May 5, 2022 – The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) honored its 2020 and 2022 Wooden Globe Awards, presented at the 2022 Woodworking Industry Conference, May 3-6 in the Bahamas. The recipients were as follows.
2022 Winners:
- Commitment to Excellence Through Technology: Jack Daniels/Brown-Forman, nominated by Jason Neafus of Hoosier Woodworking Machinery
- Innovation of the Year: Crestwood, Inc., nominated by Wes Bryant of Cefla North America
- Educator of the Year: Marvin, nominated by Duane Richter of Wood Machinery Systems
2020 Winners:
- Innovation of the Year: National Office Furniture, nominated by Rick Braun of Machine and Robotic Solutions
- Educator of the Year: Jeff Wasserman, nominated by Jeff Maguire of Maguire Machinery Group
2022 Winners:
Innovation of the Year
Crestwood, Inc.
The “Innovation of the Year” award is presented to a company that currently produces a unique and innovative wood-based product or utilizes an innovative process to produce a wood-based product using high technology machinery supplied by one or more WMIA-member companies.
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.
Commitment to Excellence Through Technology
Jack Daniels/Brown-Forman
The “Commitment to Excellence through Technology” award seeks to recognize companies that continuously invest in the most recent woodworking machinery technology. The recipients of this award are companies that provide a shining example that continued investments in high technology machinery provide the necessary competitive advantage to compete successfully in today’s global market.
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.
Educator of the Year
Marvin
The “Educator of the Year” award acknowledges an educational institution or company with a structured curriculum tailored to training individuals for careers in the woodworking industry. These recipients are advocates for the industry, and work to enhance the lives of others by sharing the opportunity and knowledge of the wood industry.
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.
2020 Winners:
Innovation of the Year
National Office Furniture
In 1980, National Office Furniture joined the contract office furniture market with the goal to stand out. Determined to offer customers a better value with shorter lead times, National created a brand by successfully delivering products that were on budget and on time. Customers were drawn to their ability to design and develop innovative products while offering personal support and extraordinary experiences.
Today, that foundation still holds true. National Office Furniture's exceptional value, combined with design-driven products, on-time delivery, and dedication to customer experiences have made them stand out in the furniture industry.
Educator of the Year
Jeff Wasserman
Jeff Wasserman started teaching in the Wood Technology Center at Seattle Central College in 2003. He taught the Introduction to Professional Woodworking (Core) class in the Cabinetmaking and Architectural Woodworking program and an original community class on furniture design.
Wasserman has participated in various education panels, helping shape the narrative of modern industrial training, particularly the role of public schools in collaboration with industry.
Throughout his career, Wasserman’s focus has been on the intersection of design and craft, and on instilling these values in his students. Some of his work has appeared in various publications and in two Fine Woodworking Design books.
