ASSOCIATION NEWS

2019 Product & Service Guide is Here!

Please enjoy this showcase of products and services from providers for the millwork industry who are engaged as WMA Associate Members.

WMA Manufacturers and Service Providers! It is not too late to be added to the guide. Please reach out to Tim McDonald for more information.

View the guide here

2019 Ron Taylor Award Recipients: Carl Detering Jr. and Jeff Johnson

World Millwork Alliance (WMA) is proud to announce the recipients to receive the 2019 Ron Taylor Award of Integrity and Commitment; Carl Detering, Jr. and Jeff Johnson. The Ron Taylor Award committee recognizes individuals who have set sterling examples of the three key components associated with the RTA – Connection, Commitment and Contribution. The prestigious awards will be presented October 8, 2019, at the WMA 55th Annual Convention & Tradeshow in Reno, Nevada. Congratulations to Carl and Jeff. 

Read more here


MEMBER NEWS

Quanex Ohio Plant Hits 1 Million Hours Without Lost-Time Injury

Quanex Building Products’ Cambridge, Ohio, facility recently achieved more than 1 million man-hours worked without a lost-time injury—a significant milestone that is a part of the company’s overall safety culture, according to the company.

Read more at DWM


INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC NEWS

Economic Worries Rock Financial Markets Globally

Worries about a global economic slowdown—which has been exacerbated by renewed trade uncertainties—has caused financial markets to fall dramatically.

Read more at NAM.org


GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Trump Delays Tariffs on Chinese Cellphones, Laptops, Toys; Markets Jump

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed off his Sept. 1 deadline for 10% tariffs on remaining Chinese imports, delaying duties on cellphones, laptops and other consumer goods, in the hopes of blunting their impact on U.S. holiday sales.

Read more at Reuters


CODES AND STANDARDS NEWS

Industry Continues to Research and Develop Vacuum Insulating Glass

Vacuum insulating glass (VIG) is a high-performance glazing product that can provide increased occupant comport and reduced U-values. However, the technology is still fairly new to the U.S. market, and according to DWM’s research, is not currently being used in the residential market.

Read more at DWM

NIST Supporting Research into Ways to Help Structures Better Withstand Earthquakes, Wind and Fire

The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is awarding more than $6.6 million to fund research into improving disaster resilience. 

Read more at Continuity Central


GREEN BUILDING NEWS

Green Homes Certification Has Hit a New High

The drive for greener buildings has resulted in a record high for homes with green certifications.

A new report from the US Green Building Council (USBGC), creators of the LEED green building rating system, shows a 19% increase in green home certification since 2017.

Read more at MPA Magazine


SAFETY NEWS

It’s Safe + Sound Week!

Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event to recognize businesses that have adopted programs to improve workplace safety and health. WMA is a proud partner of this annual OSHA campaign that recognizes the successes of workplace safety and health programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe. Find out ways to improve your safety program today!

Read more here

How to Avoid the Top 9 OSHA Violations by Preparing for Unexpected Inspections [Checklist]

With jurisdiction over approximately seven million workplaces, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) could conduct an unexpected visit at your facility at any time. It pays to be prepared, not only to avoid citations and fines but to keep your workers as safe as possible.

Read more at ThomasNet News


ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Just Listen

Keeping key customers’ business has always been important. But today, with consolidation taking place at all levels of the LBM distribution channel—from manufacturers and wholesalers down through dealers and builders—the fact that companies are acquiring others with increasing velocity makes the shrinking number of key customers more valuable than ever before.

Read more at LBM Journal

Do Tiny Home Owners Actually Live More Sustainably? Now We Know

Interest is surging in tiny homes—livable dwelling units that typically measure under 400 square feet. Much of this interest is driven by media coverage that claims that living in tiny homes is good for the planet.

Read more at Fast Company

3 Tips for Successful B2B Customer Advocacy Programs

There are risks to putting your customers “out there.” But there are also benefits when you enlist them to be your company’s best spokespeople. The key is giving them the tools they need for success.

Read more at Customer Think


PODCASTS

How Robots and AI Are Changing Job Training

Matt Beane, assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, finds that robots, machine learning, and AI are changing how we train for our jobs — not just how we do them.

Listen at Harvard Business Review