The Cutting Edge — October 2003

Business Briefing

Listen to The Facts, Not the Myths, By Art Raymond (araymond@raymondnet.com)
We’ve all heard Benjamin Disraeli’s quotation. “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” That renowned British prime minister had it right. Statistics can lie and, more importantly, can mislead those seeking an informed opinion. Reliance on a few statistics rather than the whole story can spin a mistake into a myth. Today’s economic news abounds with such ill-founded beliefs…

Public Policy

Health Care Costs and Solutions, By John Satagaj, (email@jsatlaw.com)
One of the reliable barometers of health care costs that we track is the Kaiser Foundation's annual report. The new report is out, and I would venture to guess your reaction will be "no surprise here." Private health insurance premiums increased 13.9 percent in 2003, a larger increase than last year and the third consecutive year of double-digit increases…

You Can Make a Difference, By Peter Perez (perez@carterproducts.com)
Visit your legislators in Washington DC with the issues that matter to your business, and let your voice be heard. As far as our legislators are concerned, the most important element is hearing from real people who run real factories and face real problems back in their district or state. We elect them! They are there to represent our interests…

Product & Engineering Standards

How to Select & Buy a Previously Owned Dust Collector, By Peter Levitt (plevitt@sternvent.com)
As a result of the sluggish world wide economy, there is an abundance of used wood working machinery, including dust collectors, which is being offered by manufacturing companies and machinery dealers. If you are in need of well-priced cyclone, portable collector or bag house and have some available cash, now is the time to do your home work and make your purchase, before the economy recovers and starts humming again…

Export Development

2004 Trade Fair Program, By Harold Zassenhaus, (zemg@erols.com)
A principal Export Development Committee activity is organizing WMMA pavilions in 3-4 international trade fairs. This unique service allows members to exhibit in some of the best known trade fairs in the world while conserving costs, enhancing exposure and gaining support from fellow members and the WMMA staff…

Wood Furniture Import Trends, January – June 2003, By Harold Zassenhaus, (zemg@erols.com)
For the past few years, members have become increasingly interested in the shift of furniture production offshore, especially to China. We have been reporting on woodworking equipment trade trends with China and changes in the China marketplace for a number of years. We began reporting on the changes in China’s furniture shipments to the US four years ago…

Education & Scholarship

Members Speak of the Benefits: Fletcher Machinery Mentors Summer Intern, By Gene Hanson, (gehansen@vnet.net)
This was our first experience with the intern program, and it was certainly worthwhile. We assigned to Bryan the responsibility of re-designing the end trim units that we use on all of our edgebanders. We have kept the same design for a number of years, and have been evaluating a number of different options for a new design…

Management News

Business Succession: Are you prepared to hand over your business to another?
A lack of a far-reaching succession plan can leave a company struggling with top management turnover and employee disillusionment once the inevitable occurs. The best succession plans include thorough employee evaluations, leadership development programs and a fair recruiting process…

Transportation Programs for Associations (TPA)
WMMA has partnered with TPA to provide members with an extensive freight discount program that includes LTL and FedEx deliveries. If you're not using TPA you are probably paying too much. Member Discounts include: 68% off carrier's current rates; FAK 50 for all 50-77.5 class freight*; FAK 77.5 for all 85 -125 class freight*; FAK 125 for all 150-200 class freight*; * Includes inbound and outbound freight

• $58.00 minimum for interstate
• $48.00 minimum for intrastate
• Special Trade Show Rates

Member News

Mark your Calendar for the 2004 Woodworking Industry Conference
Click on http://www.wmma.org/events/wic.cfm for all the details on the 2004 WIC in Tucson, Arizona.

New Member Welcome
DNV Certification joins WMMA as a leading certification body/registrar offering the latest in management systems certification services. With more than 47,000 certificates issued worldwide, our name evokes a strong commitment to safety, quality, and concern for the environment…

IWF Payment Reminder
The next two IWF2004 booth payments are due:
January 16, 2004 – 50% of space cost due (invoices will be sent in early December)
May 14, 2004 – remaining 25% of space cost due (invoices will be sent in early April)…

IWF2004 Housing Form Available<
There are 265 rooms available for WMMA members at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis for IWF2004, at the rate of $129 for a double or single. All IWF2004 exhibitors will receive a general exhibitor housing form as well. You decide which rooming block in which you wish to be. Do not submit your registration for housing until November 3rd, 2003. Click here to download the form.

Promote your WMMA Membership with a WMMA Machine Sticker
Is your machinery still bearing a sticker with the older WMMA logo? Update your machine sticker stock and promote your WMMA membership. Download the Order Form and requesting your supply today!

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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 reprodcued in any form without writeen permission from the publisher. For permission to reprint articles or to send correspondance, 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®.