Women in Woodworking and WPMA Recap

Greetings Customers & Friends,

September seemed like a busy month at Parkerville. Working in collaboration with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, we completed our first ‘Women in Woodworking’ program, during which 20 women brought home a beautiful charcuterie board made with laminated domestic and exotic hardwoods, and oiled with Walrus Oil, which we sell for this very purpose. I think our staff and the attendees all had fun with the project, and the results were impressive. I’d like to give special thanks to Deb Fafard, a new team member at Parkerville and a skilled woodworker, for running the class, and to our guest speakers, including Deb Simmons, a long-time customer and good friend who graciously towed her seaworthy boat that she built herself to show. Deb has an amazing story about her boat project, culture, and success, winning several awards. Thanks also go to Dana Scinto, who works full-time at her craft building custom pieces on commission, and Marge Pond, who recently started making beautiful, artistic wood objects like bandsaw boxes. Marge will exhibit and sell her pieces at The Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton, MA, on October 11th, 12th, & 13^th. Paradise City Arts Festival is a juried art and craft show that alternates between Northampton and Marlborough, MA. The standards are high, and the diversity and creativity are mind-blowing. You can get more information by visiting their website at paradisecityarts.com. There is a full program of music and food to enjoy, including a concert from 7-9 on Saturday night. I highly recommend checking it out.

As mentioned in last month’s From the Board Room, my son Brendan and I attended the 95^th Wood Products Manufacturers Association’s annual conference in Lancaster, P.A. a couple of weeks ago. Approximately 50 high-level owners and managers from the woodworking industry came together from around the country to meet for fun, education, networking, and camaraderie. Friends and competitors openly share information to help foster our industry and help their fellow businesspeople. The organization has a long history of great management and board members who contribute to the group’s long-term success.

We started on Wednesday morning with a round of golf. The afternoon included several speakers and a session about artificial intelligence (AI) in our industry. Interesting and somewhat scary. The following day, we toured both Conestoga Wood Specialties and Keystone Wood Specialties manufacturing facilities. Conestoga is a giant in our industry and has several locations. The facility we visited was their main plant, which is 500,000/sf. The company started in a garage across the street in 1964 and is family-owned. Impressive automation, equipment, and quality control. They have about 500 employees there, and almost half are women. Although they have a line of products that they manufacture, the main product for both companies is raised panel cabinet doors. Thousands a day. Some of the largest kitchen cabinet manufacturers in the country buy doors from these two companies. At Conestoga, I walked out of their plant thinking that their electric bill probably exceeds Parkerville’s revenue every month. Amazing. That evening, we wrapped up the program with some ax-throwing competitions at a local Stumpy’s Hatchet House and a great dinner at The Greenfield Restaurant, owned by head chef John Moeler, who was a chef at the White House for H.W. Bush, the Clintons, and George Bush.

Related to tariff activity, it’s still minimal or exempt on our primary products such as lumber and plywood. We received a notice today from one of our designer laminate vendors advising us that they added a 2% tariff charge, effective immediately. A 100% tariff is being put in place on imported kitchen and bath cabinetry. That will not have any impact on Parkerville, but it may have an impact on Conestoga Wood Specialties and other huge U.S. manufacturers.

As we move into a busy time of year at Parkerville and the autumn season is upon us, we get to see the Red Sox and the Yankees battle to see who advances in this year’s MLB playoffs. A 3-game series that should be exciting. What a rivalry. At this time of year, Parkerville also strives to find and buy unique lumber so that when you visit, something will catch your eye. Check our social media for current updates on unique lumber purchases and future events at Parkerville. And please don’t hesitate to let us know how we can better serve you.

Hope to see you at the shop,

Sincerely,

David Harris, President

Parkerville Wood Products, Inc.