For a manufacturing company to fulfill a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, it requires an integrated approach that encompasses all aspects from the initial product idea, through production and use, to disposal.
The GRASS Group has earned a reputation for not only producing the highest quality hinges, drawer slides, lifters, and drawer systems but also for its early and continuing leadership in environmental stewardship. Many companies treat ecological concerns as an added cost to production, but the changes made by GRASS for more sustainability have not only benefited the environment but also saved costs.
The company takes pride in taking “personal responsibility” for environmental protection for this global company and each of its 1860 employees. Since 2010, the GRASS Group’s international environmental management system, certified according to ISO 14001, ensures that the company establishes and achieves ambitious, measurable objectives and targets in a process of continual improvement. This commitment is exemplified at its manufacturing plants in Höchst, Salzburg, and Götzis, Austria; Reinheim, Germany; the Czech Republic; Kernersville, North Carolina; and its central warehouse and logistics center in Hohenems, Austria, and distribution center in Toronto, Canada.
We see the present as part of the future. For GRASS, environmental protection is a fundamental corporate goal, because it is an important prerequisite for sustainable corporate success. The effort to keep the ecological footprint as low as possible requires a continuous improvement process that involves all areas of the company.
Green Power
Set in one of the world’s most beautiful regions, the GRASS head office is located in Höchst on Lake Constance, in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg, on the borders of Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Enjoying — and protecting — the environment is a way of life that has always been deeply rooted in GRASS Corporate culture.
The manufacturing plant at Höchst has achieved dramatic reductions in its carbon footprint. Energy efficiency measures have reduced CO2 emissions by 640 tons per year during the past five years.
During this period, overall electricity demand has been reduced by 18%, from 62 million kWh to 51 million kWh per year. In addition, compressor and exhaust gas heat exchange systems, with a total output of over 3000 kW, also improve our carbon footprint.
The logistics center in Hohenems, Austria, has a photovoltaic system with approximately 421 kWp on the roof of the high-rise warehouse. This facility can cover 100% of its energy requirements. A combined heat and power plant covers 75% of our electrical energy requirement in Höchst, Austria, producing an output of 2000 kWh. The waste heat can be used to heat the premises or, in summer, to provide a substantial proportion of the cooling capacity via an absorption refrigerator. Heat requirements are reduced through heat recovery. Grass is proud that through all the measures put in place over the past five years, we have achieved electricity savings of 11 million kWh per year. This equates to an average annual consumption of 2,500 single-family homes (according to European standards).
Waste Reduction and Recycling
All Grass plants are now recycling 100% of steel waste generated during production (6650 tons of steel waste per year).
GRASS products are almost 100% recyclable. They do not contain any hazardous substances or substances specified in REACH, the European Union regulations restricting chemicals dangerous to human health or the environment.
The volume of non-recyclable waste has also been reduced 40% in the last five years, from 1530 tons to 905 tons per year.
Collaborating for Sustainability
The manufacturing plant in Kernersville, North Carolina, where Grass America produces 40% of its products, has achieved many of its sustainability objectives through collaboration with external stakeholder partners.
For example, Grass America partnered with its electric energy supplier to replace fluorescent lighting with more efficient LED lighting. This resulted in reduced energy consumption and the elimination of waste from spent fluorescent tubes.
Grass America partnered with one of its largest customers to support the customer’s program of converting waste to energy. As a result, redesigned packaging eliminated Styrofoam and plastic so that cardboard packaging material could be used in the customer’s new state-of-the-art furnace. This new furnace provides heat for the dryer utilized in their finishing process and generates heat for their facility during the heating season. The result was energy savings and solid waste reduction. The packaging of finished goods was also modified to reduce solid waste disposal requirements by implementing bulk packaging instead of individual packaging. Grass America utilizes reusable containers for manufactured parts that require outside services, such as electroplating and heat treating. The reusable containers are employed throughout the production cycle of the part—production, outside servicing, storage, and final assembly.
Green Offices
The commitment to the environment at GRASS goes beyond the product, the production process, and the packaging. Not only are the manufacturing facilities focused on sustainability, but so too are the offices and distribution centers.
In October 2020, GRASS Canada moved into a brand new, state-of-the-art building in Toronto that exceeds the Canada Green Building standards. Features include priority parking for carpools and electric cars, EV charging stations, and a living roof planted with grass and other plants.
This green roof exemplifies the strong company-wide “GRASS is green” commitment to sustainability.
Cefla Finishing, the leading supplier of finishing, decoration, and digital printing solutions, is proud to announce the new Managing Director over North America, Giuseppe Scazziota.
Scazziota brings almost 18 years of experience with Cefla Finishing at the corporate headquarters in Italy. Scazziota started as a Manufacturing Manager in 2004 and became the Service Director in 2008. Before Cefla, he worked at a medical company that manufactured components for infusion lines and served in the Italian Air Force after high school.
Scazziota attests his almost two decades with Cefla to the community the company has built between all departments and subsidiaries. “Cefla embeds all the good things about being a big company with the benefits of feeling small,” explains Scazziota.
Having relationships with Cefla North America has made the transition very smooth. With the recent CeflaLive in Charlotte, he was able to make even more connections with partners and customers that were in attendance. “I step into this new role knowing the legacy that Massimo Di Russo has built during his time as the previous Director. I am stepping into a firm foundation and can rely on the team built here because of the previous leadership,” explains Scazziota. “Cefla North America has a well-established identity in the market, and I am looking forward to upholding that standard.”
NeoCon recently announced the winners of the 2022 edition of the prestigious Best of NeoCon Awards. Now in its 32nd year, the program annually attracts scores of groundbreaking product submissions from leading manufacturers in the commercial design industry.
After an intensive in-person evaluation by an esteemed jury of influential architects, designers, specifiers, enterprise clients, and facility managers, HALCON’s HELM table won the ultimate honor of Best of Competition.
Best of NeoCon is the official awards program honoring outstanding new products from exhibiting companies across a wide range of verticals. A total of 99 awards were announced Monday, June 13, at theMART. Industry dynamo and officeinsight Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Bob Beck once again took the helm as the official master of ceremonies.
Best of NeoCon 2022 featured entrants in 54 product categories evaluated onsite by a diverse jury of more than 50 leading architects, designers, specifiers and facility managers with expertise spanning commercial, healthcare, education and hospitality sectors.
“Best of NeoCon has been an invaluable component of the NeoCon experience since 1990,” remarked Best of NeoCon Awards Competition Director Eileen McMorrow of The McMorrow Reports. “The caliber of our jury is unparalleled—recognition by this group of highly active industry decision makers is incredibly powerful and a great achievement. Congratulations to all the winners!”
The Best of Competition 2022 winner, HALCON’s HELM table, was also awarded Gold in both the Tables: Height Adjustable and Tables: Conference categories. Designed by Jehs + Laub, HELM is a modern table solution for the 21st century. Perfectly proportioned and appointed with luxurious materials, it is sleekly integrated with technology and unexpectedly equipped with an adjustable-height surface. The jury noted, “This groundbreaking table has a professional and high-end feel, while also meeting current user demands and expectations for wellness. It is seamless and well-executed in all ways.” A gallery and the full list of Best of NeoCon 2022 Winners is available on neocon.com.
Uniboard, Canada’s largest producer of biocomposites and decorative surfaces for a variety of indoor and outdoor applications, is proud to announce a $250 million investment in the construction of a new state-of-the-art particleboard press at its Val-d’Or plant. The new continuous press will be equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies for the production of particleboard. Construction work begins in the summer of 2022 and the commissioning of the new press is scheduled for early 2025. Once the work is completed, the plant will employ about 190 people.
“This investment, which is the third phase of the Val-d’Or investment plan, confirms Uniboard’s leadership position in the North American engineered wood products market and its commitment to its valued customers and employees,” said Lionel Dubrofsky, Chairman of Uniboard’s Board of Directors. “When the work is completed, we will have invested more than $350 million in the Val-d’Or plant, as part of a three-phase investment process, making it the most modern particleboard plant in North America and positioning Uniboard as one of TFL’s leading integrated producers, particleboard and MDF. The Val-d’Or plant is renowned for its use of black spruce fibers, making its particleboard unparalleled in the North American market.”
As Quebec’s largest manufacturer of composite wood panels and decorative solutions, Uniboard is a major player in the forest value chain.
“Today’s announcement represents an important milestone for Uniboard and its entire team,” said James Hogg, President and CEO of Uniboard. “This investment, which builds on a 45-year success in Val-d’Or, will play an important role in strengthening relationships with existing customers, recruiting new customers and developing new markets and business opportunities. It will help expand our product offering and increase their availability, which will allow Uniboard to consolidate its position as the supplier of choice.”
In addition to having the latest particleboard production technology, the Val-d’Or plant will have a negative carbon footprint thanks to carbon sequestration in sustainable products and low-carbon production. In addition, Uniboard will enter the thin panel market, a biocomposite that is in high demand in the North American market.
The geographical position of the Val-d’Or plant allows Uniboard to serve the main markets of Quebec, Canada, and the United States by truck and train. In addition to its ability to produce value-added TFL products, the Val-d’Or plant also leverages its Unires resin plant, located in the same location, making it one of the most integrated production sites in North America.
Uniboard thanks the governments of Quebec and Canada and their organizations, as well as the City of Val-d’Or for their collaboration in carrying out this project.
Cefla Finishing, the leading supplier of finishing, decoration, and digital printing solutions, welcomed attendees into its finishing laboratory in Charlotte, North Carolina for its third edition of CeflaLive. On May 18-20, visitors were able to see Cefla Finishing technology firsthand with more than 10 industry-leading pump, gun, and coating suppliers. During the event, there was an emphasis on accessibility of surface enhancement technologies to all finishing professionals regardless of experience level, employee headcount, or revenue size.
Our two newest product launches were on display during the CeflaLive with our Spray + Drying Automated work cell under power. Attendees enjoyed seeing Cefla’s Prima, entry level one arm reciprocated spray machine, in line with the UniDry-G gas-powered oven manufactured in our Charlotte facility. Also on display was our iBotic, the number one automated spraying robot with two arms working simultaneously and independently on pieces of different shapes and thicknesses.
Attendees were able to experience complete finishing solutions in action, with applications relevant to a multitude of end markets. Guests benefitted from direct access to Cefla’s technical experts, supplier network, and in-depth discussion on the many benefits of automation. For more information visit the Cefla Finishing website.
Cefla North America offers the broadest range of finishing and coatings application equipment on the market today. Forward-thinking customers look to Cefla for solutions to coat virtually any substrate: wood, metal, glass, plastics and composites. Spray equipment, roll coaters, vacuum coaters and many other automated systems help customers involved in furniture, panel processing, casegoods, flooring and dozens of other industries be more successful.
The REHAU Group will sell its business in Russia to the local management and will withdraw completely from the country. A corresponding preliminary agreement has now been signed by both parties.
REHAU had already announced on March 4, 2022, to ramp down its business in Russia in a controlled manner. The development of the past weeks has made further decisions unavoidable.
The REHAU Group has been active in Russia for around 30 years and has served the market there primarily with polymer-based solutions for the window, construction and furniture sectors.
News
Collections
The world's leading trade fair for woodworking and wood processing plant, machinery and tools is booming.
LIGNA 2017, which closed May 26, featured a new site layout and an array of display categories chosen to reflect the increasing technology convergence between the skilled trades and industry.
Interzum ended May 19 with record results. A total of 69,000 visitors from 152 countries attended the world’s largest trade fair for furniture production and interior construction.
Nearly 500 people with ties to panel processing flocked to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta for the biennial Surfaces Reception produced by Surface & Panel magazine and Bedford Falls Communications.
It seemed like an appropriate question as summer heated up and the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta approached. We posed the question to the some of the world’s top hardware companies, and here’s what a handful had to offer.
When I was in the news business, we joked about inserting smiley faces into our good-news stories to emphasize to complaining readers how much positive news we carried. I can’t tell you the number of calls and notes I received from people who claimed the paper was full of nothing but negative news.
It’s safe to say that I’ve known John Aufderhaar longer than any of you. We met when he was 5 and I was 4 and his family moved into the house next to mine in Fort Atkinson, Wis. We’ve been close ever since.
The panel processing industry penetrates a wide range of business sectors. You’ll find composite panel products and decorative surfaces in every imaginable environment, ranging from health care and education to residential and office furniture, store fixtures and commercial interiors.
The team behind Surface & Panel magazine has a fanatical dedication to create a beautifully designed magazine with interesting, compelling editorial. This dedication is owed not only to the readers, but also to the advertisers Surface & Panel is privileged to serve. We at Surface & Panel don’t take this task lightly and try our best to continually improve. We know we are only as good as our last issue.
Surface & Panel magazine focuses exclusively on the global secondary panel processing industry. Uniting materials, technology and design is our mantra. Panel processing is the largest and fastest growing processing system in the world. It was once considered a vertical niche in the woodworking arena, but now dominates worldwide.
Ah, the furniture and store fixtures issue. What I love about this emphasis in general is that it is about connections.
Each year, Surface & Panel magazine asks the industry’s leading decorative surfacing companies to share their latest designs and material advances. The resulting Surface Design Guide is a showcase of the trends and technologies that are shaping the marketplace. Beyond beautiful, this guide is intended to inspire specifiers and fabricators alike to understand what resources are available to create the best possible solutions.
My son-in-law is a psychiatrist. My daughter is a clinical psychologist. Between them I get plenty of analysis, whether I like it or not. At dinner a few weeks ago I was explaining the progress of the mHouse Project, the stress, the challenges and the surprises we faced, but also the enjoyment of seeing it all come together. I told my son-in-law that I often wake up at 4:00 am and think I am crazy for embarking on such an aggressive and risky project.
Advanced manufacturing engineer Jame Earle recently said to me, ”What is great about young engineers is that they do not yet know what is impossible. So they do not create and solve to preconceived limits.” Earle works with Local Motors (page 28), a company dedicated to using digital technology and micro-factories to bring new vehicle designs to market more quickly, inexpensively and efficiently.
Ask anyone to describe their preference for interior furnishings, and you’re likely to hear, “I’ll tell you what I like when I see it.”
Creating great publications and helping move a business forward are what I’ve been doing for decades. Now, I’m stepping in to do those things for Bedford Falls Communications and Surface & Panel magazine. It’s a great fit.
Commercial Interiors
The term “Retail Apocalypse,” coined around 2010 during a period of rampant closures of numerous North American brick-and-mortar retail stores, especially large chains, threatened to change the face of shopping malls forever. In 2017, the expression “Amazon Effect,” introduced by Business Insider, depicted how the online mega-retailer was generating greater than 50% of the growth of retail sales, seeming to further hammer the nail into the coffin of physical retail.
Principles of contemporary art was the theme that inspired students at Ryerson School of Interior Design, Toronto, ON., to design and build chairs for the 16th annual Wilsonart Challenges Student Chair Design Competition. Beyond basic form and function, each design was also informed by how students used expressive and stylistic contemporary elements such as movement, proportion, contrast, or balance.
They say that successful investing is about managing risk, not avoiding it. And for Laminate Works, investing in high-quality solutions has been worth the risk.
Ironwood Manufacturing has developed a breakthrough interior furnishing. Rich and elegant, its components embody unique intellectual property designs, incorporating customized Italian technology for edgebanding and boring, all driven by a European design application not widely used in the U.S.
Tom Deady, general manager at Ironwood, describes one project, constructed for a large aerospace company. “It was intended to match the aesthetic of its private corporate jets,” says Deady. “The Etimoe veneer originated in North Africa, was fumed in Spain, then processed through Danzer Veneer in Indiana. The doorlites are from 3form, and encapsulate silk strands hand-woven in Nepal, between two layers of acrylic.”
Taking on a greater role in serving its Texas community required a respected non-profit to invest in new office space designed to last. VT Architectural Doors finished with New Leaf Performance Veneers fit right in.
While much of today’s retail world scrambles to attract walk-in customers in the face of online competition, stores based in airports and other travel hubs have a built-in advantage.
As the retail landscape adapts to changing consumer needs, brands are changing their brick-and-mortar strategy to reach a new equilibrium. The foundation of this process is understanding and accounting for Gen Z shopping habits, a generation that currently comprises 40% of the population and is beginning to have purchasing power.
In many ways, cannabis dispensaries are like other retail stores. They are designed to make customers feel welcome and allow them to explore the shops intuitively, experience the brands and have positive experiences overall.
Marlite has totally transformed its decorative panel surfacing prowess since scrapping its antiquated rotogravure finishing process in favor of a cutting-edge digital print finishing system. The new UV-cure technology, dubbed BlueSky Advanced Finishing System, is dramatically more agile, versatile and environmentally friendly than its more than half-century-old predecessor.
The fast-growing manufacturer of laminate casework, panel systems and other office furnishings is content to let its bigger competitors invest tall dollars in speculative product development. It prefers to wait and see which workplace trends actually gain traction and then pounce on the opportunity by designing products that it can quickly bring to market.
Stevens Industries has done an impressive job of building its business since it started as a small wood shop in Teutopolis, Illinois, in the 1950s.From humble beginnings as a residential cabinet supplier, Stevens has grown to become the largest manufacturer of commercial casework and architectural millwork in the United States.
When Sport Chek, Canada’s largest sports retailer, expanded and redesigned its flagship store at the Yorkdale Shopping Center in Toronto, it created a shopping experience exemplifying what is necessary to thrive in today’s retail economy.
The brick-and-mortar store is a critical component of the omnichannel experience expected by tech-savvy consumers. It uses best-in-class technological features to seamlessly blend in-store and digital shopping, creating an “endless aisle approach.”
Distribution
Education
The panel processing industry converged on the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado in October for another successful Material Technology & Design Symposium. Held at the beautiful Grand Hyatt located downtown, the event was highlighted by a powerhouse panel featuring some of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world discussing what they are seeing in the industry in the coming years. The stage was set for panelists Kevin Sauder president of Sauder Woodworking; Michael Pitman, senior VP of sales at Ashley Furniture; Mike Evans, president & CEO of Bush Industries; and Arash Fasihi, founder of Cymax and CEO of Growthpipe Ventures, who discussed education on the future.
Stevens Industries has done an impressive job of building its business since it started as a small wood shop in Teutopolis, Illinois, in the 1950s.From humble beginnings as a residential cabinet supplier, Stevens has grown to become the largest manufacturer of commercial casework and architectural millwork in the United States.
When your title is “chief disruptor,” you aren’t intimidated by technologies that are permanently changing the way we conceive, design, manufacture and sell products. Instead, you embrace those technologies and see opportunities where others see threats.
Tom Wujec is chief disruptor at Autodesk—the Oscar-winning industry leader in 3D computer animation technology and one of the world’s largest software companies—and he revels in sharing today’s exciting opportunities during his celebrated talks on innovation.
Dean Mattson’s program at North Salem High School is not the only successful woodworking program in schools today, but with its model of operating like a business, and the excellent work Mattson has done raising the funds and awareness necessary to outfit the shop, it is the embodiment of what an effective, modern technical education program looks like.
Funblock, Inc. Owner Michael Crane Reconnects with his Company’s Roots after Diversifying his Components Manufacturing Capabilities to Compete.
There is a lot of talk about the future of manufacturing in North America, and it is possible to make a compelling argument about the prognosis on either side. However, underlying the success of any operation, even the most automated, are skilled people.
Rockefeller University’s $4.8 million Collaborative Research Center project is expected to do more than repair and modernize two aging research facilities. A parallel goal is to create an environment that facilitates and stimulates connections between scientists, researchers and staff that work in the two facilities.
Finishing
Imola, Italy, in October for the 10th edition of Cefla Live, which showcased the industry’s most impressive operational finishing laboratory. At the event, Cefla demonstrated definitively why it would be a misnomer to simply call the company a finishing technology provider.
Marlite has totally transformed its decorative panel surfacing prowess since scrapping its antiquated rotogravure finishing process in favor of a cutting-edge digital print finishing system. The new UV-cure technology, dubbed BlueSky Advanced Finishing System, is dramatically more agile, versatile and environmentally friendly than its more than half-century-old predecessor.
A Conestoga is a vehicle used to transport essential goods and open new frontiers. It is also an apt name for North America’s largest manufacturer of custom kitchen door and drawer components. Despite more than 50 years of experience, Conestoga Wood Specialties is anything but old fashioned. The company is continually trailblazing, with ongoing technology investments that increase capacity and deliver new materials across the land.
The beauty, versatility and durability of decorative surfaces have made dramatic impacts on newly built and renovated residences and commercial buildings for decades. They’ve created nearly unlimited design options in a wide variety of wood-based applications, cabinets, molding, flooring, furniture, countertops, store fixtures, doors and shelving.
Furniture
There’s no question that the pandemic has changed the workplace. Work-from-home life is starting to become the new normal for some employees, and others across the globe are slowly starting to return to their offices, but that doesn’t mean it will be the same as when they left.
Christian Chernock believes people want to simplify their lives, and he’s doing his part to help them out. Chernock, who owns Christian Chernock Properties and Cherntex Construction of Dallas, Texas, included an innovative peg system in a new apartment building that nearly eliminates the need for tenants to own furniture.
Based in Gaildorf-Broeckingen, Germany, the BMK Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of surface-coated and impregnated films. BMK recently partnered with PurChem Systems of Canada to offer an innovative single-layer decor, SilentTouch, featuring an anti-fingerprint, soft-touch surface. To learn more about BMK, SilentTouch and the company’s plans for North America, Surface & Panel posed a series of questions to Dr. Stefan Woerl, head of R&D and quality assurance at BMK, and Robert Clausi, president of PurChem.
Not surprisingly, the emphasis is on design at Italian furniture maker Composit. But it’s not all about design at the family-owned, Pesaro-based company.
Healthcare
Walmart recently opened its first health center in Dallas, Ga., taking its “Save money. Live Better” motto to the health care industry. The company is partnering with local providers and wellness organizations to offer affordable healthcare and transparent pricing for key health services. Patients will have access to primary care, labs, X-ray and EKG, nutritional services, counseling, and health insurance education and enrollment, regardless of their insurance status. The health center will also offer an array of learning resources including online education and in-center workshops to educate the community about preventative health and wellness.
The $55 million Riverview Health Westfield Hospital project is special for several reasons for Erica Irvin and the design team at American Structurepoint.
Rebecca Donner fell in love with creating healthcare environments when she was first exposed to designing them more than 25 years ago, but she believed they could be more inviting and comfortable–more hospitable, if you will. She pursued that idea with a passion, and it’s safe to say she has never looked back.
Driven by technology, the leading edge of architecture incorporates community engagement and research-informed design. Evidence-based health care is a prime example of socially engaged architecture – and the new NEA Baptist Medical Campus puts the concept into practice.
Home Organization
Cabinet maker acpi was about out of space in its Thompsontown, Pennsylvania, manufacturing plant, so it bought a 200,000-square-foot building in nearby Mount Union. Rather than just expand into the new facility, however, acpi had a different idea.
In some ways, Metropolitan Cabinets & Countertops, located in Norwood, Massachusetts, is a typical North American cabinetmaker. It’s a family business. It’s been in operation for decades—2018 marks its 34th anniversary. Its primary competition is from overseas.
Housing starts in the United States are expected to approach 1.25 million in 2018, an increase of 2.7 percent from 2017 but still short of the 1.5 million justified by population growth. That’s according to the National Association of Home Builders and its chief economist, Robert Dietz.
Don’t let the name Affordable Closets Plus fool you. It belies the high-end custom nature of the Bangor, PA-based home organization manufacturer, a fact backed by a wall’s worth of framed design awards and dozens of five-star customer reviews on Houzz.com, many for projects priced in the five-figures.
Hospitality
Ironwood Manufacturing has developed a breakthrough interior furnishing. Rich and elegant, its components embody unique intellectual property designs, incorporating customized Italian technology for edgebanding and boring, all driven by a European design application not widely used in the U.S.
Tom Deady, general manager at Ironwood, describes one project, constructed for a large aerospace company. “It was intended to match the aesthetic of its private corporate jets,” says Deady. “The Etimoe veneer originated in North Africa, was fumed in Spain, then processed through Danzer Veneer in Indiana. The doorlites are from 3form, and encapsulate silk strands hand-woven in Nepal, between two layers of acrylic.”
The $55 million Riverview Health Westfield Hospital project is special for several reasons for Erica Irvin and the design team at American Structurepoint.
Rebecca Donner fell in love with creating healthcare environments when she was first exposed to designing them more than 25 years ago, but she believed they could be more inviting and comfortable–more hospitable, if you will. She pursued that idea with a passion, and it’s safe to say she has never looked back.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is a premier destination entertainment resort in Las Vegas that features the 11-story Hard Rock Hotel tower with 640 guest rooms; the 17-story Paradise Tower with 490 rooms and suites; and the all-suite HRH Tower with 359 suites, eight spa villas and seven penthouse suites. The property also boasts a large casino space; flexible meeting and convention areas; 4.8 acres of tropical pool paradise; a concert venue, nightclubs, restaurants, lounges, retail stores and a fitness center.
Kitchen & Bath
In Germany, the analogy is strong between the automotive industry—often considered the most vivid expression of what a culture is about in a time—and the kitchen industry. In both, the end product not only has to function, but it has to look great, be efficient to manufacture with regular modifications and give pleasure to the operator.
Steve Schoenacker knew early in his career as a woodworker that he wanted to own and operate a cabinet-making company that relied heavily on technology and automation. And by early, we’re talking 20 years old.
Mike Carson is widely acknowledged as a closet and home organization visionary. He imagined a closets industry when none existed – no dedicated supply chain, no trade association and no standards.
Warm wood tones and cool blues are stand-out trends in kitchen cabinet décor for 2019, according to design experts contacted by Surface & Panel.
Residential Interiors
There’s no question that the pandemic has changed the workplace. Work-from-home life is starting to become the new normal for some employees, and others across the globe are slowly starting to return to their offices, but that doesn’t mean it will be the same as when they left.
Christian Chernock believes people want to simplify their lives, and he’s doing his part to help them out. Chernock, who owns Christian Chernock Properties and Cherntex Construction of Dallas, Texas, included an innovative peg system in a new apartment building that nearly eliminates the need for tenants to own furniture.
In Germany, the analogy is strong between the automotive industry—often considered the most vivid expression of what a culture is about in a time—and the kitchen industry. In both, the end product not only has to function, but it has to look great, be efficient to manufacture with regular modifications and give pleasure to the operator.
Steve Schoenacker knew early in his career as a woodworker that he wanted to own and operate a cabinet-making company that relied heavily on technology and automation. And by early, we’re talking 20 years old.
Store Fixtures
For years, the woodworking industry has been venturing into newly advanced technology in construction methods, materials and, most of all, manufacturing with CNC equipment. From hidden, tool-less fastening, to HDF doors, to bringing 3D designs to reality with CNC technology, at the heart of these advancements is the symbiotic balance of CNC machining technology and manufacturing software.
Country might be the dominant music in Nashville, but rock ‘n’ roll might better describe the energy and atmosphere at the second annual Material, Technology and Design Symposium @ CPA Fall Meeting in late September.
The story of Laminate Works is about more than a flexible OEM experiencing year-after-year growth while serving multiple market segments with a 96.69 percent quality on-time record. It’s about the successful application of modern manufacturing trends to panel processing.
As Ron Gilboa explains it, the need to produce short-run, cost-effective decorative surfaces combined with ongoing development in digital inkjet printing has created a “perfect storm for the technology to meet woodworking’s market needs.”
Technology
For years, the woodworking industry has been venturing into newly advanced technology in construction methods, materials and, most of all, manufacturing with CNC equipment. From hidden, tool-less fastening, to HDF doors, to bringing 3D designs to reality with CNC technology, at the heart of these advancements is the symbiotic balance of CNC machining technology and manufacturing software.
Country might be the dominant music in Nashville, but rock ‘n’ roll might better describe the energy and atmosphere at the second annual Material, Technology and Design Symposium @ CPA Fall Meeting in late September.
The story of Laminate Works is about more than a flexible OEM experiencing year-after-year growth while serving multiple market segments with a 96.69 percent quality on-time record. It’s about the successful application of modern manufacturing trends to panel processing.
As Ron Gilboa explains it, the need to produce short-run, cost-effective decorative surfaces combined with ongoing development in digital inkjet printing has created a “perfect storm for the technology to meet woodworking’s market needs.”
Surfaces
Pandemic drives desire for cleanliness; decorative surface companies ready to meet demand
If any businesses were prepared for the demands of a post-COVID 19 world, they were the companies in the decorative surfaces industry. Brands such as Wilsonart, Formica and OMNOVA, to name a few, have been promoting properties in their laminates for years that make them especially suited for the needs and challenges of ultra-clean environments.
If any businesses were prepared for the demands of a post-COVID 19 world, they were the companies in the decorative surfaces industry. Brands such as Wilsonart, Formica and OMNOVA, to name a few, have been promoting properties in their laminates for years that make them especially suited for the needs and challenges of ultra-clean environments.
The panel processing industry converged on the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado in October for another successful Material Technology & Design Symposium. Held at the beautiful Grand Hyatt located downtown, the event was highlighted by a powerhouse panel featuring some of the largest furniture manufacturers in the world discussing what they are seeing in the industry in the coming years. The stage was set for panelists Kevin Sauder president of Sauder Woodworking; Michael Pitman, senior VP of sales at Ashley Furniture; Mike Evans, president & CEO of Bush Industries; and Arash Fasihi, founder of Cymax and CEO of Growthpipe Ventures, who discussed education on the future.
Walmart recently opened its first health center in Dallas, Ga., taking its “Save money. Live Better” motto to the health care industry. The company is partnering with local providers and wellness organizations to offer affordable healthcare and transparent pricing for key health services. Patients will have access to primary care, labs, X-ray and EKG, nutritional services, counseling, and health insurance education and enrollment, regardless of their insurance status. The health center will also offer an array of learning resources including online education and in-center workshops to educate the community about preventative health and wellness.
Material Technology
Country might be the dominant music in Nashville, but rock ‘n’ roll might better describe the energy and atmosphere at the second annual Material, Technology and Design Symposium @ CPA Fall Meeting in late September.
Like it or not, the only constant in today’s business world is change. Suppliers, distributors, manufacturers and designers must adapt or be left behind by competitors who see disruptions as opportunities. Accordingly, change, disruption and the opportunities they bring will be key themes during the 2018 Material, Technology & Design Symposium @ CPA Fall Meeting, set for Sept. 23-25 in Nashville.
When your title is “chief disruptor,” you aren’t intimidated by technologies that are permanently changing the way we conceive, design, manufacture and sell products. Instead, you embrace those technologies and see opportunities where others see threats.
Tom Wujec is chief disruptor at Autodesk—the Oscar-winning industry leader in 3D computer animation technology and one of the world’s largest software companies—and he revels in sharing today’s exciting opportunities during his celebrated talks on innovation.
Year one of the Material, Technology & Design Symposium @ CPA Fall Meeting was a huge hit. There’s no telling how successful year two will be. “A powerhouse” is how one attendee described the 2017 symposium. The 2018 event is scheduled for Sept. 23-25 at the brand-new JW Marriott in downtown Nashville.
Components
In modern commerce, the most important factor driving buying decisions is not price. It’s customer experience (CX). This general trend shapes retail design and provides opportunities all along the value chain.
Olon Industries, based in Georgetown, Ontario, is a leading single-source manufacturer of furniture and cabinet components and custom solutions. Earlier this year, Olon appointed Gregory J. Stoner as president and CEO. Stoner previously worked as president and CEO of Metrie, a manufacturer and distributor of molding and millwork products across the U.S. and Canada. Before that, Stoner served as president of MasterBrand Cabinets, as well as in positions at General Electric and Newell-Rubbermaid
Even if you haven’t heard of ILCAM, you’ve likely seen its products. ILCAM is the biggest supplier of wrapped five-piece doors to North America and the leading manufacturer of furniture frontals in the world, said Andrea Malisan, marketing and account manager.
Stevens Industries has done an impressive job of building its business since it started as a small wood shop in Teutopolis, Illinois, in the 1950s.From humble beginnings as a residential cabinet supplier, Stevens has grown to become the largest manufacturer of commercial casework and architectural millwork in the United States.
Office Furniture
The right hardware makes all the difference when it comes to convenience and overall function. As the average workspace continues to change, manufacturers are developing solutions to ensure employees have a comfortable and safe experience at work.
If you were to pick one word to describe what’s happening in the most progressive and productive work places today, it’s collaboration. Steelcase is all over it. With its Flex Collection, Steelcase offers an office furniture line that “creates dynamic team neighborhoods that are designed for spontaneity.” “It empowers teams to reconfigure their space on demand, making it easy to shift from a brainstorm to a workshop or from a daily stand-up to a sprint review,” Steelcase says.
Taking on a greater role in serving its Texas community required a respected non-profit to invest in new office space designed to last. VT Architectural Doors finished with New Leaf Performance Veneers fit right in.
Bush Industies’ mission is to provide easy, fast and affordable solutions to the commercial and residential markets. That sounds like a formula for success, but—as with almost everything—it all comes down to execution. Based on sales, which have grown 50 percent over the last two years, Bush is pulling it off.
Hardware
The right hardware makes all the difference when it comes to convenience and overall function. As the average workspace continues to change, manufacturers are developing solutions to ensure employees have a comfortable and safe experience at work.
European influence in North American kitchen and furniture design is more evident today than ever before. We’ve seen significant innovation in production processes, equipment, management software and more notably, easily available surface designs and textures. The availability of unique surfaces and finishes is vast and complicated; today we deep dive into what’s driving the adoption of European products and the roles we play to embrace innovation and change in the North American market.
According to the dictionary, “innovation” can be defined simply as a new idea, device or method. Typically, however, innovation also is viewed as the application of better solutions that meet the needs of today’s market. Better solutions? Those are definitely what hardware companies have in mind when they research, develop and introduce their innovative new products. Here are some of the best new examples of those new products and better solutions from some of the world’s top hardware companies:
Weather-Tek offers the best selection of windows and doors in Wisconsin and has them displayed in an expansive showroom at its shiny new headquarters in Waukesha.
Columns
I’m not a dreamer. Growing up in a stark reality didn’t seem to leave time for dreaming. As I grew older, I was relentless in my pursuit of goals, and it served me well. But today seems different. At times it feels as though we are at war. With each other, with ourselves, and with an enemy who doesn’t seem to have a name. We look past the gifts in our lives and focus instead on what we imagine divides us and each time, we get more angry…
Registration for IWF Connect is now open, kicking off the event’s first-ever digital-only experience. The virtual show will take place October 26-30, and will replace this year’s International Woodworking Fair originally set for August 25 in Atlanta, GA. The event is designed to provide the same opportunities for networking through one-on-one skype-like meetings and chat groups, offering a unique, enjoyable experience for both the exhibitor and the attendee and, more importantly, on a site that is easy to navigate.
THE COVID-19 CRISIS has caused so much disruption and uncertainty for everyone in all aspects of work and life. When talking to customers, it can be hard to know how to strike the right balance between acknowledging the crisis and focusing on business.
As the world continues to evolve due to the COVID-19 pandemic, companies in the industry are taking extra precautions to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. What’s more, a number of companies are working to develop new innovations to combat the virus.
Processing Technology
They say that successful investing is about managing risk, not avoiding it. And for Laminate Works, investing in high-quality solutions has been worth the risk.
Based in Gaildorf-Broeckingen, Germany, the BMK Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of surface-coated and impregnated films. BMK recently partnered with PurChem Systems of Canada to offer an innovative single-layer decor, SilentTouch, featuring an anti-fingerprint, soft-touch surface. To learn more about BMK, SilentTouch and the company’s plans for North America, Surface & Panel posed a series of questions to Dr. Stefan Woerl, head of R&D and quality assurance at BMK, and Robert Clausi, president of PurChem.
Not surprisingly, the emphasis is on design at Italian furniture maker Composit. But it’s not all about design at the family-owned, Pesaro-based company.
In Germany, the analogy is strong between the automotive industry—often considered the most vivid expression of what a culture is about in a time—and the kitchen industry. In both, the end product not only has to function, but it has to look great, be efficient to manufacture with regular modifications and give pleasure to the operator.
