Two Prince Edward Island wood products manufacturers returned recently from Germany where they attended major trade shows dealing with furniture and related products and woodworking machinery. They were part of a group of 34 people from Atlantic Canada associated with the value-added wood industry. The trade mission was organized by Industry Canada.
Allison Coles of Coles Door Systems, a manufacturer of mouldings and other millworks, said the trade mission was a way to keep up to date with the latest in innovation and technology. "I came back with so many new ideas it's hard to know where to start," he said. "You have to get out there and keep up with what is going on in the world of wood products manufacturing."
Coles said that as president of a local wood products association, he will be sharing as much information as he can with other wood products manufacturers.
The other Island participant in the trade mission was Lou Gallant of Lou-Mar Mouldings, one of only a few manufacturers of veneer-wrapped mouldings in North America. The technology to manufacture these mouldings originated in Europe.
"I would never have started my business had I not travelled to shows like this in the past," said Mr. Gallant. "The latest in technology and equipment isn't going to come to you. You have to get out there and find it."
Mr. Gallant said that during the trade mission he was able to expand business contacts. "I met someone from Canada that I may very well be doing business with in the next little while," he said. "You just never know who or what you will see unless you get out there."
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy said his department is very supportive of the wood products industry and works closely with it to increase value-added manufacturing and exports.