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The Cutting Edge^™ WIC 2005 in Review

WMMA Honors Chuck Granger with Baldwin Award of Excellence

WMMA honored Chuck Granger with the Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence at the 2005 Business Session. This annual award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the woodworking industry, the Association, their companies and their community.

Mr. Granger is immediate past president of WMMA, and is now enjoying retirement from 3M Company, where he gave nearly 40 years of service.
The presentation speech given by 2004 Baldwin Award Winner John Zinn, noted, "Our winner has designed equipment, secured patents, directed nearly 400 workers in plants and laboratories, and in doing so, moved his family around the world for the company he loved. He also served as President of WMMA during a time of reflection and self-assessment, and maintained his good-natured-ness through it all."

Mr. Granger began his career in the woodworking industry at a 3M Company in 1964. As a sales representative, he generated over $750,000 in new sales in his first year, thus setting the trend for his track record of exponential sales growth in the territories he directed.

After managing and increasing the sales in six different U.S. territories over a number of years, 3M invited him to the U.S. headquarters in St. Paul, MN as a Marketing Supervisor. His assignment was to "find new products and systems to introduce to the market place." He participated in developing 3M's "Super Finishing System" and established a polishing process that created an $80 million dollar market for 3M's abrasive film products.

In 1986, Mr. Granger moved his family to Brussels, Belgium to run 3M's abrasive systems division's business for all of Europe. This included 16 sales subsidiaries, three manufacturing plants, two abrasive laboratories, and a technical center. Over the next five years, these European operations realized a 500% improvement in operating income. Technical centers were established in Spain, France, the UK, and Switzerland. He led the acquisition of a diamond flexible abrasive manufacturer, which is a key part of 3M's global abrasive mix today.

From 1991 through 1998, Mr. Granger functioned in several positions at headquarters in St Paul, including National Sales Manager. From 1999 through his retirement in 2003, Mr. Granger managed the High Point, NC Innovation Center.

As WMMA President, he led WMMA through a Strategic Visioning process which analyzed WMMA's past and present programs and committee structure. The Strategic Visioning sessions challenged long-held WMMA policies and programs. The result was a re-aligned committee structure focused on providing members with industry Education & Information that will enable them to compete in a global market.

The Ralph B. Baldwin Award of Excellence is presented annually to a member of the WMMA. Nominations come from the membership and are voted on by a panel consisting of WMMA Officers, Past Presidents and Membership Services Committee. This year marks the 22nd year that WMMA has bestowed this honor.

Chuck Granger (right) receives the 2005 Award from 2004 Winner John Zinn

Baldwin Award Winner Chuck Granger (2nd from left) poses with WMMA officers (left to right) Jim Laster, Peter Perez, and Tom Onsrud

Table of Contents
WMMA Honors Chuck Granger with Baldwin Award of Excellence
Directors Named to the Board; New Treasurer Named
Olympian Medalist Inspires Attendees with Her Story of Determination and Human Will at the Opening General Session
WMMA Business Session: Information & Education That's Focused on Your Future
Concurrent Workshops Give Delegates Tools for Focusing on the Customer and Strengthening
Contact Table Program Draws 80 Companies; Yields Countless Opportunities
There's Always Time for Fun at the WIC