IWF Partners Agree on Buyout
By Mike Botta May 24, 2012 – The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) and the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) have agreed to buy out the ownership interest in the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) that is...more »
U.S. Challenges China to Play by the Rules
By Mike Botta...more »
Perennial Wood Now Targeting Outdoor Applications
By Mike Botta February 23, 2012 – The Eastman Chemical Company earlier this month introduced its outdoor line of trademarked Perennial Wood products to the building and construction trade. Targeted were makers of outdoor wood furniture and...more »
Affinity Tool Acquires HTC and Portamate
By Mike Botta January 26, 2012 — Affinity Tool Works, Troy, MI, has acquired tool and accessory manufacturer HTC Products Inc. and its Portamate business unit. The deal was effective January 14, 2012....more »
Knock on Wood for a 2012 Rebound
By Mike Botta January 12, 2012 – As we enter 2012, it’s looking a lot like 2011, 2010, 2009 and, dare we say, 2008. It’s tough to tell these days whether the news is good or bad. One day the word is that auto sales are healthy and...more »
Cabinet Makers Anticipate Growth in 2012
By Mike Botta December 22, 2011 – The nation’s cabinet makers and custom woodworkers are bullish on growth prospects for 2012, according to initial results of a survey conducted by the Milwaukee-based Cabinet Makers Association (CMA). ...more »
Group Introduces Woodworking Reports on Russia/CIS
Dublin, Ireland – International analytical firm Research and Markets has added "Timber & Woodworking in Russia/CIS" to its list of available research reports and data collections....more »
Report: Manufacturing Outlook Brightens
By Mike Botta Most U.S. industrial manufacturers anticipate positive revenue growth for their companies over the next 12 months, according to issued July 28 by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). ...more »
Report Card: Indiana ‘A’, New Mexico ‘F’
By Mike Botta Only five states received “A” grades for manufacturing and health while four others were slapped with “F’s” in a new report card released this month by Ball State University. ...more »
Study Urges Exporting States to Shun Woodworking
By Mike Botta A new study suggests that exporting states need to become more flexible in dealing with their international trading partners because products sought 10 years ago may not be the same products they want now. And, wood products are...more »
OSHA to Define New Dust Standards
Edited by Mike Botta The Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA) wants to make industrial and wood products companies aware of pending new regulations concerning the safe handling of combustible dust. Federal regulators are drawing up new...more »
How to Fix Manufacturing, Let’s Count the Ways
By Mike Botta The more one watches Congress in action, the more one understands why it is so difficult to quickly move forward even on some of the nation’s more critical issues....more »
Good and Bad: Technology’s Two Faces
By Mike Botta This is not about politics. It’s about technology and our ability to grow, advance and, frankly, to live with it. Once again we were reminded in a very stark way about a week ago in Tucson that for all the great things that...more »
Buyer Beware: Good Times Ahead?
By Mike Botta It’s hard to believe that it’s already 2011. Whatever happened to 2008, 2009 and 2010? Never mind. We all know what happened and it wasn’t pretty. But, in examining some of the tea leaves recently, there may be...more »
What Happens in Vegas, Stays in the Shop
By Mike Botta Need a really good reason to plan a summer vacation in Vegas? What better reason than to line up new business opportunities. Nearly 20,000 woodworking professionals from around the world are expected to descend...more »
Time to Give Thanks and Set Goals
By Mike Botta With Thanksgiving a week away and the holidays just around the corner, it’s a perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been, where we are and where we seem to be headed. In the American woodworking world that can be a rather...more »
