IWF Technical Sessions Offer Something for Everyone

 

IWF Technical Sessions Offer Something for Everyone

Eight seminars cover everything from profiting through automation to workplace safety.

 

Attendees of IWF 2000 will have the opportunity to attend a variety of how-to technical seminars. Each of the eight seminars offered will feature a panel of experts in a particular field or area and will include a question-and-answer session.

All technical sessions cost $30 if registered by July 27, 2000, or $40 if registering on-site, except Workplace Safety, which is free to all registered attendees and exhibitors. To register for the technical sessions, go to www.iwf2000.com, or fax a request to 770-246-0620.

     
     
    Profiting Through Automation: Thursday, Aug. 24, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The inability to find employees and the worrisome decline of profit margins are two of the most compelling factors motivating wood products manufacturers to automate their production operations.

By implementing the best affordable technologies, manufacturers can consolidate two or more processes into one machine or cell, thus eliminating precious labor and superfluous material handling. In addition, because the newer equipment is generally more flexible and requires less downtime for set-up changes, it is well-suited for cost-effectively processing smaller part runs.

Deciding which investments in new equipment and methods will yield the biggest payback represents a daunting challenge faced by most owners and managers of woodworking concerns. Because woodworking companies differ widely in size, level of automation, product mix, material use, etc., there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each company must take an honest assessment of its strength and weaknesses to determine its road to success.

A panel of industry experts will provide insight and perspectives on how woodworking companies can better profit through automation in a 90-minute seminar. Included is Jonas Geiger, vice president of manufacturing for Geiger Brickell International Inc. of Atlanta, GA. He will discuss how Geiger Brickell streamlined operations to shorten delivery times.

Also scheduled to speak is Gunter Geiger, president of Gunter Geiger Systems Ltd. of King of Prussia, PA. Geiger is celebrating his 30th anniversary as a consultant to American woodworking manufacturers. He has written numerous articles on woodworking automation.

Rich Christianson, editorial director of Wood & Wood Products and Custom Woodworking Business, will moderate the discussion.

     

Powder Coatings for Wood
Thursday, Aug. 24, 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

This seminar will reveal how a breakthrough in powder-coating technology now allows this special finish to be used on engineered wood products.

Speakers include Lou Newett, manager of environmental health and safety, Knoll; Jay Fegley, manager of advanced technology, Knoll; Rick Lemson, general manager and owner, Precise MDF Powder Coatings; and Tim Bremseth, president, and Bruce Isensee, co-owner, Valley Design. This seminar is co-sponsored by Modern Woodworking and will be moderated by the magazine’s editorial director, Carol Carman.

Marketing on the Internet
Friday, Aug. 25, 10:30 to 12:00 p.m.

At a rapidly increasing pace, wood products manufacturers are attempting to market their products on the Internet. This seminar will first explore the basics of the Internet, then proceed to offer suggestions and topics on developing an attractive, usable site, plus how to maintain it and utilize it to its fullest.

Speakers include Kevin Wolf, Web site developer, Potomac Digitec; Michael Poster, publisher, WoodWeb; and Donalyn Locklear, marketing publication specialist, Wellborne Cabinets. This seminar is co-sponsored by Wood Digest and will be moderated by the magazine’s publisher, Tony Dellamaria.

Workplace Safety
Friday, Aug. 25, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Co-sponsored by The American Furniture Manufacturers Assn., Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America and Woodworking Machinery Industry Assn., this free session will feature the WMMA/WMIA safety video, a review of safety hazard icons, AFMA’s safety video and the Instruction and Retention Guide.

Participants will also hear an update on ANSI, as well as a discussion on risk assessment, hazard evaluation and correction procedures. Each participant will receive a copy of the WMMA/WMIA safety video and a handout on safety hazard icons to take back to their workplaces.

The Workplace Safety session will be moderated by Cal Clemons, executive vice president of WMIA. Speakers will include: Lance T. Thrall, vice president technical services for Michael Weinig Inc.; Jim Laster, vice president of Newman Machine Co.; White G. Watkins, vice president, human resources and safety, AFMA; Heinz Schmidt of Schmidt Industrial Services; and J. Larry Stine of Wimberly, Lawson, Steckel, Nelson and Schneider P.C.

Wood Dust Health Studies and Workplace Studies
Friday, Aug. 25, 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Hear an update on Tulane University's “Longitudinal Study on the Respiratory Effects of Wood Dust,” a six-year study currently underway that will examine the relationship between workers’ exposure to wood dust and the possibility of respiratory health effects.

Speakers include Dr. Henry W. Glindmeyer, design engineer, Tulane Medical School. This seminar is co-sponsored by the Architectural Woodwork Institute and will be moderated by Dr. John Festa of the American Forest & Paper Assn.

How to Become an Employer of Choice
Saturday, Aug. 26, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Learn useful topics for recruiting, training, motivating and retaining employees in a tight labor market. Hear ideas on how to build and maintain a productive workforce in today’s labor market. Also included is a status report on WoodLINKS-USA, a new program designed to educate students about the woodworking industry and its high-tech career potential.

Speakers include Larry Hilchie, WoodLINKS-USA.; Bill Murphree, director of manufacturing, Woodcraft Industries Inc.; Shelia Krogman, Woodcraft Industries Inc.; Milton Cole, CEO, Indiana Dimensions Inc.; Art Raymond, consultant, A.G. Raymond & Co.; and Tom Dossenbach, Dossenbach Associates. This seminar is co-sponsored by the Wood Component Manufacturers Assn.

Water-Based Finishing for the Small to Medium-Size Shop
Saturday, Aug. 26, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Two of the country's top wood-finishing experts lead a discussion on the future of water-based finishes. Find out how far water-based finishes have progressed and if they belong in your shop.

Speakers include: Bob Flexner, author of Understanding Wood Finishing; and Andy Charron, author of Water-Based Finishing.

This seminar is co-sponsored by Woodshop News and will be moderated by the magazine’s editor, A.J. Hamler.

Upholstery: Issues of Supply Chain Management
Saturday, Aug. 26, 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Learn how enlightened business approaches enable cutting-edge companies to manage their supply chains for improved profitability.

Speakers include: Wayne Stewart, senior vice president of finance & operations, LADD Upholstery; Phil Leupold, industrial segment leader, Weyerhaeuser Co.; Gayle Allen, director of supply chain management, Culp Inc.; Larry Fruge, vice president of marketing, Leggett & Platt; and Andrew White, vice president of product safety, Logility. This seminar is co-sponsored by UDM and will be moderated by the magazine’s associate publisher, Michael Chazin.

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