WCMA members: serving your component needs.Members of the Wood Component Manufacturers Association recognize the key to their success is serving the customer's component needs faster, better and more reliably than anyone else. The WCMA's strategic goal for 2003 is to help our members compete in this ever-changing and demanding marketplace. To accomplish this goal, the WCMA WCMA Williams College Museum of Art (Williamstown, MA) WCMA Western Canadian Music Awards WCMA Working Capital Management Account WCMA Wood Component Manufacturers Association WCMA Window Covering Manufacturers Association is developing educational and promotional programs to educate customers on the many "home court" advantages WCMA members have over other suppliers. Outsourcing (1) Contracting with outside consultants, software houses or service bureaus to perform systems analysis, programming and datacenter operations. Contrast with insourcing. See netsourcing, ASP, SSP and facilities management. continues to be the main driver for the demand of wood component products. Rising costs of doing business have caused finished wood product manufacturers to look for cost-effective cost-effective, n the minimal expenditure of dollars, time, and other elements necessary to achieve the health care result deemed necessary and appropriate. component suppliers to improve their competitive position. Reliable, just-in-time delivery of components allows finished wood product manufacturers to lower their inventories and increase their turnover rates, resulting in higher margins. Purchasing components also helps furniture, cabinet and millwork manufacturers to respond more quickly to changes in the marketplace for new products and designs. The buying public benefits by having more choices in their customized furniture, cabinets and related goods AND having them delivered more quickly. To meet the increased demand for just-in-time oursourced components, WCMA members have expanded their capabilities and are able to provide a wide range of components for a variety of applications--with shorter lead times. WCMA members have invested in new equipment so they can meet the growing demand for precision components. This has greatly improved their productivity levels and made them more competitive with other suppliers. Many WCMA members have adopted lean manufacturing Lean manufacturing is the production of goods using less of everything compared to mass production: less human effort, less manufacturing space, less investment in tools, and less engineering time to develop a new product. techniques to streamline their production, lower costs and reduce waste. Also, computerized computerized adapted for analysis, storage and retrieval on a computer. computerized axial tomography see computed tomography. optimizing saws, CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) See numerical control. CNC - Collaborative Networked Communication machines and other new machining processes have allowed WCMA members to better utilize their valuable raw materials and produce high quality precision components while minimizing waste. Their investments in production efficiencies have benefited WCMA customers through shorter lead times and lower costs. WCMA members produce a variety of rough-, semi- semi- word element [L.], half. semi- pref. 1. Half: semicanal. 2. Partial; partially: semiconscious. 3. and fully-machined wood component products for the furniture, cabinet, building products and related decorative wood products industries. These components include cut-to-size blanks, edge-glued panels, solid and laminated laminated /lam·i·nat·ed/ (-nat?ed) having, composed of, or arranged in layers or laminae. laminated made up of laminae or thin layers. squares, dowels, mouldings, turnings, table and chair parts, cabinet doors and parts, frame stock, staircase staircase - jaggies parts, interior trim, millwork, engineered wood components, and many other specialty wood products. WCMA member companies are located throughout the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Canada near timber supplies. This proximity to abundant raw material resources reduces their transportation and material costs. One-Stop Shopping The WGMA WGMA World Grand Masters Association (field hockey) WGMA Working Group on Monitoring and Assessment makes it easy for component buyers to find WCMA members who can produce the specific wood component products they need. A component buyer does nor need to look any further than the WCMA as the combined capabilities of all WGMA members can meet every wood component need. One call to the WGM WGM Whispering Gallery Mode (microresonators) WGM Women's Grandmaster WGM Work Group Manager WGM World Gone Mad (Austin, Texas drum and bugle corps) WGm West Germanic (linguistics) .A office or a visit to our Web site, www.woodcomponents.org, can connect you to a wide variety of component manufacturers who can service your needs. WCMA Wood Components Buyer's Guide Included in this 20th Annual Wood Components Buyer's Guide is a "WCMA Product Source Guide." (See page 21.) This breakdown of WCMA member companies by product category is a handy reference source for locating suppliers for dimension and component products. A complete list of WGMA member companies is also included on page 26. WCMA Member Match[TM] Program The WCMA's Member Match[TM] Program was created to "match" component buyers' needs with our members' production capabilities. It is a computerized membership database retrieval system that provides prospective buyers with a list of all WCMA members that can produce the specific component products they need. This computer generated list is immediately faxed or emailed to component buyers so they can contact manufacturers with their exact specifications. This service is free of charge to dimension and component buyers. WCMA Internet Internet Publicly accessible computer network connecting many smaller networks from around the world. It grew out of a U.S. Defense Department program called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), established in 1969 with connections between computers at the Source Guide A user-friendly searchable database Refers to databases on the Web that are searchable by typing in a query. The term is quite redundant because all databases are searchable. In fact, that is one of their major features. is featured on the WGMA's Web site: www.woodcomponenrs.org. Visitors to our Web site are able to identify companies who have the production capabilities to produce the wood parts they need. The Web site includes an interactive database that allows dimension and component buyers to search for manufacturers of specific wood component products. The searchable database used for this Source Guide features three search categories: Products Required, Machining, and Species. Drop boxes allow a buyer to select criteria for the product they need from the categories. Once a buyer has defined his or her specific criteria, a search is completed and a list of suppliers who can produce this product appears. This list includes all WCMA members who have the capability to produce the product as defined by the buyer. It shows each company's name, address, telephone and fax number, and name of a contact person. Also included is an e-mail hotlink hotlink - A mechanism for sharing data between two application programs where changes to the data made by one application appear instantly in the other's copy. Under System 7 on the Macintosh the users establishes a hotlink by doing a "Create Publisher" on the server and to the contact person. On this screen, there is also a "more info" button for each member company. By clicking this button, the buyer goes to a page featuring the chosen member company, including additional products it produces and a contact form. This page features a hyperlink A predefined linkage between one object and another. See hypertext. hyperlink - anchor to the member company's own Web site for further information. The WCMA's Web site also includes information on the association's many activities and programs, available publications, list of member companies and a calendar of upcoming events. We hope you will visit www.woodcomponents.org and check out our interactive Source Guide. Trade Promotion The WCMA sponsors several programs for the purpose of promoting the general demand for wood component products and generating more business for our members. These advertisements appear in the annual directory and buyer's guide issues of the major woodworking magazines. The WCMA also exhibits at the major international woodworking trade shows. The WCMA displays the various products produced by its member companies and distributes free copies of our Wood Component Buyer's Guide to interested component buyers and users who stop by the booth. A large number of sales leads A sales lead is the identity of a person or entity potentially interested in purchasing a product or service, and represents the first stage of a sales process. The lead may have a corporation or business associated with the person(s). are obtained at these trade shows that are passed on to all WCMA members for follow-up follow-up, n the process of monitoring the progress of a patient after a period of active treatment. follow-up subsequent. follow-up plan . Component buyers are able to shop for all of their component needs in one stop by visiting the WCMA's booth at these shows. WCMA Rulebook The WCMA publishes the "Rules and Specifications for Dimension and Woodwork woodwork: see carpentry; furniture; intarsia; marquetry; veneer; wood carving. ." The Rulebook covers dimension and component grading rules, tolerances and claim procedures. These rules provide specification guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. for dimension and wood components for domestic and export trade. The Rulebook provides a valuable communications link between component buyers and suppliers. Most dimension and component buyers follow the WCMA guidelines when specifying their component products. Component buyers who purchase from WCMA members are assured of receiving their components as specified under the WCMA Rulebook. Industry Research and Market Studies Thc WCMA conducts a number of proprietary technical and market studies to help our members identify new markets and improve their companies' competitive positions. Current market data is very important for quickly adapting to changes in the marketplace. WCMA members rely on the annual WCMA Dimension & Components Market Study to keep them informed of current business conditions and industry trends. The WCMA's Wage & Benefit and Cost-of-Doing-Business surveys allow our members to compare their costs of doing business and wage structures with other member companies. These studies help WCMA members identify and make necessary improvements in the financial, marketing and labor management areas. The various WCMA studies are also extremely helpful to WCMA members and provide assistance in the critical areas of product costing, technology adoption decisions, measuring yield improvement and implementing cost-reduction efforts. These valuable studies are the only ones conducted for the wood components industry and are available to all participating WCMA members. This gives WCMA members a distinct competitive advantage and the benefits are passed on to their customers through greater production and management efficiencies. Meetings and Seminars WCMA Annual Meetings are held every spring. The 2004 Annual Meeting will be held in New Orleans New Orleans (ôr`lēənz –lənz, ôrlēnz`), city (2006 pop. 187,525), coextensive with Orleans parish, SE La., between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, 107 mi (172 km) by water from the river mouth; founded , LA, on April 3-6. Speakers and topics are selected to cover the highest priority needs and interests of WCMA members. Topics include: lean manufacturing techniques; how to compete in today's global marketplace; export opportunities; improving the bottom line; yield improvement opportunities; and how to recruit, train and retain key employees. These meetings are designed to help our members improve their company's operations. Wood Technology Expo The WCMA conducts a Wood Technology Expo every other year in conjunction with its Annual Meeting. The next Wood Technology Expo will be held during our 2005 Annual Meeting in Destin, FL, on April 23-26. The Wood Technology Expo was established as a way to encourage more interaction between woodworking machinery and equipment manufacturers and WCMA member companies. A select group of manufacturers of woodworking machinery, equipment, software and business solutions exhibit at this Wood Technology Expo. These companies discuss their latest technological developments in the woodworking industry that offer solutions to wood processing Wood processing is an engineering discipline comprising the production of forest products, such as pulp and paper, construction materials, and tall oil. Paper engineering is a subfield of wood processing. Many countries, notably Sweden also produce tar from pine trees. challenges for dimension and component manufacturers. These sessions help WCMA members to be efficient, low-cost producers through the adoption of the latest technology in machinery and equipment. Manufacturers of materials handling Materials handling The loading, moving, and unloading of materials. The hundreds of different ways of handling materials are generally classified according to the type of equipment used. , gluing equipment, dust collection, fingerjointers, moulders, planers, cut-off cut-off Anesthesiology The point at which elongation of the carbon chain of the 1-alkanol family of anesthetics results in a precipitous drop in the anesthetic potential of these agents–eg, at > 12 carbons in length, there is little anesthetic activity, saws, ripsaws, routers, tenoners, CNC machinery, dry kilns dry kiln n. A heated chamber in which cut lumber is dried and seasoned. Noun 1. dry kiln - a kiln for drying and seasoning lumber kiln - a furnace for firing or burning or drying such things as porcelain or bricks , optimizing equipment, finishing systems, yield improvement systems, software and business solutions will be represented. Attendees have a one-on-one opportunity to discuss problems and solutions for their specific companies. Plant Tours Every fall, WCMA members tour the production facilities of several dimension, component, and related woodworking companies. These plant tours provide WCMA members with a unique opportunity to observe other innovative woodworking manufacturing operations Manufacturing operations concern the operation of a facility, as opposed to maintenance, supply and distribution, health, and safety, emergency response, human resources, security, information technology and other infrastructural support organizations. and exchange ideas in a friendly atmosphere. The WCMA was the first association to conduct plant tours on a regular basis. The annual plant tours have become the WCMA's most popular event. The 2003 WCMA Plant Tour Event will be held on October 5 - 7 in central Ohio. WCMA members will be touring the production facilities of seven leading woodworking operations that produce a variety of board and component products. The purpose of these tours is to allow WCMA members to discover new manufacturing techniques, exchange ideas and learn about alternative manufacturing methods. This gives WCMA members a unique learning opportunity and helps them maximize their production effectiveness to the benefit of their customers. RELATED ARTICLE: 2003-04 WCMA Calendar of Events 2003 July 31-Aug. 3: Exhibiting at the AWFS AWFS Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers Fair; Anaheim, CA Oct. 5-7: WCMA Plant Tour Event; central Ohio Dec. 4-5: Exhibiting at the Midwest Industrial Woodworking Expo; Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, city (1990 pop. 189,126), seat of Kent co., SW central Mich., on the Grand River; inc. 1850. The second largest city in the state, it is a distribution, wholesale, and industrial center for an area that yields fruit, dairy products, farm produce, , MI 2004 Feb. 19-20: Exhibiting at the Carolinas Woodworking Expo; Greensboro, NC April 3-6: WCMA Annual Meeting; New Orleans, LA Aug. 26-29: Exhibiting at the International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair (IWF IWF Interworking Function IWF Internet Watch Foundation IWF Independent Women's Forum IWF International Weightlifting Federation IWF Internationaler Währungsfond (German; IMF) IWF Independent Wrestling Federation 2004); Atlanta, GA For further information about the WCMA's programs and activities, or if you wish to become a member of the association, please contact the WCMA office: Wood Component Manufacturers Association 1000 Johnson Ferry Road Ferry Road is one of the major roads of Edinburgh, Scotland, and is often referred to as an area in its own right. It runs from the eastern end of Davidson's Mains village in the west, to Leith in the east, passing through Goldenacre on the way. , Suite A-130 Marietta, GA 30068 Tel: (770) 565-6660 Fax: (770) 565-6663 E-mail: wcma@bellsouth.net www.woodcomponents.org WCMA Goals. The WCMA is a progressive, internationally-recognized association of wood component manufacturers. The WCMA conducts, many promotional, educational, research and legislative activities for the benefit of its members and the entire wood products industry. The major goals of the WCMA are to: * Develop and promote a general demand for the industry's products and services;. * Promote a friendly exchange of ideas among those engaged in the wood components manufacturing business; * Collect and distribute useful economic and technical information concerning industry trends and developments; * Serve as a business referral clearinghouse clearinghouse Institution established by firms engaged in similar activities to enable them to offset transactions with one another in order to limit payment settlements to net balances. by passing along sales inquiries received from component buyers to WCMA members; * Establish and maintain standard rules for the measurement and inspection of dimension and wood component products; and * Cooperate with the other wood product trade associations to promote and protect the interests of WCMA members. |
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