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CKCA Board appoints new president

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Jake Wolters of Nu-Way Kitchens Inc., is CKCA's new president and he said his initial focus will be on trying to increase membership.

"Certainly membership enhancement is very important to the organization right now," he said. "We have a good, solid core group but they represent only a small percentage of the thousands of cabinet shops across the country and we are working to change that."

Wolters has seen and experienced the "incredible" benefits CKCA offers its members and now he wants to tell others about it and encourage them to join the organization. There is certainly no danger in giving away any trade secrets, he said. But members can benefit from each other's experiences, learn and exchange ideas. Membership in CKCA really does have its privileges and Wolters said gaining knowledge, learning about the latest techniques, new technology and keeping up with the latest trends are just some of the many benefits. There is also the social aspect and the fact that it is a great way to keep up with the industry and its suppliers in general.

"This is what we do and we have to keep current, if you have your head in the sand you will fall behind."

Wolters said the one thing he remembers most about his first CKCA conference was a conversation he had with a couple of other cabinetmakers. How they talked openly about their shops and some of the dayto- day problems and challenges and how he came away with ideas that helped him do things in his shop a little bit better. In turn, he was able to give some ideas to the owner of a much larger shop about setting up a jig to perform a certain procedure. And it's that kind of exchange, even if it's just little things, that make membership such a rewarding experience.

Wolters is encouraging anyone to give the organization a try and attend one of its upcoming events. He said there are special rates for new members and " I can assure you that you will not be disappointed."

Outgoing president Caroline Castrucci of Laurysen Kitchens Ltd. thanked members for their support during her year at the helm of the organization and reminded them of its importance to the industry.

She said CKCA provides its members with many benefits, but participation is the key and something that cannot be done when you are sitting on the sidelines.

She also talked about the important initiatives CKCA and the Wood Manufacturing Council have introduced over the past number of years. Initiatives that are "vitally important to all of us as members and as an industry." Namely the Certification Program, which helps establish a benchmark for cabinet construction in the industry and Woodmark, which establishes quality control to raise the industry's reputation as being a supplier of superior cabinets both at home and abroad.

Castrucci said CKCA is equally important to suppliers and manufacturers as it allows them to communicate with each other on a national scale whether through conferences such as this national forum or any number of regional meetings.

"We get new ideas on manufacturing techniques through plant tours and our round table discussions helps us to discuss global issues and challenges in a non-threatening environment," she said.

"Our future, like many other industries in Canada, is being dramatically affected by the US economic downturn in particular the housing and renovation segment. This has changed the dynamics of doing business in Canada by adding increased competition from within. We now have Canadian companies who require increased domestic sales to make up for lost exports and the influx of competition from the U.S. and China."

To deal with these new realities, Castrucci said the industry must continue to look for innovations in manufacturing to increase production efficiencies and improve its processes.

She also stressed the importance of staying on top of the latest trends, everything from designs, accessories and colours because that's the only way to meet and exceed customers' expectations.

Castrucci said CKCA is about networking, learning and relationships and being involved with the organization is a long-term investment in business and by being involved and establishing a long term presence with the membership we will both reap the rewards.

She thanked suppliers and sponsors and manager Richard Lipman for his efforts in education and encouraging young people to enter the industry.

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