The Winter 2024 Issue is out!

HELLO INDUSTRY PARTNERS,
In this issue, we explore how craftsmanship, innovation, and adaptability are shaping North
America’s wood manufacturing industry. Through diverse profiles and analyses, we gain insights
into how businesses are tackling modern challenges while honoring tradition and embracing
technology.
Our feature on BDM Furniture highlights the Quebec-based company’s commitment to merging
traditional quality with selective technological upgrades. BDM balances craftsmanship with
tools like laser cutters and a 3D visual configurator to enhance customer experience and product
customization, reinforcing the unique value of Quebec’s high-end, custom furniture sector.

Turning to cabinetry, we profile Current Millwork & Cabinetry, where General Manager Jason
Howlett has guided the company’s sustainable growth through lean operations and ERP software.
By refining processes and strengthening client relationships, Current Millwork’s journey
from a seven-person team to a 40-strong workforce demonstrates the rewards of planning and
efficiency.
In a thought-provoking analysis, Larry Coté, Managing Director of Lean Advisors Inc., explains
the complementary roles of Value Stream Mapping and Process Mapping. Coté shows
how these tools drive operational efficiency by aligning processes with customer needs and minimizing
waste—providing manufacturers with clear frameworks for boosting both system-wide
and departmental productivity.
The issue also covers the rising trend of offsite and modular construction. Jayden Campbell,
Product Manager at Akhurst Machinery, discusses how prefabrication and hybrid methods are
addressing North America’s housing crisis, offering sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to
traditional building. Modular construction, while established in Europe, is now gaining traction
across Canada and the U.S., presenting a transformative shift in affordable housing solutions.
Finally, Sandra Wood, Executive Director of the CKCA, shares the story of Cripps & Sons, a
family cabinetry business in Nova Scotia. Led by two Red Seal Cabinetmakers, the Cripps brothers
combine artisanal expertise with innovations like automation and European design aesthetics.
Their journey reflects a commitment to quality and community, emphasizing resilience and
adaptability in today’s competitive custom cabinetry market.
These stories reflect the resourcefulness across our industry, where a balanced approach to
craftsmanship, technology, and sustainability provides new pathways to success. Together, they
highlight the enduring strength of tradition and innovation working in harmony.
Until next time, keep innovating,