ASSOCIATION NEWS
Attention WMA Distributor Members
Annually, WMA Distributor members must certify their company to qualify for membership in accordance with WMA membership bylaws. By now, each primary contact should have received the WMA Distributor Dues Recertification Form. Please complete this form and return it to WMA via email, fax or mail. Please be sure to confirm that all branch locations and contact information are correct.
Please feel free to contact Tim McDonald with any questions.
MEMBER NEWS
New RSL Representation- Cory Cederberg
RSL, A Novatech Company, is pleased to announce that Cory Cederberg, President of Stallion Marketing, Inc. is now representing RSL steel doors, sliding patio doors, and doorglass. Cory has long standing relationships, industry knowledge and over 25 years millwork industry experience. His territory will encompass North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. He will report to RSL’s Director of Sales John Ricci.
Arauco Builds North American Presence by Acquiring Prime-Line
Arauco has plans to strengthen its North American presence in the moulding industry by adding Prime-Line Inc. to the global wood products producer.
Read more at DWM
Menzner Hardwoods Celebrates 125th Anniversary
Menzner Hardwoods located in Marathon, Wisconsin is celebrating their 125 year anniversary. Their main office and manufacturing facility is located on the same property as it was founded by Philip Menzner Sr in 1894. Today, 125 years later, Phil Menzner is the fourth generation in the family to own and operate the business.
Read more here
INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC NEWS
Apartment and Condo Building Confidence Improves
Confidence in the market for new apartment and condo building improved in the second quarter of 2019, according to results from the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Read more at LBM Journal
RRI Shows Promise Even With Tight Housing Market
The national Residential Remodeling Index (RRI), a Metrostudy detailed representation of activity in the remodeling and replacement industry, shows a new high for the second quarter of 2019.
Read more at DWM
Home Construction in Manufacturing Areas Weakened After 2017 Strength
The second quarter 2019 edition of the NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) introduces a new analysis of residential construction in manufacturing-intensive areas, in addition to updating trends for previously-defined areas of the exurbs, suburbs and rural markets.
Read more at Eye on Housing
GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE NEWS
U.S. Trade Agency Affirms Trump’s Extra 5% Tariff Hike on Chinese Goods
Over the five years to 2019, the Millwork industry’s performance has been uneven. The industry manufactures wood-based architectural products such as doors, windows and flooring. Nearly 90.0% of industry products are used in residential construction, split evenly between new housing construction and renovations.
August report available from IBIS World
CODES AND STANDARDS NEWS
Proposed Changes to Hours of Service for Commercial Drivers “Enhances Flexibility”
A recent notice of proposed rulemaking could change hours of service (HOS) rules for commercial motor vehicle drivers, including those who transport doors and windows.
Read more at DWM
EPA Publishes Final Formaldehyde Rule
The EPA TSCA Title VI final rule for formaldehyde emissions for composite wood products has been published in the Federal Register and is now official. The rule was changed to address technical issues raised by stakeholders – including those raised by HPVA Laboratories® (soon to be Capital Testing).
Read more at Decorative Hardwoods
TECHNOLOGY NEWS
In Trucking, Is It Sunrise For Solar?
Solar panels on trucks can supplement battery and power lift gates, though the technology today isn’t enough to power a truck down the road.
Read more at Supply Chain Dive
SAFETY NEWS
Why Every Loading Dock Should Have a Vehicle Restraint
More than 25% of all industrial accidents happen at the loading dock, and for every accident, there are about 600 near misses. If your job has anything to do with loading docks, these figures are meant to help you understand how important loading dock safety really is.
Read more at EHS Today
OSHA’s Guide to Leading Indicators
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued guidance for employers that want to get ahead of safety and health in their facilities. Using Leading Indicators to Improve Safety and Health Outcomes is a 17-page guide for those who want to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and reduce the cost associated with safety and health incidents.
Read more at EHS Daily Advisor
6-Point Lockout/Tagout Action Plan
Lockout/Tagout procedures need to be implemented when it’s time to repair or service equipment and machinery on a jobsite – so, it can happen frequently. Here are 6 actions to take to have a solid Lockout/Tagout program in place.
Read more at HD Supply White Cap
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Social Media Guideposts Develop for Navigating Labor Law
The NLRB general counsel’s office added to the growing body of guidance employers can use to craft legally sound social media policies with a recent advice memo on a national pharmacy chain’s policy.
Read more at Bloomberg Law
PODCASTS
Better Sales Means Better Training
Sales training is a perennial struggle for any organization. For companies that build a defined process around improving sales effectiveness, the results are often dramatic
Listen at mdm
