GASTONIA, NC — Approximately 140 cabinetmakers, architectural woodworkers, store fixture manufacturers and custom woodworkers were on hand Oct. 25 for a manufacturing solutions seminar and workcell demonstrations conducted by Holzma U.S., a  Division of Stiles Machinery Inc.

Targeting all facets of production — high, mid-range and custom — the seminars covered the new developments and trends in optimization software and panel processing. Capping off the discussion was a presentation on the economy and the Business Dimension of Capital Equipment Investment by Bill Pitt, vice president/general manager of Holzma U.S.

According to Pitt, the domestic manufacturing industry is showing signs of improvement, including: a rising GDP, low interest rates, increased retail sales and the recent spurt of woodworking companies moving production back to the United States. The presentation discussed the impact of the December 2010 Job Creation Act that delivers tax credits and bonus depreciation benefits, and also covered the pros and cons of using credit, cash or leasing for purchasing capital equipment.

Also highlighting the event were the workcell demonstrations for custom, mid-range production and high-production manufacturing. The company said three machining operators could run the cell consistently without taking more than four steps from one point to the next.