'The competitive edge.' (Wood Products Manufacturers Association)

The Wood Products Manufacturers Association (WPMA) provides its members with the best resources and tools to increase profitability and industry exposure, and offers educational programs that are of the finest quality. 1995 has been spectacular for the WPMA. We now have 554 members, compared to just 58 in 1983 - including 191 that have joined this past year! This exciting growth is extremely gratifying.

Membership in the WPMA is a way to keep up with changes that are taking place constantly in today's marketplace. The philosophy is that membership is an investment, not an expense. It is our full-time responsibility to strive for 100 percent member satisfaction in the services we provide.

The WPMA was established in 1929, to serve the needs of the woodturning and shaping industry. Today, we have the most diverse membership of any association in the industry. Our quote is, "We go from the tree to the truck and everything in between." Membership is open to all companies engaged in the wood products industry. These involve companies manufacturing wood into a wide range of products, and those who are suppliers of squares, solid dimension stock, lumber and commercial kiln drying, and pressure treating operations. We also have companies that furnish coatings, adhesives, and metal components along with machinery and equipment manufacturers. We have many manufacturers representatives/wholesalers, furniture manufacturers, architectural millworkers, trucking companies, consulting firms, and many educational governmental agencies. We are definitely the connection from raw materials to the finished product. We emphasize the fact that the diversity of our membership does not dilute our focus. There is room for everyone in the Association. All of these companies work with, and complement, each other well.

As a company in the wood products industry, one of the wisest investments you can make is membership in the WPMA. Membership offers a wide range of benefits that will save time and money, improve business skills, and keep your company at the forefront of our industry. The WPMA represents its members' interests by providing a strong, unified voice regarding regulatory and environmental issues that are raised by OSHA and the EPA. We are the largest trade association servicing the needs of the combined primary and secondary wood products industries.

The Association is your best information resource, keeping companies up-to-date on the factors that are shaping the industry: new materials and technologies, insurance and other business costs, and government regulations.

DUES INVESTMENT

Our dues structure is very modest in relation to the top quality service provided. Every day we must prove that membership is well worth the assessment. One-and two-day regional, educational and business meetings are scheduled in different geographic locations throughout the year. Our annual and semi-annual meetings are excellent opportunities to gather and exchange ideas and information. The annual meeting for 1996 will be held in Lancaster, Pa., on May 1-5, and the semi-annual meeting will be in Toronto on Oct. 2-6. Our major meetings have already been scheduled through the year 2000.

At these meetings, one of the most important events is roll call. Everyone in attendance is asked to stand up, introduce themselves, their company and their product lines, and say how business has been for the last quarter of the year. They are also asked to forecast what they expect will happen for the remainder of 1996. It is absolutely fascinating and amazing, by puffing the pieces of the puzzle together, how accurate these predictions are. It gives better insight into the domestic and export market and the type of competition that members are facing, and provides suggestions for regaining market share and promoting companies and capabilities.

Many times business dictates that it is difficult to get away for relaxation and enjoyment, so at our major meetings, spouses and children are encouraged to attend. Many of our meetings are at resort areas and can be used as a getaway. Interaction of this type is invaluable, difficult to get, and usually quite beneficial.

Plant tours of manufacturing facilities are also a feature of the meetings. Many are related to the industry all together, but in many instances there are opportunities to see high-tech automation, materials handling, and product mixing and blending which gives good ideas on how to make improvements within your plant. We had the opportunity not long ago to tour the Ford Motor Truck Assembly facility in Louisville, Ky. In Virginia, we went through a company that manufactured one million beer bottles a day. We have toured computer facilities, companies that manufacture security systems, as well as some of the most innovative woodworking facilities in the country. All of these provide useful ideas.

The following are topics that are very important to our members and are used at our major and regional meetings: workplace safety, ergonomics, managed care programs to reduce workers' compensation costs, estate planning, and finding new succession.

Our dues investment is very modest with our minimum dues at $470 and maximum at $1,000. In instance after instance, the savings from just one of these benefits more than pays for this investment.

SHARPENING MARKETING SKILLS

The Association constantly receives inquiries from businesses around the world seeking companies to manufacture specific wood products. In response to these, the Association provides a list of all of our members who have the capability to perform the requested service. In addition, everyone on this suggested list receives a copy of the inquiry. We have letter after letter of thanks and encouragement and we have companies that have found customers this way that give them enormous amounts of sales volume. Most inquiries are responded to the same day we receive them.

We also promote the industry in other ways, including monitoring and researching markets and exhibiting at many trade shows across North America. In 1996, the Association will be exhibiting at the Carolinas Woodworking & Furniture Supply Fair in February, the Mid-Atlantic Woodworking & Furniture Supply Fair in April, and the International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair in August. In 1997, the Association will be exhibiting at five trade shows.

The Association's Capabilities guide, which lists all of the capabilities of each and every member, is so good that we offer it with an unconditional money back guarantee. It is the best resource available anywhere and members have found it to be an excellent guide to vendors of wood processing products and services. The capabilities information is available in printed form, filling two 3-ring binders, or on diskette.

Our highly automated and modern computer system gives us the ability to furnish potential customers with complete information of what every member can produce.

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

The majority of our members have stated time and time again that one of the most important benefits they receive is the informative monthly newsletter. Our newsletter keeps our members informed and up-to-date on changes that are taking place with OSHA and the EPA, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Stormwater Run-Off Prevention Plan, wood dust MSDS information, employee right-to-know, and all of the new regulations that will be coming with the Clean Air Act.

Monthly sections include the Counselors Corner, which details employee-related workplace issues, and Tax Tips on changes in the tax laws that owners must be aware of. Of special interest is the Safety Corner, which discusses issues that safety committees find especially informative. Our newsletter is loaded with ideas on marketing and how to improve your business.

The For Sale or Trade section allows WPMA members to list any surplus items they have accumulated. Many members report incredible success in selling obsolete items. There is no charge for this service. We also have an employment section for companies looking to hire additional staff or for individuals seeking employment in our industry.

WAGE RATE SURVEY

Our comprehensive wage rate and fringe benefit survey is exceptional! This is a tool that was designed by our members for our members to be useful in comparing realistic wages in the wood products industry. It also gives an idea as to what benefits are paid for holidays, vacations, sick time, deaths, and over-time premium. It is an excellent guide to compare rates and benefits when it comes time to establish increases in your employees earnings. Our last survey had a total of 150 firms reporting, covering 5,952 factory workers, 519 supervisory positions, 489 clerical, 573 executives, and three other positions, for a total of 7,536 jobs! Unlike other groups or organizations, we offer our Wage Rate and Fringe Benefit Survey at no charge to participating WPMA members.

DISCOUNTED TELEPHONE PLAN

The Association has endorsed Network Plus, Inc. to provide our members special rates on all of their calling cards, long distance, 800 numbers and data services. The programs are all on the national network of Sprint, which has proven to be one of the best phone services in the world. You are also allowed the option of other choices. In case after case, the savings on this plan alone pays for a majority of the dues investment. Companies can save between 15 and 40 percent on all of their in-state, out-of-state and international calls along with faxes and calling cards. Bill consolidation is an important feature, meaning that all services at all locations can be billed on one convenient statement with only one check having to be processed. Customized/special reports and individualized billing formats can be designed to meet current and changing needs.

Every WPMA member gets an additional three percent volume discount. No contracts are required and they guarantee no rate increases for at least three years. Very few companies can offer this!

BUSINESS INSURANCE AVAILABILITY

A comprehensive insurance package is available through the Lumber Mutual Insurance Companies' Safety Group program endorsed by the WPMA. They provide coverage exclusively to the wood products industry offering property, general liability, automobile, workers' compensation and umbrella coverages. The Safety Group program strives to control or eliminate claims using pro-active, common sense loss control procedures. Our members are provided loss control services, such as building value estimates, assistance in developing lockout/tagout procedures, help in meeting OSHA requirements, implementation of safety programs, and evaluation of wood dust exposures all at no cost. There is also an offering of videos to help educate your workers about establishing good safety procedures.

By pooling premiums in the Lumber Mutual Insurance Co. Safety Group, which is a cost-plus dividend sharing program, there is an opportunity for maximum premium savings for qualified members and cash opportunities on all lines of coverage. The Lumber Mutual Insurance Companies' Safety Group paid WPMA members a 15 percent cash dividend on all lines of coverage for insurance year 1994 and a 10 percent cash dividend for insurance year 1995.

To date, millions of dollars have been returned as rebates to participating members in good standing. In most instances, this has paid members dues for several years. There are presently 255 companies enrolled in the Safety Group. We had an additional 115 companies enroll in the program in 1995, which represents an increase of 84 percent, with just under $10 million in the premiums assigned to the Safety Group pool.

LEGAL ADVICE

Our members are also entitled to receive one hour of FREE legal advice per year. Questions about labor/employment issues and concerns on state and federal levels including OSHA, ERISA, ADA, Title VII, and the Older Workers Benefits Protection Act are all answered free of charge to members. Of particular interest is the information available regarding wrongful discharge. Members are referred to a qualified staff of attorneys.

WHY WPMA?

Since its founding in 1929, the WPMA has worked exceptionally hard to meet the needs of our members. Our diverse membership encompasses every facet of the wood products industry from the tree to the truck. We are a full-service Association providing quality technical assistance in a wide range of areas from labor and government regulation to marketing safety and equipment. We want to help you become more productive, help you promote your products, and become more profitable.

We continue to grow because more and more companies in our industry realize that our organization is good for their business. It is right on target and there is no other association like it! One of the easiest costs to eliminate as a business expense is dues and subscriptions. If we weren't doing our job, then we would not have the superb retention and growth rate that has made the WPMA THE woodworking trade association in North America. We are able to service the needs of our national and international members from our modern office facility.

Please give us a call at [phone] or fax us at [phone] to receive an informational brochure. Let us prove our worth to your company.

RELATED ARTICLE: THE TOP 11 REASONS TO JOIN THE WPMA

1 Business opportunities

2 Business insurance

3 Marketing promotion

4 Deeply discounted services

5 Credit reporting

6 Newsletters

7 Legal advice

8 Meetings

9 Capabilities guide

10 Equipment exchange

11 Industrial relations