The Cutting Edge™ March 2005
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Public Policy
Wood
Processing Professionals Unite and Deliver Message to Washington
On February 16, 2005, WMMA held their annual Public Policy Fly-In that drew more
than 100 wood processing professionals to Washington, DC. The event more than
doubled in size from last year due in large part to the growing involvement of
the WMMA members and collaboration with five leading wood processing associations
including: the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA), the Association of
Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®), the National Wood Flooring
Association (NWFA), the National Retailers Hardware Association (NRHA) and the
Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA)...
Department
of Commerce Focuses on Wood Processing Industry Issues
WMMA was thrilled to have Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing & Services,
Albert A. Frink, as their guest speaker during the Woodworking Industry Leadership
Forum (WILF) breakfast meeting on February 16th, 2005. The WILF meeting was held
in conjunction with WMMA's Public Policy Fly-In held marruary 15th & 16th,
2005 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C...
Building
Momentum
by John Satagaj, email@jsatlaw.com
Once again, WMMA marched on Washington and demonstrated the power of a united
voice. Armed with position papers on estate tax repeal, direct expensing
increases, high productivity depreciation changes, health care cost containment,
and federal statute of repose enactment, your colleagues met with their Senators
and Representatives to challenge Congress to do more for manufacturing in
the United States...
International Business Development
2004 U.S.
Import and Export Trade Statistics
by Harold Zassenhaus, hzassenhaus@fernley.com
This is a summary of major trends of US exports and imports for calendar year
2004. Statistics are reported for all woodworking equipment and its three component
parts: machines, cutting tools and, accessories and parts. Imports of woodworking
equipment (machinery, cutting tools and parts and accessories) approached $1.6
billion in 2004. It would not be a shock to see China as the largest supplier
to the US in 2005--- imports jumped 41% --- and approach $500 million...
Wood Furniture Import Trends
by Harold Zassenhaus, hzassenhaus@fernley.com
Wood furniture imports continued
their growth trend 2004, increasing by 14%. Imports of wood frame upholstered
furniture racked up the highest percentage
gains at 19% over 2003. No surprise that China continued to be the largest
supplier and one of the fastest growing with shipments totaling $5.7 billion
and a growth rate of over 21%. More than ever before an imported piece of
wood furniture is likely to be from China...
Manufacturing Strategies
Introduction
to Continuous Improvement (CI), Save the Dates
The WMMA Manufacturing Strategies Committee invites you to participate in two
back-to- back continuous improvement workshops: Introduction to Continuous Improvement
(CI), Thursday, May 12, 2005 (Hotel site to be determined) AND 5S: Workplace
Organization, Laying the Foundation for Improvement, Friday, May 13, 2005...
Distributors Must be Ready for Life After
Lean - A Manufacturing Week Perspective
by Mark Dancer, Pembroke Consulting, Inc. www.PembrokeConsulting.com
In speaking with manufacturing executives at National Manufacturing Week in
Chicago, I found optimism on the rise. By most accounts, the recession is seemingly
fading into history and sales are increasing and profits will likely follow.
There are even speculative plans to increase hiring in a number of sectors.
Distributors should take note because their best suppliers may now be on the
verge of asserting new strategies and seeking new relationships with their
supply chain partners...
Member News
Safranek Celebrates 45 Years of the Her-Saf Panel Router
The panel router was born from necessity. In the late fifties, dado blades were
not designed to cleanly cut the thin wood veneers being used on plywood. Some
people managed to get a decent cut by pulling the workpiece backwards over
the dado blades but this is a very dangerous method.
Click here for the official Release from Safranek
New Dates for IWF 2006
The International Woodworking Machinery & Supply Fair (IWF) has announced
a new pattern of show days for 2006. IWF 2006 will be held Wednesday through
Saturday, August 23-26, 2006, from 8 AM to 6 PM daily at the Georgia World
Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. The new dates and extended hours will maximize
our exhibitors' and buyers' opportunities to network, conduct business and
better utilize their time at IWF 2006...
Tulane Wood Dust Study
Wood Dust Back in the Spotlight
From the American Home Furnishings Alliance
(AHFA)
In February, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
revised its cancer classifications and tightened recommended exposure limits
for airborne dust. In early March, Tulane University Medical School was to
release a report on its six-year study of wood dust and respiratory health.
Results of these two studies have returned occupational wood dust exposure
to the spotlight. In this article, we assess ACGIH's recent findings and review
the history of wood dust research...
Industry Opportunities
NC State University/WoodLINKS USA Summer Camp
July 10-14, 2005; Sponsored by the Department of Wood and Paper Science; College
of Natural Resources, NC State University. For Rising High School Juniors
and Seniors: Join NC State University Faculty in the Department of Wood and
Paper Science in an exciting 5-day experience learning about wood products.
You will participate in hands-on, interactive laboratory experiments and will
produce wood products. Also, you will travel across NC to visit wood products
facilities...
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Vice President / Treasurer
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Director of Marketing & Information
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Director of Committees &
Editor, Cutting Edge
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Administrative Director
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Harold Zassenhaus |
Export Director |
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Management Liaison
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Legislative Counsel
1010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 639-8888
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