Adam Hofmann
Adam Hofmann of Bogdon and Gross Furniture in Walkerton, received the Award of Distinction and Mike Vokes of Vokes Furniture in Owen Sound, received the Innovation in Human Resources Award.
WMC recognized and celebrated the recipients ‘great work and achievement in HR in the advanced wood processing sector.’ This marked the 7th edition of WMC’s HR Award.
The Award of Distinction recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution over time to support the HR needs of the advanced wood processing industry.
It is WMC’s most prestigious award and celebrates a true champion of the industry, who has dedicated their career to advancing education; industry training, recruitment, retention, promotion or any activity that serves the HR needs of the industry. WMC is very pleased to honour one of our sectors true champions and a leader in the field of wood products processing. The recipient of 2013 Award of Distinction has a history in the wood products manufacturing industry in Canada that is long and distinctive.
Hofmann saw a need to foster a system of collaboration within the Grey-Bruce area and helped put together a five-company group, which got funding for a three-year project to introduce productivity tools to the consortium on a cooperative basis. This led to a study by the Grey-Bruce Regional Economic Development Partnership to seek ways to build on this collaboration. The study recommended the creation of a woodworking cluster, along the lines of what is in place in many parts of Europe, based on Harvard professor Michael Porter’s concept of creating formal clusters as an economic development tool.
According to WMC, it was Hofmann’s leadership and openness that set the tone for the Bluewater Wood Alliance from the start. He chaired the board, opened his company to tours and shared his management experience with the other board members and members at large. Without this leadership, enthusiasm, guidance and determination to succeed, this impressive venture would not have gotten off the ground. BWA is in its third year of existence, having completed a large number of beneficial projects and continuing to grow and provide services to the membership.
Hofmann is a good news story on how the industry can make significant things happen if champions lead and people get in behind them to do good work. With his Bogdon and Gross team, his vision is put into practice, with investments in technology bringing increased productivity for his company and he ensures that the ‘dedication of hardworking individuals’ gets both profile and credit.
He has supported and nurtured post-secondary education programs for wood processing, led both furniture and cross-sector initiatives in marketing, promotion, productivity and much more.
Innovation in Human Resources Award
Mike Vokes
WMC’s Innovation in Human Resources Award (Individual) was presented to Mike Vokes.
This award is presented to an organization and/or individual who makes a difference to the people it serves and employs, through an innovative HR program or practice.
Mike Vokes is a solid wood furniture manufacturing entrepreneur who, in the face of offshore competition and declining sales for many in the wood industry in recent years, has develop a learning lean culture.
Vokes has worked tirelessly to teach his staff to understand the principles of lean thinking and used the focus of employee involvement and empowerment to facilitate culture change in order to embrace lean principles. Many lean principles, such as one-piece flow and frequent changeovers, challenge employees to understand and believe in vision of management to take the company forward.
Vokes is recognized for his sincere care of his staff where he took the time and made the effort to help the culture become aligned to believe in the company's goals and vision. Mike made every employee feel important and essential to the success of the company. This created the ‘buy in’ necessary to make the changes to reduce lead times by 50% and increase the company's sustainability to continue to provide meaningful employment.
According to WMC, a key reason for establishing the awards was to raise the profile of HR management and the person responsible for HR in our companies, whether an HR professional or as someone who has the HR function as part of a larger portfolio. This is an opportunity to recognize good people and their good work. It allows WMC to acknowledge and to broadcast innovation, creativity and best practice and to celebrate good work. It also recognizes leadership in the industry – those who have over time excelled in supporting the industry and the development of skills within the sector.
