ATLANTA -- It has been estimated that 25 percent of manufacturing cost is in finishing, but it can increase the value of the finished product by 50 percent or more.

The IWF Finishing Symposium will be held August 21, 2018 in the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta, the day before IWF exhibits open on the show floor.

The full-day event will look at new technologies and best methods that finishers could use in their business. Newer finishes such as polyester, polyurethane and UV finishes will be discussed, along with water-borne and low-emission products.

For the first time, there will be a presentation describing digital printing and staining, an emerging technology more wood products manufacturers are considering.

What's new with waterborne coatings, and the many advantages of that finish, will be covered, as well as finishes that many shops have not yet adopted, such as polyester, two-component polyurethane and some UV products.

New technology in application equipment will be discussed, including light curtains, robots in finishing, and advanced controls and automation. Higher volume processes and flatline finishing systems will also be discussed.

Attendees will be able to ask each speaker questions about their presentation. At the end of the event, attendees can ask any speaker about a problem or issue they are having in their finishing operation.

Final and detailed descriptions of presentations are not yet available. Here are some general subjects that will be part of the program.

A strong lineup of speakers includes:

Phil Stevenson, President: AWFI
Jason Chiu, Quality Control Specialist and Extension Trainer: Centre for Advanced Wood Processing
David Jackson, Business Analyst: Gemini Industries
Les Smith, Market Development Manager Cabinetry: The Sherwin-Williams Company
Bob McKenna, West Region Manager: SAMES KREMLIN Inc.
Don Kuser, General Manager: North American Plywood Corporation (NAPC)
Massimo Di Russo - General Manager of Cefla North America

The IWF Finishing Symposium is sponsored by Fuji Spray, Gemini Industries and Milesi Wood Coatings.