Timber Design & Technology Middle East - December 2018

World furniture production amounted to over USD 400 billion in 2018 WOOD LIFECYCLE exhibition outlines the journey from a tree to recycled product Royal Academy of Music unveils its new and transformed spaces Delphine Gebran Interior Architect design wooden skin to add warmth to The Sage Parlour The ‘Reading Bench’ in American tulipwood wins inaugural Design 100 competition

Middle East design.

American hardwoods.

For more information visit www.americanhardwood.org

EDITOR’S NOTE Sage Parlour ©Delphine Gebran Interior Architect

December 2018 Issue 41 PUBLISHER Andy MacGregor publisher@citrusmediagroup.net +971 55 849 1574

MARKETING DIRECTOR Eric Hammond marketing@citrusmediagroup.net +971 4 455 8400 INTERNATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR James Hamilton james@timberdesignandtechnology.com EDITOR Tony Smith editor@timberdesignandtechnology.com INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Rabia Alga AntExpo Org. | Turkey rabia@antexpo.net +90 216 541 0390 ELIAS AGGELOPOULOS Med Expo Greece info@epipleon.gr +30 210 2931011 Timber Design & Technology is published 5 times a year

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With 250 city-wide events, 130 participating companies and 75,000 visitors in Dubai Design District (d3) alone, it is safe to state that Dubai Design Week 2018 was a resounding success. Having grown by 25 percent since the previous edition, this year’s festival was aimed at encouraging and empowering local and international design talents as well as activating all segments of the industry. At the festival, the ‘Reading Bench’ by UAE-based designer duo Sakina Kara-Sabur and Alicia Spoljar from BySOZO Interiors was announced as the winner of the inaugural Design 100 competition organized by d3. Organized in collaboration with Dubai Cares, the UAEbased philanthropic organization and with AHEC as a Knowledge Partner, the contest was open to all designers specializing in furniture and functional objects across the UAE. d3 produced 100 pieces of the winning work in American tulipwood, which were then made available for sale to the public at AED 3,000 per bench at Dubai Design Week 2018, with all proceeds from the sale donated to Dubai Cares.

Testament to the importance of the region, American Softwoods (AMSO) held two successful seminars in Cairo and Damietta earlier in November, which were attended by over 120 specifiers, importers, traders, and end users of softwoods. According to AMSO, Egypt has the potential to become a USD 32 million-dollar market for U.S. softwoods. Egypt is currently the largest market for American softwood in the MENA region. Sales in 2017 were USD 4.98 million. The peak year for sales since 2013 was 2016 when sales reached USD 8.26 million. In the first nine months of 2018, sales were already USD 8.5 million and are set to top USD 10 million by the year end. This is an excellent performance in the light of a strong dollar and a buoyant market in the U.S., which tends to suck volume away from exports. The timing of these seminars coincided with the Cairo WoodShow, which took place early in December, and is significant of Egypt’s growing importance as a wood processing hub.

Our final issue of the year also features the first of our Q&A columns with the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). Started in 1898, the NHLA is a membership based international trade association dedicated to the hardwood industry. As the voice of the hardwood industry, the NHLA represents the entire hardwood supply chain at all levels of production. It has a mission to serve NHLA Members engaged in the commerce of North American hardwood lumber by maintaining order, structure and ethics in the changing global hardwood marketplace; providing unique member services; promoting North American hardwood lumber and advocating the interest of the hardwood community in public/private policy issues; and providing a platform for networking opportunities. In this issue and in the coming editions of the magazine, Dana Spessert, Chief Inspector, NHLA will answer a few questions for buyers and specifiers looking to purchase American hardwoods.

With the holiday season approaching, I would like to wish all of you Happy Holidays and the best for 2019. As always, I would like to encourage you to log on to the website - www.timberdesignandtechnology.com - for the latest updates and please get in touch if you have any suggestions for subjects we should consider covering. In closing, I would like to thank our advertisers, our partners and our readers and look forward to the next year.

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CONTENTS

11 MARKET REPORT

26 DESIGN & DECOR

World furniture production amounted to over USD 400 billion in 2018

Delphine Gebran Interior Architect design wooden skin to add warmth to The Sage Parlour

14 ANALYSIS

42 WOOD WORKS

WOOD LIFECYCLE exhibition outlines the journey from a tree to recycled product

The ‘Reading Bench’ in American tulipwood wins inaugural Design 100 competition

18 ANALYSIS

46 SHOWTIME CALENDAR

Biesse Group looks to the future as it celebrates 50 years

All the dates of the top industry exhibitions coming up this season

22 DESIGN & DECOR Royal Academy of Music unveils its new and transformed spaces

COMMENT

TECHNOLOGY

30 MTC

34 AHEC

36 SCM

38 HOMAG

Malaysian Wood-Based Panels: a diversity of choice

Q&A with NHLA

SCM’s ‘Smart&Human Factory’ is here

HOMAG to offer strong solutions to automate the ‘nesting’ procedure

06

Image © Swedish Wood

SWEDISH WOOD TARGETS NEW MARKET SEGMENTS IN CHINA

Swedish Wood and representatives from Swedish sawmills attended a conference on treated wood for outdoor use in China earlier last month. The event gave the representatives from the Swedish sawmills an opportunity to create new contacts and strengthen existing ties with Chinese companies that are active in the treated exterior wood segment.

CWPIA met Swedish Wood members in the sawmill industry. The event produced excellent results, with many new contacts and potential customers for the Swedish sawmills.

The conference was organized by the China Wood Protection Industry Association (CWPIA), a national organization that focuses on protective treatments for exterior wood. Significantly, it was held in conjunction with the 3rd China Green Wood Industry Conference and the 11th China Wood Protection Industry Conference, which took place in the city of Zhangping in the Fujian province of China.

Niels Morsing gave a talk on quality assurance systems at the conference, focusing on third-party controls. In addition to his work at NTR, Niels is also Director of Wood and Biomaterials at the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) in Denmark. DTI is Denmark’s largest repository of knowledge about construction materials and works to ensure that wood used in outdoor environments meets the market’s expectations. According to Niels Morsing, the Nordic countries have a strong partnership when it comes to research, development and production of exterior wood.

Swedish Wood attended, along with representatives from Swedish sawmills. In addition, Niels Morsing from the Nordic Wood Preservation Council (NTR) spoke at the conference. The main purpose of Swedish Wood’s participation was to broker new, and strengthen existing, contacts between Swedish sawmills and Chinese manufacturers of treated exterior wood.

“NTR is a quality system that has been operating in the Nordic region for almost 50 years. We ensure that the market’s expectations are met, both in terms of environmental impact and the quality of the wood. It has always been necessary to find innovative solutions, due to the restrictive nature of European legislation on chemicals,” said Morsing.

China does not have a well-developed quality system with third-party controls like the Nordic quality system (NTR), which assures the quality of treated exterior wood. As such, this creates opportunities for Swedish Wood to work with the Swedish sawmills to support the development of a quality assurance system for treated exterior wood in China.

At the conference, the Chinese delegates showed considerable interest in the new, environmentally sustainable products that are used in Scandinavia today. According to Morsing, China is switching from the previous preferred choice of pressure treatment agents (CCA) to more eco-friendly alternatives that are already in use in Scandinavia.

“A common quality assurance system for treated exterior wood would allow the collaboration with China to be further enhanced and made more efficient. The Swedish sawmills have many years’ experience in global exports and can offer Chinese manufacturers a stable supply of raw material,” explains Björn Nordin, Director of Interior & Design at Swedish Wood.

China is an extremely interesting growth market for Swedish sawn wood products, and Swedish Wood has been working actively since 2013 to support Swedish sawmill companies in the Chinese market.

2013 saw Sweden export 400,000 cubic meters of sawn wood products to China, three times more than in the previous year. In 2017, a new record was set for exports from Sweden to China of around 920,000 cubic meters, or SEK 1.7 billion (USD 190 million). For a few years now, China has been a priority market and one of the biggest Swedish export markets for sawn wood products.

During the conference, Swedish Wood held a matchmaking event where 20 selected Chinese companies who are members of the

07

MONTRÉAL WOOD CONVENTION TO RETURN IN 2019 The Montréal Wood Convention 2019 will take place from March 19 - 22, 2019 at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel in Montréal. The 2018 edition brought together nearly 1,000 participants from March 20 - 22 and more than 110 exhibitors. In addition to Canadians from 7 provinces and Americans from 26 states, the Convention welcomed visitors from 9 overseas countries including Mexico, France, China, Japan, Senegal, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong and Jordan.

Image © Montreal Wood

The challenges of transport logistics and labor as well as the opportunities offered by the growing Chinese economy were widely discussed during the event by the twenty or so speakers present. The convention was organized by the Quebec Wood Export Bureau (QWEB), the Québec Forest Industry Council, the Maritime Lumber Bureau and the Ontario Forest Industries Association.

“The Convention is really the trade event to be where all North-American wood manufacturers and buyers can meet in the same place at the same time. Participants can attend industry seminars on economy and wood markets, visit the exhibit hall, hear a keynote speaker and network,” concluded Sven Gustavsson, Manager, Softwoods, Quebec Wood Export Bureau.

Image © Interzum Guangzhou

INTERNATIONAL ZONE AT CIFM / INTERZUM GUANGZHOU 2019 FULLY SOLD OUT

Once again, Asia’s largest and most comprehensive trade fair for the woodworking and upholstery machinery, furniture materials and interior decoration industry is heavily oversubscribed. Slated to take place from March 28 - 31, 2019 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex) in its namesake city, CIFM / interzum guangzhou will continue to be held in conjunction with the China International Furniture Fair (CIFF) - Asia’s prestigious trade event of its kind.

The shift in furniture preferences of the main consumer groups of post-80s and 90s from premium materials to comfort, aesthetics and functionality has affirmed the importance for furniture manufacturers to master the latest furniture production technology and trends of raw and auxiliary materials to occupy a lasting position in the market. In addition, strong demand from China and Asia’s consumer market has propelled CIFM / interzum guangzhou to be recognized as the leading platform for trade, showcase and debuting new products for the region’s furniture manufacturing industry.

The next edition will span 17 halls across Area B and C of the venue occupying 150,000 square meters and is expected to feature the latest products and technologies from over 1,500 exhibiting companies from more than 38 countries and regions. Some 85,000 visitors are poised to gather at the much-anticipated event. Aiming to make a strong comeback after a short hiatus from CIFM / interzum guangzhou is the South Korea pavilion, boosting the number of national pavilions to eight.

Four pavilions will hail from German, Turkey, US/Canada, Italy, while the other three will be led by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), Canada Wood and French Timber.

BIESSE AT LIGNA 2019: 50 YEARS OF INNOVATION Biesse is set to make its presence felt at Ligna 2019, displaying the results of many years of investment in technologies and services designed to support the development of digital factories, founded on strategies which focus on the customer as the main point of reference. 6,000 square meters of 4.0 innovation at the Biesse stand at Ligna 2019 will showcase the best robots and a range of solutions for panel handling, software, IoT solutions, digital services and the best technologies for wood processing on the market.

The results for the Group published on September 30, 2018 confirm that this year once again, Biesse is continuing on an upward trajectory of growth. The current order intake serves as further evidence that global demand is focused on solutions which offer a high degree of automation, such as integrated cells and lines. As such, the Group is investing in solutions characterized by high levels of technological innovation, with a view to enabling its customers to obtain more value from their machines.

With this in mind, investments into automation and services are also set to continue.

Following the huge success obtained with the WINSTORE automatic magazines, which allowed Biesse to offer a flexible loading solution for managing job orders in the first production process (sectioning and nesting), the company is now supplying technologies for managing panel handling during all the production processes. The new company strategy is based on the development of smart machines that perform repetitive cycles to achieve maximum production efficiency: robotized systems. The use of these solutions in factories helps simplify the processes, replacing many manual tasks and reducing the risk of damaging the panels.

Biesse Group is also channeling significant investment into placing the needs of the customer at the heart of the way in which the company designs, builds and uses machines, providing tools that can optimize the performance of the solutions purchased. Services are becoming products, or opportunities to establish increasingly direct connections with the company, with the professional skills upon which it is founded and with the experience that characterizes it, working together side by side every day. This desire is the inspiration for the ONE SERVICE project which will see the reorganization of the Biesse Service, designed to create shared and common working structures and methods all over the world, in order to work more effectively and efficiently.

08

Image © AHEC

A CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN TULIPWOOD AT DUBAI DESIGN WEEK 2018

American tulipwood was in the spotlight at the fourth edition of Dubai Design Week (DDW), which ran from November 13 - 17, 2018.

A series of collaborative installations and product displays across Dubai highlighted the growing demand and widespread acceptance of American hardwood species by the design community in the UAE at the annual citywide event, which reinforces Dubai’s new status as a UNESCO Creative City of Design. As part of its mission to develop existing markets and find new markets and applications for American hardwoods, the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) collaborated with Dubai Design District (d3) for its ‘Design 100’ initiative and with AR Gallery for its ‘Trapeza’ seating installation at DDW 2018.

Leading the way was the winner of the ‘Design 100’ initiative - the ‘Reading Bench’ - by designer duo Sakina Kara-Sabur and Alicia Spoljar from BySOZO Interiors, who beat the competition and captured the attention of the expert jury. Organized in collaboration with Dubai Cares, the UAE-based philanthropic organization and with AHEC as a Knowledge Partner, the contest was open to all designers specializing in furniture and functional objects across the UAE. d3 produced 100 pieces of the winning work in American tulipwood, which were then made available for sale to the public at AED 3,000 per bench at Dubai Design Week, with all proceeds from the sale donated to Dubai Cares.

Designed by Apical Reform and manufactured by Speedwell Decor, Trapeza was on display in the public outdoor area in front of AR Gallery in Building 6, d3, for the duration of the festival. The basic design idea behind Trapeza was to create an interactive installation out of American tulipwood that is built to be adapted by the users. The configurable twist of Trapeza allows endless possibilities for indoor as well as outdoor spaces. The bench, which is formed using a total of 17 modules, gives a seamless linear and non-linear seating option and allows for different placements and the efficient use of any space. Each module of Trapeza is purely inspired by geometry and the form has been achieved by subtractive, additive as well as dimensional transformation of the basic solid trapezium.

"One objective of Trapeza is to raise awareness of the versatility, color and the beauty of American tulipwood when used as a material.

With Trapeza, we continue to provide innovative pieces for the public outdoor area. Our successful collaboration with the American Hardwood Export Council enabled us to bring Trapeza to life," said Amrish Patel, Principal and Founder, Apical Reform. “Even the tiniest twist in the solid trapezium can create a number of new possibilities and this leads to the efficient use of space. Commercially, Trapeza is a right fit for universities and malls; it can be made in various colors and can be arranged in different shapes for public seating.”

Incorporating AHEC’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) research for 19 American hardwood species and all data concerning materials, energy usage, transport and wastage, which was recorded during the manufacturing process, AHEC was able to assess the full environmental impact for the finished piece. A total of 0.48 cubic meters of American tulipwood lumber was used to make all 17 modules. Factoring in the size of the forest, annual harvest rates, natural mortality and regeneration rates, AHEC also calculated that it would take less than half a second for all the tulipwood used to be replaced by natural growth in the American hardwood forest.

“The American forest resource covers 120 million hectares - equivalent to about fourteen times the size of the UAE. Despite transporting tulipwood from the U.S. to the UAE for the manufacturing of Trapeza, the timber is better than carbon neutral at the point of delivery to the factory in Dubai. This is because the total carbon emissions associated with transport and all steps to extract tulipwood logs, mill and kiln dry the timber is more than offset by carbon stored in the timber. Further, U.S. government forest inventory data shows that every year the volume of tulipwood in U.S. forests grows on average by 32 million m3, of which only 13 million m3 is harvested. This means the volume standing in U.S. hardwood forests expands by 19 million m3 every year,” concluded Roderick Wiles, AHEC Regional Director.

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10

Image © AMSO

EGYPT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A USD 32 MILLION-DOLLAR MARKET FOR U.S. SOFTWOODS, SAYS AMSO

Egypt has the potential to become a USD 32 million-dollar market for U.S. softwoods, according to American Softwoods (AMSO), the promotional partnership formed by three major U.S. softwood trade associations. The announcement follows two successful seminars in Cairo and Damietta earlier in November, which were attended by over 120 specifiers, importers, traders, and end users of softwoods. Aimed at helping attendees obtain a better understanding of the physical properties, grades and the potential for applications offered by the different species of American softwoods, the high-impact events also emphasized the wide variety of American softwood species as well as their environmental credentials.

Eric Gee of Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) gave an introduction on the technical and commercial benefits of Southern Yellow Pine (SYP), including information on SYP’s sustainable credentials. He emphasized SYP’s strength and durability and gave a comparison showing that SYP was denser than Scots pine, spruce, radiata pine and sitka spruce. He also explained the main SYP grades available for export and the moisture content of different grades.

In addition, he mentioned that American softwoods are certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), which is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

“Egypt is the largest market for American softwood in the MENA region.

Sales in 2017 were USD 4.98 million. The peak year for sales since 2013 was 2016 when sales reached USD 8.26 million. In the first nine months of 2018, sales are already USD 8.5 million and are set to top USD 10 million by the year end. This is an excellent performance in the light of a strong dollar and a buoyant market in the U.S., which tends to suck volume away from exports,” said Charles Trevor, Consultant to American Softwoods. “We believe that the sales potential to Egypt is USD 32 million, and with the right support, this target should be achievable in five to seven years. However, a consistent effort both by AMSO representatives and by American softwood mills and traders will be necessary if this target is to be met.”

A highlight at the seminar was the story of how Nick Clark of NC Designs came into the furniture and design business. In his presentation, he detailed the way in which he selected wood for the best appearance (grain selection); how to work with and prevent wood movement and what finishes to use. He also provided examples of his work, which were well received, particularly in Damietta, which is the center of the furniture industry in Egypt. Covering the entire range of commercially available American softwood species, Nick spoke about western species such as Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, Western Red Cedar and hemlock, as well as Southern Yellow Pine.

The seminars follow an Emerging Markets Program study conducted by the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA) and the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (SLMA). Numerous indicators show strong potential for growth in U.S. wood product exports to Egypt, including overall economic growth, and strong demand in the country’s furniture manufacturing industry. Despite the market being ripe for development, technical assistance is still needed as buyers turn to alternative material imported from Europe. U.S. softwoods are priced competitively, and there is an excellent opportunity to grow imports if AMSO can provide importers and end users with the technical assistance and training that will enable them to specify U.S. softwoods with confidence.

“The seminars allowed us to provide customized training and technical assistance to enable Egyptian wood traders and specifiers to choose the correct lumber grade, size, and species suitable for the application.

In addition, we were able to provide Egyptian joinery and furniture manufacturers with alternative sources of supply to improve their competitiveness whilst increasing awareness and demand for U.S. wood products. Egypt is an established market, with an increasing volume of wood products being consumed in the country and our presence through these seminars is part of our strategy to support the efforts of our export companies and achieve further growth for U.S. softwoods in the region,” concluded Trevor.

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World furniture production amounted to over USD 400 billion in 2018 Over half of global furniture production takes place in Asia Pacific

12

The CSIL World Furniture Outlook seminar takes places every year in conjunction with Salone del Mobile Milano. The meeting, which reached its 16th edition this year, represents a unique chance for furniture players to be updated on the sector current trends and on its future perspectives.

The traditional format of the seminar meant a ninety-minutelong focused discussion with a panel of eight qualified speakers from different countries providing market insights to an audience of over 100 furniture manufacturers, suppliers and sector related companies and institutions.

The seminar was chaired

by Giovanna Castellina, International Marketing Director, CSIL. Following her opening remarks, the seminar kicked off with a talk by Alessandra Tracogna, Senior partner, CSIL, who provided the outlook for the furniture sector and highlighted the key issues affecting the industry. Her message was that furniture production is growing at a global level, with some countries and areas growing faster than others and being more competitive on the international markets. According to CSIL figures presented, world furniture production amounted to over USD 400 billion last year, up 3 percent on the previous year and cumulatively growing by 25 percent in the last decade.

Tracogna pointed out that Asia Pacific stands out in a global comparison, with over half of world production taking place in the region, and with China getting the lion’s share with over 70 percent of the regional production. However, the speed of Asian production growth has somewhat decelerated. The regional context is registering increasing competition within the area and on export markets (Vietnam is growing faster than China) and the industry is facing some common challenges in furniture production affecting the producers’ competitive

advantages.

Linda Tu, Vice Secretary General, China National Furniture Association (CNFA) and Vice Chairman and Secretary General of Council of Asia Furniture Associations (CAFA), highlighted the main pillars of the Made in China 2025 strategy, which is aimed at building a platform for innovation in manufacturing with a focus on themes like: smart manufacturing and green approach. She also reported on the main issues the Chinese furniture industry is facing.

Among them: competition from other Asian suppliers, increasing production and logistic costs and technical barriers, as the enhancement on environmental requirements, on export markets. It was also mentioned that the national association is working on reinforcing cooperation with partners worldwide both by boosting an extreme powerful fair system in China and by carrying out several bilateral initiatives abroad.

Within Asia, Vietnam is also an important player. According to CSIL data, it is the fifth largest furniture exporter in the world and a fast growing producer in Asia (the Vietnamese speed of production growth is higher than the Chinese one). As reported by Nguyen Quoc Khan, Chairman of the Vietnamese Handicraft and Wood Industry Association, the furniture industry can count on a positive macro context and an increasing inflow of Foreign Direct Investments as well as on some sector specific comparative advantages including wood availability and competitive labor. Vietnam signed the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA)/FLEGT in May 2017 and the National Assembly promulgated the revised Forest Law in November 2017, creating a fundamental change in legal timber awareness. In closing, Khan stated that Vietnam is confident in producing wooden furniture for the world from

World furniture production. Current US$ billion and annual percentage changes

Source: CSIL

World trade of furniture. Current US$ billion and year on year percentage changes

Source: CSIL

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legal timber.

Despite the growth in Asia, Europe is still a leading player in the furniture industry, being the second largest producing region in the world. According to CSIL estimates presented at the seminar, the region accounts for around one quarter of the total sector output (it was around 40 percent a decade ago). According to Roberta DessĂŹ, Secretary General of European Furniture Industries Confederation (EFIC), the European Union furniture sector employs over 1 million people in almost 200,000 companies, mainly SMEs.

Alexander Oswald HDH-VDM, National Confederation of German Woodworking and Furniture Industries, provided an insight on the current situation in Germany, which is the largest European market.

The country is the first manufacturer and exporter in the European Union (followed

by Italy and Poland). Despite a lower number of companies and employees within the sector in the last decade, the sector turnover exceeds pre-crisis level. Stagnation on the domestic market was reported due to several factors including: an aging population,

point towards increased growth: new dwellings and consumer confidence are at record level on the domestic market, and unemployment is at historically lowest level. Investment in furniture production is increasing and the Polish Furniture Flagship Program that was briefly presented aims to boost production optimization and automatization (to be more competitive); to favor consolidation and M&A (to overcome the limits of small size of companies); and to increase innovation in design, functionality and materials (to create value added).

A focus on the European market was also provided by Mauro Spinelli, CSIL senior partner, who outlined the opportunities arising in the contract market, quantifying this sector and highlighting the main market trends. The production of contract furniture and furnishings in Europe was worth around EUR 10 billion in 2017, whereas consumption amounted to about EUR 7.7 billion according to the latest brand research issued by CSIL. Hospitality, office, real estate, marine and restaurants were the fastest growing segments and performed above the European average. Retail and Education increased at a slower rate.

The European furniture market which was hit by the crisis is now in a process of recovery, although facing some main challenges like: competition within the area and market fragmentation, import pressure, durable employment, rising raw material costs and innovation protection. EFIC identified several priority areas for intervention including: the EU harmonization process, the development of smart environmental and safety regulation, an efficient IPR protection, financial access for innovation and product development and improved information to consumers.

high concentration in furniture retail and declining construction activity. Import penetration was reported to be on the rise, with trade balance remaining negative. The forecasts are for an increase in export higher than that of production for the domestic market.

Poland is one of the fastest growing furniture producers in Europe. As explained by Patrycja Niemczyk-Favaro from the Milan Bureau of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency on behalf of Tomasz Wiktorski from the Polish Fund for Development, several indicators

North America emerged in CSIL world picture for its recent positive performance. Furniture production has been increasing in the last five years (growing faster than in Europe). The U.S. was the driving force of the area, driven by the positive performance of the U.S. market.

Local sources seem to be optimistic for the coming years, even if issues related to trade policy of the US administration constitute an important element of uncertainty weighting on the scenario.

Expectations are that 2018 will see retail sales of furniture and mattresses continuously growing, even at higher rates than in 2017.

Another element confirming the positive and healthy status of the U.S. furniture sector came from Randy Fiser, CEO at ASID, American Society of Interior Designers, who provided an insight into the interior design industry in the US. His presentation focused on this industry, which generated a turnover of around USD 10 billion last year and is set to grow, according to estimates, year after year up to 2019 in all the main sub-segments: office, hospitality, retail, education and healthcare. Still, some concerns were expressed on the negative impact on the U.S. economy of a ‘possible trade war’.

The overall global perspective, from CSIL forecasts presented to the audience, is positive for the coming years with the furniture market growing at a 3 percent yearly rate (in real terms) up to 2020. Fastest growing regions are Asia Pacific, followed by North America, the Middle East and Africa. Furniture and furniture components are increasingly traded on a world scale. Currently, international trade is worth around USD 140 billion according to CSIL estimates and is set to grow in the coming years up to 2020.

This is an important engine for sector growth. The main drivers are: the presence of international value chains, the global sourcing strategy operated by leading retailers and manufacturers and the increasing import penetration in several markets. On the other side, the uncertainty of trade policies and the presence of tariffs and technical barriers are seen as the main obstacles.

The seminar concluded with a final remark by Giovanna Castellina, who recapped the global dimension of the furniture sector, as a playing field where sector strategies should be aimed at facing the arising challenges and supporting companies in strengthening their competitive advantages.

Image © Domotex

14

WOOD LIFECYCLE exhibition outlines the journey from a tree to recycled product

Image © Domotex

Image © Domotex

With its focus on sustainability and innovations, the exhibition will highlight the strength and potential of wood as a natural material

Image © Domotex

Image © Domotex

Image © Domotex

Image © Domotex

Image © Domotex

15

16

the exhibition is to highlight and communicate the many connections that make up wood and which are fundamental to its future as a material. That is why he chose to showcase the complete lifecycle of wood.

The WOOD LIFECYCLE exhibition comprises multiple exhibits that illustrate particular characteristics, applications and qualities of wood as

the way wood is used. Overall, the WOOD LIFECYCLE exhibition is a research and development platform that explores key industry trends, such as product individualization and hybridization, environmental protection and sustainability, energy efficiency and innovative material use.

As an architect, designer and professor of design strategy, Guilio Ceppi particularly values wood as a

digitization is helping people realize individualized designs in wood. For instance, at the planning stage, customers can use online platforms to select their preferred products and keep track of quantities and costs in real-time; and at the production stage, technologies such as digital printing offer ample scope for personalized design.

Ceppi says: “Digitization is bringing innovation to the entire wood value chain. One of the fundamental challenges for architecture and interior architecture - if we want to safeguard the future of our planet - is to address the entire lifecycle of products and, indeed, of whole

Image © Domotex

Set to launch at DOMOTEX 2019, the leading trade fair for floor coverings, which runs from January 11 - 14, 2019 in Hannover, Germany, the WOOD LIFECYCLE exhibition aims to put wood in all its glory as a natural material on center stage at the fair. Inspired by the trade fair’s keynote theme - CREATE’N’CONNECT - leading Italian providers, including Tabu, Kerakoll, FE’S Alchemiclab and Celenit, are collaborating together to stage a combined exhibition at the FRAMING TRENDS showcase that will highlight the strength and potential of wood as a natural material.

The overall exhibition has been designed,

building projects.”

developed and curated

by Milan-based design firm Total Tool.

The exhibition traces wood through its various lifecycle stages: from tree planting, growth and harvesting to timber processing and treatment to finished product and, finally, to recycled product. It focuses on the intrinsic value and versatility of wood as a natural material, and in doing so, uncovers innovative and inspiring new uses of wood for architects, interior architects and designers. Total Tool’s creative director, Guilio Ceppi, is the design director and curator of the WOOD LIFECYCLE exhibition. His vision for

a material.

The participating companies will showcase a range of on-trend products such as flooring and wall panels made of wood, as examples of the various stages of the wood production and supply chain. The exhibition also includes interactive stations where visitors can learn about the latest technologies and creative approaches that are shaping

material because of its “incredibly diverse range of types, grain patterns, colors and dimensions.” This diversity, he says, gives architects and designers a wide range of choices for realizing their projects. “For flooring, there are very few other materials that offer a similar wealth of possibilities.”

He sees digitization as a key part of this. In many different ways,

Major highlights like the WOOD LIFECYCLE exhibition will make the FRAMING TRENDS showcase an absolute magnet for architects, designers and influencers at DOMOTEX 2019.

The 2019 keynote theme, CREATE’N’CONNECT, explores the connectivity trend from multiple perspectives.

The firms participating at the WOOD LIFECYCLE exhibition will give expression to this by banding together to present products for the innovative use of wood.

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19

Biesse Group looks to the future as it celebrates 50 years ‘Future in Tour’ includes celebratory events to mark the company's birthday with its customers throughout the world

Image © Biesse Group

The Biesse Group celebrates 50 years of Innovation and Technology, remembering half a century of history and success, with an irrepressible focus on the future. As part of the celebration, the company is touring the world with a programme of events dedicated to its customers, with a single common denominator: looking towards the future.

In 1969, Biesse machines revolutionized the furniture market, with solutions that served to set new technological standards in the industry. In just a few years, the company became an integral component and driving force within the Italian furniture district, conquering the entire national territory. Then, in 1989, the opening of the company's first foreign subsidiary marked the beginning of an intensive process of internationalization, which helped to establish the brand worldwide.

A journey marked by ambitious decisions, partnerships and investments in research, which enabled the company to create cutting-edge machinery, not only within the wood sector, but also for processing glass, stone, technological materials and metal, along with hightech products designed by the Group's mechatronics division and

machining tools.

A history built upon the genius and vision of founder Giancarlo Selci, which is now being carried forward by Roberto Selci, the CEO of the group, who has succeeded in strengthening this ‘pocketsized’ multinational, surrounding himself with strategic skills and expertise, thus increasing both the knowledge and technology within the company. Today, Biesse is an international group - a company that knows how to speak to the world. Biesse is profoundly aware of the fact that technology is innovation, and that in turn, innovation is only truly possible if it remains focused on the future, and on what it can create, and even before that, on what it can conceive and imagine.

As the founder of the Group, Giancarlo Selci, once said: "Innovation lies in details, and in careful attention to detail. It calls upon us to open our eyes and our horizons, diminishing obstacles and transforming them into opportunities, making each and every goal real. It is a switch that we can use to kindle curiosity and knowledge, creating the future."

Believing in the future also means channeling significant investment into producing tools and machines that can provide its

Image © Biesse Group Image © Biesse Group

Image © Biesse Group

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customers with greater production efficiency, simplifying their work whilst ensuring the highest levels of safety, and improving the interaction between mechanical, electronic and software elements, making the products created by the Group both ‘intelligent’ and ‘collaborative’.

The first step on the path which leads into the future was taken by Biesse when the Group decided to focus on creating digital factories tailored to each individual customer, from the smallest artisan producers to the biggest businesses. In investing in an IOT project, the Group allowed itself

The Group has decided to dedicate the ‘50 year’ anniversary celebrations to the future, through a programme of activities which will be rolled out throughout 2019 to be guided by the new rules of the of celebratory events to mark the company's birthday with its Industrial Revolution 4.0. customers throughout the world, beginning in Pesaro in January at The Group has decided to the Biesse Group Headquarters dedicate the ‘50 year’ anniversary celebrations to the future, through and ending in Russia in December 2019, after a total of 18 events in a programme of activities which 15 countries. The programme also will be rolled out throughout 2019, the details of which will be clarified includes three Grand Openings to inaugurate new Campus sites in over the course of the year. More specifically, the ‘Future in Tour’ will various locations across the globe, as well as a very special edition of launch in January, a programme

LIGNA 2019.

“The contribution that our people have made to the business over all these years is a central theme. It is their work and their knowledge that has helped Biesse enjoy such great success globally.

Accordingly, it is crucial that we listen to everyone, focusing on engaging and motivating each and every employee, from our manual workers to the Executive Director.

Everyone must focus on doing what they are best at, and we must help each other to continue to grow and improve. And we can only do this well if we do it together,” concluded Selci.

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Royal Academy of Music unveils its new and transformed spaces

Image Š Adam Scott

Retrofit has seamlessly introduced a denser heart to the academy whilst increasing the light and life at its core

Image © Adam Scott

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The Royal Academy of Music has unveiled its new and transformed spaces - The Susie Sainsbury Theater. The Angela Burgess Recital Hall, five new percussion studios, jazz room and audiovisual control room, and 14 refurbished practice and dressing rooms.

Hidden behind the listed façade of the Royal Academy of Music’s Edwardian premises, surrounded

by Grade I and Grade II listed buildings and located within the Regent’s Park conservation area, two distinct, outstanding performance spaces have been designed by Ian Ritchie Architects and seamlessly integrated within

search further,” said Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Principal, Royal Academy of Music The acoustic requirements for the Theater were quite different from those of the Recital Hall.

Designed predominantly for opera and musical theatre, the aim for the Theater was to provide an intimate and responsive acoustic for the Academy’s musicians which would also work well for all the many other different performance types the Theatre may host. This approach meant that the architects were able to avoid the need for any variable

Within the old concrete walls, the Theatre incorporates 40 percent more seating than previously through the addition of a balcony, as well as a larger orchestra pit, a stage wing and a fly tower. All seats have unimpeded views of the stage, while the larger orchestra pit allows for an expanded repertoire choice, from early to modern opera and musical theater.

Above the Theater, and acoustically isolated from it and all other buildings, the new 100-seat Angela Burgess Recital Hall provides the Academy with a further 230m2 space for recording,

Inspired by the curved shapes of string instruments, the 309-seat American cherry-lined Theater has been acoustically refined to deliver excellent sound qualities the historic site.

Designed for both opera and musical theatre productions, The Susie Sainsbury Theater sits at the heart of the Academy.

Inspired by the curved shapes of string instruments, the 309-seat American cherry-lined Theater has been acoustically refined to deliver excellent sound qualities.

The lighting deconstructs the traditional chandelier into an exploding theatre-wide galaxy of light through 600 fiber-optic crystals.

“The spaces are stunningly beautiful, acoustically brilliant and inspiring. They will raise the bar and challenge the students and staff in every possible form of music to reach higher and

acoustic devices which would have to be set up at the correct angle and position to finely tune the space for each performance type.

American cherry is vastly underused and is one of the fastest growing hardwoods in the U.S. Growing at a rate of 404 million m3, American cherry totals 30 percent of U.S. growing stock. The net volume of the species (after harvest) is increasing by 7.4 million m3 each year. Timber is the perfect material for use in concert halls and auditoriums because of its extraordinary acoustic properties.

American cherry lends itself particularly well as it is easy to manipulate, tough, pliable and brings a beautiful natural warmth to the interior.

public concerts and master classes.

Entirely lined in pale, lime-washed oak, an oculus floods the room with daylight and provides the space with a central focus. The Recital Hall has a footprint as large as that of the main stage, providing an ideal rehearsal space.

Enhancing the Academy’s circulation routes and creating a visual and physical link between the old and new buildings is the Recital Hall’s new glazed lobby, which is primarily accessed from the main stairway dating from 1911, and by a glazed lift. The new light wells reveal the previously concealed Grade II rear façade, in which bricked-up windows have been reopened improving the ambience of many practice rooms.

Image © Adam Scott

Image © Adam Scott

Image © IKD

Image © Adam Scott

Image © IKD

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Delphine Gebran Interior Architect design wooden skin to add warmth to The Sage Parlour The Sage Parlour is Beirut’s finest living room - a 102 square meter all-day breakfast, complete with brew-bar, daily-bakes display and ample natural light

© Delphine Image ©Image Andrew Chung Gebran Interior Architects

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Image © Delphine Gebran Interior Architects

Image © Delphine Gebran Interior Architects

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The Sage Parlour is Beirut’s finest living room - a 102 square meter all-day breakfast, complete with brew-bar, dailybakes display and ample natural light. Designed by Delphine Gebran Interior Architect, the creative strategy recognized first and foremost that in a restaurant, clients are actors and not just spectators.

Commenting on the design of the space, Delphine Gebran, said: “We are not just drawing things and hoping that people will say - Wow, that’s beautiful only to take pictures. We wanted to create for the client an overall cozy experience which would bring them back whilst also provoking an emotional interaction with the space.”

According to Gebran, colors and materials play a big role on the length of stay in a restaurant.

The site was a simple concrete box and so the team created a new skin of wood that adds

We wanted to create for the client an overall cozy experience which would bring them back whilst also provoking an emotional interaction with the space

warmth to the space whilst enabling customers to relax and tempting them to stay longer (and consume more). The wood also served as an acoustic (soundproof) layer within the space.

lit at night and how the mood will be like when its crowded.

The whole space was busy in our heads with chairs moving, people eating, music; with the only static element being our wood skin,” stated Gebran.

“We had to balance style and materials so as not to give the wrong image to the client. All in all, we smoothened out the rustic industrial, warmed the minimal, and contrasted it with a hint of luxury by integrating copper and marble to the space,” added Gebran.

A skin is always alive and so the team wanted to bring it back to life to become a fertile plot. As such, they planted some artificial green plants including sage leaves directly into the wood to reemphasize the fact that the wood is alive, and that nature is growing and will perhaps cover the space.

Interestingly, clients who often come into the space imagine a day when the entire space is covered in plants.

“When we work on a plan for a space, we imagine them alive.

We imagine how people will move in the room, how it will be

The concept of the restaurant was - All things to all people at all hours. With this in mind, the team worked on a ‘chameleonic’ interior that woke up in the morning and slept late at night.

The wood ceiling was the sky; lighting coming in from the façade would sweep the wood all day long creating shadows and beautifully changing the colors and texture of the wood. At night to enhance the dining experience, the team integrated small led spots that are hidden between the plants to give the feeling of some magical dust coming from the wood.

All in all, Gebran and her team have created a world via the wood skin that gives a totally different experience for clients over the course of the day.

It’s no surprise then that clients have been going back for different experiences in different parts of the restaurant at different times of the day.

Image © MTC

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COMMENT

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Malaysian Wood-Based Panels: a diversity of choice

Image Š MTC

Image Š MTC

Wood-based panels have proven to be efficient and economical, with greater homogeneity and stability across large surface areas The wood-based panel industry in Malaysia consists of plywood and veneer mills, and plants manufacturing Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF), particleboard, blockboard and Oriented Strand Board (OSB). Developed over the years, these mills are capable of providing a consistent supply of wood-based panels for overseas and local markets. Malaysian plywood, MDF, particleboard, blockboard and OSB are reputed for their consistent quality and durability. As such, the country has been a leading manufacturer and exporter of high-quality panel products for more than 50 years.

Wood-based panels have proven to be efficient and economical, with greater homogeneity and stability across large surface areas. These panels are widely used for concrete formwork, laminated and engineered flooring, and furniture manufacturing. They are also used for interior decorations as panelling and partitioning.

Specialized panels are available for external applications.

Plywood: a multi-use wonder The types of plywood produced

by Malaysia include common veneer face plywood, decorative plywood, overlaid plywood including printed paper and polyester plywood, phenolic film-faced plywood, plywood for concrete formwork and container flooring, and marine plywood. The popular Malaysian timbers used for the production of plywood are Bintangor, Dark Red Meranti, Kelempayan, Kembang Semangkok, Keruing, Mengkulang, Mersawa, Nyatoh, Rubberwood, Sepetir and Yellow

Meranti as well as Oil Palm (mainly as core veneers).

Medium Density Fibreboard: exceptionally user-friendly MDF is a homogeneous engineered wood panel made by breaking down timber residuals into wood fibers, using a defibrator. These fibers are then combined with a resin binder and other components to improve the MDF’s physical properties. They are then compressed under high temperatures and pressures to form panels. MDF is generally denser than plywood with a typical density of 750kg per m3 or greater. The continuity and homogenous nature of the MDF panel lends itself very well to the mass production of furniture, doors, picture frames, profiled strips and construction components. The MDF panels can also be made moisture resistant, fire retardant and fungal resistance by combining various additives.

Consumers purchasing MDF from Malaysia have the choice of panels made from either 100% Rubberwood (plantation species) or mixed tropical wood (often certified

by PEFC). Rubberwood MDF will be in lighter color, while mixed tropical wood MDF will be 100% free from latex spots. These quality engineered wood panels are available in the raw form or overlaid with laminates of natural wood veneer, paper or synthetics such as melamine, PU and PVC. Particleboard: resource-efficient Particleboard, also known as

Chipboard, is an engineered wood product similar to MDF but is manufactured from wood chips, sawmill shavings/off cuts, and sawdust without the need for a defibrator. Unlike MDF, particleboard is made from three layers (a fine top and bottom layer, and a coarser core layer). The wood particles are then combined with a resin and other additives, which are then compressed under high temperatures and pressure to form the Chipboard wood panel.

Particleboard does not have the same homogeneity as MDF, so it cannot be shaped and profiled as MDF, but it i s more cost-competitive. This makes it an ideal raw material for the mass production of panel-based furniture. Like MDF, particleboards can be made more attractive by laminating with wood veneers or synthetic overlays such as melamine and PVC. Oriented Strand Board: a sound choice for practical projects OSB is efficiently manufactured with wood derived from smaller logs and fast-growing tree species. OSB is designed to perform in a variety of applications such as in construction, furniture and DIY products. Malaysian OSB is the first in the world to be manufactured using tropical hardwood, hence, ensuring even better strength and durability. *For a list of Malaysian suppliers of wood-based panel products, and to learn more about Malaysian timber species, please contact the Malaysian Timber Council (www.mtc.com.my).

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Panel Product

Common Sizes

Plywood

1220mm x 2440mm (4’ x 8’)

Thickness

Common thickness ranges from 3mm to 25mm in 3 to13 plies

915mm x 2135mm (3’ x 7’)

Adhesives

Urea Formalde-hyde (UF) for Moisture Resistant (MR) grade.

Phenol Formalde-hyde (PF) or Phenol Resorcinol Formaldehyde (PRF) for Water and Boil Proof (WBP) grade.

915mm x 1830mm (3’ x 6’)

Standards

Malaysian plywood is produced in compliance with internationally recognised standards such as ISO, JAS, BS, CARB and EN.

Low concentrations of formalde-hyde formulations ensure compliance with emission level requirements such as E0 and E1.

Medium Density Fibreboard

1220mm x 1830mm (4’ x 6’)

1.5mm to 32mm

1220mm x 2440mm (4’ x 8’)

Door skin sizes

1220mm x 1830mm (4’ x 6’)

6mm to 36mm

1220mm x 2440mm (4’ x 8’)

Can be manufactured to over 16 feet.

Urea Formaldehyde (UF) and Moisture Resistant (MR) adhesives.

Boards with low formaldehyde emission in compliance with European, JIS, EPA and CARB standards.

1830mm x 2440mm (6’ x 8’)

Oriented Strand Board

JANZ, EN, JIS, BS, EMB, CARB, EPA and other internationally recognised standards.

Most MDF panels produced have low formaldehyde emission levels in compliance with the European, JIS, EPA and CARB standards.

1830mm x 2440mm (6’ x 8’)

Particleboard

Urea Formaldehyde (UF) and Moisture Resistant (MR) adhesives.

9mm to 36mm in 3-5 layers

p-MDI resin (NonFormaldehyde Add) which is safe for the environ-ment.

Resistance to wa-ter and moisture.

ISO, JIS, BS, DIN, EN, EPA, CARB and others in compliance with internationally recognised stand-ards.

Malaysian OSBs meet the stringent regulations for use as those required by European and Japanese standards such as ISO, JAS, BS and EN.

OPEN DAYS 2019

SMART&HUMAN FACTORY from JANUARY 31st to FEBRUARY 2nd - SCM RIMINI, ITALY

YOU WILL NEVER WORK ALONE

THE

NE TING GENERATION Also on display the new generation of CNC Nesting Machining Centres

SCM introduces a production model in which digital and automation systems are always at your side enabling advanced human-machine interaction.

Flexible, modular machinery, easy to reconfigure, making mass customisation possible with far less waste and optimising your workflow. Discover more in Rimini next year, from January 31st to February 2nd, together with the new generation of CNC Nesting Machining Centres.

SCM MIDDLE EAST FZE Dubai - United Arab Emirates Tel. +971 4 8321674 www.scmgroupmiddleeast.com

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Q&A with the NHLA Started in 1898, the National Hardwood Lumber Association is a membership based international trade association dedicated to the hardwood industry. As the voice of the hardwood industry, the NHLA represents the entire hardwood supply chain at all levels of production. It has a mission to serve NHLA Members engaged in the commerce of North American hardwood lumber by maintaining order, structure and ethics in the changing global hardwood marketplace; providing unique member services; promoting North American hardwood lumber and advocating the interest of the hardwood community in public/private policy issues; and providing a platform for networking opportunities. Dana Spessert, Chief Inspector, NHLA answers a few questions for buyers and specifiers looking to purchase American hardwoods.

What is the NHLA Sales Code and when does it apply?

The NHLA Sales Code is an agreement between buyer and seller to carry out the transaction in a pre-defined way. By both parties agreeing to this arrangement the methods for the transaction are more clearly defined, especially when it comes to a disagreement.

In the current rules book on page 77, under the heading of NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER ASSOCIATION SALES CODE - Revised August 2007, it says “Note: This Code is binding between buyer and seller only

when it is specifically stated in the contract that it shall govern.”

If this is stated on the contract, then it is to govern over the shipment in its entirety. If not, then you should have some other agreement, or you are basically agreeing to the buyer’s grade and count.

Secondly, the Sales Code also states on page 80, under ARTICLE X - Inspection: “Section 3: When a shipment of lumber is received under an order which did not require an Original Inspection, the buyer shall cause the shipment to be inspected and measured. If an

unsatisfactory difference exists between the amount of seller's invoice covering the shipment and the value of the shipment computed from the buyer's measurement and inspection, the buyer shall hold the entire shipment intact and report this difference to seller within fourteen days after unloading the shipment and furnish seller with piece tally, unless buyer and seller agree otherwise. If it is impossible to adjust such difference by compromise, an authorized National Inspector of the National Hardwood Lumber Association shall be called to inspect the lumber under

dispute.”

When a shipment is received, and the Sales Code is the governing contract then the entire shipment must remain intact until a settlement is reached. If not, then the buyer is agreeing to the shipper’s grade and tally and the shipper’s invoice must be honored.

If I do not agree with a rule in the NHLA Rules Book, what can I do?

One of the most important attributes of the NHLA Rules is that the members of the association have the right, every

four years, to propose rules changes. This is how the NHLA is able to keep the Rules relevant in an ever-changing global market place. If there is something about a rule that does not fit your product standards, the other option is to request an exception to the rule with your supplier and clearly state it on the purchase order or sales contract.

Why is 2 Common not 50% clear as stated in the Rules Book?

The grade of number 2 common is actually made up of two different grades - 2A Common and 2B Common.

Number 2A Common is basically described as a board containing a minimum of 50% clear face cuttings and a number 2B Common is a board containing 50% sound cuttings. A sound cutting is described as “a cutting free from rot, pith, shake and wane. Texture is not considered.

It will admit sound knots, bird

Image © AHEC

Image © AHEC

COMMENT 35

pecks, stain, streaks or their equivalent, season checks not materially impairing the strength of a cutting, pin, shot and spot worm holes. Other holes 1/4" or larger are admitted but shall be limited as follows: one 1/4" in average diameter in each cutting of less than 12 units; two 1/4" or one 1/2" to each 12 units and on one side only of a cutting.” If you order number 2 Common lumber without specifying 2A Common or 2B Common, there can be any percentage of either 2A or 2B Common in the shipment.

Why are there checks in the ends of the boards and is it honeycomb?

As moisture is removed from the boards, it shrinks.

The rate at which a board shrinks and the amount of moisture that is being removed have a large impact on the amount of stress that the wood contains.

The stress of the shrinking causes the wood rays to separate

resulting in a split or crack.

Sometimes this crack or split can remain in the board especially at the ends, where the moisture is removed at a much higher rate than the remainder of the board causing the splits to be more abundant.

Defects, such as splits, are not an indication of any other drying stress related conditions, such as honeycomb. Honeycomb can sometimes be in the ends of the boards and only the ends of the boards, without effecting the grade. The best way to determine the impact of defects such as honeycomb is to trim the board 1 inch at a time until it no longer shows in the ends of the piece. If the honeycomb no longer is present, you can then determine if it effected the grade. Remember, the grade is determined by yield of the entire board and defects can be present, just not in the clear face cuttings.

Why are there defects on the boards when I ordered FAS?

The NHLA Rules are designed to give the consumer a measurable percentage of clear wood, not necessarily all clear boards. The nature of the temperate hardwood forest is that trees grow fast and develop limbs that create knots within the boards. These knots and many other natural characteristics are going to be in the trees, so the system was developed so that someone utilizing the raw material can get an idea of the usable portion of the boards.

It needs to be understood that the pricing for the NHLA graded lumber is not based on the boards being used in their entirety, but it is based on the percentage of usable wood contained within it.

There may be companies that will separate out and ship only clear boards, but the price will be based on the newly created sort and not the average market price for the respective grade/species.

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SCM’s ‘Smart&Human Factory’ is here

Spotlight will be on highly flexible and modular automation systems and man-robot interaction systems Automation through integrated robotics will be the focus of the ‘Smart&Human Factory’ event to be held from January 31 - February 2, 2019 at the Technology Center of the SCM Headquarters, in Rimini. The leading producer of secondary woodworking machinery will host an exclusive presentation of its new systems flexible, modular and easily reconfigurable, designed to provide an increasingly effective, quick response to the challenges of mass customization. A

cutting-edge production model, with digital and automation systems capable of ensuring advanced man-machine interaction and full control over the entire production flow will be the highlight of the event.

The Open House claim You will never work alone summarizes the goal of the new SCM product range: to supply the most user-friendly automation technology which, besides considerably streamlining the factory layout,

making it more efficient, also creates a new model of interaction among humans, robots and machines, according to an open, safe cells design.

All this with the option to reconfigure the production process whenever this is necessary, to quickly process increasingly smaller "order to production" batches. A new "smart and human" factory also making progress in terms of work flow: risky and repetitive human tasks are minimized, and operators are able to focus on

higher added value tasks.

SCM offers its customers a wide range of solutions: Flexible cells served by industrial anthropomorphic robots for repetitive and low added value tasks. An ideal solution for sawblade cutting or sawing, milling, drilling and edge banding or for workpiece sequence rearranging between one process phase and the next. Collaborative Islands, in which humans and collaborative robots (cobots) work side by

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Maestro Watch Supervision software to manage and monitor the state of each product being machined throughout the process. Panel cutting, edgebanding and drilling phases are thus optimized to obtain the same results as in standard production processes; orders are then put back together at the end of the process, delaying customization until this stage.

This avoids huge quantities of logistically scattered items and helps minimize waste and rejects.

Image © SCM

IoT: the innovative "Maestro Connect" platform makes the most of the ‘Internet of Things’ concept potential. A data collection and analysis system based on

side, sharing the available work space safely, without the need for enclosures or similar systems. The cobots are used in the final process stages, such as assembly, hardware insertion, glue dispensing and surface finishing.

Flexible interconnections of machining cells and assembly islands through AMR Autonomous Mobile Robots for just in time and just in sequence management and optimization of all process logistics flows.

A leap forward compared to the traditional self-driving vehicles of the past: in this case, no artificial references such as tapes or reflectors are needed, because the AMRs are able to autonomously orient themselves in space -

SCM technologies, it ensures, on the one hand, full control over the production flow and, on the other, the implementation of smart and predictive maintenance models. Among the advantages granted by the system are: increased productivity and decreased downtime, improved and continuous operating cost control, lower maintenance costs and the ability to monitor machine parameters and performance in real time, anywhere and at any time, so as to be able to always correct any malfunction in an increasingly timely manner (smart maintenance).

"Our SCM Open House will be a chance to experience a new model of interaction between machines and industrial and collaborative robotics, ground-level logistic handling and software. Ours is a cutting-edge proposal, designed to solve all the critical issues arising from mass customization as well as to effectively ensure operator workflow progress. SCM will showcase the achievement of new frontiers in automation, without forgetting the human factor, as indicated by the title

'Smart & Human Factory': our strength is being not just a supplier, but a partner - ready to support our customers in their business," explains Luigi De Vito, SCM Division Director.

The flexible and reconfigurable systems and Supervision Software are designed to revolutionize the entire production system, optimizing the resources used and reducing waste, rejects and retooling requirements during product changeovers. Moreover, plant shuttles allow for the most efficient management of all the process-related logistic flows, eliminating low added value tasks required from the human staff, such as the need to recover all the pieces scattered throughout the factory. The introduction of robotic automation also reduces human personnel requirements, in addition to greatly simplifying the work required from operators and relieving them of dangerous activities. Overall, the event will be an opportunity to present the new Nesting CNC machining centers - designed to combine high productivity and maximum versatility in shaped panel cutting.

Image © SCM

identifying the surrounding environment and selecting the most efficient route to their destination while safely avoiding obstacles, including human ones. This enhances returns on investment and route reconfiguration flexibility, in line with process modularity requirements - in addition to streamlining maintenance tasks.

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TECHNOLOGY 39

Image © HOMAG

HOMAG to offer strong solutions to automate the ‘nesting’ procedure Clever automation of nesting systems can become a success factor as part of digitalization with HOMAG

Image © HOMAG Group

For years, alongside classic sawing, nesting has been the established procedure for cutting panel-shaped workpieces optimally. The decisive difference: in addition to CNC-based routing for cutting workpieces, a nesting system also offers drilling and grooving (in three-axis or fouraxis solutions). Due to being processed (dimensioned/drilled) while clamped, the routed workpieces have more precise angles. As such, subsequent edge processing activities are possible without any additional dimensioning. More importantly, special free-formed workpieces can be routed out efficiently with a CNC nesting machine.

This advantageous feature is particularly popular in the construction of ships, aircraft, and caravans. In terms of the processing quality, the demand is naturally very high and the efficiency of the manufacturing processing for a piece of furniture is monitored constantly. The question though still remains as to what can still be optimized and where and how can this be done. As part of its digitalization offensive and the expansion of its automation technology, HOMAG offers strong solutions that can automate the nesting procedure on a scale. From a small workshop to industrial design,

everything can be adapted to match specific requirements on a modular basis. By the middle of 2019, HOMAG will have implemented a three-stage concept with a customer, in which more than four nesting systems are merged into one strong unit and fully automated.

As part of this overall concept, the panels are placed on the corresponding nesting machine automatically using gantry feeding equipment. The panel is pulled in, positioned and processed by the respective CNC. The nest, with primarily free-formed workpieces, is then pushed as a complete piece onto a transport. This transport takes the completely finished "nest" to a sorting magazine.

Here, the correct production order can be removed based on the subsequent process step.

The process was optimized together with the customer so that all nesting systems process their nests in synchronized time intervals so that the transport does not have to wait. The transport picks up the nest, delivers to the magazine and then collects another nest. The whole process works hand in hand.

"Here, we have automated the previously time-consuming manual removal of the finished free-formed workpiece. In

Image © HOMAG

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With regard to supporting the system, this is where the digital aids from HOMAG take effect.

With the "MachineBoard" app, the operator has an overview of every system at any time on their tablet. Utilization, progress and tips can be recorded more quickly and can be accessed on mobile devices such as a cell phone or tablet, or on a stationary PC. Production monitoring is supplemented by the MMR (Machine Monitoring and Reporting) software, which

is also available from HOMAG. This machine data acquisition logs all production data, such as the number of workpieces produced and the run time of the machine, as well as numerous other types of data. This data can then be evaluated in the office at a later point in time and reported back to the decision makers. This all makes it easy to identify and quantify potential for optimization.

"At the moment, caravan

manufacturers, who are very keen on nesting free-formed workpieces, are lucky enough to be active in a sector that is currently booming. These types of performance improvements with a fully automated nesting solution help tremendously in this situation," adds Loddenkemper.

"An industry solution like this can only be classified as nesting at the highest level. Thanks to our modular construction,

As part of its digitalization offensive and the expansion of its automation technology, HOMAG offers strong solutions that can automate the nesting procedure on a scale

Image © HOMAG

particular, pushing out the narrow parts was a challenge.

Next year, we will have a totally effective automatic concept solution. The output is not linked to the respective operator and is based solely on the performance capability of the machine. Normally, each machine would require one operator. But with our concept, in extreme cases, we need only one person to monitor the system. In the final expansion stage, there are thus approximately two employees, rather than four or more. Personnel resources are then freed up to be used more effectively in other areas," explains Daniel Loddenkemper, Head of Product Marketing, HOMAG Group AG.

however, solutions can be scaled down with the same approach so that, depending on the desired output, SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) or medium-sized joineries can optimize their production," states Vera Zimmermann, Production Management, CNC Technology, HOMAG Group. "At the CIFF trade fair in Shanghai, we recently presented a cell in which a robot places the finished body parts from the nesting machine directly onto a roller conveyor for the subsequent edge banding process. Another robot picks up the workpieces with the finished edges and places them in the vertical CNC for the horizontal drilling and dowelling operations.

Finally, another robot picks up the finished workpiece and packs it onto the correct picking trolley.”

“We can equip this solution with different dimensions in the area of cutting, edges and CNC or supplement it with a storage control connection. For entry-level customers or lovers of highend equipment. Thanks to our standardized powerTouch and tapio operating system, the open eco system of the woodworking industry, our products are already fully prepared for the digital world as standard," concludes Zimmermann.

Design meets digital.

The new HOMAG machine generation.

We are giving the digital future an identity. To support you successfully with your challenges, all HOMAG machines are now even more intuitive to use and feature modern and unique designs. Connect your machines with the digital eco system tapio and benefit from all the advantages of cloud-based software!

www.homag.com

YOUR SOLUTION

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The ‘Reading Bench’ in American tulipwood wins inaugural Design 100 competition

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2018, with all proceeds from the sale donated to Dubai Cares.

According to the designers, the functional furniture item explores the message of harmony, as promoted by the founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. From the side, the shape resembles a dhow with a sail and is also reminiscent of Dubai’s iconic landmark Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

Seamlessly blending history and modernity that is characteristic of the UAE, the piece with seven points representing the unity of the seven emirates encourages reflection and a sense of belonging. To make all 100 pieces, it took 6.94 cubic meters of American tulipwood lumber. Most importantly, all

Image © D3

Image © D3

The ‘Reading Bench’ by designer duo Sakina Kara-Sabur and Alicia Spoljar from BySOZO Interiors was the winner of the inaugural Design 100 competition organized by the Dubai Design District, a destination dedicated to design that reinforces Dubai’s new status as a UNESCO Creative City of Design. Organized in collaboration with Dubai Cares, the UAE-based philanthropic organization and with AHEC as a Knowledge Partner, the contest was open to all designers specializing in furniture and functional objects across the UAE. d3 produced 100 pieces of the winning work in American tulipwood, which were then made available for sale to the public at AED 3,000 per bench at Dubai Design Week

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Kara-Sabur and Spoljar were

Image © D3

Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Design District, said: “Our region boasts an incredible amount of talent, and the Design 100 competition seeks to bring to life ideas that have the potential to make a significant impact on the creative ecosystem. The competition provides artists across the creative industry with an opportunity to showcase their work at the region’s leading design festival and receive recognition. Through engaging local designers in this inspiring project, we aim to reinforce the importance of using design as a lens to present our rich cultural heritage.”

As part of its ‘Design for Good’ programme, which aims to connect the design community through creative collaborations to support and promote social change, Dubai Design District

invited designers from across the UAE to submit design for a piece of furniture or a functional object. The ‘Design for Good’ programme is based on three key pillars: Design for placemaking, prioritizing design that encourages creativity and collaboration in public environments; Design for sustainability, design solutions to maximize long-term economic, social and environmental value; and Design for empowerment, which reiterates that design solutions should empower people and challenges perceptions.

Image © D3

Inspired by the values of the late Sheikh Zayed and the mission of Dubai Cares, BySOZO Interiors embarked on a design journey to bring the two visions together. The designers explored Sheikh Zayed’s message of unity; its significance for the time and its devotion to the future, and in particular the union of the 7 Emirates. Inspired by his strength, authenticity and perceived simplicity towards achieving unity; a United Arab Emirates held together without elaborate mechanism, rather each piece coming togetherin-unison. With this emphasis towards progression and ambition, they also explored the significance of the youth in the community, and the national mission of developing future generations with the opening of a youth center in Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

inspired to explore shapes that combine an element of history with a representation of modernity of the cities within the United Arab Emirates. In addition, the emphasis placed on education and knowledge combined with the ethos of Dubai Cares - working towards providing children and young people in developing countries with access to quality education, regardless of gender, nationality, race or religion - formed the basis of their design; a piece that encourages thought, knowledge and a sense of harmony and belonging. As such, the bench interlocks without screws or mechanism, rather each part drawing on the strength of the other to become one functional, united piece.

Image © D3

the American tulipwood used to make the benches would take just 6.7 seconds to be replaced by natural growth in the American hardwood forest.

17- 19 SEPTEMBER 2019 DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

CONNECT WITH OVER 57,000 BUYERS The region’s largest trading platform dedicated to design and hospitality.

APPLY NOW TO EXHIBIT AT MIDDLE EAST DESIGN & HOSPITALITY WEEK 2019 T: +971 4 445 3648 E: info@designhospitalityweek.com W: www.designhospitalityweek.com

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Cairo WoodShow

Magna Expo Mueblera Industrial

Acetech

Maison et Objet Paris

Furniture Asia

January Furniture Show

DOMOTEX Hannover

Acetech

imm Cologne

WOODEX 2019

FORMEX

Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair

November 30 - December 3 Cairo International Convention & Exhibition Center Cairo, Egypt www.cairowoodshow.com .............................................................................................

December 13 - 16 Pragati Maidan Delhi, India www.etacetech.com/index.html .............................................................................................

December 15 - 17 Karachi Expo Center Karachi, Pakistan www.furnitureasia.com.pk/index.htm .............................................................................................

January 11 - 14, 2019 Hannover Exhibition Center Hannover, Germany www.domotex.de/en .............................................................................................

January 14 - 20, 2019 Koelnmesse GmbH Cologne, Germany www.imm-cologne.com/imm/index-2.php .............................................................................................

January 15 - 18, 2019 Stockholm International Fairs and Congress Center Stockholm, Sweden www.formex.se ...........................................................................................

January 16 - 18, 2019 Centro Citibanamex Mexico City, Mexico www.hfmexico.mx/MEMIndustrial/en .............................................................................................

January 18 - 22, 2019 Parc des expositions de Paris - Nord Villepinte Paris, France www.maison-objet.com/en/paris .............................................................................................

January 20 - 23, 2019 NEC Birmingham Birmingham, UK www.januaryfurnitureshow.com................................................. ............................................

January 25 - 27, 2019 HITEX Exhibition Center Hyderabad, India www.etacetech.com/index.html .............................................................................................

February 2 - 5, 2019 Tehran International Permanent Fairground Tehran, Iran http://en.miladgroup.net .............................................................................................

February 5 - 9, 2019 Stockholm International Fairs and Congress Center Stockholm, Sweden www.stockholmfurniturelightfair.se/?sc_lang=en .............................................................................................

Reasons Why Malaysian Timbers are the Preferred Choice!

Sustainable Renewable Versatile Durable Diverse

Malaysian timbers, exported to more than 160 countries, have continued to be favoured and featured in building applications in various parts of the world. The remarkable performance characteristics of many Malaysian timbers have allowed architects and designers to feature timber in extraordinarily imaginative ways and time-transcending designs that match beauty with functionality.

To learn more about Malaysian timbers and timber products, please visit www.mtc.com.my

SUSTAINABLE

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