Leadership Forum

Wood industry think tank: Woodworking Network Leadership Forum

It was a simple concept: fresh ideas on materials and technology presented with flair and a dash of TEDx. So how did it go at the first Woodworking Network Leadership Forum?

By Bill Esler

Massive factory planned for CLT lumber components in Washington State

Modular home construction firm to build cross-laminated timber and Glulam factory for mass timber buildings; 250,000 square feet in Spokane Valley, Washington.

By Bill Esler

Mass-wood CLT building survives earthquake test

SAN DIEGO - A full-scale validation of new CLT wood building components was completed at The successful test took place on the world’s largest outdoor shake table, at the University of California San Diego. Katerra, a construction startup investing heavily in cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction material, saw its seismic shear wall tested.

DR Johnson, a leading developer and supplier of CLT products, also saw them tested on the table. This first of its kind research project in the U.S.

By Bill Esler

How do you weigh where to make the next investment?

The owner just ordered another edgebander, which was nice, but our bottlenecks were coming from other issues. Yet we would now devote resources to the new bander rather than working on more pressing problems.

By Mick Peters

Technology for tall wood construction expands in U.S. market

At the Leadership Forum, July 18 in Las Vegas, Iain MacDonald from the TallWood Design Institute and Valerie Johnson, CEO of DR Johnson Lumber, explain the phenomenon leading to Portlands 14-story wood high rise.

By Bill Esler

Catching data thieves on the production floor

The real thief in your operation our company’s faulty record keeping.This theft is happening real-time, and will continue until eliminated.

By Mick Peters

Timber construction has lumber milling machinery rolling

Timber construction is opening a new market that has been keeping lumber and milling machinery busy at a growing number of wood products companies, including Montreal's Nordic Structures, Sauter Timber in Rockwood, Tennessee, and D.R. Johnson.

By Bill Esler

Adding ERP: like pouring a foundation while the building is in use

Foundation is a metaphor so right for ERP - apt since many wood manufacturers supply construction. Adding ERP to an ongoing business is like pouring concrete while occupying a plant.

By Mick Peters

Find top level networking at Wood Industry Leadership Reception at AWFS Fair 2017

Find high-end networking opportunities at Woodworking Network Leadership Reception, July 18, 5:30 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Room N109.

By Bill Esler

Woodworking Network Leadership Forum July 18 in Las Vegas

Managers from FDMC 300 companies and other top execs will find an inspiring event.