganizing machinery layout and material flow to achieve a smoother production process.
Proving Ground
When Contemporary Cabinetry East bought its first panel saw from SCM GROUP USA in 1985, it began a relationship with the machinery company that continues today. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based commercial cabinet manufacturer has a host of SCM machinery in its current production, including a panel saw, two edgebanders, CNC machining center and 36” widebelt sander.
Sanding Sense
A user’s first “real” look at a widebelt sander manual doesn’t usually take place until there is a problem. At that point, it is far too late. It is then that you will find out that the manual is probably woefully inadequate. An evaluation of the manual should be part of your up-front comparison, before you make a buying decision.
Supply Side
To find out the latest trends in the closet systems market, Modern Woodworking interviewed Gary Campbell, owner of Treasure Valley Closets in Boise, Idaho, and a member of the National Closet Group’s board of directors. He also is a founding member of the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals.
Think Lean
Trade shows and exhibitions are some of my favorite events. New products, technology, tools and ideas for solutions to problems in my business are all there. I find it is easy to get enamored by the technology, new tool features and equipment, and I enjoy exploring how they apply to my processes.
Trends
By any measure, LIGNA 2007 was a success for the international wood industry. With a record 1,879 exhibitors from 49 countries, the show drew more than 107,000 attendees, a 10-percent increase from LIGNA 2005 (96,675).
Trends Extra
Overall U.S. woodworking equipment purchases in 2006 fell by less than a half percent from those in 2005, according to data from Equipment Data Associates (owned by Randall-Reilly Publishing – publishers of Modern Woodworking), which tracks and analyzes leases and finances of woodworking machinery and equipment in certain categories from all 50 states.
Machining centers led the increases with a 28.3-percent increase in 2006 over 2005 numbers followed by moulders with an 11.5-percent increase.
Trends Wood Bits
The Department of Commerce ’s (DOC’s) successful International Buyer Program (IBP), being conducted for the first time at the 2007 AWFS®Fair, is garnering a great deal of interest from potential global customers looking for high-quality American products. This dynamic program offers expanded services and logistical support to international attendees and connects domestic manufacturers with new international buyers.
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Recruit, Train, & Retain
Proper hiring, training and employee retention practices are three keys to a steady and productive workforce. With no end in sight for the shortage of skilled labor, wood products manufacturers must concentrate on these issues now to ensure success in the future. Relying on automation and modern manufacturing methods are sound strategies, but they require well-trained and happy employees to maximize the overall productivity and efficiency of the shop.
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