THE BUSINESS SIDE OF WOODWORKING www.woodindustry.ca
SUMMER 2021
PM #40063056
CLEAN CABINET LOOKS
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
AWFS: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS
DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
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FEATURES 16
Automation & Robotics A human process
20 Kitchen Cabinets
Current trends & what’s here to stay
28 Domestic & International Growth
Manufacturing and exporting go hand-in-hand
COLUMNS 12
Health & Hazards
An Employer’s Duties During the Pandemic
30 The Beginner’s Guide to Flat Table CNC Machines
What to Expect When You’re Expecting a New CNC
DEPARTMENTS 4
From the Editor Working Together
34 Product Showcase 37 Stats & Facts
THE BUSINESS SIDE OF WOODWORKING www.woodindustry.ca
SUMMER 2021
CLEAN CABINET LOOKS
Cover photo by: Uniboard
PM #40063056
Vol. 17, No. 2
CONTENTS
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
AWFS: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS
DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
www.woodindustry.ca 3
FROM THE EDITOR
WORKING TOGETHER
Grace Tatigian
CO-PUBLISHER
Jason Krulicki
jasonk@mediaedge.ca EDITOR
WHILE THERE IS A LOT of competition in business, working together can bring you just as far. This is a topic that keeps coming up again and again: collaboration. In our weekly e-digest, we’ve written stories about partnerships and clusters because that’s what people want to talk about. And then, in an unrelated conversation about technology, Frank Horvath, Director of Sales and Marketing of FSTool, said something that struck home with me: We’re all integrators. He said it concerning automation and robotics, but it reminded me yet again of how we work better when we work together. Why am I talking about this? Because we make this magazine for you, and so we want to make sure you feel represented. Part of MediaEdge’s strategy in taking over Wood Industry is to bring in new contributors and writers to help us with our fresh start. So far, we’ve been thrilled with our contributors who have offered some expert advice in their fields, but we’re hungry for more. We’ve had contributors from all across the country in all kinds of specialized fields within the industry. From law to marketing and education, we’re pleased to share news and information from various sources, all relating to our shared industry: secondary wood products. If you have thoughts or opinions related to woodworking, we want to hear them and share them. If you have exciting news - be it products, press releases, or pictures - we want to know about what’s going on with you and your business. We’re doing our best to reach out to everyone we can, but only you know what’s coming up for your company. Let us help you break the news to the community with our quarterly print magazine and weekly e-digest. If you have a pitch, an idea, or some content you want us to share, please let us know. We would love to learn more about what you’re doing and how we can work together. We can discuss whether your content is better suited for our print or online platform. Regardless of whether you want to contribute regularly or just the one time, we can make something work. We hope you enjoy what you’ve read so far and are inspired to jump into the conversation. Not a writer? No problem; that’s what editors are for. We’re more than happy to work with you to find the best way to tell your story. Our e-digest is where we share the latest news, updates, and time sensitive information. That might be our AWMAC finalist profiles leading up to the awards gala, WMS tradeshow updates, and government news on relevant topics like apprenticeship training for cabinetmakers. Reach out to me at gracet@mediaedge.ca, and we can get to know each other and learn how we can work with one another to create a magazine that represents you and your business. How we can make a magazine and an e-digest that you look forward to reading and sharing with other community members. Because that’s what we are: a community. CO-PUBLISHER
Mike Neeb
miken@mediaedge.ca ART DIRECTOR
Grace Tatigian
Annette Carlucci
PRESIDENT
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
gracet@mediaedge.ca
Kevin Brown
kevinb@mediaedge.ca PRODUCTION MANAGER
Rachel Selbie
rachels@mediaedge.ca
Published by
annettec@mediaedge.ca
Thuy Huynh
roxyh@mediaedge.ca
CIRCULATION
circulation@mediaedge.ca
Wood Industry is published four times annually, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, for the secondar y wood products manufacturing and marketing industries in Canada. Subscriptions are free to qualified participants in Canada’s secondar y wood processing industr y. Subscribe at w w w. woodindustr y.ca. Paid subscriptions rates: $40 to Canad ian addresses, $60 U.S. and foreign, $20 student rate. Please mail payment to Wood Industr y, 2001 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4Z8 For subscription inquiries, e-mail circulation@mediaedge.ca © 2021 by MediaEdge Communications All rights reserved. MediaEdge Communications and Wood Industry disclaim any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect to the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. The opinions of the columnists and writers are their own and are in no way influenced by or representative of the opinions of Wood Industry or MediaEdge Communications
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FILINGS January, and the actual (not seasonally adjusted) national average sale price posted a 22.8% year-over-year gain in the same month.
Venjakob Maschinenbau Named Innovation Champion
Innovative medium-sized companies like Venjakob Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG from Rheda-Wiedenbrück are not afraid of change but instead see it as an opportunity. This is how the company achieved 27th place in the TOP 100 innovation competition. In the scientific selection process, the company impressed in the size class C (more than 200 employees), especially in the Innovative Processes and Organization category. This achievement means that Venjakob Maschinenbau is among the top innovators for the second time. Staying on the ball — this is the principle that Christian Nüßer, the commercial director, was taught early on. “Drive innovation — my father always taught me that,” reports Nüßer, who is the third generation of the Venjakob family to run the Westphalian company. To find out which innovations are in demand, the TOP 100 company focuses on the problems of its customers, compares them with its repertoire, considers which machines can be modified — or constructs something completely new if necessary. What matters to the twotime top innovator is not the technical optimization of individual components but also the process itself.
In line with activity since last summer, it was a new record for January by a considerable margin. For the seventh straight month, sales activity was up in almost all Canadian housing markets compared to the same month the previous year. Among the 11 markets that posted year-over-year sales declines, nine were in Ontario, where supply is extremely limited. “2021 started off just like 2020 ended, with a number of key housing market indicators continuing to set records,” says Costa Poulopoulos, Chair of CREA. “The two big challenges facing housing markets this year are the same ones we were facing last year – COVID-19 and a lack of supply. With luck, some potential sellers who balked at wading into the market last year will feel more comfortable listing this year.”
Housing Markets Set Another Record This Year
Statistics released by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) show national home sales set another record in January 2021. National home sales rose 2% on a month-over-month basis in 6 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
Demand for Oriented Strand Board Expected To Rise
Demand for oriented strand board (OSB) wood panels is forecast to in-
crease 1% annually through 2024 to 21.4 million square feet, as measured on a 3/8-inch basis, despite weak construction activity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. A new Freedonia Group analysis project demand will return to growth beginning in 2021 and continue to expand through 2024, driven by growth in new single-family home construction and rising spending on home renovation projects. The report also predicts roofing and subflooring will remain the leading applications for OSB panels, accounting for almost two-thirds of demand gains through 2024. Demand for OSB in engineered wood products is forecast to grow at an above-average pace as it takes share from MDF and particleboard on the strength of its significantly lower cost.
WMS to Use New Whova App
The Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference and Expo (WMS) 2021 participants can take advantage of a sophisticated mobile and web app to optimize their experience before, during, and after the event. Utilizing the robust Whova platform, the app will facilitate planning, networking, logistical considerations, and a host of other features. The three most popular features of Whova: Agenda: personal schedules, reminders, session search; Networking: attendee profiles, messaging, and meeting scheduling; and Community Board: planning social activities and gatherings, job posts, Q&A, lost & found, and more.
CUTTING-EDGE PRODUCTS • ADVANCED EDUCATION • POWERFUL CONNECTIONS
CONNECT WITH OPPORTUNITY
CONNECTIONS VITAL TO OUR GROWTH Connections shape our work every day. From connected technologies that streamline business, to a professional network that creates new possibilities, now more than ever we need to come together and reconnect in order to seize the growing opportunities before us. The 2021 AWFS®Fair will feature North America’s largest gathering of woodworking equipment and technology, as well as the largest selection of essential tools and products, making it the place for you to hear critical insights and make informed decisions that will allow you to take advantage of the growth of building and home improvement markets. Reconnect with your community as you experience innovation at its finest in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s brand new, high-tech hall—and prepare for new opportunities ahead.
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FILINGS Exhibitors can set up virtual booths and interact with the attendees via chat, one-on-one messaging, and virtual meetings. Attendees can request further information via Whova about their products and services, and the virtual booth is available 24/7. Before the conference, participants can actively scan the attendee list to identify people to connect with or offer recruitment opportunities. Every attendee can create interesting discussion topics to increase engagement and networking. Additionally, everyone registered for the event can create virtual meetings with Google Meet, Zoom, or Whova’s internal video chat feature.
and service that delivers. As such, we’re investing significant time and resources into improving the Marathon Hardware customer experience,” said Volpe. Marathon strives to be at the forefront as the industry continues to evolve. By having the best people in place, quality products their customers can rely on, and the best service in the industry, Marathon Hardware is well equipped to lead the charge toward a unique and fulfilling experience for builders, manufacturers, contractors, and interior designers alike.
New President at South Shore Furniture
Hettich Team Mourns Death of Anton Hettich
Marathon Hardware Appoints New President, David Volpe, To Drive Customer Experience
Marathon Hardware has announced the appointment of a new company president, David Volpe. David has been an integral part of Marathon for over 19 years, having previously held the position of vice president and head of purchasing. His two decades of industry experience have equipped him with the understanding and knowledge required to lead Marathon and its entire team into the next phase of growth. “We’re working hard on increasing our inventory levels, expanding our product range, and investing in our team and technology to ensure we fulfill our pledge of providing customers with our three brand pillars— quality that endures, innovation that inspires, 8 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
foundations were created under his leadership.
Anton Hettich, the long-standing managing partner and chairman of the advisory board of the Hettich Group, passed away on April 24, 2021, at the age of 91 after a short serious illness. Hettich was a co-partner in the family business in Schramberg since 1949. After the early death of his father in 1956, he became a member of the management at age 27. In January 1959, following the legal separation from the parent company in the Black Forest, he became chairman of the management board of Paul Hettich GmbH & Co. KG in Herford. In 1991, he moved to the Advisory Board. It was not until 2016 that he ended his tenure as chairman of the advisory board. Through his commitment and wealth of ideas, he developed the company into an internationally successful enterprise. Many technical developments and new site
A big change for South Shore Furniture has recently taken place. Jean-Stéphane Tremblay has been appointed as the company’s new president and chief of operations. With numerous years of experience in management and retail, Tremblay is an important asset for the company, said a press release. He succeeds Jean Laflamme, who now holds the position of chairman of the board and CEO. Laflamme will remain actively involved in the corporate decisions, but will also devote more time to projects with human values, such as mutual aid and skills development. A leading Canadian manufacturer in the North American furniture industry, South Shore Furniture was established in 1940. The company produces assembled and ready-to-assemble bedroom (baby, juvenile, adult), home office, and entertainment centre furniture that combines quality and functionality with the latest styles, at affordable prices. The three generations that have managed the company since it was founded have made South Shore Furniture synonymous with quality and product durability. South Shore Furniture employs over 850 people in two factories across Quebec, Canada, and operates a plant in Juarez, Mexico.
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FILINGS Weekly E-digest
Are you looking for more updates like these? The latest news items, popular products, and regular columns? The Wood Industry weekly e-digest comes out every Wednesday, filled with need-to-know information about technology, law, and more. We have profiles on the best in the business in manufactur-
ing and design to inspire and motivate you. Think you have something to contribute to the conversation? We’d love to hear from you. Please send us an e-mail at gracet@mediaedge.ca so we can chat about the best way to share your thoughts and opinions with the community. Even if you don’t have news to
share, you should still sign up for the weekly e-digest at www.woodindustr y.ca /subscr ibe-to - our-industry-e-news/. Available in both English and French, we share stories about the Wood Industry from across the country.
Bluewater Wood Alliance: Name and Brand Change on Their 10 Year Anniversary
In 2009, seven wood manufacturing companies in the Grey-Bruce, Huron Perth region of Ontario were feeling the pinch of the economic recession and the pressure of foreign imports, so they decided to form the Bluewater Wood Alliance (BWA). Even though some were competitors and had been for many years, collectively, they needed to do something that could be mutually beneficial for all of them, to help them through this difficult time. In January 2011, two BWA representatives went to the Cluster Academy in Linz, Austria, for cluster training. They then made the decision to form a cluster, which was incorporated in March 2011 as a nonprofit industry-led cluster. Gradually, interest grew among wood manufacturing companies from all over southwestern Ontario to attend the events, and membership grew quickly. Companies from the GTA, as far west as Chatham, and Niagara and up to Muskoka joined the alliance. Now, in 2021, the BWA is ten years old, with over 120 member companies, and they have decided to redefine who they are as an industry cluster. As such, they are proud to announce their new brand and name to better represent who they are today: The Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario.
10 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
FILINGS
AWMAC ON New Board of Directors
AWMAC Ontario is pleased to announce the 2021/2022 Board of Directors as voted on and approved at the Annual General Meeting held virtually on Thursday March 25, 2021. Carlo DeFrancesco – AWMAC Ontario President Nick Anastas – AWMAC Ontario Vice President & GIS Director Ian Christie – Past President Onorio Centofanti – Secretary/ Treasurer Philip Roy – Social Director Karyna Cheng – GIS Director Alternate Bert Kleiser – Ontario Director Mike Sanchez – Ontario Director Sam Meyer - Ontario Director Bill Kocjancic - Ontario Director Joe Jubran - Ontario Director As AWMAC Ontario continues to grow and evolve, they look forward to the support and expertise of the new board.
Chairman of the Managing Board of Deutsche Messe AG. “In order to offer the industry a platform for innovations, knowledge exchange, and networking, alternatively, we will set up a digital networking and content platform that will be launched at the end of September. We are also planning the Rosenheim Ligna Conference in early summer 2022. For both event formats, we are incorporating
the many new insights and positive experiences from the recently hosted Hannover Messe Digital Edition.” Previously, the event had already been delayed due to the pandemic and was scheduled to take place from September 27 to October 1, 2021 in Hannover, Germany. Ligna is now scheduled to happen from May 15 to 19, 2023, in person.
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Ligna 2021 Cancelled
Ligna, the world’s leading trade show for woodworking and wood processing plant, machinery, and tools, has been cancelled for 2021 due to COVID-19. “Uncertainties in the wake of the pandemic still remain very high worldwide. In close consultation with the VDMA, we have therefore decided to cancel Ligna as a physical event in 2021,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler,
Jason Krulicki Co-Publisher 647-535-0217 jasonk@mediaedge.ca Mike Neeb Co-Publisher 587-370-0429 miken@mediaedge.ca
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www.woodindustry.ca 11
LAW
HEALTH & HAZARDS
An Employer’s Duties During the Pandemic Junaid J. Malik Litigation Lawyer Lawrence, Lawrence, Stevenson LLP
E
mployers are bound by a general duty to take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of their staff from workplace hazards. As you will see, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for employers to fulfill that general duty. Presently, the legislative framework and case law do not provide employers with a clear and universal basis for satisfying the general duty. As such, employers who fail to take active steps—or who take overly active steps—to address pandemic hazards run the risk of endangering their workforce and may be subject to liability and operational closures. While there may not be a standard answer to address the general duty for all employers, we recommend employers consult with experienced employment law lawyers. This way, the nature of the workplace and their business activities can be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and occupational health and safety (OHS) best practices can be observed. Despite employers’ general duty, a good starting point is to remember that instituting OHS is not exactly like a onesided tap-dance performance by the employer. Nor is it necessarily a twosided dance, like the tango. Instead, and at the risk of belabouring the dance analogy, instituting OHS is most like a “flashmob” performance which should not conclude. A primary purpose of Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, RSO 1990, c 0.1, is to facilitate a strong “internal responsibility system” (IRS). IRS means that everyone in the workplace has to play a role in keeping the workplace safe and healthy. For
12 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
OHS IS NOT LIKE A ONE-SIDED TAP-DANCE PERFORMANCE BY THE EMPLOYER.
instance, under the Act, employees are required to report hazards or Act contraventions they observe to the employer. Once reported, employers are required to address those situations and also to familiarize their staff with any hazards present in the work they perform. Employers can begin to address pandemic-related hazards by integrating regional and municipal public health authority guidelines within their IRS. This may take shape through: a. posting the requisite guidelines in the workplace and through broadcast email notifications to the workforce; b. enhancing on-site custodial services through more frequent cleaning and disinfection; c. instituting workplace screening questionnaires; and d. distributing personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer amongst staff. As we eagerly await a return to a prepandemic life, the gradual distribution of Pandemic vaccines will impose a further complicating factor to employers interested in discharging their general duty. While we suspect most of the general population is interested in getting inoculated when the vaccine is avail-
able and accessible, some people may reject the scientific consensus supporting COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, can an employer require its workforce to get vaccinated, for instance, once Ontario is in “Phase III” distribution where vaccines will be made available to the general population? This question triggers various competing interests beyond OHS and the employer’s general duty, namely, privacy interests, human rights, and constitutional rights. At present, the legislature and the courts have not answered the above question. And while an argument could be made that an employer may be permitted to require its workforce to get vaccinated in very certain situations, applying that argument as a general standard could very well lead to inadvertent liability because of the competing employee rights and interests at stake. Nevertheless, and as previously stated, we recommend employers consult with experienced employment law counsel to ensure that they are taking active steps to discharge the general duty and avoid any other risks of liability caused by the pandemic. An experienced employment lawyer would also take into account the risks of an overly aggressive OHS response initiative.
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FEATURE
BACK-TO-BASICS
For Business-to-Business Marketing By Matthew Bradford
I
t takes more than a sturdy name and solid reputation to generate business. And while business-to-business (B2B) marketing is a sure-fire strategy, it can also be hard to break through the noise. No doubt, getting the attention of potential customers can be tricky — especially in the days of social distancing, contact-free communications, and industry-wide challenges. This is as true for the wood manufacturing community as it is for any other. 14 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
The upside is there are ample B2B channels and online resources that can help get your name to the top. CONTENT MARKETING
Content marketing (aka inbound marketing or sponsored content) means creating engaging and infor-
mative content that positions your company as a specialist in its field. For wood manufacturers, this could be blogs discussing the various benefits of using wood over other materials for kitchen cabinetry, articles explaining manufacturing techniques, or videos that narrow in on specific industry issues. “In content marketing, the content is the ad,” says Brian Rotsztein, President of the Canadian Internet Marketing Association. “Great reviews, informative videos, positive interactions on social
FEATURE
media platforms, and other types of content all come together to promote brand awareness and make your company look trustworthy.” “People want to buy from genuine sources,” he adds. EMAIL MARKETING
When it comes to B2B marketing, don’t discount the classics. Email marketing has been an effective tool for businesses of all stripes for several decades. Granted, this technique has been abused by marketers over the year, but it can still be impactful with the right approach. “The key is getting your name and story in front of these retailers, designers, and anyone who actually makes the actual product orders,” says Trevor Stewart, founder and CEO of Lets Get Optimized. “Your message could be something as simple as ‘Hey, we’re a small or medium company that’s making a smash in the industry’ or “Here are a few clients that have moved over to our new product line,’ followed by product images that sell themselves.” The idea, he says, is to break through the inbox clutter by telling your story and what makes you different. Adds Rotsztein: “Email as an ongoing tactic tends to be useful because you can tailor it to new and old customers and potential buyers. Just make sure that email newsletters add value and don’t waste people’s time.” SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram ... The list of potential social media platforms is long, and each offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with potential customers. First, you need to give followers a reason to stop scrolling and see what you have to say.
SOCIAL MEDIA IS ABOUT COMMUNICATION, NOT MARKETING, SO TREAT THEM LIKE FRIENDS WHO YOU’RE TRYING TO HELP, NOT AS DOLLAR SIGNS. “Don’t treat people on social media platforms as individuals who are there to be marketed to. Social media is about communication, not marketing, so treat them like friends who you’re trying to help, not as dollar signs,” says Rotsztein. YouTube and Pinterest are also part of the ‘social media’ mix. And while you may think buyers in the woodworking space aren’t on these platforms, think again. “YouTube and Pinterest may not be where your customers are shopping for new wood manufacturers, but the people behind those decisions are still people who like to watch videos on and get ideas from those platforms,” says Brent Clifford, Manager Partner with OKD Marketing. PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING
Programmatic advertising is the technique of using data analytics to “track” where your potential customers are looking online and placing your messaging/ads in those exact locations. “We have access to so much data right now, and that means access to a wealth of customer insights,” says Harikrishna Govindarajan, Programmatic Campaign Manager with MediaEdge. “When you can use that data to find where your prospects are online, what content they’re consuming, and how often they’re consuming it, that’s when you can create targeted campaigns that put your company in direct view of the people who are most likely to react.”
SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) means spending time and effort to ensure your company is among the first thing people see when searching online for related products and services. But while there’s value in being seen, try not to outshine your potential buyers. “If you’re trying to sell to the same sellers you’re outranking, they may feel like you’re trying to dominate their space, and that may not go down well,” notes Stewart. “SEO optimization is valuable, but like everything else, you need a strategy.” MAKING IT STICK
B2B marketing can move the needle for any business. The key is being consistent, having a strategy, and knowing your audience. “You need to clearly define your target audience so you aren’t wasting any of your budget,” says Clifford. “Figure out who they are, where they are, what they like, and what they do online, and then you can build a very targeted and efficient marketing strategy to reach them.” Rotszein adds that the B2B journey can take many paths, but the trick is to look at the big picture: “Email, social media, and content marketing are all tactical options that work together, but only use what makes sense for your specific strategy.” www.woodindustry.ca 15
FEATURE
AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS A human process By Grace Tatigian
I
n the last five to seven years, we have seen a considerable increase in robotic solutions in commercial woodworking. From CNC machines to fully automated panel process lines, these devices are playing a pivotal role in the production of pretty much every household wood item and beyond.
“Everyone wants to talk about robots; everyone wants a robot,” says Tommy Gagnon, CEO of AutomaTech Robotik. “But it might not be the right thing for the company; they might not be ready yet.” It seems strange for a robotics company to discourage people from buying 16 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
his products, but what he really wants is for his customers to do their research and invest in the right tools for their business. If a shop doesn’t even have a CNC yet, for example, then they’re not ready for the level of technology that AutomaTech Robotik supplies. He doesn’t want business owners to start
on the wrong foot and lose their taste for automation; it has so much potential. Gagnon mentioned that he’s even hesitant to refer to this kind of machinery as equipment yet. “I would say it’s more of a project,” he explains. “There is so much to learn, maintain, and update as the technology
FEATURE
industry professionals out there who use these tools without thinking about how they work. Frank Horvath, Director of Sales and Marketing of FSTools, pointed to a fundamental misunderstanding of something as basic as cutting as an example. “A blade isn’t technically cutting the material,” says Horvath. “It’s acting as a wedge which is causing the material to break apart. It’s important to understand the properties of the material in question, things like
advances that I would say it will still be another ten years before we can call it equipment.” Robotics can increase productivity, profitability, and production if the users know what they’re doing. These machines can do amazing things, but if they aren’t operated or maintained correctly, it’s impossible to use them to their full potential. Essential to achieving the full potential of these projects are two things: education and maintenance. The two go hand-in-hand. It’s necessary to understand precisely how the machine works to maintain it effectively. There is a large number of
how hard it is, to use the tool effectively.” Operators need a thorough understanding and continued training to ensure that owners get a strong return on investment on their purchased robotic solutions. Since automation hasn’t quite hit the mainstream yet, many smaller manufacturers are still trying to figure out how to integrate hightech solutions into their company. Sometimes the solution is outsourcing production.
LEFT: KUKA Robotics and AutomaTech Robotik collaboration RIGHT: AutomaTech Robotik team in the workshop
www.woodindustry.ca 17
FEATURE
TOP: AutomaTech Robotik team in the workshop BOTTOM: FSTool’s depiction of the effects of a worn blade
Alain Albert, the founder of Woodoer, is big on collaboration. For years, he worked in consulting, working w ith cabinet makers all across the country. A lbert saw an opportunity in that many people weren’t aware of what the tech could do for them. Now he 18 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
runs a company that provides CNC manufacturing ser vices for small cabinet shops looking for higher-tech solutions. But it isn’t just manufacturing; Woodoer also provides training and support for software like Cabinet Vision.
“If we train people on how to use the software, they can create better files for us to manufacture,” says Albert. Albert agrees that it comes back to education, knowing and understanding the best way to tackle a project. It’s about finding new and innovative ways for people to do the work. The concern that many have with technology like this is that they think it will destroy jobs. Gagnon says it’s the opposite. “The kind of work that people want to do has changed,” he explains. “Workers are more educated than ever, and they want to use their skills and continue to learn. It’s easier to find people who have the skills to work with robots than it is to find people who want to do manual labour.” It’s partly a generational thing; young people entering the workforce aren’t interested in working on a factory floor, so he believes that companies need to adapt to what their employees are willing to do. “Those who can bring the organization farther want the technology,”
FEATURE
THERE IS SO MUCH TO LEARN, MAINTAIN, AND UPDATE AS THE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES THAT I WOULD SAY IT WILL STILL BE ANOTHER TEN YEARS BEFORE WE CAN CALL IT EQUIPMENT.
says Gagnon. “And if you don’t offer it to them, they’re going to leave and go somewhere else where their drive and skills are appreciated.” Gagnon says that he’s never had a customer who had to let someone go because of purchasing a robot. If anything, it has helped create
jobs. Having new technology in the shop allows employees to put their skills to use elsewhere within the company, which ultimately adds more value because there are still many things that robots can’t do. So not only can robots create more jobs, they can create better jobs.
“If you’re going to trust someone to operate a multi-million dollar piece of equipment, you’re going to pay them well,” says Gagnon. So if a company is investing money into machinery and operators, they should also invest in maintenance and education to take care of their investment. It’s beneficial not only for dayto-day use but also for troubleshooting when something goes wrong. “That way high end, high-quality products can excel in the hands of highly trained operators,” says Horvath. For manufacturers looking to scale their business, automation and robotics is definitely a solution to consider. Still, to be worth it, buyers must be willing to spend more than just the cost of the machinery. In-depth research is required to find the best technical solution. It’s essential to factor in education, safety, and operations costs to get the highest possible return on investment, which benefits everyone involved.
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KITCHEN CABINETS CURRENT TRENDS AND WHAT’S HERE TO STAY
20 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
W
e’ve all spent a great deal more time in our kitchens in the last year, whether you
jumped on the bread-making bandwagon or not. With the inability to travel, more people have been investing in their homes and updating spaces that have long been on the backburner.
Photos by Uniboard www.woodindustry.ca 21
COVER STORY
ABOVE: Kitchens by Uniboard RIGHT: Cabinet interiors by Richelieu
Kitchens have always been the heart of the home, so it’s no surprise that this has been the focus of many renovation projects. Whether homeowners are looking for a traditional or contemporary look, it’s always important to know about the most modern and up-to-date materials for quality that lasts. George Pavlov, the Ontario Regional Sales Manager for Grass, has a lot to say about space optimization. From cabinetry to hardware, he says 22 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
that everything is trending towards thinner, sleeker pieces. “You might think that changing the thickness of the boards to make an extra inch of space isn’t much,” says Pavlov. “But when you do that across your whole kitchen, it adds up.” Yes, this trend is aesthetic and practical, but it also heavily influences the caliber of materials used for the build. Thinner boards mean that they need to be of higher quality so that they’re just as sturdy. Sleeker
hardware can’t comprise in the quality department either, or it won’t last. Trends might change when it comes to aesthetics, but solid, well-built cabinetry will always be in style. Trends are all about what is popular now and figuring out what will be popular in the future. In terms of looking forward, Pavlov also had a fair bit to say about sustainability and working towards preventing and reducing environmental impacts from the source when it comes to kitchen design.
COVER STORY
“This means adopting an integrated approach to the product, considering all aspects from the initial product idea, through production and use to disposal.” He wasn’t the only one who had something to say on the subject. Ariane Bouchard, Marketing Manager at Uniboard, was quick to bring up sustainability as well. “It’s not a trend; it’s a new way of thinking,” says Bouchard. “It’s a big selling feature. People want to know what they’re buying responsibly.”
So, of course, quality and sustainability are must-haves for kitchen renovation, but those aren’t always immediately apparent when you walk in the room. Something that does catch your eye is the dark solid colours that have become so fashionable in the world of cabinetry. Bouchard specifically mentioned two of their newest colours: Confier, a dark green, and Wave Blue, a deep navy. These dark colours make for beautiful accents alongside more natural lighter synchronized finishes such as Whisper, a beige woodgrain. In terms of finish, matte is currently highly popular, a huge benefit being that it is fingerprint-resistant. Cleanliness has always been important in the kitchen, but now people are considering that in the build phase, not only after they make a mess while cooking. There’s been a significant surge in antibacterial trends when it comes to picking materials. The non-porous nature of MDF panels makes them easy to clean, but other companies like Richelieu have taken this a step further and created a line of antibacterial cabinetry. Cleaning the counter and the sink are regular parts of most people’s kitchen tidying routine, but few of us wipe down the cabinetry every week. That’s why antibacterial syncron panels and antimicrobial pulls, which impede the spread of bacteria, can bring people peace of mind. “People are also looking at accessories and waste disposal,” says Thierry
Trempe, Marketing Director for Richelieu, about the antibacterial trend. “And we’re seeing it move beyond the kitchen. A lot of people are renovating their trailers and tiny homes too. The RV market is growing dramatically, so we need to offer more choice for smaller kitchens.” In terms of choice, from functionality to aesthetics, Pavlov says he always recommends customers do their research and to talk to someone who’s had their kitchen for a while. “Someone who just bought a kitchen is going to love everything,” he explains. “I always say talk to someone who’s been living with their kitchen for a few years and see how it’s been. What they like, what they don’t like. What lasted, what didn’t.” A balance between the newest trends and tried and true methods is the recipe for success in picking kitchen cabinetry, a blend of innovation and tradition. To keep up with what’s happening in the kitchen cabinetry industry, check out the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association. The CKCA promotes progress and innovation in the kitchen cabinet manufacturing industry by ensuring its members uphold the highest standards. They also make sure that they have access to appropriate supports and resources. Executive Director Sandra Wood is constantly finding new and creative ways to support their members through education and partnership. www.woodindustry.ca 23
A CUT ABOVE
Larch Wood end grain cutting board.
By Mitchell Brown
L
ooking back, it was the homecoming gift that kept on giving. updating spaces that have long been on the backburner.
The year was 2004, and Don Beamish was about six months into his new job as General Manager at Larch Wood Enterprises, a sawmill and flooring company based on the banks of Cape Breton Island’s Margaree River. Owner and entrepreneur Ben Webster had purchased the 14,000-sq.-ft. facility from a bankrupt business the year before, and it didn’t take long for Beamish and his team of craftspeople and artisans to see that producing tongue-and-groove larch flooring — the only product they were making at the time — wasn’t going to sustain them. The search was on for new products to make and sell. As fate would have it, Webster happened to be moving into his new home overlooking Cape Breton’s western
24 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
shores at that time, and so Beamish and his staff created a cutting board as a housewarming present. It was only meant as a one-off, a way for the staff to wish their colleague well in his new home. But the look of it when it was finished inspired them to consider the possibilities. Now they sell at almost one hundred retailers across Canada, and over two hundred retailers across the United States. When they were first starting up, they made three prototypes and sent them to local chefs for their thoughts; those expert testers came back with two enthusiastic thumbs up. Next stop: the 2005 Atlantic Craft Trade Show in Halifax. That show went surprisingly well,” says Beamish, and from there they were hitting the road attending
PROFILE
TOP LEFT: Larch Wood employee working in the shop. TOP RIGHT: Larch Wood employee storing product. BOTTOM: Don Beamish with an end grain cutting board.
wholesale and retail shows in Toronto, Montreal, New York City, Philadelphia, Orlando, Las Vegas—anywhere their truck would travel to get them in front of buyers with their handcrafted cutting boards. Though the company started producing both end grain and edge grain boards, it chose to focus on end grain boards after a while. “We could see a beautiful pattern in the end grain,” Beamish explains, adding that not only does the end grain do a better job displaying the varied gradients of the tree’s growth, it’s also more durable with a density that better absorbs blade action and makes cutting easier on the wrist. While Beamish and his team were busy hitting the road and signing up business partners like U.S. kitchenware retail chain Williams-Sonoma, the company was also transitioning to a hybrid production/retail operation, opening shops in nearby East Margaree and in Wolfville, a university town in Nova Scotia’s wine country that attracts tourists in search of fine wine, Nova Scotian hospitality and locally crafted items. Larch Wood also ramped up its online marketing, creating an Amazon store and launching its own multi-lingual rewww.woodindustry.ca 25
PROFILE
Larch Wood employee finishing cutting boards.
Don’s tips for exporting success 1 / Beamish is the first to admit Larch Wood isn’t the only place out there making cutting boards. But through social media and personal connections, he enjoys sharing the story of how their boards are made — and that story keeps their messaging focused when they venture out into the global marketplace. 2 / “You have to travel a lot,” he says. “You have to market outside of your province. Today, we are more focused on online. But when you can, you have to get out there.” 3 / Beamish says Larch Wood never set out to be the No. 1 supplier of cutting boards in the world: “We started this business to provide employment, not make millions of dollars.” Knowing where they wanted to go as a company gave Larch Wood the confidence to plan that leap into international sales without getting in over their head. 4 / Numerous agencies and organizations offer assistance to small and mediumsized businesses looking to market their products outside the country. In Larch Wood’s case, entities like Nova Scotia Business Inc. and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) helped with start-up travel and marketing costs when they first made that leap. 5 / Success doesn’t come overnight, says Beamish — but it will happen when you take your time, study the markets, and carefully develop a roadmap for where you want to go before you hit the road. “That’s the way we built Larch Wood, one step at a time.”
26 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
tail website to attract customers from around the world. That last decision proved to be a particularly good one in light of recent events. “Our web sales went up 500% [in 2020] over the previous year,” Beamish says, crediting that explosive growth to the fact that many of the people spending more time at home because of the pandemic were also spending more time cooking—making them the perfect market for Larch Wood’s cutting boards. If this past year has taught Beamish and his team anything, it’s that opportunity can come when you least expect it, but that’s not to say you should sit at home waiting for it to happen. Before the travel restrictions brought on the pandemic, Beamish—a man who carved his own path, moving from Ontario to the Maritimes at a time when folks in search of work tended to travel in the opposite direction—has wandered as far afield as China to meet with buyers (a decision that has so far led to eight years of solid sales in the world’s most
PROFILE populous nation). Today, all that travel and networking has paid off, with about 45% of the company’s sales coming from Canada and the rest from U.S. and international customers. “They’ve always been easy to sell, frankly,” Beamish says when asked how his team approaches selling the boards to international buyers. “People are just attracted to them.” Even so, he and his staff of about 20 full-time and seasonal workers aren’t resting on their laurels. While their cutting boards continue to be their top sellers, since 2012, Larch Wood has built on its exporting and marketing expertise to ship chopping blocks, stools, and custom countertops across Canada and abroad, with orders coming in from as far away as California and the Bahamas. (They still make flooring, though Beamish estimates that now accounts for about 5% of their revenue.) Whatever the future might bring, Beamish feels his company is well-
OPPORTUNITY CAN COME WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT, BUT THAT’S NOT TO SAY YOU SHOULD SIT AT HOME WAITING FOR IT TO HAPPEN. positioned to handle it. The tamarack and hackmatack wood comes from locally-owned woodlots and is harvested sustainably. Beamish doesn’t see any reason why that should change any time soon. A self-confessed “conservative” planner, he credits Larch Wood’s relatively smooth transition into an exporter of finely crafted goods to their deliberate desire to grow steadily as a “healthy holistic business” that puts its people and the environment ahead of profits. That approach has not gone unnoticed by their friends and neighbours. Larch Wood has become an integral
part of its surrounding community, with its boards proving a popular go-to gift idea for employees and local folks celebrating special occasions. And when the tourists come back to join them amid the natural beauty of the Cabot Trail, Beamish and his team will be there to greet them. Or maybe just his team; it all depends on how soon he can get back on the road. “I’ve spent too much time in front of this computer,” he laughs while reminiscing about his road trip adventures. “I’ve made a lot of good friends on the road over the years. I’ve helped a lot of people, and they’ve helped me.”
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FEATURE
DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL GROWTH Manufacturing and exporting go hand-in-hand By Grace Tatigian
“We need to grow domestically so that we can grow internationally.”
T
hat’s a phrase that Matt Poirier, Director of Trade Policy at Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), finds himself repeating all the time.
28 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
“Sometimes I feel like a broken record,” he laughs. CME directly represents more than 10,000 leading companies nationwide, more than 85% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Furthermore, CME’s membership network accounts for an estimated 90% of all goods and services exported. Do the math; that means
FEATURE
Five Essential Exporting Resources: 1 / Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters is an association whose mission is to enable its members to compete successfully in Canada and internationally and ensure that public and policy-makers recognize manufacturing as an innovative and vital part of Canada’s economy. 2 / Trade Commissioner Service can help companies apply for funding, join trade missions, and learn how to export. They can also help with market research and understanding Canada’s trade agreements, tariffs, and sanctions. 3/ Export Development Canada offers financing and bonding solutions so that Canadian companies can compete in the global marketplace. They help businesses find their next market and reduce the risk of selling internationally so that local companies can grow their businesses. 4 / Canadian Commercial Corporation helps connect Canadian sellers to foreign government bid opportunities and move forward with international business deals. Partnering with the CCC means that a Government of Canada guarantee will back you. 5/ Government of Canada’s International trade and investment webpage for Exporting from Canada offers a step-by-step guide on the process and regulatory requirements for exporting commercial goods from Canada and support companies with existing technologies or products to explore opportunities in foreign markets.
that most of Canada’s exports are coming from SMEs. CME supports the signing of as many fair-trade deals as the government can muster, but if we can’t increase production, then we won’t be able to deliver on those deals. That’s one common problem that Canadian manufacturers run into when first exporting their products. Nationally, we’re at approximately 80% manufacturing capacity, and so sometimes businesses will bite off a little more than they can chew when they wade into the international markets. When Canadian manufacturers consider exporting their products, their first target is often the United States, as a baby step. But supplying to Canada’s 35 million consumers is one thing, and adding America’s 400 million consumers changes everything. Being ‘too in demand’ sounds
like a pretty good problem to have, but being unable to fulfill contracts can take a toll on a business. And there is a high demand for Canadianmade products. “The maple leaf is a symbol, a brand that known to mean high quality all over the world,” says Poirier. “If it has a maple leaf on it, people know that’s the gold standard.” This value comes primarily from our national investment in health and safety standards; it costs a lot to have rules and regulations to ensure appropriate work conditions. So yes, that means that we excel in terms of quality and recognition, but that makes it incredibly difficult to compete with rock-bottom prices coming out of countries that don’t have the same kinds of restrictions. But in some industries, the global marketplace recognizes that it’s
worth paying a little more for topof-the-line products. One prime example? Wood. With over 347 million hectares of forest, Canada has 9% of the world’s forests. Between our resources and standards, this leads to top-quality products. “Natural resources are our superpower,” says Poirier. Canada has been managing our forests sustainably and reseeding for decades which means that this is a profitable and renewable resource, making Canadian wood products more appealing than those coming from countries that are clear-cutting forests. There is a massive market for Canadian wood products, but the trouble for many is taking the first step into the uncertainty of the world of exporting. “When business owners don’t know where to start when it comes to exporting, they talk to people they know: their bank, lawyer, accountant. They don’t necessarily have the time to do the proper research into resources and supports,” explains Poirier. “In a lot of SMEs, everyone is pulling double — or triple — duty. The CEO might also be the CFO and the Chief Moral Officer and might not have time to look into exporting even if it could help grow their business.” So that’s where CME comes in to help; they can direct businesses to the right supports and services to help companies enter the global marketplace with confidence. Additionally, they provide advocacy for their members at a national level, regularly communicating with the government to ensure the best possible conditions and opportunities for Canadian manufacturers and exporters. Beginning to export products to the international market can be intimidating, but it’s a solid way to grow your business, particularly in the wood industry. To get started, do some research and reach out for support to ensure that you put your company puts its best foot forward. www.woodindustry.ca 29
COLUMN
THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FLAT TABLE CNC MACHINES What to Expect When You’re Expecting a New CNC
By Christine Bergeron, Technical Consultant, Planit Canada Christopher Manclière, Senior Software Specialist, Planit Canada
C
ongratulations on your new CNC! Much like the arrival of a new baby, the delivery of your first Flat Table CNC means you have to become an expert at a whole lot of things very quickly. You may find yourself awake in the middle of the night, frantically Googling “what is a controller?”, “vacuum optimization,” or “what does a CNC operator do?”
The first step in knowing how you’re going to operate your new baby is to understand how to communicate with it. Rather than adorable baby-talk, your control software will be in charge of reading pre-programmed commands that tell your machine how to execute actions to make a part. G-Code is a common CNC language, which looks just like a text file that the machine can read and then execute. (Awww! So cute!) Some machines will use proprietary language. The device will only accept the format defined by its controller, and if it doesn’t understand a command, it will stop the 30 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
program’s execution and spit up an error message. Less cute. Creating programs for your CNC, or CNC programming, is done using one of three methods: with a code editor, with CAM software, or with a CAD/CAM software. The code editor is probably the most tedious way to create a CNC program. It requires you to write the G-code from scratch. While it could be a decent solution for making parts with simple operations, it would involve writing thousands of lines of code to execute complex functions. To speed things up, you can use CAM software. This method allows you
to import or draw a CAD file, and the software will automatically generate the CNC program for you. You’ll have a graphic interface allowing you to see your part and verify the machining is correct. Your CNC programmer may need to manually modify operations for each piece before generating the files for the machine. The third option is the CAD/ CAM software which is a fully integrated solution. The same software you use to create your drawing will also generate your CNC program. It will take you from design to manufacturing without requiring the use of 2 or 3 other solutions to create a program for your CNC. Your workflow is simplified, and you won’t need complex programming skills. Now that you can talk to your baby, you’ll need to set up your spoilboard. You want to be thinking about maximizing the vacuum on your CNC to hold parts and make sure they don’t move. Before mounting the LDF or MDF board onto your CNC’s permanent table, you’ll want to ensure you’ve got flat, even surfaces with four sealed edges. We recommend using two coats of paint to seal the edges and prevent bleeding airflow or losing vacuum at the top of the board. Your CNC machine will have a surfacing program for flattening the spoilboard, and every member of your team must be familiar with how to use it. You’ll need to have the right tool - a spoilboard surfacing cutter with a wide diameter. Remember to enter the new board thickness into the controller after running the program. Once in a while,
COLUMN you’ll want to flip the spoilboard to prevent warping and to ensure your pump can keep the spoilboard in place. Understanding how to optimize your CNC vacuum is critical when cutting parts that are smaller than the table. To ensure the vacuum holds your sheet down properly, you’ll want to use scrap material to cover the space on the table to block airflow. The decision to screw or not to screw the spoilboard to the permanent table is entirely up to you. If you prefer not to screw the board to the table, make sure that you keep your vacuum rubber seal in good condition and that you clean away the dust between the table and the spoilboard regularly. You’re now becoming a fantastic CNC parent but will still need to have some essential parts on hand for quick replacement and to avoid the stress of waiting for rush delivery from your provider. Maintenance emergencies for your baby come with a high price tag when you con-
sider lost production, rescheduling technicians, and rushed parts delivery. Depending on the type of production you have, you’ll want to consider having: a flycutter to resurface your spoilboard, a compression bit for the outline cut (typically ½” or 3/8” compression bit), 3mm, 5mm, 8mm, 10mm drills depending on the type of hardware you use, down cut tools with various diameter to create the dados or any other cuts that do not cut through, and mitre bits of various angles. If you are machining MDF doors, you’ll have a longer list. Make sure you have tool holders with the proper shank diameter for all the tools you’ll need. Also, make sure you get the specs from your tool provider to know their speeds and feed rates. You don’t want to break them or burn your table if they’re not running fast enough. As you know all too well – friction, wood, and vacuum are a terrible mix. Now, who will care for your new
baby while you’re doing other things? Your CNC Operator will be up to the task once they’ve mastered these essential skills: keeping the machine clean, resurfacing the spoilboard, loading tools, setting the tool length offset and diameters so you can use cutter radius compensation, loading programs onto the device, and of course, doing the daily and weekly maintenance according to your schedule. Ultimately, you are responsible for maintaining your baby. We strongly suggest having a preventive maintenance plan with tasks your operators can easily do themselves with daily or weekly maintenance to control dust, check hydraulic pressure and fluids, lubricant levels, seals, filters, and keeping tools in good shape. For monthly, quarterly, and yearly maintenance, you may want to hire a mechanic or a CNC technician. They grow up so fast, don’t they?
www.woodindustry.ca 31
EVENTS
LIVE IN LAS VEGAS AWFS Fair to Take Place in Person By Grace Tatigian
F
or years, the AWFS® Fair has been a must-attend event for innovators in the industry. This is where so many businesses introduce their products to the market for the first time, and so it’s always been essential for anyone who wants to stay in the know. To date, approximately 400 companies have booked exhibitor booths for the event, so it promises to be as full of innovation as ever. The elephant in the room, or rather, the exhibit hall, is, of course, COVID-19. “We talk about it every day; it’s a constant moving target,” says Elena Potter, Marketing Coordinator for AWFS®. “We’re making sure to stay up-to-date so we can provide a safe experience for everyone.” Unfortunately, the event won’t have any virtual events for those unable to attend in person. And with international travel restrictions in place worldwide, it will be challenging to have as many countries represented as usual. This, however, has not deterred the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers. “The big draw to the AWFS® Fair is seeing the products in person and 32 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
seeing them in action,” explains Potter. “We’ve had some feedback from others in the industry, and a lot of people agree that an online version of this kind of event doesn’t hold the same kind of value. So we’ve decided to do it exclusively in person.” And so, to make sure it’s worth it, they’re refining their offerings, making sure to expand on what has been popular in the past, and include new features based on previous feedback. One such feature is the Safety Zone. This will be a section of the floor dedicated to exhibitors looking to highlight and promote that they are committed to providing safety gear for the industry. Safety for the job site and in the shop is essential every day, and in today’s world are even more necessary. Another new feature will be the Tool Tour. By popular request, exhibitors who specialize in hand and power tools will be placed around the show floor. With the help of the AWFS® Fair app, attendees will be able to go on a tour of all these exhibitors and see what fun new tools they can snag for their shop. “It will be kind of like an interactive tour,” explains Potter. “Each attendee will get a bingo card with the different
exhibitors included in the Tool Tour. When they go to a designated booth on the tour, they can get a stamp on their card. It’s a little like a treasure hunt. When you fill the card, you can present it for a concert-style t-shirt that features all the Tool Tour exhibitors like at Coachella.” Fan favourites will also return to the Fair, some of them with a twist. When the Closets & Storage Pavilion came up in conversation, Potter couldn’t say much. “We’re in the process of adding a more interactive element,” she explained at the time of the interview in late April. “It’s in the works, and we’ll be announcing it soon.” But some tried-and-true features of the Fair will stay the same such as the Rapid Fire Presentations. Less formal and more spontaneous than the College of Woodworking Knowledge™, these quick, 15-minute exhibitor-led presentations happen on the show floor to demonstrate products and talk about the industry. They’re an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to stay on the move and can’t necessarily want to devote their time to the popular CWWK education program.
EVENTS The two competitions: the Fresh Wood Competition and the AAW Turning to the Future Competition, will also be back. The Fresh Wood Competition allows attendees to see high school and post-secondary students’ outstanding construction and design achievements. The AAW Turning to the Future Competition is where high school and postsecondary students submit projects made with lathes; finalist projects will be on display, and winners will also be announced at the awards ceremony. This is a fun way to see what young, upand-coming woodworkers are creating. “People love to check in on the competitions and see what students are making,” says Potter. “It’s a great chance to see some fine woodworking from students all across the country.” Besides these two student competitions, many other achievements will be recognized at the AWFS® Visionary Awards. The New Product Awards are prestigious awards recognizing exhibitors for innovation
and new-to-market products, including any product introduced to the industry since July 2019. All companies whose entries are accepted will have their product featured in the Visionary New Product Showcase for the show’s duration. “These awards are rigorously judged,” says Potter, referring to the panel of third-party judges who select the winner. “So it’s a big deal to get an award.” Products go head-to-head in the following categories: components; software; industry 4.0; raw materials; plastic machinery/supplies; tooling; machinery under 50K; machinery over 50K; power tools and hardware. Applications for the Visionary Awards remain open until June 2021, and exhibitors can apply online. While COVID-19 will definitely be an added challenge in organizing the Fair, AWFS has proven itself to be a leader in innovation and is up to the task.
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Ekadiamond Sanding Sponges Uneeda’s new Ekadiamond sponges offer the best of both worlds: a flexible foam backing explicitly designed to reduce loading and provide a cool and efficient hand sanding experience when sanding curves, contours, moldings, and complex profiles. The unique diamond shape pattern allows for faster heat dispersion and delivers a much longer lifespan than conventional abrasive sponges on the market today. Another significant advantage is that, unlike traditional abrasive sponges, the Ekadiamond sponges give out almost no grain shedding, offering a cleaner and smoother sanded surface for all applications.
Aileron Lid Support Hardware The Aileron is a lid support kit with adjustable lift assist, free stop, and soft-close functions that creates a smooth user experience. Engineered to make installation quick and flexible, the Aileron is mounted to the top of an upper cabinet or top box by simply clipping it onto the hinge. It helps to free up space and gain more storage. For one single lid, the Aileron System is a kit that includes the following components: 1 Aileron Lid Support, 1 Aileron Mounting Plate, 2 Olympia Concealed Hinges, 1 Olympia Mounting Plate, and Mounting screws.
FStart Airspray Manual Spray Guns Sames Kremlin is proud to present its new high-quality, entry-level airspray gun to complete the range of airspray manual spray guns. The FStart is available in Gravity, Pressure, and Suction configurations. These Airspray guns are the new, cost-effective solution for professional painters to spray solvent and water-based materials. The FStart is a comfortable spray gun that has a lightweight and reduced trigger pull. It is one of the lightest manual spray guns in its category ensuring a reduction of carpal tunnel injuries.
12 ½” Bench Top Planer with Helical Style Cutterhead The new 12 ½” Bench Top Planer with Helical Style Cutterhead features a powerful 2HP and a 6-row helical cutterhead with 24 indexable cutters. This unit comes equipped with a cut depth indicator that automatically measures the depth of cut for each pass you take up to 1/8” and features built in dust collection with dual ports at 2-1/2” and 4” for easy hook up to a shop vac or dust collector. The cutterhead raises and lowers on a 4-column precision ground carriage system which drastically reduces snipe. This machine is backed by a full 3-year warranty and available exclusively at Busy Bee Tools. 34 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
Osborne Mid-Century Modern Line Osborne Wood Products’ newest addition is the Mid-Century Modern line featuring over 40 products ranging from table legs to floating shelf hardware. The biggest highlights of the Mid-Century Modern line are the Wheeler, Brighton, and Weston legs and furniture feet. The Wheeler is a highly functional and versatile design due to its slim dimensions and round profile. The Brighton leg appears traditional but can easily enhance a mid-century modern room due to its geometric elements. The Weston leg is a square piece with the gorgeous juxtaposition of a wooden leg and brushed metal base.
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
8” Bench Top Planer with Helical Style Cutterhead The new 8” Bench Top Planer with Helical Style Cutterhead features a powerful 1HP and a 4-row helical cutterhead with 16 indexable cutters. Designed to manage larger, deeper cuts in wood, this parallelogram style jointer with helical style cutterhead is quieter and delivers a smoother finish than straight knife jointers, which will reduce your sanding time. The strong aluminum fence is lightweight, keeping the overall weight of the machine down, and has positive stops at the most common fence positions; 90° and 135° outwards. This machine is backed by a full 3-year warranty and available exclusively at Busy Bee Tools.
Simply Shaker Renowned for its sleek lines and simple beauty, Caron Industries has updated the Shaker-style cabinet door with a slimmer, more stylish frame. The result: a modern variant on a classic design for functional and minimalist furniture with timeless yet contemporary appeal. The Shaker features sleek, contemporary lines and a shallow central panel to facilitate finishing and maintenance. It is available in most wood species and Premium MDF. It has a stable, sturdy built and is delivered ready for finishing, in primer only or in more than 100 colours, many from the Benjamin Moore line of paints.
Dust Extractor Cleantec Festool’s Dust Extractor CLEANTEC CT 48 E AC HEPA has an automatic main filter cleaning that keeps the filter clean and provides a continuously high suction power. With its huge container capacity of 48L, the CT 48 AC provides maximum volume and a high degree of flexibility. It is equipped with swivelling front casters and large rear wheels for optimum mobility. The flat filter fully integrated with the suction head ensures the entire volume of the tank is utilized. The extremely compact highperformance turbine provides the right suction power. A 137 CFM volume flow means that virtually nothing remains except clean air.
20V MAX 3x360° Green Laser DEWALT has unveiled its first 20V MAX 3x360° Green Line Laser (DCLE34030G) compatible with the DEWALT 12V MAX and 20V MAX battery platforms offering versatility across both battery systems. Compatibility with the DEWALT 20V MAX battery platform provides a runtime of 10 hours per charge enabling long, uninterrupted time on the job. Another added benefit is the fine adjust knob, which allows for manual adjustments on the horizontal axis to quickly position the vertical beams over distance for efficiency and productivity. Incorporating DEWALT green beam diode technology, this powerful tool delivers outstanding visibility in bright conditions and on expansive job sites.
AREA XL SCM’s AREA XL is the new 5-axis CNC machining centre designed and manufactured for large format CLT panels’ industrial production. This solution, an evolution of the already popular and appreciated AREA model, was developed to meet the needs of those companies requiring high productivity, accuracy, and reliability. The processing of largeformat CLT panels is characterized by heavy-duty stock removal, process automation in the handling and referencing phases, and cleaning of the work area: the new AREA XL has been designed considering these specific requirements.
OIKOS X SCM’s OIKOS X is the new 6-axis CNC machining centre, specifically designed to process structural beams, X-lam/CLT wall panels, and insulating panels. It results from careful research and development to provide the industry with an ever more technological, performing solution. OIKOS X was designed to maximize performance in terms of dimensions, dynamics, and power. Fitted with an electro-spindle up to 24 kW, the machining centre allows to process beams and panels with a maximum section of 1,250x300 mm, a maximum length of 19,000 mm, and a weight of 4,000 kg. www.woodindustry.ca 35
EVENTS
JUNE
JULY
OCTOBER
June 5-9, 2021 High Point Market High Point, NC highpointmarket.org/
July 7-9, 2021 NWFA Expo Orlando, FL nwfaexpo.org/NWFA2021/Public/Enter.aspx
October 4-6, 2021 NeoCon Chicago, IL neocon.com/
June 7-11, 2021 CeflaLive Global ceflafinishing.com/en/
July 20-23, 2021 AWFS Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV awfsfair.org/
October 9-13, 2021 Intermob Istanbul, Turkey www.intermobistanbul.com/en/
June 8-10, 2021 Wood Pro Expo West Palm Beach, FL 10times.com/e12s-xsgr-5z53 June 15, 2021 AWMAC BC General Membership BBQ Meeting Coquitlam, BC awmac.com/chapters/british-columbia/ calendar-of-events/ June 16-18, 2021 The International Surface Event Las Vegas, NV intlsurfaceevent.com/en/home.html June 18, 2021 AWMAC Southern Alberta Awards of Excellence Gala Calgary, AB awmacsaawards2021.weebly.com
SEPTEMBER September 5-10, 2021 EuroCucina Milan, Italy salonemilano.it/en September 14-17, 2021 Drema Poznan, Poland drema.pl/en/ September 23, 2021 AWMAC BC Awards of Excellence Vancouver, BC awmac.com/chapters/british-columbia/ calendar-of-events/ September 30 October 3, 2021 Calgary Fall Home Show Calgary, AB calgaryfallhomeshow.com/
October 12-15, 2021 SICAM Milan, Italy exposicam.it/en/ October 13, 2021 AWMAC BC General Membership Meeting Coquitlam, BC awmac.com/chapters/british-columbia/ calendar-of-events/ October 14-17, 2021 Vancouver Fall Home Show Vancouver, BC vancouverfallhomeshow.com/ October 15-17, 2021 Edmonton Fall Home Show Edmonton, AB edmontonfallhomeshow.com/ October 21-24, 2021 Montreal Fall Home Expo Montreal, QC expohabitationautomne.ca/en/home
Dates and locations subject to change.
Email: ivanfudge@brightonmachines.com 720 Davis Dr., Uxbridge, On L9P 1R2, Canada
We Buy & Sell PRE-OWNED Woodworking Machinery 36 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
Categories including, but not limited to: Boring Machines • Clamps • CNC Machines • Combination Machines • Compressors • Door Equipment • Dovetailers Dowel Machines • Dust Collectors • Edgebanders • End Profilers • Finishing Equipment • Forklifts • Jointers Laminating Equipment • Lathes • Material Handling Equipment • and more…
STATS & FACTS
0.7%
$33.3 billion The estimated value of Canadian retail e-commerce sales of physical goods by 2024 will be $33.3 billion USD, up from $25.4 billion USD in 2019. Source: Statista
The Canadian economy beat expectations, growing 0.7% in January in the face of severe public health restrictions. This follows just 0.1% growth in December. The preliminary estimate for February indicates an approximate 0.5% increase in actual gross domestic product. Source: Statistics Canada
17.9%
990
Prince Edward Island had the largest proportional GDP growth from 2017-2018 within wood product manufacturing with an increase of 17.9%.
Quebec has the highest number of wood product manufacturing employers in Canada, with 990 employers across the province.
Source: Statistics Canada
4.2% Total investment in building construction increased 4.2% to $16.8 billion in February, posting a record high for the second consecutive month because of continued strength in the residential sector. Source: Statistics Canada
Source: Statistics Canada
91.5%
91.5% of Canadian wood product manufacturers employ fewer than 100 people.
Source: Statistics Canada
www.woodindustry.ca 37
STATS & FACTS
$12.3 billion +44.0% Residential construction investment continues to soar. Consecutive record levels have been reported for investment in residential construction since September 2020, reaching a new high of $12.3 billion in February. Source: Statistics Canada
23.3%
British Columbia was responsible for nearly half of Canada’s total global wood product exports in 2019. Quebec and Ontario ranked in second and third places, accounting for 23.3 and 15.5 percent of worldwide exports, respectively in that year.
Increase in residential construction prices due mainly to lumber shortages and demand for housing. The resulting tight supply drove up prices for lumber and other wood (+44.0%) and softwood lumber (+78.8%) in December 2020 compared with December 2019. Source: Statistics Canada
Source: Statistica
$6.6 billion
86%
65% of family businesses expect to grow in 2021, and 86% expect growth in 2022, according to a survey of more than 2,800 businesses.
Ontario is home to the largest concentration of value-added wood manufacturing in Canada: 6.6 billion in revenues, approximately 2000 companies, approximately 30,000 employees, 1.2 billion in payroll.
Source: PwC Source: Conference Board of Canada
Introducing
FSTART RANGE Airspray Guns
Available in Gravity, Pressure & Suction-Fed Great finish quality at entry-level pricing Lightest spray gun in its class Easy to repair with only one kit SAMES-KREMLIN.COM | 800.450.0655 CAN | 800.573.5554 USA | SKUS.MARKETING@SAMES-KREMLIN.COM 38 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2021
The National Event for Canada’s Wood Industry
2021 Nov. 4 - Nov. 6, 2021 | International Centre | Mississauga (Toronto), CA
WMS is the professional woodworking show for all of Canada WMS has connected Canada’s professional woodworking industry with the world’s most prominent machinery manufacturers, material suppliers, hardware companies and other services and products for more than four decades. 86% of 2019 attendees said they plan to attend WMS 2021! Can’t miss WMS 2021 programs: • WMS Live – On-the-show-floor presentation stage offering free education sessions to attendees on a range of timely manufacturing, technology and other hot topics. • Off Campus Tech Tours – Attendees will have the opportunity to register to tour local facilities in the Toronto area to see the latest technologies in action. • Breakfast @ WMS – A new networking opportunity for WMS attendees. They’ll be able to meet and greet during a breakfast before participating in exclusive pre-scheduled meetings with exhibitors on the show floor. • Happy Hour Events – The first two days of the show will conclude with an opportunity to unwind with a drink and talk shop with fellow attendees. To reserve exhibit space: Rich Widick | WMS Sales wms@heiexpo.com (630) 434-7779
Save the Date Nov. 4-6, 2021 Registration opens Spring 2021
WMSCanada.ca
For general conference and show information: Harry Urban | Woodworking Network harry.urban@woodworkingnetwork.com (708) 373-4344
OPENING LIFTING SLIDING STORING… ALL FROM SALICE
For every type of movement… the answer is Salice. A comprehensive range of products that combines excellence in research-based design and technical expertise to provide solutions for every cabinetry application. -Hinges & mounting plates -Lift systems -Sliding systems -Runners & drawers -Kitchen & closet accessories
www.salicecanada.com
