THE BUSINESS SIDE OF WOODWORKING www.woodindustry.ca
SPRING 2022
PM #40063056
A MID-LIFE MAKEOVER
PERFECT RESULTS
FUTURE OF TRADE SHOWS
FOREST TO FACTORY
SPRING 2022
www.woodindustry.ca
FEATURES 18
A mid-life makeover
24
Adapt and thrive
30
Past, Present, and Future
A fresh look for the veneer industry Rosehill Woodcrafters online leads up 300% Pulling together all aspects of the industry
COLUMNS 12 How to Buy Computer Hardware For your design and engineering teams
14
Creditors’ Rights and Remedies
28
Forest to factory
Dealing with unpaid accounts
A modern wood design education
DEPARTMENTS 4
From the Editor
38
Product Showcase
41
Stats & Facts
Looking to the future
THE BUSINESS SIDE OF WOODWORKING www.woodindustry.ca
SPRING 2022
A MID-LIFE MAKEOVER
Photo credit: Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association
PM #40063056
Vol. 18, No. 1
CONTENTS
PERFECT RESULTS
FUTURE OF TRADE SHOWS
FOREST TO FACTORY
FROM THE EDITOR
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY HOLD?
Grace Tatigian
PUBLISHER
Mike Neeb
miken@mediaedge.ca EDITOR
OVER THE LAST COUPLE of years, there has been so much turmoil that it’s been hard to look too far into the future. You can plan, but then you need to replan, postpone, reschedule, ultimately cancel, and start over again - there are just way too many unknown variables that are constantly changing. With two vaccines widely available, I’m sure I wasn’t alone in thinking that WMS was going to be a sure thing, but Omicron threw us all for a loop. So how do we plan for the future? That’s something we’re looking at in this issue. There’s a lot to consider regarding the future of events, sustainability, mass timber, business, education, and associations. I think we can all agree that it’s all about adapting to the situation. You’ve got to look at the tools you have at your disposal and make the most of them. For Rosehill Woodcrafters, when the Winnipeg Renovation Show was cancelled, they turned to TikTok. The result? A viral video leading to a 300% increase in leads. Not bad for five minutes work. We’ve got a couple of pieces in this issue covering how education is factoring into our industry. Students in British Columbia are combining cultural responsibility with industrial design, and students in Ontario are looking at mass timber through the lens of sustainability. If you read our e-digest, you know we’re always talking about the skilled labour shortage. That’s just one of the reasons why it’s so essential to keep an eye on what students are doing. They’re the next generation of intelligent, capable workers, and we need to tap into that resource for ideas and solutions. But we can’t just rely on new blood to make all the changes. Many people in our industry have decades of experience and are making big moves. This issue, we hear from Patrick Laurin, CHPVA Executive Vice-President, on the future of the association and the possibilities for hardwood plywood and veneering. Laurin calls the changes to the association a mid-life makeover, and I think that’s precisely how we need to approach this whole industry. All in all, what’s my perspective on the future? Optimistic. I can’t help it. I look at how everyone has adapted and made the best of a bad situation. There are many new and fresh ideas at work to move towards positive change. Every week, we’re sharing innovations and stories that show that there is no shortage of inspiration in the wood industry. We hope you enjoy what you’ve read so far and are inspired to jump into the conversation. Not a writer? No problem; that’s what editors are for. We’re more than happy to work with you to find the best way to tell your story. Our e-digest is where we share the latest news, updates, and timesensitive information. That might be awards finalist profiles, association updates, and news on available government funding.
ART DIRECTOR
Annette Carlucci
annettec@mediaedge.ca GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Grace Tatigian
Thuy Huynh
PRESIDENT
CIRCULATION
gracet@mediaedge.ca
Kevin Brown
kevinb@mediaedge.ca PRODUCTION MANAGER
Rachel Selbie
roxyh@mediaedge.ca circulation@mediaedge.ca
Wood Industry is published four times annually, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, for the secondar y wood products manufacturing and marketing industries in Canada. Subscriptions are free to qualified participants in Canada’s secondar y wood processing industr y. Subscribe at w w w. woodindustr y.ca. Paid subscriptions rates: $40 to Canad ian addresses, $60 U.S. and foreign, $20 student rate. Please mail payment to Wood Industr y, 2001 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4Z8 For subscription inquiries, e-mail circulation@mediaedge.ca © 2022 by MediaEdge Communications All rights reserved. MediaEdge Communications and Wood Industry disclaim any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect to the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. The opinions of the columnists and writers are their own and are in no way influenced by or representative of the opinions of Wood Industry or MediaEdge Communications
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FILINGS
Canadian NKBA winners
The NKBA’s esteemed Thirty Under 30 program recognizes accomplished young professionals under 30 making waves in kitchen and bath design, remodeling, sales, and manufacturing, awarded by the American National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). This year, four Canadian winners were selected from hundreds of nominations throughout North America through a rigorous selection process, recognizing them as outstanding professionals in the industry. Shantelle Yablonski, Senior Design Consultant with Superior Cabinets Saskatoon, and Cara Hansen, founder of Vancouver-based Triple Dot Design Studio, were recipients of the award this year. Yablonski joined the Superior Cabinets team in 2017 after earning her diploma as an Interior Design Technologist from Lethbridge College. After 16 months, Yablonski advanced to a Design Consultant role and then naturally to a Senior Design Consultant role. Hansen founded her own design firm just four years after earning a bachelor’s degree from CIDA-accredited Vancouver Island University. Her interest and experience in design go back to her childhood and her family’s construction business. She was exposed to the intricacies of the company from a very early age, witnessing projects from breaking ground to finished products countless times.
Strong addition to the Hettich Canada sales team
Christopher Capling reported for his first day as Territory Sales 6 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
Representative for Ontario in October. The appointment is part of Hettich’s ongoing strategy to increase its market share in the province steadily. Capling’s mandate is to drive business development by building productive relationships between cabinet manufacturers, millworkers, and Hettich distributors. He will report to Josh Ware, the Regional Sales Manager. With over ten years of experience in the building products industry, Capling’s background and knowledge of the market are impressive. Before joining Hettich, he worked at Hutton Forest Products, first as a senior account manager and later as manager of Business Development. He spent several years with Goodfellow as U.S. sales manager before this. Capling also has a background in store development and management with Loblaw Companies Ltd. With his wealth of experience in the business, Capling is bound to play a pivotal role in growing the Hettich Canada market share in Ontario.
New Addition to ChopValue Board of Directors
C h o p V a l u e Manufacturing Ltd., the world’s first circular economy franchise that manufactures sustainable products made entirely from recycled chopsticks, recently announced that it had appointed Lani Tao to the ChopValue Board of Directors. Tao joined the ChopValue board in mid-2021 and will work alongside current board members Yuri Fulmer, Mike Winterfield, Brian Curin, and ChopValue CEO and Founder, Felix Böck. Tao was previously a Global Account Manager at Steelcase, a leading global furniture manufacturer for offices, hospitals, and classrooms. Previously, Tao led the Hong Kong chapter of Change Corp, an international group within Steelcase responsible for creating circular economy strategies and sustainable social impact within local communities.
“I’m excited to have Lani join us and expand the diversity of our board of directors,” said Böck. “Lani’s appointment demonstrates ChopValue’s ongoing commitment to greater representation by women and people of color, and aligns the board more closely with the demographics of our core leadership team. Her experience mentoring and empowering women will be extremely valuable to the entire ChopValue organization, and she brings with her fresh ideas and a global perspective that will be critical for us to continue expanding into the home, office, and hospitality industries internationally.”
André Bédard Joins QWEB as Manager of the Pellet Group
The QWEB welcomes to its team André Bédard as Manager of the Pellet Group. With a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Sherbrooke and a bachelor’s degree in science from Laval University, Bédard has accumulated some thirty years of experience in business development as a manager of manufacturing, distribution, and retail businesses. Over the past ten years, Bédard has worked in the pellet industry, developing local and international markets, sitting on various administrative committees, including QWEB’s Pellet Group and the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC). In his new role, Bédard will be called upon to meet the needs of his members in terms of market access and export promotion. He will also help organize seminars and conferences on industry issues. Members will benefit from his assistance at trade fairs, networking activities, and international missions to maintain business relations between Quebec manufacturers and overseas buyers, thus promoting export opportunities.
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FILINGS
New Weyerhaeuser Company Limited President
Weyerhaeuser has appointed David Graham as president of its Canadian subsidiary, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited. Graham took over the post on Jan. 1 and reports to Travis Keatley, Weyerhaeuser senior vice president of timberlands. The move follows the planned retirement of Fred Dzida. He served as president of Weyerhaeuser’s Canadian subsidiary since 2014 and will stay on through March 2022 to aid in the transition. “David has more than 30 years of diverse industry experience, and he has deep familiarity with our Canadian operations from a people, operational, and business perspective,” said Keatley. “We’re excited to have him step into this important leadership role and help us continue to build on our strong relationships with our communities, customers, and other partners across Canada.” Graham joined Weyerhaeuser in 1991 as an engineer and has held a variety of senior leadership positions in the company’s wood products and timberlands organizations, including vice president of human resources supporting the
timberlands and corporate development businesses and as vice president of the company’s OSB business. “I also want to thank Fred for his more than 40 years of outstanding service with Weyerhaeuser,” Keatley added.
Charles Rudolph Onsrud passes away
Charles Rudolph Onsrud, the founder and former CEO of C.R. Onsrud USA, manufacturers of CNC machinery, passed away in November from complications related to knee replacement surgery. After honing his grandfather and father’s business skills, Onsrud Machine Works, C.R. Onsrud founder, Charlie Onsrud headed south to bring innovative thinking and skills to North Carolina. Like a piece of heirloom furniture, that same creative spirit has been handed down to his children and grandchildren. He was the recipient of many prestigious awards. He was a two-time winner of the Challengers Award for distinguished achievement in the advancement of furniture and woodworking industry; The Baldwin Award from WMMA for most exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions to the millwork industry;
Partner of the Year Award from the Woodworking Machinery Distributors Association (WMDA), and President’s “E” Award for excellence in the expansion of U.S. exports. He formally retired in 1996, turning the reins over to his sons; however, he still came to the office most days to visit the production floor, ask about the new technologies, chat with employees, and watch the company grow. He also served as a director on the board of Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America (WMMA). He was admired and respected in the industry and built enduring relationships.
Richard Bérubé named Personality of the Year
Gober Furniture was founded in 1988 by Richard Bérubé and his brother. At the time, the factory was located in one of the industrial condos of the City of Coaticook.
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2022 SIBO is back. Make plans to return to the Quebec woodworking industry’s largest event in 2022. Engage with vendors featuring the latest in woodworking technology, hardware, tooling, software, materials and much more. SIBO 2022 will take your business to a new level. Learn from your peers and experts in educational sessions dedicated to best practices in manufacturing, marketing, and management. SIBO partners with major industry associations and institutions to deliver a stellar line-up of curriculum.
Le SIBO est de retour. Faites des plans pour revenir à l’événement le plus important de l’industrie du bois au Québec en 2022. Rencontrez des fournisseurs qui vous présenteront les plus grandes technologies du bois, du matériel, de l’outillage, des logiciels, des matériaux et bien plus encore. Le SIBO 2022 fera passer votre entreprise à un niveau supérieur. Apprenez de vos pairs et des experts lors de sessions éducatives consacrées aux meilleures pratiques en matière de fabrication, de marketing et de gestion. Le SIBO s’associe à des associations et institutions industrielles majeures pour proposer un programme éducatif exceptionnel.
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FILINGS In 2021, local newspaper Le Progrès de Coaticook named the business owner “Personality of the Year.” “Gober represents 34 years of my life, and I intend to continue my work, even with Parkinson’s,” said Bérubé. “I do it for myself, to take my mind off things, and for all my employees, who are the heart of the company. Every morning I wave to
them, greet them, talk to them a bit. I have to take care of them.” At Gober, things have boomed throughout the pandemic on the business side. They even had to refuse work that came from outside. They had no choice as their order book was full. All this resulted in a 20% increase in their business.
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Like many businesses in the region and the province, the company has dealt with labour shortages. The friendly sixty-year-old invites government decision-makers to look into different incentives to allow older workers to remain in the labour market. “Companies are desperately in need of people, and I think this could help. For many, it doesn’t pay to work. Some even tell me they would have to pay if they wanted to offer a few hours. It doesn’t make sense.”
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Cefla North America has again grown its finishing laboratory team adding Lab Manager Jude Zimmermann. A dedicated Production Manager, Zimmermann has over 20 years of experience in manufacturing and operations. He is a decisive leader with complex problemsolving and team leadership skills. With a background heavily involved in printing, wood and metal boutique finishing, metal fabrication, and CNC, Zimmermann is an ideal fit for the role. He will offer a new lens with which the department can organize and restructure for success. With his team, Zimmermann will facilitate daily testing either on behalf of Cefla customers, via virtual testing, or alongside them to conduct testing that achieves the customer’s finish objectives. Zimmermann will also be involved in planning, budgeting, and coordinating with the company’s service division on new machine builds within the finishing laboratory.
PROFILE
ALL IN THE FAMILY A generation of growth By Matthew Bradford
I
t’s been 45 years of challenges, pivots, and pandemics, but the Benson Cabinetry & Millwork team knows a thing or two about surviving in the wood industry. Today, the BC-based manufacturer has grown from its two-person operation to become a trusted, large-scale partner in the multifamily construction space. The company was founded in 1976 by Paul Benson, who had the vision to create quality wood products that would withstand the test of time. With this in mind, he and a partner began building various cabinetry and furniture pieces in a 1000 square foot shop. “At the time, they were building anything they could, like vanities, credenzas, and random bits of furniture,” recalls Tim Benson, Paul’s son and current owner of Benson Cabinetry & Millwork. In 1980, Paul moved into a larger factory and, one year later, found his niche for building kitchens within multifamily projects and started working on apartments throughout Vancouver Island. “We started with an apartment building in Port Hardy and went from there. Vancouver was a substantial portion of our business at the time and still is today,” reflects Benson. As the years stacked up, Benson Cabinetry & Millwork moved into an even larger facility while braving market shifts and recessions. Then, in 2018, the company was ready for another round of modernization, prompting Benson to buy the business from his father. “I grew up in the business, starting from when I used to sweep the shop during elementary school right up until I became full-time after graduating high school,” says Benson. “I was lucky to have the chance to get involved in various aspects of the business, like sales, manufacturing, field management, installation, and engineering. So although the acquisition was a risk, it seemed like the right thing to do.”
TOP: North Vancouver home kitchen by Benson BOTTOM: Benson team
Today, Benson remains committed to growing the family business alongside his wife and partner Natalie, who had joined the company in 2014. “Since then, we’ve seen some pretty significant corporate improvements and are definitely looking to continue that trajectory,” says Benson. Benson has enjoyed a successful journey to date, but it hasn’t been without its obstacles. “I remember coming into the company and focusing on bringing our little corner of the construction up to speed with modern values,” recalls Natalie. “We’ve worked hard to bring more women into the busi-
ness and build a culture of diversity of inclusion, which wasn’t always easy, but necessary if we wanted to continue attracting and retaining new talent.” Looking back, the pair attribute the company’s resilience to its constant evolution and the support from its network of staff, developers, and industry partners. “That relationship component is really quite critical to the success of any business, and certainly ours,” says Benson. “Whether it’s relationships with the people that are within the company, or our suppliers or customers, so much of our business comes down to having strong, collaborative, and authentic relationships.” www.woodindustry.ca 11
COLUMN
HOW TO BUY COMPUTER HARDWARE For your design and engineering teams
By Jim Mitchell, Planit Canada Service Technician
I
often hear the same question from clients looking to buy new computers for their design and manufacturing software: what should I buy? Rather than point to a specific machine or brand, I find it useful to share the most important considerations to help guide the conversation with your IT consultant. It also helps to demystify some key computer jargon to help you determine your priorities.
12 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
When purchasing computer hardware for your business, I recommend considering four things: your budget, your portability needs, the number of workstations, and any other applications you’ll be running. CONSIDERATIONS
Budget: When it comes to price, it’s a good idea to avoid the lowest price bracket. While there are many variables, expect to pay $1500 –$3500 on an upgrade. It can be tempting to opt for last year’s computer model, but I don’t recommend it. The price difference between the older generation and the latest is often only $200-$300 – but that investment will keep you current longer. Portability: Over the last decade, laptops have become significantly more
COLUMN
powerful and very capable workstations when compared to your typical desktop computer – making them the standard for primary workstations. Number of workstations: If you have more than just one or two users, consider sticking with a similar model line of workstations to simplify support. Troubleshooting can be challenging and very time-consuming when, for example, one user is on a Mac, the other has an Asus with Windows 10, while another uses a Dell with Windows 7. Standardizing your equipment and software versions helps ease updates and manage potential driver issues. Other Applications: Don’t forget to consider the system requirements for any other business-dependent applications in your day-to-day. JARGON
Hardware is ever advancing and just as subject to supply chain issues as everything else. When shopping for a suitable computer workstation, it’s best to consult with an IT Specialist on which options are best for you. Here are some
keywords to inform your discussion: RAM, Hard Drive, HDD, SSD, and Graphics Card. RAM - Random Access Memory is the component in your computer in which applications are stored while they’re running. When you launch an application, it’s loaded into the RAM from your hard drive to work with your CPU (Central Processing Unit). When you shut down your computer, the application is removed from RAM until it’s is relaunched. Not having enough RAM can slow performance from an otherwise healthy system. At the time of writing, the current generation is DDR4, and a suitable amount is 16GB or more. Hard Drive - Hard drives are where applications are stored even when the workstation is off. Hard drives typically have two main consumer types: HDD and SDD. HDD - Hard Disk Drives are mechanical devices with circular platters that spin at a whopping 5400-7200RPM while a head, much like the one on your old record player, comes along to read and write data.
SSD - Solid State Drives have become increasingly standard because they are non-mechanical, utilizing technology much like portable flash drives. These are the best option as they offer faster read and write speeds than HDD and have almost become comparable in cost. Graphics Cards - Graphics cards, Video cards, and GPUs are terms referring to the same component. Sourcing a graphics card for your workstation can be challenging these days. Manufacturing has been limited, and there is competing demand from other industries, such as automotive manufacturing. As a result, there has been an 80% increase in the MSRP of GPUs, which is why many IT Professionals have opted to use portable solutions (laptops) when making recommendations. I also often get asked about the life of a computer investment: how long will it last? Given the ever-growing demands and advancements of technology, it’s inevitable that upgrades will be necessary over time. If purchasing a current generation of computer hardware – you can typically expect a good three to five years before you need to upgrade.
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COLUMN
CREDITORS’ RIGHTS AND REMEDIES Dealing with unpaid accounts
By Jonah Waxman, Litigation Associate at Lawrence, Lawrence, Stevenson LLP
B
usiness relationships are built on trust. While handshake deals may no longer be the norm, the expectation that each party will act in good faith to fulfill their respective contractual obligations has only become more entrenched as written agreements have become more commonplace. What, then, is to be done when one party attempts to avoid their contractual obligations? We might narrow our focus to situations involving customers who have recently refused to satisfy their accounts for services rendered. Perhaps you’re a company that has done work for this customer time and again, with only this recent invoice being met with empty promises to pay while they plead for accommodations during difficult times. These examples are only becoming more ubiquitous in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has 14 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
disrupted businesses and business relationships alike. Early and timely communication, setting out each party’s expectations, is critical to mitigating against this unfortunate situation. A clearly defined contract, which has been vetted by both parties (and their respective counsel), might set out in detail a customer’s obligation to pay even when times are difficult, and what interest is owed in the context of late payments. Another potential way for the company to clarify its expectations is to bill regularly, and not send sporadic
accounts. The former prevents the customer from feigning surprise, either by the bill itself or by an unexpectedly large amount (which could have otherwise been delivered more frequently in smaller sums as the project developed). This has a further practical advantage: delivering regular accounts may alert you sooner to issues with payment, thereby preventing your company from investing money into a customer otherwise unable or unwilling to pay for services rendered. Should the need arise to commence collection proceedings, there are two primary legal considerations that you’ll want to consider: 1. Why has the debtor refused to pay? 2. How long has the debt been outstanding? Both would have implications for the merits of your claim. As soon as the situation arises, you should consult with a litigation lawyer who specializes in debt
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“THE ENFORCEMENT OF YOUR RIGHTS DEPENDS ON THE DEBTOR’S FINANCIAL STATUS, AND YOUR STATUS AS A SECURED OR UNSECURED CREDITOR. ” enforcement as soon as you are able, so that you may obtain the appropriate and timely legal advice. The legal process through which you would potentially collect on your outstanding account is called an “action,” which involves you suing the debtor in Court. The time and cost of getting your action before a judge depends in large part on how the debtor responds to your claim. Assuming you are successful in obtaining judgment against the debtor, you would potentially be entitled to claim back the amount owing, plus a portion of your legal fees. All litigation is, by its nature, costly and unpredict-
able, and the ultimate decision on your entitlement to reimbursement will be with the presiding judge, assuming you are not able to settle beforehand. This suggests a final consideration: will you practically be able to collect on that judgment? The enforcement of your rights depends on the debtor’s financial status, and your status as a secured or unsecured creditor. If you are one of many unsecured creditors, you may go through a lengthy and expensive litigation proceeding solely
to obtain a paper judgment against the debtor. You should consider these very serious practical considerations when determining whether a lawsuit is in your company’s best interests, or if it is first advisable to try and resolve the debt more amicably. This is especially so if you believe your business relationship with this customer to be worth saving, and not worth the expense of sacrificing for the sake of whatever is owed to you on the existing accounts.
Please note that none of the above is intended as legal advice, and you should consult a lawyer so that you may discuss your individual circumstances and the specific rights and remedies that may be available to you.
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FEATURE
A MID-LIFE MAKEOVER A fresh look for the veneer industry
By Patrick Laurin, CHPVA Executive Vice-President
18 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
FEATURE
T
he Canadian Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (CHPVA) is going through a midlife makeover. The CHPVA took advantage of the disruption caused by the pandemic to reflect and reinvent itself, overhauling the approach they were taking, from the big-ticket items down to smallest minor details. The pandemic created an unexpected wave of demand. Lockdown measures changed our use of space. Remote working and remote learning increased the need for more room and home office furniture, which energized the real estate, remodelling, and furniture markets to levels never seen before. Now, everybody in the industry is busy and facing chal-
lenges to meet this strong demand while respecting complex sanitary rules. Traditionally, the association focused on updating and communicating quality standards and regulatory issues within its own industry distributors and manufacturers. Now CHPVA wants to expand its focus in promoting these products to the trendsetters, the architects, the
designers, and the decorators that help people choose the look of their surroundings. The CHPVA wants to provide inspiration and information about hardwood veneer and plywood, demonstrating that wood is, in fact, the solution. “‘Wood is the solution’ is the latest calling card to promote the membership and its products,” says Patrick Laurin, newly appointed Executive Vice-President. “Our members produce hardwood veneer and hardwood plywood used to manufacture furniture, cabinets, doors, and other architectural millwork products.” The 63-year-old association has updated its image to go with its new goals - a new logo, new colours, and a new website for all to see the transformation. The CHPVA also plans to be more active on social media with articles and
www.woodindustry.ca 19
FEATURE photos of wood species and various decorative hardwood plywood projects. The CHPVA is focused on expanding its message. Although still considered a traditional material, wood is unique, versatile, and timeless. Recently, science has made wood a cool raw material again. Renewable, recyclable, and with a lower carbon footprint than steel and plastic, wood can be a natural canvas of
any decorative project with less impact on the environment. The association plans to redefine its training and seminar offering to better educate designers on hardwood plywood and veneer possibilities within the industry. Most designers are accustomed to the ease of working with melamine and laminates because of all the marketing tools and samples available; it makes
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20 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
using hardwood plywood and veneer a more complex challenge. It is our job to provide more tools to them. Any kitchen or furniture company that does offer these options to their customers will have something over their competition. Traditionally, the organization’s goal was to train industry partners on technical aspects of hardwood plywood and veneer, like grading standards and wood characteristics. Still, the next generation of seminars will focus more on the needs of the trendsetters. “The goal is to provide the influencers with a solid generic base of knowledge about hardwood plywood and veneer so that they are comfortable enough to recommend our products and include our materials in their projects,” says Laurin. Still in planning mode, these sessions will be more topic-specific and shorter. They will help the participants understand the various species available, the products’ unique characteristics, and the accessibility from local, North American suppliers. Natural wood has way more possibilities depending on the finish. It’s all about showing designers the possibilities. One of the tools CHPVA’s using to work towards this goal is the new website. A section called “Inspiration” showcases projects that used decorative hardwood plywood. This section will be regularly updated to showcase the latest projects. A complete listing and contact information about association members makes it easier to get in touch personally with experts. It also contains valuable links to other related associations and several interesting videos about wood in general. A complete online wood encyclopedia is available (The wood database*) to help anyone choose or research a type of wood for their next project. A bookstore is currently being built on the website to offer a selection of books and various guides helpful for any woodworker, designer, or purchaser requiring a reference source. All these resources that CHPVA is putting forward are well on their way to help place the hardwood plywood and veneer industry at the forefront of design trends.
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FEATURE
PERFECT RESULTS Proper grit sequencing
By Robert Philips, Akhurst Sanding Product Manager
G
etting the most from your wide belt sander ensures optimum finishing results and efficient production flow. Poper grit sequencing has a profound effect on both processes. Failure to adhere to proper grit sequencing can lead to a great deal of frustration with a poor quality end product, wasted time, loss of materials, and ultimately expensive unnecessary costs. This article discusses the guidelines to adhere to concerning grit sequencing so that you can achieve maximum performance from your sanding machine. This article will focus on solid wood sanding as the machine configuration varies greatly when sanding veneer products.
22 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
FEATURE
The first step is to identify what sanding grit you intend to finish with and determine what grit you need to begin with. From here, we can start to go fill in the gaps. As a starting grit, you want a sanding belt that is aggressive enough to remove any knife marks but not too rough that you spend unnecessary time sanding out the deep scratches left by these courser grits. In most wood applications where the finish is applied, the end grit is usually 180 to 220 grit maximum. Anything above 220 grit risks closing the wood pores, making your workpiece unable to accept the stain or finish. Sanding sealer with grits above 220+ is a topic we will cover another time. THE SANDING RULE
The rule of thumb is that you can skip a grit when calibrating with grits 36 to 60. When sanding with grits from 80 to 220+, you should not skip a grit. The scratch patterns in the 36-60 grits are coarser and leave deep scratch marks in the material. These deep scratches will be removed by the subsequent sanding operations with grits 80+. When sanding with grits 80+, you do not want to skip a grit as you will not be able to sand down to the depth of the scratch of the rougher grit with the higher grit. If your grit is not enough to sand down to the previous depth, you will simply take the high points off and leave the deeper scratch. This may not be noticeable until you stain and finish the material. Immediately the scratches will show up, leaving blotchy and unbalanced results. This can lead to wasted time in rework, substandard quality, and ultimately lost profits. Below is a graphical explanation of the depth of scratch scenario. WHY NOT TEST FOR YOURSELF?
Do a test on your wide belt sander and skip a couple of grits. Stain the material in a dark cherry stain, the results of
Illustration of grit sequencing patterns.
GRIT
INCHES / MM (REMOVAL)
40
0.040” / 1.0mm
60
0.035” / 0.9mm
80
0.024” / 0.6mm
Starting grits for hardwoods
100
0.017” / 0.4mm
Remove shallow scratches
120
0.010” / 0.25mm
Starting grits for softwoods
150
0.006” / 0.15mm
Prep for enamel paint
180
0.004” / 0.1mm
Raised grain fibres + Surface irregularities
220
0.002” / 0.05mm
Surface finishing + Prep wood stain
APPLICATIONS
Rough Lumber + Remove bumps in wood + Remove old paints and finishes
improper grit sequencing will become apparent. This is a standard rule, but also recognize that grit sequencing can be affected by the material of the drum (steel/rubber), abrasive coatings, and the speed of the machine. For example, the slower the conveyor belt (feed speed), the more surface contact you will have with the material allowing greater removal. The “Sanding Rule” applies to an optimum production environment. This chart shows the correlation we
have with different materials and applications. Asking detailed questions with your abrasive experts will help you achieve optimum productivity and results from your widebelt sander. The number and type of heads on your sander will determine the number of passes you will require to obtain the optimum sanding results. Ultimately sticking to grit sequencing and understanding how these patterns interact with your material is key for success. www.woodindustry.ca 23
ADAPT AND THRIVE Rosehill Woodcrafters online leads up 300% By Sandra Wood, CKCA Executive Director
24 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
PROFILE
Mulvey kitchen by Rosehill Woodcrafters
O
wner Harvey Boehlig, Rosehill Woodcrafters based in MacGregor, MB started in 1993 in an old church. Instead of paying for the church, Harvey’s
company made all the pews for the new church. Fast forward to today, and this family-run business now has an 8,500 sq ft manufacturing facility that employs 20 and produces two to three kitchens per day, including residential custom, multiunit, and millwork. The old church now serves as the 2,400 sq ft showroom and office space, plus they’ve opened another showroom in Winnipeg.
FOCUS ON LOCAL
Take a look at what Rosehill posts on social media. You’ll see messages that echo the company values and posts about local company products that you can purchase in the showroom at Rosehill. Rosehill also gives these items away as gifts to their clients. We asked Harvey why he took on this marketing approach and its impact on business. CKCA: We’ve seen you promoting local artisans and selling their work in your showroom; why are you doing this, and what is the response like? Does this make a difference in sales leads?
H. BOEHLIG: We wanted to show some local products that would help stage our displays but at the same time help out small businesses. After we finish their project, we give customers a gift certificate they can use in our showroom for any purchase. With the restrictions in Manitoba over the last many months, we could not sell any non-essential items, so these times, for the most part, couldn’t be sold. This wasn’t expected to significantly increase our sales as we don’t have tons of traffic like a regular retail store would have, but customers seemed to like the products we carried.
CKCA: What do you think you do well that draws customers to shop with you? H. BOEHLIG: Our mission statement states the following: We build highquality cabinets, stand by our product, and seek our customers’ complete approval and satisfaction. Some customers want to buy products made in Manitoba. We run our business with integrity and honesty towards our customers, suppliers, and employees. SHOULD YOU TIKTOK IT? CKCA: Have you increased your social
media presence? www.woodindustry.ca 25
PROFILE
Woodlawn kitchen by Rosehill Woodcrafters
H. BOEHLIG: Yes, we had been slowly doing more than just having a website and maybe paying for Google ad words. When the first lockdown hit shortly after, we had just displayed at The Winnipeg Renovation Show, which was our biggest single source for new leads; we started putting way more effort into online presence and content. For example, my online marketing person made a short TikTok video in 5 minutes one day before leaving for the weekend. It blew up to have almost a half million views and 51,000 likes, and then we looked at our website hits, and it blew up as well! CKCA: What types of resources does it take to manage your social media channels? H. BOEHLIG: In the past, we have hired 26 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
companies/individuals to set up our website or social media content, and for the most part, that wasn’t working. Unless you have a large budget to throw at a marketing company, you won’t get the traction you are looking for, in my experience. When the lockdown first started just over a year ago, I changed the role of my one employee handling sales and online marketing to be online marketing only. She rebuilt our website, scheduled posts, got relevant content from our employees to post, and lots of other things that would help us get out there. She is currently assisting with sales part-time as we are swamped since our online leads are up 300% since last year!
social media? For example, are they equally as important, or is one more important than the other?
WHAT’S THE PRIORITY? CKCA: How would you prioritize your
T. BOEHLIG: Our website and social media are of high value to our customers and us; however, I value constantly
website compared to your content on
H. BOEHLIG: It may be better to ask
my online marketing person to answer that, but I think its important to keep it all fresh and current – otherwise, it will get stale, and you won’t get the benefit of all the other work you are doing – it’s all tied together in some ways online. So we asked the online marketing person! Taylor Boehlig, Marketing and Sales for Rosehill and Harvey’s daughter, was happy to give us her perspective.
PROFILE keeping our social media updated. I try to update a few things on our website at least once a month, and I always make sure to post updated photos as we take them. Many of our potential customers reach out to us through the contact page on our website, and we consistently have high website traffic, so it is crucial to keep it fresh. With social media, if we haven’t posted in a month, customers won’t care to follow us since we regularly provide quality content. I schedule all of our social media posts up to three months in advance, which allows me to ensure we have an appropriate number of days between posts! I always aim for two to four posts per week with varying content to keep our followers engaged but not overwhelmed with how often we post. Social media allows us to reach many people who otherwise may not have heard of us, and I think our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are great gateways to get people directed to our website. INCREASED LITERACY CKCA: In our industry, what percentage
of people have better online social media literacy than before COVID? T. BOEHLIG: As far as social media presence in the cabinet industry, I think that many companies have started to use social media to combat or take advantage of the effects COVID has had on sales, whether that is a negative or positive effect. Pre-COVID, I don’t remember seeing much on social media for cabinetry companies that stood out. I have seen companies stepping their game up since COVID. We have always been active on social media, but we have taken a much more targeted approach to social media in the last year. Trade shows are usually our big boost for sales. Still, without that exposure, we have pivoted to find other ways to provide our potential customers with the valuable information they go to trade shows for. Social media is a useful tool, and with the uncertainties of
TOP: Kingston kitchen by Rosehill Woodcrafters BOTTOM: Stewart kitchen by Rosehill Woodcrafters
“WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, BUT WE HAVE TAKEN A MUCH MORE TARGETED APPROACH TO SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE LAST YEAR.” COVID and when things will return to “normal,” I think that many companies will be starting to take advantage of it! Travel through Rosehill’s website, it’s fresh, navigable and the connections to social media are clear. We were
delighted to see Rosehill display their certification credential earned through CKCA, further demonstrating their commitment to quality assurance. We wish Rosehill Woodcrafters continued success.
CKCA Members strive for quality, professionalism, and innovation. For more profiles like these and many other benefits, consider becoming a CKCA member! www.woodindustry.ca 27
FOREST TO FACTORY
A modern wood design education Sarah Hicks
Mass timber project from the “Places of Production: Forest / Factory” course 28 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
FEATURE
T
he media is awash with wood buildings and wood industry updates. Our collective attention is focused on the innovation and creativity that delivers larger and taller wood buildings worldwide. Powerful words are being used to describe what is happening.
Words like “renaissance” and “revolution” are common and signal the massive, transformative change the construction industry faces as modern mass timber construction takes hold.
Mass timber construction has found widespread support for several significant reasons. Chief among them is wood’s environmental performance. In the face of a growing carbon crisis and irrefutable evidence of climate change, we must do everything we can to reduce the built environment’s carbon footprint and make the move to sustainably sourced wood construction materials. The challenge is that prescriptive building codes have marginalized wood for decades. Although regulatory bodies are now moving to ensure regulations reflect the tremendous advances being made in the wood industry, there is a shortage of woodexperienced professionals. According to Reed Kelterborn, National Education Manager at the Canadian Wood Council, “most post-secondary design and construction curriculum in Canada has focused on concrete and steel; but with increasingly larger and taller wood structures being built today, there is a growing need for knowledgeable wood design and construction professionals.” Fortunately, many individuals and groups are committed to training future practitioners and existing professionals. For one, the CWC’s WoodSMART program supports the efforts of institutions and educators to help develop wood design courses or enhance existing programs with wood design content that will prepare future practitioners to create modern timber buildings.
Individual institutions are also taking it upon themselves to develop new content for their students. A couple of years ago, we were pleased to be part of a new course created by Professor Brigitte Shim and Professor Robert Wright for the Master of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Program at the University of Toronto. The design studio called “Places of Production: Forest / Factory” brought students right into the heart of what’s happening in mass timber introduced them to numerous industry stakeholders, and gave them essential timber design experience. It was a privilege to be part of Brigitte and Robert’s design studio, and the students’ enthusiasm for wood design and the work they produced was inspiring. The studio has since inspired a publication, “Places of Production: Forest and Factory” from the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, produced with the Canadian Wood Council and the woodSMART Program. Students in the design studio used our St. Thomas factory expansion plans as a starting point for reimagining the traditionally insular factory building. They explored how it could be combined with new and innovative programs to ensure a strong future for places of production in the life of local communities. The studio allowed the Daniels’ students to explore the critical and relatively untapped relationship
between forestry and design. “The forest and the factory are both examples of constructed nature that speak to our contemporary attitudes towards nature and production. Each studio group provided an integrated design response to the studio brief, considering the role of the landscape and built form to develop a bold design solution that explored the role of forestry and design simultaneously,” share Wright and Shim in the publication’s introduction. The publication has received critical acclaim from professionals in the industry. In early 2022, The Softwood Lumber Board and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) announced the winners of the 2022 Timber Education Prize, where “Places of Production: Forest and Factory” was listed as an honourable mention. Element5 believes firmly in supporting the education of students and existing practitioners. As mass timber experts, we see it as our role to be ambassadors of mass timber, sharing information and expertise to expand everyone’s capacity for wood design. Whether it is a factory tour, cost consulting, design assistance, offering insight on efficiently designing in mass timber, or speaking about prefabrication and DfMA, we want to help. We believe modular, mass timber construction is the future, and we want as many people as possible to participate in that vision. www.woodindustry.ca 29
FEATURE
PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE Pulling together all aspects of the industry By Grace Tatigian
Old Growth Trees on Cortes Island, BC
T
he beautiful thing about wood is that you can trace it back to its roots, literally. The process has so many facets, from harvesting to the final product, that all work in unison that you don’t see when you sit on a chair or open a cupboard. A new project coming out of British Columbia is looking to connect all of these facets, from environmentalism to forestry, design, culture, education, and technology. I spoke to Jody Phillips, co-founder of 1st Place, an agency responsible for organizing cultural and creative projects in the Pacific Northwest. “This is an opportunity to reconsider BC’s over-century-old relationship with 30 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
and reliance on logging through the lens of design. Past, Present is a project that supports design solutions aligned with British Columbia’s recent logging deferrals,” is how Phillips describes the project. “The culmination of this initiative that enlists students, industry and leading environmentally driven companies, will be public exhibitions in both Vancouver and then Victoria in late 2022.” Some might call Past, Present an event, but it’s more of an initiative. Equal parts school assignment, case study, design challenge, cultural exploration, collaboration, and so much more. Bringing together industry, academia, and associations, the project seeks to
reframe the narrative around wood as a material. “It’s so binary; people think that environmentalists need to be anti-forestry or that loggers must be climate change deniers,” said Phillips. “It’s very polarizing, but really, it’s more than that. We want to open up the conversation of the future of forestry in the public sphere.” Industrial design students from Emily Carr will be supplied with hemlock, woodfibre, and offcuts from Ellingsen Woods, a family-owned and operated sawmill on Cortes Island, and tasked to create 14 to 21 prototyped, marketable, finished, value-designed wood products. The challenge of making these products
FEATURE marketable and manufacturable is what makes this a different and unique challenge. Oftentimes, a design challenge like this results in beautiful, one-of-akind pieces, more akin to art than furniture. But that isn’t the goal. “We’re not looking to create another Eames chair,” she explained, referencing an iconic design piece that goes for $6000-7000. “This isn’t for the 1%. We want to produce pieces that are accessible. We want this to be reproducible. This isn’t just an exercise.” Luckily, they have someone very Aaron Ellingsen working at his sawmill to sustainably harvest western hemlock for the Past, experienced at the helm, directing the Present project. students. Professor Christian Blyt is responsible for developing Past, He has experience challenging his and ʔop qaymɩxw (Homalco) Nations. Present, and leading the curriculum students to create pieces that fit a Deeply grateful to these First Nacomponent. Blyt is an award-winning certain price range. tions for their stewardship and leaddesigner and Associate Professor in Another part of the challenge will ership, Ellingsen Woods is hopeful Industrial Design at Emily Carr Uni- be understanding the cultural con- their participation in Past, Present versity. His work encompasses a wide text of the wood. Cortes Island is lo- will help determine the most responrange of international experiences cated within the unceded, ancestral sible and best way forward for their in different education, design, and territories of the 8:28 toq AMqaymɩxw (Kla- business and the island and province Cold Press Line Wood Industry Canada.pdf 1 2022-02-08 manufacturing industry segments. hoose), ɬəʔamɛn qaymɩxw (Tla’amin) they call home.
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FEATURE
“THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECONSIDER BC’S OVERCENTURY-OLD RELATIONSHIP WITH AND RELIANCE ON LOGGING THROUGH THE LENS OF DESIGN.” “We need to take care of this land; we have what other people would call ridiculously low cut levels, probably 90% below the Allowable Annual Cut rates,” laughed Aaron Ellingsen. “But we want to be responsible when it comes to sustainable forestry, and the community holds us to that. Cortes Islanders are known to be ferocious protesters.” Ellingsen Woods’ fibre is sourced from the Cortes Island Community Forest, which is managed by the Cortes Forestry General Partnership. The CFGP is an equal partnership between Klahoose Forestry No 2 Limited Partnership (the Klahoose First Nation) and the Cortes Com-
munity Forest Co-op (representing the Island’s settler community). “Many of the students in this class are international,” explained Phillips. “So there’s a lot for them to learn about how environmentalism fits into Canadian industrial design, a lot for them to learn about indigenous culture - the class is going to go out to Cortes, visit the community and get some of the youth from the island involved in the design process. Right now, they’re working on the research and development process.” At the time of the interview, the wood was at the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) at UBC for kiln drying. UBC is also highly involved in the
project, offering up their space, technology, and expertise - all the way up to the Dean of Forestry, Robert Kozak, who provides guidance on the project. “In the end, we want this to be a permanent exhibition, but it’s so much more than that,” said Phillips. “We have amazing institutional partners: Emily Carr, UBC, Twig, plus, cinematographer Jeremey Cox, and award-winning photographer Alana Paterson. It’s an amazing team.” The goal is to have the exhibition ready for the end of 2022, barring COVID curveballs. Doubtless, what we learn from the project will inform the industry for years to come.
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COLUMN
SUPPORTING STARTUPS Encouraging independent innovators By Patrick Christie
B
efore The Wood Innovation Group (TWIG), and compared to our booming tech, gaming, and cleantech sector, British Columbia was a barren landscape for anyone trying to “startup” an idea related to wood. Although we are in a coastal rainforest in a province rich in natural resources, the support for entrepreneurs in wood is closer to the ecosystem of a desert. Even finding a way into the industry as a newcomer or outsider is challenging unless you’re studying in programs that are industry-driven with co-op and work placements. Most of the choices relating to how wood is used are happening elsewhere, behind closed doors and in companies with no R&D departments. As a result, independent innovators are working in isolation across the province, tinkering away on ideas and using the resources they have in proximity to them or what can be found online - using what they can to do their best. For Indigenous communities across the province, the circumstances are even more isolating, as 75% of communities across BC do not have access to broadband internet for streaming. For them, access to information, high-quality video content, and Zoom is not an option basic affordances can have a huge impact on the livelihoods of remote communities. “Our goal is to let users and makers of products interact and explore opportuni-
Businesses connecting through TWIG 34 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
ties in a casual, relaxed atmosphere that encourages creative ideas and fosters new partnerships.” In being founded and supported through the Center for Advanced Wood Processing at UBC, the strong foundation of Wood Science, Forestry, Manufacturing, and new Technologies was extended into TWIG (at the time called Outside the Box). With UBC being out on a peninsula, the events were hosted in East Vancouver in the heart of the arts and culture district, and where many woodworkers have set up shop. I was one of those people who had set up shop with four other Industrial Design
graduates from Emily Carr at a space called the Yew Woodshop, and this facility became the main location for OTB to host events for the first few years. From here, the OTB meetup group started to take shape, as the recurring interactions within a saw-dust-making space allowed for a community to establish a sense of place and identity that was different from the regular 9-5 mode. We hosted over 50 in-person meetups with 35 special guests who presented on a range of wood-based topics. Our monthly meetups took place over ten venues across the city and created 100s of connections that resulted in
COLUMN
many startups, project opportunities, and long-lasting connections. The format of OTB was simple. Meet at a common location with food and drinks provided for a small fee of $20. The evening would fill our plates and stomachs and meet other attendees. After 30 minutes of informal conversations, the organizers would introduce themselves and the group. Then the guest presenter would share their story, either in a digital presentation, a hands-on show and tell, or a combination of both. The topic and ideas they presented would spark
the room for discussions and Q&A, and people would have a chance to share any ideas they would have or concepts they were working on. We had people attending from many generations, from those in their 20s to veterans in their 80s, all with a shared interest in doing more and adding more value to BC products. I met my mentor, Art Paul (Permanent Pole), in his mid-80s. I learned how to add value from an alternative perspective through
him, driven by creativity, design, ingenuity, and teamwork. He said that you couldn’t be innovative by simply tweaking or adjusting something existing. You have to go beyond what others are thinking and doing and invest in processes and methods that will enable you to produce unique results that push you ahead of the competition. “The value in the material is in how you treat it.” - Art Paul, 1930–2017
This article is the third in a five-part series exploring how TWIG offers an alternative pathway to innovation that values humans, resources, and the economy.
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FEATURE
DECODING COATED ABRASIVES Looking at the nitty-gritty
By Caylena Cahill, Uneeda’s Creative Director
ibility for sanding discs. It provides a flat surface for the grains while also being resistant to tearing and bending to match profiles. Foam sponges can be used on white wood, but they’re used more frequently for finishing applications, such as sanding between coats of finish. COATINGS:
‘Coatings’ refers to the percentage of space on the backing covered with grain. An open coat has the most open space and least grain coverage, allowing for a cooler sanding experience and less loading. A closed coat has the most grain coverage. This will produce a more even scratch and a better finish. It’s also good for heavier stock removal since more grains are present to do the cutting.
I
n general, the goal of sanding is to produce the least amount of heat possible. This heat will cause the resins in woods, paints, and glues to melt and become gummy and stay on the sandpaper, along with the sanding dust and any other stray particles. Doing so will result in a better finish and a longer lifespan for your abrasives and, therefore, a lower cost for supplies. Knowing the properties of the material will help you optimize this. Next, you need to know the nitty-gritty details about your sandpaper. GRAINS:
When it comes to friability, not all grains are created equal. Some grains will become dull. When a grain becomes dull, that can create an uneven or blotchy finish. Aluminum oxide is recommended for most lower-grit to 36 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
FILLERS AND CHEMICAL COATINGS:
medium-grit applications, and silicon carbide or aluminum oxide for some finishing or higher-grit applications. BACKINGS:
Coated abrasives can be made on different substrates; each offers various advantages and disadvantages. Paper generally offers one of the best finishes but can be easily torn. Depending on the thickness of the paper, it can be more or less flexible and more or less durable. Cloth products are often quite durable and can be used for heavy-duty machine sanding. Because the cloth used in these products contains a weave, this can cause an uneven scratch that could cause issues in the finish. Film is used for coated abrasives is generally seen to be the optimal combination of durability and flex-
Stearate is an external coating on some coated abrasives. It acts as a lubricant to reduce friction while sanding. Besides reducing heat, another benefit to reducing friction is reducing the opportunity for static to occur. Static electricity can be a big problem when sanding, as it can cause dust extraction to run amok. GRITS:
Coated abrasives come in various grits, starting as low as P8 and going to P1200. Before making a product selection, it’s key to understand the basics of coated abrasives. When it comes to navigating the world of coated abrasives, there are many variables to consider, and it can be complicated to identify the best solution to meet your needs. This article just scratches the surface (no pun intended!) of these products.
EVENTS
THE FUTURE OF TRADE SHOWS Tradeshow market expected to boom By Grace Tatigian
I
’m not going to lie; writing the event article for each magazine is the most challenging part of the job. I started in this industry about a year ago, meaning that I haven’t had the chance to go to an actual trade show yet due to COVID. Luckily, I have fantastic coworkers and contacts who can help and direct me in writing articles that will hopefully come across as informative and interesting and not just repeating information you can find on the event’s website. But that’s only part of why I find it challenging to write these articles. There’s an ethical issue when it comes to writing about these events in our current climate. I understand the importance of trade shows to the woodworking industry. I make an effort in every event article to highlight why these shows are essential to both exhibitors and attendees, but I wonder if the business benefits of these shows outweigh the health risks. I have a hard time writing enthusiastically about shows taking place in locations where masks aren’t required, vaccination levels are low, and the attitude is laissez-faire towards the pandemic in general. Living on an island where the vaccination rate is 94%, traveling anywhere seems like an unnecessary risk. I started my Fall editor’s note saying I was excited that everything was opening up again and that I’d be heading to WMS in a few short weeks. Right after we went to print, WMS was postponed and ultimately cancelled due to Omicron. Now that spring is around the corner, numbers seem to be going down and several provincial governments have announced plans to ease restrictions. Hopefully, that means that soon we’ll have the opportunity to get back out on the show floor, safely.
Participants and exhibitors at IWF
Let’s face it, many people in our industry are old school. We publish so many articles about innovators and trailblazers because they are the exception and not the rule. Woodworkers like to get out there, shake hands, and press the flesh. Our business needs tradeshows. We want to see new equipment in action and touch the latest products. Relationships are built on and off the show floor, putting faces to names and sharing stories. It’s much more appealing to travel to a show and spend a few days soaking it all in than trying to learn how to use a new platform and troubleshoot technical glitches while sitting in front of a computer. The verdicts on virtual shows are mixed. While there has been a lot of success for conferences and training sessions, attendee engagement is typically lower for virtual trade shows. Yes, it is less expensive for the exhibitors,
but if they aren’t reaching attendees in the same way, is it worth it? It still comes back to considering the return on investment, even if that investment is smaller. Statista shows that the trade show market in the US was worth 15.58 billion USD in 2019 and crashed down to 5.6 billion in 2020. As of mid-2021, it was projected to rebound to 14.5 billion dollars by 2024, which is fantastic news for us. Don’t get me wrong; I can see that there have been a lot of efforts on the part of trade show organizers to make events safer and more accessible over the last couple of years - from safety pavilions to hybrid platforms. It’s allowed us to continue to have access to these events throughout the pandemic, even if it wasn’t quite the same. But I must say, I’m looking forward to getting out on a show floor and meeting our readers in person. www.woodindustry.ca 37
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Giardina Dualtech 420 Spray Machine The Dualtech 420 spray machine with two reciprocating arms has been designed to spray stain, primer, and finish onto all smooth or shaped surfaces. It is available in three versions: “Single Belt” (SB) with a 2,000 mm synthetic belt equipped with the traditional and reliable GiardinaGroup product recovery and belt cleaning system; “Dual Belt” (DB) with a synthetic belt and disposable paper system, so that the operator can choose the most suitable system; “Single Belt Paper” (SBC) with a disposable paper system. The abatement system can be dry or water curtain, while the “Dualfast” gun “quick change” system makes it possible to switch from one color to another in a few seconds.
Novimat R3 Edgebander The Novimat Compact R3 edgebanding machine makes highly professional edge processing possible on an industrial scale. This IMA edgebander handles all aspects of edge processing. Coiled materials can be applied with glue such as EVA or PUR. It also includes additional units for grooving or smoothing operations. By automating essential functions, the Novimat Compact R3 can perfectly process all pending tasks and edging tapes. With steplessly variable feed speeds up to 25 m/min and quick glue change via the IMA quick-lock system, the Novimat Compact R3 lets the industry perform cost-effective, high-quality edgebanding without restrictions.
Vitap Point K2 2.0 machining center Point K2 2.0 is the technological evolution of numerical control machines for wood processing. The power of four machines is concentrated in a revolutionary machining center: cutting unit, profile unit, drilling unit, routering-nesting. The innovative patented Vitap Bar Nesting System technology allows the five faces of the panel to be machined in just 4 minutes. Among the features that make Point K2 2.0 unique is the patented DDT System Double Dynamic Transport technology, a double clamp technology for seamless panel movement, and the four sides milling device 0-3 mm. Point K2 2.0 has a new automatic tool changer warehouse and has a working area (Y-axis) of 1250 mm.
CNC machine centre profit H80 The panel cutting, drilling, and milling centre profit H80 from Felder brings highly efficient 4.0 furniture production into future-proof cabinetmaker and carpenter workshops. Complete custom-made furniture with all holes, grooves, and connections is produced in one operation at the click of a mouse. The latest nesting technologies ensure the highest possible material and time savings. The profit H80 can be extended to full automation with different loading and unloading solutions, thus achieving maximum material processing. The software tools for maximum productivity accompany you through the entire production chain — the easiest design of individual pieces of furniture in the familiar CAD environment.
Storeteq S-200 Transportation routes are optimized, material and time are measurably saved by using the STORETEQ S-200. The ST71 suction traverse in X geometry is the ideal optional feature for the STORETEQ S-200. As far as process reliability is concerned, the self-teaching cross rail leaves little to be desired. The ST71 generates the data required for handling panels themselves. The operator doesn’t have to enter anything. Processing machines are connected via standardized interfaces. Whether you’re placing a panel directly on the saw or connecting a processing machine to the storage system via roller conveyor — the STORETEQ S-200 ensures the processing machines connected add value optimally.
Finger jointing cutters With a new finger geometry, LEUCO is adding an innovative cutter to its program that can be used with fiber-containing and fiberless PU glue. The cutter is ideal for companies that make joints with both PU glues and provides many advantages for all other companies. Due to the universal application possibilities, the machine operator will no longer have to change the cutter in the future, i.e., machine downtimes will be reduced. On the other hand, there is no longer any danger of mixing up the previously different cutters, which reduces the reject rate.
38 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
PRODUCT SHOWCASE Portable dust cyclone separator Busy Bee’s all-new Cyclone Separator is perfect for dust and chip separation for use with your existing dust collector. This is a great economical way of turning your single-stage dust collection set up into a more efficient two-stage without the need for buying a completely new unit. This cyclone separator features a 5” inlet and two 4” adaptors making it easy to connect to just about any machine in your shop. This unit can be installed on dust collectors with a horsepower rating of up to 3 HP, equipped with a 118 L drum with a window that allows you to see when the drum needs to be changed.
Lateral opening door systems Sugatsune’s Lateral opening door systems offer an unbroken surface for storage systems giving a minimalist contemporary look. The approach provides the designer with a complete range of Lateral opening options from small cabinets to full height walk-in wardrobe or partition doors. The Lateral Opening Mechanism allows doors to swing out laterally in a small radius, ideal for tight front space application. The built-in gas spring provides a smooth self-opening and closing movement. The system has various applications and can be used in single or double door configurations. This is ideal for storage cabinets in the kitchen, closet room, bathroom, laundry room, and more.
Invincible Six Invincible Six machine from SCM features: Double blade tilting: maximum height without compromise. The exclusive SCM solution can simultaneously use a 550mm saw blade and 160mm scoring blade for both 90° and ± 46° inclined cuts, providing the best performance on veneered panels and solid wood components. Sliding carriage: maximum cut quality guaranteed over time. The carriage will never require adjustment due to its structure with archground steel slideways. eye-S console: the pleasure of controlling all machine functions from the control panel. The new control panel allows easy and intuitive machine programming, combining the 15” color touch-screen display and the Maestro active user interface with its attractive design.
Blaze 120 The Blaze 120 from Biesse is the hydraulic hot press for pressing laminates, veneer onto MDF, plywood, and chipboard, which applies maximum pressure for perfect gluing. The lower platen moves by actuation of hydraulic oil cylinders. The press is used for various applications. It works on the premise of Pascal’s law “when there is an increase in pressure at any point in a confined fluid; it propagates in all directions with the same intensity.” Biesse Blaze 120 thermic oil heating technology takes full advantage of the maximum heating temperature of 120 °C, which is ideal for activating the glue for perfect gluing.
43″ Widebelt Sander The Cantek PS43DA 43″ Widebelt Sander combines a solid machine frame with unparalleled machine features resulting in superior sanding quality & reliability. The dual sanding heads result in fewer passes through the sander resulting in increased efficiency and throughput. The first sanding head is a steel contact drum with superior calibration capacities and durability. The second head consists of a versatile combination head with a rubber contact drum and adjustable sanding platen to perform further calibration or finish sanding with finer sanding grits. The 75” long belts allow for longer runs between belt changes. The quick setting digital thickness control allows for accurate, automatic table adjustment for precise sanding result.
Decor Match System EGGER edge banding is the finishing touch to the Decor Match System, with a full line of matching thermally fused laminate and laminate surfaces, offering a comprehensive one-stop solution for all of your design concepts. EGGER edge banding is manufactured in-house, ensuring an ideal match across an integrated range of surfaces, guaranteeing color, pattern, and texture consistency. Feelwood End Grain Edge Banding combines with Feelwood surfaces to capture the natural look of solid wood. End grain edge banding depicts the annular rings of sawn timber, while deep-grain textures achieve the feel of natural wood but with lower cost and greater durability. www.woodindustry.ca 39
EVENTS
MARCH
MAY
SEPTEMBER
March 31, 2022 Government Funding for Hiring & Training Online web.mentorworks.ca/2022-03-31-hiringtraining
May 11-13, 2022 2022 CHPVA Annual Spring Meeting Quebec City, QC chpva.ca/news
September 19 - October 1 CKCA National Forum Waterloo, ON ckca.ca/event/ckca-national-eventontario-2022/
APRIL April 5-10, 2022 Salone Internazionale del Mobile Milan, Italy salonemilano.it/en/exhibitions/saloneinternazionale-del-mobile April 6-8, 2022 IWPA World of Wood Convention Orlando, FL iwpawood.org/events/EventDetails. aspx?id=1375022&group April 12, 2022 Mass Timber Clinic: Introducing and Mastering Design Topics Portland, OR masstimberconference.com/event-agenda/ clinic/ April 12-14, 2022 International Mass Timber Conference Portland, OR masstimberconference.com April 27-29, 2022 COFI Convention Vancouver, BC cofi.org/2022-convention/ April 27-29, 2022 Wood Pro Expo & Closets Conference and Expo San Diego, CA woodworkingnetwork.com/events/woodpro-expo
May 24-25, 2022 Montréal Wood Convention Montreal, QC montrealwoodconvention.com/en/
JUNE June 7-12, 2022 Salone del Mobile.Milano Milan, Italy salonemilano.it/en June 9-12, 2022 AWMAC National Convention Calgary, AB awmac.com/national-convention/ convention-events/ June 14-17, 2022 Eurobois Lyon, France www.eurobois.net/
AUGUST August 23-26, 2022 IWF Atlanta Atlanta, GA www.iwfatlanta.com/
OCTOBER October 13-14, 2022 Wood Pro Expo Lancaster, PA woodworkingnetwork.com/events/woodpro-expo-lancaster October 27-29, 2022 SIBO: Salon Industriel du Bois Ouvré Drummondville, QC woodworkingnetwork.com/events/salonindustriel-du-bois-ouvre
MARCH March 29-31, 2023 IWPA World of Wood Convention Savannah, Georgia iwpawood.org/events/EventDetails. aspx?id=1375024&group=
MAY May 15-19, 2023 Ligna Hannover, Germany ligna.de/en/news/news-articles/nextregular-ligna-in-may-2023-ligna-21-willnot-take-place
Dates and locations subject to change.
40 WOOD INDUSTRY SPRING 2022
FACTS AND STATS
1.84 billion
Monthly retail sales of furniture and home furnishing stores in Canada amounted to 1.84 billion dollars in August 2021. Source: Statistica
$140,000 In September 2021, Ontario manufactured 140,000 dollars worth of wood kitchen cabinets and countertops.
6.9%
Statistics Canada
Lumber and other wood products were the largest contributing factors to the monthly decline in the IPPI, with a decrease of 6.9%. Statistics Canada
39.1%
1.11 billion
Recruiting skilled employees was expected to be an obstacle for 39.1% of businesses in manufacturing, the highest proportion of all sectors.
In March 2021, the GDP for the office furniture manufacturing sector stood at around 1.11 billion dollars. Statistics Canada
Statistica
19,695 The trade value of furniture exported from Canada to the United States amounted to approximately 4.79 billion USD in 2020.
4,000 There are more than 4,000 independent kitchen cabinet shops across Canada. Statistica
CKCA www.woodindustry.ca 41
FACTS AND STATS
55.3 billion
3,164
It is projected that the revenue of lumber, millwork, hardware, and other building supplies merchant wholesalers in Canada will amount to approximately 55,3 billion USD by 2024.
There are a total of 3,164 wood product manufacturing companies across Canada.
Statistica
$1.2 billion $1.2 billion worth of Alberta lumber was exported to the states in 2020 alone.
Statistics Canada
Department of Forestry of Alberta
1.1 million
120
In September 2021, British Columbia manufactured 1.1 million dollars worth of wood products.
Quebec has the highest number of veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product manufacturing companies in the country, with a total of 120. Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada
Introducing
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MAXIMIZE YOUR SANDING POTENTIAL Infinity Perfect solution for small to medium sized companies Reverse rotation of all brushing units –SWITCH FROM WHITEWOOD TO PRIMER/SEALER– at the push of a button Eliminates change-over time by using double-back abrasives All sanding rollers or disc stations are adjustable for speed, height, and rotation Heavy duty motors components & frame designed for years of demanding use For the wood, metal, plastic & composite industries Interchangeable system allows for fast changing of units for different applications Available in 600mm/24”, 1000mm/40” & 1350mm/52” widths Available with one, two, three or four sanding stations
TS-DS 1350 Uniformly sand edges of all parts Oscillating & rotating discs Polish, sand, scuff or buff profiled or flat pieces made of wood, metal, plastic & composites Easy set-up & use with maximum adjustability
282 Orenda Rd W, Brampton ON L6T 4X6 | 800-386-5222 | tauruscraco.com
Flap System
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kinvaro.com
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