CHARLOTTE, NC -- Biesse has activated a new toll-free number for North American 24/7 service phone support: (877) 524-3773. The number provides direct access to the Biesse’s Service Phone Support department. The company said that for parts orders, customers must continue to use the current numbers: (704) 357-3131 in the United States. and (450) 477-0484 in Canada.

BURNSVILLE, MN -- SlipCon Finishing Systems, a manufacturer of brush sanding technology, re-launched its Web site: slipcon.com. Features include machine video demonstrations and downloadable product literature.

EUGENE, OR -- Whittier Wood Products purchased a 150,000-square-foot plant near Ho Chi Minh City. According to Thanh Nien News, the manufacturer of unfinished furniture hopes to begin production in 2007. The paper quoted CEO Scott Whittier as saying that Vietnam workers make about $150 a month compared to $1,920 a month plus benefits for Eugene workers. The company plans to maintain a workforce of 85 employees to continue making some of its products in Eugene.

HANNOVER, GERMANY -- According to the FORDAQ Network Ligna+ Hannover 2007 has received firm commitments for approximately 1.216 million square feet - about 88% of the total net space allocated for Ligna+ Hannover 2005, with nine months until the show date. Ligna+ Hannover, the world fair for the forestry and wood industries, runs from May 14-18, in Hannover, Germany. Read more.

STANLEY, NC -- Blum Inc. has begun assembling its Tandem plus Blumotion concealed runners in the United States. The company completed a major building expansion to allow room for the assembly equipment in February, and the machines were set up and training began in March. A second shift began in August, and a third is scheduled to start in December. The new assembly area added 66 new jobs at Blum’s Stanley location.

GREENSBORO, NC – The Wrangler Home brand of furniture has received the Good Housekeeping Seal. The seal was established in 1909 and serves as an emblem of Good Housekeeping’s consumer policy, which states that if a product bearing the seal proved to be defective within two years of purchase, Good Housekeeping will replace the product or refund the purchase price.

BRAMPTON/TORONTO, CA – Doellken-Woodtape re-launched its Web site, www.doellken-woodtape.com. The new site provides easy and quick access to product and company information by providing a user-friendly navigation system, the company said.

PHOENIX, AZ – Unique Machine & Tool Co. has named Professional Machinery Group Inc. “Dealer of the Year – 2005/2006.†Co-owners Kirk Gass and Dave Hegger and their associates were presented with the award from Unique’s General Manager, Jeremy Lutinger, at this year’s IWF in Atlanta.

APACHE JUNCTION, AZ – Top Drawer Components Inc. announced it will unveil its new 100% UV coating technology, as well as its use of real-time custom manufacturing, at its fifth annual open house. Guided tours of the facility, which will show TDC’s implementation of lean production management systems, will be given on October 26 and 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. RSVPs will be taken at (800) 745-9450.

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The Harwood Group, a distributor of hardwood and related products, is now the Wurth Wood Group. The new name is being used company-wide throughout the company’s 11 branches, which previously operated under different identities. Wurth purchased The Hardwood Group in 1999. For more information, visit wurthwoodgroup.com.