Will Sampson talks about how shifting direction adroitly can make a big difference in the success of your business. His guest is Jeff Wagner, executive chairman of CalPlant, a company that is transforming rice straw, a waste product of rice farming, into high-quality medium density fiberboard panel products for the woodworking industry. The company recently had to make a pivot of its own, entering a restructuring program to keep the startup plant on track.

This episode of the Woodworking Network podcast was sponsored by 3M Xtract. With 3M Xtract, sanding is virtually dust-free. The new 3M Xtract system includes new net sanding discs, random orbital sanders, and portable dust extraction units that capture up to 97% of the dust generated during sanding. Here’s how it works: The net backing in the discs enables optimal dust capture through the vacuum sander, while ceramic 3M Precision-Shaped Grain delivers an industry-leading cut-rate. Want to learn more about the 3M Xtract Clean Sanding Solution? Go to 3mXtract.com. 3M Xtract™: Sanding, reimagined.

Woodworking Network is a home for professional woodworkers, presenting technology, supplies, education, inspiration, and community, from small business entrepreneurs to corporate managers at large automated plants.

You can find all of our podcasts at WoodworkingNetwork.com/podcasts and in popular podcast channels. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. Thanks again to today’s sponsor, FDMC magazine. If you have a comment or topic you’d like us to explore, contact me at [email protected]. And we would really appreciate it if you fill out the survey at woodworking network.com/podcast-survey. Thanks for listening.

Intro music courtesy of Anthony Monson.