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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.

Eames plywood radios

Furniture

Eames Post-War Plywood Radios Were Part of the War Effort

Charles and Ray Eames are well known for  groundbreaking contributions to architecture, industrial design and manufacturing, and of couse, furniture. "The Eames Chair" among their most famous creations. This history, drawn from the Eames Foundation operated by their descendants, relates an interesting relationship between a World War II development effort, and the development of plywood moulding.
By Bill Esler, June 3, 2015 | 6:07 pm CDT
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Custom

DeWalt Previews Cordless Sliding Miter Saw

DeWalt has officially released information about the 20V MAX cordless miter saw expected to hit the market at the end of June. The Dewalt DCS361 is a single-bevel, 7-1/4″ sliding miter saw capable of making 183 cuts in 2″x4″ pine on a single 4.0 Ah battery charge. The saw is fairly feature-rich, boasting a blade light, a stainless steel miter detent, 10 positive stops, a fast and easy cam lock, and rubber feet. There is no word in the press release as to the total weight of the saw, but one would hope it will be fairly light to capitalize on the portability dimension of a cordless tool.
By Jake Baker, COPtools.com, June 3, 2015 | 4:17 am CDT
Carolina Drawers

Woodworking Industry News

Olon Industries Acquires Carolina Drawers

Georgetown, ON – Olon Industries has acquired Carolina Drawers Inc. based in Lexington, NC.  Carolina Drawers is a manufacturer of solid wood and plywood drawers for the US kitchen & bath cabinet and furniture industries.Olon, a manufacturer of mouldings, drawers and components for the cabinet making and furniture industry, says the timing of the acquisition is key, and that it continues Olon’s strategy to strengthen its U.S. manufacturing presence and expand its product lines.
By Bill Esler, June 2, 2015 | 9:05 pm CDT
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Cabinets

American Woodmark Net Income Up 75% for the Year 2015

WINCHESTER, VA -  American Woodmark Corporation (NASDAQ: AMWD) fourth quarter 2015 sales increased 10% to $206.9 million, with growth in both the remodeling and new construction channels during the period.  Growth in new construction cabinetry sales exceeded 15%. It was also a  good year overall, with American Woodmarket reporting net sales of $825.5 million, up 14% over 2014.  
By Bill Esler, June 2, 2015 | 4:26 pm CDT
Composite Panel Association

Woodworking Industry News

Composite Panel Association Attendance at 8-Year High

BONITA SPRINGS, FL - The 2015 Composite Panel Association Spring Meeting, which began Sunday here in Bonita Springs, FL, takes place among an improving business climate and buoyant economic reports for housing, construction and remodeling.CPA marketing manager Allyson O’Sullivan says it is the gathering's  highest attendance since 2007.  The CPA membership includes 173 companies from 3M to Valspar, Willamette and Wilsonart.
By Bill Esler, June 2, 2015 | 10:04 am CDT
Ashley Furniture

Woodworking Industry News

Ashley Furniture Seeks Buyer

Ashley Furniture Industries, the largest U.S. residential furniture manufacturer with $4 billion in sales, seeks a buyer. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is handling the transaction, according to the Wall St. Journal, which first reported the news.
By Bill Esler, June 2, 2015 | 9:00 am CDT
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Project Gallery

Wooden Boat Builders Create Award Winning Restaurant

The complex geometries of a sculpted wood interior for Raw Restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan required the services of a boat builder .Architect Camiel Weijenberg and his team said, "It was important to create a space that served as a sanctuary from the hectic Taipei scene, evoked by the use of natural materials and soft finishing. The unique feature of the design is the continuous natural wooden structure, which runs throughout the restaurant without obvious columns and structural elements holding it up."
By Bill Esler, June 1, 2015 | 1:18 pm CDT
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How to Make a Hidden Drawer

Arizona Ranch Furniture's Gerry Lemanski shows how he makes a secret drawer compartment using a simple gravity lever--"No springs, nothing to break and it works wonderfully."
By Bill Esler, May 31, 2015 | 6:18 pm CDT