2022 Wooden Globe Awards

WMIA announced its 2022 Wooden Globe Awards, presented at the 2022 Woodworking Industry Conference, May 3-6 in the Bahamas. The recipients were:

 

Commitment to Excellence through Technology

Larry Combs accepted the award on behalf of Jack Daniels/Brown-Forman.


In 1941, Brown-Forman purchased the Labrot & Graham distillery (renamed Woodford Reserve distillery in 2003) and went on to acquire the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee in 1956. By 1960 Brown-Forman had recorded net sales of over $100 million; just 40 years later the figure had reached $3.5 billion. Brown-Forman is one of the few spirit companies that owns their own cooperages and makes their own barrels.

By investing in automation and being committed to excellence through technology they reduced labor by approximately 100 people and can produce over 2000 barrels per day. They are also building better barrels that have a direct result in higher volumes of whiskey and bourbon.

Innovation of the Year

Katie Junk accepted the award on behalf of Crestwood, Inc.


Founded in 1969, Crestwood, Inc. is a second-generation family business. The company began as a small cabinet shop serving the local market, and today is a fully integrated manufacturer. Crestwood has one of the country’s most modern woodworking facilities with 300,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art production space, accommodating nearly 200 skilled employees.

Crestwood’s Innovation of the Year, the iBotic, allows Crestwood the opportunity to improve quality and finishing consistency while reducing coating material consumption when compared to the use of pre-existing traditional automatic reciprocating spray machines and manual spray booths. The iBotic gives total control of how the coating is applied which results in less rework, improved quality, and reduced waste.

Educator of the Year

Peggy Anderholm accepted the award on behalf of Marvin.


All courses at Marvin are designed to allow the student to further their education/career at a pace they are comfortable with. Mentors are available at Marvin Windows to assist students with their learning and their path forward. The learning considers what they already know and what they want to learn. Advanced Resource Center for Innovation and Education (ARC) is located right in Warroad and is easily accessible to full-time workers.

This program is a competency-based education (CBE) model. The student is given credit for what they already know – allowing them to move through courses in a timely manner. Students learn at a pace that works for them and their schedule. Help is available for them at ARC with an onsite instructor to assist them. The program is available to full-time workers and high school students.

 See previous award winners