Surface & Panel Magazine Q3-2015

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& U N I T I N G M AT E R I A L S , T E C H N O L O G Y A N D D E S I G N

New Looks in Metal Laminates Premier EuroCase: Diligent in Growing through Technology What's Possible: S&P symposium and mHouse work together to enlighten and inspire ongoing Quest shine on!

Beautiful meets functional

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Art in mHouse Completes Mosaic Never Seen Before

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nterior designer Amy Carman was tasked with a very different challenge. Take disparate materials and weave a pleasing tapestry with continuity but also laced with surprises. 21st-century modern materials from all corners of the globe, all pieces of the mHouse puzzle, have been combined to create a mosaic

never seen before.

The final piece to complete the puzzle is art. The work of two exceptionally talented artists will be on

display at the mHouse grand opening Sept. 30 in Watertown, Wis. Thanks to Carman’s connections to the art world, Reginald Baylor’s and Pamela Anderson’s art will grace the interior.

Architect John Vetter’s theme for the property is to “surprise and delight.”

You can be the judge.

Georgia O’Keeffe once said, “I found I could say things with color and shape that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for.” I absolutely love Baylor’s art, but it is difficult for me to describe it. Art and architecture critic Mary Louise Schumacher put it this way: “Ingenious cultural allusions, pop culture icons and stealthy references to art history converge and erupt from Baylor’s paintings—which I am convinced might just as well be a portrait of the artist himself.”

I had the opportunity to visit with Baylor to review his work. I stopped him when we got to a particular piece, and I said, “Reggie, that’s ‘Left, Right and Left Again,’ my absolute favorite.” He said, “I am impressed that you know the title of that work.”

And so it was settled. Carman agreed that the piece had to be in the mHouse. Now imagine this: Instead of a 20-inch-by-30-inch piece of art, envision the art on a gallery wall at 8 feet by 20 feet. The art will be reproduced (the original is in a private collection in Los Angeles) using Wilsonart's X You program that digitally prints custom art in laminate. Combining art with our industry’s amazing digital print technology also got Baylor’s attention because he is interested in producing art in a variety of media.

Pamela Anderson brings a modern dimension to abstract impressionism. Her art combines bold, colorful strokes and gestural movement and is a perfect complement to the modern design of the mHouse and the mid-century modern furnishings. Pamela is an acclaimed artist with work in the collection of Northwestern Mutual Life and others.

Coincidently, Georgia O’Keeffe was born and raised 20 minutes from the site of the mHouse in the town of Sun Prairie. If she were alive today, what would she think about our “industry’s art” and the art of two accomplished artists in Amy Carman’s interior.

Architect John Vetter’s theme for the property is to “surprise and delight.” You can be the judge.

Register today for the Surface & Panel Symposium, which is Sept. 29, at www.sandpsymposium.com to qualify to attend the mHouse grand opening the next day. For more on the symposium and mHouse, turn to page 20.

Hope to see you there.

Join Us in Milwaukee and Watertown, WI

All the best,

Sept. 29–30 John Aufderhaar | Sur face & Panel | jaufderhaar @sur faceandpanel.com | 920 -206 -1766

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New Looks in Metal Laminates ‘Timeless’ is a Word Often Heard to Describe the Design Appeal of Metal HPL.

12 Premier EuroCase: Diligent in Growing Through Technology The popularity of gloss surfacing has soared in recent years. These days, high-gloss treatments can be seen in myriad applications and settings. [ d e p a r t m e n t s ]

3 From the Publisher 72 From the Editor 74 Advertiser Index

20 What's Possible

52

S&P symposium and mHouse work together to enlighten and inspire.

32 New CPA President Sets Priorities, Sees Challenges and Growth Ahead for Industry Q&A with Jackson Morrill, president of the Composite Panel Association.

36 Ongoing Quest Wisconsin cabinet company takes pride in quality, efficiency and adaptability.

46 Leaner, Stronger Home Furnishing Companies Respond to Demand As in other industries, those home furnishing manufacturers that survived the recession emerged leaner and stronger.

p ub l ish e r

John Aufderhaar President | Bedford Falls Communications 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-206-1766 jaufderhaar@surfaceandpanel.com

52 Looking Good: Business Furniture

Sector Sees Steady Growth ‘Cool, beautiful laminates’ play key role in focus on fashion.

content

Scott W. Angus Editorial Director | Bedford Falls Communications 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-261-1947 scottangus47@gmail.com

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58 Shine On! High quality high-gloss finishes made possible by superior surfacing technology.

a dv e r t isin g

66 Beautiful Meets Functional

Ryan Wagner VP Sales & Marketing | Bedford Falls Communications 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-261-1945 rwagner@bedfordfallsmedia.com

New hardware makes life easier while looking good.

Join Us in Milwaukee and Watertown, WI

Sept. 29–30

G r a p hic D e si g n / P r in t Pub l icat i o ns

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Karen Leno Graphic Designer | KML Design, Inc. 104 Crescent Avenue, Decorah, IA 52101 kmldesign@mchsi.com C i r cu l at i o n

surfaceandpanelcirculation@gmail.com

C o m p o s i t e Pa n e l A s s o c i at i o n Main Office

19465 Deerfield Avenue, Suite 306 Leesburg, VA 20176 Ph: 703-724-1128 fax: 703-724-1588 Toll Free 1-866-4COMPOSITES www.CompositePanel.org Ca n a d i a n O f f i c e

Post Office Box 747, Station B Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K1P 5P8 Ph: 613-232-6782 fax: 703-724-1588 International Testing and Certification Center

73 Lawson Road, Leesburg, VA 20175 Ph: 703-724-1128 fax: 703-724-1588 www.itcclab.org

On the cover:

High-gloss acrylic by Sensosan offers visual and tactile allure, as well as practical appeal. It is finding exciting new applications in both residential and commercial settings.

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Surface & Panel is published quarterly by Bedford Falls Communications, Inc., 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094, telephone 920-206-1766. John Aufderhaar, President, Christine Aufderhaar, CFO. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical without written permission from the publisher. Subscription policy: Individual subscriptions are available, without charge, to manufacturers who engage in panel processing, qualified service providers and suppliers. Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscribers. One year subscription to non-qualified individuals: U.S. $50, Canada/Mexico $75, all other countries $100, payable in U.S. funds. Single issues are $15, and must be prepaid. Bedford Falls Communications, Inc., does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. Printed in the U.S.A. Postmaster: Send address changes to Surface & Panel, 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094. Please direct all subscription questions and mail to: Surface & Panel, 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094.

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New Looks in Metal Laminates Metal laminates are best suited to vertical surfaces such as this reception desk. This one features a selection from Chemetal.

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C h r i s t i a n s o n

‘Timeless’ is a Word Often Heard to Describe the Design Appeal of Metal HPL Look but don’t touch. That’s a basic tenet of metal laminates.

Metal laminates occupy a unique place in the decorative high-pressure laminate family. Unlike their heavy-duty brethren that are engineered to withstand the daily wear and tear subjected to kitchen countertops and other work surfaces, metal laminates, though durable, are neither scratch resistant nor fingerprint proof.

As a result, metal laminates are best suited for adorning vertical surfaces and are used extensively for walls in commercial and institutional settings. They also find plenty of other uses, including ceilings, inserts, retail displays and even light-duty countertop applications.

Their physical limitations aside, the beauty of metal laminates is their uncanny 8

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ability to create a wide spectrum of moodsetting visual effects. They can be produced to emulate classic architectural metals such as aged brass, brushed stainless steel or hammered copper at a fraction of the price of the real deal.

What’s more, they can be fabricated with the same types of tooling, composite wood substrates and adhesives used to produce countertops. In short, they offer a fantastic option for value engineering a project either as the star material or as a complementary accent.

“The difference between metal laminate and traditional high-pressure laminate is that a very thin sheet of metal is used instead of decorative paper,” said Gerri Chieml, senior design manager, North America, of Formica Corp. of Cincinnati. “Some of our patterns

use real copper or stainless steel, but for the most part, it’s aluminum, which lowers product cost and reduces tool wear.”

One for the Ages

“Metal is kind of a timeless material, and we’re seeing a real popularity spike with aged metals right now,” said Geoff Schaefer, creative director and president of Chemetal based in Easthampton, Mass. “Metal has a lot of energy to it in the way it reflects light. It’s something you can’t replicate with a printed laminate or something else. You can’t really fake metal well.”

“There really is no one direction that is driving the use of metals,” noted Tammy Weadock, marketing communications manager for Wilsonart of Temple, Texas. “We’ve seen it used equally in vintage, industrial,

the "unique art" line of metal laminates from ATI decorative Laminates features patterns that are hand painted by artists using techniques that allow for repeatability.

Pictured here: numetal "Unique Art washington."

"sequin brite brushed sterling" by wilsonart is A cool sterling silver with a bright sheen in a long-line brush with small raised glossy circles.

sleek modern and comfortable space. What is significant is the fact that metals mix so well with the other materials – wood, glass, stone, quartz and laminate – used in almost any space.”

Vern Combrink, vice president of sales for ATI Decorative Laminates of Greensboro, N.C., cited a case study documenting one of his company’s local metal laminate installations. He said it illustrates the timelessness and durability of metal laminates.

When the then newly constructed Green Valley Grill opened in 1998, most diners assumed the restaurant was many decades older because the copper brick wall interior projected a 1920s feel. In addition, Combrink said 16 years later, the combination was holding up great, and proprietor Dennis Weaver predicted, “If you come back

in 16 years, you’ll see these exact same walls because materials either wear out or ugly out, and this isn’t going to do either one.”

What’s New in Metal HPL

Formica introduced nine additions to its DecoMetal line at the HD Expo in Las Vegas in May. Chieml said the nine patterns were chosen from among 79 prototypes shown in dozens of face-to-meetings with designers.

In particular, the introductions of Umbra, a warm brown color, and Argent, which falls between a gold and aluminum, are “significant to us,” Chieml said. “Both are in line with some of the trends we’ve seen in the warming of metals and newer kind of industrial metal that are a little burnished in color.”

Wilsonart has also jumped on the warmer metal tones bandwagon. The company just

Formica's "umbra craft" reflects a trend for warmer metallics with a burnished industrial finish.

released 14 new designs to its Dec Metals Collection, “channeling the trend of mixing and layering warm metal tones such as copper, gold and rose gold with cooler metal tones of silver and aluminum.”

Weadock noted that some of Wilsonart’s new designs “borrow from the texture that is found in other materials, like wood, and offer a sophisticated yet playful approach to the surface.”

In a similar vein, Combrink said ATI’s new large-scale Shingles Brushed Stainless and Shingles Antique Pewter designs “combined the rough-hewn texture of wood with the contemporary feel of metal.” He added that the manufacturing process involves applying “detailed embossing on aluminum continued on page 10

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‹ continued from page 9 to mimic the striations of hand-split, cedar shake shingles.”

“Dimensional surfaces are very popular,” Combrink said. “Textured or embossed designs give movement to the surface. They add interest without adding weight or depth to the product.”

Chemetal, which fabricates thin solidmetal designs in house and also offers metal HPL, added 24 new designs to its collection, bringing the total to more than 200 choices. The 2015 product launch includes four new metal laminates. Included are Bling, a gouged wood look on shiny metal, and Metalwave, a textured horizontal aluminum pattern.

“I think our 2015 launch reflects a reaction to what we see happening in the market place, including variations of things we are having success with or things we think people might like but that are unique to us.” s&p

Metal laminates perform well in retail displays.

"Argen Craft" by Formica is used here on the vertical surfaces and pairs well with the wood and quartz look of the other materials.

Metal laminates can be used in some light-duty countertop applications. shown here is "Patina Malchit," from the NuMetal Unique Art Collection by ATI decorative Laminates.

Chemetal added 24 new designs to its collection, bringing the total to more than 200 choices.

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"Rough cut" is one of Wilsonart's Three new designs that showcase large-scale patterns.

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Premier EuroCase: Diligent in

Growing through Technology

T

he popularity of modern, elegant gloss surfacing has soared in recent years, and these days, high-gloss treatments can be seen throughout the world in applications ranging from retail signs to promotional displays to office furniture to residential cabinetry, fixtures and paneling.

Andy Wilzoch, president of Denver-based Premier EuroCase, a full-service panel processor and manufacturer of thermally fused laminated panels, was an early innovator in high-gloss panel-process manufacturing. Premier is a leading North American producer of worldclass high gloss and a top supplier of laminated panels for commercial office environments, custom cabinet components and store fixtures and furnishings used in some of the country’s biggest retail chains.

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B y L e a h W h e e l e r

Ten years ago, Wilzoch jumped on the opportunity to achieve better response time for his clients by self-producing TFL panels with a Wemhoner short-cycle press. He made large investments in top-ofthe-line equipment, installed a certified clean room in his manufacturing facility and began producing Reflekt high-gloss acrylic surface panels. Reflekt is a breakthrough product in high-gloss acrylic panels. It delivers impeccable surface consistency, color richness that enhances depth and clarity, and high resiliency, and Premier says it is the most scratch-resistant high-gloss surface on the market.

Reflekt panels consist of a premium quality MDF substrate with a co-extruded ABS/PMMA high-gloss acrylic top layer. The MDF core material is carefully selected to have low surface variance, so the Reflekt surface is not flawed by substrate imperfections. Using the in-house short-cycle melamine press, melamine is laminated to both sides of the MDF substrate to ensure the board is balanced and will not warp. The melamine faces are then thoroughly cleaned with brushes containing a mild alcohol solution that draws off any remaining traces of dust, foreign particles or loose matter.

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See the technology sidebar on page 18 for more about the manufacturing processes at Premier EuroCase.

Inside the clean-room, Premier’s Bürkle PUR laminating line employs a heated glue system in which Kleiberit polyurethane glue is heated before being applied to the panel surface.

cut-to-size panels stainless steel rigid vinylsanded panels particleboard particleboard imported materials high-gloss veneer core polypropylene PUR adhesives vinyl solutions Choose your surface. sanded panels lumber core acrylicveneer paper supply chain

solutions

polypropylene

The popularity of modern, elegant gloss surfacing has soared in recent years, and these days, high-gloss treatments can be seen throughout the world in applications ranging from retail signs to promotional displays to office furniture to residential cabinetry, fixtures and paneling.

world worldwide sourcing Choose your substrate. polypropylene

plywood Next, high quality acrylic sheets are laminated to the panels using

veneer core

PVA

paper rigid vinyl

Choose Genesis. HPL soluti

supply chain

Acrylic veneer core

heated PUR glue inside a Class-100 (ISO5) clean-room. This process PVA adhesives stainless steel guarantees Reflekt is as close to perfect as technologically possible. The paper rigid vinyl glass-walled cleanroom creates a climate-controlled, 100 percent dustimported materials free environment as positive air pressure is generated through HEPA filters.

PVA adhesives Inside the clean-room, Premier’s Bürkle PUR laminating line employs a imported materials turnkey distribution heated glue system in which Kleiberit polyurethane glue is heated before being applied to the panel surface. This renders a perfectly consistent, polypropylene smooth coat and also retards the setting of the glue, giving the bond added strength. PUR (polyurethane) is a reactive glue that interacts with existing moisture in the material and in the air to adhere dissimilar materials together. PUR, for example, can bond acrylic to wood, steel or other Customized laminated products for unique projects. Learn more at materials securely. The bond is virtually impenetrable.

GenesisProductsInc.com/laminated The PUR line process is precise, and every panel is laminated at exactly the same temperature to ensure consistency. As the panels move along IndustrialSales@genesisproductsinc.com the conveyer, they are automatically mated to the acrylic sheets as they pass through the precision pressure roller.

aluminum

lumber core

solutions plywood worldwide sourcing paper

continued on page 14

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plywood

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Reflekt panels are available in 16 colors, two of which are exclusive to Premier. Edge-banding treatments create a water-resistant seal.

The secret sauce

What gives Reflekt panels their luminous color and exceptional resiliency are the high quality acrylic color sheets that are used in the manufacturing process. Produced in Austria by Senoplast, four-ply acrylic sheets are made using a proprietary process that applies an ultra-hard coating of UV lacquer, two layers of acrylic and an ABS base sheet together.

The UV lacquer top coat gives the product extraordinary durability and hardness. It is the secret sauce that makes Reflekt panels the most scratch-resistant high-gloss panels on the market, Wilzoch said.

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For more information, please contact: American RENOLIT Corporation info@laminatefinder.com Tel. 973-706-6912 www.renolit.com/design www.laminatefinder.com 14

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“The Senoplast product we use is recognized as the best acrylic sheet in the market today, and the finished product does not require the care and maintenance required by some competing brands,” he said.

Reflekt panels are available in 16 colors, two of which are exclusive to Premier.

Once the acrylic sheets are bonded to the panels, they are allowed to cure for 48 hours before processing or shipping. An edgebanding treatment is applied that creates a water-resistant seal.

Premier EuroCase laminates 4' x 8' Reflekt panels in thicknesses ranging from 1/4" to 3" and also processes the product into finished components such as cabinet doors and drawer fronts.

Premier uses two precise Homag KAL 310 laser edgebanders to render invisible edge components suitable for the most discerning customers. Color-matched mirror gloss ABS or a V-Edge (two-tone) PMMA banding are both offered, and the result is a sleek, luminous contemporary look similar to back-painted glass.

Given the ultra-smooth sheen and reflective patina of high-gloss finishes, surface defects are visible, and the tiniest imperfection can spoil a high gloss surface.

“It’s incredibly difficult to do high gloss and do it well,” Wilzoch said.

“You’re working with a very thin material on MDF substrate, and the tiniest speck of dust or flaw in the base creates a visible blemish. The precise fabrication process and the quality controls we put in place are all designed to yield an extremely high quality, resilient, scratchresistant high-gloss product at a reasonable price.”

Indeed, Premier EuroCase’s Reflekt rivals the quality and gloss level of the heavy, costly solid acrylic panels fabricated in Europe, and it sells for a more moderate price.

It’s the technology, stupid!

The company’s ability to deliver made-to-order components in just 10 business days is enabled by its world-class technology and efficient manufacturing processes. Wilzoch, a self-confessed “machine junkie,” said he has always been intrigued by technology, and since opening his shop in 1987, he has been diligent about growing through technology.

“We are deliberate about adopting new processes and adding fabrication capacity that is complementary to our current production capabilities,” he said. continued on page 16

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Premier EuroCase laminates 4' x 8' Reflekt panels in thicknesses ranging from 1/4" to 3" and also processes the product into finished components such as cabinet doors and drawer fronts.

‹ continued from page 14

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Feel good about it

Premier has made investments in high quality German production equipment, including a short-cycle melamine press, two laser edgebanders, multiple panel saws, point-to-point CNC and BAZ machines, a robotic inventory control system, as well as the world-class clean room for production of high-gloss acrylic surface panels. All of the equipment is computer controlled and accessible from a central network that manages parts distribution, drawings and overall production capacity.

Premier EuroCase Reflekt high-gloss panels will be showcased in the mHouse, which is slated to open Sept. 30, the day after the Surface & Panel Symposium. The mHouse is in Watertown, WI. The symposium will be in Milwaukee.

“Reflekt is one of the industry’s finest new products, and its applications in the mHouse project will demonstrate some of the exciting new possibilities that exist in modern residential interiors,” said John Aufderhaar, publisher of Surface & Panel, which is building the mHouse. Premier EuroCase is one of the original sponsors of the mHouse.

The process of making high-gloss panels calls for attention to detail at every step.

“It’s a combination of having the right technology, the best equipment available on the market, and a terrific team of employees, many of whom have been with the company for 10, 15 or even 20 years,” Wilzoch said. “We have a lot of in-house knowledge, and that is a pillar of our ability to maintain high quality standards.

“I think we are recognized as a great place to work, and good people want to come work for us because we are a progressive company and we have awesome technology. We also have unequivocal quality standards that everyone understands.”

Wilzoch founded Premier EuroCase nearly three decades ago in a modest 900-square-foot industrial space. Since then, the company has grown to occupy a 300,000-square-foot stateof-the-art manufacturing facility that employs 115 people.

“My philosophy is to invest in the best and compete at the highest level. Be the best, or get out of the game,” Wilzoch said.

“That’s what’s brought us to where we are today.” s&p see technology sidebar on page 18

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We can open the door to a better way of doing business At S i e r r a P i n e p e o p l e yo u k n ow A n d t ru s t tA k e c A r e o f yo u r n e e d s o n A p e r s o n A l l e v e l . w he n yo u r b u s i n e s s d e p e n d s o n yo u , d e p e n d o n S i e r r a P i n e .

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Premier EuroCase:

A House of Technology

J

Premier's significant investment in equipment includes a Wemhoner short-cycle melamine press, Homag laser and traditional edgebanders, Holzma panel saws, and Weeke point-to-point machines, all of which are coordinated, networked and work together as a system. The Premier facility also has as a glass-walled Class-100 (ISO5) CleanRoom and a Bürkle PUR laminating line.

ust as Italy has become the global hub of design innovation, Germany has established itself as an engineering leader and go-to source for top quality manufacturing equipment used in materials fabrication, said Andy Wilzoch, president of Premier EuroCase, a top North American panel processor and manufacturer of thermally fused laminate panels.

Wilzoch noted that virtually all of the fabricating equipment and many of the materials used in his 300,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Denver manufacturing facility are from Europe, made by prominent names such as Homag and Bürkle “Having the latest technologies and manufacturing processes allows us to stay a step ahead of our customers’ expectations as well as our industry rivals,” Wilzoch said. “To uphold our philosophy of taking care of customers, our investment in technology has gone beyond the initial investment and into continued additions and upgrades to repeatedly put us in a position to be a market leader and to respond quickly to customers’ demands.”

Premier has made significant investments in high quality German production equipment manufactured by the Homag Group and imported by Stiles Machinery of Grand Rapids, Mich., including a Wemhoner short-cycle melamine press, Homag laser and traditional edgebanders, Holzma panel saws, and Weeke point-to-point machines, all of which are coordinated, networked and work together as a system. The Premier facility also has as a glass-walled Class-100 (ISO5) CleanRoom (see pg. 13) and a Bürkle PUR laminating line for production of high-gloss acrylic surface panels.

“This is precision equipment that is engineered intelligently.

It is the best of the best, and it is what enables us to maintain accuracy, cleanliness, consistency and tight quality control,” Wilzoch said. “The process of making high-gloss panels calls for attention to detail at every step along the way. It’s a combination of having the right technology and the best equipment available on the market.”

Advanced technology is embedded in the materials that Premier uses, too.

Premier’s high-gloss Reflekt panels, prized for their luminous color and exceptional resiliency, are made with acrylic color sheets produced in Austria by Senoplast.

“The Senoplast product we use is recognized as the best acrylic sheet in the market today,” Wilzoch said. “Our ability to deliver first quality panels and made-to-order components in just 10 business days is really made possible by the amazing technology that is embedded in our processes and our products.

“Being known as a company that is forward-thinking and progressive in our materials, methods and machinery also helps us attract and retain good workers,” Wilzoch said. “Some of our employees have been with us for 10, 15, or even 20 years, and that gives us a solid base of in-house knowledge and experience that complements our great technology.” n — by Leah Wheeler

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what’s possible S&P symposium and mHouse work together to enlighten and inspire Never in the materials, design and fabrication industries has there been a combination with so much to offer.

On Sept. 29 and 30, Surface & Panel magazine will sponsor a two-day event that will begin with a stimulating symposium focusing on what’s possible and conclude with a demonstration of those possibilities in a real-world setting at the innovative and one-of-akind mHouse.

The symposium will connect architects, interior designers, fabricators and other design specialists with material specifiers and producers to help them better understand the industry and the innovative technologies driving it. It will serve as a platform for attendees to collaborate and learn about global design trends, value-added surfaced components and creative advances in panelbased products.

The mHouse, created by Surface & Panel and its Materialicious website, redefines what’s possible in modern residential home design. It features cutting-edge products from the composite panel and decorative surfaces industries to show stunning, design-oriented application possibilities never seen before.

The symposium begins Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the iconic Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wis.

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The event begins Tuesday, Sept. 29, with the symposium at the iconic Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wis. The symposium will feature seven speakers spaced throughout the day with roundtable discussions in between.

“The symposium absolutely is a must-attend event for decisionmakers seeking to extend their competitive advantage,” said John Aufderhaar, publisher of Surface & Panel and president of Bedford Falls Communications, which publishes the magazine.

Among the speakers will be Renee Hytry Derrington, who has more than 25 years designing surfacing products for Formica and Laminex internationally; Lary Skow, president and chief executive officer of Northern Contours of St. Paul, Minn., who has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing environments, developing innovative products and leading sales teams; and Francoise Dion, who is the national manager/specification for Richelieu and an expert in trends, influences and colors.

Throughout the day, an integrated trade show will showcase materials from dozens of the top suppliers in the composite panel and decorative surfaces industries.

Join Us in Milwaukee and Watertown, WI

e

Sept. 29–30

The symposium is free to architects, interior designs, fabricators and other design specialists. Because the symposium will showcase the world’s finest products, suppliers are encouraged to become sponsors. Registration for suppliers is $149.

The event will continue Wednesday, Sept. 30, with the grand opening of the mHouse, which will be the perfect complement to the discussions and material displays and demonstrations from the day before. Only symposium registrants will be admitted.

The mHouse will reveal the world’s most innovative and compelling decorative surfaces in unique and creative ways, said Aufderhaar, who is building upon his vision of uniting materials, technology and design by creating this residential research lab for tomorrow’s modern home.

“Every room and every product will showcase our industry’s best,” he said. “From floors to walls to ceilings and everywhere in between, look for remarkable innovation from a global list of suppliers. Applications include kitchen, bath, closet, furniture, bedroom, garage, media center, wine room, exterior cladding and much more.”

i m a g e s © V ISI T MI LWA U K EE

Milwaukee is a vibrant city with so much for our Symposium guests to enjoy.

The mHouse – located in Watertown, Wis. – is about “what’s possible,” Aufderhaar said.

John Vetter is the mHouse’s architect, while Amy Carman is the interior designer. Both are industry leaders based in Milwaukee.

Asked about the project, Vetter said: “Integrating the interior and exterior architecture with so many amazing decorative surface materials will be a pleasure and a unique learning experience. We are proud to contribute our expertise to such an inspiring collaboration and innovative home. The mHouse will certainly surprise and delight.”

The mHouse has been constructed with the support of more than two dozen sponsors that range from local businesses to international companies. All took advantage of the opportunity to showcase their materials or services in this visionary house.

The house will open at 9 a.m., and guests will take self-guided tours to learn about the featured materials. Sponsors will be present to answer questions.

A welcome and dedication ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at the nearby Watertown Country Club. The club will host food, drinks and music for the all-day affair. The parking lot at the club will be available for attendees’ vehicles. At sunset, about 7 p.m., a fireworks display at the mHouse will cap the celebration.

The mHouse is located at 1400 Country Club Lane in Watertown, which is about 50 miles from Milwaukee and 50 miles from Madison, or just less than an hour’s drive from both. Buses will be provided Sept. 30 to transport attendees from the event hotel, the Doubletree

by Hilton in downtown Milwaukee, to the mHouse and back.

After the grand opening, the mHouse will be open for visits and tours by industry representatives and groups for about six months.

Then, it will go on the market.

For registration, hotel and travel information and more about the symposium and mHouse grand opening, go to www.sandpsymposium.com. more important imformation about the symposium on pages 22 through 30

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Q3 2015

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speakers

‹ continued from page 21

presented in the order o f their appearance at the symposium

Barb Skivington Barb Skivington is director of education and technical support for UNFOLDED, an international distributor for Annie Sloan products. Responsible for developing training programs, she shares her 30-plus years in the industry and teaches techniques for using Chalk Paint brand decorative paint products — including a wide spectrum of decorative finishes for furniture, walls, cabinets and the like — to Annie Sloan Stockists in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Barb has spent much of her life pursuing her passion for artistic creations. In 1995, she founded Faux Works, a nationally acclaimed instructional studio in High Point, N.C., where she taught a wide spectrum of decorative finishes to students from the United States and several other countries. Always striving to maintain a creative edge, Barb continually invested her time into classes, seminars

and virtual workshops in which she explored new uses for paints, plasters and other materials. She has trained in the United States and Europe with some of the industry’s top decorative painters.

Barb began the concept of apprenticeship programs that benefit both the artist and the community with FauxCase 2001, which featured the transformation of a suburban house through the creative use of paints, plasters and stencils. The project was designed as an onsite workshop, and students transformed a home into a showcase for decorative painting. The home was opened to both the design industry and the public to rave reviews, and net proceeds were donated to a local organization that funds research into cures and prevention of breast cancer. In 2006, Barb expanded the FauxCase concept into the Art of Living, a program designed to nurture creative lifestyles and livelihoods. The Art of Living project took place in the Brandywine area of Pennsylvania, and proceeds again benefited a local cancer center.

Barb’s brushes and trowels have taken her to locations throughout the U.S., as well as Europe, Northern Africa and Australia.

Her work has appeared in several books and magazines, including Better Homes and Gardens Decorative Paint Techniques, Renovation Style, Paint Décor and Southern Living. Her first book, “Decorative Finishes Inspired by the South of France,” was published in 2008.

Barb will speak at 9 a.m. in the Rumble Room of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Lary Skow Lary Skow, president and chief executive officer of Northern Contours of St. Paul, Minn., has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing environments developing innovative products and leading sales teams. His understanding of manufacturing processes, product design and customer needs has earned him a reputation as a highly regarded professional who gets results. Using a combination of common sense, competitive advantage and a commitment to add value, Lary has been instrumental in helping Northern Contours gain and sustain its momentum as an industry leader.

Since its inception in 1992, Northern Contours has grown by creating cutting-edge products and capitalizing on new opportunities across a number of industries, including kitchen and bath, health care, retail and commercial office. Northern Contours manufacturing facilities combine expertise in flat and membrane pressing, CNC routing, edgebanding, precision boring and other traditional woodworking processes.

Lary will speak at 10 a.m. in the Rumble Room of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

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speakers continued on page 24

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speakers

‹ continued from page 22

presented in the order o f their appearance at the symposium

Renee Hytry Derrington Renee Hytry Derrington is group vice president for design at Formica Group and Laminex Group.

After more than 25 years of designing surfacing products for the Formica and Laminex brands internationally, Renee leads design teams in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and New Zealand for Fletcher Building Laminates and Panels Group. These surfaces have shaped interiors in homes, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and almost any other space internationally. Previously, Renee worked for Kohler Co., a major plumbing manufacturer, in marketing and industrial design and was responsible for new colors, decorative tiles, and kitchen and bath products.

Renee has a Bachelor of Science in architecture from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in industrial design from Ohio State University.

Making flat panels fabulous for over 40 years....

She is a past board director for Color Marketing Group, which is an international association for color design professionals. Renee was recognized for her role in expanding the group’s activities in Asia, Europe and Latin America with the President’s Award in 2008.

A design zealot, she has collaborated with Pentagram for a book about the 100 years of the Formica brand and special laminate collection. She built her “all Formica products home” on the shores of Lake Michigan north of Chicago. Renee gives trend presentations to design groups around the world.

Renee will speak at 11 a.m. in the Rumble Room of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Francoise Dion Francoise Dion is national manager/specification for Richelieu, responsible for the specification team in North America.

Francoise is a specialist in trends, influences and colors.

She also travels Europe to see major furniture, material and kitchen shows.

She has been a member of the Color Marketing Group of America since 1993. This association determines color directions two to three years into the future.

Having been involved in colors and trends for more than 20 years, Francoise will discuss the coming trends both in colors and materials for the kitchen and furniture markets.

Francoise will speak at 1 p.m. in the Rumble Room of the Harley-Davidson Museum. speakers continued on page 26

Register for the S&P Symposium Today!

Thermally Fused Laminate Panels Woodgrain Printed Panels HPL Panels Leather Veneer Panels Water Based Painted Panels Slatwall Panels Cut-to-size 1.800.433.7142 www.panel.com

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THERMO PRESSED LAMINATES

To register and for more information, go to www.sandpsymposium.com.

›

speakers

‹ continued from page 24

presented in the order o f their appearance at the symposium

Andy Rubenstein Andy Rubenstein, senior manager of OMNOVA’s Fabrication Design Services, is leading the global effort to redefine the way laminate companies engage with their end-users.

This unique model, inspired

by OMNOVA’s Global Laminate Team and led by Andy, combines technical knowhow, material science and a deep passion for solution-based design. The intersection of these disciplines was the spark that lead to the creation of OMNOVA's Fabrication Design Services.

Before joining OMNOVA last year, Andy consulted for and eventually joined Ann Inc., heading up its Fixture Development team for five years. Before that, Andy started and managed Design Basics, a design services provider, for 12 years, with a portfolio that included innovative product design as well as specialty retail, big

box and POP design. Additionally, Design Basics supported many manufacturers with design services. Andy’s industry experience began at Bon Art International, where he served as vice president of design and engineering.

Andy earned a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design from Syracuse University and lives in Cranbury, N.J. Andy will speak at 2 p.m. in the Rumble Room of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

John Vetter John Vetter earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in architecture from the University of Minnesota in 1982. He co-founded Vetter Denk Architects in Milwaukee in 1985 and has acted as principal-incharge of design for the past 30 years.

His firm’s award-winning work has consistently explored the nature of residential design in both rural and urban settings, seeking uncommon solutions to common design challenges and bringing architect-designed housing to a wider public audience.

Vetter Denk has won many urban design competitions throughout the Midwest and has acted as both architect and developer of Milwaukee’s award-winning Beerline Neighborhood. Through its cohesive urban vision, Vetter Denk has established itself as a preeminent firm – understanding both the design and delivery of urban neighborhoods with community impact.

On a much smaller scale, Vetter Denk’s 2200-square-foot Aperture House has been internationally recognized as an elegant solution to pre-fabricated single-family housing.

Throughout his career, John has participated in design juries, and Vetter Denk Architects has been honored with numerous Wisconsin AIA awards. In addition, Vetter Denk was recently recognized as one of the 25 most innovative architecture firms in the world by Wallpaper magazine.

John will speak at 4 p.m. in the Rumble Room of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

John Vetter is the architect of the mHouse, which will be showcased the day after the symposium on Wednesday, Sept. 30. w e d n e s day, S e p t. 30 9:00 am

954.420.9553 www.SynergyThermofoils.com 26

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mHouse Open for Self-Guided Tours

10:00 am

mHouse Welcome and Dedication Ceremony

Watertown Country Club. The club will host food, drinks and music for the all-day affair.

7:00 pm Fireworks

Display at the mHouse more about the symposium on page 28

›

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schedule

‹ continued from page 26 Tu e s day, S e p t. 29

•

9 : 0 0 am – 5: 0 0 p m

8:00 am – 9:00 am Networking 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Expo

We’re always improving our materials — as such, the schedule below is subject to change.

Breakfast

Floor Open

9:00 am – 9:20 am

Speaker: Barb Skivington

9:40 am – 10:00 am

Roundtable: Decorative Compact Laminate: Inside & Outside

10:00 am – 10:20 am

Speaker: Lary Skow

10:40 am – 11:00 am

Roundtable: Expanding Uses for 3DL

11:00 am – 11:20 am

Speaker: Renee Hytry Derrington

11:40 am – 12:00 pm

Roundtable: TFL | The New Real Wood

12:10 pm – 12:30 pm

Roundtable: LVT | The Future of Hard Surface Flooring

12:40 pm – 1:00 pm

Roundtable: Functional Hardware & LED Lighting for Kitchen, Bath and More

1:00 pm – 1:20 pm

Speaker: Francoise Dion

1:40 pm – 2:00 pm

Roundtable: Decorative Applications for Hardwood Plywood

2:00 pm – 2:20 pm

Speaker: Andy Rubenstein

2:40 pm – 3:00 pm Roundtable: Endless 3:00 pm – 3:20 pm

Opportunities for Custom Digital Laminate

Speaker: Reginald Baylor

3:40 pm – 4:00 pm Roundtable: Engineered Wood | The Future of Construction Materials 4:00 pm – 4:20 pm

Speaker: John Vetter

4:40 pm – 5:00 pm

Roundtable: Acrylic and Decorative Applications

A real-life application of decorative surface products from the symposium will be on display at the mHouse Grand Opening on Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Watertown, Wis. Only registrants of the symposium will be allowed access to the mHouse. The house will open at 9 a.m., and guests can take self-guided tours to learn about the innovative products featured in the house. Sponsors will be present to answer questions on materials.

A welcome and dedication ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. at the nearby Watertown Country Club. The club will host food, drinks and music for the all-day affair. The parking lot at the club will be available for all attendees.

At sunset, about 7 p.m., a fireworks display at the mHouse will cap the celebration.

The mHouse is located at 1400 Country Club Lane in Watertown. The house is about 50 miles from Milwaukee and 50 miles from Madison or just less than an hour’s drive from both. more about the symposium on page 30

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by Polylac Panels Polylac Panels the highest gloss the best scratch resistance the best heat resistance the most colors European inspired designs come to life in Polylac High Gloss panels. These multi-layered panel products provide the highest gloss level, scratch and heat resistance on the market.

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Polylac is distributed across North America by:

SPELLMAN HARDWOODS

‚ continued from page 28

sponsors The Surface & Panel Symposium and the mHouse would not be possible without the support of the sponsors whose logos appear on this page.

Bedford Falls Communications, which publishes Surface & Panel magazine and materialicious.com, is grateful for the sponsors' contributions and wishes to thank them for sharing in the vision of these complementary efforts. s&p

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All fixtures start out the same way

It’s the engineering that sets them apart

And the surface that makes them beautiful Introducing OMNOVA Fabrication Design Services OMNOVA is excited to announce the introduction of Fabrication Design Services , a complimentary service available exclusively to our Retail and Food Service Brand and Fabricator clients. Led by OMNOVA’s own Andy Rubenstein, a retail industry design veteran, we can demonstrate how clients can re-engineer their fixture fabrication process to make a step-change aesthetic improvement while reducing fixture costs up to 30%!

SM

To schedule your design session, email OMNOVA at laminates@omnova.com Andy Rubenstein

FABRICATION DESIGN SERVICES is a service mark of OMNOVA Solutions. © 2015 OMNOVA Solutions Inc.

866.332.5226 www.omnova.com/laminates

New CPA President

sets priorities, sees challenges and growth ahead for industry In a world where architects, designers, specifiers and product manufacturers are looking not only for price and performance, but also for sustainability, this industry is truly at a competitive advantage. Add to this great messaging an active and engaged membership and great staff, and I truly feel fortunate to be taking the helm of CPA and moving it forward.

Q & A w ith J ac k son M orrill

J

ackson Morrill took over April 13 as the new president of the Composite Panel Association.

Jackson had served as director for the American Chemistry Council since 2010, where he managed the Formaldehyde Panel directing comprehensive state and federal advocacy initiatives, communications, thirdparty outreach and scientific studies on formaldehyde. He has also represented ACC and other industry stakeholders as a member of the Federal Wood Industries Coalition.

"We are pleased to have Jackson on board to lead our association. He brings a solid background of legislative and regulatory advocacy and technical expertise," said Grady Mulbery, CPA chairman and member of the executive search team. “I was greatly impressed with the caliber of the candidates, and I believe we found an extraordinary fit both in terms of experience and personality with Jackson, and he will complement the already strong CPA staff.”

Jackson is an adjunct professor at Washington College of Law of American University and practiced environmental law for five years at Beveridge & Diamond. He also worked as an environmental legal consultant at the World Bank. Jackson graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School and was admitted to the Maryland and the District of Columbia bars. He has a B.A. in arts, history and Latin American studies from the University of Virginia.

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Q. Tell me about yourself and how your background has prepared you for this role within the Composite Panel Association?

Surface & Panel asked Jackson to answer a series of questions to better acquaint our readers with his background, his positions on key issues and his thoughts on what lies ahead.

Q. What are your first impressions of the Composite Panel Association?

A. I am thrilled and honored to be working with the composite panel industry. This is an industry that has a tremendous sustainability story to tell. At their core, composite wood products ensure optimal use of our forests by turning recycled or reclaimed residual wood fiber material into higher value products. The industry has also worked proactively, both voluntarily and with state and federal governments, to reduce formaldehyde emissions in the U.S. to extremely low levels. This kind of “green” leadership is reflected in the CPA’s Eco-Certified Composite (ECC) standard, which is a voluntary labeling standard that reflects the industry’s overall commitment to sustainability.

A. I am an environmental lawyer by training, and so I have a background in environmental law and policymaking. I have also managed trade association groups before, so I bring to the table experience in advocacy, communications, coalition building and all of the management elements that can come into play with overseeing this type of organization. I also have a history of working with CPA, its members and allied organizations on formaldehyde emission issues, so I was able to come into the job with some familiarity with the industry and a deeper knowledge of one particular issue.

Q. Recognizing you have only been on the job a few months, what are your initial priorities for the organization?

A. As you can tell from my first answer, I believe we have a great environmental story to tell, and so one priority will be to find new avenues and methods to get that message out to key stakeholders looking to use our products. This is also an innovative industry that is constantly developing diverse product offerings that perform well and look great, and we need to continued on page 34

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Sustainable beauty.

SEE US AT S&P SYMPOSIUM AND M-HOUSE GRAND OPENING SEPTEMBER 29-30

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“I believe we have a great environmental story to tell, and so one priority will be to find new avenues and methods to get that message out to key stakeholders looking to use our products.”

Q. What are your expectations for growth in the composite panel and decorative surfaces industries in the years ahead?

Jackson Morrill, President, Composite Panel Association

‹ continued from page 32 combine this with our messaging on sustainability. CPA has fostered good working relationships with the EPA and California Air Resources Board, and I’ll look to continue to maintain those relationships as each regulatory body finalizes their formaldehyde emissions regulations and regulatory amendments, respectively. I’ll continue to advocate for a level regulatory playing field for both domestic and imported wood products.

I have also begun working with our membership to refine CPA’s position on wood fiber supply, and in particular our advocacy stance on the production of wood pellets that are shipped to Europe for energy production.

Q. What are the biggest challenges facing the industry?

A. As the “60 Minutes” exposé on Lumber

Liquidators demonstrated, not all wood products are created equally, and so we need to make sure that the facts regarding the North American composite panel industry’s efforts on formaldehyde emissions reductions are better understood by the public. I was heartened to hear on the “60 Minutes” program that, in fact, all U.S.-sourced laminated flooring passed CBS’ independent testing, which is a testament to the success of our industry’s efforts. We need to do a better job of marketing our products within the green building community, including seeking greater acceptance and recognition of our ECC program.

Finally, the issue of wood pellet exports to Europe, as well as possible increased North American use of wood fiber for energy, may pose challenges to this industry’s wood fiber supply that we will need to address going forward.

A. We are cautiously optimistic that the composite panel industry will have slow but steady growth in the coming years.

We are starting to see housing starts climb, and we expect those to continue in part due to stronger job markets, low interest rates and rising rental costs. The repair and remodeling sector appears to be strong (expected increase of 7 percent in 2015) and is poised to continue to grow as housing prices rise and homeowners are thus incentivized to make home improvements in lieu of moving. I have been struck by how extensively our products are used beyond just the residential sector to include retail, commercial, health care and even the educational setting.

Overall, advances in design, texture and performance of composite wood and decorative surfaces offerings will continue to position industry products as solutions for the architecture and design community in these markets. s&p

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Ongoing Quest Wisconsin Cabinet Company Takes Pride in Quality, Efficiency and Adaptability B y S c o t t W . A n g u s

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Brothers Todd and Chris Lefeber operate Quest Engineering in Richfield, Wisconsin.

“We knew when we started that we were not going to accept the status quo. We weren't going to accept the box that every other cabinet maker in the world was living in.”

Chris Lefeber, President of Quest

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hris Lefeber hates it when people refer to Quest Engineering as a “cabinet shop.” “We are not a cabinet shop. I really dislike that term. We’re a manufacturer,” said Chris, Quest’s president.

“Our plant is set up like a manufacturing plant. It always has been. Even when we were a four-person operation, we had an assembly line and did things differently.”

Beyond the machines, assembly lines and cabinets, however, Quest is a different kind of company in another way.

“We’re a relationship company – always have been, always will be. “It can’t always be a dollar-sign decision,” Chris said.

“It’s more of a relationship decision.”

Those words aren’t surprising from the low-key Lefeber, a classic Wisconsin nice guy whose modesty doesn’t mask his inherent smarts and obvious business acumen. At 41, he’s one of two musky-fishing brothers who run a special and highly efficient cabinet operation in little Richfield, about 15 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Brother Todd, 34, is vice president.

The relationships that Quest and the Lefeber brothers have built, along with their top-notch cabinets, have helped develop a rapidly growing business. The foundation of it all is their desire to be different.

“We knew when we started that we were not going to accept the status quo,” Chris Lefeber said. “We weren’t going to accept the box that every other cabinet shop in the world was living in.

“That’s why we came up with our name, Quest Engineering.

Quest 's core business includes kitchen cabinets for residential settings.

A quest is a search, and to engineer is to accomplish tasks by more scientific means. We are always searching for a better way. This is not always easy, and we invest a lot in research and development.”

Lefeber acknowledged that Quest isn’t really an engineering company. “We do a lot of engineering, but we’re not an engineering company. We are a manufacturing company, but we’re different by design.”

Founded by the Lefebers in 2000, Quest has 32 employees and is based out of an 18,000-square-foot plant in Richfield. It has another 12,000 square feet in nearby Jackson, where most of the custom work is done. The 32 workers are up from 20 just a year ago, and Quest expects to hire at least five more a year for the foreseeable future.

Quest’s core business is laminated casework for commercial and residential uses. It started entirely commercial but is moving into more residential work, especially single-family kitchens.

“We’re best at the pretty simple stuff,” Chris said. “We’re best at casework. We build the strongest box. Our product is tried and true and tested. A lot of people do casework – there are thousands of cabinet shops – but we’ve always done it differently.”

Among the company’s advantages is its ability to integrate machines for the greatest efficiency.

“Machines are machines. They are electrical, mechanical apparatuses. You plug them in to the wall and start feeding them parts, and they do what they are supposed to do,” Chris said.

Integration and correct specifications of the machines, however, make the difference at Quest.

“I would say 95 percent of the people in our industry miss those two points. They have machines, and they think that simply having a bigger, badder machine is doing to facilitate their growth or make them build more cabinets and make more money,” Chris said.

“It’s really not. It’s being very careful about the machine. More important, it’s about the integration of the machines and how they work together.” (See related story on Quest’s work with Biesse and Microvellum, page 40.)

pembroke s+p ad 2015 q2.pdf

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The company’s output is now about half residential and half commercial. About 15 percent of the residential is single family, and that’s an area that Chris and Todd plan to grow.

‹ continued from page 37 The efficiencies created by Quest’s manufacturing approach and its machine integration allow the company to produce three to four times the volume of what similarly sized companies in the U.S. do on average, Chris said.

Flexibility and adaptability are also critical ingredients in Quest’s success.

“It’s how we are able to be flexible in every part of the business – in the sales aspect, in the order-entry aspect, in the manufacturing aspect,” Chris said. “We can do that one-cabinet order efficiently. We can do that 500-cabinet order efficiently.”

Quest also pays close attention to what the market is asking for and responds.

“The last four or five years, I’ve seen a lot of well-respected cabinet makers fail. I look at them, and they just weren’t able to adapt.

They were too big. Their manufacturing efficiencies weren’t flexible enough to meet the one-cabinet order of today.”

While talking about Quest’s success, Chris often goes back to those strong relationships with customers.

“The first-time sale to a customer is the most difficult for us. We must prove that our value and quality justify the cost of the product. Once a customer works with us, they will realize the value and how it extends past the product itself.

“Our customers realize that their man-

agement time, organizing and sorting, accepting deliveries and installation are all more productive with our products; more productivity equals less overall cost. This is a hard cost that customers do not realize they will be saving on until they experience the Quest difference.”

The Lefebers grew up in Slinger, just a short drive from Richfield, the sons of a school administrator who was good with his hands and a mother who owned a small country furnishings store. At age 10, Chris took over his dad’s woodworking shop and began building furniture to sell in his mother’s store. He developed his own clientele, undoubtedly using the same relationship skills that continue to serve him decades later.

Chris bounced around college for a handful of years and took a number of useful courses, the most valuable of which was tool engineering. He still uses much of what he learned. He moved on to carpenter contracting, construction management and several entrepreneurial efforts – “I’m kind of perpetual entrepreneur” – before a conversation in his parents’ kitchen in 2000 led to the start of Quest Engineering.

“It all started sitting around the island at my parents’ house one afternoon, and I said, ‘I gotta go start my own business again.’ My dad said, ‘What are you going to do?’ and I

said, ‘I don’t know, maybe a cabinet shop.’

And Todd was like, ‘I’m in.’”

Todd, who was just out of high school, was working as a carpenter and had $2,500 in his checkbook. Chris had accumulated a collection of tools, computers and office equipment. They combined assets, rented an existing shop and became partners.

For the first few years, the brothers were contract manufacturers for one of Chris’ previous employers, building mostly store fixtures.

“We were the ‘yes’ men. ‘Hey, can you build this custom built-in?’ ‘Yes we can.’”

Quest grew quickly and moved to bigger space seven months after opening.

The company also moved away from store fixtures and into architectural casework, selling commercial cabinetry directly to contractors. That worked well until the economic challenges that began in 2008. The Lefebers, who already had a strong customer base, transitioned to a dealer sales model and now leave the selling to independent representatives who work with dealers.

Another big step came in 2010, when Quest landed its first big multi-family contract. Quest got the nod to build cabinets for 240 kitchens for a customer in Milwaukee. It was big money for the company at the time, and it allowed Quest to test its capabilities.

“It allowed us to prove our true capacity. continued on page 42

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Success doesn’t come by chance Creativity If you really want to copy our designs, you will have to bring our employees in to be scanned. Because they are what make each of our decors a success.

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see related story beginning on page 36

One-of-a-kind Integration Powers Quest

Panel-processing cell is unique in North America.

I

n an hour-long conversation about what sets his company apart, Quest President Chris Lefeber returned several times to the critical importance of integrating machines and ensuring they have the correct specifications.

Given that emphasis, it’s not surprising that Quest – a cabinet maker based in Richfield, Wis. – is working with Biesse, a leading manufacturer of high technology equipment, to create an integrated panelprocessing cell that doesn’t exist anywhere else in North America.

“The machines individually exist in North America,” said Chris, who founded and owns the company with his younger brother, Todd, who is vice president. “But how they are going to communicate and work with each other does not.

“This is something that Todd and I designed and engineered with Biesse’s help.

So even though there’s four other plants that have these four pieces of machinery working, it’s the machines working together and the software that really pays the dividends in being efficient.”

Chris described the combination as “a high capacity, yet very flexible panel-processing cell.” The goal, he said, “is efficient, near batch-one manufacturing.”

The cell is powered by a Biesse RBO Winstore 3D K1, which is a 30-by-70-foot automated material storage and retrieval system. Todd said it’s “basically a giant vending machine that houses panels” with a robotic arm that retrieves those panels and feeds live-feed machines.

“So the Winstore will set the pace, not an operator,” he said.

The Winstore will automatically load both a Rover B 1536 G FT nested base machining center and a Selco WNT610 Twin Pusher beam saw. Both machines are equipped with automated labeling, plus secondary labeling stations.

Todd stressed the benefits of the nestedbase CNC router. The sheet goes in, and all of the cutting, drilling and shaping is handled in one pass, which optimizes material use and reduces handling.

“When you handle material, especially TFL, you have the opportunity to damage it.

The less handling, hopefully less damage.”

Materials coming off the Selco have the opportunity for secondary machining on a Biesse Bre.Ma EKO 902 vertical machining center.

“This is a true batch-one machine, requiring zero set-up,” Chris said of the vertical machining center.

Microvellum design software is also a key element in Quest’s operation. The company chose Microvellum in 2006 after looking at many different software packages.

“We felt it was the best core package for what we did – building cases. It truly excels at that. To us, Microvellum is the perfect parametric engineering package for the casework business,” Chris said.

Quest, which has a dedicated Microvellum manager, has since taken the software above and beyond what the vendor offers through custom development. For example, Quest created a program to streamline the creation of packing lists and has developed other tweaks for solving queries and problems in the software, enhancing speed and smoothing integration, he said. n — Scott W. Angus

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Quest has 32 employees and is based out of an 18,000-square-foot plant in Richfield. It has another 12,000 square feet in nearby Jackson, where most of the custom work is done.

‹ continued from page 38

It’s when we really started to recognize our potential and tweak our efficiencies,” Chris said. “From 2010 to now, we produce twice as much with the same amount of people and the same equipment with our integration methods and just our efficiencies that we have in place.”

In 2011, Quest began dabbling in textured thermally fused laminate, and that led to a big change in the company’s business.

In 2012, textured TFL exploded, Chris said, and Quest made a major shift into the residential kitchen business.

“Quite frankly, it was a leap of faith,” Chris said about Quest’s aggressive move into textured TFL. “We’re in Richfield, Wis. It’s pretty conservative. Most of the kitchens in this area are still oak.”

But textured TFL took off, and Quest went with it. Quest now has its own line of

TFL called CABnX. It started with five offerings and has grown to 11. The company also has a line of high-pressure laminate that it partly uses to test the market for the better-selling TFL. Flakeboard is among its primary suppliers.

About 90 percent of Quest’s residential work is TFL, and for good reason.

“The new TFLs that everybody is excited about, they have texture; they have different structures in them. It’s not just the traditional solid colors. They have different structures, different grains, different wood takings or textures – some very deep textures that are very attractive, to the point where a lot of people have a hard time distinguishing that finished panel from a real wood finished panel.”

TFL is also more economical. “A TFL kitchen comes in at 10 to 20 percent of the cost of a hardwood kitchen. Even HPL is 30 to 40 percent different,” Chris said.

“Three years ago in the conservative upper Midwest, we were one of the first to continued on page 44

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jump on the wagon for textured TFL and offer that in a kitchen product. Since then, there has been an explosion of different offerings … that people have grabbed onto. The design world has migrated back to it and grabbed ahold of it,” Chris said.

The company’s output is now about half residential and half commercial. About 15 percent of the residential is single family, and that’s an area that Chris and Todd plan to grow.

They eventually would like single family to be 50 to 60 percent of their residential work or 20 to 30 percent of their overall business. Quest also is relaunching a closet line under the name CLOzX. While Chris wouldn’t disclose Quest’s annual sales numbers, he noted that the company expects 50 percent sales growth in 2015 from 2014, and 2014’s numbers were 60 percent higher than those in 2013. Quest’s production capacity is 140 cases per shift, he said, and that will increase to 240 cases per shift with new equipment and a plant reconfiguration.

While the brothers drive this business, both acknowledge that their wives have played critical roles in the company’s success. Todd’s wife, Pam, has provided unwavering support through the ups, downs and demands of building a business. Chris’ wife, Angie, is “all in” and, as director of administration, manages human resources and accounting.

In line with its residential leanings, Quest became a major sponsor of the mHouse, which is a materials display house being constructed in Watertown, Wis., by Surface & Panel. Quest is providing CABnX Elite cabinets and fabrication for the kitchen, master suite, garage, hall and office.

Chris was aware of the mHouse when Surface & Panel Publisher John Aufderhaar asked him if he was interested in participating.

“It coincided with our launch of CABnX, so it was the perfect match. I love the idea of the project. It’s just stellar,” Chris said.

What else is ahead for Quest?

Chris’ eyes widen and light up when he talks about the company’s continued growth and expected move to a bigger building in a few years, just as they do when he talks about the enormous musky he caught in Green Bay, a replica of which sits just outside his office.

The monster was 54 inches long and weighed an estimated 69 pounds, putting it in elite company. A replica of another huge musky landed by Todd is perched nearby.

Whether it’s landing the big one or making cabinets, Chris and Todd Lefeber know what it takes to be among the best. From the beginning, their company has reflected that standard, and they will accept nothing less in their continual quest for innovation, efficiency and quality. s&p

Leaner, Stronger Home Furnishing Companies Respond to Demand

Kevin Sauder, president and CEO of Sauder Woodworking and chairman of the American Home Furnishings Alliance

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Today’s Challenge is Balancing Value with Style

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agging other big-ticket durables sectors in recovering from the Great Recession, the home furnishing industry has posted two years of growth, reached pre-recession levels and is poised for even more progress.

As in other industries, those home furnishing manufacturers that survived the recession emerged leaner and stronger.

And they’re competing to satisfy discriminating shoppers who have a wide variety of shopping and information channels, said Kevin Sauder, president and CEO of Sauder Woodworking in Archbold, Ohio, and chairman of the American Home Furnishings Alliance, the voice of the residential furniture industry.

“Consumers have access to so much more information, particularly with the Internet and sites such as Pinterest and Houzz,” Sauder said. “They see new applications and ideas all the time.

“They want a more personal look and feel with their furniture. It’s a little like what happened with the backlash against big food and restaurants and grocery stores.”

Styles change, particularly in relation to surfaces, textures, colors and patterns, Sauder said.

“Every industry has its own set of styles that the leaders set and others follow,” he said. “Several years ago, we were all following the Pottery Barn merlot look.

“Now were chasing Restoration Hardware, with the grays and roughed-up look.” That look also can be described as reclaimed, rustic, weathered or vintage. Regardless of the adjective, it’s popular among consumers, and furniture makers are responding.

“We’re becoming grandma chic with all of the vintage touches, colors, prints and patterns,” Sauder said.

The look, however, can present challenges for manufacturers.

“How do you give great value in a high-production setting where you’re making thousands of units?” Sauder said. “You have to find that balance that provides value with the unique look and style consumers are looking for.”

Sauder admitted his company was the king of oak and cherry ready-to-assemble office and entertainment furniture. continued on page 48

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“The Industry needs to continue being creative and exciting to capture consumer dollars in an era when those consumers have so many choices how to spend those dollars.”

Kevin Sauder

‹ continued from page 47 Over the years, the company has significantly diversified its product line and is now North America’s leading producer of RTA furniture and the nation’s fifth-largest residential furniture manufacturer.

It’s made a significant effort to hire young designers and be involved with social media to remain connected to a growing consumer base of Millennials (ages 18-35) and Gen X’ers (36-50).

“Sauder designs for today’s customers and gets the product into different distribution channels where they’re willing to buy,” he said, adding that the company has had significant growth through online channels that include Walmart.com.

“Our product is heavy, but it ships easily. We’re really jumping into that with products that resonate with Millennials and Gen X’ers.

Industry on the rebound

Industry analyst Jerry Epperson said home furnishing sales depend on consumer confidence, the availability of credit and housing activity.

In his most recent “Furnishings Digest Newsletter” for the investment banking and research firm Mann, Armistead & Epperson, he said the banking collapse, home foreclosures and high unemployment hammered the industry.

Housing sales and starts are now improving; credit is more available to consumers – who are likewise becoming more creditworthy, and consumer confidence has returned to pre-recession levels.

“The last two years have certainly been better,” Sauder agreed.

“While we’re just a sub-sector in the industry, we’ve had more growth.

“Since the recession, the industry has been getting stronger.

There was some consolidation, and we’re still seeing imports improve their market share.”

Both Sauder and Epperson said indicators are aligned for continued growth through 2015 and beyond.

Epperson noted that furniture prices have not kept up with inflation for the past four decades. The result, he said, is high value for consumers.

“The Industry needs to continue being creative and exciting to capture consumer dollars in an era when those consumers have so many choices how to spend those dollars,” Sauder said.

Panel processing plays an important role in that, he said.

“There is some wonderful technology out there, and it will continue to improve,” Sauder said. “The technology with wraps, rapid change and 3-D laminates is amazing.”

Sauder said a consumer segment will forever remain attached to heirloom quality pieces that last for decades.

“But many of today’s consumers are very attuned to the price and look of IKEA,” he said. “They want something that’s functional, looks good and offers value, knowing that they might change their mind in five years.” continued on page 50 48

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AHFA Wants a Voice at the Table on Key Issues

A

‹ continued from page 48

Sauder announced last year an extension of its partnership with IKEA. While the company previously sourced kitchen cabinets for IKEA, it is just starting to distribute bedroom, office, entertainment and children’s storage products to the retailer’s North American stores.

IKEA, he said, has helped showcase processed-panel products to a large, mainstream audience.

“Of course, there’s much higher-end product than what’s sold at IKEA,” he said. “IKEA has perfected the mass market price points for processed-panel furniture, but there are many other retailers and kitchen cabinet dealers who have higher-end looks and features.” s&p

s the nation ramps up for next year’s presidential election, the American Home Furnishings Alliance is not sitting on the sidelines.

That’s because the election will result in a new administration.

Before the changeover, regulatory agencies will work overtime to implement their priority issues, said Andy Counts, chief executive officer of the High Point, N.C.-based alliance that represents more than 200 of the industry’s leading manufacturers and importers.

“We will need to be vigilant to make sure the home furnishings industry has a voice at the table and to ensure our specific perspective on key issues is understood,” Counts said.

The alliance has been active on two regulatory issues: the regulation of formaldehyde in composite wood products and securing a federal flammability regulation for upholstered furniture.

Calling formaldehyde regulation the “standout” issue for the rest of 2015, Counts said the alliance’s work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was already a priority when Lumber Liquidators made headlines in March.

AHFA has been working with California and federal regulators for more than a decade to help achieve effective and reliable formaldehyde emissions regulations, he said.

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continued on page 51

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“We will need to be vigilant to make sure the home furnishings industry has a voice at the table and to ensure our specific perspective on key issues is understood.”

‹ continued from page 50 A few sticking points remain in the federal regulation, Counts said: • Strengthening the requirements for third-party certifiers to ensure accountability throughout the supply chain.

Andy Counts chief executive officer of the American Home Furnishings Alliance

•

Improving the testing methods within the regulations to ensure consistency, accuracy and reliability of the specified formaldehyde emissions test methods.

•

Recognizing the reduced emission profile of finished goods. Counts said studies by worldclass laboratories have shown that a finished piece of furniture has drastically reduced formaldehyde emissions compared to a raw piece of engineered wood.

“In fact, if you take a composite panel that is already compliant with the current California standard and then add a laminate top, the emissions from the finished product are reduced at least another 80 percent,” Counts said.

“California officials understood this and exempted finished products from additional testing. AHFA has been urging federal officials to do the same since imposing additional testing on finished products adds expense with no added health or environmental benefit.”

The alliance is also working to secure a federal flammability regulation for upholstered furniture.

Several states and standard-setting bodies are working on this issue, which Counts said could result in multiple standards and a patchwork of inconsistent rules.

AHFA favors a federal standard, ideally one modeled after California’s 2013 legislation.

The alliance has taken a similar position on competing bills to update the 38-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act, which cover the use of flame retardant chemicals in household products, including upholstered furniture.

“Of keen interest to our industry is how each of the three bills approaches the right of individual states to put chemical safeguards in place,” Counts said. “Clamping down on state-by-state chemical laws would keep our industry from having to monitor and comply with a patchwork of different rules.” n — Jim Leute

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Looking Good

Business furniture sector sees steady growth ‘Cool, Beautiful Laminates’ Play Key Role in Focus on Fashion B y

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even years ago, an economist told a gathering of Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association members that a cliff was coming “The cliff showed up, and a lot of people went over it,” said Dan Tuohy, president of the association’s board and chief executive officer of Tuohy Furniture Corp. in Chatfield, Minn.

“This industry got pummeled.”

The same consultant was back before the group in late June in Chicago. His message was much more upbeat.

“Things are looking good,” said Tuohy, who heads his family’s international design and manufacturing company, which is celebrating 60 years in business. “Not great, but good, and good is good.”

BIFMA is the not-for-profit trade association for business and institutional furniture manufacturers. Since 1973, it has been the voice of the commercial furniture industry.

While the association forecasts shipments to increase 4.4 Dan Tuohy, Tom Reardon, Executive percent to $10.2 billion in 2015, a 7.9 percent jump to $11 president of BIFMA director of BIFMA billion is expected in 2016.

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Tuohy Furniture Corp. won “Best of Competition” recognition at NeoCon in Chicago in June for its most recent product introduction. Targeting workplaces built on customization and collaboration, Tuohy’s WorkStyles is a customizable case good system with integrated lounge compatibility for individual and group work. WorkStyles (pictured on previous page and throughout this article)

supports the personalization and teaming characteristic of Gen Y

workers. It makes switching from group problem solving to individual focused work quick and easy. Designed to offer a more casual alternative to traditional case goods, WorkStyles also speaks to today’s blending of work life and personal life. The seating elements provide a retreat from a fast-paced world.

‹ continued from page 52 Tom Reardon, the association’s executive director, said the direction is clear, and the industry should see mid-single-digit growth for the next couple of years. Through April, orders and shipments were up 9 percent and 7 percent, respectively, over the first four months of 2014, Reardon said.

Tuohy said the industry should benefit from a good balance among a variety of economic indicators.

The cost of money and overall monetary policy is favorable; demand for office space is increasing, and employers – the industry’s customers – maintain a sharp focus on worker productivity.

Toss in a higher-than-normal age of office equipment, and Tuohy and his industry colleagues are pleased to have the Great Recession behind them.

“We feel comfortable with where we’re at,” he said. “We can realistically only forecast 18 to 24 months with any degree of sustainability, but we believe there will be good growth.

“Customers are watching their cash quite closely and looking at building costs with a sharp pencil.”

Canning the cubicles

Always-evolving technology drives trends, both for commercial furniture makers and their customers.

So, too, does a changing workplace fueled in large part by generational cultures, Tuohy said.

“We’re seeing changes for the long term,” he said. “Fifteen years ago, we were all working in the cubicle environment.

“Now, it’s much more sensual, more open and group work environments. We’re going to see a large portion of the workforce leave, and the younger generations that replace them just work differently.”

Furniture manufacturers, Tuohy said, are positioned to facilitate that change with proactive strategies and products.

“We help our customers help make their employees more productive with the types of products and furniture we design and deliver,” he said.

“Companies and institutions are looking very carefully at their costs per person on a square foot basis.

“Instead of us just being an expense, we help increase productivity and therefore play a role on the customer’s revenue side.” continued on page 54

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Designed to offer a more casual alternative to traditional case goods, Tuohy's "WorkStyles" collection speaks to today’s blending of work life and personal life.

A more nimble industry

‹ continued from page 53 In most markets, every square foot is valuable. If furniture makers design products that reduce square footage needs while boosting productivity, they’ve become an asset.

“Furniture may sound kind of dull, but it really is all about fashion, colors, soft seating and then, of course, functionality and productivity,” Tuohy said. “We have a lot of smart people in our industry that do nothing but study that, and it’s exciting to be in industry involved in this generational changeover.”

Tuohy is the first to admit that his industry has been slow to change That’s no longer the case, he said. “The industry has become much more nimble,” he said. “Sure, it’s tough to plan definitively 10 years down the road, but we do have general thought plans.”

The time necessary for product development to meet market demands is considerably shorter.

For example, Tuohy Furniture has a pretooled 3-D printer that saves time and cost in developing new products.

“Because of that, we’re cycling things through much better,” he said. “We used to be able to work on projects for six to nine months, but now the customer demands are increasing.”

That’s in part a reflection of low inventories of commercial space and customers’ needs to get to market as quickly as they can, Tuohy said. continued on page 56

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‹ continued from page 54 ‘Cool, beautiful laminates’

Tuohy Furniture works with a wide variety of processed-panel products and other mixed materials, both of which are critical to future growth, Tuohy said.

“So many new things are coming out, and we need to see them,” he said. “We’re constantly cutting things out of magazines, trying to find out who is doing what.

“There’s a heightened focus on fashion, meaning the aesthetics. A lot of people think of laminate as brown or white melamine boards.

“But there are so many cool, beautiful laminates available, with more coming all the time.

As manufacturers, we need to be plugged into that.”

Tuohy believes furniture makers will do just that as they continue on the economic rebound that a consultant forecast at NeoCon in June.

“Everyone left Chicago really pumped up,” said Tuohy, whose company received the NeoCon Best of Competition award for its WorkStyles furniture system. “We’re positioned well, and we’re still an industry that gets excited about what we do.” s&p

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BIFMA Wants Consistency From One Market To The Next

L

ike other industry organizations, the Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association has been busy representing its members on a variety of fronts.

On behalf of the office furniture industry, BIFMA educates regulatory agencies and legislative bodies about member concerns and provides industry perspective on issues and regulations affecting the workplace.

“We’re trying awfully hard to keep up with lots of rules and propositions,” said Dan Tuohy, the association’s president and chief executive officer of Tuohy Furniture Corp. “We’re partnering with many groups, not so much to fight proposals but just to stay abreast of what’s going on.”

The association has been heavily involved in discussions about chemical regulations.

Formaldehyde has been in the headlines this year, but BIFMA also has been working with agencies on legislation regarding flame retardants and phthalates.

“Our industry recognizes that these are serious discussions,” Tuohy said. “We get it and realize that it’s not about saving a buck and polluting the environment.

“We want to do what’s right for the environment, for our customers and for our own people.

We just want to know what’s coming and be assured that whatever it is will be consistent from one market to the next.” n — Jim Leute

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Shine On! High Quality High-Gloss Finishes Made Possible by Superior Surfacing Technology

Senoplast’s Senosan AM1800TopX creates a surface gloss that has been compared to that of a polished, gleaming concert grand piano.

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B y

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igh-gloss finishing imparts a sleek, bold sheen to interior residential and commercial surfaces. The perfect high-gloss surface is a fusion of maximum gloss level, smoothness, depth effect, scratch resistance, cost effectiveness and technical feasibility.

To be considered high gloss, a surface must reflect at least 80-85 percent of incoming light, as measured by a reflectometer. At the top of the scale of high-gloss materials is back-painted glass. Painted glass is 100 percent reflective and thus has impeccable gloss properties.

But glass is costly, fragile and impractical in many residential and commercial applications. Working with glass or even transporting and installing it is risky due to its weight and tendency to crack or shatter.

Another high-end option for high-gloss surfacing is solid acrylic. Solid acrylic panels have a superior gloss level throughout, and they can be refinished or repaired when scratched or marred. They are waterproof and do not warp or discolor when exposed to sun. However, while solid acrylic panels are popular in luxury European kitchens, they are extremely heavy and cost-prohibitive in many other applications.

As the market for high-gloss surfaces grew over the years, the need for more affordable solutions and variety in design became apparent. Fortunately, materials technology and manufacturing processes have advanced and enabled new manufacturing breakthroughs, and today truly high quality high-gloss continued on page 60

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Keep calm and design in high gloss... a website dedicated to the highest quality high gloss acrylic laminate in North America.

www.designinhighgloss.com stylelite@ssinorthamerica.com

surface&panel

Q3 2015

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Senosan AM 1800 TopX offers flawless surface consistency, high resiliency, low distortion levels, UV stability and chemical resistance enabled by Senoplast’s proprietary UV coating process over the acrylic layer.

‹ continued from page 59

Introducing

Silky Finish Supermatte

SO FT FE E L Smooth as baby's skin Ask for available colors

Visit us at WMS 2015 Booth 1072

Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference and Expo

International Centre Toronto Canada November 4-7 2015

RIKEN USA CORPORATION 26200 Town Center Drive, Suite #135, Novi, MI 48375 Tel: 248.513.3511 | Fax: 248.513.3510 info@riken-usa.com | www.riken-usa.com

finishes can be achieved at a relatively modest price using a technique that involves thin sheets of acrylic laminated with PUR glue onto melamine-faced wood-based panels.

The surface aesthetic of these laminated panels rivals that of solid acrylic, and thermally fused laminate surfaces rate favorably in terms of quality, strength, luminosity, durability and scratch resistance.

Senoplast’s Senosan AM1800TopX, for example, creates a surface gloss that has been compared to that of a polished, gleaming concert grand piano.

“Senosan is close to back-painted glass in terms of appearance,” said Manuel Romero, sales manager for Senoplast USA. “Senosan acrylic laminated panels are lighter in weight than glass or solid acrylic, plus they have superior scratch resistance, are easy to clean and polish, and they offer intense color depth as well as tight color tolerance.”

Senosan AM 1800 TopX offers flawless surface consistency, high resiliency, low distortion levels, UV stability and chemical resistance enabled by Senoplast’s proprietary UV coating process over the acrylic layer.

“Importantly, unlike sheets of glass, acrylic laminated panels can be cut, drilled and edge-banded with conventional woodworking tools found in most furniture manufacturing shops,” Romero said. “The fact that these panels do not require any special equipment adds flexibility during production and installation.”

Senosan is used by many renowned European fabricators, he said, from high-end fitted kitchen and cabinet manufacturers, such as Poggenpohl, Miele, and Bulthaup, to mass market manufacturers such as IKEA. Senosan is suitable for all one-dimensional and two-dimensional vertical furniture applications and is available from Senoplast in 19 stock colors, including solid and metallic colors with matching edge bands to complete the look of finished components. continued on page 62

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‹ continued from page 60 High-gloss surfacing can achieve limitless design effects. In a home, a touch of glossy sheen can serve as an eye-catching accent or create a dazzling contrast against other natural surfaces, such as textured wood or matte paneling. A high-gloss surface can give a small, narrow or tight space a sense of openness.

Specializing in Powder Coated MDF Components

Two producers in North America manufacture and distribute high-gloss acrylic panels that incorporate Senoplast’s premium high-gloss technology and use the Senosan AM 1800 TopX product. They are Premier EuroCase in Denver, which markets a branded product called Reflekt, and Thermoform d'Amérique, located in Nicolet, Quebec, which markets the product under the Acrylux brand.

Both have invested in high-tech clean room environments and PUR line systems for production of premium quality high-gloss acrylic laminate panels.

Other approaches to achieving high-gloss surfaces range from applying high-gloss polyurethane lacquer to wooden substrate material, PET, melamine and even PVC. Specialty overlays on traditional laminates, both HPL and TFM, can be used to achieve a glossy finish as well as impart texture. Various types of plastic film can be heat wrapped to MDF panels in a vacuum press to give glossy surfaces a three-dimensional effect and to create contoured edges. The plastic used in these three-dimensional laminates is typically vinyl, OPP or polyester based.

Surfaces made in these ways are generally less reflective and have less color depth and luster than laminated panels with acrylic or solid acrylic panels. They are also less durable and often exhibit a noticeable orange-peel effect over time. Knowledgeable retailers tend to steer consumers away from these types of glossy surfaces, noting that they show fingerprints, marks and scratches, and they are difficult to maintain.

The growing appeal of high gloss

www.dvuv.com

Discover the UV Advantage Retail Fixtures POP Displays Healthcare Education Office Furniture & More

The popularity of high gloss has soared since it was introduced by leading-edge Italian design houses more than 20 years ago, and today high-gloss treatments can be seen throughout the world in applications ranging from signage and displays to cabinetry, furniture and paneling.

High gloss first came into vogue in European luxury markets, and within a few years the trend had gained favor throughout Europe. It took significant advances in materials technology and panel manufacturing processes that made high quality high-gloss finishes more accessible and affordable for the trend to spread to Asia and eventually to North America. The Canadian markets of Toronto and Quebec continued on page 64

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A Great Finish is Only the Beginning

Meet the new standard for glaze workability Introducing ProMatch ® FlexGlaze and FlexGlaze Zero VOC. ProMatch FlexGlaze is incredibly user-friendly with amazing workability.

Compared to competing products, FlexGlaze has increased open time that improves workability and allows it to stay open on large surfaces.

It’s able to be topcoated quicker than industry standard products, and has the ability to uniformly blend after its original application. FlexGlaze works well over Chemcraft® clear and pigmented products and can be used under all Chemcraft technologies except Waterborne.

FlexGlaze Zero VOC has the same outstanding attributes as FlexGlaze, but with the additional benefit of being a true sustainable glaze that can be used in all North American Regions regardless of VOC limits.

You owe it to your shop’s business to try these two groundbreaking products today.

© 2015 AkzoNobel

Chemcraft® is a registered trademark of Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc.

FlexGlaze Distinct Advantages Over the Competition • Increased open time versus industry standards • Able to be topcoated faster than industry standards - creates great flexibility in any manufacturing process - refer to the Product Information Sheet • Can be used under all Chemcraft solvent technologies • Ease of touch up blending helps maintain color consistency • Shortest application time in the industry - eliminates bottlenecks in the finish room • Zero VOCs (FlexGlaze Zero VOC)

Visit chemcraft.com for more information and to locate your nearest distributor.

“Colors that are trending in in-home applications are gray, beige, and antique white, as well as the classics – white, black and red.”

Manuel Romero, sales manager for Senopl ast USA

‹ continued from page 62 embraced the look first; then about five years ago, it began to penetrate some large U.S. urban centers, such as Los Angeles and New York. Today, high gloss is definitely “in” and can be found just about everywhere, even in what might be considered more traditional markets, said Senoplast’s Romero.

The growing popularity of modern European style interior decor, such as frameless furniture and slab door cabinets, bodes well for continuation of the trend toward high-gloss finishes, Romero said.

“We see the trend growing more and more,” he said.

High-gloss surfacing can achieve limitless design effects. In a

home, a touch of glossy sheen can serve as an eye-catching accent or create a dazzling contrast against other natural surfaces, such as textured wood or matte paneling. A high-gloss surface can give a small, narrow or tight space a sense of openness.

High-gloss white cabinetry gives even a small apartment kitchen a sleek, clean, modern sensibility and emphasizes the dimensionality of the area.

“Colors that are trending in in-home applications are gray, beige, and antique white, as well as the classics – white, black and red,” Romero said. “We also see a lot of people teaming acrylics with matte surfaces in creative ways.”

Retail applications include vertical displays, doors, trim, and columns, where a glossy surface attracts eyeballs and makes a bold, exciting statement.

“We are expanding and developing new markets for acrylic laminated panels also, including applications in commercial office furniture, hospitality settings and health care, where acrylic’s antimicrobial characteristics make it a natural,” Romero said.

High quality high-gloss acrylic laminate is defining a new category of interior finishes that combines the elegance of glass and the warmth of piano gloss with the durability and robust characteristics of laminated panels.

High-gloss acrylic offers visual and tactile allure, as well as practical appeal, and it is finding exciting new applications in both residential and commercial settings. The stunning appeal of luminous, lustrous, high-gloss acrylic finish has clearly captured the imaginations of designers and homeowners, and it will likely be trending for years to come. s&p

RIDGE

Intr oducing I N S P I R E D

BY NORTHERN CONTOURS

Black Walnut

866-344-8132 | www.northerncontours.com/inspired

Maple

Textured Wood Veneer | Textured Face | Internally Edgebanded

White Oak

Floating Shelves Doors & Drawer Fronts

�eautiful

Meets Functional

Awareness of customer needs, and innovation to meet those needs. That’s what’s happening in the hardware world, and it’s an understatement to say the top suppliers are excited about their new offerings, many of which were introduced at Interzum 2015.

From colorful aluminum boxes to better performing runners to improved soft-close systems, the new offerings are making life easier and homes more beautiful for customers around the world.

Here’s a sampling of the finest new hardware on the market.

New Hardware Makes Life Easier While Looking Good Häfele

from the Beaulieu collection by HÄfele

Häfele America Co., a leader in cutting-edge hardware solutions, has introduced four new decorative hardware collections designed with elements that align with the most influential looks of the year. The new offerings, Beaulieu, Vogue, Moda and Cascade, are united by a minimalist appearance with clean, sleek lines.

“These new collections are in step with the consumer interest in clean, slim designs,” explains Greg Sheets, product manager for decorative hardware at Häfele. “With these new offerings, woodworkers and designers can provide cabinet hardware to meet the desires of their customers from the increasingly popular transitional style seen in the Beaulieu collection (pictured on left) to more contemporary looks with Vogue, Moda and Cascade.”

The Beaulieu collection is considered a transitional style and is available in a range of sizes for almost limitless applications. Graceful curves and a smooth comfortable grip are stand-out features. For modern European styling, the Vogue line is available in a range of lengths for various applications. Another new option is Moda, which features a contemporary Italian design with great attention to style, quality and feel. The square mortise pulls with dome-shaped grips are a unique and functional feature in this collection. A final collection in the new portfolio is Cascade, a high-quality European line that keeps cabinets looking clean and sleek. All styles are available in oil-rubbed bronze, brushed nickel and polished nickel. n hafele.com /US/

Salice

continued on page 68

Salice introduces Lineabox, an innovative aluminum box completely compatible with undermount slides. It is offered in five trendy colors; white, black, titanium, champagne and stainless steel. Lineabox attaches to the front of the drawer with a clip assembly for quick release and no need for any mounting templates. And it is fully adjustable, thanks to Salice’s patented six-way adjustable tool-less clip.

Also new from Salice is Stabila – a synchronizing system to stabilize wide drawers compatible with most undermount slides. It can be retrofitted to existing drawers and is especially indicated for push-to-open drawers to balance the opening in all positions.

Shelf is a new low-profile runner for pull-out shelves. It is easily fixed at the bottom of the cabinet or on a fixed surface and has several applications: display cabinets for pull-out of display shelves, living room furniture, kitchen cabinets, pull-out shelves with small domestic appliances, and pull-out drawers for stationery or equipment in office furniture.

In case of wide shelves, runners can be added to increase the weight capacity and, at the same time, allow for more stability. Shelf is available in all standard lengths, either with Push technology or with Smove decelerated closing. n saliceamerica.com lineabox by Salice

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VIONARO ART IN MOTION Works exclusively with Dynapro for flawless performance.

FORGED FROM STEEL Nothing is quite as beautiful as a well-designed product. Especially if it is as stunning as Vionaro. The beauty of the VIONARO drawer system runs deep.

Smooth, solid, stream-lined structure on the outside; silent, stable, concealed DYNAPRO running below. A system so advanced, yet so stylish means VIONARO drawers will look perfect in any application.

Art has never been engineered so well.

www.grassusa.com

Grass

Grass offers futuristic functional solutions with maximum individuality.

The Grass stand at Interzum 2015 was focused on our new products – Nova Pro Scala drawer system and Tavinea 91 organizational system – and the response from our visitors was overwhelming.

Nova Pro Scala incorporates the best of Nova Pro. The demands faced by the modern furniture and cabinet making sector are constantly evolving and changing. The tremendous response received to the new Nova Pro Scala drawer system at the Interzum shows how well Grass has recognized these demands. Not only trade visitors but also the Interzum award committee were enthusiastic about the Nova Pro Scala and gave the product the award for its high product quality.

Exceptional product solutions are the result of a continuous capacity to innovate and awareness for the needs of our customers.

At the same time, it is wise to keep to the successful path when taking products forward that have established themselves as visionary innovations. When – as in the case of Nova Pro – the concept has shown itself to be the right one for more than a decade, it is essential for any changes to be well thought through. blum's LEGRABOX drawer and coordinating ambia-line interior organization system

Blum

Experience the elegance of Blum’s new LEGRABOX premium metal drawer system. This new box system boasts a sleek and clear-cut design and has already won several international design awards. It also comes with the matching AMBIA-LINE interior organization system.

Straight lines create a sleek and elegant design that clearly defines LEGRABOX, the new attractive full extension box system from Blum. The interior can be organized with AMBIA-LINE, an interior organization system that has been specifically developed to complement the design of the premium metal drawer system.

LEGRABOX offers an impressively slim drawer profile thickness of only one half inch (12.8 mm), which is straight on the inside and the outside to maximize the usable interior space of the drawer. LEGRABOX is available in two luxurious finishes: a new brushed stainless steel, or a gray matte finish, both of which give LEGRABOX a distinct look and feel.

The LEGRABOX program consists of three drawer side heights for standard drawers and two drawer side heights for interior roll-outs. The versatile LEGRABOX program allows for a wide range of design options for any kitchen, bath or furniture application. LEGRABOX combines design and function for wellbalanced solutions creating elegance in motion.

LEGRABOX features a new, innovative runner system utilizing a new motion technology for greater running action and performance even under heavy loads. This enhanced runner system combines low opening forces with the proven softclose BLUMOTION to create an experience to behold. To coordinate with LEGRABOX, Blum also offers AMBIA-LINE, a new drawer organization system, specifically designed to match the LEGRABOX design. n blum.com

Nova Pro Scala Drawer System from Grass

Grass made sure the proven technology of the Nova Pro would carry through with its predecessor: Nova Pro Scala. Nova Pro Scala distinguishes itself from the Nova Pro not only in form but also in many technical improvements. Nova Pro Scala drawers will close with a new and improved soft-close action; all visible plastic components will be coved with steel; four heights will be offered in a range of lengths and a new railing system.

The defining feature of the Nova Pro Scala is its versatility to change the look of your drawer. Offered in three colors, the Nova Pro Scala has the ability to add on glass sides for a light open look or add on design panels that are magnetically attached for a truly innovative and customized look, making the Nova Pro Scala the most variable drawer system ever.

The Tavinea 91 organization system is an interior accessory that has been cleverly thought through. Structural elements in aluminum and wood enable the user to create a wide variety of storage options with a few standard elements. Horizontal, vertical and diagonal arrangements are possible, and the design elements turn every drawer into a small, individual work of art. n grassusa.com

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Silentia Face Frame

with integrated soft-close

NICkEL fINISh

TITANIuM fINISh

More adJUstMent caPaBilities adjustments made easy through eccentric cams. the best side to side adjustment in the industry (+3 mm - 2 mm) ensures butt door problems are easily resolved. the Xr version has also a vertical adjustment by eccentric cam making it a breeze to install multiple doors.

easY to oPerate on/off switch when a different soft closing strength is desired the decelerating mechanism on the hinge can be easily deactivated by using the activation switch clearly visible on the front of the unit. consistent closing speed from one door to the next.

shallow cUP 11mm (7/16�) cup depth is maintained all through the line making it easy to standardize production even with heavy profiled doors. turning radiuses for all overlays are below 1/4� to eliminate doors rubbing.

SALICE AMERICA INC. 2123 CROWN CENTRE DRIVE - CHARLOTTE NC. 28227 - TEL. 1 800 222 9652 / 704 8417810 - FAX 704 8417808 info.salice@saliceamerica.com - www.saliceamerica.com

Richelieu's drawer table from its smart living collection

Richelieu

cornerstone Maxx by Vauth Sagel

Vauth-Sagel

There are corners in kitchens across the globe waiting to be discovered. Because while many kitchens are designed to incorporate corners, existing space is frequently not exploited, or it is neglected or even forgotten. Vauth-Sagel thinks differently. With Cornerstone corner cabinet solutions, the owner-run family company opens up a new perspective and places the corner center stage. Storage space is efficiently used and the entire contents comfortably and clearly extended from the cabinet.

Corners make a difference: Some have decided the outcome of football World Cups. The striking Flatiron Building in New York is one of the most famous corner buildings in the world. And then there are those corners just waiting to be discovered. In kitchens, for example. Most kitchens run across at least one corner, with two runs meeting each other. Underneath is an attractive space of around 60 by 60 centimeters, which is frequently left unused – or used with less comfortable, simple shelf solutions offering users only insufficient access to stored items. For this reason, the corner cabinet offers huge potential for effectively exploiting storage space, particularly in smaller spaces.

With the Cornerstone, Vauth-Sagel has taken this space from out of the shadows.

The innovative solutions allow the corner cabinet to glide out of corners – moving previously difficult-to-reach items into the view of the beholder.

Cornerstone is a swiveling system component for corner cabinets that automatically extends the entire contents out of the cabinet upon opening the door. Here, the travel path is controlled and is confined to the area of the corner cabinet carcass.

This offers the advantage that access to neighboring cabinets or the dishwasher, for example, is not impeded. The opening angle of just 85 degrees has been optimized in a way that the corner cabinet does not impact with other front panels, handles or walls. With a flick of the wrist, the user can access small items just as easily as larger kitchen utensils. And closing the cabinets is also possible with a small movement of the door as the shelf elements retreat virtually silently back into the corner cabinet.

With two targeted design variants, Vauth-Sagel launched its new product family of corner cabinet solutions at Interzum 2015: the Cornerstone and Cornerstone Maxx.

The Cornerstone is an all-rounder, equipped with symmetrical shelves and the corresponding mechanism, which measures just 75 millimeters in height, among other things. It is this that actually enables flexible utilization, regardless of whether the corner cabinet is installed on the right or left. It also considerably simplifies storage.

The Cornerstone Maxx offers maximum comfort, modern design and innovative features. With their asymmetrical shape, the two shelf surfaces offer even more storage space, are heavy-load compatible, are height-adjustable and swivel out of the carcass to an extreme extent. Once again, the travel is controlled, although the shelves extend themselves and, when required, silently and autonomously retract back into the cabinet. The Cornerstone Maxx offers superlative travel comfort. n

The concept of ingenious products and solutions refers to the development of innovative products and systems providing improved convenience and comfort in limited spaces. The Smart Living concept revolutionizes how we increase the functionality of our living spaces without sacrificing elegant design. Richelieu’s range of innovative products can transform furniture into multifunctional pieces, maximize small spaces and optimize storage and organization.

Designed for small spaces, the pull-out drawer tables offer modular flexibility and are an ideal solution to extend surface areas to create additional workspace when needed. In other rooms, such as the living areas, table-lift mechanisms transform a traditional coffee table into a small dining table with room for storage underneath.

Pull-out peninsula\tables offer flexibility but take functionality of a traditional kitchen island to a whole new level by transforming the area into seating areas or additional work surfaces. In open concept homes, peninsula tables create a gathering place that helps connect space between the living area and the kitchen.

The Smart Living group of products also features kitchen accessory and storage solutions that incite emotion by creating movement: the products pull out, pull down, slide and swivel into cabinets, drawers and undersink spaces to keep your items organized and to utilize the maximum storage space. Sliding doors are also a great functional space saver available in different opening styles with aesthetically pleasing visible hardware for wood and glass doors. They are designed to optimize or separate space, or resize any larger room in your home. s&p richelieu.com

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convoy by richelieu

Eco-Certified Composites are Among the Greenest on Earth.

What are Eco-Certified Composites?

ECC stands for Eco-CertifiedTM Composite, as defined in the stringent Sustainability Standard and Certification Program for composite panel products – specifically particleboard, MDF, hardboard and engineered wood siding and trim.

What makes a composite panel Eco-Certified?

Wood panels that carry the Eco-Certified Composite (ECC) mark are manufactured in facilities that are certified to meet the stringent requirements of the Eco-Certified Composite Sustainability Standard.

ECC-certified panel manufacturing facilities meet rigorous environmental standards based on objective scientific-based criteria and annual on-site audits. Each must ensure that its composite panel products meet the stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) formaldehyde emissions regulations AND achieve at least three of the following requirements:

• Demonstrate a Carbon Footprint Offset • Use Local Wood Fiber Resources • Use Recycled/Recovered Wood Fiber • Minimize Wood Waste in Manufacturing • Hold a Valid Wood Sourcing Assessment or Certificate

What about LEED Credit?

ECC certification may help achieve LEED credit for:

• Recycled Content MR Credit 4 • Regional Materials MR Credit 5 • Certified Wood MR Credit 7 • Low Emitting Material EQ Credit 4.4

Who sponsors ECC Certification?

The Composite Panel Association (CPA) developed the ECC Standard, including its pioneering Carbon Calculator. CPA administers the ECC Certification Program in North America as a third party certification agency accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 17065 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

www.ECCproduct.org The Composite Panel Association is committed to advancing and certifying the sustainability of industry products for residential, commercial and industrial uses.

©istock.com/tchar a

f rom

the

editor

“While the U.S. government and many states already have renewable energy programs and policies in place that promote the use of pellets, incentives here are not nearly as robust as they are overseas.”

Policy-makers Must Consider Side Effects of Using Woody Biomass for Energy From my standpoint, one of the most interesting discussions at the Composite Panel Association’s spring meeting centered on the growing use of woody biomass for pellets that are increasingly being burned for energy.

The four speakers all covered different ground before the hundreds of CPA members who packed the meeting room, and all did so eloquently and with obvious expertise. While the underlying tension that the issue has created in the panel-processing world was evident, however, it wasn’t addressed directly or debated.

No PowerPoint slides or numbers looked directly at the impact on the U.S. woodworking business of using more and more biomass for energy. The rapid growth in pellet manufacturing in this country is relatively new, so no one knows for sure where it will lead.

Two concerns, however, are obvious: • Increased demand for biomass created by the growing pellet industry could drive up prices and ultimately have a significant financial impact on those who turn the wood residue into panels or use those panels to fabricate cabinets, countertops, floors and more.

• The demand for wood fiber could be such in years ahead that it creates a shortage of raw material for the plants that produce composite panels.

Should they become reality, either or both of those scenarios could significantly affect sales, jobs and bottom lines at hundreds of companies, ranging from the panel processors to the fabricators.

The first presenter at the CPA session, Jim Bowyer of Dovetail Partners, offered a science refresher on carbon and made it crystal clear that man is at least partly responsible for global warming. The next two, Pete Madden of Drax Biomass and Dave Tenny of the National Alliance of Forest Owners, laid out the economics of burgeoning pellet use in Europe and the importance of the wood industry sticking together as demands for products change. Finally, Laszlo Dory of The European Panel Federation looked at what’s happening on the ground in Europe and what the future might hold.

Responding to an audience question, Madden acknowledged that burning wood pellets for energy in Europe would not be economically feasible for Drax, the largest power producer in the U.K., without the significant subsidies provided by the government.

Among his many slides, Dory presented one that showed a steady increase in prices for wood materials in Europe and another that showed the demand for woody biomass outstripping the supply in the EU by 2025.

The subsidies, he said, encourage the direct burning of wood, bypassing all other industries, even though the use of wood for materials creates 30 times more jobs and creates 10 times the value.

“These developments are threatening jobs and income,” Dory said.

In the U.S., the composite panel industry itself comprises 44 plants that employ more than 8,000 people.

The furniture industry has some 18,500 establishments with nearly 340,000 employees and contributes nearly $30 billion annually to the GDP. That’s an indication of what’s at stake.

The questions surrounding the use of woody biomass for fuel include many that go beyond issues of cost and supply. For example, is it wise to burn wood residue in the form of pellets and release carbon instead of using it for materials that will sequester that carbon for 20 or 30 years? Is the overall carbon impact of burning wood better than the impact of burning fossil fuels? Will the increase in demand for wood products lead to more forest planting, ensuring that supply keeps up with demand?

Projections, predictions and opinions abound, but no one knows for sure what the future holds.

One thing does seem certain, though: Government incentives play a significant role in the use of wood pellets for energy.

While the U.S. government and many states already have renewable energy programs and policies in place that promote the use of pellets, incentives here are not nearly as robust as they are overseas.

As the search for the way forward in this warming world leads to more initiatives for renewable, carbonneutral energy sources, those who make the decisions must be implored to consider the industries that might be hurt if wood fiber becomes a growing part of the solution.

Scott W. Angus | Editorial Director | scottangus47@gmail.com

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Provencal feel.

2015

Lamitech COLLECTION Lamitech Ref.: French Walnut 1510

2014 COLLECTION areare inspired by by natural creativity.

2015 COLLECTIONWeWe inspired natural creativity.

Phone: (57-1)(57-1) 644 9898 Fax: (57-1) 644 9897 Phone: 644 9898 Fax: (57-1) 644 9897

a d v e r t i s e r

i n d e x

Page

Page

Amercian Adhesive Coatings LLC 34 978.688.7400 www.AACC-Hotmelts.com

Kings Mountain International 19 704.739.4227 www.kmiinc.net

Arauco Can 800.268.9830 US 877.273.7680 41 www.arauco-na.com

KML-Kustom Material Laminates 23 888.358.5075 www.KMLcorp.com

Biesse 45 877.824.3773 www.biesseamerica.com

Krono System 61 +39.0422.850418 www.kronosystemsrl.it

Black Brothers 54 800.252.2568 www.blackbros.com

Lamitech S.A. 73 +571.644.9888 www.lamitech.com.co

Blum, Inc. 75 (IBC) 704.827.1345 www.blum.com

Perfecting motion

Boise Cascade 5 888.264.7372 www.bc.com Cabinotch 6-7 877.413.4299 www.cabinotch.us/CabinotchDesignLibrary Cefla 65 704.598.0020 www.ceflaamerica.com

Chemcraft, a brand of AkzoNobel 63 336.841.5111 www.chemcraft.com Collins 16 541.885.3217 www.CollinsWood.com

Composite Panel Association 71 866.4Composites www.DecorativeSurfaces.org

Darlington Veneer Co. 51 800.845.2388 www.darlingtonveneer.com Decotone 11/25 908.301.0600 www.decotonesurfaces.com DVUV 62 216.741.5511 www.dvuv.com

Element Designs 42 877.332.3396 www.element-designs.com

Euro Vinyl Plus 49 305.362.9900 www.EuroVinylPlus.com Genesis 13 877.266.8292 www.GenesisProductsInc.com Grass 67 336.996.4041 www.grassusa.com GreCon 47 503.641.7731 www.grecon-us.com

Greenlam America Inc. 55 877.647.0388 www.greenlam.com

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Northern Contours 64 866.344.8132 www.northerncontours.com

Omnova Solutions 31 866.332.5226 www.omnova.com

Panel Processing 24 800.433.7142 www.panel.com

Pembroke MDF 37 844.722.3939 www.pembrokemdf.com Renolit 14 +1.973.706.6912 www.renolit.com

Riken USA Corporation 60 248.513.3511 www.riken-usa.com Roseburg 33 800.245.1115 www.Roseburg.com Salice 69 800.222.9652 www.saliceamerica.com Schattdecor 39 314.400.6100 www.schattdecor.com

Sierra Forest Products, Inc 29 866.265.0624 www.sierrafp.com

SierraPine Composite Solutions 17 800.676.3339 www.sierrapine.com

States Industries 57 800.626.1981 www.statesind.com

Stevens Industries 35 800.574.7838 www.designartsurfaces.com

Stiles Machinery, Inc. 15 616.698.7500 www.stilesmachinery.com

Surface Source International 59 973.598.0152 www.ssinorthamerica.com

Hopewell Plastics Limited 53 852.2549 3322 www.hopewellplastics.com

Synergy Thermal Foils 26 954.420.9553 www.SynergyThermofoils.com

Hunstman 43 281.719.4916 www.huntsman.com

Tafisa Canada 28 877.882.3472 www.tafisa.ca

Interprint, Inc. 2 (IFC) 413.443.4733 www.interprint.us

Thermwood 50 800.533.6901 www.thermwood.com

JB Cutting Incorporated 22 586.468.4765 www.jbcutting.com

Uniboard 27 844.302.8585 www.uniboard.com

Jowat 44 336.434.9000 www.jowat.com

Union Tool Corporation 56 574.267.3211 www.uniontoolcorp.com

KCD Software 6-7 508.760.1140 www.KCDsoftware.com/cabinotch

Wilsonart 76 (BC) 800.433.3222 www.wilsonart.com

www.surfaceandpanel.com

AVENTOS HK-XS. Nearly weightless lift systems for smaller cabinets.

See for yourself at AWFS booth 4200. / blum.com

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