WWP February 2010

Sponsored by: KCD Software

The decline in 2009 of both the commercial and residential markets hit the components industry hard, says Steve Lawser, executive director of the Wood Component Manufacturers Assn. But, he adds, the forecast for 2010 appears to be better.

2009 was a tough year for substrate and veneer suppliers, but a slight recovery is expected to start in 2010, and continue into 2011 and beyond.

Perhaps even harder hit by the economy than the secondary wood processors were the machinery manufacturers, whose sales fell significantly in 2009.

When Wood & Wood Products recently spoke to representatives of industry associations ranging from furniture, cabinet and component manufacturers to machinery suppliers and panel producers, there was one subject that was brought up by each and every one: the economy. 2009 was not a kind year to any sector of the woodworking industry.

OSHA reissued the Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program in March 2008 following the fatal dust explosion and fire at the Imperial Sugar refinery Port Wentworth, GA. The blast killed 14 workers and injured 36, several with second- and third-degree burns.

The following is a small sampling of some General Duty Clause citations issued by OSHA under the Combustible Dust NEP:

Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Combustible Dust: osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=21152

At the Combustible Dust Stakeholder Meeting, held Dec. 14 in Washington, DC, discussion was held on whether certain types of facilities should be exempt from the proposed regulation.

It could happen at any woodworking plant. Any time. Anywhere. If your company processes wood flour, or produces fine particles of wood dust during machining operations, you have the potential for a combustible dust explosion.

Although the industry won’t see sales levels like we had back in 2006-2007, business will get better by year’s end. By and large, that is the message conveyed by association leaders polled by Wood & Wood Products for our State of the Industry Report.

Officials of the International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair-USA know a thing or two about weathering the storm.

Do you remember a time when you wondered if you were appreciated in your work — either in your current position or some years back? Have you ever been uncertain that you were performing up to company expectations or those of the one to whom you report? Well, you are not alone because everyone experiences this in one way or another. You may be one of the thousands in the wood products industry that have left a company because of this very frustration.