CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cefla North America, Inc., supplier of finishing, decoration and digital printing equipment, hosted its inaugural open house event, known as CeflaLive Charlotte, in its Finishing LAB October 14-15, 2020.

The event was positioned to provide woodworking professionals with educational opportunities featuring live demonstrations and breakout sessions across the spectrum of finishing technologies, as well as one-on-one access to 15 exhibiting industry suppliers.

The event exceeded expectations, attracting participants from all regions of the United States to learn about the latest tools, techniques, and technologies that can automate their finishing process. The event turnout gives the team at Cefla North America a positive outlook for what’s to come for the Woodworking Industry.

Every technology housed in the LAB was used with tests taking place every 15 minutes. Each finishing technology featured an exclusive application and an assigned set of suppliers, not only to highlight the technology, but also the vendor’s products. Each supplier brought something memorable to the event, ranging from blue-hued cabinet doors on the Prima spray machine, to stained shakers with low gloss topcoat and the latest in fluid management technologies on the Easy and Mito spray machines.

On the CFS Compact Flooring System, a roll-coating technology, a creative ‘chalking’ technique gave floorboards a distressed, weathered look. The J-Print MP industrial digital printer output high-resolution images onto pressed board that were sequentially top-coated with clear lacquer using the Smartcoater PRO. Cefla North America is housing many of these coatings and fluid management tools in LAB, which will remain there for future testing and demonstration.

The event’s contributing suppliers, each paired with a different finishing technology, collaborated in live demonstrations and were provided a vendor table. Suppliers included industry-leading coating and fluid management suppliers: AkzoNobel, Axalta, Binks Carlisle, Graco, ICA Group, Krautzberger, Osmo Woodborn, Renner, Sames Kremlin, Teknos, Tigital Inks & Powders, Wagner and MB Machinenbau.

Safety was a priority to the Cefla North America team, who developed a plan that kept all guests safe and confident in their ability to educate themselves on the latest finishing technologies. Prior to entry, all attendees underwent a wellness check and were required to wear a mask. Social distancing signs were placed throughout the building as a reminder to all participants. Lunch and espresso bar areas were monitored for the safety of all guests. 

Cefla North America plans to announce its 2021 CeflaLive Charlotte open house dates before the end of 2020. See http://ceflaamerica.com