Custom Shop
As a manufacturer of heavy-duty plywood container boxes and cable/wire reels, Container Systems produces thousands of products a week. When the company set out to replace its work cell in its reel production department with a CNC router, it wasn’t looking to increase capacity. Instead, it was looking to drive labor costs out of its manufacturing operation.

Finish Line
Apply safety and increase productivity. Now how does that work? Safety in the finish area reduces problems caused by injuries or finish defects. Naturally you think of safety as personal protection, spray area protection, grounding and bonding.

The First Word
Every year in February, Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America representatives and committee members descend on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. to meet with their respective senators and congressmen and discuss issues near and dear to small businesses.

Hot Gear
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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.

Mid-Atlantic Expo Extra
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Production Line
From starting a cabinet business in a two-car garage 29 years ago to running a thriving millwork manufacturing operation today, Paul Richard has found that upgrading equipment has been the key to his company’s profitable growth.

Proving Ground
Crown Point Cabinetry doesn’t rely on stock material in it manufacturing process. Rather, the Claremont, N.H.-based company prefers to cut to order and operates in a just-in-time production environment, investing in sophisticated machinery to help it maintain smooth production of roughly 15 kitchens per week.

Sanding Sense
There are several factors that affect a widebelt sander’s ability to hold a close thickness tolerance (at least +/- .005”). With a new sander and proper operating procedures, any rigid orifice-type machine should reasonably hold +/- .005” tolerance.

Stiles
Driven by international environmental awareness, the regulatory environment is becoming more stringent toward VOC regulations. Most Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) that fall under these regulations are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) like those generated in woodworking paint/stain operations. If a facility is located in an area where the emissions limits are routinely exceeded, it falls under the regulations and emissions must be addressed. With regulations, come strict formulas and training requirements.


Supply Side
Since its emergence into mainstream in the late 1990s, the closet industry has benefited from a long list of hardware suppliers and machinery manufacturers ready to make the most of what was then an untapped revenue base.

Think Lean
Leading companies have shown that their strategic approach to managing supply management gives them a potent weapon for creating value in their competitive landscape. For those organizations, supply chain strategy is important not only for executing the company’s day-to-day operations, but for their business strategy as well.

Trends
Modern Woodworking interviewed Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of public relations for the American Home Furnishings Alliance, to get the lowdown on the latest furniture design trends from 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
The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) is sponsoring the Wood Component Manufacturers Association’s (WCMA) 2007 Fall Conference & Plant Tour Event, November 5-7 in Grand Rapids, Mich. WMIA will be sponsoring the educational component of the meeting. The program will cover profitability, costing, market trends and forecasts, worker safety, health and productivity; employee training and development, sales and marketing strategies and technological advances in the industry.