Innovation Highlights  
Volume 3, Summer 2013
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"The Consortium brings together great people, technical know-how and resources that continue to help us in ways we would've been challenged to accomplish on our own. They've been an asset to us and to the region."

 
-- Kathy Juckett, CEO
Telescope Casual Furniture
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The Regional Wood Products Consortium is a collaboration between the Northern Forest Center and the wood products manufacturing industry in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and northern New York. The Consortium facilitates innovation and market access to enhance economic competitiveness of the region's wood-based economy. Learn more at www.northernforest.org.



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Innovation Highlights
is an occasional newsletter illustrating examples of innovation at work in the Consortium. Contact Collin Miller
with story ideas, questions, or to learn more about the Regional Wood Products Consortium.

View our profile on LinkedIn
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Donate today
to the Northern Forest Center to support the Regional Wood Products Consortium and other programs that benefit the people and communities of the Northern Forest.
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Clients, Colleagues and Partners:

In this issue, we announce two new Consortium initiatives and the impressive results of several projects that will continue to advance innovation in the region's wood products industry.

 

If you have any questions about these projects or would like to know how your company can also take advantage of the Consortium's programs, please contact me.

 

Safe travels and well wishes for a stellar second half of 2013! 

Collin Miller 
on behalf of the Regional Wood Products Consortium
Companies in the News 
  
Director Chair Sales Up 42% at Telescope Furniture
Granville, New York--  
Jeff Howe, right, consults with Rick Butler of Telescope Casual
Battered by foreign competition, Telescope Casual Furniture -- the century-old maker and inventor of the world famous director's chair -- staged a comeback in 2012 with a new marketing strategy developed with the Consortium's help.



Custom Wood Turning Company Spices Up Product Line
Maine Wood Concepts earns MWPA award
New Vineyard, Maine --
Maine Wood Concepts is the leading U.S. manufacturer of custom wood turnings, wood tool handles and custom molded wood parts. Last fall, the company expanded with a major acquisition and the subsequent launch of Fletcher's Mill -   a line of gourmet kitchen products. Using organizational development tools provided through the Consortium, the company has hired 30 new people. On August 7, 2013 the Maine Wood Products Association (MWPA) will present Maine Wood Concepts with the annual Pine Tree Award.

Newport Furniture Parts:
A Tale of Two Companies
Newport, Vermont --
Over-stressed from a dysfunctional workplace in 2011, the leadership team sought assistance through the Consortium and together they transformed the culture in 2012, increasing sales by 25% and setting the stage for major push to implement Lean Manufacturing and rapid-turn around capacity in 2013.

 

Companies Improve Websites and Marketing

Eight companies recently completed website development projects that resulted from the Consortium's inaugural workshops on Developing New Marketing Strategies.
 
 

Take a look to see what they've done:

A.E. Sampson & Son - Warren, ME

Clearlake Furniture - Ludlow, VT

Currier Forest Products - Danville, VT

Goosebay Lumber & Sawmill - Chichester, NH

- John Gillis Cabinetry - Tupper Lake, NY

Littlefield's Wood Products - Hartland, ME

New England Forest Products - Greenfield, NH

- Vermont Furniture Designs - Danby, VT

 

RWPCintiativesConsortium Launches New Initiatives to Strengthen Industry


Earlier this year, the Consortium launched a

Skilled Workforce Initiative and established a new Innovation Assistance Program. Details below:

 

Woodwork Manufacturing Skills Program Adopted in Three More States

Concord, New Hampshire
The Consortium launched a partnership with the Woodwork Career Alliance to deploy skills standards for woodworking machines that work in tandem with a credentialing program for woodworkers. The program kicked off this summer with a series of company visits.

Consortium Offers Funding for Transformational Innovation
Concord, New Hampshire
New financial support of up to $20,000 is being offered to help wood products companies implement innovations that have the greatest potential for transformational change with a special emphasis on Lean ManufacturingMass Customization, and Company Culture and Organizational Development.
The Regional Wood Products Consortium facilitates innovation and market access to enhance economic competitiveness of the region's wood-based economy.

Learn more at www.northernforest.org.