Western Dovetail in PROfiles Magazine
dana on March 26, 2012 in Tale of the Dove, Trade Shows Comments OffWestern Dovetail Hosts CMA Professional Certification Program Rollout Event
by Dana Nunes, customer service and inside sales representative,
Western Dovetail (Oct 2011)
What do CMA CEU Credits, Belt Sander Races and a gourmet Mexican Food lunch from an Italian Restaurant have in common? IF you were at the CMA Certification Roll-Out event at the Western Dovetail facility, you would know. On a brisk, clear October morning, CMA Director Dave Grulke, Skip Lauderbaugh from Blum Inc. and Max Hunter from Western Dovetail Inc. launched the first in a series of roll-out events across the Nation. With a major ship dismantling project as a backdrop, nearly 3 dozen CMA members and interested San Francisco area cabinetmakers were treated to a fun and informative day. The morning started with coffee and doughnuts in the upper annex of the Western Dovetail building. located on a now defunct Na y Base in Vallejo CA. While vendors set up their table top display in the vendor area, the morning seminar session was kicked off with a welcome from Dave Grulke. The floor was then handed over to Skip Lauderbaugh, Matt Miller and Brian Joyce from Blum Inc. who gave a very informative presentation highlighting new innovations they have come up with in hinges and drawer slides, including their new Aventos lift up door system. (You can learn more about these exciting new Blum products at www.blum.com).
After the Blum presentation and a brief break for more coffee and doughnuts; Max Hunter, president of Western Dovetail Inc., took a little bit of time to discuss outsourcing and choosing business partners, as well as, establishing your business as a brand. “Everyone has a taste,” said Hunter, “n0 one will pick you if you do not have your own flavor”. Paul Bernardis was on hand from the Woodwork Institute to ensure that everyone left with a copy of the AWS Standards. The morning session wrapped up with Dave Grulke again taking the reins and spending a while taking questions and explaining the benefits of becoming a CMA member and enrolling in the Professional Certification Program. Dave then finished out the morning with a CEU Seminar on advertising and expanding business. As the morning session was concluding, the aroma of lunch started floating around, and all in attendance were invited to enjoy a wonderful buffet. Outside of the seminar room. displays were set up in a mini-trade show style, allowing for interaction between vendors and cabinetmakers in a informative, but informal setting. Vendors exhibiting at the mini-trade show were Blum Inc.; Woodwork Institute: Mount Storm Forest Products; Western Dovetail Inc.; E.B. Bradley Company; Aura Hardwoods; J Swis Sales and Marketing; California Door; Louis and Company: KIor Machinery; Christiansen Fasteners; and Hans Brede. In another room, Max and Josh Hunter had their Belt Sander Racer track, and were eager to show off why they are the defending BSRA Champions. Everyone was also given a chance to show off their Belt Sander Racing skills and informal races happened over the course of the rest of the afternoon. Guests were also treated to a tour of the Western Dovetail facility. Max and Josh were proud to lead attendees on a tour of the plant while production was happening. This gave everyone the opportunity to witness the innovation in machinery and crafting by hand that goes into everyone of the drawers that leaves the Western Dovetail facility. As the day wore on and the evening arrived, many were still milling around swapping trade secrets and getting to know their fellow woodworkers in the area. All in all, it was a wonderful day of information, networking and camaraderie and everyone walked away having gained knowledge to help their business prosper in the coming years. Special Thanks to Blum Inc .. Dave Grulke, Max Hunter from Western Dovetail Inc. and Glenn Pope from Glenn Pope Woodworking for making this day a success.
