WCMA: Wood Components Association Is Moving in a New Direction
Wood Components Exec Looks Forward to Growth, Opportunities

WCMA: Wood Components Association Is Moving in a New DirectionAt this point, I have been with the Wood Component Manufacturers Association for just over a year, and what an exciting year it’s been! I have been fortunate to work with a very engaged Board of Directors who recognize and support the need for change, and I am eager to share with you the ways that WCMA has grown, and our plans for continued growth.

For those of you who don’t know, the WCMA represents manufacturers of dimension and wood component products who can supply any component you might need. Buyers can easily find WCMA members — one call to the WCMA office or a visit to the Source Guide on our website, WoodComponents.org — can connect you with a WCMA member company that can produce the exact product to your specifications.

WCMA members will partner with you in your business and help you prepare for improving business conditions. Our members enable you to adapt to changing markets and consumer preferences with their expertise in customizing the exact components you need for your wood products, from the simple to the fully-machined, tight-tolerance wood parts. And they’re available to you right next door – not around the world.

Located throughout the United States and Canada, WCMA member companies produce rough, semi and fully machined wood component products for the cabinet, furniture, building products, staircase, flooring, millwork, store fixture and related decorative wood product industries, in a variety of hardwoods, softwoods, and engineered wood materials. By outsourcing these components, wood product manufacturers are able to gain a competitive edge and combat the rising costs of doing business.

Last fall, the WCMA Board of Directors held a strategic planning session. During that time we recognized the need to modify the mission of the organization to better reflect the ways that we serve our current and future members. The new mission statement is “The Wood Component Manufacturers Association advances and promotes the interests of the North American wood product industry through interactive and innovative manufacturing solutions.” This statement clearly identifies our focus on advancing and promoting our industry, and promotes our organization as a “One-stop shopping source for all of your component needs.”

During the Strategic Planning session, the Board also recognized the need to focus on our members and Technology Partners, while identifying specific ways to serve them. The areas that we are focusing on in the upcoming year include: changes to the Fall Conference & Plant Tour event to include educational sessions and more opportunities for members to connect with Tech Partners, the addition of a Spring Meeting, as well as a fully redesigned website with exciting new features.

Other resources offered by the WCMA include trade promotion, information on rules and specifications for dimension and components, research studies and plant tours.

WCMA Member & Technology Source Guide

The WCMA Membership Directory & Source Guide includes a description of products by member companies, wood species, and machining capabilities. This makes it easy for dimension and component buyers to identify the firms that produce the products they need and provides them with contact information.

In addition, a listing of WCMA Technology Partners is provided. These companies are a great source for woodworking machinery, tooling, software and business solutions needs.

Fall Conference & Plant Tour Event

The WCMA annually holds a Fall Conference and Plant Tour event. For more information on the 2014 event, click here.

Trade Promotion

The WCMA recognizes the need for increased promotion and has increased its marketing efforts for WCMA members and the wood component industry as a whole. Exhibiting at trade shows throughout the world, participating in many specialized woodworking industry events and seminars, publishing the Wood Components Buyer’s Guide, advertising in major woodworking magazines, and maintaining a comprehensive website are some of the ways the WCMA is promoting its members and the wood component industry.

The WCMA also receives a number of sales leads through our website and trade shows, and these leads are then passed on to members.

WCMA Member Match™ Progam

Sales inquiries from component buyers are received by the WCMA office on a daily basis. The WCMA’s Member Match™ Program is a system that provides prospective buyers with a list of all WCMA members who can produce the specific component products they need. The service is free of charge to component buyers and WCMA members, and can be accessed on our website in the Source Guide area.

WCMA Rulebook

The WCMA publishes the “Rules and Specifications for Dimension and Woodwork.” The Rulebook covers dimension & component grading rules, tolerances and claim procedures for domestic and export trade. It also serves as a guideline for buyers of dimension and component products and is a valuable communications link between component buyers and suppliers. The pocket-sized Rulebook is available for $5.00 per copy. Visit WoodComponents.org for additional information.

For more information about the WCMA’s programs and activities, or if you wish to become a member of the association, please contact the WCMA office at [email protected].

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