The Cutting Edge – January 2004

WMMA® Year in Review

It was an eventful year for WMMA®. The Strategic Initiatives came to life; the current MER will remain in effect; the new Committee structure was approved and announced, the future of U.S. manufacturing took the spotlight... As we begin 2004, even more excitement awaits us…

Public Policy

Energy Policy, by John Satagaj, (email@jsatlaw.com)
Having failed to break a filibuster at the end of 2003, Congressional leaders have pledged to revisit the issue of establishing a national energy policy. Senate leaders hope to persuade two Senators to switch their votes to end the filibuster. I think it will be a tall order...

New Study Shows Costs Imposed on U.S. Manufacturers Harm Workers and Threaten Competitiveness
In December 2003, the NAM’s Manufacturing Institute and the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI issued a new study, “How Structural Costs Imposed on U.S. Manufacturers Harm Workers and Threaten Competitiveness,” by economist Jeremy A. Leonard. This study introduces a “raw cost index” for manufacturers. This index compares the competitiveness of U.S. producers with those in its nine largest trading partners…

Export News

Tips on Translation, by Harold Zassenhaus, (zemg@erols.com)
The need for translation services has increased dramatically as business has become increasingly global and more dependent upon the internet to market products and services. In 2003, it was estimated that 2/3 of internet use was by non-English speaking persons…

March 31st - Deadline for Trade Fair Signup
Members have until March 31 to sign up to exhibit in the following two trade fairs in which the Association will sponsor a pavilion:
Expo AMPIMM 2004, Mexico City June 23-26
Woodmex 2004, Birmingham, England, October 10-13…

Safety News

Ergonomics?, by Jim Laster, (jlaster@newmanwhitney.com)
Just a few years ago, this was a word that instilled fear in the hearts of manufacturing companies across the land. Thanks to the work of many groups and trade associations, WMMA® primary among them, the OSHA ergonomic rule was overturned. End of story, right? ….End of story, #8230;Wrong!...

Wood Dust Study Status Report, Courtesy of AFMA (www.afma4u.org)
One of the most common byproducts of furniture and cabinet manufacturing is wood dust. For most of the history of the industry, wood dust was treated merely as a nuisance. Some employees experienced nasal congestion or allergic reactions, but as ventilation equipment and work practices improved, discomfort was not widely reported…

Product Liability Workshop – February 2004 in Chicago
Does your company face any greater risk than a product liability lawsuit?
You understand the stakes and how small things can come back to haunt you. After all, you live with this problem every day. You also know what you can do to help protect your company now, before there is a problem…

Scholarship

Member Enters Second Round of Student Sponsorship – A Win-Win Situation, by Todd Herzog, (todd@accu-router.com)
I am pleased to report that Accu-Router, Inc. has selected a second Mechanical Engineering student (junior year) at Tennessee Technological University for inclusion in the WMMA® Scholarship Program. This is the second year in a row that our company has aligned the WMMA® program with Tennessee Tech...

Association News

Let Your Legislators Hear Your Voice: Make Your Arrangements for the WMMA® Legislative Fly-In and Committee Meetings
If you have not already done so, WMMA® members are asked to submit their attendance forms for the first all-member Legislative Fly-In and the newly structured Committee meetings, held in Washington DC, February 10th & 11th. Notifications have been sent to members regarding these events. If you would like more details or sign-up forms, please contact Jean Coney at jconey@fernley.com or 215-564-3484.

WMMA® Executive Vice President Ken Hutton Receives 2003 NAM Leadership Award
WMMA® is proud to announce that Executive Vice President, Kenneth R. Hutton was the recipient of the 2003 National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Council of Manufacturing Associations’ Leadership Award. Mr. Hutton was selected for his leadership role as a catalyst for the NAM “Pro U.S. Manufacturing" campaign currently sweeping across the United States…

Keep on the Lookout for WIC 2004!
By now, you should have received the Woodworking Industry Conference (WIC) 2004 information and registration packet. You do not want to miss the learning and networking opportunities at this Conference! The thirteenth Annual WIC will take place April 21st – 24th at the El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort in Tucson, Arizona. The conference program is built around the theme “Chart Your Course For a More Profitable Tomorrow - Maneuver through the Obstacles of a Changing Marketplace…”

Submit your Nominees for the 2004 Baldwin Award
Bring into the spotlight the person who has guided you in your career. Nominate your industry mentor for the Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence, and recognize their outstanding contributions in the woodworking equipment, cutting tool, and supply industry...

WMMA® Staff Information Charles A. Granger President Peter Perez Vice President Jim Laster Treasurer Kenneth R. Hutton Executive Vice President Bill Norton Director of Marketing & Information Jean McCann Director of Committees & Editor, Cutting Edge Karen Boyle Member Services Coordinator G.A. Taylor Fernley Management Liaison John Satagaj & Kevin Horan Legislative Counsel 1010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20001 (202) 639-8888 Harold Zassenhaus Export Director 7758 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 306 Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 652-0693 Joseph Mc Hale Legal Counsel © 2003 by Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America, Philadelphia, PA. All rights reserved. This publication or any parts of it may not be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. For permission to reprint articles or to send correspondence, write to: WMMA®, 1900 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1498, Phone: (215) 564-3484. Fax: (215) 963-9785. E-mail: wmma@fernley.com. The opinion expressed in any articles by outside consultants are their own views and not necessarily those of the WMMA®.