LANCASTER, Penn. — The art of veneer grading is as much about knowledge as it is about a trained eye. Subtle variations in grain, color, and figure determine not only a veneer’s grade but also its potential value in different applications. For many in the industry, these distinctions can shape both purchasing decisions and customer satisfaction. 

At this year’s Wood Pro Expo Lancaster, this intricate process will be shared through Greg Simon, face sales manager at Veneer Technologies, and Fred Mitchell, value stream manager, materials at Columbia Forest Products. 

The seminar, with a catered lunch provided, will be held on October 23 and 24 at 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., giving attendees two chances not to miss the valuable information provided by Simon and Mitchell. Each seminar will have a limit to 50 attendees, so reserve your spot before it runs out by contacting your Veneer Tech or Columbia Forest Products sales rep for discounted registration prices. 

"This seminar is an opportunity to continue to train on the different species and grades that are available in our industry," says Mitchell. "What we do is an art that's becoming known by lesser and lesser as some of the experienced workers are retiring, and the knowledge is not being passed forward."

Both Simon and Mitchell stated that the process of choosing high-quality veneer, and the correct veneer for your project, is an art form that takes years to develop. 

"This is our attempt to help educate the future generations," continues Mitchell. "Through this trade show, we're hoping to start that process. This will allow newer folks to ask the candid questions. We're also meeting the needs of our customers, they're asking for this knowledge, too." 

Mitchell states that he often works with CFP's sales team, production teams, and vendors to identify certain looks, grains, or characteristic that are best suited for specific applications. At the same time, it's important to make sure everybody is utilizing the fill mix of material being produced across different species and grains. 

The veneer industry continues to look toward future growth by ensuring that knowledge is passed down to the next generation. Unlike straightforward equations, veneer grading is a lot more that "one plus one equals two". Nature itself creates countless variations across species, with each log producing unique looks and characteristics. Sustaining the industry means recognizing this complexity and making sure that the expertise behind it isn't lose but carried forward. 

"I've seen a lot of people new to the industry attend these shows to gain knowledge," Mitchell says. ""If you're just starting out, you'll be exposed to the fundamentals. For seasoned professionals, it can be just as valuable. Sometimes, we get into our niche, and forget about the other options and grades available. Attending a workshop like this can be a real eye-opener from salespeople to veneer experts and everybody in between." 

To attend Wood Pro Expo Lancaster, visit woodworkingnetwork.com/events/wood-pro-expo-lancaster.