Member
News Tax
Planning
By John Satagaj, WMMA Legislative Counsel (email@jsatlaw.com)
Truth be told, I am sitting here waiting for Congress to provide me the answer to the question of whether it will give you some additional tax relief and perhaps encourage some of your customers to stay put here in the U.S. I am talking about the replacement tax breaks for the repeal of the Extraterritorial Income exclusion. WMMA, through the coalition to which it belongs – the Small Business Legislative Council - has been working real hard for Congress to help domestic production manufacturers with income tax relief and other items such as more direct expensing relief. It is looking good, but you never know in Washington. In the meantime, deadlines wait for no man, so let me take the opportunity to note some tax planning tips for 2004 that you can count on while we are waiting for Congress to make up its mind.
The Internal Revenue Service has released the optional standard mileage rates to use for 2004 in computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. To reduce a recordkeeping burden, the IRS also announced that taxpayers who use no more than four vehicles at the same time for business purposes may use the standard mileage rate, starting in 2004. Currently, those using more than one vehicle at a time cannot use the standard rate at all, leaving them to track the actual expenses for each vehicle.
Beginning January 1, 2004, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups, or panel trucks) will be:
The Internal Revenue Service has announced cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations for pension plans and other items for Tax Year 2004. Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code provides for dollar limitations on benefits and contributions under qualified retirement plans. It also requires that the Commissioner annually adjust these limits for cost?of?living increases. Many of the pension plan limitations will change for 2004. For most of the limitations, the increase in the cost-of-living index met the statutory thresholds that trigger their adjustment. Furthermore, several limitations, set by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), are scheduled to increase at the beginning of 2004.
Effective January 1, 2004, the limitation on the annual benefit under a defined benefit plan is increased from $160,000 to $165,000. For participants who separated from service before January 1, 2004, the limitation for defined benefit plans is computed by multiplying the participant's compensation limitation, as adjusted through 2003, by 1.0220.
The limitation for defined contribution plans is increased from $40,000 to $41,000. The Code provides that various other dollar amounts are to be adjusted at the same time and in the same manner as this dollar limitation. These dollar amounts and the adjusted amounts are as follows: the annual compensation limit is increased from $200,000 to $205,000. The dollar limitation concerning the definition of key employee in a top-heavy plan remains unchanged at $130,000. The limitation used in the definition of highly compensated employee remains unchanged at $90,000. The compensation amount regarding simplified employee pensions (SEPs) remains unchanged at $450. The compensation amounts of the Income Tax Regulations concerning the definition of "control employee" for fringe benefit valuation purposes remains unchanged at $80,000.
The Code, as amended by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), specifies the applicable dollar amount for a particular year for certain limitations. These applicable dollar amounts are as follows: the limitation on the exclusion for elective deferrals is increased from $12,000 to $13,000; the limitation regarding SIMPLE retirement accounts is increased from $8,000 to $9,000; and, the dollar limitation for catch-up contributions to an applicable employer plan for individuals aged 50 or over is increased from $2,000 to $3,000 or from $1,000 to $1,500, depending on the nature of the plan.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $87,900 for 2004 from $87,000 in 2003. Of the estimated 156 million workers who will pay Social Security taxes in 2004, about 9.2 million will pay higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum in 2004.
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 51 million Americans will increase 2.1 percent in 2004. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding period of the current year. This year's increase in the CPI-W was 2.1 percent. The 2.1 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits that 47 million Social Security beneficiaries receive in January 2004. Increased pay-ments to seven million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will begin on December 31.
The retirement earnings test exempt amount, if the individual is under full retirement age in 2003, was $11,520/year ($960/month). In 2004 it will be $11,640/year ($970/month): One dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $2 in earnings above the limit. If the individual reaches full retirement age in 2003 it was $30,720/year ($2,560/month). In 2004 it will be $31,080/year ($2,590/month). For these individuals, the rule applies only to earnings for months prior to attaining full retirement age and one dollar in benefits will be withheld for every $3 in earnings above the limit. There is no limit on earnings beginning the month an individual attains full retirement age.
For last month’s article,
“Health Care Costs and Solutions,” click
here.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
Business
Guide to Federal Export Assistance
2003–2004 Edition
By Harold Zassenhaus, WMMA Export Director (zemg@erols.com)
The Trade Information Center (TIC) within the US Department of Commerce (USDOC) has recently updated its Export Programs Guide. This guide is a listing of all federal government programs that assist US companies in exporting their goods and services. There are 19 different agencies offering assistance to the US exporter and the guide lists virtually all their programs. Most programs are administered by USDOC.
For additional information on the listings in this guide or for any export questions you have, please contact the Trade Information Center (TIC). The TIC is the first stop for information on federal export assistance programs plus general, regional, and country counseling. To contact a trade specialist, call 1-800-USA-TRAD(E), e-mail tic@ita.doc.gov, or search TIC’s on-line resources at http://www.trade.gov/td/tic/ .
As I have mentioned formally and informally, US Department of Commerce export promotion programs are fine in concept. Unfortunately, the level of service and consistency between programs and within program units can vary greatly. I offer this advice not to dissuade members from using its services but more to urge you not to give up just because one program or one officer in a foreign country fails to provide an acceptable service. As a final note of caution before listing the better programs: the website addresses listed below were accurate as of the printing of this article… they may well change and without notice.
The following is a summary of some of the programs I think are most valuable as well as some with which much of the exporting community is unfamiliar. They are listed by Export Programs Guide chapter.
Chapter 1: General
Export Counseling and Assistance
The US Department of Commerce has counselors throughout the US and in most countries
that can support your needs. See www.trade.gov/td/tic for a listing of offices.
For your reference, if you want to know the name of the commercial offer in
a particular US embassy or consulate, the easiest way is to access the US State
Department site, http://www.foia.state.gov/MMS/KOH/keyofficers.asp
.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers some unique support that you may not be aware of such as:
Chapter 2: Industry-Specific
Counseling and Assistance
Again, the Department of Commerce Foreign Commercial Service has “industry
specialists” in larger posts. See above for contact information.
Strangely, the Guide does not mention the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) which is similar to the US Department of Commerce’s Foreign Commercial Service. In most woodworking countries, the FAS has an officer who can provide assistance. FAS officers prepare annual “Solid Wood Products” research in most relevant markets and although the research targets the US lumber and log supplier, members can gain some insights into the end use markets (furniture, materials handling, construction, etc.) as well as good general information on the country. Go to www.fas.usda.gov for more information.
Chapter 3: Country
Specific Counseling and Assistance
Again the US Department of Commerce has counselors throughout the US and in
most countries that can support your needs. See www.trade.gov/td/tic
for a listing of offices. For your reference, if you want to know the name of
the commercial officer in a particular country, access the US State Department
site, http://www.foia.state.gov/MMS/KOH/keyofficers.asp
or a listing of overseas officers.
The US Department of Agriculture’s
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has officers in most countries that can provide
assistance, especially for information and assistance regarding the woodworking
industry.
The USDOC has a region specific hotlines or websites that you may want to be
aware of:
Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS). Go to
www.bisnis.doc.gov for
more information.
Chapter 4: Trade
Contact and Market Research Programs
Under this heading there are no fewer than 25 programs and services, mostly
offered by the USDOC, SBA and USAID. Some are customized services for US firms
planning to visit overseas markets and need help in identifying and setting
up meetings with potential clients and dealers (the “Gold Key” and
Platinum Key” services). Others provide customized responses to questions
and issues you have regarding the market’s potential (“Flexible
Market Research”). Still others advertise your products, provide a virtual
trade show and an on-line catalog. Contact your nearest USDOC office for assistance
or go to http://www.export.gov/comm_svc/
.
SBA (http://www.sba.gov/oit/) and the USDOC (www.myexports.com) offer electronic trade opportunity programs where overseas opportunities are matched to your registered profile.
Chapter 5: Making
Contacts through Trade Promotion Events
USDOC organizes a number of commercial, market access, policy and virtual trade
missions. Access for more information and contacts for each scheduled mission.
Chapter 6: Special
Market Access and Technical Assistance
Listed and briefly explained in this chapter are:
Chapter 7: Export
Finance, Insurance and Grants (non-agricultural)
Check out and bookmark www.exim.gov
for a complete listing and description of the US Export-Import Bank’s
insurance, loan and loan guarantee programs. Of particular interest to most
exporting members should be the ExIm’s Export Credit Insurance Programs
designed to provide terms for your foreign purchaser with no risk to the exporter.
Did you know that the SBA also provides loans and loan guarantees for US exporters? They even have an “Export Express” loan program to help small businesses by allowing lenders to use streamlined and expedited loan review and approval procedures to process export loan guarantees up to $150,000. Go to www.sba.gov/oit/exportexpress.html for more information.
The number of services provided are mind numbing, can be confusing as well as
frustrating. But, they can also be very useful. Be informed and be persistent
and you will be able to profitable tackle some overseas markets.
For last month’s issue, “The 2004 Trade Fair Program,” click here.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
Members
Say it Best: DuBois Equipment Mentors Summer Intern
By Jim Arvin, DuBois Equipment (jima@duboisequipment.com)
I was amazed at how easy it is to participate in the WMMA Education & Scholarship Program. I simply let headquarters know that I had a candidate I was interested in mentoring, filled out the paperwork, and in no time, Clint Denning was accepted into the program.
Clint, a student Mechanical Engineering student at Purdue University, worked at DuBois Equipment as an intern this summer. Clint progressed very well throughout his internship. By the end of the summer, he was able to handle projects with very little guidance from the rest of our engineering staff. We look forward to having him back on his next break from school.
My
Summer Internship with Dubois Equipment
by Clint Denning, Purdue University
In looking back at my summer
engineering internship with Dubois Equipment, I am surprised at all I learned.
Going into this internship, I was curious as to what the company was going to
have me do and nervous as to whether or not I was going to be able to meet their
expectations. Working in the shop during a previous summer allowed me to have
a good knowledge of the kind of work that the company did, but I was never really
exposed to what took place in the engineering department.
My first task was to simply put old, hand-drawn drawings into the computer files
for easier reference with the use of AutoCAD. Over the summer this ended up
being something for me to do when I was between projects. The next task that
was asked of me was to figure out how much coating was in an odd shaped pan
if a measurement of the depth was taken from a certain place. This required
me to use several simple math formulas that I have learned. After coming up
with a solution, I produced a spreadsheet that would give the customer a volume
in gallons for his measured depth in 0.25” increments. Another task along
these lines required me to find a new sheave to replace an existing one on a
motor, which was used to reduce the speed of the line. These two tasks, though
simple, actually made me feel good, as I was solving real world problems that
would be used rather than finding solutions to problems out of a textbook. Several
other small tasks such as detailing machine parts and putting together assembly
drawings were also completed throughout the summer.
My major task was to improve an existing design for easier and quicker production. This was a filter/exhaust filtration system that was used to recycle excess coating from a newly designed spray machine. I was able to work not only with the head engineer of the project, but also first hand with the people assembling the system. However, before I started I went to the plant where the first system was set up for production. Here I was able to gain a better understanding of how the system worked, as I was not able to collect everything from the drawings. Through suggestions and personal ideas, I was able to obtain several new things that cut down on production time, space, and materials. For one of the exhaust systems, the customer needed the design to be built to allow for space where another machine would be placed. This was a good experience because I had to come up with a solution within a limited amount of space. However, I was not able to alter the design very much because this could easily hurt its performance.
During these projects I
was able to apply several things that I learned from my introduction course
to engineering design. Ease of manufacturing was the main concept with which
I worked. Documenting what was used to build the machine with the use of a Bill
of Materials was also a tool from my classes that I was able to use. The best
skill that I used, which is hard to teach, was being able to analyze how a machine
was pieced together and break it down to see how it worked.
Another specific project given to me included a deadline. Taking an assembly
drawing, I had to draw the detail drawings of each part so the pieces could
be manufactured and shipped within a certain time frame. This project allowed
me to witness first hand the types of things that will be expected of me in
my future job.
As mentioned earlier, I learned a great deal while working in the engineering department this past summer. One of the most important things that I was able to witness and experience first hand was the importance of communication between a team. Without good communication in an engineering atmosphere, several things could go wrong. The engineers that I worked with were very helpful when I had questions and I think that this allowed me to mature as an engineer. There were also times when I made a mistake, and I had to go back and come up with a solution to correct the error.
Another benefit that I
got out of this summer internship was being able to get my hands dirty. Prior
to this internship I had no actual engineering experience. The only things I
knew where the things that I learned from by textbooks. In each of the above
tasks and projects I was constantly learning new things. Whether it was setting
tolerances for boltholes or simply picking the right size bolt to use, I realized
that learning is a never-ending process, especially in the engineering world.
Overall I was very pleased and grateful to have the opportunity to work along
side the engineers of Dubois Equipment. While it was only for a short time,
it was one of the best learning experiences that I have had yet. This internship
will be very helpful in paving my path towards a future job due to the knowledge
and skills which I received, whether it is with Dubois Equipment or another
company interested in me.
To learn more about the WMMA Education & Scholarship Program, and how you can participate, click here.
To view last month’s
article, “Members Speak of the Benefits: Fletcher Machinery Mentors Summer
Intern,” click here.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
What
to Look for When OSHA’s Looking at You
By Adele L. Abrams (palletinfo@palletcentral.com)
Reprinted with permission from the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA). For more information about this or other industry issues, contact NWPCA at 703/519-6104 or palletinfo@palletcentral.com, or visit the association’s website at www.palletcentral.com.
Why me? When the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) comes looking for you, that may be your first response. In fact, there can be any number of triggering events. The most common types of inspections include:
Here are some pointers on
how to manage the situation once the OSHA Compliance Office (CO) gains access
to the workplace, either through voluntary admission by the employer or after
securing a warrant. The same general principles hold true for inspections conducted
by representatives of state agencies in the 23 states that operate their own
OSHA programs.
Step one is the opening conference. Both the employer and employees have the
right to have a representative present, but OSHA will not delay commencement
of an inspection for very long and will start the dance without you if you engage
in obvious stalling tactics.
This is also an opportunity to brag about your safety program and performance
history, and to show the mandatory records such as OSHA 300 log, the Hazard
Communication Program and relevant mandatory training records and certifications.
Because documentation is easy to cite if it is missing, this part of the inspection
can set the tone for what follows part of the inspection can set the tone for
what follows out in the plant. Before ever leaving your office, the CO will
likely have formed his/her own impression as to whether you are careless or
an employer who is making a genuine effort to promote a safe and healthful workplace.
It is procedure for OSHA to reveal the reason for the inspection before the
“walkaround” starts. The nature of the inspection will often dictate
whether it will be a “targeted” inspection or a “wall-to-wall”
inspection. The former is limited in scope to the areas involved in the complaint,
referral, etc. More often, the complete worksite will be fair game, and so the
employer must be prepared to have every nook and cranny scrutinized in great
detail…and probably videotaped too!
Because videotapes have audio tracks, everything you say in the presence of
a camera toting CO will be captured as admissions by the company…as they
say on TV, “everything you say can and will be used against you in a court
of law.” Although OSHA will never give you the “Miranda” warning,
it is true that both management and hourly workers have the right to remain
silent. OSHA cannot coerce a statement or insist on taking a statement in private
if the employee wants to have a supervisor present as a witness.
Whether taped or not, the employer’s representative who accompanies the
CO on the walkaround inspection should take care not to make statements against
interest since these can be used to increase the severity of a citation to the
“willful” category (carrying maximum civil penalties of $70,000
per violation). Extreme caution is needed if the inspection is within the FATCAT
classification, as such inspections can lead to criminal referrals if a fatality
is involved and an agent of the company reveals prior knowledge of the conditions
leading to the catastrophe.
There is also little to be gained by arguing with an inspector, although it
is perfectly appropriate to question what abatement recommendations are offered
(especially if they seem unrealistic), and to ask the CO to explain how he views
the situations in terms of gravity (serious or “other-than-serious”)
and negligence (what did you know and when did you know it). The best strategy
is for the employer’s representative to do more listening than talking.
More tips on handling the walkaround inspection and the closing conference will
be provided in future columns. In the meantime, stay safe and understand your
rights!
Adele L. Abrams is an attorney and safety professional who represents companies in litigation with OSHA nationwide, and also provides safety training and consultation services. A regular PalletCentral columnist, Abrams can be reached at 301/595-3520 or via e-mail at safetylawyer@aol.com for more information. Go to www.safety-law.com for more information.
To view last month’s article, “How to Select and Buy a Previously
Owned Dust Collector,” click
here.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
TPA
Lowers Shipping Costs for Members
By Dennis Rayon, Denray Machine Inc. (info@denray.com)
TPA has helped Denray Machine Inc. Two years ago, downdraft tables were given their own classification number, and that number raised our class from 85 to the wonderful class 125. That raised our freight cost by 50%. OUCH!!!!
Since trucking is such a cut throat business, LTL companies started to FAK us down to a lower class - some to class 92.5, some to 85, so we were pretty happy. I am always looking to save money. I met Jack Chambers (President of TPA) at the 2003 WIC in St. Petersburg. We got talking one night at the banquet. I ask Jack what he does, and when he started telling me, I thought he might be able to help us.
At the (contact) tables the next day, I had an opening, and I visited more with Jack. He told me to send him 30 of our past bills of lading to compare cost savings. We were class 85 with 70-72% discount. TPA could save us from $2-$34 on 29 out of the 30 bills. A re-class at 77.5 and a 68% discount saves us several hundred dollars per year. We deal the same way with their chosen lines as we did before. In fact we were using the lines they had.
We got the program rolling.
Through TPA, one truck line which we use delivers to everywhere in the US and
Canada “direct.” This means that no matter which small town our
freight may go through, we do not lose our discount. Also the truck lines that
do not participate with TPA have to be competitive, so they lowered their class
to be more competitive. For Denray it was a win-win move. In fact, my entire
cost to attend the 2003 WIC has been paid for in the savings Denray has received
by using TPA. All I can say is WMMA, THANKS.
For more information on TPA, Click
here.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
Member
News WMMA
Welcomes New Associate Member,
Bosch Rexroth Corporation
Company Name:
Bosch Rexroth Corporation, Linear Motion & Assembly Technologies
Address: 14001 South Lakes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28273
(800) 438-5983 Fax (704) 583-0523
www.boschrexroth-us.com
info.chr@boschrexroth-us.com
Number of Branches/Locations:
2 Locations – Charlotte, NC; Buchanan, MI in the US; European Headquarters:
Schweinfurt, Germany and Stuttgart, Germany. Global activities in 80 countries.
Bosch Rexroth Corporation has 5 business units. Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies
is one of these.
Total Number of
Employees:
US Business Unit, 215 employees. Total headcount Bosch Rexroth in the Americas:
3000; Total Global Employees, all business units: 26,000.
Key Contacts:
Kevin Gingerich, Director of Marketing Services
Patrick Scott, Product Manager
Founded in: 2001, Lohr, Germany
Founded by:
A merger of Bosch Automation Technology (a division of the Robert Bosch Corporation)
and Rexroth (a division of Mannesmann).
Description of Business:
The Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies business unit of Bosch Rexroth is
a leading provider of automation solutions for automotive, appliance, electronics,
machine tool, semiconductor and woodworking industries worldwide, with U.S.
facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina and Buchanan, Michigan.
Key Product Lines:
Linear motion products include Ball Rail® linear guides, high-precision
ball screws, linear actuators, linear bushings and Cartesian Motion Systems.
Assembly products include aluminum structural framing, assembly and handling
conveyors, ergonomic workstations, turboscara and 6-axis robots.
What makes your
business or products “different” or “noteworthy?”
Linear motion products are engineered to reduce the costs of ownership of the
machines in which they are used, and to provide top performance in those same
machines. Rexroth Rails, Screws and Bushings require less frequent lubrication,
are easier to install and replace, and offer the highest speed and load ratings
for optimum performance. Superior sealing provides continuous performance in
harsh environments, such as wood- and metalworking.
How would you describe
the company’s business mission or philosophy?
Our philosophy is to provide our customers with a sustainable competitive advantage
in their markets. Whether they’re making machinery or consumer products,
we want to help them make those products better, faster, and more cost-effectively.
What are your company’s
primary concerns in the woodworking industry?
We sell to the industry now without having a real presence. We are interested
in building this presence through stronger association with similar companies.
We also require feedback from the woodworking industry so that we can continue
to develop appropriate products.
How do you hope
to benefit from your WMMA membership?
We hope to intensify our relationships with member companies to gain valuable
feedback for future products and services.
To Join WMMA, visit the WMMA Join page, click here.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
Make
Your Hotel Reservations for IWF 2004 Today!
WMMA again has blocked
sleeping rooms at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in order to make your time at
IWF as productive as possible for your company, the industry, and your Association.
If you wish to reserve rooms within the WMMA room block, please fill out this
WMMA Association Member Individual Reservation Form and mail or fax to the IWF
Housing & Travel office.
The maximum number of rooms any member company can reserve is 15. This WMMA
block will be available until June 25th, 2004.
Members download the WMMA-IWF 2004 Housing Form (password required)
For more information on
IWF2004, click here.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
NAM
Launches, WMMA Joins “Coalition for the Future of Manufacturing”
Register Your Company to Join the Coalition Today www.nam.org/renewal
By Ken Hutton, Executive
Vice President, WMMA khutton@fernley.com
As many of you know, WMMA
has been actively pushing NAM to raise the awareness about the importance of
manufacturing to the future of this country and then to articulate a series
of legislative and regulatory positions that will allow U.S. manufacturing to
survive and thrive. As such, WMMA has joined the newly formed Coalition for
the Future of Manufacturing.
The NAM has formally announced the launch of a “Coalition for the Future
of Manufacturing,” which will help coordinate the efforts of organizations
around the country as they campaign for pro-manufacturing policies. I encourage
your organization to join this effort.
A statement of mission, principles and activities can be found at www.nam.org/renewal,
where interested parties – associations, manufacturers and nonprofit allies
– can sign up. The coalition is dedicated to raising awareness, particularly
among elected officials, of the critical importance of a strong manufacturing
base to American prosperity and the challenges facing U.S. manufacturers today,
and to seeking pro-growth public policy changes that will ensure a vibrant U.S.
manufacturing base in the future.
The immediate emphasis of the coalition over the next 12 months will be to enact
a handful of achievable policy changes, probably including efforts to level
the international playing field (currency manipulation), lower the cost of doing
business in this country (class action reform, natural gas, OMB analysis of
manufacturing regulations), and promote innovation and investments here (permanent
R&D tax credit). There may be others, including a permanent manufacturing
advocate on the White House staff as well as in Commerce.
If this coalition is successful in achieving meaningful policy changes in the
above areas, manufacturing in all industries, not just the wood processing industry,
will benefit. Therefore, I again urge your organization to join WMMA and other
manufacturing associations in working as partners under the Coalition for the
Future of Manufacturing to help secure the future of the wood processing industry
in this country. There is strength in our numbers working together.
Click here
to view the brochure which simplifies the Popkin study. NAM printed 5,000 copies
and encourages others to do the same.
For more information on NAM, visit http://www.nam.org.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
Call for 2004 Baldwin Award Nominations
It is time to start thinking about the industry mentor you would like to nominate for the 2004 Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence. Wouldn’t you like to honor the person who has guided your career by nominating him or her for the Award that recognizes outstanding contributions in the woodworking equipment, cutting tool, and supply industry?
WMMA members will receive 2004 Baldwin Award nomination forms in the coming weeks. Please think about the individual(s) who has made a difference in your career and life, and submit your nomination to recognize them in front of the WMMA community. The award ceremony will take place during the WMMA Business Session at the 2004 WIC in Tucson, AZ. http://www.wmma.org/events/wic.cfm.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
13th Annual Woodworking Industry Conference will Address Challenges of Changing Marketplace
The thirteenth Annual Woodworking Industry Conference (WIC) will take place April 21st – 24th at the El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort in Tucson, Arizona. The conference program, built around the theme “Chart Your Course For a More Profitable Tomorrow - Maneuver through the Obstacles of a Changing Marketplace” will feature a series of information-packed business, educational and networking sessions combined with a number of social events and leisure activities.
The meeting is co-sponsored by three industry associations – AWFS® (Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers®), WMIA (Woodworking Machinery Industry Association) and WMMA (Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America). Attendance is open to members and prospective members of the three associations, as well as associations seeking to partner and participate in the WIC.
The 2004 meeting schedule enables attendees to accomplish more in less time away from the office. All attendees are welcomed at a dinner on Wednesday, April 21st, and the meeting officially gets underway on Thursday, April 22, with an Opening Luncheon Session featuring a motivational keynote speaker. The educational program will continue with a series of business sessions and workshops to be held Friday and Saturday. Topics and industry issues to be addressed throughout the program will include:
In addition to the extensive educational offerings, the meeting also brings together top management from throughout the industry for a variety of networking opportunities. One of the highlights is the industry’s only Contact Table Program, a two-day forum for manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, importers, and end-users to get together for face-to-face business discussions. Participants are encouraged to make appointments in advance and take advantage of the opportunity to meet with industry suppliers and distributors. Over the course of the two days, participants can hold thirty 20-minute meetings.
An exciting array of group social events and leisure activities, including golf, tennis and area tours, will complement the strong business focus of the meeting.
Early Bird registration
fees for WIC are $575 for members and $375 for spouses, companions and children
12 and over. After the early bird deadline, registration fees will increase
by $100 in every category. Educators can attend for a flat fee of $200. Children
under 12 can not attend WIC functions. Registration materials will be sent to
all Association members in early January 2004. In the meantime, please visit
http://www.wmma.org/events/wic.cfm
for details.
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
FreshWood Book Available
From the AWFS® Fair and Mitra Publishing comes a book featuring new designs in wood.
fresh wood – new designers is a beautifully illustrated art book with detailed photos of the 51 finalist entries from the 2003 AWFS® Fair student design competition. Each page captures the detail and spirit of these extraordinary emerging furniture designers and woodworkers.
Sales Support Woodworking Education – 40% of net proceeds will be donated to WoodLINKS USA.
For additional information and to order, visit http://www.mitrapublishing.com/Detail_FreshWood.html
Click here to return to this month’s Article Index
If you have colleagues who should be receiving this newsletter notification, or if you have received this notification in err, please email jmccann@fernley.com.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
