Stiles recently unveiled a new program designed to raise up the next generation of leaders in the manufacturing industry. The new Emerging Leader Program, which will focus on equipping a recent college graduate with the knowledge and experience necessary to jumpstart their career, will consist of one year of hands-on training and development both nationally and internationally alongside some of the best and brightest in the industry.

The year-long program will begin at Stiles’ headquarters in Grand Rapids, MI with three months of professional training and job shadowing with industry experts, followed by three months of training at one of HOMAG’s global locations in Germany, Poland or China. This cycle will be repeated with three months back in the United States and an additional three months overseas, for a total of one year of real-life industry experience with a world-leading company.

The selected candidate will be responsible for gaining an in-depth knowledge of the products and services offered by Stiles Machinery and HOMAG to further the success of the organization and the industry. When the program comes to an end, the individual will have the opportunity to relocate throughout the United States to begin a full-time job with a focus on sales and customer relations for Stiles Machinery.

“We are excited to embark upon this unique journey with the next generation of industry leaders and look forward to partnering with them to develop a fulfilling career path at Stiles,” says Elizabeth Williams, Corporate Human Resources Manager at Stiles.

Employee benefits will also be made available to participants of the Emerging Leader Program including medical, dental, vision, 401K, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, housing accommodations and more. Qualified candidates will have a strong sense of adventure with a serious interest in a customer-facing career in the manufacturing industry. They should also be pursuing their Bachelors or Masters degree in Business, International Business, Engineering, Marketing, Communications, or a related field, with an expected graduation date in December 2018 or Spring 2019.

For more information about Stiles Emerging Leader Program, visit www.joinstiles.com/elp
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About Stiles Machinery
As the industry’s leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions, Stiles has been helping manufacturers throughout North America increase their efficiency and productivity for over 50 years. With world-class machinery backed by an experienced and responsive support team, extensive parts inventory, unique upgrade capabilities and a nationally accredited education and training program, Stiles offers solutions that equip companies for success in every area of their business. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Stiles has regional offices in High Point, North Carolina; Bristol, Pennsylvania; Coppell, Texas; and Rancho Cucamonga, California. Stiles is a proud member of the HOMAG Group, a global leader in the production of industrial manufacturing machinery.

For one week, beginning on Black Friday, November 23rd, through Friday, November 30th, owners of other desktop-type CNC tools can “trade-up” their tool to a new ShopBot Desktop, Desktop MAX, or larger ShopBot Gantry CNC tool. ShopBot will issue credits towards a tool purchase based on the make and model of the tool being traded-in. Included with each trade-up purchase is a free 2-Day Basic Training session, held at ShopBot’s Durham, North Carolina facility.

“We were inspired to offer a ‘trade-up’ promotion after listening to customers who have come to ShopBot looking for a professional grade, well-supported, reliable tool – after being disappointed and frustrated with other brands of CNC tools they have purchased,” says ShopBot’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Jeanne Taylor. “Many of these tools often lack rigidity – making clean and consistent cuts almost impossible – and come with very little support and training,” Taylor adds.

CNC tool owners interested in participating can visit the ShopBot Tools website and complete an online form. They will then be asked to ship the tool they are trading-in to ShopBot Tools by December 15, 2018 and will receive a credit to use towards the purchase of a ShopBot tool before December 31, 2018.

ShopBot Tools Founder and CEO, Ted Hall, recently published an article highlighting the key differences of ShopBot Desktop model tools, which are engineered, manufactured, sold, and supported in Durham, North Carolina, to CNC tools imported from China and sold through resellers in the US. In his article, “All Desktop CNCs Are Not Created Equal,” posted on the ShopBot website, Hall says, “We thought it helpful to directly compare a few of the characteristics, capabilities, and features of these tools (Chinese imports) to the ShopBot Desktop and Desktop MAX CNCs.” Some of the more telling differences ShopBot tools offer are a solid aluminum frame that holds significant rigidity over time, a dual-drive gantry that keeps the tool moving evenly and prevents racking, free tech support, and has ShopBot operating system software and electronics that are always available and up-to-date.

“In this case, buy American because you get more for your money,” says Hall. “Our tools offer a stronger design that provides greater efficiency and more extensive features. You are buying more tool. You are buying the capability, configurability, agility, and support system to best accomplish your work and to make you productive.” ShopBot wants to expand the option of ShopBot CNC tool ownership to those who have previously purchased an import tool or who want to upgrade their current ShopBot tool to a larger model ShopBot tool. ShopBot’s Black Friday “Trade-Up” promotion will provide the opportunity to get into a ShopBot with a little added incentive of earning credit for their trade-in tool.

Visit the ShopBot website: https://support.shopbottools.com/blackfriday for more information and to complete the “trade-up” form. Promotion begins on Black Friday, November 23, 2018.

ABOUT SHOPBOT
ShopBot Tools celebrated its 20th year in 2016, continuing to live their mission of making digital fabrication tools widely accessible and user-friendly. ShopBot's CNC routers deliver the power, precision, and reliability of tools traditionally costing thousands of dollars more.

ShopBot is one of the largest producers of digital fabrication equipment for small-to-mid sized manufacturing, DIY, and education markets. The company also provides unparalleled support for its user community with forums, production support services, and specialized training classes. All ShopBot tools are designed, built in and supported from ShopBot's Durham, NC, headquarters.

To read Ted Hall’s article “All Desktop CNCs Are Not Created Equal” in its entirety, visit our website:
http://www.shopbotblog.com/2018/10/tale-two-desktops/

WalzCraft's Outside Edge Molding add depth and interest to Veneered Slab Doors while maintaining a Contemporary, Bespoke design. Outside Edge Moldings are available in a variety of shapes and sizes to help personalize these made to order cabinet doors.
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WalzCraft manufactures custom cabinet doors, drawer fronts, dovetail drawer boxes, cabinet components and millwork for custom cabinetmakers and cabinet refacers throughout the United States and Canada. Founded in 1982, WalzCraft has built a reputation for producing a High-quality product, at a competitive price, with a short delivery cycle, while offering a vast array of options from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located at 2600 Hemstock Street in La Crosse, WI.  http://walzcraft.com

Cabinet Vision recently hosted its third meeting of the Cabinet Vision Breakfast Club-Ohio Chapter, a gathering designed to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of Cabinet Vision users and provide the opportunity for participants to network with peers.
 
Nineteen different companies that utilize the design-to-manufacturing solution were represented at the event, which imparted detailed technical knowledge and encouraged discussion among attendees.
 
“Everyone participated in the discussions and customers were helping other customers,” said Territory Sales Manager Mike Littlejohn. “Attendees were even exchanging contact information to find ways to help each other process jobs.”

In addition to a technical overview of Cabinet Vision Version 11, many attendees were introduced to WorkPLAN, an ERP job-management solution especially suited for job shops, as well as custom and made-to-order manufacturers.
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“Other users brought up questions and issues that we've never had, or hadn't thought of, so it is an opportunity for learning and also helping,” said Production Engineer Richard Stokes of Spyker Manufacturing, who attended the meeting. “We also made lots of new acquaintances at the meeting and discussed manufacturing challenges with them. Those discussions are always beneficial because they sometimes lead to practical solutions, but always help to reassure you that you're not alone in dealing with those issues.”
 
Cabinet Vision Applications Engineer Sandy McClintock was on hand to answer the group’s technical questions, and to provide tips and tricks for maximizing the program’s capabilities.
 
“I was interested in meeting other users and having the tech online to demonstrate how to use some of the features and get some pointers,” said Draftsman/CNC Programmer Matt Bauman of Swiss Woodcraft, a meeting attendee who expressed interest in learning how to fully utilize the solution’s photo-realistic rendering capabilities.
 
In addition to in-depth technical discussions, the gathering included guidance on how to best navigate and utilize all available customer-support options.
 
“We went over a lot of information about the customer portal that I wasn’t unaware of,” said Senior Design Consultant Connie Enlow, an attendee from Closet Factory of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “That was helpful, and the networking was a good thing. I feel like other companies did a lot of swapping of information of people who could manufacture our parts.”
 
A tour of nearby woodworking company Dover Cabinet Industries was part of the event itinerary, and provided a means by which to see software and machinery in action. “It was good to get some insight into new machinery and see how they integrate it with Cabinet Vision,” Enlow said.
 
About Vero Software
Headquartered in England, Vero Software designs, develops, and supplies CAD/CAM/CAE software radically enhancing the efficiency of design and manufacturing processes, providing its customers with exceptional value through high productivity gains and significantly reducing time to market.
 
The company’s world-renowned brands include Alphacam, Cabinet Vision, Edgecam, Machining STRATEGIST, PEPS, Radan, SMIRT, Surfcam, WorkNC and VISI, along with the production control MRP system Javelin. Despite the diversity of application, these solutions have one thing in common: they all address the rising challenges of achieving manufacturing efficiencies and bring huge value to the operations in which they are deployed.
 
Vero has direct offices in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, USA, Brazil, Netherlands, China, South Korea, Spain and India supplying products to more than 45 countries through its wholly owned subsidiaries and reseller network.
 
Vero is part of Hexagon (Nordic exchange: HEXA B), a leading global provider of information technologies that drive quality and productivity across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications.
 
For more information, please visit www.verosoftware.com.

Workforce development, an all-too-relevant topic in our industry, was the focus of the November 9, 2018 Cabinet Makers Association (CMA) regional event held at The MiLL National Training Center in Colorado Springs. The event also included a tour of Concepts in Millwork.  

The MiLL is the industry’s first national training center where students can learn cabinetmaking and general construction; the evolving program is also soon adding a welding option. Founded by Dean Mattson, the MiLL’s program was initially offered to nearby high schools to complement their curriculum and offer yet another opportunity for their students to gain real-world training.

The MiLL has now expanded its original scope to include classes in the evenings for the Wounded Warrior Project in collaboration with Red Rocks Community College.

The entire program is designed to be replicated throughout the country and plans are already in the works for additional locations.

Students at The MiLL are not simply taught necessary woodworking skills; they also acquire a professional skill set that is quite remarkable. They are encouraged to create business cards as soon as possible, and to network all the time, wherever they are. They are also taught the importance of eye contact and a firm handshake. “These kids make a very strong first impression,” says Amanda Conger, the executive director of the CMA.

Concepts in Millwork, a family-owned commercial millwork company, uses The MiLL to source their workforce. During the CMA event at the MiLL, HR manager Rhynel Evans was part of a panel discussion and explained that she realized the Concepts needed to be creative in their recruiting methods. And so, they began their partnership with The MiLL by offering students an internship program the summer before their senior year. During the 12-week program, the interns are cross-trained in every major area on the shop floor. Concepts has not only had 100 percent placement after graduation but also has a 100 percent retention rate with those employees.

Evans admits that it takes effort. “Managing this generation takes flexibility and patience,” she stated.  “They often require customized arrangements, and Concepts has had to learn to adapt to their needs.” One of their employees had trouble getting to work on time in the mornings because he had a new baby at home. After some consideration, they mutually agreed to switch him to the second shift and this has worked out great.

Everyone attending the Colorado Spring event was urged to get involved in their local communities and create a partnership with their respective education programs. Dean Mattson also encouraged companies to establish their own internal education program to train and retain their current employees.

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of two scholarships to students of The MiLL by Darryl Hogeback of Savanté Wine Cellars, based in Denver, Colorado. Hogeback was recently awarded prize money by Woodworking Network for an extra-spectacular project, and he chose to donate his winnings to support The MiLL. Upon hearing about Hogeback’s generosity, the management at Columbia Forest Products agreed to match the amount. This development made it possible to offer two scholarships instead of just one. The initiative created the school’s first official scholarship program, and he encourages others to follow suit and make additional contributions.

Hogeback shared his background and passion for training the future workforce in the Fall 2018 issue of CMA’s PROfiles, magazine.  The entire article can be read online at bit.ly/CMA-savante 

“I came from a high school in Ohio that had a really great shop and taught industrial arts, so I learned woodworking and architectural drawing, and that all helped me in my career path. My teacher would always take students to the state competition, and they would win every year.
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“They got rid of that program at my high school about five years ago, and put in a weight-lifting gym instead. It was heart-breaking. It’s a lost opportunity to introduce kids to the trades — woodworking, metal working, welding, automotive work, etc. — and let them find out that they’re good at working with their hands.”

Like others in the industry, he hopes that kids will realize that woodworking offers a great future, reliable work and a lot of satisfaction.

“There’s something powerful about building something with your hands and seeing it afterward,” he says. “I hear that from people a lot. My clients often say they wish they could build something.”