The Cutting Edge™ December 2004
Read the December issue of The Cutting Edge online, OR print the attached PDF
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in your web browser. Or you can email jconey@fernley.com for a PDF of the
newsletter.
Business Briefing
How Are Our Hardwood Forests Doing?
By Art Raymond, araymond@raymondnet.com
The North American wood products industry is the largest in the world. The industry manufactures over one-third of global production while servicing domestic markets that consume over one-half of all non-fuel wood products. Hardwood inventories on the stump are rising in spite of increases in harvests. Consumers around the world demand products made from U.S. hardwoods like maple, oak, and cherry.
Public Policy
Tort
Reform
By John Satagaj, email@jslaw.com
Say what you want about the elections, whether you are happy with the outcome
or not, it definitely improved the prospects for tort reform. Not only did the
Republicans increase their overall majority to a 55 to 45 ratio, but two trial
lawyers, Senators Fritz Hollings (D-SC) and John Edwards (D-NC) won't be back
for the 109th Congress. Now, it does not mean we will get all 55 Republicans
to vote with us (more on that in a moment) but it puts us very close to the 60
votes we need to break a filibuster…
International Business Development
The Dollar
is Dropping!
By Harold Zassenhaus, zemg@erols.com
It's the flavor of the month whether you subscribe to The Economist, read the
Wall Street Journal, watch CNN or subscribe to any number of economic/business
newsletters. The EU and bankers in Germany and France, among others, have hinted
that something must be done to prop up the value of the US dollar or at least
weaken the value of the euro. The WMMA, through the Sound Dollar Coalition, has
been lobbying the administration hard to caution our allies not to intercede…
The New
EU - 28 Countries, 22 Languages, 445 Million Consumers
By vonne Halpaus & Geoff Oliver, QNET LLC, qnet@ce-mark.com
Manufacturers of CE-marked machines are aware that instructions must be
drawn up in one of the Community languages by the manufacturer or his authorized
representative established in the Community. This has become a very important
issue that can turn into a real hurdle and consequently, manufacturers
must weigh the cost of translating installation, operation and maintenance
manuals, while assessing if it is worth entering into these new markets…
Education & Scholarship
Mechanical
Engineering Graduate Available for Full-Time Work, December 2005
Phil Huss is graduating this month from Tennessee Tech, with an M.E. degree and
a real-world experience. He is ready for full time work at a WMMA member company.
He completed a summer internship at Accu-Router in 2004, and represented the
WMMA Scholarship Program at the 2004 WIC in a panel discussion. He has expertise
in mechanical engineering and is currently part of a group of Tennessee Tech
students working on a senior design project for Accu-Router. Access the Scholarship
Committee page and scroll to the middle of the page for resume and more…
Product Liability Workshop
PLP&D
Winter Workshop
Hyatt Regency, Orlando International Airport Orlando, Florida, January
20-21, 2005
Sessions include basics for prevention & defense; when products harm;
legal standards; the culture of safety; the safety committee; hazard identification
and risk analysis…
Woodworking Industry Conference 2005
WIC 2005
to Offer Outstanding Industry Education, Networking Opportunities
"The Changing Tides of Running Your Business" is the theme for the 14th annual
Woodworking Industry Conference, April 20-23, 2005 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach
Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida, sponsored by WMMA along with AWFS®and
WMIA WIC 2005 promises attendees an exciting combination of outstanding industry
education, information-packed business sessions and social events at Northwest
Florida's premier luxury Gulf-front hotel…
Association News
Calling
for 2005 Baldwin Award Nominations
It is time to start thinking about the industry mentor you would like to nominate
for the 2005 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? More information to come..
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 2008. Kenny Moffatt, Chairman of the Leadership Development
Committee, is open to your suggestions on 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.
Nominations 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: moffy@uniquemachine.com
Share Your Photos from Associations Gatherings
Have you taken digital or good old fashioned photos at any WMMA events? If you
would like to share them with WMMA, we will consider including them in a slide
show that will run during the WMMA New Member Reception at the WIC and at Member
Breakfasts at regional tradeshows. Contact jconey@fernley.com for more details.
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WMMA® Staff
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President
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Vice President / Treasurer
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Executive Vice President
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Director of Marketing & Information
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Director of Committees &
Editor, Cutting Edge
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Member Services Coordinator
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Management Liaison
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John Satagaj & Kevin Horan
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Legislative Counsel
1010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 639-8888
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Export Director
7758 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 306
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-0693
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Legal Counsel
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