The Cutting Edge — December 2003

Happy Holidays from WMMA!

Printable Version of the Entire December issue of The Cutting Edge™

Clicking here will take you to an HTML page which contains all the articles in this month’s The Cutting Edge™. The articles are consecutive, with no frills. Please try this format for printing and let us know your feedback by emailing jconey@fernley.com.

WMMA Pays Tribute to George W.Delaney

The sad news is that George W. Delaney lost his hard-fought battle with lung cancer. The good news is that he touched so many of us in the woodworking equipment industry and we are richer for having known him. WMMA members and long-time friends of George share their memories and pay tribute to George…

Business Briefing

Furniture Civil War, By Art Raymond, (araymond@raymondnet.com)
Over the past 25 years, furniture producers located in low-cost labor countries around the world have gradually captured the wood furniture market in the U.S. China, for example, grew its furniture exports to the U.S. from only $100 million in 1992 to $5.7 billion in 2002…

Public Policy

Setting an Ambitious 2004 Public Policy Agenda, By John Satagaj, (email@jsatlaw.com)
Last month I wrote that I was waiting to see whether Congress would assist companies with domestic production capacity or continue to reward those with extensive foreign production. I thought for sure I would have an answer for you by now. Well, guess what? As only Congress can do, they have postponed a decision…

NAM Offers Product Liability Workshop, February 24-25, 2004
The NAM, in partnership with the law firm of Perkins Coie LLP, presents a two-day workshop February 24-25 designed to help you create a product-liability-avoidance program for your company. Perkins Coie LLP defends manufacturers like you in product-liability lawsuits…

WMMA Members Share Healthcare Stories
“For the first time this year we made each employee pay a nominal fee ($30 per month) to be on the health insurance plan. This had the effect of two employees denying coverage as they were also covered under their spouses plan...”

Export Development

Extending Credit to Your Overseas Buyer, By Harold Zassenhaus, (zemg@erols.com)
Don’t you dread that email from your potential buyer after he receives your quote? You know, the one that states “…and what terms can you offer?” Most members quickly reply “Cash upon acceptance of order” or “Letter of Credit due upon presentation of documents drawn on a US bank acceptable to us” and/or “We accept Visa or MasterCard...”

Education & Scholarship

Member Sponsors Employee in Community College, By Michael Burdis, (michael@jamesltaylor.com)
Chris is a part-time/almost full-time employee. We manage his work schedule around his classes at Dutchess Community College. From the beginning, Chris has been a member of our bench and floor assembly teams.

Safety News

PLP&D Sponsors Winter Workshop, January 22-23, 2004
The Product Liability Prevention & Defense Group will hold its next Workshop in Orlando, covering: International Standards; What Happens if I am Sued; The ISO 1161/B 1120 Conformance Process; ANSI update, and more…

Association News

Nominations to WMMA's Board of Directors are Open!
WMMA's Leadership Development Committee is preparing the slate of Directors for the Board term expiring in 2007. Kenny Moffatt, Chairman of the Leadership Development Committee, is open to your suggestions as to whom the committee should consider for these openings. Your suggestions should include members who have been active in the Association and its activities. These individuals should be known for their character strength and integrity. They must also embrace change, while maintaining the strengths of the existing organization and identifying the key challenges facing the Association and industry. Balance in the Board is also an important factor. "Balance" means that there are representatives with different geographical locations, different sizes (in sales and number of employees), and different product types.

Nomination suggestions should be sent immediately to Mr. Moffatt, c/o Unique Machine & Tool Co., 4232 E. Magnolia Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034 fax: 602-470-1916: email: kmoff@worldnet.att.net

Breaking News: Strategic Visioning Process Yields New Committee Structure
At its year-end meeting, WMMA’s Board accepted the report and recommendations of the Strategic Visioning Task Force to restructure the Association to best channel three Strategic Initiatives: Industry Information, Competitive Business Models, and International Strategies…

WMMA Makes Economic Forecast Reports Available to Members
WMMA, through a comprehensive Industry Information Strategic Initiative, is expanding it's commitment to the success of its members by providing the highest level of Industry Information and Economic Forecast data. This information will increase your profitability by enabling you to make the right decisions at the right time…

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...

IWF 2004 Payment Reminder
Your next IWF 2004 payment must be postmarked no later than January 16th! The WMMA membership discount on IWF booth space is 20%, provided payments are be postmarked (on or before January 16th) by a governmental postal agency or overnight delivery service (not a company postage meter). This second payment represents 50% of space cost due. May 14, 2004 – remaining 25% of space cost due (invoices will be sent in early April)

The WMMA membership discount on IWF booth space is 20%, provided payments are be postmarked (on or before the due date) by a governmental postal agency or overnight delivery service (not a company postage meter).
www.iwf2004.com

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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 reproduced 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®.