If things proceed according to plan, there’s more than enough reason to welcome Spring and look forward to Summer.

After 40 years in publishing I am retiring from fulltime work. This will be my last column in FDMC. (With a nod to Frederick Exley in the title.) I’ve seen many shops and have interviewed hundreds of woodworkers. I’m often asked what makes companies successful. Here are some of my own observations from visiting many successful companies. I have written about this in the past and have modified and changed a few things here.

Looking at some of the logistics, production, and demand issues that face the woodworking industry today.

If children learn not to touch a hot stove by getting burned, 2020 should have been America’s “hot stove” moment.

Young people are depressed. Woodworking can help.

The year 2020 was one of the most unusual we have seen. And we hope not to see it again anytime soon. A few thoughts related to the FDMC 300: -- In 2020, we estimated sales for the FDMC 300 group of companies to be $57.883 billion, actually a slight gain of 1.25 percent. -- For the most part, this group of cabinet, millwork, furniture and store fixture manufacturers was able to adapt in a time that was anything but business as usual.

During this time of social distancing TACF recognized the importance of continuing to engage, and is offering a live online series called Chestnut Chat.

Video statements from stars of the American Loggers and Swamp Loggers reality television series’ call for action from Congress and the Trump administration to provide pandemic relief to the nation’s struggling loggers and timber haulers.

Our relief request to Congress to support our loggers and log trucking companies is the first in history. That’s despite other sectors like farming and fishing receiving support for decades.