Mass customizing wood products is consumer driven: Weinig/Holz-Her's Jason Howell

Technology trends like Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things automate woodworking factories to allow mass customization of furniture, flooring and cabinetry. It's a consumer driven market trend, says Jason Howell, president, Weinig /Holz-Her U.S., Mooresville, North Carolina. The other key issue is a shortage of labor, which automation can help alleviate. 

"The most significant trend right now obviously is following under the headline of Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 but more specifically we see a trend toward mass customization," says Howell. "We are definitely looking to enable that for our customers. The demand from the market is really coming from the consumer, who wants less standardized things. That's what we're trying to enable with for our customers, who are listening to their customers -- the the end users." 
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About the author
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.

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Harry Urban

Harry Urban is the retired publisher of the Woodworking Network. Urban spent more than 30 years working in business-to-business publishing, trade shows, and conferences. He has travelled extensively throughout North America and overseas visiting and reporting on major manufacturing facilities and trade shows. In retirement, he's still following the woodworking industry, but he plans to do a lot more fishing.