Akhurst Machinery is pleased to announce the addition of a new branch in Anaheim, California, which will support the growing customer base serviced by Akhurst and its subsidiary divisions of Cantek and Leadermac. This location will offer a fully operational demonstration showroom and a warehouse for machine inventory. The company is adding additional sales and service personnel to support their customer’s prompt and reliable local service needs.
Akhurst is one of the largest independent machinery importers and distributors in the wood industry. They are a fourth-generation, family-owned business with a proud history spanning over eight decades.
Akhurst Machinery – Building trust. Creating together.
Toppan, a global leader in communication, security, packaging, décor materials, and electronics solutions, has developed a thin, card-sized temperature logger label that enables temperature to be measured and recorded at regular intervals and data to be sent to a database via wireless networks.
When attached to freight, Toppan’s temperature logger label automatically records the surface temperature at an interval set by the shipper. Two frequency bands are available: UHF, which facilitates communication over relatively long distances of about five meters, and NFC, which is becoming increasingly incorporated into smartphones. Log data (record of date, time, temperature, etc.) from shipment to final destination or a given point on the route, which is read using a dedicated app, and traceability data from the reading location are sent to a cloud-based management system to facilitate chronological tracking and management of temperature changes during transportation.
Toppan’s temperature logger label is equipped with a single-use battery and adopts a simple structure without a terminal for data downloading or a display. Toppan therefore plans to supply it at less than one-tenth of the cost of existing temperature logger devices.
The label was used as a tool to measure and record the surface temperature of container boxes during a pilot test conducted between October 2021 and March 2022, which involved transporting Japanese sake from major breweries in Japan to cold storage facilities in China. Sales of the temperature logger label are scheduled to be launched in June this year.
In contrast to general logistics, long-distance transportation of food requires strict temperature management. Fresh products such as meat, fish, and vegetables as well as chilled items such as dairy products and prepared foods need to be transported at specific temperatures set for each product to maintain freshness and prevent quality deterioration.
Temperature logger devices that measure and record temperature at fixed intervals are widely available as tools to manage temperature during transportation. Prices ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars per unit, however, mean that attaching them to every container is costly, and the workload for their recovery after use has also presented an obstacle to their adoption. This has led to increased demand for low cost temperature loggers suitable for one-way use that do not need to be recovered in scenarios requiring temperature management over long-distances, such as international shipping.
Features of Toppan’s temperature logger label
Simple structure and functions allow for a price that is less than one tenth of existing products
The structure and functions of the label have been made simple. It features an IC chip with a temperature sensor and a single-use battery, and a smartphone app is used to adjust settings. As a result, the price is less than one tenth that of existing temperature logger devices that include a control panel and assume replacement of the battery. This enables the label to be used in new ways, such as recording individual temperature changes of every container and one-way usage in which labels are not recovered after shipment is complete.
Measurement interval between one second and 60 minutes and timer function for start of measurement
The interval for temperature measurement can be selected from 22 options, ranging from once a second to once every 60 minutes. If the interval is set at 60 minutes, history of temperature changes over six months can be recorded. A function to set a timer for the start of measurement helps to alleviate the human workload by reducing time spent performing tasks inside cold storage facilities.
Information recorded more than 38,000 times when measuring “temperature range”
Three temperature measurement modes are available. The “regular mode” records temperature and the date and time of the measurement on the IC chip. With “compressed mode,” only the information on temperature is recorded and the date and time is added on the management system after the data is read. Toppan has also introduced a “limited mode,” which only records the “temperature range classification,” such as “ambient temperature,” “chilled,” or “frozen.” The limited mode allows the number of times information is recorded to be eightfold that of the regular mode.
Dedicated app for data reading and cloud-based system for managing temperature records
Toppan has enabled an integrated solution by developing a dedicated app to read the data saved in temperature logger labels and a cloud-based management system that makes records of temperature visible. The system is equipped with a series of features essential for temperature management during long-distance transportation, including an authentication function that prevents unauthorized access to temperature logger labels and a traceability function for managing the status of items being shipped.
“This solution dramatically reduces the cost of managing and visualizing temperature during long-haul transportation,” said Takamitsu Nakabayashi, senior R&D manager in Toppan’s security business. “The lower price of individual temperature logger labels means that the number used can be increased to facilitate more detailed and accurate measurement. The solution is also easy to introduce because labels can be read with smartphones, expanding the scope of quality control to a wider array of settings. Going forward, we will also combine it with our existing ID authentication platform to deliver an end-to-end service for optimizing the entire supply chain, including elements such as product verification, traceability, and enhancement of customer touchpoints.”
A team of students and faculty at Virginia Tech has completed an innovative observation tower in rural Virginia. The design and delivery of the project saw the development and certification of a new custom timber product, off-site prefabrication, and the discovery of the ruins of a historic building, according to the School of Architecture + Design at Virginia Tech.
The New River Train Observation Tower project was delivered to the city of Radford, Virginia, according to the school’s Sustainable Biomaterials website.
In 2018, the city of Radford, Va., commissioned Virginia Tech to design and build a train observation tower that would create publicly accessible views over the city’s New River and a historically significant railroad bridge. With a budget of $100,000, the city requested that the tower use clean-tech, low-carbon building products to showcase the city’s transition away from its industrial past.
The student/faculty team initially sought to construct the tower from cross-laminated timber (CLT) due to its durability, aesthetic, and sustainable credentials relative to other structural materials such as concrete and steel. On further inspection, however, the team determined that the carbon cost to ship industrially-produced CLT panels to the site was too high, leading them to explore how the tower could be constructed of locally-sourced raw materials.
The team subsequently developed a custom hardwood cross-laminated timber (HCLT) product using Yellow Poplar lumber regionally sourced and upcycled from local, abundant, hardwood-dominant forests within a 200-mile radius of the site. Beginning from a lab sample, the team developed 5×10-foot high-strength panels for use on the project. In line with building codes, the team also secured performance-based certification for the new product, which saw the team collect and submit data relating to its structural and moisture-related performance, and its susceptibility to UV, fungal, and insect degradation.
According to Archinect.com, the resulting tower was designed as two modular 10×15-foot HCLT cubes bisected by a public walkway. Beginning at ground level, the walkway cantilevers over the steep, sloping site to a height of 20 feet. Due to the complex site conditions, including the ruins of a Civil-war era building discovered under the project’s foundations during construction, the two HCLT modules were entirely prefabricated before being craned into place on-site.
Measuring 75 feet long and 30 feet high, the tower is the first permanent building in the world to use modular HCLT construction, and the first permanent, HCLT building permitted in the United States, according to the team. The project is also a rare example of an exterior-exposed structure made from laminated hardwood. To ensure water tightness, each screw hole in the exterior was sealed with liquid wax, while the entire exterior envelope was coated in linseed oil and natural pine tar mix to protect it from UV, heat, and moisture damage.
ARAUCO, North America’s leading manufacturer of composite wood panels, announced today that it will invest $20 million to expand its Thermally Fused Lamination (TFL) operations at its state-of-the-art particleboard mill in Grayling, Michigan.
The new lamination line will be ARAUCO’s third TFL line at Grayling and will increase the mill’s lamination capacity more than 50% in support of the Prism TFL decorative surface product offering. The new line is expected to be commissioned and operational in late 2023.
“We are excited to continue investing in Crawford County and our Grayling Operations. This investment further highlights our commitment to better serve the needs of our North American customers through value-add products,” said Pablo Franzini, president of ARAUCO North America.
ARAUCO is a global manufacturer of forest products, including the industry’s most comprehensive selection of composite panels, millwork, premium plywood, lumber and wood pulp. With roots in sustainable forestry and innovative product development, ARAUCO brings more than a half-century of manufacturing and supply chain excellence to the North American market. The company delivers through 22 ports and ships to more than 3,500 destinations throughout North America.
The MJB leadership team is spending time in Golden, CO meeting with board members and owners from the Coors Family. This meeting allows our team to get together and converse about industry and company projections, technology, marketing, and future plans for MJB, as well as spend time connecting with VPs and Directors from other segments of the company, ensuring synergy through 2022 and beyond.
Our team visited the Coors Brewery and CoorsTek between meetings while in Colorado.
This annual meeting helps align all facets of MJB, by stating company-wide goals and providing information on each department’s status and projections.
The Composite Panel Association’s recent spring meeting received high marks from the roughly 300 attendees representing nearly 110 companies who traveled to Orange County, California, following two years of virtual sessions.
The event, held May 1-3 at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, featured:
- Regulatory, policy and climate change updates
- Presentations by Brian Beaulieu, CEO and chief economist for ITR Economics, and John McDonald, CEO of cabinet manufacturer Semihandmade
- Committee and board meetings
- Table-top exhibits
- Golf
- And—most welcome of all—vast opportunities for in-person networking.
Among the more significant reveals, CPA shared that it has been involved in a study to assess the life cycle and carbon footprint of composite wood panels. Results show 50% of carbon is sequestered in the product for 50 years. In addition, CPA members have been recycling materials for over 60 years.
CPA also presented several awards at the meeting. Will Warberg, formerly with Weyerhaeuser/Plum Creek in Montana, received the annual Brock R. Landry Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the composite panel industry.
Other honorees included:
- West Fraser WestPine MDF in Quesnel, British Columbia–Long-Term Safety and Annual Safety awards
- Florida Plywoods in Greenville, Florida–Safety Improvement Award
- Roseburg in El Dorado, Arkansas–Safety Achievement Award
- Arauco in Malvern, Arkansas– Safety Achievement Award
CPA’s fall meeting is set for Sept. 11-13 at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth in Montreal, Quebec. Visit www.compositepanel.org for more information.
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.
