MISSISSAUGUA, ON - Canada's most important trade event for the secondary woodworking industry will be held at the International Center here Oct. 31–Nov. 2.

 

Held every two years, the Woodworking Machinery & Supply Expo, known as WMS 2003, features the latest woodworking and production machinery, cabinet and furniture hardware, hand tools and accessories, materials and components, software, tooling and maintenance products, services and supplies.

 

The show is sponsored by the Canadian Woodworking Machinery Distributors Assn. and the Canadian Furniture Hardware Assn. and is endorsed by the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers Assn., among others.

 

"Buyers at WMS will be able to view live demonstrations of machinery and equipment and discover hard-to-find products and suppliers," said Donna Wood, group show manager for Reed Exhibitions, which owns and operates the event. "The show also features a cutting-edge educational program to help woodworking professionals over the challenges they face."

 

Seminar topics include lean production, industrial wood finishings and a panel discussion on the future of the Canadian secondary woodworking industry.

 

WMS 2001 hosted about 5,900 professionals from 2,700 companies, an increase of almost 25% over the previous show, Wood said.

 

WMS 2003 also will feature products submitted for the 2003 Student Furniture Design Competition. College students enrolled in woodworking programs have been invited to design and build a multi-function home office piece made of wood, veneer and/or board products. The finalists' entries will be displayed at the show and judged by a panel of industry experts.

 

Reed also produces SIBO, the Salon industriel du bois ouvré (Quebec Industrial Woodworking Show), held in alternate years in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The next event will be Oct. 29–31, 2004.

 

For more information about WMS 2003, call (416) 848-1682 or visit its Web site at www.woodworkingexpo.ca.