Panels & Furniture Asia

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 ISSUE

PANEL MANUFACTURING
International Timber Marketing Conference (ITMC) contemplates global population of 7 billion and ASEAN-China trade of US$293 bn
The ITMC, hosted by the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) in Kuala Lumpur at the end of October, featured international speakers from USA, Switzerland, UK, Qatar, India, Hong Kong and the Netherlands. Attended by 100 delegates, the one day meeting considered the global timber market outlook and issues of health, safety, and environmental requirements for timber. Delegates were welcomed by MTC's Chairman Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and the event was opened by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Plantations & Commodities, Y Bhg Datin Paduka Nurmala, who commended the major step taken by MTC in establishing its Global Wood Mart event as the wood industries in Malaysia become better established. to read full article...

PANEL MANUFACTURING
Siempelkamp's OSB benchmarks: From multi-daylight press to continuous production
Presses as high as eight-story buildings, with capacities that could cover 17 soccer fields daily - there are practically no limits when it comes to Siempelkamp's press concepts for OSB production. In the last 30 years, Siempelkamp has achieved numerous milestones which impressed OSB manufacturers across the world. Their history demonstrates: Often, they were the equipment provider supporting plant operators with their first OSB production run. Just as many times, the dimensions of their press lines were record breaking. And even more often, Siempelkamp technology was the first to be used. to read full article...

FLOORING

"True Australian Hardwood Floor" made in Malaysia
Trueloc International Sdn Bhd, is an engineered flooring manufacturer, close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, wholly and privately owned by Australian Max Twigg. It is a classic example of international investment in the Malaysian industry, making products intended for export but now looking at Southeast
Asia for its market diversification.
Brendan Smythe, General Manager, and Don De Luca, Operations Manager, are part of the Australian team responsible for a project for which their manufacturing reportedly was not previously successful in China but works in Malaysia today. to read full article...

TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHT

  Wintersteiger Thin-Cutting Days: Manufacturers convene at Wintersteiger headquarters
From 10 to 12 October, the Wintersteiger headquarters in Austria turned into an international competence center for innovative thin-cutting technology. Customers and interested parties from across Europe, the USA and
New Zealand accepted the invitation to the exciting thin-cutting days.   to read full article...

FURNITURE MANUFACTURING
HOMAG GROUP: Investment in automation pays off
When Mark Anderson founded Proform Products, Malaga, WA, together with his two business partners back in 1991, he had no idea of the technology advances that would change his shop. Mr Anderson always held a strong belief in reinvesting in the business, and when automation began to prove itself as a practical solution for improving the productivity and profitability of small to mid-sized cabinet makers, he wasted no time in jumping on board.     to read full article...

SURFACES & DESIGN
Enlightened design that inspires young minds
"The elevator pitch about what we do? We have the good fortune to do nothing but create spaces for children and families." Peter and Sharon Exley create fun and fantastic places for the younger set and their handlers. Their Chicago firm, aptly named Architectureisfun, has mastered the art of designing with and for durable materials that encourage kids to interact with their environments, making learning fun.  to read full article...

SOLID WOOD
French hardwoods in Asia
With a standing volume of more than 2 billion cubic metres, which is increasing by 88 million cubic metres a year, French forests are in good health, and set to meet the needs of manufacturers all over the world. Hardwood species account for more than 60% of the available volume, making France one of the leading producers of high quality oak and beech. to read full article...

PEFC: Why specify certified timber for projects?
PEFC - the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification provides certified wood options for specifiers. It is dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management and is the world's largest forest certification system. The importance of using certified timber and wood products to meet the increasingly stringent public and private procurement policies is now well established. For complete confidence in creating a sustainable building project, PEFC offers a key element in project certification. to read full article...

IN PERSON
An interview with John Kelly
Architect turned furniture designer, John Kelly has made a name for himself in the furniture industry. At this year's Southeast Asia and Greater China convention, organised by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), John Kelly, who was one of the speakers, took some time out to share with the media his views on.... to read full article...