Read More Articles by Bill Esler

Profile picture for user billesler
Bill Esler
ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.

20150722_125639.jpg

AWFS News

Technology Surprises for Visitors at AWFS Fair 2015

Steady traffic from the opening bell of the AWFS Fair woodworking show offer promise of a solid turnout for the show's four-day run. With some indications that pre-registration was running as much as 33 percent ahead of the 2013 show, a number of exhibitors arrived at the Las Vegas with signed orders in their hands - a sign that the wood industry is ready to invest. Islands of innovation, including some surprises, appear all over the Las Vegas Convention Center.
By Bill Esler, July 22, 2015 | 4:41 pm CDT
Sherwin-Williams-Auto-Spray.jpg

AWFS News

Sherwin-Williams Shows Spray Finishing Machine at AWFS Fair 2015

Sherwin-Williams is debuting an automated spray finishing, named AutoSpray, that measures the work piece shapes and sizes, and sets spray patterns to avoid overspray. The company says 30 companies are now using its Aurora Color System, which stores color recipes in the cloud. It was introduced at IWF 2014 and also being show here at AWFS Fair, which opened today in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
By Bill Esler, July 22, 2015 | 2:24 pm CDT
BILT Guitars, CR Onsrud

Video

Building Guitars: Inverted Routers vs. CNC

Custom guitar manufacturer BILT Guitars, Des Moines, IA, built its shop around the CR Onsrud Inverted Router. The high-end boutique shop has been crafting instruments by hand since it was founded in 2011, and explains the advantages of an Inverted Router in produce custom guitar body silhouettes. Using unique jigs and templates, hand selected lumber is machined into instruments that resonate with authentic sounds that is sought after by performers.
By Bill Esler, July 22, 2015 | 12:31 pm CDT

AWFS News

Woodworkers Head to AWFS 2015 Amid Homebuilding Surges

The Las Vegas Convention Center is wood industry central for the next four days, with registration queues growing in anticipation of the opening of the AWFS Fair woodworking show at 9:00 sharp on July 22. Exhibitors hustled to uncrate woodworking machinery for sale, as forklifts sped through the halls. AWFS opens amid glowing Commerce Department reports of a housing starts surge in June.
By Bill Esler, July 21, 2015 | 2:05 pm CDT

Architectural Products

CFO of Kewaunee Scientific Casegoods To Retire

STATESVILLE, NC - Kewaunee Scientific Corp. (NASDAQ: KEQU) says D. Michael Parker, its Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary, has announced his plans to retire by the end of calendar year 2015, after a 25-year career with the architectural millwork and laboratory casegoods company.
By Bill Esler, July 19, 2015 | 10:06 pm CDT
Houston-Hines.jpg

Cabinets

Italkraft Will Supply Cabinets to Projects in Houston Building

Italkraft Mid Atlantic llc, based in Doral, FL, which handles design and installation on multi-unit projects in Florida, is seeing business grow as its developer customers call on it for projects in other regions. Hines, a Houston developer, contracted with Italkraft for cabinetry on the 233 unit Southmore, and the 274-unit, 33-story One Market Square. Italkraft will delivery cabinetry and vanities for both. It's back-end production is done in Italy.
By Bill Esler, July 18, 2015 | 10:25 pm CDT