Early winter in southwestern Ontario did not dampen the spirits of over 50 participants at BWA’s November 27, 2013 event!
It must be the camaraderie and the content that keeps our members and our guests coming to our quarterly events regardless of the weather! BWA’s open quarterly events include not only manufacturing members in our region, but also our strategic supply chain partners who provide valuable educational resources for various aspects of their operations.
To kick off the event, two BWA members received national awards from the Wood Manufacturing Council. Mike Vokes, President of Vokes Furniture Inc in Owen Sound Ontario was the proud recipient of the Innovation in Human Resources Award. Adam Hofmann, President of Bogdon & Gross Furniture Inc. in Walkerton, ON (and President of the BWA) received the WMC Award of Distinction. More details of these awards will be posted in a separate news article. Look for it on the BWA site. Congratulations to Mike Vokes and Adam Hofmann on their achievements!
This quarter, BWA has engaged the designer/architect world as a source for new business and an important opportunity for collaboration between members to cooperatively quote on projects. For example earlier this year, as a result of BWA’s project to Dubai, UAE, the BWA was approached by a designer/architect firm to quote on a $6.1 million interior for the construction of a University in Saudi Arabia. It has become clear that BWA’s wood manufacturing capabilities, when brought to bear on a project, can do great things!
Designer Heather Smillie of Heather Smillie Designs and Reg Bernard of Spec Furniture shared their perspectives with members on how to engage architects and designers, and what wood manufacturers must do to create a successful supplier experience to this marketplace.
Finally, our Associate Member showcase included a Tooling Forum with presentations by FS Tool: Trends and Innovations in Tool Life: Coated Tools, Royce/Ayr: Integrated One Piece Tooling, and BC Saw & Tool: Tool Optimization for Aging Equipment.
Thank you to all who presented and made the drive!
Mark your calendar for upcoming events:
January 23, 2014: Round Table Exchange: Government Funding Opportunities and Strategies for Wood Manufacturers (members only)
February 20, 2014: Plant Tour Focus Group: West Bros Furniture (members only)
March 20, 2014: BWA Quarterly Networking Event
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