Surface & Panel - Q3 2020

Q3 • 2020

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

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F R O M

PATRICK S. ADAMS, PRESIDENT | 526 MEDIA GROUP PADAMS@526MEDIAGROUP.COM

T H E P R E S I D E N T

Better Safe than Sorry

I don’t know why it hit me this time. I’ve heard that phrase a million times in my life, and it’s never really been one of my favorites; it just washes past me when I hear it. But today, in these times, it landed at my feet with a thud.

There are other phrases that I am more fond of. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” “Fortune favors the bold.” “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”

This resulted in an interesting conversation with a good friend.

His comment, “We’ve raised a generation of ‘better safe than sorry’ kids; they are afraid of risk.” landed with an equal thud at my feet.

During these interesting times, my wife and I have been challenged to keep the kids entertained and learning new things. Together we watched a great series on the founding of our nation. Landing on this continent with largely nothing. Surviving and forming systems and structure. Expanding across unknown lands and conquering the West. We made some mistakes along the way, but having traveled the world and seeing the best and worst of it, I can say I’m proud to be an American.

Looking back, I can’t say I’ve lived a life of “better safe than sorry.” I grew up in the stark reality that life is tough and every day that you wake up is a day to give thanks. Equally, every evening that you make it through another day is excuse enough to give thanks again because just living is a “risk.” Look all around you in a given minute and there are things that can seriously harm you. I recently listened to a podcast on this topic and the premise was simple—prior generations grew up in a blue collar world and there is no profession in the blue collar world that does not involve risk. Every day, you would go to work and largely, manage risk. Whether it was an assembly line, farming or driving a trash truck, every day was full of risk and experience was measured in stitches, scars and missing digits.

Now, our children get geared up like military bomb techs before they learn how to ride a bike. They go through school without ever getting into a playground scuffle and then go into a profession where their job is akin to checking off a shopping list. The greater they are insulated from risk, the better parents we supposedly are. However,

“I know this industry is full of bold individuals who have successfully managed risk their entire lives and would have it no other way.”

these kids become adults at some point having never experienced the joys of managing risk. The joy of doing something risky and surviving or even, the joy of failing and surviving.

Now, we are beginning to live in a world where risk is a four-letter word. Some believe that we need to be taken care of to minimize the risk in our lives. I know this much is for certain—there is a clear distinction between risk and being reckless and the latter is not what I’m talking about. I know this industry is full of bold individuals who have successfully managed risk their entire lives and would have it no other way. If given the choice between living their own risky life, or having a safe life handed to them, there would be no wavering in the decision. One of these industry greats just passed away at 93 and the last time I saw him, he drove up in his tractor.

My daughter took forever to learn how to ride a bike. Finally, to my wife’s dismay, I took off all the pads and helmet and told her to ride.

She fell once and it was a pretty good crash. Holding back a flood of tears, she got back up and looked at me. I asked her if she wanted to quit. With a bit of anger in her four-year-old eyes, she sternly replied, “No.” She then proceeded to ride her bike without training wheels and now her favorite pastimes are… horseback riding and jiu-jitsu.

One of my favorite sayings is “People only learn lessons the hard way.” I can’t say I’ve ever been sorry for taking a risk, but plenty of times I’ve kicked myself for playing it too safe. They say Americans are “not borne of timid souls” and I believe that. Times like this are where we lead the world with bold, decisive action and this time will be no different.

As always, I’m proud to serve this great industry. I hope everyone has a bold, and not-too-safe summer!

Patrick Adams, President | 526 Media Group, Inc.

Send your thoughts and messages on this issue and article to Patrick at padams@526mediagroup.com

SURFACE & PANEL • Q3 2020

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N U M B E R

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PRESIDENT

Patrick Adams PH: 714-486-2735

padams@526mediagroup.com

PUBLISHER

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From the President

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Peg System Offers Solution for Tenants Seeking Simplicity A Dallas contractor included an innovative peg system in a new apartment building that nearly eliminates the need for tenants to own furniture.

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Technology Advances for Texturizing Surfaces Textures add interest to surfaces, complementing the underlying pattern, and adding a tactile quality, also described as a haptic effect.

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Materials for The New Office How workplaces are adapting to changes prompted by the pandemic.

John Aufderhaar PH: 920-206-1766 john@bedfordfallsmedia.com

CONTENT

Stephanie Ornelas Editorial Director PH: 714-486-2735

sornelas@526mediagroup.com

ADVERTISING

Nick Kosan Director of Sales PH: 714-485-2735 CELL: 949-697-8978 nkosan@526mediagroup.com

Daniel Davidson Sales & Marketing Specialist PH: 920-261-1947 ddavidson@526mediagroup.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Karen Leno kmldesigninc@gmail.com

Mitch Tanis mtanis@526mediagroup.com

C I R C U L AT I O N / S U B S C R I P T I O N S

Jody Bays PH: 714-486-2735

info@526mediagroup.com

NEWS info@526mediagroup.com

526 MEDIA GROUP 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste. E200 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 PH: 714-486-2735 B E D F O R D F A L L S C O M M U N I C AT I O N S 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 PH: 920-261-1945

24 COVID-19 in the Workplace: Where We Are Now Topics and issues relevant to the continuing pandemic as businesses reopen under restrictions that vary by city, county and state.

28 How to Have Better Customer Conversations During the Crisis When talking to customers, it can be hard to know how to strike the right balance between acknowledging the COVID-19 crisis and focusing on business.

30 From the Publisher 31 The Woodworking Industry’s Plan B As industry events continue to be postponed, companies find alternative ways to market their products and services. Meanwhile, event organizers strive to keep the industry connected.

32 Get on Board with Outsourcing In this business, one of the main constraints is a lack of time to focus on running your business, increasing sales and measuring your ability to focus on doing what you do best.

36 Five Ways the Pandemic is Changing Wood Products Manufacturing The Pandemic is changing how business gets done. Closet and cabinet makers need to delve deeper into the world of technology to get their heads above water.

40 Stay Connected IWF Connect offers a virtual tradeshow experience.

42 What’s Your Plan B? In an industry where tradeshows are key to marketing, companies are being forced to think outside the box when it comes to interpersonal communication and connecting with the industry.

51 The Woodworker's Plan B Product Showcase A small taste of some of the products that are shaping the industry.

60 Get Inspired without Going to Milan Here are some of the design trends that would have exhibited at Salone del Mobile.

64 Ad Index 66 From the Editor

O N T H E C O V E R : Fresh Data by Interior Arts is a collection of 20 new design laminates.

The colorway shown is a dark grey with gold micro speckling.

Surface & Panel is published quarterly by 526 Media Group, 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste. E200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, telephone 714-486-2735.

Patrick Adams, President. 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 nonqualified 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. 526 Media Group 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, Jody Bays, 526 Media Group, 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste.E200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Please direct all subscription questions to: Surface & Panel, 526 Media Group, 151 Kalmus Drive, Ste.E200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 or e-mail Jody Bays at info@526mediagroup.com.

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Peg System Offers Solution for Tenants Seeking Simplicity

BY SCOTT W. ANGUS

C

hristian Chernock believes people want to simplify their lives, and he’s doing his part to help them out.

CHRISTIAN CHERNOCK (RIGHT) INSTALLED AN INNOVATIVE PEG SYSTEM IN THE BARDO LOFTS APARTMENT PROJECT IN DALLAS THAT HIS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY BUILT.

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Chernock, who owns Christian Chernock Properties and Cherntex Construction of Dallas, Texas, included an innovative peg system in a new apartment building that nearly eliminates the need for tenants to own furniture.

That desire for simplicity was among three primary ideas that drove Chernock to create the peg system. The other were that renters have a harder time customizing their living spaces compared to people who own their homes and that people love built-in storage.

THE BUILT-IN PEGBOARD WALL DIVIDERS ON THE UPPER FLOOR CONCEAL A BEDROOM CLOSET, SHOWN AT LEFT WHEN LIT FROM WITHIN. THE WALL PANEL IN THE LIVING ROOM CAN BE CONFIGURED WITH SHELVING AND DESK UNITS. CONSTRUCTED OF BALTIC BIRCH, IT IS EXTREMELY DURABLE, DIMENSIONALLY STABLE AND CAN HANDLE HEAVY LOADS.

“Those three ideas drove my main design question,” Chernock said in a recent interview. “How can I create a living space that includes built-in storage and furniture that can be moved around to suit any mood or living need– where all someone needs to have for a fully functioning living space is just a mattress and a couch? The answer was the peg furniture system.”

Chernock acknowledges that the idea was not entirely original. He first saw a system built by a West Coast cabinet manufacturer many years ago and saw versions of it later. So he decided to try his own applied to multifamily housing, and he installed the first peg system in his 28-unit Bardo Lofts apartment project in Dallas, which opened earlier this year.

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SURFACE & PANEL • Q3 2020

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THE SYSTEM CONSISTS OF SLOTTED WALL PANELS AND COMPONENTS THAT ATTACH TO THE WALLS THROUGH A HOLE AND HOOK SYSTEM. AMONG THE COMPONENTS INCORPORATED INTO THE UNITS ARE PLATFORM BED FRAMES, ROOM DIVIDERS, CABINETS, SHELVING, BINS, TABLES AND DESKS.

DOUG WINKLEBLACK

WAYNE BELANGER

Winkleblack recommended UV-coated Baltic Birch plywood for the project because it has 13 plies and few core voids, making it strong and stable.

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EARLY REVIEWS ARE GLOWING. “It’s the most innovative solution for a home I’ve ever seen and used,” said Bardo Lofts tenant Ebonye Jones. “It’s super versatile for the minimalist or the décor fanatic because of the peg pieces created for the board.” (See related story on page 10.)

The system consists of slotted wall panels and components that attach to the walls through a hole and hook system. Among the components are a platform bed frame, a room divider, a series of cabinets with various drawer and door choices, shelving, bins, a bistro-style table, different desk configurations and a luggage rack for short-term guests. The components feature door slides from Häfele.

While Chernock had the concept, Panel Processing of Alpena, Michigan, played a big role in making it happen.

Panel Processing, founded in 1971, is the largest panel fabricator in North America, with 11 facilities in six states.

As noted on its website, Panel Processing takes pride in adding value to its customers’ projects “by bringing together all your materials, coatings and fabrication needs.” That’s exactly what it did for Chernock and the peg system, thanks to the work of Project Manager Doug Winkleblack and engineer Wayne Belanger.

Winkleblack recommended UV-coated Baltic Birch plywood for the project because it has 13 plies and few core voids, making it strong and stable. The UV-cured clear finish provides a smooth surface, offers protection from spills and 8

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SURFACEANDPANEL.COM

We Do Tools Right HISTORY OF THE PINSKE EDGE The Pinske Edge has led the way in innovation for the solid surface and woodworking industries for over thirty years. Founder, Tom Pinske, was among the earliest proponents of solid surface when it was first introduced on the market. He was the first to recognize the versatility of this product and the fact that typical woodworking equipment was not sufficient for achieving the applications and quality that he envisioned for this new material.

Tom’s vision led to his delevopment of specialty equipment for accurately cutting, shaping, bending, seaming, and finishing solid surface. Other fabricators saw the remarkable results of his tools and realized that these tools could greatly enhance their products. They pushed Tom to market these innovations and supported his teachings and demonstrations on these tools along the way. Tom had become the leader throughout the country in the means and methodolgy for achieving quality and efficiency in the fabrication of solid surface.

ABOUT THE PINSKE EDGE Today, The Pinske Edge is a 100% employee owned company that continues to thrive on the principles of quality, efficiency, and customer service that Tom has promoted from the beginning. With applications from single family homes to Fortune 500 world headquarters, The Pinske Edge remains the leader in “getting it done right” in the solid surface industry.

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What the Tenants Say Bardo Lofts tenants are effusive in their praise for the peg system.

“It’s the most innovative solution for a home I’ve ever seen and used! It’s super versatile for the minimalist or the decor fanatic because of the peg pieces created for the board. I’ve been able to store all of my books and craft supplies on the wall. I was also able to get rid of my old nightstands. And if I’m in a mood for a different setup, it’s super easy to reconfigure. I love it!”

EBONYE JONES

“The peg system has really helped me to reduce the amount of furniture I own. As a minimalist, the system is absolutely delightful and helps me to reduce the amount spent on organizing and cleaning my home. Everything just has its place, and I can focus on the things that are actually important to me.”

NATE ESSIN

“It saved me a lot of money and gives me the ability to add more space in my unit when I need it.”

DANIEL BROADOUS

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allows for easy cleaning, he said. Belanger spent considerable time working with Chernock to be sure all of the parts fit.

“We would submit drawings on the 67 different items that make up the current system, and Christian would approve or have Wayne modify as needed,” Winkleblack said.

Chernock couldn’t be more pleased with Panel Processing’s work and finished product.

“Executing the idea at scale had several challenges and would not have been possible without a great manufacturing partner,” he said.

“When I pitched the idea to Panel Processing, I was very excited to hear it was something they were interested in collaborating on. They have been great to work with and went the extra mile to execute on the details.”

It took well over a year and several design iterations to get a functioning system, and Panel Processing worked hard to make sure the end product met all design goals, Chernock said.

The UV clear-coated Baltic Birch is a great material for the system for several reasons, he added. “First, it is extremely durable,

dimensionally stable and can handle heavy loads. The material machines well, and there is minimal sanding required, which keeps cost of installation and assembly time down.”

Chernock believes the exposed-edge plywood and face-grain color add to the quality of the interior architecture and design.

“Although plywood is a very utilitarian material, the finished product has a simplicity and elegance to it.”

Dan Shipley and Corey Reinaker of Shipley Architects in Dallas worked closely with Chernock and quickly grasped the peg concept.

“They immediately got what I was wanting to create and really felt it connected well with the ethos of the project,” Chernock said. “They did an excellent job matching the exterior architecture with the interior spaces.”

The system truly simplifies life for tenants, who often struggle in small apartments because the tight configuration of doors, windows, balconies, appliances and closets dictates only one or two furniture layout options, Chernock said. Also, tenants are often forced to fit furniture pieces that were bought for their previous larger spaces into smaller layouts.

“The peg system is designed and laid out to work in conjunction with the small floor plan more like a jigsaw puzzle. It also allows better use of storage volume by being able to go vertical with storage options higher on a wall than what is typical,” he said.

“Lastly, tenants have the ability to swap out pieces as their needs and creativity change. We keep inventory onsite so they can easily return pieces they are not using for other pieces they want to try out.

The flexibility of the system creates lots of options to fit the specific needs of the user.”

The room divider can be attached anywhere along the peg grid to partition off spaces. Most tenants put their bedrooms on one side and living space on the other. The divider allows tenants to make the living spaces any size they desire, Chernock said.

At this point, the peg system is featured only in the Bardo Lofts, but Chernock plans to put it in apartments that he builds in Dallas in coming years.

“The most rewarding part has been watching people use and get excited about their living space. I’m looking forward to getting more of my tenants’ feedback over the coming year to see how we can continue to improve and refine the idea.” s&p

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Technology Advances for Texturizing Surfaces

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BY BILL ESLER

mong architects and designers, the many and continuously shifting surface options—lumber and veneers, laminates, films, foils, coatings—follow the currents of design fashion, pricing, availability, and other factors. But in recent years, another factor has entered into the equation: advancing technologies that offer even more creative potential.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the application of textures to panel surfaces. These textures originated as a way to give added interest to surfaces, complementing the underlying pattern, and adding a tactile quality, also described as a “haptic” effect. The human preference for haptic qualities has been established by researchers, including in a March 2017 article, “Sensory and Emotional Perception of Wooden Surfaces through Fingertip Touch,” by Shiv R. Bhatta, et.al., and published in Frontiers in Psychology.

“Twenty participants evaluated eight different pine and oak wood surfaces, using sensory and emotional touch descriptors, through the lateral motion of active fingertip exploration,” said the abstract. “The data showed that natural and smooth wood surfaces were perceived more positively in emotional touch than coated surfaces. We highlight the importance of preserving the naturalness of the surface texture in the process of wood-surface treatment so as to improve positive touch experiences, as well as avoid negative ones. We argue that the results may offer possibilities in the design of wood-based interior products with a view to improving consumer touch experiences.”

Those and similar findings confirm what the panel processing industry believes implicitly.

The importance of haptic effect was underscored as even natural veneer manufacturers have sought to emphasize tactile qualities, marketing rift cut surfaces and other mechanical effects to help distinguish the natural wood product from rising competition by other decorative surface competitors.

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OPPOSITE (LEFT): CEFLA'S J-PRINT TD PRINTED THIS MDF PANEL FROM AN IMAGE OF A REAL WOOD FLOOR BY POLISH PHOTOGRAPHER MAKSYM VELISHCHUK, USING ZEE TREE'S MYTEXTURE PROCESS FOR POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE TACTILE EFFECTS AT 400 DPI RESOLUTION AND SPEEDS UP TO 50 M/MIN. TRUETEXTURE, USED BY BARBERAN, COMBINES DIGITAL AND ANALOG FLUIDS AND USES MECHANICAL BRUSHING TO DELIVER A UNIQUE NATURAL APPEARANCE. RIGHT: AT SCM LIVE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE, THE DMC WIDE BELT SANDER WAS ENABLED TO CREATE THE POPULAR GEOMETRIC, PATTERNED SURFACE PANELS AT FULL PRODUCTION SPEED. IT CAN BE INTEGRATED WITH GLUE AND VACUUM PRESSING TO CREATE HIGH-INTEREST SURFACES.

With increasing sophistication, textures for laminates made with foils, papers, or films offer powerful effects. The textures are added mechanically through the well-established process of embossing cylinders, or in the newest developments, with digital presses and even CNC-controlled wide-belt finishing. Because this dynamic segment of the surface and panel marketplace is in rapid development, this quick snapshot is not meant to be definitive or even comprehensive, but only to hint at where the industry may be headed.

Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces, using mechanical embossing, provides 16 different laminate finish options on its decor surfaces.

The texture of the laminate surface is created during the pressing process via stainless steel plate. Wilsonart Laminates come standard with textures designed to complement the visuals of of the underlying design. But alternate textures are available, and vary per design, and even custom versions can be requested.

The last few years have witnessed refinements to this technology, with the embossing plate pattern drawn specifically from the same image files (or from complementary ones) that are used to print the underlying laminate or film surface. Italian firm SESA says it was the first company to produce embossed in register (EiR) surfaces, first in flooring in 1999 and subsequently in 2004 for melamine surfaces used in furniture manufacture. SESA claims trademarks for the terms, Embossing in Register and EiR. “Wishing for more authenticity and naturalness, end-users want

to feel exactly what the eye sees,” as SESA puts it. “Random surface texturing still delivers very good results, but EiR applied to printed designs takes this to another level. The secret is to emboss the grain in a totally natural way so that the vessels, pore and grain, appear exactly where they would in the natural product.”

SESA’s newest development is a technology called ONE, which embosses with shallower pores and a natural look. “Deep finishes often require an underlay and longer pressing cycles. With ONE, we are now able to offer an attractive alternative and ensure a natural look similar to real veneer,” the company said. The technology, using its peculiar dark-black gloss in combination with EIR technology, doubles the 3D effect, increasing the visibility of shallower pores and the natural look of the finish.”

Surteco (its Döllken, BauschLinnemann and Süddekor businesses supply the North American wood industry with decorative surface foils, decor papers and edgebanding) produces release papers and finishes impressed directly into the foil after processing, with four CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 ›

SURTECO EMBOSSES INTO FOILS AND PAPERS TO PROVIDE VISUAL AND TACTILE EFFECTS, SUCH AS THE HAPTIC SURFACE TREATMENT THAT IMPARTS TEXTURES THAT APPEAR OPTICALLY AUTHENTIC AND CAN BE SYNCHRONIZED WITH THE DECOR PAPER IMAGE.

SURFACE & PANEL • Q3 2020

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which combines mechanical embossing, traditional printing and digital printing to provide a wide range of options. This approach uses modern overprint cylinders mixed with digital and analog printing processes combined in parallel, producing a joint overall image.

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different wood pore patterns: ash pore, wood pore, leather texture and pearl texture. The embossing effects are then heightened, with its WoodLook, Haptic, Haptronic, and Sentecs processes.

WoodLook uses a specially developed lacquering process to achieve as natural a wood look as possible. “This results in synchronized pores (all-over pores are also possible) and we achieve perfect matt-gloss effects that hardly differ from real wood veneer,” the company said. Surteco’s Haptic surface treatment imparts textures that appear optically authentic and can be synchronized with the decor paper image, giving a surface depth similar to that of brushed wood textures. Its Haptronic process achieves a mix of visual and haptic textures. Surteco’s Sentecs also employs a special lacquer that allows the surface to develop its own three-dimensional surface structure, particularly suitable for dark decors.

Most recently, the company won awards for its Editions Co-Equal,

IMAGING DIRECTLY ON PANELS The applications covered so far have centered on decor and release papers, foils, and films applied to engineered wood panels. But there’s a growing movement that bypasses the intermediate decorative material, and instead prints directly onto the panel, simplifying the production process.

Panel fabricator Panel Processing, Alpina, MI., has for some time been offering an analog printing-on-wood panel service, Woodgrain Prints. Using gravure cylinders engraved with carefully mastered wood species grain patterns, it is capable of handling 4x8-ft. and 5x8-ft. MDF, HDF and S2S engineered panel, applying a one- to three-color process that goes directly onto the substrate. The company says it can duplicate a veneered panel in printed wood grain at less cost, though it doesn’t incorporate texturizing.

Panel Processing also offers another service indicative of an industry change, Eco-Finish Rigid Print Media. Eco-Finish is a specially formulated coating that provides a crisp, consistently bright white surface for hi-definition digital printing. Used for indoor signage, this leads to a natural segue to one of the most dynamic segments of decorative panel textures: digital printing on wood. Using UV-cured inks or toners, these digital devices can print nearly any image onto a wood-based panel or laminate, even adding haptic interest with raise-surface and digitally deposited lacquers with patterns emulating the flow of finish coatings on natural wood grain surfaces.

Digital printing on wood materials operates roughly along the lines of a copier. First, a computer sends a graphical image to a printing engine. The engine then paints that image using inkjet inks, or liquid toners, onto the substrate—the wood panel. Finally, an energy source cures the toner or ink, not dissimilar to the curing lamps used in roll-coater UV finishing lines.

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CEFLA J PRINT INTEGRATED LINE

Digital printing on wood materials operates roughly along the lines of a copier.

First, a computer sends a graphical image to a printing engine. The engine then paints that image using inkjet inks, or liquid toners, onto the substrate—the wood panel. Finally, an energy source cures the toner or ink, not dissimilar to the curing lamps used in roll-coater UV finishing lines.

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As an illustration, imagine the graphic in the first item is a very high definition photo of a quartersawn oak veneer panel. Next, the substrate might be an MDF panel, a sheet of Baltic birch plywood, or a less expensive wood board. Finally, the resultant product would look exactly like fine, finished quartersawn oak. Such products are currently being produced at panel products manufacturers: North American Plywood, using an Inca Onset inkjet printer, and Kember Flooring, who announced earlier this year it would install EFI Cubik printer for flooring and panel applications.

Hymmen, Barberan and Cefla are among the most established leaders in digital printing on wood and other surfaces, having demonstrated the immense potential for color control, and placement of inregister clear coatings that provide raised surfaces for haptic effect.

Recent entrants in the field include EFI and Canon, among others.

Now that the market expects to see and feel textures in conventionally produced laminates, the direct-to-surface digital printing must offer something comparable. To this end, Hymmen has developed the DLE Digital Lacquer Embossing press, which deposits a transparent liquid medium on to a layer of conventional, noncured lacquer, using the technology of the Hymmen JUPITER Digital Printing Lines and subsequent physical and chemical reactions.

The patented process results in a raised and embossed surface.

Both Cefla and Barberan have licensed Zee Tree technology, which delivers extremely textured surfaces. Each company applies Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Zee Tree technologies differently, providing unique offerings.

TREME

Barberan has demonstrated the Zee Tree system incorporated into a line with its six-color digital Jetmaster TRT 840 press. It has branded the application as trueTexture, with finish and grain textures that are both optically and haptically compelling, all created digitally.

Cefla built the Zee Tree technology into its Industrial Digital Printing systems with applications in flooring, panel, and other products patented under the myTexture brand. A Cefla J-Print digital press with up to six colors can achieve any Pantone color. The color printed panel then receives the company’s myTexture raised finish treatment before flash UV curing. “Superb tactile feedback is achieved through embossing and incredibly realistic haptic effect,” the company said.

One last noteworthy and very recently unveiled approach to digitally controlled surface finishing has been introduced by SCM. Using its DMC wide belt sander, the company has developed the capability to create textured panel surface designs. Demonstrated during SCM Live, its online global conference, the approach can create the popular geometric, patterned surfaces. Ordinarily these are achieved through CNC routing, which can take considerable time.

SCM said its DMC produces such panels in line at full production speed. Following the sanding step, the company also integrates them into glue and vacuum pressing to create high-interest surfaces. These evolving techniques to impart haptic effects digitally reflect the overall digitalization of manufacturing in general. And they promise a pathway to more realistic surfaces, where the look and feel are in complete harmony. s&p

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THIS PAGE: THE GENESIS WELFORMED ACOUSTIC WALL IS CONSTRUCED FROM PET (POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE), WHICH IS LIGHTWEIGHT AND HAS TREMENDOUS SOUND BARRIER CAPABILITIES. RIGHT: THE GENESIS WELFORMED PRIVACY SCREEN REFLECTS A CURRENT DESIGN TREND THAT FEATURES CURVED EDGES.

Materials for The New Office HOW WORKPLACES ARE ADAPTING TO REGULATIONS

T

here’s no question that the pandemic has changed the workplace. Work-from-home life is starting to become the new normal for some employees, and others across the globe are slowly starting to return to their offices, but that doesn’t mean it will be the same as when they left.

As social distance laws continue to be enforced, employers will have no choice but to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees.

Manufacturers are taking advantage of this by designing products that cater to social distancing and constant sanitation, in addition to studying evolving design trends. Products like privacy screens, face shields, and antimicrobial laminates and surfaces are making their way into offices everywhere to ensure employee safety.

“We’re seeing a huge uptick in 3DL & 2DL Thermo-foil lamination for walls and surfaces and not just in hospitals now,” said Scott Flom, Genesis Marketing Manager. “Before the pandemic, this product was primarily popular in clinics and hospitals, but because these laminates are easy to be

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cleaned and very durable against chemicals, they are perfect for modern office desks and surfaces as people begin to return to work.

It’s also easy to implement new designs. Those are a few reasons, in my opinion, why we’re seeing an uptick in that material.”

“Holistic wellbeing and hygiene are two design factors that will be making a huge influence,” said David Gerson, Chief Brand Officer for Inscape, who highlighted one trend that will continue to take shape, curved edges. “Everything is curved now. A curved radius edge not only looks pleasing but it’s also very easy to clean. We’re going to see more people demanding biomorphic shapes that feel natural,” he said.

Gerson went on to explain that whether people are working from home or returning to the office, employees want a sense of tranquility, now more than ever. “It’s the idea of taking nature with you. Like going for a walk in the park. People want a workspace that makes them feel at peace and for most, that’s being one with nature, in a realistic way of course. They want big windows and woodgrain textures. Things like this truly make a difference for both physical and mental health.”

But it’s not enough to have surfaces that are easy to clean and stand up to the toughest of chemicals. According to Joe Arcadi, VP of sales and marketing for Genesis, lightweight materials are just as important.

“We’re in an unpredictable time right now and it’s important to be flexible. This means having lightweight materials—desks that can move around and that are easily collapsible. If you have to move to another part of the office, it shouldn’t be a difficult task. We’re offering products that are 30% lighter and we’re seeing a great response from that. Having desks nailed to the floor is a thing of the past.”

“The ability to easily transform workspaces is a new office trend.

It’s about being able to adapt when you’re in a situation that’s constantly changing,” he added. “In addition, you want your office to be safe and easy to come back to when your employees return.”

For those who have returned to the office, Arcadi emphasized that people are focusing on reflective noise. “More people are asking

“Holistic wellbeing and hygiene are two design factors that will be making a huge influence. Everything is curved now. A curved radius edge not only looks pleasing but it’s also very easy to clean.”

DAVID GERSON, CHIEF BRAND OFFICER FOR INSCAPE

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SURFACE & PANEL • Q3 2020

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about acoustic performance. They want materials that are sound absorbent. That’s why PET (polyethylene terephthalate) has been embraced by so many,” Arcadi explained. “It’s lightweight, sleek and has tremendous sound barrier capabilities. You can also add decorative surfaces to PET and the material can be molded to shape.”

Genesis’ PET privacy screens have grown to be increasingly popular over the last few months as social distancing has become a major priority. “Some businesses have the luxury of spreading out employees to assure they’re six feet apart. Others have to invest in products like these to protect their employees’ health. Management teams need to be flexible right now. If an employee isn’t comfortable, they need to ask themselves: what do I need to do make sure I am comfortable?”

The pandemic has caused manufacturers to rethink their offerings, as they start seeing a high demand for products that cater to sanitation and social distancing. Cooper Industries caught on to this demand by offering several different products that ensure privacy. “Both our marketing strategies and product offerings have shifted,” said Rachel Brumenschenkel marketing strategist for Cooper Industries.

“Since the pandemic, we have been focusing on creating safety products such as acrylic shields, table dividers, freestanding floor partitions, face shields, etc. for a variety of environments. We’ve been promoting these products to new markets and have created an online

store as the demand for safety products continues to rise,” she added.

Cooper’s cubicle wall extenders are designed to be easily placed between cubicles and other workspaces. The extenders are made of clear acrylic and measure 23.50" tall. The acrylic inserts into black feet that attach to the cubicle wall. The feet fit standard 3" cubicle walls and no drilling or tools are required for installation. The product is perfect for offices that have more than ten people returning to work, and is great for employees dealing with customers face-to-face.

Cefla is another company noticing a demand in products that cater to social distancing. Only this time, specific for fabricators. The company’s Ubiquo Teleservice Kits provide a relevant benefit: preventing non-essential individuals, such as technicians not employed by the fabricator, from having to enter their facility. In most cases, finishing line challenges can be resolved from afar, faster, and with less financial impact. The company also offers customers access to video tours of their facilities online, giving them a one-stop virtual experience.

When it comes to antimicrobial benefits, hardware manufacturers are developing products that have protective features. “Avoiding germs and creating a safe living environment have become increasingly important these days, especially when it comes to points of frequent contact like door handles,” said Laurie Doherty, creative director, Nostalgic Warehouse. “There are natural antimicrobial qualities of brass doorknobs and hardware. An unlacquered solid brass doorknob actually has a chemical reaction that helps reduce germ build-up: a virus can survive just minutes on a copper or brass surface,” she said.

Other companies are focusing on the chemical side of things.

Omnova released a report after the EPA published a list of disinfectants that meet its criteria for use against COVID-19. The company tested disinfectants like Asepticare, OxyCide, Wex-Cide and 17 others that are approved for use against the virus on its surf(x) 3D Laminates.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 ›

ABOVE: LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS AND DESKS THAT CAN BE EASILY MOVED AROUND ENSURE FLEXIBILITY IN THE WORKSPACE. LEFT: CEFLA'S UBIQUO TELESERVICE KITS ALLOW FOR THE PREVENTION OF NON-ESSENTIAL INDIVIDUALS FROM ENTERING A FACILITY.

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Since Omnova prides itself on having laminates that are specifically designed for the healthcare industry, it makes sense that they would go through with the testing, as it’s been said that 3DL will be much more common in not just healthcare facilities, but offices and other workplaces.

The transition back to regular workplaces can be a challenge for those who have spent the last few months working from home, noted Lauren Stredler, account executive for Assa Abloy. “Over the last few months, many workers have adapted to the work from home lifestyle and when they return to the office, there will be many employees expecting to return to a similar environment,” she said.

“Many designers and architects are keeping this in mind and exploring new ways to bring the warmth of home into offices to create a more comfortable and collaborative workspace. Industry experts

are referring to this new trend as ‘resimercial’—the combination of home and work environments.”

Stredler went on to explain that as more companies implement return to the workplace plans, safety will be top of mind. Part of this process will include repeated and thorough cleaning and sanitizing protocols.

“The challenge is, many traditional commercial doors are not designed to withstand such rigorous cleaning cycles. That’s why we’re offering smooth grain doors. They provide a unique opening solution that combines the strength and durability of steel doors with the beautiful and comforting feel of wood, fit for commercial office space, schools and healthcare facilities.” Designed to withstand rigorous cleaning cycles, the doors give architects and designers freedom not typically offered for commercial spaces to create a warmer environment.

In addition to these evolving trends in the workplace like walls covered with antimicrobial paint and rounded corners to minimize bacterial deposits, there are also other elements that we can expect to see when returning to the workplace. This typically depends on the overall size of the operation and how many employees will be in the facility.

“Obviously the smaller the team, the easier it is,” said European developer Liviu Tudor. “It’s going to be different for each organization. With countries around the world slowly easing the lockdown and promoting going back to work, the question remains on how buildings need to operate and manage crowds-and what the future of the office is.”

“With larger companies, we could start to see more extreme measures being taken, like building entrances providing temperature scanning equipment and digital display units that will be placed in receptions to show immunity-boosting indicators such as daily improvement of indoor air quality. We’re already seeing businesses require customers to have their temperatures taken before entering, and we can expect that with larger operations in our industry.”

There’s no question that the normal paradigm is challenged for sure. Management teams are constantly finding news ways to help their organizations adapt to this new normal. “It’s about designing with your ears and not just your eyes,” said Gerson. “When employees come back, they’re going to want to know that they’re protected.

Things are changing. The way we work, travel, consume food. How you can change your space to adapt to these new realities is going to be critical.” s&p

ABOVE: BRASS DOORKNOBS AND HARDWARE PPROVIDE NATURAL ANTIMICROBIAL QUALITIES THROUGH CHEMICAL REACTIONS THAT HELP REDUCE GERM BUILD-UP. LEFT: ACRYLIC CASHIER SHIELDS AND INDIVIDUAL FACE SHIELDS ARE AMONG THE NEW PRODUCT OFFERINGS FROM COOPER INDUSTRIES.

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Blum has been in the US market for more than 40 years, and we remain dedicated to our customers and to continuous improvement. Kitchens shouldn’t just look beautiful, they should also work beautifully. We take our time in the research and development process, stringently testing each component, to ensure our products are made right the first time. Whether you talk to our sales or customer service teams, or access our online services, we are here to help.

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COVID-19 in the Workplace: WHERE WE ARE NOW

A

BY PAIGE McALLISTER

s the pandemic continues and businesses reopen under restrictions which vary by city, county and state, Affinity HR Group continues to monitor several topics and issues to help our clients through these confusing times. Below are some of the current topics we are seeing.

EMPLOYER COVID LIABILITY: Employees being in the workplace increases their exposure to COVID-19 which means they may be able to make an unsafe workplace claim or a claim against your Workers’ Comp policy, for example. To help mitigate some of that liability, take all possible safety measures to reduce the employees’ risk of exposure.

While some states have passed legislation to help protect employers, this legislation will not provide blanket immunity as companies must comply with certain criteria such as following COVID-19 safety precautions for coverage.

Some companies are requiring employees to sign liability waivers, but these do little to reduce legal exposure if challenged. Conversely, it may indicate to employees that you lack confidence in your safety measures which may make employees more concerned about coming to work.

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©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/TATIANAZAETS

MASK MANDATES: If you have a mask-wearing mandate for employees and visitors, whether due to state regulations or company safety practices, enforce those requirements consistently for the health and safety of your employees and customers. Also, give your employees the support when refusing to deal with a customer without a mask.

VACATION/PAID TIME OFF: Some employees may want to start using their paid time off (PTO), requiring you to ensure you have control of several aspects.

Confirm your policies allow you to control who is taking time (usually through an approval process) to ensure proper coverage at all times. Do not use only first-come, first-served or seniority as reasons for approval; include reason for time off as some employees will need time off for critical events such as weddings, funerals, and taking their child to college.

Consider implementing temporary carryover or payout policies so employees do not have to choose between taking unwanted time off and losing their benefits.

We recommend not requiring employees to exhaust all of their PTO, especially if all of the FFCRA time has been exhausted, so they have time available if they become sick later in the year.

TRAVEL: As states reopen, employees may begin to travel, increasing their chance of exposure.

Traveling may necessitate the employee to self-quarantine and/or get tested. If an employee is planning to travel, discuss the repercussions such as use of PTO, quarantine period, testing, etc., prior to departure so they know the expectations before they leave.

If traveling for work, consider the true need or value of the travel and postpone if possible.

You will need to pay their regular wages for any quarantine time, and, if they are exposed, it will most likely fall under your Workers’ Comp.

If traveling for vacation, decide ahead of time if you will require the employee to stay away from the office, to get tested, and, if/how all this time will be paid.

While some states have passed legislation to help protect employers, this legislation will not provide blanket immunity as companies must comply with certain criteria such as following COVID-19 safety precautions for coverage.

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL/SUMMER CAMP: Employees may not have child care options if summer camp or child care is not available, and this may not improve if schools cannot reopen full-time in the fall. Communicate with employees to create a plan of action such as intermittent schedules, shorter days, or working weekends.

For employees who have time available, FFCRA/extended FMLA continues for up to 12 weeks but, if the closed child care provider changes (i.e., school to summer camp to school), require the employee to submit a new FFCRA request form with documentation of that closure.

SCREENING/TESTING: There are several options for screening and/or testing employees before returning to work and/or before each shift.

• Screening: A brief questionnaire and/or taking of their temperature, usually before each shift, assesses the employee’s health each day by monitoring for the common symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone who has concerning symptoms can be sent home until further determination can be made. Screening is non-invasive and needs to be done consistently, but it will not reveal employees who may be asymptomatic and positive.

• COVID-19 Testing: A nose-swab test for active COVID virus is usually done if the employee is showing symptoms or after possible exposure. Since some areas are struggling to meet demand, employees may not be able to get a test without a qualifying reason; if they do, it could take several days to get the results. Testing only tests the presence of the virus at a point-in-time, and a negative result does not mean the employee will not get it in the future. Testing can only be required if there is a risk of transmission to other people.

• COVID-19 Antibody Test: A blood test to determine if there are antibodies showing previous infection. Not all tests are reliable, and a positive result does not mean they will not get it again in the future. This test cannot be required as it violates ADA. OUR RECOMMENDATIONS: • Allow anyone who can to work from home for as long as possible to reduce chance of exposure in your office and to keep work flowing as there would be a much smaller chance of employees getting sick and being out for several days or weeks.

• Require and enforce consistent safety protocols: screening, social distancing, face masks, no large groups, no small, closed spaces, hand sanitizer, and hand washing, etc.

Q. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our business model has changed.

The service that was our primary source of income has not been needed so we had furloughed most of our employees. However, demand for our secondary or new service has exploded. Unfortunately, most of the furloughed employees do not have the skills and experience to provide this secondary or new service, and we need help now. Can we hire a new employee while other employees are still furloughed?

A. Yes, probably. In most employment-at-will situations, you are able to employ the best person for the job you need done. This means that, if currently-furloughed employees do not have the skills or talents to effectively perform the job duties you need, you should be able to hire a new employee. It is essential to hire someone who has different abilities, education, or experience than anyone currently in your workforce that enable them to perform that service when and how you need it.

There may be more restrictions to your ability to hire a new employee if you have employees under a CBA (labor contract) or depending on how you worded the furlough notice.

As always, document your decisions and procedures to be able to show that you hired the new employee based on the services they could provide rather than to replace a furloughed employee for a discriminatory reason. n

• Require employees to speak up immediately if they are not feeling well. Review the symptoms and procedures for possible illness and exposure and send home if there is a question.

• Paid time off and extended FMLA under FFCRA is still applicable. Offer it to anyone who needs it that has time remaining. s&p

PAIGE McALLISTER, SPHR Affinity HR Group contact@affinityhrgroup.com

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How to Have Better Customer Conversations During the Crisis

BY GREGG SCHWARTZ

THE COVID-19 CRISIS has caused so much disruption and uncertainty for everyone in all aspects of work and life. When talking to customers, it can be hard to know how to strike the right balance between acknowledging the crisis and focusing on business.

Sometimes it’s okay to blend business and personal with your customer conversations, especially during a time of widespread stress, grief and uncertainty. Here are a few tips for having better customer conversations.

Don’t Ignore the News. COVID-19 has caused a massive shift in everyone’s priorities and daily life experience. So don’t assume your sales conversations with customers have to be strictly about business. Start conversations by just asking customers how they’re doing, how they’re coping with the latest news. You don’t have to be afraid to acknowledge the crisis that we’re all in.

Most customers will appreciate you being candid and willing to talk about a situation we’re all going through. At times of crisis, customers may even be more skeptical of salespeople who are not acknowledging the bigger situation.

However, you don’t have to dwell on it. Try to keep the conversation light and optimistic. You might want to say things like, “It’s been awhile since we talked; the situation has been difficult,

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of course, but in the last month, my company is starting to enter into a kind of new normal, and I would love to talk with you. How are things on your end?”

Talking about the crisis in terms of a shared experience and a common adversary can help customers feel like you are on their side, like you’re not trying to sell them something; you’re trying to help them overcome a crisis.

Listen with Empathy. Every customer conversation right now needs to put empathy at the forefront. More than ever, be sensitive to what customers are going through. Be patient. Be compassionate. Be willing to just listen—they might not be ready to buy, they might not have good news for you, they might not even be happy to hear from you.

Everyone is going through a lot of emotions right now. You may be calling customers who have had a family member die of COVID-19, who may have the virus themselves, or who may be at higher risk for it. Your prospect’s company might have taken a huge hit and could be struggling to stay in business.

Whatever they’re going through, be willing to show you care—not just as a businessperson, but as a human being.

Show Vulnerability. Your customer conversations might be a good opportunity to share your own story. Not in a sad, “woe is me” tone of voice, of course, but just as another way of acknowledging the crisis and helping customers know they’re not alone.

You might want to open up about your own personal experience.

Do you know anyone who’s become infected? How is the crisis affecting your immediate area? What concerns do you have for the industry you serve?

Of course, you’re on these calls for business purposes; you should still try to be confident and upbeat. But it’s okay to commiserate a

◆

Sometimes it’s okay to blend business and personal with your customer conversations, especially during a time of widespread stress, grief and uncertainty.

bit about just how uncertain the world can be, and show your own human response to the crisis, while also offering an optimistic vision of how your company can help them recover, rebuild and move forward into a brighter future.

Help Before You Sell. Now more than ever, B2B salespeople are in the business of helping people. Buyers may be struggling to stay in business or recently had to part ways with some beloved employees or a longtime vendor. They also may be going through emotional turmoil, feeling scared about their own health and their financial future.

Be ready to help. Be ready to think big about how you can help your customer’s business, even in ways that might not be immediately relevant to what you sell. Think beyond the immediate shortterm transaction and build a longer-term relationship. Even if you can’t sell to this customer today, or even later this year, look to create the beginning of a business relationship that could last for years to come. s&p Gregg Schwartz is the director of sales at Strategic Sales & Marketing, New York, N.Y., providing lead generation consulting to hundreds of business (www.manageyourleads.com).

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S U R F A C E & P A N E30.07.20 L • Q 3 09:01 2020

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JOHN AUFDERHAAR | PUBLISHER | SURFACE & PANEL MAGAZINE JOHN@BEDFORDFALLSMEDIA.COM

Top of the Food Chain MAKING AMERICA GREAT

“If we can control the ‘top of the food chain’ and produce the finished product here, other parts of the supply chain will follow and grow domestically.”

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For some, “Make America Great Again” is a slogan attached to an unpopular president. When they see or hear this phrase, it makes their blood boil. To others, it is a business philosophy created to shine a light on how America has become a victim of an unlevel playing field in the global economy. I understand how some just cannot stand the rhetoric, but at the core, who cannot get behind wanting America to be strong and prosperous?

Bringing manufacturing back to the US makes perfect sense. But I admit, it is not that easy. Certainly, everyone knows that supply chains are global and that it is nearly impossible to make everything in the land of the free.

The panel processing industry has been a global business from the very beginning. Panel processing technology (machinery) originated in Europe with the creation of particleboard.

These producers maintain a global market share lead and have from the beginning. The manufacturers of 32 mm system hardware (as we old guys call it) are also European, with a global market share advantage. It stands to reason if anyone is going to invest in a modern panel processing facility in the United States, the investors are going to rely on a global supply chain even before they make their first product. Much of the raw material to make products is domestically produced, including particleboard, MDF, laminate and décor paper. After all, necessity is the mother of invention. Shipping particleboard from a different continent seems silly when the cost of shipping makes it unprofitable. That is, unless the value-added products have a distinct competitive advantage. There is a great deal of imported thermally fused laminate (TFL) consumed in this country. Why? Because the combination of décor, texture, and finish…the design…is worth the added expense. Design is an international language, unconstrained by borders and is the same cost anywhere on the planet. It is the definition of a level playing field.

If we are going to Make America Great Again, we must strive to be at the “top of the food chain,” lead by design, and control the final production of our products. A global supply chain will be involved, as we know, but there is no reason to farm out the final production to a foreign producer when it can be done domestically. For example, when a consumer orders an RTA bookcase online from Wayfair which is made entirely in China, American workers do not benefit.

If we can control the “top of the food chain” and produce the finished product here, other parts of the supply chain will follow and grow domestically.

Prepac Manufacturing just announced the construction of a new panel processing facility in North Carolina. Bravo! The 27 million-dollar, 260,000 square foot facility will employ over 200 new workers. Prepac is one of the fastest growing RTA manufacturers in North America. They take design seriously. It is a hallmark to their success. Prepac is a Canadian company, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. The investment is considered a Direct Foreign Investment (DFI), but since they are within miles of the American border, that is close enough for me.

Prepac is striving to stay at the “top of the food chain.” I am confident others will follow.

Let us keep it going.

➲

The Woodworking Industry’s Plan B

The woodworking industry has hit a road block. The pandemic and resultant travel shutdown have grounded outside sales staffs and erased in-person events, such as IWF. To market their products, companies have had to come up with their own “Plan B.” Surface & Panel Magazine asked companies that traditionally relied on IWF to share their contingency strategies (page 42). We also asked industry experts to share their insights on related topics, like outsourcing, and what they’ve adopted to keep their companies moving forward. In the meantime, trade show organizers are attempting to keep the industry connected with virtual events like IWF Connect (page 40). And to wrap it up, S&P has put together a micro-guide to highlight some of the industry’s newest products that would have debuted at industry shows this year (page 51).

➲

CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 ›

THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B

Get on Board with Outsourcing

BY JOE KNOBBE, CABINET MAKERS ASSOCIATION

When I started in the woodworking business in the late ’70s, it was with a company that made everything. We laid up our own particleboard with cabinet liner for cabinet boxes, ripped and planed our own faceframe stock, and manufactured all our own doors. In fact, we were once awarded a project that required a profiled molding for a mitered cabinet door. To make the doors, we bought an old moulder and ground our own knives. This was for one single kitchen project. I learned a few lessons from this company. Turns out that while they were chock full of talented

craftsmen, they were also in continual financial difficulties and they eventually had to close their doors. Many years later upon reflection of what caused this business to fail, I always came back to the same thing: failure to focus on sales and lack of outsourcing.

In this business, one of the main constraints is a lack of time—time to focus on running your business, increasing sales and measuring your ability to focus on doing what you do best. It’s easy to lose sight of profitability when you’re building a business and, quite often, pride gets in the way. It is not uncommon to think that you and your company can do it better, faster and cheaper than the competition. It is often what drives us daily.

But I’ve learned that it’s important to take off those rose-colored glasses and realize that there are numerous ways to do it better, faster and cheaper, and still leave work at a decent hour to spend time with your loved ones. It’s called outsourcing.

Years ago, we realized that during the course of a year, we were buying hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of custom profiled molding (base, casing, crown, etc.) from a supplier that we had a very good relationship with. Then we thought, “Maybe we should stop buying from them and make our own.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 ›

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THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B CONTINUED FROM PAGE 32

So, we did an exhaustive study on what it would take and how much money we would save over the course of a year. Dollar signs took the place of our eyeballs for a period of time. We considered everything—what it would take in machinery (moulder, knife grinder, upgraded dust collection, tooling, etc.) and the fact that we would need to start buying and stocking lumber in trailer loads instead of 500– 1,000 board feet at a time. We also considered the space it would take and how we were going to deal with all the shavings.

After we did all the calculations, we realized that we were buying molding cheaper than we could make it. How is that possible? Simple, the company that made our molding only did one thing and they did it well. They made molding. They bought carloads of lumber, had multiple high-speed molders and CNC grinding equipment, and took what we simply wanted to “dabble in,” and focused on doing it full time.

High gloss doors are very popular today. The cost to enter this market is a very expensive laser or hot air edgebander. Or, instead of investing precious capital resources in a new edgebander, you can consider buying your doors and panels pre-cut and banded from any of the highly qualified suppliers. They’ve already made the investment and are looking to keep product flowing through their plant while they make the payments on the machinery.

Doors are another easy example of a product that’s cheaper to outsource in many ways. Today’s customers want to have a myriad of choices and the only way a cabinet shop can provide those choices is to invest in large quantities of expensive tooling that may only get used a couple of times a year. Why invest in all the machinery required to make the product, when you can export an order from your cabinet software and send it to a company that specializes in making doors? Wait a week or so and custom doors land at your shop. This frees up capital investments and more importantly, TIME. Time that can be used to focus on sales.

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Anyone who has tried to add skilled employees to their staff in the last few years knows the struggle is real. The pool of available talent is at an all time low and it doesn’t appear that there is change on the horizon. One of the simplest ways around that issue is to outsource.

Custom cabinet shops today can outsource almost every aspect of their operation. You can have custom cabinet boxes manufactured to your size specifications shipped to you in five to seven days. You can outsource doors and have them prefinished for you. Drawer manufacturers are located all over the country to help keep shipping costs low. I’ve met with a number of “shop” owners today who make almost nothing. They simply rely on the high-quality resources that are ready and willing to take on their day to day business as well as their overload.

I’m sure you’ve had a customer call looking for a kitchen in four to five weeks and your current backlog is 10 to 12 weeks. Instead of passing on the project, I urge you to consider outsourcing some or all of the project and increasing your sales volume while controlling your costs.

Currently, after spending 30 years as a project manger for a large architectural millwork company, I’m a Senior Account Executive – Residential Division for a company that does over $50 million in sales every year. How big is a plant

➲

THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B

“...it’s important to take off those rose-colored glasses and realize that there are numerous ways to do it better, faster and cheaper, and still leave work at a decent hour to spend time with your loved ones.

It’s called outsourcing.”

Joe Knobbe is Senior Account Executive – Custom Residential Division for Siteline Inc., and past president of Cabinet Makers Association (www.cabinetmakers.org).

He regularly speaks at national and regional conferences on a wide variety of topics.

that sells $50 million a year, you might ask? The answer is, we don’t have a plant. We don’t make anything. Every single product that we sell for both the commercial and residential market is outsourced.

Cabinets, stone, custom metal, doors, trim—absolutely everything is outsourced. We focus on providing the best product at the lowest cost in the shortest lead time possible and work side by side with the suppliers to do that. We don’t stay late. We don’t work weekends. We get it done on time and on budget every single time.

If you’re not outsourcing today, I urge you to consider it. n

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THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B

©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ DSCIMAGE

5 Ways the Pandemic is Changing Wood Products Manufacturing

BY BILL ESLER

The Pandemic is changing how business gets done, including the business of closet and cabinet making. A number of the shifts were already pretty far along, but the situation led companies to delve deeper into the world of technology to get their heads above water.

An ongoing industry shift accelerated by the pandemic is in the manufacturing process itself. Prior to COVID-19, the industry saw many cabinet shops adopting more automated production processes: paperless job tickets, lean manufacturing. This continues, but the pace and urgency of such changes has accelerated.

Considering the current situation, finding new ways of doing business, from sales through design and production, is now mandatory.

Businesses not moving with the market forces driving these changes run a high risk of being left in the dust. Here are five ways the pandemic is changing the industry.

1. Remote communications have transformed the sales process.

In sales, client visits are now history right now. Now pitches are developed through e-mail and online marketing, follow-up calls, and 3D presentations of kitchen and room design renderings.

Increasingly, presentations use precise 3D renderings, some using photorealistic designs or even immersive reality, letting clients “walk through” the proposal virtually.

The more real, the better the chance of closing the sale. And another upside: cutting travel means more time for more proposals, a formula that ultimately leads to more sales.

2. Plant managers should be seen, and not heard.

To keep colleagues safe, the manufacturing workplace has also been changed, with the new social distancing reality. On the noisy plant floor, work cells are spaced out to minimize peer to peer exposure. And face-to-face, and “face-to-ear” shouting, is now considered very unsafe.

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THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36

Production optimization systems and adoption of Manufacturing Execution Systems for factories already trending in the two years leading up to the pandemic, has moved from “nice to have” to “got to have” status. These systems help keep production moving, communicating orders, changes, and advisories from a distance, without risk. They offer the added bonus of transparency, providing a window into job status and productivity rates for all the members of the team, wherever they are working.

Considering the current situation, finding new ways of doing business, from sales through design and production, is now mandatory.

3. Adapt rapidly to unforeseen changes.

Having contingency plans in place for business operations has always been a good practice. But with the pandemic, businesses were reminded to expect the unexpected. A manufacturing tracking system that knows the status of every project— from design through shipping—as well as parts and outsourced components, is the best way to ensure responsiveness.

4. Lead innovation through Virtual Events.

In a rapidly changing environment, organizations must be constantly on the lookout for innovations in their industry.

Cabinetmakers, fabricators, and interior designers will now look to “digital events”—online conferences, webinars, virtual exhibitions—presenting at them to win new customers. But remember, too: attending them to hear from suppliers helps shops stay up with technology and materials advances that can improve their own businesses.

5. Centralize documents.

Working remotely has become the preferred approach. Though there are downsides (juggling childcare and home life with work life), the efficiencies gained make this a winning strategy.

Companies quickly learned, however, that they did not have the IT structure to share databases and documents. While this sticking point is still a concern in some areas such as accounting and general administration, the ability to share assets is easily resolved within a Manufacturing Execution System. n

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THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B

Stay Connected IWF CONNECT OFFERS A VIRTUAL TR ADESHOW EXPERIENCE

Registration for IWF Connect opens September 1, kicking off the event’s first ever digital-only experience. The virtual show will take place October 26-30, and will replace this year’s International Woodworking Fair originally set for August 25 in Atlanta, GA. The event is designed to provide the same opportunities for networking through one-on-one skype-like meetings and chat groups, offering a unique, enjoyable experience for both the exhibitor and the attendee and, more importantly, on a site that is easy to navigate.

“Through IWF connect, we’ll still be able to interact with customers directly, although digitally, via live-chats and virtual meetings,” said Dean Bradshaw, marketing director for FGV. “It is unfortunate that the show had to be cancelled, but it’s completely understandable based on the current situation. We can still introduce our newest products virtually.”

For five straight days, the event will bring attendees together in a “virtual market” featuring the newest technologies and innovations in the global woodworking industry. Attendees will be given the opportunity to browse through hundreds of new product offerings and a gallery of live and in-demand videos.

Companies that exhibit will be offered a virtual booth brand showcase featuring images, videos, brochures, white papers, news releases and links; direct engagement with attendees via virtual business cards and email; qualified leads from booth visitors; a platform to stage live demonstrations, live Q&A sessions and to offer show specials; and a virtual new product gallery.

In addition to direct exhibitor access through live chat and meetings, registration will include live product demos and educational sessions via webinars. Like a typical industry tradeshow, those who attend can participate in training seminars to update their skill set and grow their business. Attendees will be offered a custom show experience through My IWF Connect Show Planner.

For more updates on the event, visit www.iwfconnect.com.

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THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B

What’s Your Plan B? The effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 has temporarily halted face-to-face meetings and industry tradeshows, as countries and states have banned gatherings and organizations have put travel on hold.

But as disruptive as these measures have been, resulting in countless conventions and other events having to be cancelled, postponed or moved to virtual-only, many business owners are still finding unique ways to bring their products and services to the market.

“We had planned to launch several new products at IWF this year. The advantage is being able to physically show our products directly to our target market and place our messaging directly in front of them,” said Yvonne Peters, marketing manager for Elias Woodwork. “But I think launching new products across two countries requires a more diverse marketing strategy than just tradeshows. We utilize a blend strategy between online and print marketing mediums aimed at our target audience.

In an industry where tradeshows are key to marketing, companies are being forced to think outside the box when it comes to interpersonal communication and connecting with the industry. Rather than place their product offerings on hold altogether, they’re charging ahead, utilizing online resources, different forms of advertising and even more traditional communication methods to get their message across.

“Print marketing includes trade magazine ads, advertorials and articles. This directly translates to online marketing as well through the various trade website articles, banner ads and email messaging,” said Peters, who also discussed the company’s own email campaign to subscribers and customers.

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H OW T H E I N D U S T RY I S P L A N N I N G A RO U N D R EC E N T S H OW C A N C E L L AT I O N S

“Various social media is also strategically utilized to promote new products. I find one of the most effective messages in these mediums includes videos. Messages that are short, impactive and informative tend to gain the most attention from our target audience.”

“It seems marketing is continually evolving with mediums and audience behavior, especially online marketing. We do our best to be as effective as possible and pay close attention to content, messaging, placement and a good understanding of your audience,” she added.

Dean Bradshaw, marketing director for FGV, touched on the importance of advertising in trade publishing as well as email campaigns. “In the interim, we are beginning to focus on print and online advertising through trade magazines to introduce our company as well as our newest products,” he said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 ›

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THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42

Some companies, such as Cooper Industries, have shifted their product offerings and created online stores for their customers.

Being that FGV America is a newly established company in the U.S. market, their main focus right now is getting their name out to the market. “Print and digital advertising in various industry trade publications is a great way to reach customers in a time such as this when travel and face-to-face meeting is limited or even non-existent,” he added.

“In addition, we’re utilizing email marketing campaigns to introduce customers to our latest products and news, which provides the advantage of being able to track viewership and response from customers,” said Bradshaw.

Like Peters, several companies are finding that video and multi-media is vital now more than ever. Product demos, training

videos and face-to-face Zoom meetings are not just an option anymore.

“We would have been excitedly promoting Crows Nest Software, the woodworking industry’s highly respected Project Management Enterprise Resource and Planning (ERP solution),” said Norm Fink, consultant for Crows Nest Software. “Due to the cancellation of IWF, we are reaching CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 ›

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Anyone can walk up and run a Cut Center, and if there is anything you don’t understand, it plays a video showing you exactly what to do.

Jody Wilmes (Cut Ready Product Manager), provides an in-depth look at what it takes to successfully operate each machine, and lists some of the additional expenses and things to consider when shopping for an automated solution for your application.

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THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B CONTINUED FROM PAGE 44

Hafele developed a full campaign to ensure their customers see and experience what they had planned for them at IWF Atlanta 2020.

out to our customers to maintain contact and communication, while also enhancing our support assets resulting in enhanced on-demand learning and assistance opportunities. In addition, informational videos have been created.”

Some companies have to be a little more creative than others. “How do you make a video showing how we cure paint?

Have you ever watched paint dry?” joked Matthias Hilger, director of sales for GFC. Still, Hilger sees the financial aspect of shows being cancelled as it leaves funds available for other things like “advertising in industryrelated magazines, Mailchimp contact with past visitors, customers and friends, and it is forcing us to finally make a video of our product, which has been pushed out for over a year due to time constraints.”

Cooper Industries shifted their product offerings and created an online store for their customers. “Since we are a panel processor and custom manufacturer of components and assemblies, at IWF we had planned to showcase samples of the variety of products we can create, including casework, OEM components, wall panels, tabletops, etc., from a variety of materials.

Cefla is pivoting towards more online activities such as an increase in social media communications, video projects, and livestream testing for finishing projects.

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“Due to COVID-19, both our marketing strategies and product offerings have shifted,” said Rachel Brumenschenkel, marketing specialist for Cooper Enterprises.

“While still servicing the woodworking industry, we have also been focusing on creating safety products. We’ve been promoting them to new markets and have created an online store.”

Meanwhile, Hafele is going full-speed ahead, making sure their customers experience everything they had to offer this year.

We’ve developed a three-part approach to ensure our customers see and experience all we had planned for them at IWF Atlanta 2020,” said Scott Kaminski, marketing communications & PR manager for Hafele.

“First, we’re developing an virtual, self-guided tour of our booth space—with software very similar to what you might find on Google Street View—which will feature tags on new and unique products they may to learn more about.

“Second, we’re putting together pre-recorded tours of both the vignette sections of

our booth such as the kitchen and closet and then demonstrations of things like our all-new CC 8/5/30 Claw Connector which will live on our website.”

The company is also releasing a full schedule of livestreaming tours August 25-27 on its Facebook and Instagram channels where they’ll offer in-person, in-depth tours of areas of the company’s IWF booth.

Staying up-to-date on certain types of technology is vital to stay connected, but Mike Vandenberg, marketing director of Daubert Chemical, stressed the importance of using both new and old techniques when it comes to communicating with customers.

“How do we promote now? A combination of new and old,” he said. “We need to be communicating with our customers as typically we cannot be there. They don’t allow visits and we don’t accept invitations unless there is a clear discussion and understanding of safety practices. Old is phone calls. People want to talk.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 48 ›

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THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46

With the right technology, virtual meetings and expos can fill the void as we wait for a return to being able to get on a plane, fly to a major city, meet a colleague for dinner and brave the crowds at a massive convention hall.

“More recent is e-mail which allows the paper trail and intermittent yet ongoing communication when people are available. Then there’s the new. Video calls. We are encouraging our sales team to offer video chats with single individuals and large groups. Maybe there is more time now to look deeper into projects or solutions so let’s get those appropriate folks, ours and theirs, on a call from their desk, share a screen and see people talking. Not sure if this is promotion as we are know it, but the “face to face” is meaningful,” he added.

Cefla had to postpone their internal open house, CeflaLive, where the company was planning to showcase its Ubiquo Teleservice Kit. Instead they’re focusing on its online presence. “We’re pivoting towards more online activities such as an increase in social media communications, video projects, and livestream testing for finishing projects,” said Kristen Riggs, marketing communications specialist for Cefla.

“Although our customer base observed an initial lull in activity, we believe the industry as a whole has been finding ways to make the most of this idle time, such as organizing their shops, implementing scheduled maintenance on existing equipment, and taking time to think through productivity improvements— including the purchase of new equipment,” she added.

While most events have been cancelled and postponed, Woodworking Fair Midwest was still scheduled to take place in Borden, IN., August 26-28.

The event was focused on the secondary woodworking market.

Equipment suppliers to this market showcased their products and services. On display were products for wood finishing, planCONTINUED ON PAGE 50 ›

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PHOTO BY DARLENE DUMOND, COURTESY OF NORTH MAINE WOODS. WWW.NORTHMAINEWOODS.ORG

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THE WOODWORKING INDUSTRY’S PLAN B CONTINUED FROM PAGE 48

SiteViewer Essentials, from Computer Presentation Systems (CPS), allows homebuilders and apartment developers, owners and/or property managers to deliver critical, on-demand home pricing and availability information straight to the fingertips of prospective buyers and renters before they visit a sales or leasing center.

ing, profiling, cutting, grinding, sanding, and many other technologies and equipment.

Still, it’s not your typical tradeshow. Event organizers are adhering to federal Indiana and CDC regulations. Before entering, attendees were required to have their temperatures taken and were asked questions regarding their overall health.

In addition, hand sanitizer dispensers were in each booth and masks were mandatory

as required by government regulations.

For months now, the industry has wondered when we can return to normal, this includes tradeshows and meetings we’ve attended in the past—the way we’ve attended them in the past.

But with the right technology, virtual meetings and expos can fill the void as we wait for a return to being able to get on a plane, fly to a major city, meet a colleague for dinner and brave the crowds at a massive convention hall. n

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TH E WOODWOR K I NG I N DUSTRY ’S PL A N B

While some companies are halting their product offerings for the time being, others are charging ahead. Because of this, Surface & Panel magazine has put together a product guide to give our readers a small taste of what kinds of products and services industry-leading companies are offering. Here are some of products that would have been showcased in Atlanta.

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Product Showcase

MACHINERY CANON ➲ Canon’s Arizona 1380 GT printer offers photographic or fine-art applications on a wide range of media, including odd-shaped, heavy, smooth or pre-cut media.

Key features include true stationary flatbed versatility at an affordable price and a roll media option for true roll-to-roll capability.

The printer is available in 4- 6- or 8-channel models that include support for CMYK plus White, Varnish and light Cyan and light Magenta inks. www.csa.canon.com

➲

MILTEC Miltec UV’s HPI UV system will instantly cure stains and coatings on virtually any wood surface. Lamps can be retrofitted on your production line and will help increase your productivity and bottom line. www.miltec.com

M AC H I N E R Y

PINNACLE ➲ Pinnacle Systems is a manufacturer of standard & custom safety products for industrial machine guarding applications.

Products include safety light curtains, safety mat systems & ergonomic palm buttons. Capabilities include repair, assembly & engineering. Risk assessment is also offered and all products are manufactured, engineered & serviced in the United States. www.pinnaclesystems.com

SURFACE & PANEL • Q3 2020

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PLAN B PRODUCT SHOWCASE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 51

➲ THE PINSKE EDGE The Pinske Edge’s Drawer Notcher Machine is designed to notch and drill cabinet drawer boxes for undermount hardware quickly and easily. The process takes approximately 10 seconds per drawer and the product is a good investment to improve safety, cost, and production time. www.pinske-edge.com

➲

THERMWOOD With Thermwood’s Cut Ready system, users will learn how quick and easy it is to design and customize a cabinet. Just select what you want and Cut Ready will make it.

The system makes the process simple and walks you through each step of the way. If the user is unsure, they can simply press a button and a video will play showing what to do next. www.thermwood.com

➲

SHOPBOT Woodworking professionals can now increase their CNC productivity without adding additional manpower. With an ATC, ShopBot PRSalpha CNC becomes a full machining center allowing the user to rough cut, carve, drill, and finish pass without having to handle material or bits in-between operations. Pros can take full advantage of the efficiency that digital fabrication technology provides with a ShopBot PRSalpha with ATC. www.shopbottools.com

➲

M AC H I N E RY

VENJAKOB Venjakob’s powerful spray coating machine Ven Spray Perfect is characterized by its flexibility and perfect painting results. Because of the modular design, the machine can be retroactive expanded according to changing market requirements.

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➲ STILES High performance in a compact space is the strong point of the HOMAG SAWTEQ B-300

by Stiles Machinery. The panel dividing saw is suitable for producing in batch size 1 as well as in smaller series, and is ready for connection to automatic horizontal storage systems. The product is an individually equipped single saw for trade and industry—for a wide range of cutting applications and ready for networked production. www.stilesmachinery.com/homag/sawteq-b-300-series-panel-saws SURFACEANDPANEL.COM

The color management system allows short paint-change times and optimal material utilization. Besides this, it is possible to clean one washer of the twin cleaning unit while production operation is in progress. www.venjakob.de

➲

PLAN B PRODUCT SHOWCASE

HARDWARE FGV AMERICA ➲ EXCEL by FGV America is the newest generation of full-extension, soft-close undermount slides. The product utilizes Slow Motion damping technology throughout closing, ensuring complete smoothness.

With vertical adjustment on the drawer members, and lateral and in/out adjustment on the included front fixing brackets, accurate adjustments can be made to the drawer quickly and easily.

Slides are available in standard 12", 15", 18" and 21" lengths for a variety of cabinet configurations.

Info@fgvamerica.com

➲ GRASS

H A R DWA R E

Nova Pro Scala by Grass is a new double-walled steel drawer with a timeless design that fits both contemporary and classic cabinetry design.

The drawer side heights are offered in 63mm and 90mm as well as deep drawers in heights of 186mm and 250mm in three popular shades: Silver, Ice, and Stone.

Accessories include a rectangular railing system, organizational system, and mounting accessories. Everything is flush-fitting and coordinates to provide a harmonious, elegant impression. www.grassusa.com

THE FUTURE’S

BRIGHT

At Tafisa®, leading the way is in our nature. We offer TFL made from 100% recycled and recovered wood materials, along with the widest collection of synchronized TFL- HPL products through our SOMMET series. We never stop developing new, inspiring colours and finishes, creating a future that’s brighter than ever. tafisa.ca

Inspiring excellence

™

PLAN B PRODUCT SHOWCASE

➲

H A R DWA R E

55 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53

HÄFELE The new Häfele Ixconnect Claw Connector CC 8/5/30 is a single piece of hardware that connects wooden drawers quickly and easily without tools.

Wooden drawer panels as thin as a half inch have a reliable, invisible connection when the claw bites into the MDF panels.

Complementing the claw connector is the Ixconnect Rear Panel Connector RPC D 5/24 for easy assembly of wooden drawers with strip grooved rear panels. www.hafele.com

➲

The user simply needs a few standard drill holes (front:8 mm, side:5 mm) for the patented CC 8/5/30 to claw into the perpendicular panel material, making a nice, tight fit.

SALICE Salice’s Wind soft close system is characterized by compactness and elegant design. Combining the highest levels of performance with smooth and perfectly controlled movement, the system is small, unobtrusive, and elegantly designed. The compact lift system has strong functional appeal and takes up a minimum of valuable storage space.

It’s also versatile and suitable for a vast range of furniture applications: office furniture, kitchens, bathrooms, living room and bedroom furniture. www.salice.com

www.bit.ly/KUSABPO

➲

KESSEBÖHMER ➲ Short BPO joins the family of Kesseböhmer's Base Pullout options offering a good fit for door/drawer combination cabinets.

The shorter frame is available in two frame colors and five tray color combinations. Designers can incorporate the short BPO into a wide variety of cabinet widths from 6" through 24".

TITUS TeraBlack (Titus Enhanced Resistance Application) cabinet hardware, with T-type hinge as a leading product, is a response to the fast-growing demand for dark cabinet hardware. TeraBlack products have a nonreflective matte black finish and a smooth uniform surface with a velvet feel, which is not only visually appealing but also highly resistant to corrosion. cabinet.titusplus.com

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➲

MIRLUX High gloss and super matte PET panels MIRLUX Premium Panel is an affordable, modern panel manufactured in the USA. Choose from luxurious high gloss or super matte finishes in seven on-trend colors. Sustainable, water-resistant, hygienic, low maintenance, durable, and with a super scratchresistant coating, MIRLUX is a sleek and stylish solution. www.mirluxpanel.com

L A M I N AT E S/ F I N I S H E S

LAMINATES/FINISHES

➲

PLAN B PRODUCT SHOWCASE

➲

INTERIOR ARTS Fresh Data by Interior Arts is a collection of 20 modern new design laminates that are predominantly subdued and trending European tones as well as backed off neutrals and warm tones. These colorways, like a dark grey with gold micro speckling for example, sync with furniture and carpet selections.

Bold surface textures make the laminates especially unique, pertinent and worthy of specification. These textures elevate the colors with new ways and new reflectivity. The Bisect texture, is a sublime diagonal, adding to its shining metallic look. www.ialaminates.com

SURFACE & PANEL • Q3 2020

55

PLAN B PRODUCT SHOWCASE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55

CHARRED CEDAR RAINIER BARK

➲

OMNOVA OMNOVA has launched several new designs including its Tactile Paper Laminate in Rainier Bark, that offers a woodgrain design you can see and feel, creating the most realistic look and touch of real hardwood.

➲

L A M I N AT E S/ F I N I S H E S

ANTIQUE COPPER

The company’s newest surf(x) 3D Laminate design in Antique Copper features carefully selected sparks of metallic inspiration; and the new surf(x) 3D Laminates in Charred Cedar evoke bold punctuation with deep tones and textures.

RIKEN Riken’s Pink Supermatte SM3’s improved surface feeling, scratch resistance, and lower gloss level resembles a paint like finish. For a low cost yet highly effective Supermatte, SMGR’s 3D white board film wraps any surface with unmatchable erasability.

www.omnova.com

www.riken-usa.com

Easy Retrofit Gloss Control Energy Efficient High Peak UV Irradiance Fewer High-Powered Lamps Learn More About Our HPI UV System TM

M I LT E C . C O M | S A L E S @ M I LT E C . C O M | 4 1 0 - 6 0 4 - 2 9 0 0 56

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➲

PLAN B PRODUCT SHOWCASE

➲

TWILIGHT PEARL

TAFISA Tafisa brings you seven new outstanding decors in the Prelude series. These modern colors presented in the urbania and alto textures is designed to make all your projects a success. Users are also able to mix and match them with our new black and white available in the VIVA and BRAVA textures.

MIDNIGHT PEARL

DAYBREAK PEARL

www.tafisa.ca

The finishes are the ideal solution for cost modern eco-friendly interiors. Daybreak Pearl brightens up a space with its tranquil gaze, while Twilight Pearl is emboldened with a metallic finish resembling the stars coming out for the first time. Midnight Pearl features a unique, warm design. www.ultrapan.net

L A M I N AT E S/ F I N I S H E S

➲

ULTRAPAN ULTRAPAN Modern Finishes is offering a variety of new contemporary and solid designs in ULTRA high gloss, matte, metallic and pearlescent finishes.

YOUR DIGITAL SYMPOSIUM

Never Stop Asking Questions.

AVAILABLE ON:

SURFACEAND PANEL.COM /POD C AST

SURFACE & PANEL • Q3 2020

57

PLAN B PRODUCT SHOWCASE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 57

OTHER

www.crowsnestsoftware.com

➲

CROWS NEST ➲ Crows Nest Software is a software suite for anyone who needs to manage a multi-tasking, project driven company. The software is designed with the special needs of project-based subcontractors, fabricators, installers and service providers in mind. A user’s entire team can manage projects, documents, tasks, resources, schedules, timesheets, and budgets from one powerful platform.

DESIGN IMAGING Sentrel by Design-Imaging is a unique, multi-layered composite material developed to meet the demand for a permanent and maintenance-free alternative to natural stone and marble in wet-wall bathroom applications. Sampled from actual stone slabs, Sentrel provides a flawless, high-resolution visual reproduction of natural granites, travertines, and marbles in a variety of patterns and colors. www.design-imaging.com

GOT 3DL?

FROM GLUING TO TRIMMING, SMARTECH HAS YOU COVERED.

Dura|Rack Drying Rack

Temperature Strips

Easy|Axis Turntable

Quick|Trim

Steady|Mix 2 part mixer Steinbach Membranes

Versa|Trim

Info@SmartechOnline.com www.SmartechOnline.com 704 362 1922

➲

➲

PLAN B PRODUCT SHOWCASE

GENESIS PRODUCTS Genesis’ new wood Veneer slab doors provide a unique value for cabinet manufacturers by performing like a true solid wood door, while offering economical savings. Engineered with a stable particleboard core, the slabs are available in most common wood species and are manufactured to size. The slab doors resolve a lot of the problems solid wood doors present and meet the growth market for contemporary frameless design. www.genesisproductsinc.com

➲

ROMAR CABINET Custom cabinet maker Romar Cabinet & Top Company has launched a new pro-line series of frameless cabinets, allowing customers a more affordable option with a variety of finishes and designs. The series can complete an entire kitchen for a fraction of the cost of a traditional framed custom cabinet.

➲

www.romarcabinet.com

PARAGON CONCEPTS Paragon Concepts’ laser edge-banded cabinet doors are available in a full range of the latest colors that show no glue lines—ever. Choose from Stevenswood, Wilsonart, Arauco, Fenix, Gizir and many others for a perfect match every time.

Premium quality—fair price. www.zeroedge.band

www.smartechonline.com

SURFACE & PANEL • Q3 2020

OTHER

SMARTECH ➲ Smartech’s Dura|Rack is beefy, welldesigned, and built to last. Powder-coated steel frame holds 1000+ lbs. of glued or finished parts.

The 34 rows of solid aluminum support rods are spaced to hold both large and small parts steadily, even when moving around the shop. The support rods can be adjusted side-to-side or even removed to hold very thick or deep parts. Replaceable coated paper tubes fit snugly on the support rods to keep drying products clean.

And the Dura|Rack is 100% Made in the USA.

59

Get Inspired without Going to Milan

BY LESLIE R ANDOLPH, SCHAT TDECOR

L

ike everything else that is changing right now, design fairs and festivals are also having to adapt to a new world. This year, the 59th annual Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano (also known as the Milan Furniture Fair) was canceled. The main fair in the furniture and decoration sector, held annually in Milan and recognized as the largest trade fair of its kind in the world, was slated to take place last April. Exhibitors from across the globe were prepared to showcase the latest in furniture and design.

Most brands that could not attend already had their new products developed and were ready to present them to the public. Some brands postponed their new product launches while others dove headfirst into the virtual world by launching online and communicating via email newsletter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 62 ›

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BLACK SUPERMATTE 2 BLACK SUPERMATTE 2

STARRY NIGHT SUPERMATTE 2 STARRY NIGHT SUPERMATTE 2

CHARCOAL GRAY SUPERMATTE 2 CHARCOAL GRAY SUPERMATTE 2

MILKYWAY BROWN SUPERMATTE 2 MILKYWAY BROWN SUPERMATTE 2

STONE SUPERMATTE 2 STONE SUPERMATTE 2

DUST GRAY SUPERMATTE 2 DUST GRAY SUPERMATTE 2

FOSSIL SUPERMATTE 2 FOSSIL SUPERMATTE 2

MORNING DEW SUPERMATTE 2 MORNING DEW SUPERMATTE 2

WHITE SUPERMATTE 2 WHITE SUPERMATTE 2

‹ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 60

Designers and fabricators alike know how important it is to be inspired and keep the creativity flowing. So here are some of the design trends that would have exhibited at Salone del Mobile—trends that were maintained and strengthened from fairs earlier this year.

The desire for a connection with nature speaks to the modern human need to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This trend focuses on residences with patios or balconies, furniture with outdoor-indoor aesthetics, natural materials and finishes, the continuing concept of "urban jungle," and an overall presence of green.

Now, more so than ever, consumers are focused on mental

and physical health and want products that are created with their well-being in mind. Within this trend, we see calm, neutral colors and design that is based on health, wellness, functionality, and person-centered design.

A modern interpretation of Art Deco showcases silhouettes with rounded edges, exaggerated size, overall soft contrast colors with minimal color pops, and graphic stones. Almost 100 years since the peak of the original movement, the resurgence of this trend reinforces the idea of a circular economy, sustainability, and technology to now represent a new society that is more sustainable, dynamic and intelligent, with a world view focused on person-centered experiences and needs.

With the continuation and evolution of Scandinavian and Japanese concepts of design, we are seeing more products that combine modular functions with the visual beauty of simple, elegant lines and deep comfort. Here we see a mixing of modern novelties with references from the past, traditional materials and colors with modern technology, and sophistication with functionality.

While the future continues to look uncertain, especially when it comes to large tradeshows and industry events, we’re going to see leading institutions come up with clever ways to market their products. Although we’re in some unprecedented times, design never stops. Folks are spending more time in their homes than ever before and thus, starting to rethink their whole design perspective. That kind of thing can happen when your home and your workplace have suddenly collided, but that doesn’t mean we can’t stay inspired. We just need to find new ways to get our offerings to the market. s&p 62

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Work You Want To Take Home

A D V E R T I S E R S

PAGE

PAGE

Bainbridge Manufacturing

Omnova Solutions

38 509.745.9555

17 866.332.5226

www.bainbridgemfg.com

www.omnova.com

NBMDA 43 888.747.7862 www.nbmda.org www.distributorconvention.org

Black Brothers

45 800.252.2568

www.blackbros.com Blum 23 704.827.1345 www.blum.com Burkle 21 714.379.5090 www.burkleamerica.com Canon 68 800.842.4534 www.csa.canon.com Collins 11 800.329.1219 www.collinsco.com DVUV 62 216.741.5511 www.dvuv.com

Evergreen Engineering

48 888.484.4771

www.evergreenengineering.com

Fast Rack Equipment LLC

35 920.585.0230

www.fastrackequipment.com

FGV America 15 714.257.5317 www.fgvamerica.com

Genesis Products

27 877.266.8292

www.genesisproductsinc.com Grass 33 336.996.4041 www.grassusa.com

Paragon Concepts

67 303.351.2594

www.paragonconceptsco.com

Pinnacle Systems

66 412.262.3950

www.pinnaclesystems.com

The Pinske Edge

9 800.874.6753

www.pinske-edge.com Purchem 2 519.754.1678 www.purchem.com Riken 61 248.513.3511 www.riken-usa.com Salice 47 800.222.9652 www.saliceamerica.com

Sentrel Bath Systems

25 801.655.5230

www.sentrelproducts.com Shopbot 7 888.680.4466 www.shopbottools.com Smartech 58 704.362.1922 www.smartechonline.com

Surface & Panel Digital

57/63/65 www.surfaceandpanel.com/podcast

www.surfaceandpanel.com/readtech

Hexion

Tafisa Canada 5 888.443.9466 53 877.882.3472 www.hexion.com

www.tafisa.ca

King Plastic

www.kingplastic.com

Thermwood 44 800.533.69001 www.thermwood.com

50 800.780.5502

Kings Mountain International

55 704.739.4227

Timber Products Company

37 800.547.9520

www.kmiinc.net

www.timberproducts.com

Maine DECD 49 207.624.7448 www.maine.gov/decd/home

Ultrapan 39 754.702.2632 www.ultrapan.net

Miltec 56 410.604.2900 www.miltec.com

Vortex 16 800.355.7708 www.vortextool.com

MIRLUX Premium Panel

41 541.228.9757

www.mirluxpanel.com

64

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Venjakob Nutro

29 905.951.9966

www.venjakob-nutro.com

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STEPHANIE ORNELAS | EDITOR | SURFACE & PANEL MAGAZINE SORNELAS@525MEDIAGROUP.COM | 714-486-2735

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A Little More Help

“During this time of uncertainty, companies are finding ways—modern and traditional—to let their customers know that they’re still here, ready to serve.”

Safety Mat Systems (NSD) & Safety Light Curtains for Machine Guarding

Scan me

VERY DURABLE • VARIETY OF SHAPES & SIZES • MADE IN USA

412-262-3950 • www.pinnaclesystems.com • sales@pinnaclesystems.com

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I was at the grocery store last week when I noticed a man get off the bus and make his way toward the entrance. He had a lot of bags with him, his clothes were tattered, and he wasn’t wearing a mask. I immediately noticed the look on everyone’s face around him. They seemed alarmed. The store manager kindly asked him to wear a face covering before entering. When the man said he did not have one in a distraught tone, the manager went over and got him one. Still, the man appeared to be upset and stressed.

I could tell that the manager was altogether concerned for this man as well as his customers who started to look on. I then noticed him pull the gentleman aside. They exchanged a few words and he began to help him get some items around the store. After walking him to the register and checking him out, he bagged his groceries and walked him outside. But before he did that, he made a phone call.

When I left the store, I saw the manager standing outside with that same man and the two were talking. As I returned my cart, a white van that said “Mercy House” pulled up to the front of the store. The gentleman got into the van and said, “Thanks again, man.” And the manager simply replied, “Good luck, brother.” Before I walked back to my car, I told the manager, “You know, you handled that really well.” To which he replied, “Some customers just need a little more help than others.”

I thought that was so interesting and a good lesson. Throughout the issue, you’ll read stories about companies that are bending over backwards to be there for their customers during this unpredictable time, thinking outside the box, offering monthly purchase plans, and alternative ways to stay in contact.

The Woodworking Industry’s Plan B, which starts on page 31, is a special section Surface & Panel put together as a way to keep our audience connected with each other and let their customers know about their products and services that are hitting the market. Included is in an article about having better conversations with your customers during times of crisis, because now more than ever, what people are craving is a good, positive conversation with someone who’s passionate about the industry.

“I have customers who are simply more stressed about the pandemic than others,” said interior designer Samantha Wright. “And that’s okay.

It’s part of my job to be there for them and make them feel comfortable.

No one really knows what the future holds. So you have to be compassionate right now,” she added.

During this time of uncertainty, companies are finding ways—modern and traditional—to let their customers know that, despite recent event cancellations, they’re still here, ready to serve.

Every customer is unique with different needs. While some may be handling the pandemic with ease, others may need a little more reassurance. And how we treat our customers during times of struggle tells a lot about how we run our businesses. May we all continue to find unique ways to keep the industry connected so when the pandemic is finally behind us, we’ll be stronger than ever before.

Stephanie Ornelas, Editor

™

The Perfect Match

Premium TFL Cabinet Doors Stop trying to line up the foil, melamine and edge banding.

Our cabinet fronts match perfectly — every time.

®

Choose from a full range of colors on your favorite materials and toss the ring today.

PARAGONCONCEPTSCO.COM (303) 351-2594