National Hardwood Magazine - November 2016

Multiple Facilities

Multiple Facilities Welcome Fall Conference And Plant Tour Photos Provided By WCMA South Bend, IN–Over 125 members, technology partners and non-members participated in the recent Wood Component Manufacturers Association’s (WCMA) 2016 Fall Conference and Plant Tour Event, which originated here at the Morris Inn near the University of Notre Dame campus. This year’s event offered opportunities for attendees to network with peers, visit with technology partners during the Wood Technology Expo, tour manufacturing facilities, and hear from expert speakers. The event brought together a wide variety of attendees looking for a unique opportunity to see how other manufacturers are creating products. Attendees at the event toured the production facilities of seven innovative manufacturing operations, all in Indiana: Cole Hardwood Inc. and Indiana Dimension Inc., in Logansport; American Millwork and Riverside Tool in Elkhart; Kountry Wood Products and Quality Hardwood Sales in Nappanee; RH Yoder Woodworking LLC, in Shipshewana; and Woodenware USA, in Etna Green. The WCMA plant tours are designed to encourage an open exchange of ideas regarding the latest woodworking production techniques, as well as overall business solutions. Attendees are able to observe actual applications of new technology and visualize how they might apply them in their own plants. In addition, the WCMA invited two speakers to address the group. The first speaker, industry leader John Bassett III, talked with the group about the importance of leadership, having a winning attitude, making the best of the worst, and respecting your employees. Each attendee received a copy of Bassett’s new book, “Making It in America: A 12-Point Plan for Growing Your Business and Keeping Jobs at Home.” Chris Stevens, currently a professor at Notre Dame, also addressed the group. Known as “The Coffee Man,” he joined Keurig in 1996 developing the brand, sales, distribution and marketing strategies for the company. Stevens’ talk, titled “Leading, Learning and Loving Your Brand,” encouraged attendees to follow their dreams, create change, and invest in technology. He also discussed the importance of giving back through charitable organizations. Attendees described their experiences at the WCMA Fall Conference and Plant Tour as follows: Christina Elsenbroek, with Stiles Machinery, said “The plant tours, coupled with plenty of opportunities for peer-topeer networking, make the WCMA Fall Conference an invaluable experience that definitely justifies time away from the office.” Steve Gerber, with Gerber Wood Products, stated, “I felt the 2016 Fall Conference in northern Indiana was one of the best events I have attended in my 10 years of being a WCMA member. The variety of convenient lodging, well known speakers, tours and tech partner receptions made the conference feel exciting and productive, yet relaxing and enjoyable. I was able to connect face-to-face with a number of tech partners during the event and also discovered some new technology on a plant tour that I will be considering for our business.” Todd Dennison, with Brown Wood Inc., added, “I thought that this year’s Fall Conference event was the best yet. It is always great to get an opportunity to network with our industry partners and build new relationships. The plant tour hosts were very gracious to open their doors to our group and allow us to get a fresh glance at the innovation in our industry. Most importantly the speakers were fantastic this year. Both topics were relevant to our industry and offered us advice and knowledge that we could take home and implement into our companies. Two thumbs up from Brown Wood Inc.” Barry Freiburger, with George Guenzler & Sons Inc., stated, “What a fantastic turnout for this year’s event. I brought someone new this year from the plant and it was amazing to see the productive plants in the Indiana region. These companies were competing and winning. I was amazed to see such high speed production associates assembling 5-piece doors in under 30 seconds per door. Thanks again to all of the tech partners for making our evenings very productive learning events and the guest speakers were superb. Looking forward to Grand Rapids next year.” The WCMA Board of Directors has agreed that next year’s tours will take place in the Grand Rapids, MI area. Visit the WCMA website at www.wcma.com for more information about membership and other events. n 28 NOVEMBER 2016 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

During the recent WCMA 2016 Fall Conference and Plant Tour Event, an employee at Indiana Dimension Inc. (IDI), in Logansport, IN, is pictured monitoring parts of products manufactured at the facility. IDI’s products are primarily purchased by cabinet manufacturers, furniture companies and additional end use clients. Pictured is a sample of finished products on display during the WCMA tour of Indiana Dimension Inc., a sister company to Cole Hardwood Inc. American Millwork Corp., located in Elkhart, IN, which manufactures moulding and millwork products made of Red Oak, Poplar, Maple and Cherry, gave WCMA attendees an extensive tour of their facility. Kountry Wood Products, in Nappanee, IN, shared their hands-on approach to cabinet manufacturing with members of the WCMA tour recently. Unfinished, handmade rockers were among the Hardwood products on display for WCMA attendees when they toured R.H. Yoder Woodworking LLC, located in Shipshewana, IN. The 46,000-square-foot facility of Riverside Tools, located in Elkhart, IN, welcomed WCMA attendees who viewed some of the latest equipment and technology available through this company. Pictured are employees of Woodenware USA in Etna Green, IN, as they manufacture cabinets, doors and drawer fronts made of Hard and Soft Maple, Red Oak, Ash and Cherry. This facility was among the seven manufacturing operations visited during the WCMA Fall Conference and Plant Tour Event. Pictured is a CNC router making Hardwood parts at Quality Hardwood Sales in Nappanee, IN, during the WCMA tour. Quality Hardwood Sales is a component part manufacturer for the kitchen cabinet, furniture and RV industry. NOVEMBER 2016 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 29