Eighty products from 62 companies have been entered for the 2012 Challengers Distinguished Achievement Awards competition.

SCHOPFLOCH, GERMANY - Homag Group AG, a manufacturer of woodworking machinery, declared 2011 a financial "success."

The operations of HOMAG Group AG, the world’s leading manufacturer of plant and machinery for the woodworking industry and cabinet makers, were a success in 2011, and developed better than forecast, based on preliminary figures.

There has been a slight business improvement over the last few months or so, both in terms of inquiries about new machinery, as well as actual orders, according to Riccardo Azzoni, WMIA executive vice president.

Retrofits of machinery have become increasingly established in the woodworking industry as a means of keeping plants and machinery state of the art. Retrofits also offer benefits by correcting safety defects that might arise after years of use.

TORONTO – Biesse Canada appointed Narendra “Nandu” Atre to the position of product area manager (PAM) representing all Biesse Wood Division lines throughout Ontario.

MEDWOOD 2012 is scheduled for March 29 - April 1, 2012 at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, Greece. The International Exhibition features tools and equipment, semi-finished products, components and accessories and woodworking machinery.

SCHOPFLOCH, GERMANY -- Homag Group AG reported third quarter sales of EUR 204.6 million ($279.5 million), a 19.6% increase over the same period in 2010.

HOMAG Group AG increased its sales revenue in the third quarter of 2011 by 20 percent to EUR 204.6 million compared to the prior year (EUR 171.0 million).

Tony Slaven is the new district sales manager of Stiles.