MANHEIM, Pa. – Wood finishes and technology continue to advance, lowering emissions of VOCs while also providing better color consistency and long-term durability.

Les Smith, national sales executive of Diamond Vogel Industrial Wood Coatings, will discuss new and emerging coatings and technologies at the Wood Pro Expo Lancaster conference. Smith’s session, “The New ‘NORMAL’ in Finishing: New and Current Coating Technologies and Supply Chain Challenges,” is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 14, at the Warehouse at the Nook.

Leslie Smith

Smith is a renowned expert on wood finishing and a dynamic presenter. In addition to discussing what’s new in finishing and how custom wood shops can navigate supply chain challenges, Smith will delve into the impact of current and future labor markets will have on wood product company investments in new finishing technology, including automated finish applications.

Smith’s presentation will be followed by a session led by Gregory Paolini, director of operations for Gregory Paolini Design entitled, “Profit First for Cabinetmakers: Guarantee Profit from Your Cabinet Shop.”

Wood Pro Expo Lancaster also features a pair of classroom seminars on Thursday, Oct. 13, the first day of the show. Popular FDMC columnist Dr. Eugene Wengert will address common challenges facing the wood products industry in his presentation, “The Wood Doctor Is in.” Then, Leland Thomasset, owner of Taghkanic Woodworking and Pawling Closet, will present “Getting Started in the Closets Market.”

The two-day conference is co-organized by FDMC and the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA).

Free keynote presentations by FDMC Editorial Director Will Sampson are also on tap each day of the show. Sampson will address the Path to Woodworking Professionalism on Oct. 13 and Pricing Problems on Oct. 14.

Other educational components of Wood Pro Expo Lancaster include the Running Machine Program featuring live deep-dive demonstrations of woodworking equipment on each day of the show and a tour of three area woodworking facilities slated for Wednesday, Oct. 12, organized by the CMA.

Learn more and register.

About Wood Pro Expo
Wood Pro Expo is a regional event for woodworking businesses that brings together suppliers and experts for a localized presentation of equipment and supply solutions. WPE includes a strong educational program on best practices for shop production and business management. The expo features a wide variety of equipment and supplies mainly geared to small and medium-sized shops. The 2022 edition of Wood Pro Expo Lancaster takes place Oct. 13-14 at the Spooky Nook Sports Center/Warehouse at the Nook in Manheim (Lancaster County), Pa. For information visit woodproexpolancaster.com. 

For exhibitor information contact Lewis Goldman at [email protected] or phone 800-969-2212. 

More upcoming Woodworking Network events
Salon Industriel du Bois Ouvré (SIBO), Oct. 27-29, Centrexpo Cogeco, Drummondville, Quebec.

Closets Conference & Expo co-located with Wood Pro Expo Florida, April 12-14, 2023, Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.

Woodworking Machinery & Supply Conference & Expo (WMS), Nov. 2-4, 2023, International Centre, Mississauga, Ontario.