FDM Nov/Dec 2009

Subscribe to FDM Asia’s e-book at www.fdmasia.com Furniture Design And Manufacturing Asia Established Since 1986

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2009

LEGNO– ITALIAN FOR WOOD

Exhibiting Signs Of Revival,

Woodworking Shows 2010

Green Initiatives:

MORE THAN A COLOUR

LEAN

Manufacturing: M anufacturing:

Inclined Towards

Total Efficiency

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american hard maple flooring, castellón auditorium, by carlos ferrater.

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 • VOL. 21 NO. 8

TECHNOLOGY 20

The Lean Issue: A Fluid Process Of Efficiency

Whether cutting panels or playing football, the best team can only display its potential when all its members play together in unison.

by Eckhard Hoerner-Marass, managing director, Holzma

PAGE

54

2009 EXHIBITION GUIDE

Exhibition Reviews 54 FMC Shanghai 56 Vietnamwood 2009 Exhibition Previews 58 interzum cologne 59 Domotex Hannover 60 interzum guangzhou 62

20 24

Industry Supplement – Exhibition Outlook 2010

We all know there are many methods of estimating that include simple guessing, breaking down the cost of all the materials and then guessing on the cost of the labour. by Terry Gregory, GM of Microvellum Asia

FOCUS 18

Reformatting Limited Areas

Companies with the intentions to begin a new panel mill have to consider either the space they require or the machines that they need. by Henrik Schlieker, Anthon, Germany

Established since 1986, FDM Asia, formerly Asia Pacific Forest/Timber Industries, is a business magazine on sawmilling, woodworking, woodbased panels and furniture manufacturing. The Publisher reserves the right to accept or reject all editorial or advertising material and assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited artwork or manuscripts. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the magazine, in whole or in part, is prohibited without the prior written consent, not unreasonably withheld, of the publisher. Reprints of articles appearing in previous issues of the magazine are available on request, subject to a minimum quantity.

The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the Publisher and while every attempt will be made to ensure the accuracy

Job Estimating = Educated Guesses Without Job Costing

PANEL 28

18 and authenticity of information appearing in the magazine, the Publisher accepts no liability for damages caused by misinterpretation of information, expressed or implied, within the pages of the magazine. All correspondence regarding editorial, editorial contributions or editorial content should be directed to the Editor.

The magazine is available on subscription in Singapore at S$126.00 (GST applicable) per annum by surface mail. Subscription by airmail to readers in the Asia Pacific costs S$160 per annum; Europe and the Americas S$230 per annum. For further details refer to the subscription card found within the pages of each issue. For more subscription information, please fax to: (65) 6379 2806 or email: brendatan@epl.com.sg

Ready To Nest

Choosing the appropriate woodworking software that can contribute to the growth of the company is the difficult issue.

by Shiv Kumar Shet, senior area manager, Biesse Manufacturing

Member of Business Publication Audit of Circulation, Inc. IMPORTANT NOTICE The circulation of this publication is audited. The Advertiser's Association recommends that advertisers should place their advertisements only in audited publications.

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Associate Of of Associate

FDM Asia is published eight times a year (printed 2nd week of issue month) by

NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

TheChinese Chinese Academy The Academy of of Forestry Forestry

MICA (P) NO. 025/01/2009 • PPS 1204/7/2010 (028224) • ISSN 0219-2284

ecochanger – product changes in the wink of an eye

The retrofit software ecochanger from the ContiRollÂŽ ecoline family lets you change products automatically without halting production.

For up to 1.5 days more running time per year and high material savings.

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 • VOL. 21 NO. 8

30

Handling Efficiency

32

Wood-Based Panels - Handling And Storage

Vacuum-handling machines would contribute to the logistic movement of panels within and out of the furniture factory, forming an unbeatable productivity team. by Mr Neo Ban Chong, managing director, Schmalz Shanghai

The global solid wood resources supply crunch and the demand for wood products that uses mill waste and off-cuts, have certainly made wood-based panels more acceptable. by Dr Jegatheswaran Ratnasingam, FIWSc.

EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS: Singapore Furniture Seeks Brazil

36

Mr Jerry Tan, vice president of SFIC spearheaded an expedition to explore and tap business opportunities in Latin America. In an exclusive interview, he shares the vision that SFIC has in establishing vital links to emerging markets and an outline of SFIC’s strategy for market penetration. Daniel Cai reports

Regulars

72

Page

Acimall

44

“Bob in the Dock”

HARDWOOD & SOFTWOOD 50

53

MATERIAL & SURFACES 46

The Edge Of Design Technologies

Edgebandings are a type of veneer for surface covering, and are usually made into strips and sold in rolls. It can be made in different widths and thicknesses to match any project, whether solid, wood grain, metallic, or patterned. by Augustine Quek

49

4 FDM ASIA

NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

Children, Targets Of New Forest Initiative

The key to developing long term sustainable growth of the forest and woodworking industry lies in progressive environmental protection.

Contributed by the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO)

50

World Window And Door Demand To Reach $167 Billion In 2013 Global demand for windows and doors (fenestration) is forecasted to grow 4.3 percent per annum to US$167 billion in 2013. From the Freedonia Group.

True Blue Environmental Wood

The environment is a rapidly changing landscape. With the emerging urgency of global sensitivity, many companies are reinventing products to fit into the consumption pattern of a more educated and aware customer base. by Robert Seaman, president and CEO of BluWood International

Acimall is the primary association for the Italian production of machinery, technology, automation and accessories for woodworking and its derivates.

by Paolo Zanibon, Acimall General Manager

Bob Sabistina, international consultant to the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) tackles an interview on the demand for hardwoods in China’s boom.

advertisers’ enquiry numbers.

COVER CREDIT: HOLZMA

MARKET REPORT 40

Editorial Industry News Calendar Of Events Enquiry Form Subscription Form

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The comple an 5m²“ fits in less th

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CNC-Technology

Editorial Published by:

Of Forests Lost And Profits Found

EASTERN TRADE MEDIA PTE LTD (a fully owned subsidiary of Eastern Holdings Ltd) Registration No: 199908196C

managing director

Kenneth Tan

kentan@epl.com.sg

C

assistant editor

Daniel Cai

oming to the year’s close, many will be celebrating the yuletide festivities, with more reasons as economist and experts say the recovery for Asia is near.

Changing attitudes mark the final year of this decade, and many corporations take on a proactive approach towards tackling the environmental issue.

In the 70’s and 80’s, commercialisation and economic forces follow the demands of the free market. This philosophy had always clashed with the vocal criticism of the existing and radical environmental groups. Capitalism and those who subscribe to it constantly faced harassments from ecological groups who fought tooth and nail for their belief in environmental protection. Where profits were concern, corporations, with more resources at their disposal, usually gained the upper hand.

At present, one cannot say the status quo still stand. In the face of a growing number of environmentally sensitive and socially responsive consumers, many corporations come to realise that profiteering alone, without contribution to social and environmental wellbeing will upset the goodwill of their customers.

Eventually, entrepreneurs found profitable initiatives in ‘green’ products, which made corporate ventures with socially responsible products lucrative. Research and development was carried out not only to improve a product and make it environmentally friendly, but to increase profit margins as well.

A case in point is Argentina, “‘In 100 years, we have lost between 60 and 70 percent of our forest heritage,” Sergio La Rocca, the environmental secretarist stated to reporters. This resulted in countless furniture manufacturing companies in the country turning to timber processed under properly logging certification. Opportunities for capturing markets, many experts say.

Aside from certification, timber-producing countries such as China and Vietnam have begun practicing afforestation or reforestation, aimed to rejuvenate and ensure supply lines, and more importantly, keep the carbon credit balance in their favour. These credits are tradable and hence profitable as well.

Now that the market seems intent on picking up again, the chance to inject investment monies into environmental products have never been better. Capitalism and the enterprising spirit have founded the green market, where environmental products ensure escalating profits. In the end, where issues plague the market, opportunities arise for the farsighted. While consumerism recovers, maybe we’ll remember no longer to fell the forest for the tree.

danielcai@epl.com.sg

editorial assistant

Eunice Tay

eunicetay@epl.com.sg

senior art director/studio manager

Lawrence Lee

lawrencelee@epl.com.sg

art director

Phyllis Ng

phyllisng@epl.com.sg

graphic designer

Zhan Tao

zhantao@epl.com.sg

advertising sales manager

Canice Gan

canicegan@epl.com.sg

business manager (China)

Ding Yongmei

neweastern_sh@yahoo.cn

senior circulation executive

Brenda Tan

brendatan@epl.com.sg

contributors Henrik Schlieker Eckhard Hoerner-Marass Terry Gregory Shiv Kumar Shet Neo Ban Chong Dr Jegatheswaran Ratnasingam Jerry Tan Paolo Zanibon Michael Buckley Augustine Quek The Freedonia Group Robert Seaman International Tropical Timber Organisation

EXECUTIVE BOARD chairman

Stephen Tay

group executive director

Kenneth Tan

financial controller

Robbin Lim

etm

Eastern

Trade Media Pte Ltd an Eastern Holdings Ltd company

Daniel Cai

Head Office & Mailing Address: Eastern Trade Media Pte Ltd 1100 Lower Delta Road, EPL Building #04-02, Singapore 169206 Tel: (65) 6379 2888 Fax: (65) 6379 2805 Representative Office Shanghai, China Office: Shanghai New Eastern Media Co. Ltd 15D Block B, Victoria Plaza, No. 1068, Xikang Road, Shanghai, P.R, China 200060 Tel: (86 21) 6311 3676 Fax: (86 21) 6311 2960

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Yuletide Greetings And Season’s Cheer!

Here’s Wishing All Our Readers And Advertisers Happy Holidays And A Wonderful 2010

Industry News

Malaysia Expects Furniture Target

Trade Promotion Is Key Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The minister of international trade and industry has said the country will continue to boost trade promotional activities to generate long-term growth. He added that the activities were vital and will

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: According to

generate the desired results despite the current global economic slowdown.

Bernama, the Malaysian government

He commented that the furniture industry is one that shows signs of recovery

is confident they are able to achieve a

with an improvement in orders.

RM10 billion (US$ 2.9 billion) target for

Although prices remain weak, the furniture industry remains competitive

furniture exports by the end of 2009. The

and there are reports of the industry beginning employment activities again.

country has already registered RM3.57

Furthermore, with regards to free trade, the minister of international

billion in furniture exports for the first

trade and industry also pointed out that with effect from January 1, 2010,

half of 2009.

Malaysia and five other countries in the Association of South-east Asian

To promote its furniture products,

Nations (ASEAN), which includes Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore

Malaysian traders will participate in the

and Thailand, will be a free trade block that will eliminate duties on all

Malaysian Furniture and Furnishings

products within the six countries.

Fair. Mr Gan Tai Hwa, the organising

Malaysia will eliminate duties on more than 2,000 items. China and

chairman, expects total sales turnover

South Korea are also in the process of deciding duty eliminations on

to increase to RM50 million this year

products within the ASEAN-China and ASEAN-South Korea Free Trade

compared with RM40 million registered

Agreement (FTA). In addition, the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement

in the fair last year.

and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand will come into force at the same date in 2010.

Market Diversification Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: The chief executive of the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) recommended

Sarawak Promotion In Middle East

that timber companies producing value-added products should examine opportunities in the

Sarawak, Malaysia: The

emerging markets of India, Gulf Cooperation Council

timber sector sustained a

countries and South Asia. While the economic

25 percent drop in the value

crisis has taken toll on traditional markets, there

of exports in the first half of

are viable business opportunities in the Middle

this year. China, India and

East where a number of large scaled construction

Japan saved the industry from

projects are underway.

losses. Reports indicate that

Companies that are keen to explore these

the plywood markets were

opportunities are encouraged to collaborate with

the weakest and imaginative

the MTC by participating in trade shows and

pricing and cost savings

exhibitions. Malaysia’s value-added products include

allowed the industry to

mouldings, builders’ carpentry and joinery and

weather the market conditions.

The local press is

up to 4.5 percent of the nation’s annual gross

reporting that the Sarawak

domestic product. West Malaysia produces more

Timber Industry Development

than five million m3 of logs annually, including rubber wood.

The US and the EU continue to remain two of the main exports markets for Malaysian timber products. Trade depends on the recovery of the building and construction sectors in these markets.

8 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

Credit: Tony Hisgett,Yorkshire,UK

wooden furniture. The timber sector contributes

Corporation will send a delegation to Jeddah, Dubai and Oman to promote Sarawak’s plywood and sawn timber.

Industry News

Indonesia Works To Approve S4S Jakarta, Indonesia: The government

Forestry And Climate Change

The ministry of forestry has

Jakarta, Indonesia: The forestry ministry is

is working on a plan to legalise set quotas allowing harvesting

preparing for the 15th climate change Conference

the export of surface-machined of up to nine million m³ of logs

of Parties (COP) to be held in Copenhagen,

to a smooth finish on all four per year. However, statistics

Denmark in December 2009. Indonesia is planning

sides (S4S) categories of wood show only three million m³ of

to provide two demonstrations of an application

and logs from natural forests in logs actually entered production.

of a mechanism under the Reduction Emission

an effort to boost revenue from Officials question if the remaining

from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), to

the forest products industry, the six million m³ was harvested and

illustrate that Indonesia is capable of reducing

Jakarta Post reports.

processed illegally, including products

carbon emission by 2.3 giga tonnes.

Officials are of the opinion that that were processed into S4S.

One of the demonstrations will be held

despite of the current economic Conservationists and NGOs noted

in Central Kalimantan, with assistance from

crisis, there is demand for S4S and that the Indonesian government have

Germany and the other in the Berau district,

log products in particular markets, to improve on a mechanism that

East Kalimantan province, with the assistance

especially in the Middle East. They allows for transparency and good

of The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

added that countries like Malaysia and governance in forestry management

One purpose of the demonstration was

China had benefited from Indonesia’s before embarking on the plan to

to show the potential of the carbon stock in

absence in this market.

legalise exporting S4S.

Indonesian forest and determine if REDD Plus could be applied.

T

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9

Industry News

Forestry Plantation Boosts Agarwood

Myanmar Market Continues Slow

Kachin, Myanmar: A community forestry

Yangon, Myanmar: The market

teak. The Myanma Ahlin Newspaper

plantation situated eight miles from

situation remains as it was in July

ran a feature on the benefits

Myitkyina, Kachin State, in Northern

except some buyers reported a

from establishing plantations. In

Myanmar, was established under a directive

glut of pyinkado logs in Vietnam.

highlighting the financial returns

from the ministry of forestry’s aims to

Shipments to Vietnam are weakening.

and environmental benefits the

replenish agarwood (Aquilaria agallocha-

Teak was being shipped to India and

paper urged local entrepreneurs

Thymelaeaceae family) saplings.

the Indian teak market was reported

and people to consider establishing

to be quite firm.

plantations.

The New Light of Myanmar reports that agarwood is considered to be on

On an inspection tour of forest

This is deemed urgent as the

the verge of extinction. The community

plantations Myanmar’s prime minister

2008/9 target of establishing 100,000

forestry plantation had started sowing

highlighted the abundance of vacant

hectare of teak plantations was

agarwood seeds and 12 acres (48,600 sq

land in the country and how the

missed with only 13,000 hectare

m) were planted by June 2009. Under this

technical knowledge developed for

established.

initiative, about 500 acres will be planted.

establishing teak plantations should

The seeds for the plantation were

be harnessed to expand the area.

For hardwood plantations, 20,000 hectares were established but this

collected from trees in the nearby villages.

He urged the relevant government

was around 50 percent of the target.

About 100,000 seedlings were planted

departments and entrepreneurs to

The local press in Myanmar has

last year and sold to parties interested

plan the expansion of plantations

reported on efforts for ‘greening’

in establishing plantations. The rate

across the country.

activities in Yangon, Bago, Mandalay

was at Kyats 500 (about US 50 cents)

At a briefing, the forestry

and Magway, underway since 2004.

per sapling. The Ngwe Pyaw Agarwood

minister reported that just over

A 250 hectare plantation in Ottwin

Plantation expects to plant another 100,000

830,000 hectare (8.3 billion sq m)

township was started in 2007-08

seedlings this year and about 500 trees

of plantations had been established

and the seedlings are just over one

with a spacing of 10 feet by 10 feet can

and of this, approximately half is

metre in height.

be planted per acre.

Special Economic Zones Expand New Delhi, India: Annual tree planting

foreign trade policy for the period 2009-

Indian exporters will benefit from

programmes have been active in several

2014 has been just announced. In the new

the recently signed Association of South

Indian states. Forest departments of all

policy, the government looks to achieve

East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Free Trade

states, non-government organisations

an annual export growth of 15 percent

Agreement (FTA) as it will eliminate import

(NGOs) and members of the public have

during 2010-2011 with a target of US$200

duties on over 4000 items in intra-regional

planted a large number of teak, eucalyptus,

billion by March 2011.

trade within ASEAN markets. The measures

casuarinas, poplar, leucanea leucocephala,

Special economic zones are expected

are expected to enlarge volumes traded

Dalbergia sissoo bamboo saplings and other

to produce goods for export. The first

and boost economic return for all the

species by local wood-based industries.

wood-based areas will be established in

participants. Under the agreement, India

Sandalwood is an important but rare

the state of Gujarat close to two of the

can export more units of plywood, MDF,

species. Reports indicate that the number

west coast ports of Kandla and Mundra.

particleboard (PB), but is limited by the

of sandalwood trees has increased in

Timber processing zone with 400 licensed

the Marayur sandalwood division from

sawmills and 35 plywood units exists in the

The recession has affected India’s

57,767 to 58,514. There has been sufficient

same district, providing direct employment

imports and export levels. Imports have

regeneration of this species in the wild,

to 40,000 to 50,000 people. The planned

declined more than exports so trade

while vigilance and protective measures

size of the SEZ is 100 hectares(1 billion sq

balances are well managed. Exports of

by local forest departments have shown

m) and is expected to attract Rs10 billion

wood products are performing better

to reduce smuggling cases as well. India’s

in investment for wood-based industries.

than the second quarter of 2008.

10 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

availability of raw material.

FTA Impacts New Delhi, India: India’s FTAs has

Para authorities discuss alternatives for timber production

impacted the domestic manufacturers, especially the wood based panel

Brazil, South America: The government

forest resources. The government and

makers.

of state of Pará and forest sector

relevant parties are expected to be part of

Domestic MDF and high-density

entrepreneurs have come up with

an independent and integrated network

fibreboard (HDF), hardboard and PB

alternatives for the timber production

system to increase the capability and

produced in India face stiff price

chain. In August 2009, the state secretary

swiftness of the state secretary of the

competition from imports. This is

of development, science and technology

environment (SEMA) in the process

due to the relatively high cost of

(SEDECT) discussed the main shortcomings

of analyzing and monitoring forest

raw materials in India.

of the sector. Representatives indicated

management projects.

Many panel product factory

that the Forest Management Support

PAMFLOR will provide a system of

development plans have been

Program (PAMFLOR) could help promote

remote monitoring and independent

postponed or shelved and some

forest industry.

verification of forestry practices in the

investors are considering relocating

According to Agência Pará, the

field, technical assistance, capacity

production or acquiring plant in

program aims to improve sustainable

building and training, technological

countries such as Thailand, Malaysia

forest management in Pará with more

improvements in forest industry, and

or Indonesia where the availability

transparency, stronger management,

production of studies that provide strategic

of raw material is better.

and greater environmental control over

information on the forest sector.

ENQUIRY NO. 066

RICHFRUITS MACHINERY MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. ADD: NO.10, SHILONG INDUSTRIAL ROAD, SHILING INDUSTRIAL ZONE OF LUNJIAO, SHUNDE DISTRICT, FOSHAN CITY, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA. FAX: 0086-757-27721919 TEL: 0086-757-27721959 E-MAIL: richfruitschina@163.com WEB: www.richfruits.com CONTACT: 0086-13928252573

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11

Industry News

Hardwood Imports

Research To Map Wood Production Brazil, South America: A study carried out by the economics department of the State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT) aims to map the wood production processes in the Amazon region. The purpose is to check the volume of wood residues produced by the forest activities (furniture and timber industry) and its potential as an alternative source of income. For the coordinators, the Northern region has potential to transform wood residues (sawdust, wood chip and others) into manufactured products for commercialisation.

Credit:Aleksi Pihkanen,Helsinki,Finland

Illegal Sawmills Down

New Dehli, India: India’s imports of tropical hardwoods have picked up as the South-

Brazil, South America: The timber were seized.

west monsoon season is ending.

Domestic demand for timber is

media recently reported on

Maranhão in the Amazon

According to the is one of the “hot spots”

strengthening and the balance in consumption

the ‘Arco de Fogo’ Operation, ministry of the environment, for deforestation and has

between imports and local production is

an effort to fight illegal besides these proactive suffered severe deforestation.

being maintained. Exports of wood based

activities on the indigenous operations, there is a need to This is one region where the

products are also stable.

lands of Alto Turiaçu, Awa- increase sustainable income “Arco de Fogo” operation Guajá and Carú and on the alternatives for the forest is conducted.

recently and supplies from Guatemala are

Biological Reserve of Gurupi dependent population. The

overtaking its market. The industry consumers

in the Brazilian Amazon. A challenge is not only to seize

say that the quality of teak received from

total of 33 illegally operating timber but also to give these

Guatemala is suited to the Indian market.

sawmills were shut down people the opportunity to and more than 3,000 m3 of live with dignity.

Investment In Added Value

Credit: Taz, Vancouver, Canada

has doubled but

The association said that the

is still a tenth

forest-based production chain in

of China and a

Brazil engages about 6.5 million

quarter of the

people (nine percent of the country’s

US and Europe.

economically active population), of

In addition to

which 2.5 million are in the solid

flooring,

the

wood sector. Out of these, about

furniture industry

215,000 are employed in the timber

traded R$14 billion

processing activities.

(US$8.2 billion)

Brazilian forest sector companies

in 2007 of which

promote interaction with local

R$1.1 billion was

communities through partnership

exported. Exports

projects. The ‘Good Management

Brazil, South America: Wood-

including mouldings, doors, flooring

Project’ was quoted as an example.

flooring production is one of the

and other manufactured products

This is directed and coordinated by

main products with added value in

earned US$2.2 billion in 2007.

the Brazilian Agricultural Research

Brazil. In 2007, the country produced

Brazil’s Associação Nacional dos

Corporation (Embrapa) with the

about 34 million sq m of wood

Produtores de Pisos de Madeira

participation of timber companies.

flooring and exports exceeded

(ANPM) has called for the country

It develops and disseminates forest

US$600 million.

to work on a progressive industrial

management practices to both

policy for the forestry sector.

companies and communities.

Over 10 years, flooring production

12 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

Credit: Jason Wilson

Imports of Teak from Sudan have slowed

Industry News

Industry News

Changes To Forest Management Policy Announced

Reports (JLR), these include the

‹ ŒŽ‘

creation of a policy to pay directly for

’ “ ƒ € ‚ƒ ”•–•—

systems of forest management and environmental conservation, a more direct focus on private operators in forest management efforts, an increase

€� ‚ ƒƒ

in Japan’s reliance on domestic Credit: Nakae,Tokyo,Japan

supply for the wood industry to

Tokyo, Japan: Officials of the Democratic

50 percent (instead of the current

Party of Japan (DOJ) announced changes

24 percent), and the introduction

to Japan’s forest management policies.

of a traceability system to prevent

According to the Japan Lumber

illegally imported wood.

South Sea plywood mills reduce production Tokyo, Japan: Due to low demand for South Sea logs in Japan, the South Sea plywood mills have reduced production by up to 30 percent. However, JLR reported that logs would

 � � � �

 �­

be in short supply in some areas as a result of the cuts. Price negotiations are becoming

 ���

more active as the log inventories decline, an indication that the market is showing signs

� �  ­ € ‚ƒ

of improvement.

Imports of South Sea logs were down by 50 percent during the first half of the year, reaching a volume of 354,318 mÂł. The main reason for this decline was the depressed plywood market in Japan. Sarawak and PNG’s imports each fell over 58 percent during the first half of 2009 and Solomon Islands’ imports fell about 24 percent from the same period in 2008. points of contact. “The lawsuit is an example of Välinge’s continued and firm intend to protect its patent rights and licensees in

Viken, Sweden: Välinge has filed a lawsuit

the United States,� says Ignace Gorus,

for patent infringement against the Granite

Välinge’s Senior Legal Counsel. Today

Expo group of companies (Granite Expo) in

more than 100 companies have signed

the Northern district of California.

a license arrangement with Välinge

Granite Expo’s decision to brand their

and have by doing so expressed their

product ‘Pacific Laminate Flooring’, have left

respect for and interest in Välinge’s

them accused of infringing upon Välinge’s

intellectual property. Amongst those

US patent 7,398,625. This patent covers a

companies are some of the biggest

locking system for mechanically joining

laminate producing companies in

floorboards whereby three contact surfaces

US, Europe and China. Välinge stated

exist in the joint of the installed floor panels.

that they will not suffer unlicensed

The infringing Granite Expo product has

producers and piracy or disrespect for

what some might call an ‘arc lock’ profile

intellectual property. Välinge will also

that holds the edges of panels together

increasingly act against importers of

(vertically and horizontally) using three

unlicensed products in the US market.

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www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA  NOV/DEC 2009

13

ENQUIRY NO. 074

Välinge Files Lawsuit Against Granite Expo

Industry News

Plywood supply

First Decline In European Flooring Production Brussels, EU:

including multilayer, solid wood, mosaic

first half of 2009 is reported as 20 percent

The European

and lamparkett.

down on the first six months of 2008

flooring sector

The overall make-up of species used

is one of the

to manufacture parquet changed only

important

slightly from the previous year. Oak

areas of market

remained hugely dominant, accounting

growth

Credit: Casey Serin, Sacramento, US

Tokyo, Japan: Plywood supply for the

largely because of a slowdown in housing starts. Demand has dropped much more than expected and some items are at historical lows.

Plywood imports from Indonesia were sustained but those from Malaysia suffered a considerable decline. The market for

for

for 57.6 percent of all flooring production.

hardwoods.

Tropical woods accounted for 14.7

According

percent. This wood remains important

to statistics

in flooring production in several markets

concrete formboard is noticeably weak and

produced by the European Parquet Flooring

this is attributed to the halt of many public

Federation (FEP), parquet production in

FEP statistics also indicate a

works projects while the new government

the FEP region increased 86 percent from

significant fall in parquet flooring

reviews infrastructure projects from the

53.8 million sq m to 100.3 million sq m in

sales during 2008 compared to the

previous administration.

the last decade.

previous year. Although there was a

TRADA Archives Come To Life

including Italy, Spain and Poland.

Last year, this market suffered its first

slight increase in consumption in a

major reversal. Parquet flooring production

few markets including Romania, the

in the FEP region declined in 2008 by 16

Czech Republic and Hungary, these

percent to 84.72 million sq m.

gains were insufficient to offset big

The decline affected all types of parquet

losses in the largest markets.

As part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, TRADA

Imports Fall

has gone live with an

EU: European import data shows that the fall in EU tropical hardwood

archive area on its

imports, continued into the second quarter of 2009. Between January and

website. More than

June this year, European imports of tropical hardwood logs, sawn lumber,

1,000 documents are

veneer and plywood were down. European import volumes of these

available online.

commodities in 2009 are a small fraction of those of only two years earlier.

The documents

Such decline raises serious issues about the extent to which it might

have been scanned by a specialist agency and

drive long-term structural changes in the European wood industry that may

searching is possible across the entire document

be detrimental to future prospects for tropical hardwood.

contents using key words. Membership and

Total EU-25 imports of logs, plywood, rough sawn lumber and veneers

marketing manager, Rupert Scott said: “We

from developing countries suffered falls in the periods of April to June this

have not catalogued the documents because

year. The fall in tropical hardwood log imports has been particularly dramatic.

searching in this way is far more effective.”

The continued decline affected all major EU markets. While data hints

The search can order results by relevance or

that the market decline may be bottoming out in France, and the UK, imports

alphabetically. Some documents may appear to

into both the Netherlands and Spain experienced further downturns in the

come up several times but in different revisions.

same period. All major tropical hardwood supplying countries experienced

Mr Scott added: “We intend to use this

a decline in sales to the EU during this quarter.

resource ourselves, since we firmly believe that

Imports from China showed marginal gains during the second quarter

the past is extremely valuable in determining

compared to the first quarter, although the volumes involved remained well

where we should go in the future. The archive

below those of the previous year.

material certainly has much to teach us and it

Only Greece seems to have escaped the turmoil. Greek imports of tropical

is surprising how many ‘new’ ideas have come

veneers were down only 3 percent. Greek imports of hardwood plywood from

up before. There is much to learn from history.”

developing countries actually increased during the period. Greek imports of

TRADA aims to expand and improve the archive

tropical sawn lumber nearly reached 2008 levels at 11,180 m3.

over time, as with all areas of the website.

14 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

Industry News

Threat To Tropical Hardwood Brussels, EU: The German trade journal

and is being marketed for exterior joinery

EUWID reports that two alternative

applications.

treatments for preservation have been

At present, the ability of these products

identified by the softwood industry,

to compete with tropical hardwoods is

namely heat treatment and acetylation.

constrained by price. For example Kebony is

Both processes have developed to the

currently priced at between US$4,000 and

extent that they can offer a competitive challenge to tropical hardwoods. The

US$14,000 per m³ depending on quality, Credit: Sonny Side Up

and is targeted at the high-end teak market.

Scandinavian companies Finnforest and Stora Enso are producing

Price levels are expected to come down as capacity

‘Thermowood’, a heat-treated product made by steam heating

increases. European production capacity of thermally treated

softwood to temperatures over 200 oC, driving out moisture and

wood is currently around 160,000 m³, with known capacity

resin to enhance durability and stability.

of 80,000 m³ in Scandinavia, 40,000 m³ in German-speaking

Kebony, a Norwegian product is produced with a similar process except that ‘tropical-wood-colour’ is added to the softwood by impregnating furfuryl (a byproduct from sugar making) before being subjected to intense heating.

countries of central Europe, 30,000 m³ in the Netherlands, and 8,000 m³ in the Baltics.

Projects in Germany and Finland will extend production by a further 20,000 m³. These figures are significant when

Acetylation involves the use of naturally occurring acetic

set against the 600,000 m³ combined annual EU import

acid to alter the molecular structure of wood. The treated

volume of meranti and sapele, the two leading tropical

timber is durable and stable without effect on visual appearance

joinery species.

20649_Resources.qxd

2/13/07

7:55 AM

we combine the

Page 1

our resources With over 800,000 square feet of manu-

best PEOPLE

facturing space under roof, and more than 3.2 million board feet

with the best

of kiln capacity, Baillie is able to provide the volumes of

RESOURCES

North American hardwoods which you need. Together

and create

with this capacity comes the service and selection

LUMBER

on which we have built our business... a great combination.

THAT WORK it’s not just a product...it’s a solution.

4002 Legion Drive / Hamburg, NY 14075 / 716-649-2850 / 800-950-2850 / Fax 716-649-2811 / www.baillie.com

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

ENQUIRY NO. 705

SOLUTIONS

15

Industry News

Industry News

Next Enforcement Phase Washington, US: The department

illegally sourced from any

of agriculture’s animal and

US state or any foreign

plant health inspection service

country.

(APHIS) has introduced Phase

• Require importers to

3 of the Lacey Act declaration

declare the country

requirement. As of October

of harvest origin and

1st, 2009, the declaration of

species name of all

wood charcoal, veneered panels,

plants contained in

wooden frames, tableware,

their products.

kitchenware and parquetry,

• Established penalties

caskets and statuettes are required

for violation of the Act,

and enforced. In response to

including forfeiture of

comments that identifying the

goods and vessels, fines

genus and species in composite

and jail.

and recycled or reused wood

The Lacey Act declaration

materials would be very difficult,

requirement is being phased in

APHIS will delay enforcement

over a period of approximately

of the declaration of products

two years. Phase 2 started

such as MDF, particleboard or

May 1st, 2009 and saw the

scrap wood. These products

enforcement of the declaration

would enter the declaration

for a range of wood products

enforcement phase no earlier

In response to the

than September 1st, 2010.

requirements under the Lacey

The amended Lacey Act

Act, the Indonesian government

became the world’s first ban

introduced a system to certify

on the import, export or trade

its forest practices and wood

in illegally sourced wood and

products. In September, China

plant products since May 2008.

and Indonesia agreed to sign a

The

Environmental

Memorandum of Understanding

Investigation Agency lists three

to cooperate in ensuring that

key components of the Act that

timber trade between the

address illegal logging and trade

countries is legal and complies

in wood products:

with the act. The agreement

• Prohibits all trade in plant

includes exchanging data on

and plant products (e.g. logs,

wood product trade and training

lumber, veneer, furniture)

of government officials.

Shift To Custom Production Connecticut, US: Ethan Allen Interiors announced its intention to turn its domestic wood furniture production into a custom business. The manufacturing and retail company is already producing custom upholstery in the US, and it plans to convert its entire case good business in the US to custom production within a year. Approximately 65 percent of its products are ENQUIRY NO. 096

16 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

manufactured in North America at six facilities, including one plant in Mexico.

Industry News CHINA FOCUS

Forest Industry Gains In First Half

Managing International Forest Resources

Beijing: According to the

instance, for products produced

Beijing: The guideline of sustainable management and use of

state forestry administration,

with timber residues, the policy

overseas forest for Chinese enterprises was jointly issued by

the performance of China’s

of refunding upon payment

the state forestry administration and the ministry of commerce.

forest industry showed gains

of VAT has been established.

According to guidelines, Chinese enterprises have to

during the first half of 2009.

The export tax rebate rates for

conduct their business within an approved site, area, quantity,

Statistical data showed total

63 forest products have been

variety and scope of business. Activities such as project

output value of forestry industry

increased.

contraction, labour services cooperation and purchase of

amounted to RMB726.6billion

Secondly, local authorities

forest products are expected to be in accordance with the

(US$106.4billion) in the first six

have sped up incentives to

related bilateral laws and regulations. Wood processing

months. The output of timber

encourage development of

projects and timber transportation should be in line with

and wood based panels reached

industrial structures. Some

industry policies of both China and the host country. The

29.5 million m³ and 59.57 million

industries, such as biomass

system of public notification and consultation before logging

m³ respectively.

energy, biological medicine

should be established.

According to professionals,

production, forest food, forest

These guidelines emphasises that Chinese enterprises

these achievements resulted from

tourism and biomass material,

have to consider the interests of local people when forest

the following measures taken

continued to increase.

management activities are carried out. Enterprises are also

by governments. Firstly, the

Thirdly, the import and export

requested to participate in local activities of public welfare

guidance and support for industry

of major forest products showed

and provide local people with opportunities for employment

development strengthened. For

signs of a gradual increase.

and training.

Focus On Domestic Marketing Due to the global financial crisis and weak overseas demand, China’s furniture exports have fallen. Export oriented furniture producers have adapted to the market conditions and changed their focus to the domestic market. China’s furniture production is mainly concentrated in Guangdong, Zhejiang and Sichuan provinces.

Furniture production in these three provinces reached RMB287.8 billion last year and this represented 45 percent of the national total.

Guangdong province ranks first in furniture production and exports. There are about 6000 production enterprises with an estimated one million employees. In 2008 the total value of furniture output from Guangdong Province was RMB184 billion or 28 percent of the national total.

Of this furniture exports stood at US$11.5 billion.

Zhejiang Province ranks second in the furniture production and exports. There are an estimated 3000 furniture producers employing around ENQUIRY NO. 010

300,000 people.

The third largest province for furniture production and exports is Sichuan with some 3000 companies.

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

17

Focus

REFORMATTING

LIMITED AREAS Panel sizing has always been a sizable enterprise, both in terms of capital investments as well as the measurement of production space required.

Companies with the intentions to begin a new panel mill have to consider either the space they require or the machines that they need. These are limiting factors to production output. by Henrik Schlieker, Anthon, Germany

Flexible destacking area allocated with constrained space

B

ringing up a case in point in the European market, Vedum Kök and Bad was founded in 1919, one hour away from Gothenburg, Sweden. It is managed by the greatgrandson of the founder and is at the moment a manufacturer of luxury kitchen and bathroom furniture. Their furniture products are available in numerous designs with different surfaces, and are managed by about 260 staff members who work on computer-controlled machines.

Their furniture is mainly designed for the Scandinavian and European market.

It is usually made of chipboards, coated with wood decoration and melamine. In order to increase the production capacity and to be more flexible in multiple projects, the furniture manufacturer has invested in a new panel sizing line with an automated destacking system. These machines were supplied by the Anthon machine factory in Flensburg.

As a regular investment practice in machine production lines, Vedum had planned to trade their old panel-sizing

18 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

machine of another make with the new one from Anthon so that they could increase their sizing, and consequently, production capacity. This would enable them to react faster to individual orders and allow them to better manage the current stock with an updated flexible destacking system.

The simplified drawing reveals the limited space available for the production shop

Anthon deals in complex machines and production lines for the panel producing industry. The company’s main focus is on panel sizing systems, including feeding, destacking and sorting systems for different wood and building materials that caters to the construction and furniture industry. The company also

manages automatic robot supported packing lines and its corresponding software solutions for cut optimisation and material stock control.

In this instance, Vedum faced the issue of space constraints within its existing workshop. Anthon was contracted to fit their machines into a limited space perimeter. Due to a railway line directly behind the workshop, the factory space could not be extended.

The only variable factor that Anthon’s engineers can make use of is the available space that held the older panel sizing line. After removing the older line, the layout of the new line had to be adapted to the existing structural space, which included additional issues such as a low roof design and existing structural support columns that could not be moved.

This entire production line had to be implemented on a surface area of 14 by 20 metres. Some of the old equipment components already had a tight fit inside the shop’s floor with barely a few centimetres remaining.

To complicate matters, the furniture

Focus

Vacuum feeder for different materials, including thin panels

A flexible high performance line, close to the wall despite the issue of little available space

manufacturer requested that the exchange of the old line should be completed within three weeks, during its holiday. This was in order for the company to start its production process immediately after that period.

The company also wanted to fit an additional machine, an optimisation system for cutting and destacking patterns that had the flexibility of processing individual projects rapidly, into the workshop.

Anthon had to devise an equipment placement layout to manage this challenge set by their client. Based on the company’s experience in panel sizing systems, Anthon offered an overall layout conceptualisation.

Line Concept The technical solution for Vedum Kök and Bad consisted of a fully automatic angular panel sizer with automatic feeding and destacking system (with an additional manual destacking system in place).

The line was equipped with a panel-separating device for feeding

thin panels. In addition, a special head cut-turntable produced optimised cutting patterns, whereas the zero line is maintained at its turning. A customised narrow clamp division for the smallest format was selected (minimum of 50mm strips). The cutting patterns were separated into part patterns at the separating station behind the cross cut saw. Transportation was to be executed over an angular transfer system to the turning station. Separating of packs and automatic supply to the destacking stations was carried out in such a way that it can be done over a displacing station.

The destacking system consisted of a five-axes industrial robot, which included the gripper tool, made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic. It consisted of a fork that has a motor driven push-off fence and pneumatic down-holder cylinders. The robot feeds four destacking places, which are on lifting tables because of the scarce space. Hence the destacking patterns can be configured in a versatile manner.

Based on this formation, several

Approved turntable and LNB saw for complex cutting patterns and reduction of waste, also with the smallest parts

strips can be laid beside each other (multiple rows) or in a sectional destacking ‘Christmas tree formation’.

It is usually not possible to achieve this with conventional systems such as a ‘side gripper’.

Moreover, parts can be turned during destacking. An advantage of the destacking system is that only one tool is required for the complete spectrum of finished parts (minimum width of 100 mm, with a destacking weight where each cycle had a maximum load of 550 kg). Each destacking position is automatically supplied with protection boards or Euro-pallets.

Machine providers now deal with more than the supply of the relevant production lines. We go a step further to provide custom solutions that would add value to the client. Whereas the age of industrialisation and automation has evolved, the time of service and customer satisfaction has arrived to influence the decisions of even the most technical of machining and engineering companies. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8101

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

19

Technology

The Lean Issue:

A

Fluid Process Of

Efficiency Whether cutting panels or playing football, the principle of the situation is the same: the best team can only display its potential when all its members play together in unison. by Eckhard Hoerner-Marass, managing director, Holzma

L

ean manufacturing or lean production, often known simply as ‘Lean’, is a production practice that considers the expenditure of resources for the creation of value for the end customer to be the goal. All other expenditure is meant to be eliminated.

From the perspective of the customer who consumes a product or service, ‘value’ is defined as any process that a customer would be willing to pay for.

Lean manufacturing is centred on creating more value with less work, and it is a variation of efficiency based on optimising workflow. It is a recurring theme toward increasing efficiency, decreasing waste, and using empirical methods to manage productivity.

Lean manufacturing is important for small and large companies alike. Admittedly, costs and consequently savings have a far greater impact with high output and long dayshifts. For example, from a monetary perspective, saving 20 percent on energy consumption with efficient technologies gives a large industrial company more returns than a smaller company. One can also save money for small companies. For example, if the saw works fast and dependably, one can reduce energy usage and have less material wastage. Furthermore, the machine operator can be deployed do other jobs other than managing the saw.

The necessity to save costs is present

20 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

everywhere today.

It allows companies to offer quality products at competitive prices, and companies can still see profit in the dynamic global market.

A further aspect that contributes to the necessity for ‘Lean’ management is the environment. We live on a planet with limited resources. The population of the world is continuously increasing, and consuming limited resources. All over the world, we acknowledge that we have to treat these resources with respect, otherwise the consequences will catch up with us tomorrow.

Identifying Lean Speaking of ‘lean manufacturing’, we at Holzma would use the terms ‘resource efficiency’ and ‘life cycle cost’. These terms makes the subject more tangible for smaller customers. At the same time, with our choice of words, we indicate the direction our efforts move towards. Our products, panel-sizing saws and solutions for software and service, are designed

to save our customers’ resources and ensure that production processes run as smoothly as possible. Thus, we reduce manufacturing and material costs. In the long run, the investment in a saw is amortised faster, the customer remains competitive and still play the part of protecting the environment.

For sawing, ‘energy’, manpower’, (compressed) air’, ‘material’ and ‘time’ are among the most important resources.

Holzma has several concept solutions to save them and we continue adding to our repertoire. In keeping with our motto “more than just cutting” We present these solutions: Like football , all parts of our equipment would match each other's play and performance for a seamless workflow.

Technology

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

21

Technology • Our own proprietary optimisation software ‘Cut Rite’, saves material and time • Solutions for scratch-sensitive and pressure-sensitive material reduce rejects • The new ecoLine technologies of the three series save energy, reduce air consumption at tables, optimise the extraction system and more The Holzma standard concerns itself with intelligent processes. It is not individual parameters such as saw carriage speed or programme fence speed that determine the high output of a saw, but the overall performance of the saw that counts. We have known that for a long time and implemented technologies such as the ‘Power Concept’ (a clamp that can be moved independently of the program fence), the HKL 380 combiLine (cutting and routing in one) and the ‘Domino’ system (destacking solutions for smooth workflows).

Our worldwide services and machine control feature the ‘cadmatic’ are important features as well. Putting everything together provides a continuous production flow.

As a pacesetter, we have gone beyond our core competency of sawing.

The company has participated in regular product showcases and worked to centre its products on productivity through a seamless sawing processes.

Domino Stacking Emphasising on a growing trend of integrated production line for the wood manufacturing process, Holzma created the ‘Domino’ system to eliminate bottlenecks in the woodworking sector. Being able to link the ‘combiLine’ equipment to almost anything from the 4 series to a live video link.

The system is a workflow improvement process for production to be organised smoothly. This is an umbrella term for a modular labelling and destacking system, which includes a number of products,

22 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

such as an automatic labelling system, a parts buffer and a destacking carriage.

Furthermore, users can integrate other elements such as a horizontal storage system, Holzma’s ‘Power Concept’ and others. The precise configuration varies from customer to customer, depending on the specific requirements.

The basic idea for this system is that one domino matches the next. If, in the manufacturer’s feeding system, there is a domino with a ‘five’, then the next step in the system must also be a ‘five’. If there is a ‘three’, then another ‘three’ will follow it. Each step intelligently prepares the way for the next, from feeding to destacking and continuing still further to preparing the downstream processing steps. All the domino modules put together creates a continuous, ergonomic production processes and ensure logical and efficient overall organisation.

Unnecessary idle periods at the saw and holdups between feeding and stacking are now a thing of the past. The system works to provide a flow of material beyond the sawing process, because, after they have been labelled and stacked, the finished parts can be transported to the next processing step, ready-sorted, and ergonomically positioned.

This automation process saves money and boosts both productivity and quality in production.

As part of the initial development, Holzma sent members of its design engineering team on an expedition. This interdisciplinary team was to ascertain how companies were dealing with stacking and they focused especially on small and medium-sized companies. The result was fascinating. Each company had its own system. There were clever ideas but a lot of inefficient, non-ergonomic and unorganised approaches. These included companies designing and building transport carriages and rails themselves, devising their own labelling system for passing on information and more. The only common

factor was the necessity to sort and stack the parts quickly and ergonomically and to transport them in a practical way.

The key element of this system is a fully automatic labelling unit fitted in front of the pressure beam. It labels books, single parts or offcuts quickly, even if the saw is equipped with the ‘power concept’ and cuts strips simultaneously. The machine operator no longer has to attach or stick on the labels manually. Hence the ‘operator’ bottleneck is relieved, labelling errors are eliminated and information is passed on to all the subsequent production steps.

This process starts at the stacking stage because the label allocates a deposit position to each part. The main advantage is that the machine operator is guided by the automated system and is subsequently better organised in his work. This also saves time while allowing the potential of the saw to be fully exploited. In addition, this frees up time for the operator, allowing him to deal with other jobs in the store, in material provision or in transporting material within the company.

In the principle of ‘concurrent processes’, this is where another domino system comes into play. When the parts are cut in quick succession, numerous individual parts come out of the saw.

As long as they are still lying on the air table, they become a loose piece and a hazard, and the saw cannot continue processing the next strip. This results in a loss of time, money and efficiency.

A buffer station for processed parts prevents these losses. The machine operator simply pushes the finished parts onto the buffer, which is located directly next to the first air table and is likewise equipped with air jets. He then positions the next set of wood parts against the angular fence, starts the saw again and then has time to remove and stack the parts from the buffer station without any allocation problems. This is due to the fully automatic labelling.

Another feature of the system is

Technology machine control with the ‘cadmatic 4 professional’ software. This is available with ‘integrated stacking display’ as an optional extra. The number of destacking carriages (or pallets) that are to be used for stacking can be entered here.

The system then automatically prints the correct carriage or pallet number on the label. The tool manages up to six stacking carriages, helping to systematically eliminate errors.

The destacking carriage plays an important part in the system. With its modular design, it can be individually configured and is able to hold panels and parts horizontally as well as vertically. An intelligent connecting system allows the stacking stations to be freely located. All the parts can be stacked and are inclined against the contact surfaces, which are protected by carpet or rollers. This is gentle even on sensitive surfaces. The finished elements are then transported on the destacking carriage to the next processing step.

The ‘Domino’ system was demonstrated at the Holzma Treff on a profiling line and a horizontal storage system.

Latest On The Line A ‘combiLine’ was launched at LIGNA 2009 and its angular system allowed simultaneous cutting and routing, boosting efficiency and reducing processing time in batch size-1 manufacturing. At the Treff, visitors were able to see the combiLine in the assembly process.

Head of department, Jochen Fischer explained the technical details and reported on updated experiences with the first ‘combiLine’ that has gone into operation for a customer.

Cutting and routing on an angular system is a novelty, it also provides benefits since extra work steps for recuts are eliminated thanks to this saw. The result is a fully automated cut-to-size operation for batch size-1 customers at a high speed. This becomes a flexible and

highly cost efficient operation. Besides the routing option on the rip saw, the saw is equipped with additional features. These include the Holzma Power Concept option, which provides speed and significantly increased output at the crosscut saw.

Visitors were able to see the productivity of the combiLine with a live video link via TeleServiceNet. The demonstration of a saw in live operation over one hundred kilometres away was a show of the Teleservicenet.

The service and support department offers a tool for cost-effective, fast remote maintenance. It uses an Internet connection and allows large quantities of data to be exchanged. All the processes can be diagnosed, updates can be installed and all the functions can be remote controlled, with video monitoring, even during ongoing production.

All the measures taken for each individual machine are analysed and documented in a knowledge database.

The advantage is that this service provides fast help and reduces the technician’s onsite visits.

The service department also presented an array of help and support. In this year’s theme of ‘reliability in the crisis’, they focused in particular on maintenance and modernisation, parts and accessories, software updates and conversion kits.

Systems Expertise True to this motto, Holzma has been offering efficiency concepts revolving around panel sizing for many years.

These include the ‘Triple Mix’ standard that is developed to achieve an objective assessment of the cutting performance and provide solutions for pressure sensitive material and scratch sensitive surfaces.

On top of this, Holzma demonstrated its manufacturing solutions, all meant to assist the modern woodworker to incline towards a leaner, resource efficient production. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8201

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

23

Technology

Job Estimating We all know there are many methods of estimating that include simple guessing, breaking down the cost of all the materials and then guessing on the cost of the labour. by Terry Gregory, GM of Microvellum Asia

I

n job costing, some charge by the lineal or square metre, where others add for each door or drawer box on top of the cost of the cabinet. Those who worked for other factories learned how to build cabinets. They subsequently quit to start their own shop, and they based their estimations on what they think their old boss did. No matter how you estimate, it is all a guess. Some guesses are simple, some are educated, but it is still guesswork.

I have been amazed over the years on the difference in estimating and the lack of a strategy to come up with an accurate pricing. I have experimented on this many times in several parts of the world. We take the same drawing to ten different factories and we get ten different prices. Some factories offered a 200 percent price difference of the average price that we originally start off with.

How can that be? The first thought we had was that some factories use better material and hardware than others. But what happens if we take a specification sheet that lists the required material and hardware? There was not much of a difference, the average price dropped by only 25 percent.

Take this simple 3048 mm wall of cabinets. If we require a 19 mm thick

24 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

oak exterior material, 19 mm thick maple or birch interior material, with five pieces of oak hardwood raised panel doors, full extension drawer hardware, plastic laminate tops, stained and finished with lacquer, that is to be installed within 48 km of the factory. How much of a price difference can there be?

The answer we had was surprising.

There was a big difference. The lowest bid was US$925 and the highest bid was US$4,850. As always, the lowest bid is usually the loser in the estimating game. If they are awarded the job they will figure out that they are not making money or simply turning cash flow at best. Those types of jobs make running a profitable business impossible. Take away the two low bids and the two high bids and we end up with a spread of only US$1,215 between the six factories.

Considering this is only for 3048 mm

of cabinets, it is still a considerable difference. Can you imagine the price difference if we added variables such as hoods, fireplace mantles, corner units, entertainment centres, furniture and fixtures that custom factories do?

An explanation to this issue is that nine out of the ten shops do not bid on jobs with a computer. They design a job only after they get the job contract signed. Most companies calculate the exact material requirements and estimate the labour. Eight out of ten factories do no job costing. This is an issue to be concerned about, as 80 percent of factories do not have a system in place to track detailed job costs.

A large percentage of companies do not design their jobs to get an estimate. They have many excuses, ranging from: “I only get one out of five bids and I cannot afford to spend the time to design a job unless I am sure I get the job”, to another one such as: “I can figure a job in my head from all the years of experience” or: “I am still in business and paying my bills so I guess my estimating must be ok.”

So how does one increase the odds of getting the job? We learnt that providing 2D or 3D drawings with every bid will work and this increases one’s odds of getting the job by 50 percent and eliminates hand written quotations. A professional proposal with no handwriting other than a signature is a norm in contemporary production. As customers become more educated and have their own computers they know one can calculate the price fairly and

Technology

= Educated Guesses Without Job Costing. accurately, no matter what the income is.

Companies can provide a detailed bid letting them know the cost of materials, hardware, and labour. Clients know the companies are aware of the various costs of doing business. No one wants to do business with someone who will not be in business the next month.

Another large percentage of companies do not track their costs because of many reasons, from the high time consumption rate, to high expense,

or simply not keeping information from their time cards entered into the computer.

Job Cost: Overhead + Material + Labour + Profit Getting to the real costs of overheads and materials is simple but the labour equation can make or break profits.

Once a company bids on a job with 200 hours of shop labour only to find out it needs to spend 250 hours of labour, the manager will want to know where

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those additional 50 hours went to. Job costing can tell a manager where working hours are spent and if companies use a lot of time on production or otherwise.

Many shops use time clocks to log employees into the shop and to track payroll. They use material costs, labour costs and overhead to get the entire picture on the profit of the company.

Few take it to another level and track employees to a job so the company would know the actual labour costs

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25

ENQUIRY NO. 100

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Technology versus the estimated labour costs. The real goal in job costing is not only to know what employee is working on what job, but to know what employee is working on what operation of the job and if it is productive.

With this information the company would know its costs of cutting parts, assembling the cabinet, doors, drawers, finishing and the furniture installation.

Locations For Activity Stations • Design/Engineering:

pulled out per job.

Tracks design time

• Cut out area for panel

per job.

products: Tracks cutout

• Shipping Dock: Tracks all products per job to

area: Tracks time

Tracks cutout time of

required to assemble

Tracks all incoming

hardwood parts.

• Edge-bander area: Tracks time for edge-

updates inventory,

banding. machining time.

• Door assembly area:

1 : Manual operations card 2 : Part Labels 3 : Bar Code Scanner

3

26 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

• Finishing area: Tracks finishing time.

• Packaging: Tracks

Tracks glue up time

packaging and shrink

material and hardware

for raised panel doors.

wrap time.

A standard time clock can send payroll reports to reduce accounting time.

While very simple it’s a

2

Tracks time to build

Storage: Tracks all

Standard Time Clock

1

per cabinet.

• Counter Top area: counter tops.

• CNC areas: Tracks

damage reports.

• Material /Hardware

rollouts.

hardwood parts:

• Receiving Dock:

creates shortage or

time for drawers and • Cabinet assembly

hardware, tracks and

There are many options and software programs out there to help track costs.

In the short term a time clock is a good start to get employees thinking about their time. In the long term one of the most important requirements is to get a system that can work with the company’s estimating and design system because this makes it easy to compare estimated versus actual costs without the need to input data multiple times.

area: Tracks assembly

• Cut out area for

be shipped out.

material and

Working Options

time of panel stock.

• Drawer assembly

good start to learning your labour costs.

Another cost effective way to tracking details of labour costs is to provide employees an operations card. With this card individual employees can track what operation on what job they are doing every workday. Cards can be designed for engineering, factory production or installations. Entering that data in a spreadsheet will allow the company to tabulate the cost of the job. It is affordable and better than not doing any job costing, the only down side being to take the time to enter the cards daily. However, it would be well worth time and money to hire a person to do this one task every day.

Part labels and scanners are a great way to begin and can track parts or products throughout the factory. Most of the better cabinet and furniture design software programs can produce shop

cutting lists, material takeoffs and part labels from the design, making it fairly easy to track parts across the factory.

With this system the company can track the parts and how long it takes to process a part through the factory. Some programs allow tracking the start and stop time of the parts in each operation. But what does one do about the actual cost of the employee working on the part? If you go back to averaging labour costs, you are back to an educated guess.

The problem with most of these systems is that the system only solves a small portion of the problem. The only way to really know the costs of every operation in every project by every employee is a professional Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. If the ERP system can connect into a design and estimating system, the manager learns of his expenses in great detail as well as compare estimated cost against the actual costs on a daily basis. The manager can also reschedule jobs based on the number of employees present in the factory to do the work.

Technology

Touch Screen Activity Stations in the Factory to track operations

ERP Solutions It’s about learning to estimate labour hours from past jobs to ensure a more accurate bid for labour hours in future jobs.

Many factories locate the touch screen computers throughout the factory to make it easy for employees to log on for work, therefore replacing the time clock. They subsequently log on to a job and the operations for the parts. Jobs can be tracked through parts, sub assembly or cabinet per job with unlimited operations so managers can start to understand factory production time.

After a few months of collecting labour data, it will be easy to see shifts in production time when managers move employees to work in different areas of the factory. The effect on labour costs when managers change types of jobs, such as a commercial bank job being built right after a high end residential job. With this data managers can assign employees to work where they are the most productive and batch similar jobs together to keep labour costs to a minimum.

Cost Of Job Costing There are many ERP solutions with prices

that range from US$25,000 to US$250,000.

Some systems are designed similar to ‘Microsoft Windows’ for working across a wide range of industries, others are written just for a specific industry. Some require a mainframe computer for large factories while others are programmed for smaller PC based systems.

There are several options in the woodworking industry that average about US$60,000 for software, setup and training. Add another US$15,000 for network and touch screen computers and one is ready to manage a factory with state of the art technology that can let you know where money and resources are channelled every day.

Now managers can report the actual costs of material, hardware and labour against what was estimated on a daily basis. This gives a complete view of the company and its profits.

Every factory should know their cost of doing business, because the more business done, the greater the need for detailed job costing to track cost and expenditure accuracy. If the company loses five percent of the profit on US$200,000 worth of production in a year, it will not

affect the company badly, but if there are losses over a month, it translates to a lot of money every year. That five percent can easily pay for a first class ERP system.

If you think about investing an average of US$75,000 in a very small factory doing only US$1,000,000 in production per year, that’s an investment of only 7.5 percent of the gross sales.

What can be learnt with that 7.5 percent investment? The managers can learn what departments employees work most productively in, the actual waste factor for materials, the cost of every product sold, the type of jobs that are the most profitable, and construction methods which actually build better product as well as reduce time to assemble. There is so much more to learn.

The most important information to learn about job costing is the actual profit margins in each area of the production process. Companies may find that their door production department is the least profitable area and it may make sense to purchase doors instead of building them.

In all the shops I have visited over the last 30 years, the most profitable companies were the ones that accurately knew their costs. They were using bar code scanners 20 years ago and pushing the industry to get better ways to track labour. Those companies are survivors and still in business no matter the current economic cycle. By knowing their costs they know just where their profit margins are and the amount of factory hours they have to reserve to get the job done on time as promised. They already know exactly what happens to the profit when they adjust the sales price, give discounts or material and labour prices increase.

One of my best friends and competitor to my cabinet shop once told me: “The best competitor is one who knows his costs. I want to teach all my competitors to learn estimating through job costing so we all can make a decent living” FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8202

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

27

Panels

Nest Ready To

Woodworking software are available a dime in a dozen now. Many manufacturing companies see the eventual development of computer programmes for the various areas of wood processing as a natural industrial evolution. Choosing the appropriate one that can contribute to the growth of the company is the difficult part. by Shiv Kumar Shet, senior area manager, Biesse Manufacturing

F

urniture such as cabinets and wardrobes are normally produced in masses. The necessity to optimise production by reducing time and wastage is the top priority in any commercially inclined company. Nested based manufacturing (NBM) is often suggested for the manufacture of mass orders furniture for homes. Cabinets, pedestals or wardrobes and countless other furniture for domestic or commercial consumption are manufactured through this process.

NBM is a production method in which a variety of parts are grouped (or nested) on a sheet of plywood, particleboard (PB) or medium density fibreboard (MDF).

Those parts are then cut and machined using a computer numeric control (CNC) router. Visually, a nested sheet appears much like a puzzle with the parts of the project laid out in close proximity to minimise material waste and increase yield. Computer software determines the optimal layout and machining instructions to get the desired finished product.

Because all the construction details are

28 FDM ASIA  NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

worked out in the office on a computer, companies find that there are fewer errors and that NBM makes the whole construction process easier to control.

The process begins with drawing a project in a design software programme.

Once the drawing is finished with all final measurements and specifications checked, the software programme nests the parts of the project. This nesting information is then sent to another programme that gives directions to the router on which tools to use, the depth of cuts and the machining to be done on each part.

Software, Integral Part Of NBM When nesting began in the woodworking industry, the geometry of the parts was not from a third-party software package as it is today. It was the result of an AutoCAD drawing done by an engineer.

Efficiency was constantly improved upon by integrating the furniture design software with the nesting process.

According to machine manufacturers, NBM will continue to see improvements,

with the software becoming more powerful.

Options of curved surface, radius work and more are being integrated into the furniture design software packages.

For mass production, the medium and heavy class manufacturing plants will require at least four essential machines, such as: 1. Through feed edge-banders with corner rounding and pre-milling (whenever a panel saw is used for cutting panels) or through feed edge-banders with corner rounding only (whenever a beam saw is used) 2. Multi spindle drilling with dowelling facilities 3. CNC routers 4. Cabinet Clamps Companies with employees numbering up to 20 persons, producing 20 sheets a day, with limited floor space to manufacture residential and commercial furniture, display cases or any other wood products made from flat panel components will engage NBM regularly.

Advantage Of NBM Improved material handling in the form of automatic loading and unloading for the NBM cells is on the horizon. The versatility of the process lends itself to companies of all sizes and to all types of products.

Nested based processing is normally calculated to be at a processing time of four to six minutes, with two to four minutes of manually loading and unloading time or up to 30 seconds for automatic loading and unloading. The production that can be achieved is at approximately 45 panels per shift if the factory loads manually and 80 panels per shift if it loads automatically.

Although software controls all these equipment, the tooling used also play an important role. It is observed that standard nesting tools, such as 3/8 inches or half inches three flutes TC tips can average 25 to 30 metres per minute and needs to

Panels be sharpened after producing up to 60 panels or sheets. These tools can undergo the sharpening process two or three times before it is rendered useless.

High end nesting tools with four flutes usually produce 45 to 50 metres per minute and produce an average of 40 to 45 panels or sheets and there is no possibility for sharpening these tools again.

Although the improvement to efficiency is visible, the advantage in using higher end tooling is the speed in production and the choice made in the option for selecting these tools is solely left to the manufacturer.

The advantages of NBM is that it requires a simple set up, and reduces the inventory through ‘Just-In-Time’ (JIT) principles, reduces the need for floor space, and provide a degree of assured quality in assembly tooling scheduling as well as a higher chance of increasing sales and profits.

The reworking of parts is also possible.

Typical operations such as grooving, boring, routing, pockets, sizing and rabbits are planned in an organised line, thereby creating a smooth flow in production and execution of sales orders.

A typical flow chart of the NBM process

executed efficiently. Floor space can be reduced to a great extent due to the practice of JIT principles with an increase of 20 to 22 percent better material yield.

In addition, there is less material handling because of the better accuracy and finish of the wood cut when compared to a manual saw. Less skilled manpower is required to operate the CNC machine due to the automated NBM process.

Ultimately any software that is compatible with the factory’s machining line can yield a productive solution.

Modern day technology reveals higher levels of NBM, which have evolved over time with countless types of software packages and supportive gadgets to modify the older machinery such that they can adapt to the latest technologies and produce at a yield comparable to that of the newer machines.

Trueshape nesting is one such development that adds flexibility and value to the whole production process.

This form of nesting confirms that there are no assumptions made by the software while considering the sizes and shapes of the materials. The actual requirement is achieved and material wastages are reduced. It also enables the interlocking of parts.

CNC LINK  DXF GENERATION

ANY SOFTWARE FOR NEST NC CODE

CNC ROUTER  ROVER FT (Flat Table)

NMB Flowchart for reference The software designed through a CNC link is converted to a DXF format and is subsequently generated into a machine language through ALPHACAM or any other such available modes. This is finally executed through a CNC router.

Nesting Versus Conventional Methods Some benefits of NBM include streamlined production that allows custom jobs to be

Photo Coutesy NESTLIB®

DESIGN SOFTWARE

The software’s allocation of wood to be cut out based on calculations limited by the size of the wood panel effectively reduces wastage

Elaborate software versions such as the ProNEST trueshape nesting have the function to manage higher level and more complicated shape designs. Many high-

Credit: DVS

Credit: David Hunter, Nashville, US

It is not only the traditional shapes of cabinet manufacture that NBM caters for but the odd shapes and sizes for every part of furniture manufacture

grade trueshape nesting software can be used for the production of complicated parts where precision and criteria of a similar nature are involved.

NBM, being operated entirely on software, is a tool capable of producing the many miscellaneous shapes and sizes of wood needed to satisfy the demand for modern furniture manufacture. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8301

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

29

Panels

Handling

I

A dual woodworking centre well equipped with processing peripherals would enhance the panel production process. In this instance, vacuumhandling machines would contribute to the logistic movement of panels within and out of the furniture factory, forming an unbeatable productivity team. by Mr Neo Ban Chong, managing director, Schmalz Shanghai

Efficiency

n accordance with the principle that nothing is so good that it cannot be improved, a manufacturer of furniture, trade fair stands as well as fittings for caravans and mobile homes, Vöhringer from South Germany recently purchased a dual woodworking centre. Its objective was to minimise the unproductive idle times of their machines by using the two ends of the large machine table alternately. Since this large table makes it possible to remove the finished parts and load new raw materials at the one end while the parts are being machined at the other end, their aim was to ensure the machines are never idle and its running times are fully utilised for production.

The production did improve, but it was not enough for the factory manager at Vöhringer, Theodor Schwenk. With this layout, a bottleneck was created and required at least two persons to be available whenever the finished parts were removed and new sheets of wood had to be placed on the machine. This cost time and money. Since Mr Schwenk already had experience with a vacuum handling system in a different production area, he thought that equipping the new dual machining centre with a vacuum handling system could further improve its efficiency.

Handling Large Wood Sheets Cooperating with the persons working at the machining centre and with the handling and material-flow engineers of vacuum specialist J. Schmalz in Glatten, a solution for the handling of laminated sheets of wood and MDF was created and proposed. The subjects were sheets with dimensions of up to 3,200 by 1,400 mm in height and width as well as up to 28

30 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

The complete vacuum handling system, consisting of a single-beam aluminium crane system and a vacuum tube lifter with two suction pads

beam. This makes it easy to balance the load and adapt the gripper to the varying dimensions of the sheets. A directly driven vacuum blower generates the suction and it has a dust filter to keep wood chips and sawdust out. A storage net is mounted on the lifting tube to save storage space when the device is not in use and prevent damage to the gripping system.

Since the dual machining centre has a large (double) table, and because the largest sheets of wood have to be moved safely, quickly and positioned precisely, an additional long operator handle allows for ergonomic handling and keep the operator away from the suspended loads.

Handling Systems As Solutions The handling system for the dual woodworking centre has a crane system to provide a traversing of the vacuum tube lifter over the entire working area. Due to several factors such as the size of the machine table, the area for The vacuum tube lifter can be used to load storing pallets with fresh sheets of wood and a CNC machining centre with a sheet of laminated chipboard weighing up to 50 kg MDF, the area for storing the finished parts, and the size of the raw sheets, this working area needs a large dimension.

Whereas two persons were previously needed for loading and unloading the machine and one of the staff also had to operate the machine, today only one person is needed for handling the raw sheet and finished parts. The operator still has time to control and monitor A finished art being removed from the machine table with the aid of the vacuum tube lifter the operation of the machine. The vacuum mm thick. The sheets weigh up to 60 kg each. handling system also moves the sheets and These sheets were moved and positioned finished parts more safely and with less damage, with the aid of a vacuum tube lifter. The lifter and thus makes the production of wooden is equipped with two suction pads which can and MDF parts even more economic. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8302 be positioned anywhere on a longitudinal

Embrace

THE WORLD’S FINEST

International Furniture Fair Singapore 2010 27th ASEAN Furniture Show 9 - 12 March 2010 • Singapore Expo, Halls 3 - 8 A sneak preview of some debut collections at the show:

Koda Ltd | Singapore

Ever Gaining Furniture Ltd | China

Index Interfurn Co Ltd | Thailand

FDM

Organiser: International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd 62 Sungei Kadut Loop, #04-19, International Furniture Centre, Singapore 729507 Tel: (65) 6569 6988 • Fax: (65) 6569 9939 • Email: enquiry@iffs.com.sg Visit us at www.iffs.com.sg

ENQUIRY NO. 104

Participating countries include: Australia • Belgium • Brazil • British Virgin Islands • China • Denmark • Egypt • Finland • France • Germany Hong Kong • India • Indonesia • Italy • Japan • Lebanon • Malaysia • Mexico • Myanmar • The Netherlands New Zealand • The Philippines • Singapore • South Korea • Spain • Switzerland • Taiwan • Thailand • Turkey United Arab Emirates • United Kingdom • United States of America • Vietnam

Panels

Wood-Based Panels -

&

Handling Storage

The global solid wood resources supply crunch and the demand for wood products that uses mill waste and off-cuts, have certainly made wood-based panels more acceptable in the wood products manufacturing sectors throughout the world. by Dr Jegatheswaran Ratnasingam, FIWSc.

W

ood-based panels, which were traditionally held by solid wood resources, are being overtaken by particleboard (PB) and medium density fibreboard (MDF). They have been increasing their market share in furniture production applications. In fact, wood-based panels have emerged as the predominant raw materials in many applications, to an extent that it is estimated to be gaining market share from solid wood resources at about 0.5 percent per annum.

These panels are deemed environmentalfriendly and coupled with the fact that its characteristics can be engineered to meet specific demands, these materials will gain stronger footing in the years to come.

Panels manufacturing outfits are based on processes, so efficient automated handling and transportation systems are crucial elements in the manufacturing plants.

Products such as plywood, PB and MDF are all dependent on mechanical handling systems to ensure a timely production without disruptions. With a production rate of about 120 metres per minute, it is essential that the handling system in place is able to cope with such high volume throughputs.

In a study by the International Furniture Research Group (IFRG), it was found that the handling system in wood-based panel manufacturing plants account for up to 23 percent of the total capital investment. This suggests that handling systems warrant

32 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

close attention if the manufacturing plant is to remain competitive.

Furthermore, wood-based panels require special care during storage, to maintain the condition of the product for future use. Correct storage methods are important contributing factors in minimising damage and wastage. No special skills are required to protect the product and this article will explore the main considerations for handling and storage of such panels.

Production Line-up In most panels processing plants, the following operations are often carried out through an automated system that caters for a mass production throughput.

They include: • Trimming and saw lines • Pre-grading lines • Sanding lines • Post-grading lines Similarly, in most panel manufacturing plants, feeding and stacking equipment can run around the clock. This eliminates stack changing time and raising the panel handling efficiency.

As wood-based panels are produced in large sheets, the panel dimensioning saw lines is perhaps one of the notable innovations in recent times. These lines are equipped with automatic feeding and stacking devices, conveyors and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)

controls. A transfer station enables curved panels to be handled. Optional accessories include blow detection, which ensures greater quality of the products. The ability of the automated saw line to process at higher speeds is crucial to ensure a high throughput rate in the factory.

Where it comes to sanding lines, automated sanding lines for the woodbased panels, together with its high-speed feeding and stacking systems allows for a high throughput rate to be achieved. These systems are usually installed complete with conveyors and PLC controls. Accessories available include an ink-jet printer, thickness gauge, and in-feed as well as stacking devices, all of which ensures that the throughput rate of the manufacturing line is not compromised.

Following the sanding lines are usually the trim lines. Overlaid wood-based panels are sawn to their final dimensions using milling

David Hilowitz, US

The panel handling process contributes to good quality finished products with proper dimensions

Panels cutters. If necessary, the edges can also be machined to a predetermined shape.

The line handles panels without causing surface damage, thereby significantly improving the processing yield.

Grading Overlaid Panels After the cutting process is done, the panels are often mechanically graded on a separate grading line and stacked according to grade. They are handled without damage being done to their edges or surfaces during handling and stacking The finished wood-based panels are usually stacked on pallets or on loose timbers. Strapping can be done automatically or manually and usually require using steel or plastic straps. The bundles can be protected from the influence of environmental moisture using simple plastic or other wrapping sheets.

The Essence of Handling Systems The most vulnerable parts of wood-based panel packs during the handling operations are edges, corners and bottom sheets.

Using the forklift trucks, particular care during this transport phase will minimise damage during the handling operations, and regular cleaning of the lifting forks will avoid damage to the bottom sheets.

This applies particularly to profiled boards such as tongued and grooved flooring boards.

Forklift trucks easily handle pallets or

Panel handling constitutes an important aspect of the wood manufacturing process, as panels handled properly will have longer shelve lives

bundles of boards and move them either into their place of storage, onto or off from transports, or into positions for use.

If the packaging system includes the use of metal bands, these bands should be cut as soon as possible to avoid longterm sheet deformation. When handling pre-finished boards it is essential to avoid any contamination of the surface that is likely to cause permanent damage.

Surfaced boards should always be lifted from the pack to avoid damage. With such hassle in panel handling, it is no surprise that mechanical handling systems have been put to use in the wood-based panels industry.

By virtue of the fact the wood-based panels are bulky and difficult to be handled manually, many different mechanical handling systems have been developed over the years. Several of the mechanical panels handling systems available in the marketplace eliminate the need for any manual handling, which is both costly and troublesome. Conveyors together with the hydraulic and pneumatic (vacuum suction) systems are both safe, durable and effective tools to take weight and stress out of manual handling tasks, such as in-line transportation, lifting and turning. A 180° board turning unit and a 90° panel turning assembly is considered indispensible in many wood-based panel products operations. Hydraulic lifting system allows loading and unloading of these panels from workstations such

Jon Connell, Cambridge, UK

as CNC machining centres, panel saws, and more.

Conveyor production lines are common in wood-based panels manufacturing plants, as the bulky nature of the end products cannot be handled manually in an efficient manner.

Storage Wood-based panels, especially PB and MDF expand upon absorbing moisture from the surrounding air and shrinks when losing it. Panels are manufactured to close dimensional tolerances, allowing a close fit to be achieved when jointing or placing the boards into position. Careful storage is therefore important if the board is to be maintained in the correct condition for its subsequent use. The storage area should be protected from weather, from overexposure to sun, rain and winds as well as other factors that would bring about rapid changes in temperature and humidity.

The stack should be kept dry and clear of the ground and placed so that it will not be exposed to mechanical damage.

All packs should be evenly supported at each end and at intervals in between to maintain sheets in a flat condition. Spacing of supports should not exceed 600mm.

If wood panels must be stored in the open, they should be covered with a waterproof sheet and supported on battens so that air can circulate around and over the pack and at the same time protect its

Handling and storage of wood panels may be a complex affair, and the need for consistent wood panel dimension drives demand for handling equipment www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA  NOV/DEC 2009

33

Panels

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS OPTIMISED The Bargstedt storage system adapts to the needs of clients. All material movements are permanently registered in the background and storage capacity is used fully through a flexible allocation and arrangement of boards and storage places.

The converting machines connected to the storage system are utilised while considering the process order.

This ensures the equipment corresponds to the available storage capacity.

This storage system optimises the existing space by automatically arranging for the shortest distances Wood panels held together with metal bands should be released once it has been placed in its storage, to avoid possible warping

to the next processing step in advance.

ENQUIRY NO. 8304

CUBO - SQUARING SYSTEM FOR SINGLE BATCHES sides. To avoid staining and fading, the sheets should not be exposed to the weather while awaiting installation. In many installations, the wood-based panels are stored in controlled-environments, where the temperature and humidity is regulated to ensure that the boards are kept stable, free of damages.

Handling It From Here With increasing demand for higher production throughput, mills are systematically assisted with an increasing array of automated systems, and the manufacture of wood-based panels becomes dependent on progressively modern mechanical handling systems.

Hydraulic and pneumatic handling systems are being applied to many tasks within the panel manufacturing enterprise. These systems are aimed at reducing cost and damage, while ensuring greater throughput and consistent quality.

In fact, for some product manufacturing enterprises that produce wood-based panels exclusively, the handling process is a completely automated operation. As labour cost escalates, the application of such mechanical handling systems can be expected to grow in the years to come. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8303

34 FDM ASIA  NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

Cutting Unit Batch One (Cubo) is a panel sizing squaring centre with a fixed worktable and two mobile gantries with a single machining head each.

The structure is compact and driven by two, electronically synchronised, brushless motors. The drive transmission consists of two racks with hardened and ground helical teeth. Moving components travel on prismatic guides.

The machining units travel on the vertical axis and are driven via a recirculating ball screw transmission. A centralised extractor removes sawdust and shavings through a single inlet.

A differential vacuum system ensures the service panel and the panel to be sized is fixated on the worktable.

The Cubo panel sizing centre incorporates a MAHROS loading-unloading system controlled by supervision software.

ENQUIRY NO. 8305

BLUE NATURALLY GREEN BluWood is a process used as a wood protection system for all framing materials, siding, decking, fencing and garden plots. It is also being used to protect window and door stock, furniture, fascia, interior and exterior mouldings and more.

This process can be used to protect any wood product, including OSB, particleboard, MDF, HDF and also engineered wood products as well as any species of wood.

BluWood is factory applied, topical application with no pressurisation. There is no product leaching and the protection stays in the wood. It has no off-gassing and no VOC, with a Class A fire rating (North American Standards) Bluwood remains environmentally friendly (GreenSpec approved, LEED points applicable), and can be applied to any wood materials used in construction.

ENQUIRY NO. 8306

ENQUIRY NO. 099

Executive Insights

with Jerry Tan

Singapore

Furniture Seeks Brazil

The Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) have implemented expedition plans to explore and tap business opportunities in Latin America. Representatives from SFIC, International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and SPRING Singapore embarked on a trip to São Paulo, Brazil from August 17 to 22.

Groundwork was laid for a business mission that will be carried out in March 2010.

What is the objective to be achieved with the coming mission to Brazil?

How is it important and what are its implications?

Singapore companies should look beyond traditional markets to find opportunities. Latin America has been indentified as a region that could offer market potential. Brazil in particular is performing well, with stable demand for furnishing needs. It is a big consumer market with lots of potential that has so far remained relatively untapped by our local furniture companies.

The mission in March aims to provide Singapore companies with the opportunity to learn the requirements of the Brazilian furniture market, raise the profile of Singapore’s furniture industry, explore further collaborations and seek out leads through business matching.

Through this visit, we hope to pave the way for strong bilateral trade between the two countries Furniture companies are considering the country as a potential gateway for business opportunities into the rest of the Latin American region. Being one

36 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

Overciew Of Brazil BRAZIL

FREBCH GLNANA

VENEZUELA COLOMBLA

Roraima

ATLANTIC OCEAN

SURINAME Amape

Amazonas

Cearn

Marabhao

Para

Piaul

Rondonla

Tocantins

Mato Grosso

PERU

Bahia

Minas Gerais

BOLIVIA Mato Grosso Do Sul

PARAGUAY ARGENTINA 0

400

800

Sao Paulo

Parana Santa Cararina

Rio Gra Do Sul 1800

Espirito Santo

Rio de Janeiro

ATLANTIC OCEAN

• Population: 198,739,270 • Largrst cities with population: • Sao Paulo - approx 11 m people • Rio de Janeiro - approx 6 m pelple • Area: 8,514,877 sq km [slightly smaller than US an China] • Official Language: Portugese Currency: S$1 = Brazilian Reals 2.01

Map of Brazil

of the largest consumer markets there, Brazil is an excellent place for Singapore companies to explore.

Has there been any identified area for trade cooperation with Brazil? Will you outline the initial plans for the furniture trade in Brazil?

Brazil is one of the fastest growing emerging economies in the world. It is the most populous country in Latin America and with the youngest population. There are 86.8 million people aged from 20 to

Mr Jerry Tan, vice president of SFIC led the delegation. In an exclusive interview, he shared with FDM Asia the vision that SFIC has in establishing vital links to emerging markets and gave an outline of SFIC’s strategy for market penetration. Daniel Cai reports 49 years in 2006 and this is expected to increase to 93.8 million by 2015.

Brazil has the highest demographic of middle class at 45 percent of the population. These people command a sizable income that will drive the demand for housing and furniture. Based on the

Executive Insights current economic trend, the market will see a growing middle class with an anticipated boom in real estate demand.

This will also see a surge in demand for competitively priced and well designed furniture.

This translates to an estimated R$32.94 billion (US$18.5 billion) in potential consumption of furniture and household items, with more than nine percent coming from São Paulo. Singapore’s imports from Brazil in 2008 were worth S$238,000 and it is still growing.

At least 90 percent of Brazilian produced furniture is made of wood, specifically of pine and eucalyptus. Its top export destination in 2008 was the US at a value of US$168 million, Angola, Argentina, France and the UK followed.

The top import destinations was also the US at a value of US$173 million, closely followed by China, Germany, Italy and Japan.

The low to middle income segment of consumers demand furniture made mainly of medium density fibreboards and medium density particleboards.

Workmanship quality for this range of products is not high and furniture tends to be smaller as apartments catered for this group small in size.

There is an increasing awareness of green initiatives and socially responsible

High Tax for imports of furniture products.

production processes. Manufacturers go green by only logging legal wood, making products out of recycled wood from torn-down houses and reducing industry waste.

The market is growing, and the government registers a continuous growth in consumer spending despite the global recession. The country registers a sustained economic growth since 2003 with increased consumer incomes across the board and a sharp increase in consumption and retail demand.

We met with key furniture importers,

Brazil - GDP Real growth rate (%)

retailers and distributors, Abimóvel (the Brazilian Furniture Industry Association) and the Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Móveis de Alta Decoração (ABIMAD - the Brazilian Association of High Decoration Furnishing Industries) to discuss potential tie-ups. We have also visited the furniture show, Salão Abimóvel as well as several distribution channels.

In addition, we have already established links and understanding of possible working arrangements and we have invited delegations into Singapore to observe and further discuss trade developments.

In that sense, Brazil’s economic situation provides an ideal opportunity for SFIC to expand Singapore’s furniture market. We are confident that quality products and Singapore furniture designs will appeal to Brazilian consumers.

What will be main drivers of growth for SFIC in the next five years?

The current economic situation has hit the tradition furniture markets, so SFIC has reassessed our position against the potential of the emerging markets. We feel that emerging economies, countries such as Latin America, Russia, Central and Northern Europe have undiscovered potential.

Brazil’s Furniture Export thousands USD FOB

Source: CIA - The World Fact Book

US$1.13 b in 2008

$1,300,000

6 5.1% 4

3.7%

5.4% in 2008

2.3%

2

1,002,624

1,145,993 1,131,029

1,075,739 1,048,011

$900,000 703,401

$700,000

1%

0

$1,100,000

561,199

-0.2%

$500,000

-2 $300,000

-4 2000

2001

2002

2003

2004 Year

2005

2006

2007

2008

$100,000

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

37

Executive Insights

with Jerry Tan

The sudden affluence of the middleincome segment in Brazil will create a real estate demand of up to eight million houses. Based on this current situation, the rate of real estate construction is at only 450 thousand units per year. It will take 17 more years to fulfil the gap in the supply.

In order to penetrate this market, there are several challenges that Singapore companies will face. The main one is high tariffs and import taxes of around 38 percent for finished furniture products.

Another is the perception of Asian furniture. Many Brazilian business people share their experiences with suppliers when sourcing from China. Language is a barrier as the majority of Brazilian business people speak Portuguese, and little or no English. An issue to note is the alignment of expectations on consistent quality between Brazilian and China workmanship and standards.

Many business people are aware of opportunities in Asia but lack the experience to manage these business opportunities and are thus a little apprehensive.

How is the ASEAN region performing in the furniture manufacturing industry?

SFIC represents the furniture companies in Singapore. Comprising of more than 280 members companies who have investment interests in the ASEAN and Asian region, with about

38 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

65 percent of our members operating manufacturing plants in Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand.

Singapore’s business model is based on a progressive movement. We conceptualise in Singapore, produce in Asia, and market to the world. The plan to establish satellite production plants is within the course of natural business development. To start with, the furniture industry will face many disadvantages if it was to remain in Singapore, with almost no raw materials, and an increasingly high labour cost.

In the early 80s, the industry’s collective decision was to focus on exporting production and products to avoid facing internal competition. A standalone company to cater to this move was very difficult and so several manufacturing companies formed a council (SFIC) to look after the industry’s interest.

Based on that development, business needs such as commercialisation and profits takes priority. By following that model, the world is the market, so there is enough of a pie for everybody. As it is a cohesive industry, when we do missions such as the recent one for Latin America, the council leads the industry, to help member companies to penetrate the market and create a network for them.

The government also encouraged production industries to regionalise, to cater to an increasingly external economy.

In the early years, many factories had moved to Malaysia and Indonesia to take advantage of the available raw materials (Indonesia has the biggest forest reserves in Asia and its labour cost is competitive).

In the 90s, the ‘China Fever’ happened, whereby China opened up to foreign investments, SFIC travelled to China to explore alternative furniture manufacturing facilities with a selected group of members.

With this fever, every one was rushing in because production there was more competitive than certain ASEAN countries. The biggest advantage is the availability of the supporting industry.

Supplementary materials such as glass and fittings for the furniture, cartons and packing equipment were cost effective and easily accessible.

The council helps to negotiate for production land in the region, obtain favourable terms for the establishment of production facilities and trade as a collective body. Furthermore, we have a branch office in Shanghai, China to assist members in their trade. The Singapore Furniture Industry Park in Kunshan, Jiangsu province of China is a good example, where around 10 Singapore manufacturers set up manufacturing facilities to produce and export into their relevant markets. HTL is currently a member with the biggest presence in the park.

With industrial development, Vietnam

Executive Insights

has followed China’s footsteps and has grown rapidly. It is now the biggest producer and exporter in South-east Asia. Several SFIC members have also established production facilities there.

Our member, Koda is one of the notable names with significant investments in Vietnam.

Singapore’s biggest market for exports is currently the Asia Pacific. This region is the biggest recipient of Singapore’s furniture exports. The next closest export market is Europe followed by the US and the Middle East.

SFIC is firmly established in East Asia, and now Brazil and Latin America is one of the emerging markets that we have identified and targeted for future expansions.

Where does Singapore furniture position itself in the global market? What are the major strengths and how do you see this aspect evolving?

More than just quality products, advantages that Singapore’s professionals have, are workforce management skills and the know how to implement a proven infrastructure that generates consistent and progressive solutions.

We have achieved a unique blend of Eastern and Western business practices.

Singapore companies ensure their design capabilities and production resources remains versatile and well managed.

Our companies aim to anticipate, adapt and respond to customer needs

and market conditions, whenever and wherever possible. Focusing on reliable, service-oriented practices, we hope to continue delivering on quality and help our customers stay one step ahead of their competition.

Furthermore, we work with government partners such as International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and SPRING Singapore to help local enterprises in financing, capabilities and management development, technology and innovation, and access to the various markets.

In a nutshell, not only are we prepared for our business missions as a council, we have the support of the Singapore government in making this work.

What are the strategies that SFIC will be employing in 2010 to attract buyer delegations towards Singapore furniture?

SFIC will be staying focused on penetrating market segments that are conducive for its members. A general strategy is in place to enter the high to middle level income segment. For instance, Singapore furniture producers can position themselves as a good procurement partner from Brazilian companies keen to purchase from Asia.

With regards to a strategy for demographics in the middle to lower income bracket, we feel that this segment has the greatest market potential, as a rising middle class population will

support Brazil.

To initiate the plan to capture this market, we are seeking Brazilian counterparts. As this is also a furniture producing country, there will be numerous possibilities for partnerships and collaboration to take place. Coupled with the fact that there are large resources of wood, Brazil is a market that SFIC intends to gain a foothold in.

SFIC have already entered discussions with our Latin American counterparts to find mutually beneficial opportunities.

We hope they are also open to the possibilities of exporting to Asia while we work to sell Asian furniture into Brazil and the rest of Latin America.

Eventually, SFIC and our members intend to establish a middle management role, where we can provide sourcing and quality control services to both Latin America and Asia.

In SFIC’s plans for the near future, we intend to visit Brazil again, to attend to a furniture show, in March 2010. We shall be inviting a group of Singapore furniture producers to expose them to the Latin American Furniture Industry and further strengthen our network.

It is quite a down to earth and long drawn process of mutual courtship. In the course of the coming year, there will be more missions to emerging countries.

You can be sure more will be in the pipeline. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8401

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

39

Supplement

Foreword ACIMAL L

Acimall is the primary association for the Italian production of machinery, technology, automation and accessories for woodworking and its derivates.

Paolo Zanibon Acimall General Manager

Highlighting the synergy that more than 300 Italian companies can bring about, Italy is ready for the New Decade.

Italian Wood Working I

talian technology continues to push our industry into enviable positions, especially for our wood-based material exporters. We believe in relationships and collaborations within our industry. This has allowed our technology suppliers to define what efficient industrial processes are.

Coming to the end of this decade, the woodworking industry has added a new and important chapter to the history of Italian handicraft Italy. 2008 alone saw the value of production in the Italian wood industry to reach nearly €38 billion. Of these, almost one third (€13.7 billion) came from export, with contributions by the furniture industry that amounted up to €22.8 billion and held an export share of more than 50 percent (€11.9 billion).

Credit and merit are accorded to our members who design and manufacture technology and who supported initiatives for

Working with a network comprising of member companies who account for over 90 percent of Italian woodworking production, Acimall is made up of more than 300 companies with 12 thousand employees and represent a total turnover of €1.85 million, (US$2.75 million) in the year 2008 alone.

economic progress. Furniture sectors such as table and chair production, engineering sectors such as machining cycles for panel sizing, drilling or finishing, are examples of Italy’s progressive offerings.

Equipments to manage complicated demand are the challenges that our manufacturers deal with every day, and we interact with users through all stages of processing, from proposal to design, from production to service, up to training.

The industry growth as a whole gives evidence to the effectiveness of our solutions and we have emerged among competitors as a strong distribution organisation with consistent product quality, accurate service with a reasonable price to quality ratio.

Since the last five decades, Italy’s woodworking industry has travelled on this ‘road to excellence’. Acimall always work with our member companies in

both organisation and production. We have evolved to keep abreast with the evolution of our members, and today we link the world to services and support to all aspects of Italian woodworking business.

From technical issues and standards to securing financial aids, from the conception and deployment of promotional plans in key international markets to Italian training and development, we are involved with every aspect of Italy’s advancement.

Acimall participates in lobbying activities at national and international levels for the definition of technical and safety standards.

We carry out industry-specific analysis, organise collaborations with the Italian institute for foreign trade, we promote Italian production in all woodworking markets.

Italy looks forward to the new decade, and we invite you to join us. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8501

40 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

Cefla Finishing Group When it comes to a choice for paint lines, most companies choose the world leader in lacquering technologies: Cefla Finishing Group. The Italian furniture industry has always been a reference point for design and perfect finishing.

That’s why Italian machines are suited to guarantee ‘top’ quality, aesthetics and functioning.

Cefla Finishing Group has transferred its know-how to China. Today, wood finishing machines are produced in Suzhou, in line with more than 40 years of experience and tradition gained by the Group. Cefla Finishing Suzhou can be close to Chinese customers in all phases - from technology selection to production assistance.

The new worldwide reference point for robotic spray application is iBotic - the latest result of Cefla Finishing’s advanced research. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, iBotic is able to integrate different coating techniques while ensuring top quality finishing.

The two spray arms are driven by an exclusive and highly developed software. This programme defines and controls all movements, from the simplest spraying operation sequence, to the most sophisticated processes.

A highly precise reading bar at the inlet ensures a high definition in the acquisition of shape, size and piece position, automatically generating the best spraying paths. Each spraying arm is equipped with four guns for flat surfaces and one gun for the edge, with full digital control ensuring absolute spraying accuracy on flat surfaces and edges. iBotic has been designed to reach the maximum level of productivity and flexibility: - the two arms can move together with fixed panels for double the level of productivity - the two arms can reciprocate with moving panels for double the level of operating speed - the arms can be dismantled with quick coupling: while one arm is working, the other can be quickly set up for a new colour.

Excellent finishing quality and overspray reduction is ensured by a water curtain filtration system with high capacity basins.

A dry intake system, with double stage filters for quick and easy replacement, is also available and ideal for waterbased lacquers.

ENQUIRY NO. 105

Italian Woodworking Pagnoni

Arespan Brocca

Pagnoni Impianti a

Arespan Brocca is a manufacturer

producer of hydraulic

for a wide range of wood based

presses and completed press lines construction.

panels, including blockboard panels, poplar plywood and poplar

It is a furnishing plant that provides short cycle and high pressure laminates press lines to the field of wood and plastic laminates, for the production of particle and fibreboards, among others.

Only the main parts of the lines are manufactured internally, components and handling equipments are based on engineering by Pagnoni’s technical department and built by certified subcontractors.

Pagnoni uses quality European components in their production plants, and have an engineering department that focuses on reducing their machine’s wear and tear as well as maintenance to a minimum.

This company has focused on technological innovation, and is the only company that have gained a certification in the National Register of Research Laboratories.

Its research and development laboratory promotes research, experimentation and development of technology to present solutions for process technology and new product development to the industry.

particleboard Panoxil.

The company was formed with the intention to concentrate experience that was accumulated over fifty years of activity by Arespan Spa and Luigi Brocca and Figli Spa, both of which are located in the North-west of Italy.

These panels are characterised by extraordinary lightweight Italian poplar (from 360 kg/m3), of stability and quality properties.

This company has been mindful of the environment, both in the management of its manufacturing plants, and in the use of raw material, which consists mainly of Italian poplar wood.

Since 2001, Arespan Spa has been complying to principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and was the first manufacturer in Italy to obtain the FSC-CoC certification on poplar plywood. Since 2006 it has implemented a policy of forest management on its plantations, obtaining FSC-FM certification (SGS-FM/COC-2790).

As of July 2009, the certification FSC mixed (credit system) is now available across the whole range of poplar panels manufactured

by Arespan Brocca.

ENQUIRY NO. 8504

ENQUIRY NO. 8505

Delmac Delmac is an engineering company and the head of the Delmac Group. It specialises in the design and supply of ‘turn-key’ manufacturing systems and plants for the woodworking industry

Paoletti

and provides solutions such as semi-finished products for the

Set up in 1962, Paoletti established an engineering branch

furniture industry.

with experts in different wood manufacturing sectors. The

Today, the company continues its engineering and development arm for designing automated panel processing lines and manage the machinery manufacturing companies of Gabbiani GDG, SAG, Busellato and CWA. The group exhibited at the 2009 AWFS Fair in Vegas and presented some of the products for lean and flexible manufacturing as well as labour saving technologies. The Busellato Linear Load/Unload device won the AWFS 2009 Sequoia Award The company also focus on the process of implementing lean manufacturing by recognising areas of waste and inefficient production methods, as well as eliminating bottlenecks to achieve a seamless workflow and allowing manufacturers to provide quality products at lower costs.

company is able to design and manufacture full systems

ENQUIRY NO. 8506

42 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

and installations for laminar beams and spliced panels as well as for finger joint processing.

Paoletti believes that a good product takes many years of hard work, and continuous technological investments.

The company’s product range includes finger joint system machines, planer machines for wooden beams and semi-processed, vertical and horizontal clamping machines for laminate elements, rapid cutting-off machines with a blade diameter of 800mm and cutting adjustment device along both horizontal and vertical axis, gluer for polyurethane glue and CNC working centres, and other different automation systems.

ENQUIRY NO. 8507

ENQUIRY NO. 102

MARKET REPORT

❝Bob

Bob Sabistina, international consultant to the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) tackles an interview on the demand for hardwoods in China’s boom.

by Michael Buckley, director, Turnstone Singapore

M

r Sabistina has spent a lifetime in teaching his students the art of grading American hardwood lumber. In an interview with Mr Michael Buckley of Turnstone Singapore, he discusses the changes and developments seen through the years.

In 32 years, he has observed several technical revisions on the hardwood grading system, but it remains almost the same. The species do not change and the rules changes slightly every four years, including the year 2009.

Mr Sabistina’s job as an instructor has gotten easier due to the publication and use of simplified guides issued by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC). A lot of an instructor’s teaching method is dictated by the instructional aides he use, and there is no doubt that teaching has gotten easier in the market, due to AHEC’s efforts at providing information.

Mr Sabistina has been in China for a significant period. He identified a problem that many industrial players face. The industry knows AHEC but little is known about NHLA. He, he feels that there are three main objectives the NHLA should achieve: ■ To establish NHLA in the minds of the Chinese marketplace

44 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

in the

Dock Photo Credits: Turnstone Singapore

■ To strengthen the partnership between AHEC and NHLA ■ To represent NHLA members in Asia, especially for training and claims Mr Sabistina believes that NHLA needs to be established overseas, because many of its members are exporting their supplies, particularly to China.

The main challenge he has identified for American hardwoods in China is of traders accepting the whole grading system. There also has to be an understanding of the use of imperial measurement, which causes discrepancies.

Finally, establishing the sawing methods and thicknesses available is also an important factor.

Buyers need to understand the tallying (net and green) if they intend to check what they are buying, regardless of how they are selling their product.

There are popular species such as oak and walnut, but Mr Sabistina identifies that tulipwood, which is already being used widely, will also gain popularity.

He also feels that species like gum and hickory are additional species, which could also gain popular acceptance. However, suppliers and consumers currently face

MARKET REPORT

MARKET REPORT The full scope of

a ‘chicken and egg’ situation whereby suppliers will only produce more if there is more demand.

Price dictates quality. The largest companies understand the relationship between price and grade. But the more influence that organisations have in promoting understanding of the grading and yield, the better the market will accept that ‘you get what you pay for’. There is little difference in attitudes on NHLA grading between users (manufacturers) and traders in China.

With regards to interesting incidents from Mr Sabistina’s experience with

was no cupping in the width, there was no claim. The Chinese parties involved were however, very willing to learn about the subject of ‘yields’.

Finally, he gave up after inspecting only one out of the six containers. The containers of wood were stored in an old warehouse with no lights, next to a mountain of fertiliser smelling of something remarkably peculiar, and could not be moved outside.

Mr Sabistina packed his clothes into a plastic bag and travelled home.

China is facing many changes in the woodworking sector. Mr Sabistina sees more manufacturing for the domestic

panel dividing technology!

[ output ]

Benchmark solutions for all your cutting needs • From the individual cut-to-size saw to the most advanced, large-scale cutting plant solution • From furniture production to board industry • From comprehensive planning & logistics support to 24/7 after-sales service • From the most respected European

Photo Credits: Turnstone Singapore

manufacturer to the

market, as the country’s workforce will enjoy a better standard of living and eventually demand for quality products that would involve the need for wood materials. The middle class society will be the driving force for demand.

In a query to the question if NHLA needs a stronger international effort elsewhere in Asia, as in China, he feels that more and more hardwood is exported rather than consumed domestically in the US, and there is little doubt that the member’s best interests would be served by a strong working relationship between AHEC and NHLA. FDM

most reputable customers in Asia

Schelling (Changzhou) Trading Co., Ltd. 16 Keji Avenue, Longhutang Town New District Changzhou, Jiangsu 213031 Tel.: 0519 8576 0858 E-mail: info@schelling.cn www.schelling.com

ENQUIRY NO. 8503

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

45

ENQUIRY NO. 097

the Chinese hardwood trade, he had to settle a claim on two containers that were apparently below grade. On arrival at the plant there was only one ‘lift’ (bundle) remaining from the two containers.

The explanation was that the operators ‘needed the wood, so it has been used’.

The claim was subsequently solved, but this showed the demand for hardwood that china faces.

In another instance, a claim for flatness ended as a three-hour teaching seminar.

In this case, the boards were not entirely flat in the full length, but they nonetheless adhered to the given guidelines. As there

Materials �Surfaces

Design Technologies The

Edge Of

Edgebandings are a type of veneer for surface covering, and are usually made into strips and sold in rolls. It can be made in different widths and thicknesses to match any project, whether solid, wood grain, metallic, or patterned. by Augustine Quek

R

olls of edgebanding are available in a variety of types and sizes. This product is commonly used with wood projects, as it is an inexpensive alternative to using solid wood from different species. It is usually used to cover the exposed sides of materials and to change the style and look of the grain in the wood. It also gives the woodcraft a more solid appearance. Needless to say, the creativity of manufacturers and advancement in technology has meant a continuous stream of new edgebanding designs, styles and patterns.

Edgebanding can usually be found in the same species as flexible veneer, and comes in species to match most hardwood plywoods including birch, cherry, mahogany, red oak, walnut, and white oak. Updated catalogues in the market include designs for exotic wood species such Cordia, Poga and Dahoma woodgrains in any number of wave and stripe patterns.

46 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

There are also other kinds of non-wood edgebanding material, with popular ones being acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), available in various shades, commonly used for edging melamine-coated particleboard.

Edgebanding made of metallic materials such aluminium and stainless steels are also a rising trend, for areas like kitchen and store fixtures. Germanbased firm REHAU has a line of metallic edgebanding that uses genuine aluminium applied to the surface of a polypropylene (PP) base. It comes in aluminium or stainless finishes, including a unique translucent design that gives a deep effect. In addition, it can be applied using any standard edgebander.

A new innovation in edgebanding is a product called ‘BioEdge’, the trade name for the ‘bio-co-polymer’ edgebanding product made with BioBest. As a corn based proprietary plastic material, ‘BioEdge’ claims to

be able to replace PVC and ABS edgebandings. Its attributes as an environmentally sound alternative to conventional edgebanding is due to its lack of PVC, chlorine and other hazardous chemicals. This product has no toxic VOC emissions, a low smoke index and is mechanically and thermally stable.

Sold as thin strips in a variety of widths, edgebanding is easy to cut to shape to suit any project or edge.

Thicknesses ranging from 0.018 inches (0.46 mm) to 3 mm and widths ranging from 5/8 inches to 3 inches are available widely. With a reinforced backing, edgebandings are flexible enough to bend without breaking despite their thin structure. These support backings may be made of paper, or adhesives such as ‘iron-on’ adhesives (applied using a low temperature iron), or ‘peeloff’ stickers. Non-adhesive backings usually require a surface compatible cement bond that is externally applied to the edgebanding.

Materials �Surfaces

The different aspects of edgebanding requires different technologies, from feeding to adhesive application

Banding About Variations Since edgebanding also requires a bond with the surface, innovations also continue in the application of edgebanding, from glueless strips to automated, adjustable machines. A modular edgebanding glue system, called the CombiMelt system is new concept to cater to the flexible use of different hoppers, for using ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), Polyurethane (PUR) or other types of glue, or to make a quick change in colours. The system is equipped with an automatic cleaning program, which optimises maintenance and cleaning requirements. The glue roller, the complete glue application head, as well as the hoppers, can be rapidly disassembled and replaced. The processing of different types of glue with quick-change hoppers and the selection of different glue programs are controlled on a touchscreen.

Glue application for edgebanding ranges from small-scale application for people who do it themselves to

large commercial, automated lines.

Glue guns, spreaders and rollers are common for manufacturers’ automated application of edgebanding. For example, the EB60V edgebanding guns from Nordson Corporation uses slot nozzle technology for consistent adhesive application to the edge of the panels. It can apply a wide range of hot melt adhesives, including EVA, polyolefin and PUR materials for edgebanding and back-edge sealing.

This is a closed system, which means it reduces airborne contamination and can produce accurate coating weights with positive application pressure to the substrate and precise temperature control.

Another machine from Nordson, the ‘MiniEdge’ adhesive dispensing system for edgebanding, uses adjustable nozzle technology for process control while lowering maintenance requirements.

The system is designed for small to mid-sized edgebanders, and comprised of a dispensing nozzle adjustable to a

maximum of 60 mm, a DuraBlue 10 adhesive melter, a hose and a springloaded bracket. The closed ‘MiniEdge’ system is designed to apply unfilled EVA adhesives. Its nozzle design and bracketry allows for easy installation onto existing edgebanding machines, while the closed system also helps to protect adhesive from air-born contaminants and reduce waste of materials.

Edgebanding processes have been evolving to suit production methods that utilise various high-tech lightweight composite panels in furniture construction, interior construction and related branches. The structure of these lightweight, but sturdy sandwich boards consists of two or more thin flat surface finishes or facings. These boards are linked to each other through a honeycomb type or cellular core type of structures formed with aluminium foils, tubular aluminium mils, stabilized textile fibres or paperboard.

One such process from IMA is the Foam-Glue process, which does not use any blind edging but applies foam at the back instead. Special plastic foams fill the hollow spaces in the edging area, with sensors determining the structure of the core and regulate the degree of filling to prevent the edging from being bulged by overfilling and interrupting the bond.

Adapted adhesives are employed to bond the decorative edging to the surface finish, sometimes with special pre-treatment finishes.

The adhesive, edging and plastic foam can be adapted to certain requirements, such as to meet fire resistance or hygienic demands. With this process, the user no longer depends on the use of special facing profiles. Another IMA process is to cut away part of the material at the sides so that an approximately 3mmthick blind edging can be glued into

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47

Materials �Surfaces this cut-away portion. In the cutting process, facings of great thickness are rebated. The blind edging is embedded in glue and offers reliable support for the decorative edging, with both blind and decorative edging applied on one pass.

One particular edgebanding machine from Sonobond Ultrasonics, in Pennsylvania, US, uses ultrasonic energy and its signature ‘SoftSeam’ process to seam and seal edgebandings in just one pass, producing soft, smooth edges without using thread or glue.

The machine includes a specifically designed guide, metering and tension device, a binding tape dispenser, and interchangeable roller patterns for edgebanding and hemming.

Advancement in technology has made it possible to use just light to bind edgebandings to the board without any glue. At least two machinery manufacturers have developed laser edgebanding machines and products.

Homag Group and IMA both offer edgebanders with lasers that are used to bond the edge material to the substrate. However, each machines has its differences.

Homag’s ‘laserTec’ technology uses an oscillating mirror that diverts a three kW diode laser beam to activate a freeflowing polymer on the edgebanding material. This creates a mechanical bond with the substrate. The result is a 0.05 mm active layer with a heat resistance of 284 oF (140oC), more than double the heat resistance of EVA glues. According to Homag, it can also be used to melt standard edgebanding types such as PVC, ABS, PP, PMMA, wood veneer and melamine. On the other hand, IMA uses a CO2 laser beam to melt a polymer, which changes the composition of the edgebanding.

According to this company, when this polymer is pressed on the substrate, it forms a chemical bond that fuses

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Edgebanding Colours can vary for the different markets

the substrate and edge together. This creates a visibly seamless transition from the edge to the substrate and sealing the product to prevent dirt and moisture from penetrating the finished panel.

In general, laser gluing has the advantages of reducing wastage, an improved bond from minimal setup time. This results in higher productivity with lower expenses on servicing and maintenance.

Automated edgebanders are no doubt at the heart of the edgebanding and finishing processes. Machines today handle both straight edges and curves.

A conventional edgebander today uses software programme for controlling various motors and pumps, has strip or coil feeding, glue application system and end-trimming capabilities.

Some also come with fine trimming, as well as a bottom and top contour trimming units. For example, the KCF 900 Series from Brandt has a PC-16 program control with internal modem for remote diagnostic link, automatic magazine feeder and automatic height adjustment for all workstations. It is also able to pre-trim the work piece edge prior to processing with a joint trimming unit, and two top and bottom fine trimming units with digital ‘Quickset’ system. Other features include scraping unit for rigid PVC edges with

digital ‘Quickset’ system and pneumatic indexing, oscillating jump buffing unit and a PVC post heating system for dark PVC edge materials.

Another trend is the creation of multifunctional machines. The Rover C Edge from Biesse is one such example.

It is a machining centre designed for routing, drilling and edgebanding of contoured panels with a single machine.

Its double Y-axis allows edgebanding operations to take place while the electro-spindle is tooling up. In the dual electro-spindle configuration, both spindles can change tools simultaneously.

Additional dedicated units for specific machining operations can virtually eliminate tool change time. Tool changers for large capacity production, with more than 100 tools in the maximum configurations are also available. The Rover C Edge applies glue from a glue pallet tank, directly to the panel using a precision roller. This machine uses an Electronic Positioning System (EPS) system for CNC positioning of worktables and pods without operator intervention.

From novel materials to advanced, automated bonding, edgebanding continues to improve and innovate.

Emerging trends that stems mainly from lean manufacturing such as waste reduction, and better time efficiency would also become important in the future. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8601

Materials �Surfaces

WORLD WINDOW & DOOR DEMAND TO REACH $167 BILLION IN 2013

Jeff, Manchester, UK

Increasing demand with emerging countries seier+seier+seier

Bill McChesney, VA, US

G

lobal demand for windows and doors WORLD WINDOW & DOOR DEMAND (fenestration) is forecasted to grow 4.3 percent (billion dollars) per annum to US$167 billion in 2013. From % Annual Growth the Freedonia Group.

Item 2003 2008 2013 2003-2008 2008-2013 Growing at approximately 50 percent of the pace World Window 92.9 135.6 167 7.9 4.3 that was achieved between 2003 and 2008, much & Door Demand of this deceleration will be caused by projected North America 29.4 35.2 41.3 3.6 3.3 declines in prices for windows and doors from an Western Europe 27.8 35 36.1 4.8 0.6 inflated 2008 level. A weak outlook for the building Asia/Pacific 26.1 48 68.7 13 7.4 and construction industry in the West European market will also hinder the development. Demand Other Regions 9.7 17.4 20.9 12.4 3.7 in China will account for half of the global windows and doors market between 2008 and 2013. between the year 2008 and 2013 include India and Indonesia.

Window and door consumption in China is forecast to expand Although the demand for windows and doors in these countries at nearly 12 percent annually to US$40 billion in 2013, outpacing is lower than that of China, relatively low per capita demand all other major national markets. Although the rate of growth will levels allows potential for strong market expansion as incomes slow in comparison to the pace that 2003 to 2008 had (when in both nations continue to rise. demand tripled), the size of the gains will continue to increase.

The US was the largest national market for windows and China’s consumption will be driven by the rapid development doors in 2008, but the emerging markets, especially China, are of domestic building constructions, especially in the non-residential reducing its share. market. In the years ahead, China is expected to surpass the Although these products will only make up 20 percent of the US as the largest market for windows and doors. global market, windows and doors are projected to be the fastest Other markets forecast to experience above average growth growing products through 2013. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8602

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49

Hardwoods & Softwoods

Environmental True Blue

The environment is a rapidly changing landscape. With the emerging urgency of global sensitivity, many companies are reinventing products to fit into the consumption pattern of a more educated and aware customer base. by Robert Seaman, president and CEO of BluWood International

T

he wood industry has traditionally been slow to adopt new initiatives, whether they are green initiatives or otherwise. However, the opportunity for an environmentally friendly application process emerged when the use of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) for the pressure treatment of lumber was banned. This ban forced companies to seek other treatment options and opened doors of opportunities for commercial enterprises to revamp their product line up and capture new market niches.

Bluwood, both the name of an environmentally inclined product and

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an application process had a favourable moment to establish its reputation.

Although this is one of many wood protection products, it was initially developed as an answer to mould and termite issues that were prevalent in the southern half of the US. An additional ‘green’ element was subsequently added to the formula.

This process was developed by US chemists in 2001 to meet market demand for a product that would protect homes from the dangers of mould and insects. Since its creation, this process has undergone, and continues to

Wood

undergo significant independent third-party laboratory and real world testing.

With constant changes in environmental policies, this process proves the market has needs for evolving products. In any case, the situation establishes that the environment plays a key factor in influencing economic demand. This demand comes down to two main points: Pollution and energy consumption.

These two issues are at the forefront of discussion for most countries, and they should be.

BluWood International operates in an industry that provides the only renewable

Hardwoods & Softwoods and sustainable building product, wood.

By protecting wood in a responsible manner, we are ensuring that less wood will be required for reconstruction in the future.

While materials such as concrete and steel have their merits for tall buildings, they also have a higher chance of polluting the environment. These materials are heavy and not as flexible, which makes them more dangerous in earthquakeprone areas. Furthermore, buildings made from these materials are more difficult to manage in a renovation.

Thanks to the determined efforts of governments around the world, reforestation efforts have made a huge impact on our industry and the world in general. There are more forested areas now then there were 30 years ago. Every country and economy needs to look at all the alternatives at every level. In the wood processing industry, one needs to acknowledge that it takes less energy to produce construction ready wood than concrete or steel, and this is a much cleaner process as well (concrete production is the third largest global producer of CO2).

The major concern with using wood has been its susceptibility to fire. We have now taken this out of the equation.

When one combines that with wood that can come with a lifetime warranty against mould, mildew, rot, fungus, and insect infestation, and is a certified green product, one has a product that can truly compete against anything in the industry.

Bluwood is a single spray process that provides protection for all wood components. This applies to wood used in construction and furniture manufacturing.

Like many wood protection applications, it protects the wood from external threats.

However, while differentiating this liquid protection from other products, Bluwood International ensures its usage is kind to nature.

Working With Nature Despite the range of technological advances, chemists have discovered simple, close to nature solutions that protects and strengthens wood.

The first part of this solution is a proprietary ‘infusion film’ that forms a water-repellent, semi-permeable film, which bonds with the wood fibres at a cellular level. This film controls topical and subsurface moisture loss and absorption. The infusion film is formulated to resist mould growth on its cured surface.

The film not only locks the borates in, it also locks the moisture content in while preventing additional moisture absorption, thereby enhancing the timber’s structural soundness and reduce shrinkage during and after construction to a minimum.

Builders using wood regularly know that when wood sits on a jobsite or in a distribution centre for a long time, the weather and other factors affect its quality and cause wood splitting, checking, warping and other damage.

Builders who use this application have claimed they gained up to 25 percent more usable wood per bundle due to the prevention of pre-construction environmental damage.

The second part of this solution engages natural technology. Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate (DOT) wood preservative is a fungicide and insecticide that provide protection from rot fungi and wood ingesting insects, including termites. DOT is a borate, a natural salt found in the ground in most parts of the world. It is a time tested wood preservative used for the protection and treatment of lumber against fungal decay and wood destroying insects, including termites.

Borates interact exceptionally well with wood. However, it has its limitations.

If the wood were to get wet, the borates would leach out, and the protection would be lost. The infusion film works to ensure that the borates will not leach out. The solution locks the borates in, and because borates like to migrate where there is water, the salts will penetrate the entire piece of wood, something that traditional pressure treated lumber cannot do.

From wood to bluwood, it is a simple spray process

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51

Hardwoods & Softwoods Fireproof To further augment the protection provided, the existing chemicals can be modified with AF21, an environmentally friendly fire retardant. The addition of this retardant to the current formula can upgraded the protection to a Class ‘A’ fire rating, the same as concrete.

AF21 is an environmentally friendly fire inhibitor used on many products around the world, including fireblankets, fire fighters clothing, and others. If one were to apply the product to wood directly without any additives, it would create a fireproof surface. However, if the wood were to get wet, the AF21 would simply wash off. By using it with the infusion film, it remains bonded to the wood at the cellular level, creating a lifetime of protection from fire.

Simply Going Green With a simple application process, demand will be high. For people in the wood construction industry, as long as there is wood fibre for the film to bond with, the solution will work. This process has been tested on everything from radiata pine to euchalyptus and the only difference found is the time it takes for the borates to penetrate hardwoods as compared to softwoods.

Combined with the low cost of the application concentrate, this is a considerably less expensive option than alternatives on the market.

Most people agree that for future products in the building industry to be competitive, they must be green products.

Even today, many aim to revamp their products according to environmental demands.

All components of this process are environmentally friendly and GreenSpec approved. GreenSpec is one of the leading green directories in the US and it is through their approval process that BluWood products became registered as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and

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Environmental Design) product, eligible for points and qualify for use in LEED structures.

The LEED green building rating system, developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Since its inception in 1998, LEED has encompassed more than 14,000 projects in the US and 30 countries covering 1.062 billion square feet (99 sq km) of development area.

LEED is a transparent process where the technical criteria proposed by the committees are publicly reviewed for approval by more than 10,000 member organisations in the USGBC. Any policy or supported environmental responsibility will help our planet and all future generations. While there are a growing number of green industries, particularly in the energy and auto sectors, there have been few initiatives available for companies to associate themselves with.

In construction, one of the major recent developments in the US and in most countries around the world was the banning of CCA, the standard chemical used in traditional pressure treating of lumber.

By banning this chemical, governments were taking a firm stand on what they deemed as a risk to the health of people and animals. Whether or not this ban

was truly warranted, it is now a fact.

A majority of the treating industry switched to Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ). The problem is that ACQ does not properly bond to the wood even under high pressure, and if the wood is exposed, the copper will leach into the ground water, and becoming another environment hazard. Some say it is only a matter of time until ACQ goes the way of CCA. Practicing green initiatives is not a singularly prominent issue in the US and UK alone, it is an imminent fact that the whole world faces the danger of global warming and plays a part in protecting the environment.

Asia will undoubtedly face these issues as well. Most people can agree that there are major changes happening to our planet, the only one we have, so we are all in it together (literarily). No country, territory or province on earth will be left untouched by these changes.

Saving the environment through the commercialisation process is possible when the world’s consumption is gearing towards responsible purchasing. Based on economic demand, more companies will eventually find their market niche and cater to green initiatives. Bluwood International has started and shall not stop here. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8701

Even celebrities have staked their claim on environmentally friendly practices

Hardwoods & Softwoods

Children, Targets Of

The key to developing long term sustainable growth of the forest and woodworking industry lies in progressive environmental protection.

Contributed by the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO)

New Forest Initiative

Kenneth Sato / ITTO

A

meeting was held at Yokohama, Japan on July 10, 2009 and about 900 people, including dignitaries such as the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan, as well as public figures like Mayor Hiroshi Nakada attended.

This initiative heralded the launch of an environmental education program by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) to educate children around the world about the importance of forests in maintaining a healthy global environment.

ITTO is an intergovernmental organisation with 60 members that develops and implements policies for sustainable tropical forest management. This organisation also emphasises on responsible and sustainable forest management practices that can contribute to long term economic benefits for the woodworking and processing industry.

Since 1987, ITTO has provided grants of more than US$300 million to fund over 600 projects designed to promote sustainable forest management, conservation and sustainable development.

Habits From Young The Children’s Environmental Education Programme (CEEP) is launched by the organisation and aims to keep the youth abreast of tropical forest conservation as one of the important issues to consider when addressing environmental problems.

Many contemporary environmental issues that had risen are the result of an emphasis on industrial development at the expense of the natural environment.

The organisation is of the view that educating children on the importance of forests can be effective in pursuing a better balance between environment and economic development.

Although governments in different countries organise their education system with various and differing objectives, the environment is a concern shared by everybody. It becomes necessary to educate the children of the world with a degree of coordination to achieve the goal of conserving tropical forests for a healthy environment.

This meeting was held in conjunction with

celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the opening of the port of Yokohama. Students from about 40 different countries attended the meeting and several of these students engaged Mayor Nakada, ITTO’s executive director, Emmanuel Ze Meka and Dr Masahiro Amano, a professor from the University of Waseda in an interactive discussion.

Dialogues With Children In his remarks, Mr Ze Meka advised the children: “You are still young, but you are the leaders of tomorrow. You have to start assuming leadership now and accept responsibility if you want a better life tomorrow.

Caring for nature will provide you with all the reflexes you need to build this better future. You can easily learn the gestures and actions that are needed in this connection.”

He also pledged the organisation’s support in accompaniment to this endeavour through the CEEP. The programme will commence activities in several areas such as supplementary teaching materials, school forests visits and experiences. Other initiatives include setting up a learning network and education camps as well as environmental education conferences in the following years.

Noting the important part that forestry and its derived industries play in providing employability for the poor in many emerging markets, Mr Ze Meka, in his role as ITTO’s executive director, will continue to urge industry players to take on more effective and focused international action on the participation of social responsible tropical forests management.

“The world needs more effective and focused international action on tropical forests. That will help reduce poverty, protect biodiversity and also mitigate the effects of climate change.”

ITTO and its initiatives such as the CEEP aim to bring forward the public’s growing awareness of the importance of forest conservationism. Responsible woodworking management is the key for any industry that intends to keep itself profitable for the long run. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8702

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53

Exhibition Review

Big Targets Far East Of

In The

- Managing visitors expectations, FMC moves with the economy into 2010

F

illing the halls with exhibitors is a daunting task in tougher times. Furniture Manufacturing and Supply China (FMC) recorded a healthy number of participants in what its organisers dub to be a milestone for an international furniture event.

FMC and FMC Premium 2009 were concurrently held together with ‘Furniture China’, from September 9 - 12, 2009 at the Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre.

Organised by the China National Furniture Association, Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo International Exhibition, OIC International Advertising and Exhibition and co-organised by the Provincial and Municipal Furniture Associations of China, These three shows are considered to be one of the largest in Asia.

High-end Exhibitors Assure Quality Trade FMC and FMC Premium was held totally 36,000 sq m, two indoor and eight outdoor halls with 630 selected exhibitors this year.

According to recorded statistics, FMC attracted 23,000 domestic visitors from 28 provinces across China, including Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, as well as 3,674 international visitors. In addition, up to 14,621 invited guests attended FMC Premium. Organisers stated that FMC Premium catered specifically to decision making professionals and executives.

Furniture China itself attracted 1,906 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions including 125 overseas areas. This figure establishes the show as the third largest furniture show in the world with more than 400,000 sq m of exhibition space. Domestic and international visitor figures registered a total of 61,057 among which 14,852 visitors were from 150 countries and regions.

Colourful Activities On Site The organisers arranged for a series of seminars and activities that was held for the duration of the show. These activities contributed to strengthening cooperation and relationships

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Exhibition Review

Exhibition Review

Furniture Manufacturing and Supply China 2009 Shanghai New International Expo Centre Shanghai, China September 7-10, 2009

Heavy duty helical planer cutter head with disposable knives

Adjustable planer cutterhead

Planer cutterhead with disposable knives

Safety corrugate cutter head

Single/double surface planer - helical planer cutter head with disposable knives

Welding helical planer cutterhead

All kinds of profile cutters

ENQUIRY NO. 008

between domestic and international companies.

In close cooperation with ‘China Wood’, the ‘Legal and Sustainable Furniture Raw Material’ forum was held on September 10th. AHEC and French Timber gave presentations and demonstrations to highlight the availability of timber, methods of classification and application processes in China.

The forum was initiated by AHEC, who focused on the topic ‘US Hardwood Industry and Global Environmental Policy, and its Impact on China’s Furniture Industry’. Mr John Chan, the regional director of AHEC for South-east Asia and Greater China was its speaker and presenter.

Mr Jean-François Guilbert, the managing director of ‘FrenchTimber’, presented the ‘Availability, Classification and Application (of timber) in China’, and the Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo International Exhibition Company and China Wood International Incorporate hosted a symposium on ‘Legal and Sustainable Wood’, a business matchmaking session, where professionals networked.

‘FurnitueinChina’ organised the first ‘Face-to-Face with Professional Buyers’ sourcing event. It was an initiative well appreciated by both buyers and suppliers.

More than 20 buyers conducted trade discussions with over 50 registered enterprises during the 3-hour session.

Numerous exhibitors from the 2009 edition have already indicated interest for the next edition. More exhibitors for machinery and equipments, especially from Germany, the US and Eastern Europe will be expected to participate as well. Based on a positive outlook for the coming trends, the organisers of FMC and FMC Premium aim to double the exhibition occupancy rate after the successful expansion plans of the exhibition centre.

The next edition of FMC and FMC Premium will be held from September 7 – 10, 2010 at the same place, Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre. FDM

Helical planer cutter head with disposable knives

ENQUIRY NO. 8801

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55

Exhibition Review

Vietnamwood Complement

T

he eighth Vietnam International woodworking Industry Exhibition and International Furniture Fittings Components and Accessories Exhibition opened its doors to the public on September 24th at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. It concluded its run on September 27th 2009.

This woodworking exhibition covered more than 12,000 sq m and hosted nearly 450 booths. It had more than 250 exhibitors from 19 countries and regional areas who participated and the event was graced with a visit from 11,956 registered visitors and purchasing delegations. These participants included companies from North and Central Europe, Latin America, East and South-east Asia, India, the US, the Middle East and Vietnam itself.

This edition spanned a total of four days and was staged alongside Furnitec 2009.

It provided professionals an insight to the progression of the Vietnamese furniture and woodworking market. Several seminars

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provided international and local companies involved in the fields of woodworking manufacturing and processing a platform for networking opportunities and more.

Aside from timber trading associations and companies, many of the exhibitors were representatives of machinery and technology for the industry, abrasive and cutting equipment, drying and jointing equipment, as well as oftreatment and application solutions for raw and finished wood materials.

Gracing The Show The Vietnamese deputy minister of the ministry of industry and trade, Mr Le Duong Quang was the guest of honour who graced the event.

He was invited to initiate the ribbon cutting ceremony and to a tour of the exhibition hall.

As a key representative from the ministry in charge of this event, Mr Le stated that: “This specialist exhibition, with its numerous exhibition companies, will introduce and showcase the technologies and products of corporations that are related to the wood and

automation industry in this area and the world.

This is a good chance for investors to continue their development, gain an insight into the market and at the same time, create a conducive environment for our local businessmen to learn and advance their field, raise their production capacity and the competitive strength of Vietnam.�

Aside from product showcases on the exhibition floor, industry practitioners shared their knowledge and experience in the areas of furniture, bedding and solutions, directional trends of innovations and identifying market opportunities in a series of professional seminars. Various business symposiums discussing the current market as well as the latest techniques and technologies of the furniture and woodworking industry were hosted.

Based on the response of the large numbers of visitors, suppliers of woodworking and furniture manufacturers are upbeat about current business prospects. International pavilions from China, German, Italy, Taiwan,

Exhibition Review

Woodworking Industries

and the US involved in the exhibition reported of trade carried out with several major companies that represented the Vietnamese market.

Vietnamwood reached an impressive milestone this year with the highest number of endorsements from international woodworking and furniture related industries and associations since its inception. The European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufactures (EUMABOIS), the TWMA Association of Taiwan, the Spanish AFEMMA Association, the Italian ACIMALL Association (with ICE - Italian Trade Commission) and the American Hardwood Export Council (Ahec) supported the event. These organisations contributed to recognising Vietnamwood’s increasing worldwide importance.

The show is co-organised by the ministry of industry and trade - Vietnam national trade fair and advertising (VINEXAD), paper communication exhibition services, and Yorkers trade and marketing service,

Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam September 24th - 27th 2009

becomming the largest woodworking industry exhibition in Vietnam.

The fair presented both advanced as well as practical woodworking technologies and equipment. It attracted a wide range of professionals, including industry representatives, entrepreneurs, government representatives and numerous journalists from around the world. This event gives testament to the value of the Vietnamese woodworking and furniture production market.

Based on documented feedback, the majority of exhibitors have shown interest in participating and exhibiting the next edition of Vietnamwood, scheduled to be held on October 12th to 15th, 2011.

Vietnamwood 2011, the ninth edition, shall continue to work towards hosting a productive and interactive environment where exhibitors and professionals of the industry can concentrate on expanding business development in the recovering ENQUIRY NO. 8802 economy. FDM

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57

Exhibition Preview

Good Looking Designs On

Europe

IMM cologne presses forward with adopted initiatives

interzum cologne Messeplatz1, 50679 Cologne, Germany January 19 – 24, 2010

FDM

58 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

ENQUIRY NO. 8803

Exhibition Preview

Rearranging Situations

For

Results

Domotex Hannover will be modified for visitors.

Domotex Hannover Messegelande Hannover, NI 30521 Hannover, Germany January 16 - 19, 2010

L

asting four days, occupying 13 halls and hosting up to 1,400 exhibitors from Germany and the rest of the world, Domotex Hannover will be a notable event for the flooring industry this 2010. It is the only place where all the major suppliers come together every year to present their complete range of floor coverings that will be made available worldwide.

The show regularly gets commendations from visitors for the quality of its exhibits and the international breadth of its coverage. Now with significant changes such as an improved site layout, a reformatted ‘contractworld’ and adjustments for some of the displays, visitors participating at next year’s show will find new objects of interest.

Organised from the 16th to the 19th of January, Domotex will be held in Messegelande, Hannover with a few visible adjustments. The changes are meant to enhance the show’s appeal to exhibitors and visitors.

These initiatives include the reallocation of display categories to

different halls, a different concept for ‘contractworld’, and further development on individual displays.

Stephan Kühne, a member of the board of management for Deutsche Messe AG said: “Despite the economic climate, several market leaders have booked the same amount of exhibition space at Domotex. To underline this positive trend, we will take steps to reinforce Domotex as the top international showplace for the carpet and floor coverings sector.”

The relocation of selected themes on the exhibition grounds will provide numerous advantages for industry participants. Firstly, the displays will be more accessible. Secondly, the structured exhibit segmentation in each hall will allow visitors a detailed overview of what is available in the marketplace.

Thirdly, nearly all the walkways between the halls are covered.

There will be another concept for the contract-furnishing sector to mark its 10th anniversary next year. This is meant to provide a wider scope for

networking and business opportunities between exhibitors and visitors. Lectures and discussions are scheduled to take place at various venues, intentionally decentralised to ensure that the flow of visitors are distributed evenly throughout the exhibition.

Additional activities such as themed forums, guided tours for architects, highprofile presentations and informative workshops will allow exhibitors to showcase their products effectively and establish links with potential customers.

For an optimised structure, the display category ‘hand-made carpets and rugs’ will be relocated to halls 19 to 23 in the northern part of the Hannover exhibition grounds. This will be beneficial to exhibitors and visitors.

Numerous exhibitors have already reacted positively to the changed layout.

With these changes in place, the next year’s edition of Domotex Hannover shall mark its 10th anniversary and see to another cycle of business development and opportunities. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8804

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59

Exhibition Preview

Asian Opportunities

Zooming Into

interzum guangzhou 2010 Guangzhou, China March 27 – 30, 2010

A

fter more than six years of development, interzum guangzhou is now considered by many to be Asia’s most comprehensive woodworking machinery and furniture production fair. It will be held from March 27 to 30, 2010 at the China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex, in Guangzhou, China.

Thanks to China’s status as the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of home and office furniture, its large market, growing economy and the rise of the affluent, furniture sales is set to show strong market growth.

Guangdong province, home to interzum guangzhou, is one of the important Save time and money!2010 to rival 2009’s scale and quality, and furniture-producing markets in the East.

NOW for the provide more business opportunities for As a gatewayRegister for trade between FREE visit & more benefits:buyers and manufacturers. international companies and the Chinese www.interzum-guangzhou.com There will be an addition of a ‘Materials market, this show has garnered much and Components for Upholstery & Bedding interest from the industry. feature zone’, to cater to the changing According to the ‘World Furniture market demand and to expand the Outlook 2009’ report from research and scope of interzum guangzhou. As such, consulting firm CSIL, China is one of purchasing delegates can expect to see the countries where furniture demand is products from these categories: expected to continue to grow in the coming years. With more than 10 million and still growing number of affluent citizens, it is ■ Upholstery Materials, Articles and expected that sales for luxury furniture Accessories will continue to bloom.

■ Bedding and Bedroom Production and interzum guangzhou 2009 registered a Accessories 10 percent increase in exhibitor numbers ■ Ticking and Mattress Fabrics and a 33 percent increase in gross space ■ Semi-finished Products for Upholstery, from the previous edition. It occupied Mattress and Bed Manufacturing eight halls and totalled 80,000 sq m with ■ Machines, Tools, Equipment and Aids 761 companies and 60,697 trade buyers for Upholstery attending the event.

■ Machines, Tools, Equipment and Aids Organisers expect interzum guangzhou for Bedding Industry Processing

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Unfazed By The Crunch Expecting another sellout show next year, the organisers have reported that the take up of exhibition space to date has already exceeded that of the same time in 2008.

There will be support from foreign associations and organisers. The German, Italian, US pavilion as well as the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) leading company representatives from Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi will be present to showcase the current furniture production technology and materials.

Held in conjunction with the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF), and organised by Koelnmesse and the China Foreign Trade Centre (Group), the coming edition of interzum guangzhou will open its doors for four days and provide opportunities that will see through the recovering economy in the years ahead. FDM ENQUIRY NO. 8805

www.interzum-guangzhou.com cifm.fairwindow.com

interzum guangzhou 2010 2010

*Detailed visions for future markets interzum guangzhou is recognized as Asia's most comprehensive woodworking machinery and furniture

International Trade Fair Furniture Production 2010 3 27-30

for

production fair. With 80,000 m2 of exhibition space, more than 760 exhibitors and

60,000+

trade visitors,

you can not miss Asia's largest one-stop trading platform.

Book your space TODAY !

ENQUIRY NO. 095

For International and China Participation Koelnmesse Co., Ltd Ms. Karen Lee Tel: +86 20 8755 2468 ext 12 Fax: +86 20 8755 2970 k.lee@koelnmesse.cn

For Asia Pacific Participation Koelnmesse Pte Ltd Ms. Evangeline Ho Tel: +65 6500 6719 Fax: +65 6296 2771 e.ho@koelnmesse.com.sg

March 27-30, 2010

China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex

/ Held concurrently with

CIFF 2010 (March)

Exhibition Preview

2009

EXHIBITION GUIDE

62 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

Industry Supplement Executive Insights EXHIBITION

Outlook

Foreword

E

ven as we approach the holiday season and wrap up the year, many of us are already gearing up for the furniture trade show circuit in 2010.

The past year has certainly been challenging. However, the furniture trade exhibition business has not slowed down in any way. In fact, conditions have pushed fair organisers and exhibitors to be even more creative and improve upon what they have to offer in order to stand out from the crowd.

Notably, furniture exhibitions are consolidating their strengths and efforts to target certain niche markets. With tightening budgets, this has proven to be an effective strategy as it attracts and caters for the right mix of exhibitors and buyers within the same market segments.

However, furniture manufacturers are also looking to provide greater variety.

The range of furniture and furnishings showcased at various fairs are becoming even more comprehensive and appealing.

Products are now offered in a myriad of different state-of-the-art material options and innovative treatments, with the purpose of providing even more attractive alternatives.

With the need to stay competitive, it is no wonder that there has been an increasing focus on design and designrelated activities at furniture exhibitions, especially in the ASEAN and Asian regions.

Here in Singapore, the International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS) has long been pushing the design envelope, even before the recent trends. Besides collections from international exhibitors, original creations by young Singapore and Asian talents have been proudly showcased through the design entrepreneur initiative, PLATFORM and the Furniture Design Award showcase.

Even in the current economic climate, the noticeable slowdown in demand for furniture from the United States and Europe has been quickly compensated by an upsurge in orders from non-traditional markets and industry players within the region. This offers a positive outlook for the ASEAN and Asian furniture industry.

This strong domestic confidence is also reflected in the furniture exhibition business. Visitors of exhibitions in Asia can expect to see an array of premium, well designed exhibits both from returning exhibitors and newcomers from the world over. This is a signal of good times ahead for the furniture industry.

The year ahead looks promising as economies around the world are getting back on their feet and manufacturers upscaling their operations. I hope all furniture players are geared up and prepared for the upturn.

This exhibition guide by FDM Asia provides an excellent introduction to the major ASEAN, Asian and international shows in furniture and woodworking in 2010. It will certainly serve as a good reference for companies who are looking to participate in trade fairs and ride on the recovery. We trust that you will find much useful information here and we look forward to seeing you on the furniture trade show circuit soon! FDM

Andrew Ng President Singapore Furniture Industries Council

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

63

EXHIBITION Industry Supplement

Outlook

Industry Supplement Exhibition Outlook 2010 Event Dates:

March 9 – 12, 2010

Event Venue:

(Singapore) Singapore Expo, Halls 3 - 8

Website:

www.iffs.com.sg

➠

Event Highlight:

IFFS/AFS 2010 gears up to establish its presence on the international furniture trade circuit.

The International Furniture Fair Singapore 2010, held in conjunction with the 27th ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/ AFS 2010), shall present a line up of first time and repeat exhibitors, both from the domestic and international arena.

Industry participants have affirmed their occupation of more than 80 percent of the 40,000 sq m of nett exhibition space.

IFFS/AFS 2010 will showcase

➠ -

➠ -

organised by:

more than 100,000 pieces of furniture and furnishing products from all over the world, enforcing itself as Asia’s one-stop sourcing haven and a mustvisit on the international furniture trade exhibition circuit.

IFFS/AFS is known for its focus on furniture design, reflected through its array of design related features and activities such as PLATFORM and the Furniture Design Award 2010. Both PLATFORM and the Furniture Design Award competition åre organised by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC).

Visitors’ Profile: Buying Groups Chain Store Purchasers Contract Buyers/Specifiers Furniture Wholesalers

-

Hospitality Representatives Independent Furniture Retailers Interior Designers Manufacturers

Exhibitors’ Profile: Home Interior and Garden/Outdoor Furniture Customised and Handcrafted Furniture Decorative Accessories and Components Soft Furnishings and Upholstery Office Furniture Lightings and Rattan/Wicker/Cane/Wire Materials

Organiser Information:

International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd Tel: +65 6569 6988 Fax: +65 6569 9939 Email: enquiry@iffs.com.sg Website: www.iffs.com.sg

Contact Information:

International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd Juliana Gan (Marketing Communications Manager) Tel: +65 6569 6988 Email: juliana@iffs.com.sg ENQUIRY NO. 8914

64 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

EXHIBITION Industry Supplement

Outlook

Industry Supplement Exhibition Outlook 2010 IN conjunction with:

Event Dates:

March 27 – 30, 2010

Event Venue:

(Guangzhou, China) China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex

Website:

www.interzum-guangzhou.com

➠

Event Highlight:

interzum guangzhou is one of Asia’s most comprehensive woodworking machinery and furniture production fair. With an exhibition area of more than 80,000 sq m, this fair acts as a gateway for international companies to sell to the China market and a springboard for Chinese companies to sell to the world. interzum guangzhou 2009 occupied eight halls with 761 companies as well as 60,697 trade buyers. After more than six years of development and

➠ -

➠ -

Jointly organised by:

expansion, this is now the largest trade fair for the woodworking industry in Asia.

Organisers expect the 2010 edition to surpass its predecessor in scale and quality, providing business opportunities for buyers and manufacturers.

This event is for furniture production elites in Asia. Professional visitors from manufacturing, trade, retail and design businesses will be interacting with manufacturers and suppliers from the following sectors that will be well represented:

Visitors’ Profile: Furniture Manufacturing Wood and Plastic Processing Wood and Plastic Trading Furniture Wholesale and Retail

- DIY (Do it yourself) and BIY (Build it yourself) - Interior Design - Institutions

Exhibitors’ Profile: Materials and Components for Furniture Production Machines, Materials and Components for Upholstery and Bedding Machines, Materials and Components for Interior Works Machines and Auxiliary Machines for Woodworking and Furniture Production Others (Media, Associations)

Organiser Information:

Contact Information in Asia:

Koelnmesse Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Branch Room 3311, Metro Plaza, 183 Tianhe Road (North), Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510620, PR China Tel: (86) 20-8755 2468 Fax: (86)-20-8755 2970 Email: info3@koelnmesse.cn Website: www.koelnmesse.cn

China: Koelnmesse Co., Ltd. Guangzhou Branch Tel: (86) 20-8755 2468 Fax: (86)-20-8755 2970 Email: k.lee@koelnmesse.cn Contact Person: Ms Karen Lee ENQUIRY NO. 8901 www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

65

EXHIBITION Industry Supplement

Outlook

Event Dates:

March 4 – 8, 2010

Event Venue:

(Bangalore, India) Bangalore International Exhibition Centre

Website:

➠

Event Dates:

March 23 – 25, 2010

Event Venue:

(Shanghai, China) Shanghai New International Expo Centre

Website:

www.domotexasiachinafloor.com

www.indiawood.com

➠

Event Highlight:

Indiawood 2010 is in a position to offer insight for companies looking to benefit from India’s domestic requirement. The country’s woodworking sector continues to see potential due to its economic development. Mechanisation quickly gains acceptance in this growth and the number of automated woodworking equipment employed is growing yearly.

Indiawood has matured in scope and development, with an increasing number of participating companies with each edition.

With over 27,000 sq m of exhibition space planned for the latest edition, its position as a sourcing ground for the country and community’s woodworking technologies gains reputation. The last edition had more than 400 participants from 29 countries.

ENQUIRY NO. 8906

Event Highlight:

Maintaining Growth for the Asia Pacific flooring market, DOMOTEX Asia/CHINAFLOOR has experienced a steady growth during its past 10 years of development.

This is noticeably so despite the global economic crisis. After all this time, the show has grown into an established flooring event in the Asia Pacific.

The exhibition focus on local manufacturers and supply chains and it maintained a rapid growth in the face of rising demand.

The 2009 edition occupied eight halls with total gross space of 89,125 sq m and hosted 909 flooring companies from 38 countries. Today, it is considered the largest international trade fair in Asia for floor coverings and total solutions.

DOMOTEX Asia/CHINAFLOOR has been internationally recognized as one of the best platforms for the floor covering industry.

ENQUIRY NO. 8907

Event Dates: September 7 - 10, 2010

Event Dates:

May 4 – 8, 2010

Event Venue:

(Rho, Italy) Milan Exhibition Centre

Website:

➠

www.xylexpo.com/eng

Event Highlight:

Xylexpo 2010 will to herald a positive development in Italian woodworking. “The next edition will celebrate the recovery of this industry”, Paolo Zanibon, general secretary of Xylexpo declared of the biennial international exhibition of machinery, supplies and components for the Italian wood and furniture industry.

Seven months before of Xylexpo, the organisers have registered more than 200 applications for an exhibition area of approximately 20,000 sq m. Many companies have affirmed their presence in this edition.

This result encourages the industry’s advance on their planned initiatives, from the role of supplies and semi-finished materials to forestry management. Industry participants will be launching a campaign to promote Italian operators, entrepreneurs and buyers in this event.

ENQUIRY NO. 8908

66 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

➠

Event Venue:

(Shanghai, China) Shanghai New International Expo Centre

Website:

www.furnitureinchina.com

Event Highlight:

FMC 2009 and FMC Premium 2010 will be held concurrently with ‘Furniture China’, over a total of more than 36,000 sq m. There will be 630 selected exhibitors who have confirmed their attendance this year.

According to the statistics, the previous edition attracted 23,000 domestic visitors from 28 provinces across China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. There was a registered 3,674 overseas visitors as well and the organisers expect to exceed this figure in 2010.

Participants can expect a series of seminars and onsite activities during the show aimed to strengthen cooperation and business relationships between domestic and international companies.

Exhibitors are already registered for the 2010 edition.

Visitors can expect new machinery and equipment companies from Germany, the US and Eastern Europe. Based on current projections, FMC and FMC Premium aim to double the number ENQUIRY NO. 8909 of exhibitors within the next two years.

EXHIBITION Industry Supplement

Outlook

Event Dates:

February 16 – 20, 2010

Event Venue:

(Berlin, Germany) Berlin Exhibition Grounds

Website:

➠

www.bautec-expo.ru/english

Event Highlight:

Bautec is central Europe’s trade fair for building and construction technology. Optimism in the building industry makes Bautec 2010 an ideal place to penetrate markets in Europe. The previous edition attracted more than 64,000 buyers, and its focus on contemporary market developments enhances its appeal.

Bautec brings together manufacturers, architects planners, project engineers and builders to exchange ideas in Berlin.

This event covers information on a wide range of construction issues, from wood and interior construction, applied chemicals and protective agents, building materials, windows doors and gates to tools, machinery, systems, associations and consultants.

ENQUIRY NO. 8902

Event Dates:

March 2 - 6, 2010

Event Venue:

(Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) Putra World Trade Centre, MATRADE Exhibition & Convention Centre

Website:

➠

www.miff.com.my

Event Highlight:

The 16th edition of the Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) will take place over a span of 85,000 sq m of exhibition space. For five days, industry specialists will gather at the two trade centres to network, trade, exchange ideas and observe designs and innovation that the industry has to offer. Both locations will have a shuttle bus to service visitors throughout the duration of the show.

Known as a one-stop centre for furniture purchase in South-east Asia, the MIFF series looks to be an inclusive solution that offer location, variety and convenient services.

The previous edition had a result of sales hitting more than US$710 million and organisers are expecting the 2010 event to surpass this figure in the face of the recovering economy.

ENQUIRY NO. 8903

Event Dates: June 10 - 13, 2010

➠

Event Venue:

(Dalian, China) Dalian World Expo Plaza

Website:

www.sinoexhibition.com/ furniture/index_e.asp

Event Highlight:

The 15th China International Furniture Woodworking Machinery Components and Raw Material Exhibition is recognised as a comprehensive fair for the furniture industry in North China. It is a trading platform for both domestic and international suppliers, manufacturers and buyers. Diversified exhibits make the fair an attraction for suppliers and purchasers.

With the support of China National Furniture Association, China Furniture and Woodworks 2010 will continue to serve all vertical sectors of furniture and wood products manufacturing industry in North China.

It is the only international trade fair sponsored by the China National Furniture Association in the North and a B2B platform that caters to the furniture industry, display one of the largest variety of China wood furniture and wood processing equipment and materials.

ENQUIRY NO. 8904

Event Dates:

March 10 – 13, 2010

Event Venue:

(Beijing, China) China International Exhibition Centre (CIEC)

Website:

➠

www.woodworkfair.com/WMF10

Event Highlight:

The 13th International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment (WMF 2010) will be in an exhibition area of 60,000 sq m. Organisers expect there to be more than 600 exhibitors participating, with over 30,000 professional visitors passing through its door.

The WMF2010 continues its four themes, namely the woodworking machinery, the panel board machinery, the furniture materials, hardware, and wood products, as well as the machinery parts and auxiliary equipment theme, to emphasise the fair’s focus and to facilitate specific business exchanges between suppliers and buyers.

Regular participants of the fair include exhibitors from countries, regions and overseas pavilions, including those from Germany, Italy and Taiwan.

ENQUIRY NO. 8905

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

67

EXHIBITION Industry Supplement

Outlook Event Dates:

January 16 – 19, 2010

Event Dates:

January 19 – 24, 2010

Event Venue:

(Hannover, Germany) Deusche Messe Messegelande 30521

Event Venue:

(Cologne, Germany) Messeplatz 1, 50679

Website:

➠

www.domotex.de Website:

Event Highlight:

Domotex Hannover will be modified for visitors in 2010. This will enhance its appeal to exhibitors and visitors with several initiatives.

A reallocation of themes on the exhibition grounds will provide advantages for participants. Firstly, the displays will be more accessible. Secondly, the structured exhibit segmentation in each hall will allow visitors to obtain a detailed overview of what is available in the marketplace. Thirdly, nearly all the walkways between the halls are covered.

A different concept for the contract-furnishing sector will provide a wide scope for networking between exhibitors and visitors. Lectures and discussions will take place at various decentralised venues so that the flow of visitors are distributed evenly throughout the halls. Activities such as themed forums, guided tours for architects, presentations and workshops will allow exhibitors to showcase their products effectively.

➠

Event Highlight:

imm cologne is Germany’s international platform for launching innovations to an audience of specialist retailers, more than 2500 media representatives and approximately 30,000 consumers.

Purchasing associations, buying and marketing groups emphasis the show’s significance in Europe as it is one way for buyers to get a comparative overview of a broad product offering.

The presence of large numbers of manufacturers consolidates imm cologne’s reputation and the show has been included in the sponsorship programme of the federal ministry of economics and technology. imm cologne provides the industry with the opportunity to meet more than 80,000 domestic and international purchasers.

It also provides an excellent setting for dialogue between the manufacturing sector and distributors.

ENQUIRY NO. 8911

ENQUIRY NO. 8910

Event Dates: March 11-14 2009 Event Venue: Website:

Event Dates: March 19 to 22, 2010

(Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam) Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre (SECC)

Event Venue: Website:

www.vifafair.com

➠ ➠

Event Highlight:

The Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (Hawa) Corporation shall launch the third Vietnam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair (VIFA).

This shall cover a range of all wooden product manufacturers and exporters in Vietnam, and where the Vietnam wood industry will be exhibited and introduced to international visitors as well as to consolidate and promote its multilateral trade ships and export.

The event will be for more than wood product manufacturers, exporters but also for all domestic and international enterprises specialising in other wood processing related fields as wood machinery, wood materials, tools and equipment.

ENQUIRY NO. 8912

68 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

www.imm-cologne.com

(Shenzhen, China) Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Centre www.zow-shenzhen.cn

Event Highlight:

The launch of the second ZOW supplier fair for the furniture industry and interior in Shenzhen will look to attract more than 8000 trade visitors. With more than 40 exhibiting companies, the event got off to a good start. Visitors used the opportunity to explore design trends in the supplier industry.

ZOW will take place during a popular phase of the trade fair season in Southern China, and is ideally located at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Centre as a partnering event to SIFE. It is a high-end trade fair for the Chinese furniture market and attracts high-calibre visitors to the economic hub on the Pearl River delta.

ZOW 2010 exhibitors will mainly come from China, and there will be a number of visiting companies from Germany, France, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Turkey participating in the exhibition.

ENQUIRY NO. 8913

ENQUIRY NO. 103

Calendar of Events 2009-2010

*All details subject to change without notice. Please check with organisers for updates.

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

2-7 – BATIMAT

1-4 – WoodEx International Trade Show

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles Paris, France Reed Expositions France Tel: + 33 (0) 1 47 56 21 21 Fax: + 33 (0) 1 47 56 50 30 Email: sophie.guymier@reedexpo.fr Website: www.batimat.com/site

3-6 – Maderalia – FIMMA Feria Muestrario Internacional de Valencia Valencia, Spain Tel: 0034902747330 Fax: 0034902747345 Email: feriavalencia@feriavalencia.com Website: www.feriavalencia.com/maderalia / www.feriavalencia.com/fimma

11-13 – Japan Home and Building Show Tokyo International Exhibition Centre (Tokyo Big Sight) Tokyo, Japan Japan Management Association Tel: +813-3434-1988 Fax: +813-3434-8076 Website: www.jma.or.jp

19-22 - Index IndArch International Fair On Interior Architectural Products Palace Grounds, Mekhri Circle Gate Bangalore, India Universal Expositions Ltd. Tel: +91-22-28302870 / 28302871 Fax: +91-22-28216140 Email: marketing@ueindia.com Website: www.indexfairs.com/home.asp

Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre Moscow, Russian Federation MVK International Exhibition Company Tel: +7 495 982 5065 Email: avn@mvk.ru Website: www.lestechprodukzia.ru/defaulteng.stm

2-4 – IFFT: Interior Lifestyle Living International Furniture Fair Tokyo International Exhibition Centre (Tokyo Big Sight) Tokyo, Japan International Development AssociationFurniture Industry of Japan, Mesago Messe Frankfurt Corp.

Tel: +81 (0) 3 3262 8453 Fax: +81 (0) 3 3262 8442 Email: info@ifft-interiorlifestyleliving.com Website: www.ifft-interiorlifestyleliving.com/en

Expocentre, Moscow, Russia Restec Exhibition Company Tel: +7 495 544 38 36 Fax: +7 495 544 38 36 Email: focus@restec.ru Website: www.zow.ru/en

70 FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

Veronafiere Verona, Italy Ente Autonomo Fiere di Verona Tel: + 045 8298 111 Fax: + 045 8298 288 E-mail: info@veronafiere.it Website: www.vivilacasaweb.it/index.asp

FEBRUARY 2 – 4 – Surfaces 2010, Floor Covering Show Sands Expo and Convention Centre Las Vegas, US

Hanley Wood Tel: + 972 536 6317 Fax: + 972 536 6401 Email: dteague@hanleywood.com Website: www.surfaces.com

2-6 – IMOB Istanbul Furniture Fair

2010

JANUARY 16 – 19 – DOMOTEX: World Trade Fair Hannover, Germany Deutsche Messe Tel: + 49 511 89-0 Fax: + 49 511 89-32292 Email: info@hf-singapore.com Website: www.domotex.de

19 – 24 - imm cologne 23-27 – ZOW Moscow

21-25 - Vivi La Casa In Fiera, Furniture and Furnishing

Exhibition Market

Cologne, Germany Koelnmesse Messeplatz 1, 50679 Tel: +49 1805 91 3131 Fax: +49 221 821-3551 Email: imm@visitor.koelnmesse.de Website: www.imm-cologne.com

CNR Expo Istanbul Istanbul, Turkey Istanbul Trade Fairs Inc Tel: + 90 212 465 74 75 Fax: +90 212 465 74 76/77 E-mail: info@itf-imob.com Website: www.itf-imob.com

3-6 - MADE Expo New Milan Fairgrounds Milano, Italy MADE eventi srl Tel: +39 02 29017144 Fax: +39 02 29006279 Email: info@madeexpo.it Website: www.madeexpo.it/it/index.php

8-11 - ZOW Exhibition of the Suppliers to the Furniture Industry Bad Salzuflen Exhibition Centre Hall 19-23 Bad Salzuflen, Germany SURVEY Marketing + Consulting GmbH & Co. KG Tel: + 49 521 96533-55 Fax: + 49 521 96533-66 Email: zow@survey.info Website: www.zow.de/en

Calendar of Events 2009-2010

16 – 20 - Bautec 2010

10 – 13 - WMF Beijing: International Exhibition on Woodworking Machinery and Furniture Manufacturing Equipment

23 - 25 - Domotex Asia/ChinaFloor Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC)

China International Exhibition Centre Beijing, China Tel: +852 2516 3382 Fax: +852 2516 5024 Email: publicity@adsale.com.hk Website: www.woodworkfair.com/WMF10

Shanghai, China Deutsche Messe and VNU Exhibitions Asia Tel: + 86 21 6247 7668 Fax: + 86 21 6247 6638 E-mail: dolly.han@vnuexhibitions.com.cn Website: www.domotexasiachinafloor.com

MARCH

12-15 - TIFL – Taiwan International Furniture and Lighting Show

24 - 27 - EXPOBOIS

2 – 6 – MIFF: Malaysian International Furniture Fair

Taipei World Trade Centre Exhibition Hall 1 Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) Tel: 886-2-27255200 ext. 2629 Fax: 886-2-27227324 Email: tifl@taitra.org.tw Website: www.tifl.com.tw

Berlin Exhibition Grounds Berlin, Germany Messe Berlin GmbH Tel: +49 030 3038 0 Fax: +49 030 3038 2069 Email: info@bautec-expo.ru Website: www.bautec-expo.ru

Putra World Trade Centre, MATRADE Exhibition and Convention Centre Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia MIFF Sdn Bhd Tel: +603 9282 2888 Fax: +603 9286 1551 Email: info@miff.com.my Website: www.miff.com.my

4 – 7 - Manila Now: PIFS 2010 Philippines International Furniture Show

24 - 27 - Holz-Handwerk 12 - 15 – Vietnam International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair (VIFA) Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Handicraft and Wood Industry Association (Hawa Corporation) Tel: +848 5404 2463 39143851 Fax: +848 5404 2464 Email: info@hawacorp.com.vn Website: www.vifafair.com

Manila, Philippines SMX Convention Centre Global-Link Exhibitions Specialist Inc. Tel: +632 750 8588 Fax: +632 750 8585 Email: info@globallinkmp.com Website: www.globallinkmp.com

19 - 22 - ZOW Shenzhen Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center Shenzhen, China Survey Marketing + Consulting GmbH and Co. KG Tel: +86 755 96000555 Fax: +86 755 82848700 Email: Bernd@bridges.com.my Website: www.zow-shenzhen.cn

4 – 8 - Indiawood 2010 Bangalore International Exhibition Centre Bangalore, India PDA Trade Fairs Tel: +91 80 25513081 Fax: +91 80 25542258 Email: Indiawood@pdatradefairs.com / christopher@pdatradefairs.com

9-12 - IFFS: International Furniture Fair Singapore/ Asean Furniture Show

Singapore Expo hall 3-8, Singapore International Furniture Fair Singapore Pte Ltd, Tel: +65 6569 6988 Fax: +65 6569 9939 Email: enquiry@iffs.com.sg Website: www.iffs.com.sg

Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre Paris, France Tel: +33 01 42 93 04 04 Email: j.saczewski@clccom.com Website: www.en.expobois.fr

Exhibition Centre Nuremberg Messezentrum, 90471 Nürnberg, Germany Nürnberg Messe GmbH Tel: +49 0911 86 06-0 Fax: +49 0911 86 06 8228 Email: info@nuernbergmesse.de Website: www.holz-handwerk.de

27 – 30 – interzum guangzhou China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex Guangzhou, China Koelnmesse Tel: +86 20 8755 2468 Fax: +86 20 8755 2970 Email: info3@koelnmesse.cn Website: www.interzum-guangzhou.com

Kindly indicate the events you are interested in and fax the sheet/s along with your details in the Product Enquiry Page on page 72a to (65) 6379 2806 or enquire online at www.fdmasia.com

To be considered for inclusion in the Calendar of Events, send details of event (name, date, venue, organiser contact) to: The Editor FDM Asia.

Eastern Trade Media Pte Ltd. 1100 Lower Delta Road. EPL Building #04-02. Singapore 169206.

Tel: (65) 6379 2888 | Fax: (65) 6379 2805 | Email: fdmasia@epl.com.sg

www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA NOV/DEC 2009

71

Advertising Index ENQ. No

Pg No.

AdvErtisErs / AgENcy

099

adsale exhibition services ltd (WMF beijing 2010)

35

091

aMerican hardWood export coUncil

iFc

705

baillie lUMber co

15

096

bino (sh) Machinery co ltd

16

105

ceFla Finishing eqUipMent (sUzhoU) co ltd

41

101

hoMag asia pte ltd

104

international FUrnitUre Fair singapore ltd

084

java incorporated bhd

074

jeFFer Machinery co ltd

13

100

kaneFUsa corporation

25

095

koelnMesse co ltd, gUangzhoU branch

61

102

pda trade Fairs (a division oF pradeep deviah & associates pvt ltd)

43

066

richFrUits Machinery ManUFactUring co ltd

11

010

san jUi Machinery co ltd

17

097

schelling anlagenbaU gMbh

45

090

shenzhen xinyUnxiang precision tools co ltd

9

098

sieMpelkaMp Maschinen-Und anlagenbaU gMbh & co kg

3

033

technik associates inc

008

tong Fong cUtters co ltd

55

009

Wen chih Machinery indUstrial co ltd

72

058

WeyerhaeUser Marketing

obc

103

vnU exhibitions asia

69

Legend:

5 31 1

ibc

Advertisers with eBrochures

Head Office

RePReSeNTaTive Office

SiNGaPORe EastErN traDE MEDia PtE LtD 1100 Lower Delta road EPL Building #04-02 singapore 169206

SHaNGHai, cHiNa sHaNGHai NEW EastErN MEDia CO. LtD 15D Block B, Victoria Plaza, No.1068, Xikang rd, shanghai, P.r, China 200060

Canice Gan Tel: (65) 6379 2888 fax: (65) 6379 2806 email: canicegan@epl.com.sg

Ding Yong Mei Tel: 86 21 6311 3676 fax: 86 21 6311 2960 email: neweastern_sh@hotmail.com

ReGiONal SaleS RePReSeNTaTiveS TAiwAn

ENQUIRY NO. 009

robert Yu Tel: 886-4-2325 1784 Fax: 886-4-2325 2967

JApAn

ted asoshina Tel: 81-3-3263 5065 Fax: 81-3-3234 2064

KoreA

Young-seoh Chinn Tel: 822-481 3411/3 Fax: 822-481 3414

This quick reference guide is provided as an additional service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or ommission.

www.fdmasia.com 72 FDM AsiA NOV/DEC 2009 | www.fdmasia.com

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Vietnam/Guangzhou, China 86.20.3878.1570

competitive edge as Well.

Taiwan: 886.42.350.2005 Hong Kong: 852.2865.5922

SM

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