Advocacy, networking opportunities and industry promotion are just some of the ways the Wood Component Manufacturers Association helps North American components and dimension producers grow their business.

If you are a manufacturer of wood components or dimension stock, membership in the Wood Component Manufacturers Association is now more important than ever. The WCMA was founded in 1929 with the goal of establishing and maintaining specifications and commercial standards for the hardwood dimension manufacturing industry, and to aid in the development of the industry. As membership grew, the association committed to becoming a progressive, nationally-recognized association whose focus was on meeting the needs of its members. Click here for a list of current WCMA members.

WCMA membership involves many things, but first and foremost, it provides a significant connection to a unique industry brain trust, a collective wisdom that is shared openly, freely and with great enthusiasm. This extraordinary peer-to-peer networking and information exchange is the greatest member benefit. In addition, the association offers the following to its members:

Fall Conference & Plant Tour Event: Each year, the WCMA hosts a Fall Conference and Plant Tour Event. By touring dimension and component manufacturing facilities, members see the latest technology at work, witness working solutions to common problems, and exchange information with seasoned counterparts. Held in the fall each year, this event enables members to conduct their own field research as well as gather a host of money-making, money-saving ideas. Click here for information on the 2017 event.

Spring Annual Meeting: The WCMA has reintroduced the WCMA Spring Annual Meeting for members and Technology Partners. To learn more about the 2018 event, click here.

Get new business: Sales inquiries from component buyers are received by the WCMA office on a regular 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, WCMA.com in the Source Guide area.

National & international promotion: 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 WCMA is promoting its members and the 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. 

Industry support: Financial support is given to the Hardwood Federation which serves at the hardwood industry’s advocacy voice on Capitol Hill, as well as the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) which promotes American hardwoods globally.

Members’ website: WCMA.com, is an online resource where members can update their profile, register for meetings, keep current on industry issues and initiatives, ‘chat’ with other members, and more! It is a comprehensive and easy to navigate site that serves as a one-stop site for all the information you need on the industry, including the WCMA Labor Relations Bulletin, Legislative News, Virginia Tech Housing Reports, Hardwood Review Express, Hardwood Market Reports, and other important Industry News and Events.

Industry standards: The WCMA establishes and maintains the “Rules and Specifications for Dimension and Woodwork.” A necessary addition to any plant, the Rulebook covers dimension and 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 when specifying their component products. The pocket-sized Rulebook is available for $10.00 per copy to non-members, and is available free to members in the member section of the website, WCMA.com.

WCMA mission statement & objectives: The Wood Component Manufacturers Association advances and promotes the interests of the North American wood products industry through interactive and innovative manufacturing solutions.

The Objectives of the WCMA are as follows:

• Promote a friendly exchange of ideas among those engaged in the dimension and component manufacturing business.

• Develop and promote a general demand for the industry’s products and services.

• Collect and distribute useful economic and technical information concerning industry trends and developments.

• Serve as a business referral clearinghouse by responding to inquiries from dimension & component buyers and passing this information on to its members.

• Conduct seminars and meetings that will satisfy the educational needs of our members.

• Establish and maintain standard rules and specifications for the dimension and components industry.

• Cooperate with other wood product trade associations and appropriate government agencies to promote and protect the interests of the industry.

As a company involved in the wood components industry, one of the wisest investments you can make is membership in the WCMA. To take advantage of these many member benefits, please visit the website today and fill out the membership application. You can also contact the WCMA office with any questions.

Wood Component Manufacturers Association, P.O. Box 662, Lindstrom, MN 55045; Tel: 651-332-6332, Fax: 651-400-3502, Email: [email protected], Website: WCMA.COM.