International Business Development Committee

Mission: The Committee serves to encourage and assist all members to successfully export, to increase export sales of those already exporting, and to take advantage of international business opportunities to strengthen their market positions in the U.S. and overseas.

An Overview of Programs and Services

Export Trade Certificate

The WMMA-sponsored ETC allows members to work together on foreign projects which might normally be hindered by the bounds of Anti-Trust guidelines. The Certificate is updated annually per U.S. Departments of Commerce and Justice regulations.Under the protective umbrella of the ETC, firms that are listed under the certificate can join together to reduce export-related costs and/or increase the effectiveness in export operations. Examples of activities that can be initiated with a competitor company listed under the WMMA Certificate include joint bidding and selling arrangements; joint pricing policies and; service and promotional activities.

Export Manual

WMMA provides members with access to an up-to-dated and comprehensive guide to exporting and outsourcing. This is an ongoing project to both expand and maintain a "living" document online. The manual covers most relevant areas and to the degree possible focuses on issues and information to the U.S. woodworking equipment producer.

GTIS Global Trade Statistics/Country Evaluation Sheet

WMMA subscribes to the GTIS service providing official import and export statistics for the U.S. and some 67 countries that together make up over 90 percent of the trade in woodworking machinery and over 80 percent of imports of wood products to include wood furniture, cabinets, sawn lumber, mouldings & trim, flooring, windows and doors. Practical application of the data is provided through a members-only "Country Evaluation Sheet", articles in the WMMA newsletter The Cutting Edge, postings to the website of quarterly data and, tailored data to individual members.

India Marketing and Service Center (IMSC)

For most woodworking equipment companies, India is one of the fastest growing and more accessible markets. WMMA's India Marketing and Service Center will help U.S. firms in the woodworking equipment industry market to India and through the process enable firms to be more competitive in the U.S. as well as in other countries.

The WMMA has applied to the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration for assistance in developing and implementing the IMSC concept through its Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP).

Trade Fairs

The Committee has organized pavilions and/or exhibits in three to five international trade fairs per year (1) as a means of reducing the cost and increasing the value to member firms; (2) to learn more about developing woodworking markets for the benefit of all members; (3) to market member products by distributing the WMMA Product Locator as well as consulting with overseas buyers, and; (4) as a way of supporting member exposure to new markets through low cost sharing of the WMMA stand. Participation in trade fairs is based on member participation and financial contribution.

International Distributor Directory

Over the past 10 years the Committee has developed a directory of foreign dealers of woodworking machinery and cutting tools, providing new and developing member exporters with contact information and lines carried on dealers in close to 50 countries.

Free International Marketing Expertise

Through the services of Harold Zassenhaus members can avail themselves of international marketing expertise, free of charge. Overseas customers have also tapped into this service to steer them to one or more WMMA member products or services.

U.S. Trade Policy Initiatives

WMMA seeks to educate members of the vital importance U.S. trade policy has on the members' market in the U.S. and overseas and has asked for their support to continue to influence U.S. and international trade policy and rules for the betterment of the US woodworking equipment industry.

Market Research, Trade Fair Calendar and Foreign Trade Journal Directory

Market research reports received from the U.S. government or other sources are uploaded to the website, as are additions/changes to overseas trade fairs, the WMMA listing of major overseas trade journals and other topical international marketing information. The area is updated on the web every quarter or as new information is received.