A heartfelt farewell from CKCA President Pete Fournier

As I step down from my role as president of the Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association (CKCA), I am filled with immense gratitude and pride for the journey we have undertaken together. Serving in this leadership role has been an honour, and I am deeply appreciative of the trust and support you have all extended me over these past years.
Firstly, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the members of CKCA. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence have been the driving force behind our collective achievements. It has been a privilege to represent such a talented, caring and innovative community.
I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to my predecessors. I have indeed been standing on the shoulders of giants. Their vision and hard work laid the foundation for the progress we have made, and I am grateful for the paths they forged, allowing us to reach new heights.
To my fellow board members and committee members, thank you for your unwavering support, collaboration, and dedication. Our shared efforts have been instrumental in advancing our industry and achieving our goals. A special thanks to Sandra Wood, our exceptional executive director, whose hard work, leadership and commitment have been invaluable to our success.
Reflecting on our accomplishments over the past few years, I am proud of what we have achieved together:

• Membership growth: We have grown to 227 members as of May 2024. This growth is a testament to the value and support CKCA provides to the kitchen cabinet industry.
• Events and engagement: We held two successful (sold out) face-to-face events in 2023 in British Columbia and Ontario, and one in Quebec in 2024, each attended by 110 to 140 members. Additionally, we conducted 10 monthly Manufacturers Roundtable Zoom calls, ensuring continuous engagement and knowledge sharing.
• Educational initiatives: We organized webinars on crucial topics, including leadership in challenging economic environments, succession planning, and leveraging AI in kitchen cabinet shops.
• Advocacy and collaboration: CKCA has been actively collaborating with partners like the CFIB, CME, and the International Wood Products Association to advocate for our industry's needs. Our work with the Wood Manufacturing Council on HR initiatives, including launching new career profile videos, highlights our commitment to addressing labour market challenges.
• Technological advancements: The CKCA Technology Peer Group is spearheading initiatives to implement vision system technology, aimed at reducing production mistakes and enhancing overall quality and productivity in our member companies.
• Competitiveness and advocacy: We have addressed concerns about the impact of overseas imports on our industry and are working to develop strategies in collaboration with other wood organizations to protect and promote our members' interests.

These are some of the accomplishments that reflect the collective effort and dedication of our members, I am confident that CKCA will continue to thrive and innovate under the new leadership.
As I transition to the role of past president, I extend my full support and encouragement to our incoming president, Amrita Bhogal. Amrita brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that I am confident will guide CKCA to even greater achievements. I look forward to supporting her and the board in our continued journey towards excellence.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve as your President. It has been a remarkable journey, and I look forward to continuing to support CKCA in new ways.