The Conference at WMS

The Conference at WMS is a full day industry conference featuring business leaders, innovators, and technical specialists  presenting best practices for the wood products manufacturing sector. The conference is held on the opening day of the Woodworking Machinery and Supply Expo, Canada’s largest and longest-running trade show for the woodworking industry, which runs from November 5th to 7th 2015 at the same venue.

Previously known as ‘Woodtech Summit’, the conference returns to Toronto’s International Centre this year after events in Vancouver (2013) and Toronto (2014). This year’s dual-track event  will focus on the theme; “Industry 4.0″, referring to what is being called the “fourth industrial revolution”, which industry specialists say will come through much greater integration of production machines and information networks. Current and emerging software and machine technology is now allowing machines and even tools and components to provide real-time feedback to production software applications like MRP and ERP systems, and this will offer manufacturers new levels of control, flexibility, mass customization options and efficiency. Industry 4.0 is a practical realization of the “Internet of things” that we have heard about in the technology media, and as companies here in North America start to adopt such systems there will be fundamental changes in they way they organize production, supply chains, sales and service. A diverse group of specialist presenters will examine how everything from plant layout to quality management to finishing will be affected.

The  Conference at WMS also continues in the tradition of Woodtech Summit to showcase the Canadian innovation that is alive in our industry in so many different forms. We will hear from Tommy Gagnon on how Canadian companies are implementing robotics in their production operations to do everything from sanding to machining to tending multiple machine centres. Jeff Wilson of Massuni Furniture will unveil his innovative web-based ‘configurator‘ which will allow consumers to truly customize any piece of furniture they choose, then have it manufactured on demand. And Samir Shah of 4AXYZ will reveal groundbreaking new technology that may be poised to shake up  the woodworking industry.

Looking beyond equipment and technology, Richard Lipman of the Wood Manufacturing Council will present hot-off-the-press research on the training and development, recruitment and retention in our industry, while Greg Trippenbach from Export Development Canada will offer up the latest wisdom on exporting. Whatever your business development goals are, The Conference at WMS offers a prime opportunity to gain insights into the opportunities and threats that are shaping Canada’s woodworking industry in 2015.

For the full conference program please visit the WMS website. To register, please visit https://www.microspec.com/reg/WMS2015/