Wood Industry Summer 2022 by MediaEdge

THE BUSINESS SIDE OF WOODWORKING

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www.woodindustry.ca

SUMMER 2022

CUSTOM MADE CONCEPTS HITS THE ROAD RETIREMENT & AUTOMATION

MODERN FARMHOUSE KITCHENS

PRICES & PROFIT

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FEATURES 26

Going Global

Finishing Touches

High-End Cabinetry and Movie Stars

What you need to know about international shipping From matte to metallic Marvel has it all

COLUMNS 18

Innovation And Evolution

Robotic Lean Cells

Top Tip

Creating the space for possibilities How to shop for a robot

“I have water in my lines”

DEPARTMENTS 4

From the Editor

Product Showcase

Stats & Facts

The intersection of people and automation

THE BUSINESS SIDE OF WOODWORKING www.woodindustry.ca

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Vol. 18, No.2

CONTENTS

SUMMER 2022

CUSTOM MADE CONCEPTS HITS THE ROAD RETIREMENT & AUTOMATION

MODERN FARMHOUSE KITCHENS

PRICES & PROFIT

FROM THE EDITOR

THE INTERSECTION OF PEOPLE AND AUTOMATION

Grace Tatigian

PUBLISHER

Mike Neeb

miken@mediaedge.ca EDITOR

WE’VE WRITTEN A LOT OVER the last year about the skilled labour shortage and the problems it causes in our industry. While it’s good news for the economy that unemployment in Canada reached a record low of 5.2% in April, it makes hiring very challenging. As we’ll see in our article on labour shortage and retirement, this problem isn’t going anywhere soon; we need long-term solutions. We’ve said it before, and we’ll repeat it: automation is the answer. We have several articles delving into the benefits of automation and robotics in this issue. Automated shops make more products in a day, get them out the door faster, and reduce errors and waste. All that adds up to higher profits and better margins. Yet, many smaller shops are still hesitant to take that step. Another nerve-racking change a lot of companies are reluctant to make? Getting into the export business. International sales average higher value than domestic sales and can result in 60% faster growth for your business, but many choose to stick to working close to home. Maybe that’s because they don’t have the capacity to start taking orders from orders from outside the country, which brings us back to the labour shortage and automation again. It’s circular and will only get better when we integrate permanent solutions. But that’s not to say that automation can replace the need for intelligent, capable people on the shop floor. Some things, particularly custom work, will always need to be done by hand. You also need people to watch for the newest products and latest trends. We’ve got a few design pieces here to give you an idea of what people want and what’s possible. We cover everything from your classic white painted cabinet to unique VeroMetal finishing. Some customers want the newest trends incorporated into their designs, and others want something timeless. Either way, it’s essential to have this kind of knowledge so you can be the go-to choice for every type of customer. That’s where we come in, keeping you up to date. We’re lucky to have an extensive list of industry experts who provide us with articles and opinions to make sure we have our finger on the pulse of the industry. Like what you’ve read so far? Inspired to jump into the conversation? Interested in adding “Industry Expert” to your title? Get in touch, and we’ll work with you to find the best way to share your knowledge, whether you’re a writer or not. Our e-digest is where we share the latest news, updates, and time-sensitive information. That might be awards finalist profiles, association updates, and news on available government funding. Reach out to me at gracet@mediaedge.ca, and we can get to know each other and learn how we can work with one another to create a magazine that represents you and your business.

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

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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

Team Growth at HOMAG Canada

HOMAG Canada is pleased to announce that Sascha Kuraschka has joined the team as digital solutions product specialist. Kuraschka has been in the industry for more than 20 years, during which time he has held positions in software development, field service, IT, and service management. Kuraschka’s strong technical customer service background and extensive industry experience will ensure our customers receive expert advice and support in the area of software and digital solutions as they grow their business. The company is also pleased to announce the promotion of Nelio Fernandes to regional sales manager. “Nelio has been with HOMAG for 12 years, during which time he has held positions in field service, service support, and product management, proving himself to be committed to the growth of our customers and fellow colleagues. His manufacturing background, along with his extensive industry experience, has proven to be an asset in his ability to consistently deliver solutions and exceed the expectations of our customers.”

Red Seal Forty Under 40 Winner

BCIT Carpentry alum Kevin Hatch receives Forty Under 40 award from Business in Vancouver (BIV). Winners are under 40 and have demonstrated excellence in business, judgment, leadership, and community contribution. 6 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

“I was super honoured to receive the award amongst so many amazing business leaders,” says Hatch, President and Founder of Twin Lions Contracting. “I’ve always really tried to drive our company forward while providing a company culture that makes people love to come to work and while keeping our community a top priority. It was great to be recognized for that.” Hatch and his company were recognized for their commitment to community, growth through entrepreneurship, and a strong focus on the skilled trades. In addition to their busy contract work, Hatch and his team make time to take on pro-bono work in the North Vancouver community, applying their renovation skills to projects that are impactful for the non-profit organization and meaningful for his staff.

New CTO at WEINIG AG

WEINIG AG, the leading technology provider for the solid wood and panel processing industry and small businesses, has a new Chief Technology Officer. The supervisory board has appointed Dr. Georg Hanrath as Chief Technology Officer. He studied mechanical engineering, focusing on manufacturing/production technology at RWTH Aachen University, where he also completed his doctorate. “With Dr. Georg Hanrath, we have been able to win an excellent, internationally experienced chief technology officer. We are convinced that with the newly completed management board, we are very well positioned to successfully continue the future development of the WEINIG Group,” said Thomas Bach, Chairman of the supervisory board. Alongside CEO Gregor Baumbusch and CFO Axel Steiger, Dr. Hanrath is responsible for the area of technology.

New Board Members at Goodfellow Inc.

Goodfellow Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Paule Têtu and Jim Hewitt to the Board of Directors. Têtu holds a degree in forest engineering from the Université Laval and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia. She is recognized for her strategic planning, concertation, communications, governance, and project management expertise. From 2012 to 2015, Têtu was Assistant Vice-Rector for Research and Creation at Laval University. In 2011 and 2012, she was responsible for strategic partnerships at FPInnovations. Hewitt is the Chairman and CEO of Hewitt Group Inc. and the Hewitt Foundation following the sale of Hewitt Equipment Limited, the Caterpillar dealer for Québec, Labrador West, and the Maritimes. Hewitt has been active in both industry and community affairs throughout his career. He has been a Board member of the Association de Construction de Montréal et Québec, the Canadian Construction Association, and the Montréal Board of Trade.

Anthony Remus Named New Managing Director at Holsag

Holsag, a manufacturer of fine wood chairs, has appointed Anthony Remus as the new Managing Director. Remus has more than 20 years of business leadership experience and joined the company in July 2021. He had previously joined the parent company, MITY, in 2017. MITY Inc. ranked #114 on the FDMC 300 list of top companies. “One thing that I’ve learned since joining Holsag is that the company pays extreme attention to detail,” he added. “The goal is to avoid having warranty issues or missing customers’

FILINGS expectations with our products and our interactions. When our customers get their products, we want them to receive exactly what they ordered and what they expect to receive to maintain the high brand awareness of both Holsag and MITY.”

GreenFirst’s New Additions to Board of Directors

GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. announced that Barbara Anie, David Chartrand, and W. Sean Willy had been elected to the GreenFirst Board of Directors. Anie is an experienced media marketer with over 17 years of expertise specializing in Brand Partnerships/ Strategic Solutions and Digital Sales/ Strategy with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Ryerson University. Currently, she leads the go-to-market strategies for key accounts and corporate partnerships across Torstar.

After leaving the Department of Justice with the Province of Manitoba in 1996, Chartrand was elected President of the Manitoba Métis Federation in 1997 and is the longest-serving President of the MMF, devoting his career to human rights, education, child welfare, economic development, justice, and veteran’s issues. Willy was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Des Nedhe Group in August 2017, after a 25-year career in the resource industry. With roots in the Denesuline and Metis communities, Sean, a member of the North Slave Metis Alliance, brings an understanding of the expectations and needs of Indigenous people.

Hettich’s New Technical Trainer

Hettich Canada’s National announced Chris Huston as their new technical trainer. A member of the Hettich Canada family for over 17 years, Huston brings a wealth of product knowledge and technical support to our customers and clients. If you have ever watched the Hettich Product Spotlight videos, you will recognize Huston as the calm,

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level-headed trainer able to walk one through any technical questions. Huston will be responsible for supporting the sales team’s business development initiatives and programs by adapting, developing, and delivering all product training programs for customers and enhancing relationships with our customers at the national level. He will be the go-to person for all technical support questions for the sales team and drive the product knowledge outreach activities. He will also work closely with trade associations on product knowledge and outreach to members.

NKBA’s 2022 Board of Directors

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has named the 2022 NKBA Board of Directors. The newly elected NKBA Board Chair is Basil E. Larkin, vice president of sales at Hestan Commercial Corp. He succeeds Michael Mahan, senior vice president of Home and Distribution, North America, Schneider Electric. “I am so honored to be named chair of the board of directors of the NKBA for

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FILINGS 2022. The relationships I have formed and insight I have gained since I have joined the board have been invaluable to me,” said Larkin. “This is an incredibly exciting time for the design community, and the enthusiasm is infectious.” Research indicates more homeowners are turning to professionals for their projects after the challenges in 2020. The NKBA and its members persevered through incredibly difficult times and continue to lead the industry. I look forward to serving our members and community alongside my valued fellow board members.”

Ralph Austin Steps Down As President of Seagate

Earlier this year, Ralph Austin stepped down as President of Seagate Mass Timber Inc., taking on a reduced role within the operations group for the company. Austin is the founder of Surrey, BC-based Seagate and has worked diligently to grow the brand and mass timber exposure in the industry for the last 20 years. Austin maintains that a strong team and positive industry relationships are

crucial to success and has consistently run the company with these values. Scott Comfort has since assumed the role of President. Comfort has been Seagate’s general manager since mid-2021 and brings a wealth of construction and leadership experience, has a passion for positive change, and will “build on Seagate’s previous achievements while growing an even stronger, more successful, full-service mass timber company.” Comfort’s 30 years of experience in construction leadership and strong blend of technical industry and formal post-secondary education uniquely positions him to guide Seagate in a construction industry poised for the exponential growth of mass timber.

WFP President and CEO Retiring

Western Forest Products Inc. announced that its President and CEO Don Demens had announced his intention to retire by March 31, 2023. “I am proud of what we have accomplished at Western,” said Demens. “I am confident in the strength of Western’s management team and am fully commit-

ted to ensuring a smooth transition to a new President and CEO who will continue to move Western forward as a leading wood products company.” The Board of Directors has started searching for the right candidate to fill the position. Demens will continue in his role until his replacement has been found to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to Western’s business. He will also remain a member of the company’s Board of Directors until the transition to his successor occurs. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Don for his significant contributions to the Company over the past 13 years, including nine as CEO,” said Michael Waites, Chair of the Board. “We are grateful for his continued commitment to providing leadership and support while we undertake the important work of selecting the company’s next President and CEO.”

Dr. Schwarz Appointed To HOMAG Executive Board

The Supervisory Board of HOMAG Group AG appointed Dr. Sergej Schwarz to the Executive Board. This means that it will consist of three mem-

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FILINGS bers even after the retirement of the Chairman of the CEO, Ralf W. Dieter: Dr. Daniel Schmitt as the new Chief Executive Officer, Rainer Gausepohl as Chief Financial Officer, and Dr. Schwarz. Dr. Schwarz joined the HOMAG Group back in 2016 as Head of the Edge Processing business unit. Since March of 2021, he has also been Spokesman of the Board of Management of HOMAG GmbH, Schopfloch, and Managing Director of HOMAG Kantentechnik GmbH, Lemgo. As a member of the Executive Board, he will be responsible for the global activities of the Edge Processing business unit and the project business with large-scale plants. Before joining the HOMAG Group, the graduate engineer held various management positions at Schaeffler AG in Herzogenaurach and Schweinfurt for many years, most recently as Vice President of the Renewable Energies sector.

expand international growth in a period of dynamic market changes. “Bürkle is an excellently positioned company with strong technology and solution competence. With the highly motivated and innovative Bürkle team, we will consolidate operations and then further expand our international market position,” said Sickmann. In the wood manufacturing industry, Bürkle roll and spray coating systems, laminating, thermoforming, and automated storage systems are used to produce furniture, flooring, doors, and wall panel. The focus on the three growth areas of wood-based material finishing, photovoltaics, and printed circuit boards is intended to continue the success story of recent years. The company is being supported by an individual strategic orientation of each business area and further technical innovations. Newest AWMAC Lifetime Member

Jan Sickmann Appointed Bürkle Group CEO

Shareholders of the Bürkle Group have appointed Jan Sickmann CEO. With a background in mechanical engineering, Sickmann takes over management of the group of Bürkle companies with the other managing directors. The company says this will strengthen the management team and consolidate its market position and

12 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

Tony Boyce has been in the furniture industry, starting work as a 16-year-old. Boyce emigrated to Canada in 1988 with his wife and family. They were brought to Canada by Goldcrest Furniture in Toronto, where Boyce worked as their Production Engineer; his biggest success was to convert the company to the metric system. At that time, Goldcrest was Hettich Canada’s biggest customer, accounting for over $2.5 million of business annually.

Boyce then started work at Hettich Canada in 1989 as Technical Advisor. He was hired by his mentor, Ernst Ehlebracht, the President and CEO of Hettich Canada. In 2016, Boyce went on the road as a Territory Sales Rep, starting in the Atlantic provinces. In subsequent years, he was also given the responsibility of Northern Ontario and Manitoba. Boyce finally decided to retire from Hettich after serving Hettich for 31 years and two months. AWMAC Ontario would like to congratulate Boyce on his retirement, thank him for his support of AWMAC throughout his years at Hettich, and welcome him as a lifetime member. Save the Date: WTD

The Canadian Woodworking Machinery Distributors Association (CWMDA) members are both pleased and excited to join their efforts again, bringing to the Canadian industry a unique and broad display of industrial woodworking machinery. This year, the event will run for six days, November 1-6, 2021, taking place simultaneously at all the participating members’ GTA showrooms. You can expect to see the latest technology available from top leading manufacturers – including some North-American premieres – and have the opportunity to attend impressive in-person live demos. No other show or single event brings you as much! Mark on your calendar and check the CWMDA website to know more!

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FEATURE

CABINET REFACING A great option for customers on a budget

By Curtis & Channell Murray, Owners of 180Kitchens

Refaced kitchen by 180Kitchens

itchen cabinet refacing is one of the most economical and simple ways to transform the look of a kitchen — just don’t confuse it with the old-school cabinet refinishing where cabinet doors were removed, painted, and then re-installed.

16 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

“Refacing is using the existing footprint and removing all the old doors and drawers and replacing them with brand-new manufactured ones,” says Curtis Murray, whose BC company 180Kitchens installs about 10 to 12 kitchens a week. “We cover the visible exterior of the cabinets in a material that matches the new doors exactly, making the cabinets look like they were custom-matched to the new doors. The process is quick when done by professionals, and the final product looks fantastic,” he says. Murray says refacing has been around for quite a while, but the ease of installation makes this the most popular choice right now. “This is suitable for all kitchens. The process can be done on all types of cabinets, and it really comes down to two things: are the bones of the cabinets good, and are they structurally sound? If not, then a facelift is not going to fix that. And second, how much of the footprint is changing? There are a lot of things we can add or remove, but at some point, it just makes sense to go with new structures.” Murray says that 70-80% of kitchens never have their footprint changed. “I just did a kitchen that was 40 years old, and it had good bones — solid wood — and we moved the doors a little closer together, gave it a Eurostyle with new hinges, and the transformation was unbelievable in such a short time,” he says. Murray says refacing is ramping up as homeowners discover that an entirely new look is created at roughly half the price of replacing the cabinet boxes, doors, and fronts. This makes it a clear choice for customers looking to update their kitchen before putting their house on the market.

FEATURE

“REFACING IS RAMPING UP AS HOMEOWNERS DISCOVER THAT AN ENTIRELY NEW LOOK IS CREATED AT ROUGHLY HALF THE PRICE OF REPLACING THE CABINET BOXES, DOORS, AND FRONTS.” Murray says there are more than 40 colours in matte, high gloss, and wood grain finishes and about 20 different styles of doors. What customers are embracing as much as new fronts is the option for customized work. “Pullout drawers are huge,” he says. “Everyone wants that kind of space, as well as pullouts within cabinets. The homeowner really has a lot of choices and can create that dream kitchen at a fraction of the price. We can add or remove cabinets, install pot and pan drawers, extend cabinet boxes to the ceiling, add crown moulding, soft close hinges, and brand-new handles.” Typically, once the customer has chosen the style and colour, Murray and his crew spend about a day or two installing the cabinets and drawer fronts, plus installing the same finish on the trim, spacer areas, and islands to match the cabinets. Murray said one customer has a condo where the footprint wouldn’t change, and he installed cabinet extensions that went to the ninefoot ceiling — with each top cabinet door more than four feet in height. The look is elegant and creates a lot more storage space. The island, part of which was previously faced in a brown wood-grain finish, was transformed with the all-white finishing. As for things to consider, Murray says to trust the professionals you speak to about this and get a free inhome estimate to assess the condition of your cabinets. “Our designers know what looks good. There are so many choices, but if you don’t want to follow trends, classic white will always be around,” he says. www.woodindustry.ca 17

COLUMN

INNOVATION AND EVOLUTION Creating the space for possibilities By Patrick Christie, TWIG Organizer

Old-growth west coast Douglas Fir

ithin 200 years, we have taken a forest of 100% original growth and reduced it to under 3%, and only a fraction of the value from this extraction has remained here for future generations. High-quality wood from other places seems more accessible in stores than our local fibre. The best quality fibre is earmarked for global buyers the second it is harvested, and other high-quality fibre is being converted into low-grade products.

18 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

Our homes are furnished with Scandanavian designs made in Vietnam, and wood from this region is producing award-winning designs at international trade shows. Most designers and architects in BC are more familiar with White Oak than they are with Western Hemlock, and there are only a fraction of people would know that Douglas Fir is also called Oregon Pine. In summary, we are extremely disconnected from what lies in our backyard and the possibilities we have in front of us that we can take action on. We have all the right ingredients in place to be a global leader in innovation, but things are just not connected in the right way, and current leadership is not investing in the ideas of today’s generations. TWIG is creating the space for possibilities, connections, and relationships to be built in a meaningful way. Time is an essential factor as strong bonds and affinities cannot be manufactured, and people and ideas take time to mature and take form. We don’t have the answers for the future, but we believe that TWIG is on the right path to inspire and fuel this next generation of the industry. TWIG today is focused on BC but is also about everywhere else where wood can be harvested. It’s about coming together to imagine a way to do things differently and then do those things together. The sector has been dominated and controlled by very few - a monoculture running on outdated software. The future of forestry in Canada needs to involve many, and our idea of how value can be created needs

COLUMN

to be expanded beyond commodity products. The Forest Bioeconomy considers a broader range of product and resource development opportunities than conventional forestry, which is where we are headed in BC. There is a convergence in Canada as we reckon with climate change and come face-to-face with a dark history towards Indigenous Nations and land stewardship. In BC, this convergence occurs at Fairy Creek, where many people come together in solidarity and protect the last remaining old growth. These protest actions have brought people purpose, belonging, and connection - something the current industry does not afford. Starting up is not a clear-cut path and requires many interactions, activities, and practices to take an idea from a concept to becoming visible in a marketplace or an audience. TWIG is in line with this thinking, and it

took the pressures of a pandemic for us to think outside the box about what we were doing to organize it in the way it is today. At those first few meetups, some people stuck around year after year and are now core contributors to TWIG on the organizing team and participation as guest presenters at our monthly events. Although TWIG has not been directly involved in helping people and companies get started, expand, and reach their goals, our events have created many vital connections that have enabled such outcomes. Those who have found success and managed to resource themselves to develop new companies have done so ad-hoc, pulling together connections, financing space and equipment, and shifting policy to enable their idea

to become a reality. These people are pioneers in what they are doing, setting the stage for a new wave of wood-based innovators to emerge behind them. It’s the start of an alternative industry driven by different values — values guided by principles of a circular economy, accessibility, diversity, and that includes the regional wisdom of the First Nations. They have been stewards of this land for thousands of years. These companies lead with initiatives that prioritize people and the planet over profitability and productivity. Their work is creating space for those outside the industry to play a part and contribute to establishing new norms for the future on who is involved and what roles they play.

This article is the fourth 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

A CASE FOR COLOUR IN THE KITCHEN High-end homeowners adventuring beyond white

By Clare Tattersall, Coverings Editor and Wood Industry Contributing Writer

very autumn, paint brands unveil their colour predictions for the following year. For 2022, one hue made all the major manufacturers’ lists — green. Then there were some unexpected picks like Pantone’s Fuchsia Pink, Para Paint’s burnt orange Goldenrod, and Benjamin Moore’s Wild Flower, a unique shade of red with hints of pink and orange. Selecting the ‘it’ colours is a lengthy process that involves analyzing lifestyle trends, social behaviour, search engine data, political and economic climates, and general collective mood. The goal is to help homeowners overwhelmed by the plethora of paint colours pick the right shade for their next renovation or fixer-upper project. Unsurprisingly, some of the ‘chosen ones’ show up on more than just walls. 20 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

FEATURE

Cabico Essence Series in Maberly (lowers) and Unique Series Pure White (uppers)

“WHEN IT COMES TO CABINETRY, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON COLOURS, FINISHES, AND MATERIALS ARE COMING OUT OF EUROPE AND THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY. THIS INFLUENCE IS WHAT DICTATES CABINETRY TRENDS.” - JENNIFER PAUL, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, ELMWOOD

higher-end consumers who, according to that same data, appear to be willing to take greater design risks and want their kitchens to capture their mood for 2022 — joyous, uplifting, and optimistic. In line with the paint companies’ colour forecast, green in its many guises is among those colours that reign supreme in the kitchen, as it’s comforting and echoes consumers’ desire to be close to nature. There is a shade to suit every style, with emerald and deep forest greens best suited for shaker-style cabinetry as it imparts a sense of heritage

and tradition. Mid-greens like sage and olive and those with minty tones provide a fresh update to modern flat front or slab cabinet doors. Blue remains strong as a colour choice, supported by Elmwood’s latest research that found 18% of custom cabinetry selections between January 2021 and March 2022 were blue tones, nudging out green. While dark blue hues like grey-based navy are still on-trend, especially in kitchens with plenty of natural light, they give way to their pastel counterparts, which help create a soothing

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White cabinets remain popular after dominating the kitchen design scene for the past decades. They’re considered failproof, offer a clean and timeless look, and fit in with various styles, from farmhouse to minimalist to traditional. This isn’t going to change this year; high-end custom cabinetry maker Cabico&co’s luxury product brand, Elmwood, recently released data that found 59% of all painted cabinets are in various shades of white. However, coloured cabinetry is making inroads. This is particularly true among www.woodindustry.ca 21

FEATURE

Cabico Unique Custom Cabinets in Cedar Hill

“MANY TIMES, THE COLOUR-OF-THE-YEAR ANNOUNCEMENTS REAFFIRM EUROPEAN-INSPIRED DESIGNS, ALONG WITH THE COLOURS, FINISHES, AND MATERIALS WE’VE ALREADY INTRODUCED AT ELMWOOD.” - JENNIFER PAUL, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, ELMWOOD

atmosphere in what is often the busiest room in the home. Despite this shift to paler shades, inky black cabinetry is still having a show-stopping moment. Inherently striking, the non-colour can be used on both upper and lower cabinets to dial up the drama or just on the bottom to create a luxe tuxedo effect when paired with white cabinets on the top. This two-toned effect is not limited to black and white. Using different colour combinations for upper and lower cabinets, generally lighter on top and darker for the base, or a bold alternative 22 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

colour for the island to really show it off and make a statement is increasingly favoured by consumers who want a unique, one-of-a-kind custom kitchen design. While most homeowners continue to opt for painted cabinetry — 70%, according to Cabico&co’s 2021 purchasing data — a natural wood finish is still prized for its beauty and authenticity. It is often most coveted by those focused on creating a healthier home. The warm look of solid walnut and oak are among customer favourites, desired for their grain characteristics. These two woods also offer

design flexibility, as they go well with many styles, from rustic to modern, and are neutral enough to work with a variety of wall colours. A tinted wood stain has become an ideal solution for those who want to add color to their cabinetry but prefer to steer clear of paint. This allows the texture of the wood to emerge while pushing it beyond its raw, natural state to add depth and interest to the kitchen. Blue and green stains are currently in demand, as are medium and dark grey, though as with paint, the possibilities are endless.

S’inscrire maintenant!

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.

Horaire/Show Hours: Jeudi/Thursday 10:00H - 17:00H Vendredi/Friday 10:00H - 17:00H Samedi/Saturday 10:00H - 15:00H Hôtel hôte/Host Hotel: Hôtel Grand Times 530, rue Saint-Amant, Drummondville (Québec) 819-474-5555 grandtimeshotel.com

Pour de plus amples renseignements For more information Contactez-Nous/Contact us Harry Urban Phone/Téléphone: 708.373.4344 Email/Courriel: harry.urban@woodworkingnetwork.com

www.siboexpo.ca A Woodworking Network event

COLUMN

ROBOTIC LEAN CELLS How to shop for a robot

By Amanda Gay, Planit Canada Marketing Manager

SCM employees demonstrating their robotic lean cell at Woodworking Technology Days

hat’s keeping you up at night? Is it your worry about how much of your team will show up for work tomorrow, or is it the inescapable truth that some of your best people are retiring in the next five years? The pandemic hasn’t created challenges that we would never face otherwise - it has merely accelerated them. Robotics aren’t just for car manufacturing anymore — we’re in it now. Shops that adopt robotics today will be better able to weather this storm, but they’ll also be poised to adopt upcoming technology like machine learning and AI. 24 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

The robotic lean cell has the benefit of requiring less training for your team than any other new machine. Visionary leaders also recognize that bringing in a robot now means they’ll likely have the capability to do even more incredible things in the future. If you’re thinking about getting a robotic lean cell

for your shop, you’ll want to partner with a team that gives you a full-service solution. You want the machine dealer to work closely with your software developer and industrial engineers. The robotic lean cell is a complex integration, and you want to look for those companies that have been investing in these innovations and adapting them for our industry for years. Shops with robotics are poised to take advantage. If you want in and you’re still in the early stages of shopping around, ask questions about the level of collaboration and investment in R&D to ensure you’ll have the flexibility to do volume and quickly adapt to custom work. Make sure you can handle that high-rise project and the next custom kitchen. If you’re trying to figure out how many people a robot can realistically free up for other jobs, think about the following elements in your workflow: Intelligent Offloading — the robot can take parts off the CNC, scan the labels, and know precisely what to do with them. Automated Doweling — the robot can bring parts to the dowel machine and get the dowels on. Multiple Sorting Options — the robot can put parts onto the correct rack, sorted according to your specifications (ex. by project, cabinet, size, etc.) With that in place, your valuable humans can do other things. Consider teaching them how to use the software. Make sure to continue offering opportunities for them to upgrade their skills and get the most out of your CAD/CAM. It’s good for your business and great for employee retention. Knowing that, you’ll sleep easy!

FEATURE

GOING GLOBAL

What you need to know about international shipping By Brandon Draga, Content Writer at Freightcom

ore than ever, we exist in a global market. From large-scale manufacturers to small-scale retailers, business is being conducted from one end of the earth to the other. It only makes sense to consider accessing global marketplaces as a business owner. A recent study by Statista shows that over 50% of all global consumers order products from overseas. In addition, according to DHL, international sales average higher value than domestic sales and can result in 60% faster growth for your business. Navigating international shipping is hardly an easy task. Here we’ll look at some of the finer points of getting your goods anywhere they need to go.

KNOW YOUR MARKET

Like any decision for your business, expanding into the global market is not a decision to make lightly. It is essential to do the proper research to ensure that you expand into markets that will offer 26 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

a worthwhile ROI. Using website analytics tools is a great way to gain insight into which markets or countries are showing an interest in your business. Resist the urge to expand too quickly. Focus initially on one or two

marketplaces that you can confidently grow into. Studies have shown that many consumer groups will feel more confident purchasing local goods over similar foreign products, so it is essential to research consumer trends to ensure demand for your products.

FEATURE

“INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING HAS BECOME AN INESCAPABLE REALITY FOR NEARLY EVERY MODERN BUSINESS, AND WITH SO MUCH TO CONSIDER WHEN SHIPPING OUTSIDE YOUR BORDERS, IT’S CRUCIAL TO DO IT RIGHT.” LEARN THE RULES TO PLAY THE GAME

International shipping laws are constantly changing, so it is worth your time to stay informed of any changes that might impact your chosen global marketplaces. One uncrossed “t” or undotted “i” could mean that your shipment doesn’t ship. First and foremost, research your destination country’s packaging regulations. As with much international shipping, these regulations can vary from country to country and sometimes from carrier to carrier. For instance, the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures is a global set of guidelines specifically for using wood as a packaging material for export. Lastly, but certainly not least, be sure that all your documentation is correct. Typical customs documents include a Commercial Invoice, Export Packing List, and Certificate of Origin. A Commercial Invoice is used for value appraisal and calculating duties and taxes. It must include retailer name and address; recipient name and address; quantity, description, and price of all items; terms of sale and payment; and mode of transport. An Export Packing List is similar to a domestic shipment packing list but includes the mode of transport; carrier information; and weight, dimensions, quantity, and type of each package. A Certificate of Origin lists the country or countries where all products in the shipment were produced, manufactured, and/or obtained. This must be signed by the retailer and occasionally the local chamber of commerce. When filling out this documentation, be thorough and accurate. In some cases,

such as shipping to India, much of this information is required directly on the shipping label. Failure to provide correct information could result in your shipment being delayed or even held. The result? Fees known as Detention and Demurrage fees. Worse still, these fees are only going up: A report by Container xChange saw the D&D fees across the world increase by an average of 104% in the past year. The more information, the less potential for customs hiccups and unnecessary expenses. CHOOSE YOUR CARRIER WISELY

Knowing what and where you’re shipping is vital, but knowing who and how is equally important. Choosing the right carrier and method of transport is integral in ensuring that you don’t overpay or underdeliver. Let’s start with the how; depending on what and where your options for the best means of transport can vary. For instance, shipping by air is undoubtedly the fastest overseas option, but often that speed comes with a premium; air shipping can be three to six times more expensive than sea shipping. On the other hand, shipping by sea is often a more cost-effective option but is certainly not without drawbacks. Aside from the fact that shipping by sea increases your shipping time by weeks, there is also a higher risk of damaged goods from choppy seas and time in transport, especially for fragile shipments. Further, it is crucial to keep in mind that different carriers specialize in different shipping forms. The transporter you use to ship a pallet to New York by

truck is not likely to be the best choice to air ship a parcel to Beijing. Choosing the right carrier for the job can save you time and money and ensure that your customers have the best experience possible. Of course, there are other factors to consider when choosing a carrier. For instance, 93% of consumers expect to receive visibility updates on their shipments, so a transporter that offers endto-end tracking on international shipping will be able to keep you and your customers up to date through the whole process. That peace of mind can go a long way in building lasting business relationships. ARE YOU READY TO GO GLOBAL?

International shipping has become an inescapable reality for nearly every modern business, and with so much to consider when shipping outside your borders, it’s crucial to do it right. Choose the right market for your business; research your web analytics and consumer trends to ensure a worthwhile ROI. Be clear on the shipping regulations in Canada and the destination country. Ensure that all your documentation is thorough and accurate; more information means less potential for error. Choose the best method for shipping your goods, accounting for time and cost. Ensure that you also select the best carrier for the job, whichever way you choose. Sourcing your rates from multiple carriers can be too slow, difficult, and time-consuming, so streamline the process by using Freightcom technology that can integrate, consolidate and improve the entire end-to-end shipping process. www.woodindustry.ca 27

28 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

Sprinter van interior by Custom Made Concepts, Photography by Angela McConnell

COVER STORY

CUSTOM MADE CONCEPTS HITS THE ROAD By Matthew Bradford, Wood Industry Contributing Writer

rom custom vans to million-dollar closets, Chris Relling, owner of Custom Made Concepts, has carved a career out of unique builds.

“I like to say yes to every project,” said Relling. “People ask me, ‘Have you done this before,’ and I say, ‘No, but I know I can, so let’s do this.’ That’s how I’ve gotten the opportunity to work on many unique and cuttingedge projects.” Relling’s confidence comes from years of practice. That includes growing up in a family where woodworking tools and materials were never far from reach. “We couldn’t afford things that other people had, but my dad had a workshop, so the first thing we would do if something broke was to try and fix it,”

he recalled. “That philosophy stuck with me, and now that I have my own family, I’m still that guy who would rather custom-build something or fix it instead of buying it new.” A carpenter by trade, Relling started his company out of his home workshop nearly 22 years ago. In the beginning, he focused on building fences, decks, and home renovations. As his reputation grew, he moved into a three-car garage and began tackling custom wood and metal projects. “About eight years ago, I was working on a project where some guys were doing metalwork on these beauwww.woodindustry.ca 29

COVER STORY Kitchen by Custom Made Concepts

tiful French windows,” he recalled. “I was jealous because it looked like they were having a lot of fun and their work looked amazing, so I went and bought myself a used welding machine to begin trying it out.” Today, that old, run-down tool has been replaced with more sophisticated machinery, and Relling has turned Custom Made Concepts into a multifaceted builder. “Now, I come into a project, design a staircase or a railing system, do all of the finishing and trim work that needs to go around it, and see the whole thing come together.” TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD

“BEING CREATIVE AND PROBLEM-SOLVING IS JUST IN MY BLOOD. I ENJOY BUILDING THINGS - IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT THE MATERIAL IS; I JUST LOVE TO CREATE.”

30 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

A recent van makeover first put Relling on Wood Industry Magazine’s radar. The project included a high-end renovation of a Sprinter van for use by a client hoping to make the most of his retirement. “I was approached by a man in his sixties planning to travel all over North America in this van. He had hired somebody to do an initial concept of what he wanted and reached out to me for help because he’d seen my millwork and liked what I was doing,” says Relling. “He asked if I would be interested in trying this out, and I said, ‘Yes, of course, I would! This sounds like an amazing opportunity.’” With the initial concept in hand, Relling’s found a template for the exact model of the van and created a 3D model design. After getting the green

COVER STORY

Kitchens by Custom Made Concepts

light from the client, he brought the van into his shop and went to work on it for the next two months. “That was an interesting process,” he recalled. “As a builder, you normally use a level or laser for measurements, but those are completely useless in a van because you can never get it level. So, everything is about reference points, and you’re always measuring off something else, almost like shipbuilding.” With the details set, Relling installed the rift-cut white oak flooring and began designing and cutting the

tailor-made templates. The finished project features rich baltic birch millwork, maple and arbutus door panels, leather pulls, and other roadshowworthy amenities. A GROWING PORTFOLIO

The custom van is one of many headturning creations in Relling’s portfolio. Past projects have also included fireplaces, board room tables, pool table lights, guitar enclosures, kitchen renos, and more. He also created $400,000 worth of custom millwork for a high-end home walk-in closet and

spent over two years crafting interior and exterior elements for a multi-million dollar home in North Vancouver. “I’ve done a lot of beautiful projects, but I’ve never worked on something like that,” he says. “The level that my client took things to was mind-blowing. It was essentially an 8,000 square foot piece of furniture, and it turned out incredible.” Relling continues to add to his portfolio; the past two years have been amongst his busiest to date. “As soon as COVID hit, the phone started ringing. I was working from home seven days a week, just cranking stuff out because there were a lot of people stuck at home who wanted to do renovations and home improvements. I don’t think that I took more than ten days during the whole pandemic.” Relling says his growing portfolio is owed to a modest social media presence, customer word of mouth, and the reputation he’s built among his community. “I thrive on new challenges. If I have to do something too many times, it gets boring, so it’s fun to switch it up. Being creative and problem-solving is just in my blood. I enjoy building things - it doesn’t matter what the material is; I just love to create.” www.woodindustry.ca 31

Starting August 23, It’s All the New You Need...

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SHOW DATES

Tuesday-Friday August 23-26, 2022 Atlanta, GA, USA IWFAtlanta.com Register to attend, or apply to exhibit.

FEATURE

MODERN FARMHOUSE KITCHENS Trendy or timeless?

By Brynley Braam, Marketing Manager at Braam’s Custom Cabinets

odern farmhouse design has, in recent years, been made popular by HGTV and their TV star Joanna Gaines. And we can see why. Modern farmhouse combines rustic design components with clean lines and neutral tones — taking the best of sleek modern and mixing it with homey farmhouse vibes. Ava, a cabinet designer out of our London, Ontario showroom, describes this contemporary-meets-traditional style: “Modern Farmhouse is a more refined elegant style with simplified lines and warm, cozy finishes for a timeless, comfortable look.” While modern farmhouse designs might be having a moment, that doesn’t mean that this style will become obsolete. Instead of choosing the in-the-moment colours and materials, go for options that have always been fashionable, like neutrals, palatable woods, and timeless hardware.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER A MODERN FARMHOUSE STYLE

The modern farmhouse is a healthy mix of traditional and contemporary. We suggest exploring this style with clients who love classic and more current interiors. As Heather, a Braam’s designer from our Birmingham, Michigan location, explains: “Modern farmhouse design is a blend of old school treasures with new school design. Think modern elements

White modern farmhouse with blue island by Braam’s Custom Cabinets

34 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

like smooth lines and polished accents blended with natural elements. Modern farmhouse is less rustic and more refined than the classic farmhouse design.” The stunning combination of two contrasting styles is a win for anyone that can’t see their homes without a touch of both spirits. You get the best of each world: the warmth of traditional details and the structure of modern elements. What you’re left

FEATURE

TOP: White and wood modern farmhouse by Braam’s Custom Cabinets BOTTOM: White modern contemporary farmhouse by Braam’s Custom Cabinet

with is a beautiful interior with details that contemporary admirers and classic lovers will have something to appreciate. However, we know that some people have valid concerns. Is this contemporary farmhouse interior style something of a trend? Or is it timeless? We like to think of it as the latter. As Ava tells us: “I think done the right way, it is very timeless. Avoiding trendy colours, tiles and countertops is key.”

• Opt for light colours for countertops. We prefer quartzite and marble. • Choose simple hardware pieces like long pulls or even smaller latches in honey bronze or ash grey finishes. Modest, uncomplicated hardware is key for this style. Overall, you can make this design style fit any home. As Ava points out: “My advice to any client is always to choose the style that suits their taste and makes them feel right at home.”

STAY WITH THE TIMES WITHOUT GIVING INTO A TREND

Modern farmhouse design is a great way to stay relevant within the design realm without sacrificing traditional taste. Interpretation within this particular style is up to the homeowner. Remind customers that they have the freedom to incorporate as many modern or traditional elements as they see fit, making their unique version of the modern farmhouse style, only including the aspects they enjoy.

HOW TO DESIGN A MODERN FARMHOUSE KITCHEN

So you’ve talked your customer into a modern farmhouse kitchen, bathroom, office, or library. We have a few tips to help you on your way, as Ava and Heather advise: • Typical cabinet colours for modern farmhouse design would be a soft white (like Chantilly lace) or a classic grey. We like white oak in a bleached stain if the customer is looking for wood. We love two-tone modern farmhouse kitchens with a wood island! • If they’re feeling adventurous, a gorgeous navy or even black statement piece makes for a bold space. www.woodindustry.ca 35

FEATURE

RETIREMENT AND AUTOMATION The circular nature of the skilled labour shortage By Grace Tatigian

any have all been blaming the labour shortage on the pandemic, some saying that “no one wants to work anymore” and complaining that CERB and other government supports have made workers lazy. However, statistics show that labour force growth was slowing long before we were hit with COVID-19; between retiring Baby Boomers and young workers taking longer to complete their post-secondary education, there are more vacancies than candidates to fill them. This has actually been the case for the last 20 years. The pandemic was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey shows that retirements are expected to remain high until at least 36 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

2026, so employers need to give up the idea that the labour shortage is a shortterm problem that will disappear when COVID ends. Overall, 55% of Canadian employers are struggling to hire workers. The manufacturing sector has been particularly hard hit, with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters estimating 65,000 job vacancies across the country. So how can employers, and more specifically manufacturers, adapt? One of the most impactful changes that manufacturers can make is increasing automation. The Business Development Bank of Canada’s How to Adapt to the Labour Shortage Situation report for BDC pointed out that 53% of manufacturing businesses with new technology and automation found

it easy to hire employees. In comparison, only 25% of manufacturing companies without new tech and automation found it easy. Of course, integrating automation is no small feat. The report indicates that the high upfront cost is the biggest roadblock for SMEs that have automated their processes. When a business has been dealing with the difficulties of the labour shortage for years, reducing their capacity for growth (64%) and facing order delays (44%), it can be hard to earmark a hefty sum for new technology. But if you don’t have the staff, you can’t complete the work. So if you can’t get the people, you need technology. Once you have the machines, it will be easier to hire more people, meaning you can take on more projects. The report states that companies that integrate automation are almost twice as likely to see sales growth above the industry average than companies that have not automated. It’s all circular. Investing in the right technology is an investment in your team. For employers who’ve faced difficulty with hiring, 61% have had to increase their employees’ hours — leading to burnout - and 49% have needed to increase wages and benefits to help with retention. As Gen Z leaves trade school and enters the workforce, they’re going to know how to operate this kind of technology and look for a job where they can put these skills to good use. Unsurprisingly, most prefer skilled work to manual labour. The idea that robots make workers redundant is outdated. Let the robots do the heavy lifting to you can hire skilled, hard-working tradespeople and give them a job that they will enjoy long-term.

COLUMN

TOP TIP:

“I have water in my lines” By Bruno Chabot, Retired Pneumatic Specialist at Normand

ith the arrival of summer, the heat and humidity return, and with it comes the increase in water condensation problems in the compressed air system. Why does this happen? It is essential to know that the air drawn in by the compressor is the same air found in the factory with its humidity percentage. This explains why there is a significant increase in problems related to condensation during the summer months. The temperature rises as the air is compressed, turning water into steam. Condensation forms, and water appears by cooling the air in the compressor tank or the distribution network. There is no need to remind you that water is very damaging to pneumatic tools and even more so to the pneumatic controls found on almost every machine in your factory - not to mention all the problems caused by spray guns in your finishing department. How to fix this problem? For starters, the compressor should be in a cool and dry area to prevent excessive temperature differences between the air in the tank and the air in the factory. Additionally, installing an automatic drain on the tank is imperative to remove the water that forms in the reservoir and thus prevent this moisture from re-entering the distribution system. A filter at the tank outlet is useless because there is no water accumulation on that part. Ultimately, there are numerous ways to help you minimize or eliminate water in the distribution system. Installing an after-cooler on the compressor, a refrigerant air dryer, or a silica gel filter dryer are only a few examples. The choice will depend on the required degree of efficiency and your budget.

www.woodindustry.ca 37

PROFILE

PRICES AND PROFIT Learning the value of time By Sandra Wood

LEFT: Sunshine Coast Contemporary Home by Van Arbour Design RIGHT: Gerald Van Woudenberg, President of Van Arbour Design

any people would think that someone in business for over 35 years would know everything, right? But Gerald Van Woudenberg, President of Van Arbour Design, knows there’s always more to learn. “Start with being curious and open,” explained Van Woudenberg. “Take the time to seek advice from our peers facing the same challenges.” The company president values his time and spends it on important things for him and his business. A few years ago, Van Woudenberg sought out a business coach who helped him take more control over his business and the time he spent in his company. He is now much more in control of working on his business than in it, giving him more clarity and less stress. He admits that you wear many hats when running a business, and things can quickly get away from you.

38 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

It’s a known fact that most business managers don’t feel they can afford to spend the time working on themselves and their business because they are too busy just keeping their head above water. It can be a vicious circle that you, as the business owner, must be prepared to address. For Van Woudenberg, the experience of leveraging a business coach has been “Nothing short of amazing, and I would highly recommend to anyone to have a renewed focus.” Van Woudenberg was committed to stopping making the same mistakes, including figuring out a better pricing structure and learning how to value his team’s labour and skill correctly. He started from scratch, and it was daunting. He revisited jobs previously completed and repriced them using new formulas. The biggest challenge was accounting for time. Time spent was hard to calculate. According to Van Wouden-

berg, there’s only so much relevant data you can glean from past jobs. This then brings him to three options: 1 / You can guess, which exposes you to underestimate your time and build for free, or you protect yourself by padding the numbers as a guess or a protection measure, and by doing so, you may price yourself out of a job. 2 / You can track, but that’s only really relevant from the past tense perspective. 3 / You can agree with the client that takes the largest part of the uncertainty, which is the time it will take. Van Woudenberg admits this is Van Arbour Design’s current approach because it builds trust with his clients. They tell the client the material, finishing, and margin costs and estimate how long they think the process will take. The company bills for actual time. He admits this takes the client’s trust, but he believes it’s the only way his company has found any degree of certainty to work every single time. Van Arbour Design solicits feedback from people in the shop regarding how much time they think it would take to engineer the

PROFILE

custom piece, which helps establish the price. “It is tough to price custom millwork, especially when they are one-offs; they are never the same.” Van Woudenberg also reads the annual industry survey results on pricing. In his opinion, there are shop prices so low he’d like to hire them to do work for him. Where are these companies shopping for their materials? In his opinion, these shops are not factoring in the material costs, overhead, insurance, wages, heat, light, property taxes, etc. Admittedly, many wonder how the survey results will change in 2022 with the current supply chain issues. CKCA still receives calls from members who are being pressured to keep their costs down, yet their supply costs have gone up exponentially. One member reached out to tell us their melamine costs had gone up 86%, and their developer client was not accepting any price increase. We know members are under pressure, but some companies make those difficult decisions and tell their customers they can’t do the work if they don’t accept the price increases. One member told us recently: “No builder wants to accept price increases; however, this is the world we live in, and rest assured that they will protect their bottom line, bypassing the increase to the end consumer.” Van Woudenberg has found that looking at survey results on pricing over the years has revealed a complete ignorance of the value of time. “If you are not attending to what matters, no one else will, and you may find yourself in that uncomfortable spot where you realize you have not been turning a profit.” So what are the three main lessons Van Woudenberg has learned over the past 35 years of business? 1 / Time can harm how you do your business. 2 / You can change and learn from your mistakes. 3 / There are opportunities for everyone.

He also makes time to engage with the industry, remain curious, and drive to learn more. “We can read books, listen to podcasts; we can solicit help from business coaches, and, last but not least, we can get involved with organizations like the CKCA and learn through that network,” he said. “Because it’s important, we continue to connect with our peers and suppliers and get introduced to new opportunities and new ways of thinking. All of which creates new ways to move forward.” Many in this industry have enjoyed fulfilling careers in our sector, and the time will come when you will want to move on. But as you start thinking about that, remember that you have spent considerable time building up the wisdom and business knowledge you currently have. What will you do with that knowledge?

Consider this: A next-generation is entering our industry that needs the mentorship and advice that many experienced woodworkers have. How can you pass along what you have learned to help set up this next generation for success? Can you spare precious time to share what you know with others? How will you evaluate that knowledge just as you evaluate a project? Reach out with your ideas. How can we help you take the next step? Because we need mentors, and we need them now. We are facing unprecedented challenges in attracting talent into our industry, and the truth is no one knows the industry better than you do! CKCA Members strive for quality, professionalism, and innovation. For more profiles like these and many other benefits, consider becoming a CKCA member!

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WEINIG HOLZ-HER CANADA 800.361.9367 www.woodindustry.ca 39

FEATURE

FOR THE PERFECT FINISH Turbine and air compressor maintenance By Marty Schlosser

ter or the one you’ve cleaned and left to dry thoroughly. AIR DELIVERY

Marty Schlosser vacuuming off a dirty filter

oday’s well-engineered and manufactured turbines and air compressors are so reliable and capable of operating with a minimum of attention that we tend to forget about them. Until they break down, causing work interruptions and costly repairs. So here are tips and tricks to help you keep such problems to a minimum. TURBINES

Properly maintaining your turbine requires little more than ensuring it can draw in clean air and efficiently send it along its way. That translates to two things: placement and filters. PLACEMENT

Ensure your turbine is placed well away from any overspray and dust when operating. This will help keep its filters clean and draw in fresh air. And when you’re finished using it, store it out of the way where it won’t 40 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

be subjected to freezing temperatures and dust. FILTERS

Every turbine model is unique in the number and shape of its filters, so refer to your manual to learn all about yours. And if you haven’t already done so, go ahead and order a spare set. Get into checking the filters at the end of the day. Vacuum the outside of the filter housing before pulling filters out to check on them. Then vacuum off the filters themselves — never use compressed air to blow them off as it tends to drive the dust and contaminants into the filter membrane. If vacuuming doesn’t get them clean, a quick wash in warm soapy water followed by a thorough rinse in clean water will do the trick. Vacuum, wipe off the inside of your filter housing with a water-dampened cloth, then dry it thoroughly before inserting your spare fil-

Hoses require very little attention. Ensure the hose is positioned to keep it from kinking and only handtightened to your turbine. If you have one, check that the flex hose connections are tight. If the flex hose develops cracks at the spray gun end due to flexing (that’s its job!), repair it yourself. With a box knife, carefully cut off the split section, and screw the fitting back into the now slightly shorter flex hose. Check hoses every week or so for leaks and, if necessary, replace washers and hand tighten the connections. That’s all there is to Turbine System Maintenance. Together, these efforts will allow your system to efficiently deliver the necessary volume and pressure of clean air to your spray gun. AIR COMPRESSORS

At the beginning of this article, I mentioned that air compressors require more maintenance than turbines. 1 / Read your operating instructions manual. Understand the initial start-up procedures, preventive maintenance instructions, and troubleshooting guidance it provides. 2/ Conduct initial start-up procedures to break in your new pump. 3 / Schedule and undertake preventive maintenance checks. DAILY CHECKS

Before starting up your compressor each day: • Check the pump oil level. • Drain condensation from the air receiver.

FEATURE

• Turn on your air compressor and check for any unusual noise or vibration. • At the close of the day, drain your air tank. If you have installed an autodrain system, this will not be necessary. WEEKLY CHECKS

At the end of each week: • Clean the air filter by removing the air filter cap and vacuuming (do not blow with compressed air!) the inside. Clean or replace filters as necessary. • Check the pump oil level and top up if necessary. • If one is installed, confirm that the air tank auto-drain system is operating correctly. • Check for air leaks and correct them as necessary. • Check the condition of your air line filters and clean them if necessary. Drain any condensate that may have collected in the water separator. If you have a desiccant system, check to see if the desiccant requires drying and do so if necessary. • If your system has a refrigerated air dryer, check to ensure it is operating correctly. QUARTERLY CHECKS

At the end of each quarter (or every 300 hours of operation, if that usually comes first): • Change the pump oil and filter element. • Check the condition and alignment of the belt, flywheel, and motor pulley. Adjust belt tension if necessary and replace worn belts. • Ensure the pump cooling fan is neither cracked nor damaged. • Check the crankcase breather and clean as necessary. • Check the pressure switch unloader is operating correctly. • Clean and blow off pump fins and motor. • Inspect the air system for leaks by applying soapy water to all joints.

Tighten joints if leakages are observed. • Check that all electrical connections are tight and wiring insulation is not cracked or showing wear signs. CLOSING REMARKS

If you’re regularly performing routine preventive maintenance checks, pat

yourself on the back. If not, then you’ve got plenty of company. And that’s a shame because a quality turbine or air compressor system is a significant investment that will degrade over time if checks aren’t being followed. And in the worst-case scenario, the air compressor tank could explode with disastrous results. ‘Nuff said?

CNC ROUTING SOLUTIONS

Building Trust. Creating Together.

SELEXX SERIES | CNC ROUTER HIGH PERFORMANCE NESTING CNC ROUTER FOR MAXIMUM OUTPUT. The Omnitech Systems Selexx Series CNC Router has been developed specifically for higher production CNC router requirements demanding the utmost precision and accuracy, all within a cost-effective investment. The Selexx is the ideal CNC router for nesting applications as it is packed with standard and optional features to maximize output. An industrial design provides for maximum cutting & processing speeds. It is available as a stand-alone solution with automatic part offloading or can be integrated into a full line solution.

Delta, BC | Edmonton, AB | Mississauga, ON | Montreal, QC | Dieppe, NB

www.akhurst.com www.woodindustry.ca 41

FINISHING TOUCHES

From matte to metallic By Grace Tatigian

Two-tone paint grade kitchen with custom posts by Jeco

hat started as a small custom painting business in 1998 has since grown to the largest independent finishing shop in Western Canada.

When Jim Carrigan started Jeco, he painted in high-end homes, working mainly on built-in cabinetry and wood furniture. It wasn’t long before he realized he preferred finishing to painting and invested in his own space to do more work off-site.

42 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

It didn’t take long for the growth to start; just three years after opening his shop in 2003, Jim Carrigan needed double the amount of space. They’re currently finishing up phase one of their latest expansion, having just acquired more space, giving them a total of 11,500 square feet. Step two is integrating automation with a new machine. “When it comes down to it, I’ve been planning for this expansion for 15 years,” Carrigan explained. “Back in 2015, we almost pulled the trigger and bought a machine. But I was looking around at the market - everyone else’s workload was slowing down, so we decided to hold off. And good thing we did. Because then there was a big downtown in the market.” But now, they’re facing the exact opposite situation. Everyone has so much work that many shops need to outsource finishing. “Outsourcing is part of the reason we’re here. It’s the only way that a lot of shops can keep up with demand and have reasonable lead times,” said Carrigan. “These are big problems for small shops.” Outsourcing finishing has more benefits than just speeding up the process. It opens up more space in the shop, you don’t need to have a finisher on

PROFILE staff, and you don’t have to worry about keeping the finishing area dust-free. That’s one of the most exciting things about this expansion for Jeco. Because they do finishing and pre-finishing, they need to be careful about dust collection. With the expansion, they’ll be moving their brush sander, downdraft, and dust collection into a completely separate section of the building, making it easier to keep the booths and the new automated equipment clean. About 65% of Jeco’s current work could be automated, Carrigan admits, but there will be a portion that will always need to be done by hand — the big pieces and custom millwork will always need to be finished in the booth. “Automation is an augmentation, not a replacement for skilled workers,” explained Carrigan. “The trouble is, there is very little formal finishing training in Canada. Most finishers are either cabinet makers or painters. Both programs cover the basics - teach them just enough to be dangerous.” Most people know how to apply a clear coat or a stain but don’t know how to do custom work. So instead, you need to invest in the long game. Carrigan describes it as an “employee trade school.” It takes a lot of time and money to teach someone all the ins and outs of finishing, which is why many shops prefer to outsource that part of the job to a specialized company like Jeco rather than having their own finisher. “There’s always a chance your finisher could leave for another shop, start their own business, or hold up the process in some other way,” said Carrigan. “It can leave shops in the lurch. If you find a good partner to do your finishing for you, it’s one less thing you have to worry about.” It also provides more options to small shops that might only be able to offer the basics if they did everything inhouse. For example, Jeco is a VeroMetal certified application specialist. If you haven’t heard of VeroMetal, you’re not alone. Jeco’s one of the few companies in Canada that specialize in this kind of service. It’s a cold-workable liquid metal that can be applied to practically

TOP: Waterfall resin desk with live edge oak and VeroMetal white bronze ceruse in the grain BOTTOM: Jeco’s new expansion space getting prepared for use

any surface. After applying just 120150 microns, the piece possesses all the optical and physical properties of the metal alloy in question. Jeco’s been using this product to turn plastic into brass, copper, bronze, and more. There are virtually no design constraints. If a customer wanted a brass range hood, you would typically need to cast the whole thing. It would be incredibly heavy and expensive, but this technique achieves that same look with 90% less metal and 10% of the price. This isn’t a trend that will replace painted or stained wood, but it’s a very intriguing selling point to offer this unique service. In terms of trends they’re currently seeing, Carrigan agrees with the data shared in our A Case for Colour in the Kitchen piece; he’s seeing primarily white and offwhite when it comes to painted cabine-

try. He’s also seeing some bright colours come through with a European high gloss finish, but the reverse is also true. “We also get requests for super matte finishes,” said Carrigan. “We have customers who say they want their wood to look like there’s no finish on it at all.” Regardless of the finish’s color or look, Jeco sticks to polyurethanebased products. Although water-based finishes are trending — partly for environmental reasons — Carrigan has decided to stick with a product he knows inside and out. That way, he can ensure that his team delivers exceptional quality every time. “We are a detail-orientated finishing company. We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality finishes with the most up-to-date, technologically advanced finishes available.” www.woodindustry.ca 43

PROFILE

CHIC MURPHY BEDS

Bridging the gap between home office and guest bedroom By Ariane Bouchard, Marketing Manager at Uniboard

variety of colors and finishes that will bolster home economics, creativity, and hospitality, creating modern chic variations on the classic Murphy bed:

Murphy bed with Cassis paneling

hen the pandemic hit, many people converted guest rooms into home offices, but now that the world is adjusting to the new normal, people are starting to travel again, visiting friends and family. Many homeowners are looking for a happy medium between their old guest rooms and new offices, needing something that checks all the boxes. Remember the quaint Murphy bed? Those pull-down beds that hid inside a closet or cabinet? Think again, as the Murphy bed is emerging as a chic new item in the most stylish guest bedrooms.

44 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

Tired of the old air mattress or uncomfortable sleeper sofa options, many homeowners are turning to Murphy beds to save space, offer comfort to visitors, and keep their guest bedrooms looking tidy when not in use. Creatively designed, these home fixtures might look like a lovely wardrobe on the outside, but they can be pulled down when needed to reveal a comfy full or queen-size bed. Aiding the returning popularity of Murphy beds is the emergence of enhanced movement technology and vastly improved forms of TFL panels. TFL panels come in a rousing

Sleek and white: Use a clean design to help the Murphy bed blend in with the surrounding space and make it less imposing. White TFL panels hide the bed and allow for creative flourishes in the rest of the room. Make it look like an armoire: Instead of just a blank space hiding the bed, the clever use of a tan woodgrain coupled with some faux hardware can easily disguise the bed behind. Don’t forget the inside: Many makers skimp on the inside. Although most people are simply using the bed to sleep, they often read, scroll, or watch TV before nodding off, so why should they look at blandness? Add some artful moulding, or use a few decorative TFL panels to add a touch of soothing elegance. Add storage to the side: Build a bigger unit and add shelving and drawers to the side to create a multipurpose workstation unit and allow for home decoration or give guests a place to store their clothing. A modern darker brown wood grain panel can elevate the entire room’s design. Designers and homeowners alike are rethinking decorative home options to create stylish guest bedrooms, thanks to the latest modern Murphy bed designs. TFL panels come in an astonishing variety to match any décor, from homey to chic. Panels come in delicate finishes, strong wood grains, and bold colours to give customers and designers various options. It’s the perfect material to bring Murphy beds to the next level.

VISIT US! See the RETYX in action

Booth B5537

NEW! RESOURCE CENTRE

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2022-05-10 12:41 PM www.woodindustry.ca 45

FEATURE

HIGH-END CABINETRY AND MOVIE STARS Marvel has it all

By Ryan Akhurst, Akhurst Machinery Vice-President & Jesse Boyetchko, Marvel Cabinetry Founder

rom De Winton, AB, Marvel Cabinetry is the exclusive cabinetry supplier for the first and second seasons of Property Brothers’ Celebrity IOU on HGTV and has designed and built made-in-Canada cabinetry for stars across North America. Michael Bublé, Brad Pitt, Snoop Dogg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Melissa McCarthy, Viola Davis, Jeremy Renner, Kevin Hart, Howie Mandel, LeAnn Rimes, the list goes on. Marvel Cabinetry and Renovations

46 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

Marvel is passionate about designing beautiful, functional spaces, offering cabinet styles ranging from contemporary to traditional. They are renowned for their team, which will help customize cabinetry to your taste, needs, and lifestyle. Their dedicated in-house design team is ready to bring value to their customers’ next major home decision. From 3D design to space planning and genuinely limitless functionality — if you can dream it, Marvel can build it. Over the years, they have poured thousands of hours into industry-leading

COLUMN

LEFT: Marvel’s renovation of LeAnn Rimes’ kitchen RIGHT: Marvel’s renovation of a Foothills, AB kitchen BOTTOM: Marvel’s renovation of a Christie Estates Home

software, allowing them to modify and create cabinetry, cabinetry doors, and millwork without the old-school method of working and for longer. This hard work upfront in previous years gives them an unfair market advantage by providing custom work at a fraction of traditional costs, with the ability to replicate any spec on the market and access to all standard and specialized materials. They invest in the latest 3D design technology, allowing the team to take a digital footprint that they can accurately calculate to plan the work’s scope properly. Using the latest CNC technology in their local manufacturing facility, their dedicated team of Master Cabinetmakers ensures customers get one of the most well-made, durable, and safest products on the market. The showroom hosts plenty of inspiration for every customer — from varying door styles and finishes to hardware and accessories. “With Marvel having cabinet manufacturing in-house, we have more control over the quality of the cabinetry and the timeline of each project,” said Jesse Boyetchko, Marvel’s Founder. “Also, when you’re paying for a piece of equipment, and it’s a key part of your business, having a machine down for a significant amount of time can adversely affect the operations in a big way. We needed a company like Akhurst that would be responsive to the level of service required to get us up and running quickly.”

“USING THE LATEST CNC TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR LOCAL MANUFACTURING FACILITY, MASTER CABINETMAKERS ENSURES CUSTOMERS GET THE MOST WELL-MADE, DURABLE, AND SAFEST PRODUCTS.” HAVING FULL CONTROL OF YOUR OPERATION MEANS BETTER RESULTS

In 2020, Marvel decided to open their own cabinet manufacturing company. The deciding factor for Marvel to make their own cabinets rather than outsource them was the ability

to have more control over the quality and lead time of the product. “When you outsource as a business, you’re relying on someone else to produce your product and bring it in quickly,” said Boyetchko.

www.woodindustry.ca 47

COLUMN

TOP: Omnitech Systems Selexx Series CNC Router with automative offloading from Akhurst BOTTOM: Cantek MX370P Automatic Edgebander with Premilling and Corner Rounding functions from Akhurst

During the sourcing stage, choosing the right equipment was a top priority for Marvel. Essential factors like equipment availability and how soon the equipment could be built, supplied, delivered, and installed were most important to Marvel. The equipment cost and backup service support were also important factors in the decisionmaking process. 48 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

“When you’re paying for a piece of equipment, and it’s a key part of your business, having a machine down for a significant amount of time can adversely affect the operations in a big way,” explained Gareth McKee, Production Manager. “We needed a company like Akhurst that would be responsive to the level of service required to get us up and running quickly.”

The two cornerstone purchases for their manufacturing facility were an Omnitech Systems Selexx Series CNC Router with automative offloading and a Cantek MX370P Automatic Edgebander with Premilling and Corner Rounding functions. Producing faster with a CNC solution. Manufacturing is faster with a CNC Router than with more traditional, labour-intensive methods. The CNC maximizes material yield and produces less waste, a huge benefit in a lean facility like Marvel. Today, Marvel has less waste than traditional manufacturing methods, on a smaller footprint. Traditional construction methods don’t always provide the strongest cabinetry. “We blind dado our cabinetry, which is only possible on the CNC,” added McKee. “It’s a construction method that’s not readily available with traditional cabinetmaking methods.” CNC equipment is often safer to use than traditional methods as well. The operator doesn’t have to be a journeyman cabinetmaker; it helps but isn’t necessary because the programming has already been completed. This has allowed Marvel to create mentorship and training positions, allowing the apprentice to speed up their industry knowledge. The parts and pieces are pushed from the machine, and assembly can begin immediately. “We’ve been purposeful in building a uniquely skilled team and quality product,” said Boyetchko. “With a focus on efficiency, our people share our vision to optimize, innovate, and create beautiful, functional spaces that change the way you enjoy home.” THE PERFECT EDGE WITH THE RIGHT EDGEBANDER

Selecting an edgebander with pre-milling and corner rounding allowed Marvel to provide a better edgebanded finish on the parts and pieces. It also allows them to produce finished doors with finished edge banding. Some smaller

COLUMN edgebanders will place a smaller edge on the door, requiring additional hand sanding. And producing a thicker edge band on refinished doors removes a level of labour from the process and is more time-efficient. BIGGER, FASTER, BETTER

Marvel easily increased their production capacity by 70%, resulting in a much quicker response for their customers and shorter lead times, now being around three weeks. Were there any benefits achieved that were not expected? Yes. Marvel having the CNC in-house allows them to be quickly creative, adding to their collection of custom doors and offering quality products that traditional methods won’t allow for. “Our designers have the advantage of being more flexible and creative with their clients, getting realtime results with a machine on-site ready to produce samples in a timely fashion,” added McKee.

TRUE PARTNERSHIP AND COMMITMENT

WHAT’S NEXT FOR MARVEL CABINETRY?

Akhurst knows how important it is that your equipment remains operating at a high level, producing quality products. Whether doing an equipment start-up, training your staff, performing repairs, or providing preventative maintenance, Akhurst technicians will have your machine up and running as quickly as possible. “Akhurst is local, which gives us the ability to go and see the equipment in use, and during our tour, we benefited from having someone explain the equipment in detail and show us all the options available,” said McKee. “They have an excellent record for responding quickly to our service and support needs and have been able to respond quickly to our parts needs, as well. When many other companies obtain parts from overseas, Akhurst has a well-organized system for obtaining parts when needed.”

Marvel’s equipment allows them to offer European trends to their customers that haven’t made it to the North American marketplace yet, so they are conscious of the importance of setting the trend. The CNC has afforded them the flexibility and the creativity to create their own trends and bring European trends to the North American Market. “As we grow and take on more builder cabinetry business, we are set to expand into a potentially larger facility and add more equipment to satisfy ever-increasing demand,” said Boyetchko. “We want to expand beyond custom cabinetry into other creative and viral online pursuits, maximizing the creativity that the CNC machine affords. Marvel’s goal is to use the technology to diversify our product offering to satisfy ever-changing market conditions, smaller homes, furniture, optimized storage, to name a few.”

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Visit us at booth # B5524

www.woodindustry.ca 49

PROFILE

BUILDING BOXES Building from scratch

By Chase Warner, Public Relations and Communications Coordinator at Wood-Mizer

TOP: G.L. produces more than 300,000 pallets per year to supplement boxes. BOTTOM: G.L. sharpens their bandsaw blades up to six times per blade to minimize downtime. 50 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

ocated in the small community of Haute-Aboujagane in the southeastern part of New Brunswick is the family-owned and operated G.L. Wood Products. Established in 1985, the value-added remanufacturing company produces various wood products, including wooden boxes, pallets, stickers, laths, and dunnage. “The mainline is buying lumber at a certain price that we remanufacture and sell for a higher price,” shared Guy Donelle, operations manager at G.L. Wood Products. “Over the years, we have diversified and grown our company from 5 seasonal employees to over 40 yearly employees.” G.L. Wood Products is situated a few miles west of the Atlantic Ocean, where the local economy relies heavily on the fish and wood products industries. The company capitalizes on both markets and first came into business by primarily processing wooden boxes for shipping fish domestically and in the northeastern United States, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Iceland. G.L. produces various sized boxes for smoked herring, cod, halibut, oysters, potatoes, berries, and boned salt ranging from 5 pounds to 300 pounds. Donelle shares that the industry prefers wooden boxes over cardboard or waxed curtain cardboard boxes because clients generally reuse the quality wood for another purpose, especially in Haiti and the Dominican. Wooden boxes produced by G.L. were originally processed by double arbor circular saw blades, but the business had issues with the product consistency and quality. In 1995, G.L. purchased a six-head horizontal resaw manufactured by Wood-Mizer to increase its efficiency from its thin-kerf bandsaw blades. “It changed the company,” shared Donelle. “Because of the thin-kerf, we

PROFILE

LEFT: G.L. Wood Products founder Gaston LeBlanc (left) with son-in-law and current operations manager, Guy Donelle (right). RIGHT: G.L. produces over one million boxes each year for the seafood shipping and packaging industry.

increased 20% of our production by getting an extra piece from each 2 x 6.” After buying heat-treated dry spruce 2 x 6 lumber, the multi-head resaw splits the boards horizontally in half to get two ends of the wooden box. Another 2 x 6 board is divided into five pieces for the box sides, bottom, and cover through one complete pass on the six-head resaw. Once the correct size of box pieces is prepared, and custom printing of a company’s name and product description is added, the pieces ship to the customer unassembled, saving shipping costs and cargo space. According to Donelle, the operation became more efficient when running their equipment at an optimal speed to process up to 28,000 board feet during each nine hour work shift. For more than 20 years with the same resaw, the company has processed 6 million board feet of dry spruce annually, equal to more than one million wooden boxes produced for the seafood shipping and packaging industry each year.

Along with the success of wooden boxes, diversification of products has been pivotal for the growth of the business. Although the Atlantic Provinces are not considered a large manufacturing sector, in 1996, G.L. identified a market to produce and sell wooden pallets for the industry. “We have grown the business by selling to fisheries, peat moss companies, and also the manufacturing sector,” said Donelle. “We build a lot of custom pallets, both softwood, and hardwood, and have over 60 different types of pallets from stringer, block, and wing pallets.” Although pallet production is supplemental to the primary wooden box business, the company produces more than 300,000 pallets per year for companies throughout Eastern Canada and the United States. In 2005, G.L. further diversified and added a second Wood-Mizer six-head resaw to begin producing kiln stickers

and laths for local sawmills in the area. For manufacturing the stickers and laths, G.L. takes a 2 x 6 piece and passes it through the six-head resaw vertically to produce stickers. “That’s why we bought the second multi-head,” shared Donelle. “Because we can get seven boards off the 2 x 6 in one pass.” Almost nothing goes to waste in the operation as byproducts prove profitable as well with the selling of kindling from below-grade kiln stickers along with shavings and sawdust sold to local farmers. The scheduled management of their bandsaw blades has also proved beneficial by sharpening each blade as many as six times instead of throwing them away at the first signs of dullness. “Instead of using a blade and running it until it breaks, we change the blades every half day,” shared Donelle. “We save a lot on downtime because you seldom see blades break during production.” Today, G.L. is making wooden boxes more than ever and has diversified into additional wood products and markets to establish a sound blueprint for sustained success. Donelle says their accomplishments have come from employing good people and treating them as a family throughout decades of lucrative operations. “You really have to surround yourself with good people. When you have good employees, suppliers, and customers, you’re building all the right bridges, and it keeps business simpler. Our employees are ultimately important to our business and our overall key to success.” www.woodindustry.ca 51

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Tilting spindle moulder profil 92 M e-motion The new 92 M table spindle moulder is the Format4 premium model for maximum operating comfort and guarantees absolute efficiency with minimal set-up times when milling. The sophisticated electro-spindle is equipped with an HSK 63F interface for an automatic tool quick-change system with pneumatic clamping. The tilting range of +/- 46° allows unlimited processing possibilities. The rotation speed, spindle height, angle, and spindle moulder fence and table opening can be adjusted intuitively and precisely with the self-explanatory e-motion control in the 15” touchscreen control panel. The memory for tools, spindles, and mortising programs enable perfect repeatability and short set-up times.

Altendorf Hand Guard panel saw The new Altendorf Hand Guard panel saw from Akhurst was developed to detect hazardous situations early and eliminate them. The handguard is not only safe but also highly versatile. It is a true all-rounder thanks to its wide range of configuration options. The safety system works with gloves, can handle nearly every saw blade, and is designed for virtually any material. The hand guard’s two-camera earlyrecognition system secures your employees and safeguards your jobs and your cost estimation. After triggering the system, the machine is immediately ready for use again, with no damage to the device, saw blade, or material.

RG Series Modular Pulse Jet Dust Collector The RG Series from Belfab is an enclosed modular dust collector equipped with a continuous pulse jet cleaning system ranging from 1500 to 5000 CFM. Its design meets the most stringent NorthAmerican safety regulations for an indoor installation by incorporating flameless venting and a fire extinguishing system as a standard. The unit’s fan is equipped with a variable speed drive which controls the airflow while maximizing energy efficiency. Our engineering team has also developed an HMI (Human Machine Interface) that monitors airflow performance and maintains optimal filter efficiency. This equipment has been designed with the concept of modularity.

Laguna JX16 Sheartec Jointer The Laguna JX16 ShearTec II from busy Bee is loaded with premium features to make jointing safer and more enjoyable. Parallelogram Table Adjustments allow for table depth adjustments to travel along an arc to keep the same distance to the cutterhead through its travel. The knee stop uses a body-length bar at knee height to shut off the JX jointer. This allows the operator to stop the machine quickly at any position along the front, keeping hands on the workpiece. The new machine body has been redesigned with a toe-kick to allow the user to position themselves closer to the machine tables and to move safer and easier along the length of the machine.

NEXTEC The new NEXTEC from HOLZ-HER revolutionizes the way carpentry shops work. In presentations, sales, and production. Now also available as a high-flexible 5-axis version. One advantage of the new technology is the simple handling, allowing custom furniture production without programming work. The central feature is that this is not standard furniture - every workpiece can be custom designed. Other central advantages include specific efficiency control, cost savings, increased innovative capability, and reduction of personnel resources. Compared to conventional CNC machining, the primary difference is that NEXTEC allows CNC machining without any programming work.

Opera 5 Opera 5 is the new finishing centre from Biesse designed to satisfy the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises that require versatility with a high technology content. The Opera 5 is a piece of simple, functional cutting-edge technology with high-tech solutions available for any processing operation requirement, only covering a minimal footprint. Opera 5 is equipped with a substantial, wear-resistant steel worktable that guarantees precision and sturdiness for any processing operation. The worktable is positioned at 900 mm from the ground, thus ensuring ease of panel loading and unloading. This solution makes it possible to incorporate Opera 5 into automatic production lines.

52 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Vertical Panel Saws SawTrax Series 3000 Normand’s 3000 Series panel saw has an accessory package recommended for custom woodworking shops that want to take advantage of the variety and benefits of using 10” saw blades. This series unit is ideal for breaking down material up to 2” thick with precision cuts. The 3000 Series features the exclusive Accu-Glide bearing system and the factory set patented Accu-Square preventing it from ever going out of square. Steel sleeves are used to cover the material rollers avoiding damage to the material rollers. The dust collection system uses a shroud brush containing the sawdust to allow the larger diameter dust hose to evacuate.

RETYX Doucet’s RETYX, an articulated arm with a vacuum grip, automates the handling of the panels at the infeed and outfeed of your edgebander. With similar features to a typical return conveyor, it can present the parts in the correct orientation for the next pass, allowing automatic stacking and unstacking in the areas provided for this purpose. The RETYX has 40” vertical and 120” horizontal translation or stroke or movement and rotation capabilities from -90° to +180°. The tool has a receiving conveyor with six motorized belts 9’ long, including motorized infeed arms to interface with the edgebander.

Alpha-Brush Infinity Brush Machine Taurus Craco’s Alpha-Brush Infinity Brush Machine is the perfect cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized production shops. The Infinity incorporates innovative Alpha-Brush abrasives and is available in 600 mm, 1000mm, and 1350 mm widths and can be ordered with two, three, and four sanding stations. The Infinity brush machine is adaptable for a wide variety of sanding applications. It can be fitted with sanding rollers or sanding discs driven by a heavy-duty conveyor system. All sanding rollers or disc stations are adjustable for speed, height, and rotation. The height adjustment is measured down to 0.1 mm with SIKO counters.

MP180 Jointer Planer Moulder The MP180 Jointer Planer Moulder from Wood-Mizer is a three-inone woodworking machine that produces tongue and groove paneling, shiplap, trim, and more. The MP180 takes the versatile functionality of the MP160 Jointer/Planer and adds a vertical side cutter head to the planer table. The MP180 joins the established Wood-Mizer range of woodworking products, including jointer/planers, two-sided planer/ moulders, four-sided planer/moulders, slab flattening machines, dust collection systems, planer blades, moulder knives, and more. Switching between jointing and planing is done quickly by moving the board from one table to the other without adjusting the table or stopping the cutter or extractor.

Drawer Slides for Functional Outdoor Furniture Berenson’s outdoor slide series provide durability with corrosion-resistant stainless steel while offering functional characteristics ideal for external applications. Stainless steel is a favoured material for exterior applications, from outdoor appliances and hardware to the cabinet door and drawer fronts. It is a highly rust-resistant material and impervious to temperature extremes. Unlike drawer slides with plastic parts or liquid dampers, ball-bearing slides keep smooth and consistent movement in sub-zero temperatures. Outdoor drawers need to store more than food, with heavy-duty load capacities, store appliances, propane, and everything you need for the perfect cookout.

Pocket Cutter/Screw Inserter Machine Castle’s CSI-1.5D Pocket Cutter/Screw Inserter saves time, reduces waste, and eliminates non-value-added labor in high-capacity production joinery. The patented technology reduces assembly time by 50%. Using patented ScrewIn-Pocket technology, CSI-1.5D cuts Castle’s distinctive, low-angle screw pocket, drills a low-angle pilot hole, and inserts a flush screw in 1.5 seconds. CSI1.5D provides stackable parts in faster production times by eliminating screw handling at assembly. Use the CSI-1.5D with composites, panels, and hard or softwood. This machine is designed for high-capacity, continuous production joinery for a maximum throughput of stackable parts.

www.woodindustry.ca 53

EVENTS

SIBO IS BACK

The latest products and innovation By Grace Tatigian

or years, the Salon Industriel du Bois Ouvré (SIBO) was the cornerstone event of secondary wood products in Quebec, but it hasn’t been active since 2009. Quebec is an essential part of the industry in Canada, representing $8.2 billion worth of wood products, so it is high time that this show makes a comeback. “While the pandemic has stymied in-person events around the globe for the past two years, it has not prevented the Quebec wood products industry from growing,” said Harry Urban, SIBO show manager. “Nor has it stopped the development of new technology, supplies, and materials. SIBO 2022 will serve as an important gathering place for industry suppliers to showcase three years’ worth of new product introductions.” The show will not only give manufacturers and distributors to connect 54 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

to the Quebec market but will provide attendees with various workshops and presentations on topics from management to technology, covering issues that are pertinent to everyone in the industry. The event’s keynote will be delivered by Bastien Larouche, President and CEO of Roboistic RMC (Robotmade Cabinets). Larouche launched his company ten years ago as a oneperson, one-robot operation to produce ready-to-assemble cabinets. Roboistic mainly sells its cabinets to cabinet shops and developers of large housing projects across North America from his Saint-Apollinaire factory. The presentation will delve into the key challenges and benefits of implementing robotic automation. Larouche will also

provide an overview of the hands-free, fully-automated line that consists of a Kuka robot, Thermwood CNC nesting router, Favrol edgebander, and Omal drill and dowel inserting machine. The SIBO Live stage will also host presentations from universities, trade associations, and other industry partners on essential topics like finishing advancements, workforce development, and advanced technologies, including Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence. “Our goal is to provide Quebec’s wood product manufacturers, both large and small, with the latest products and information that will help them improve their operational efficiencies and increase their bottom lines,” said Urban. “In turn, SIBO 2022 will provide a valuable forum for industry suppliers to display and demonstrate their latest products to grow their business in the unique Quebec wood products market.” And the market in Quebec is only set to grow. Recently, the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation announced the Furniture and Kitchen Cabinet Marketing Support Project, which will provide $3 million in financial assistance to enable companies in the furniture and kitchen industry to modernize their marketing methods. SIBO is another such tool to help manufacturers reach outside the province. “Finally, Quebec will have an industrial woodworking show,” said Urban. “We’re pleased that exhibit inquiries and sales have really started to pick up now that the apparent end of the pandemic is upon us. We expect a sold-out show.”

Registration for the event is now open at http://siboexpo.ca/. The show will take place October 27-29, 2022, at the Centrexpo Cogeco in Drummondville, QC.

EVENTS

AUTOMATION ON DISPLAY

Big plans for IWF

By Bill Esler, Editor and Analyst at International Woodworking Fair

here is no doubt that automation is the future of our industry, which is why the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) is putting such a strong emphasis on woodworking robots this year. IWF is known to deliver the latest solutions in architectural woodwork, cabinetry, furniture manufacturing, engineered products, doors, windows, machinery, tools, and more. The show highlights the largest collection of the woodworking industry’s newest technologies available anywhere, including hundreds of product introductions. From raw materials, supplies, and finishing accessories to woodworking and material processing machinery. Attendees will find more new products, from more sources, in more selection and variety. In short, IWF is where the woodworking business does business. The 2022 show will highlight ways to harness the power of new technologies to increase production efficiencies, new products to drive sales, and new connections to tap emerging markets. The show floor promises to be full of the latest innovations in automation, including robots integrated into vertical machining centers from Stiles, dowel drilling and insertion from CNC Factory, and operating beam saws from Biesse. Alongside long-standing exhibitors such as IMA Schelling and Weinig Holz-Her USA, attendees will also see new exhibitors such as AutomaTech Robotik, Robotic Solutions, ABB Robotics, 7robotics, and Con-Vey. But the benefits of automation aren’t exclusively on the show floor. Day one is scheduled to start with a full-day Process Automation Symposium, presented by 2020. This educational session will discuss how to automate sales, purchasing, engineering, production, and finance processes within a

TOP: Robotic arms in the Biesse Viet sanders wield adapted conventional sanding tools. LEFT: A Stiles Homag Feedbot keeps a Drillteq machining center busy RIGHT: Visitors at IWF Atlanta

modern woodworking company. Led by industry thought leaders, practitioners, and machinery experts, the goal is to discover best practices and gather ideas on how to apply these practices in your company. The session will cover process automation, increasing production, key performance indicators, and streamlining product engineering. It will also include breakout rooms devoted to architectural millwork, kitchen design, and residential furniture. Another session, Robotic Evolution in the Wood Factory, promises to cover product delivery systems, automated spraying robots, machine tending, sanding, curing technologies, equipment integration issues, and programming. This session, delivered by Robotic Solutions, LLC, is all about understanding the advantages and disadvantages of new technology is critical when building a continuing success strategy, and understanding total operating costs and the return on investment associated with purchasing robots.

It isn’t all about the flashy machines, the ones that look so impressive on the showroom floor. Robots are becoming less visible as they pick up critical roles in finishing, directing spray heads, and sanding tools over varying shaped workpieces with a consistency of control and diligence that alleviates another woodworking industry constant — the shortage of skilled workers. Robotically enhanced finishing systems from SCM, Biesse, Cefla, and others will be plentiful at IWF. This year’s show promises hundreds of exhibitors and tens of thousands of attendees from across the globe, with a strong North American representation. Thousands of innovative products, services, and technologies will be showcased by the world’s top manufacturers and emerging brands with cutting-edge demonstrations of machinery, tools, and other products live on the show floor. The show will take place August 23-26, 2022, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. www.woodindustry.ca 55

FACTS AND STATS

13%

An average price increase of 13% was passed along to consumers in 2021, and an additional 13% is in store for 2022. Source: National Kitchen and Bath Association

14.6% Prices of lumber and other sawmill products increased by 14.6%.

98%

Source: Statistics Canada

98% of retailers said vendors raised prices in Q4 and 40% said prices on wood goods were the most common to increase. Source: National Kitchen and Bath Association

39.1%

Sales of wood products rose 6.5% to $4.1 billion in January, the fifth consecutive monthly increase driven by higher prices.

38 Canadian companies were within the top 300 woodworking firms in North America

Source: Statistics Canada

Source: FDMC Top 300 List

19% Kitchen and bath revenues are expected to grow by 19% for the second straight year.

24.2% Wood product manufacturing contributed 24.2% to total manufacturing sales in January in BC.

Source: National Kitchen and Bath Association 56 WOOD INDUSTRY SUMMER 2022

Source: Statistics Canada

(R)EVOLUTION

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Silentia+ The new-generation of soft close hinges from Salice. Besides showing no resistance while opening doors, the Silentia+ hinges guarantee an exceptional and consistent deceleration thanks to twin fluid dampers, delivering a perfect soft closing action in all applications and under any temperature condition.

Silentia+ incorporates an innovative switch to adjust the deceleration mechanism. This enables the closing speed of doors of any size or shape to be perfectly adjusted.

10°

30°

FACTS AND STATS

87%

64%

87% would be more loyal to a company that contributes to social and environmental issues

Fuel price has become the most significant cost concern for 64% of small businesses.

Source: Nielsen Global Survey of Corporate Social Responsibility

$60,450 Journeypersons with one year experience have a median employment income of $60,450.

Source: Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Source: Statistics Canada

11.7% Overall cabinet sales increased 11.7% for January 2022 compared to January 2021.

$10.5 billion Canadian manufacturers have lost $10.5 billion in sales from disruptions in the supply chain.

Source: Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association

Source: Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters

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