Photo: WMCO
Taurus Craco Machinery hosted WMCO's recent Annual General Meeting and Quarterly Networking Event.
The Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario (WMCO) welcomed more than 60 members to its Annual General Meeting and Quarterly Networking Event hosted by Taurus Craco Machinery in Brampton, Ontario.
The day focused on three topics shaping the future of manufacturing: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the economic forces impacting our industry.
The highlight of the event was the launch of WMCO’s industry driven AI agent initiative. Because WMCOs membership comprises all segments in wood manufacturing, WMCO is ideally positioned to drive this transformation for everyone in the industry.
WMCO CEO Mike Baker says, “the collective intelligence and data surrounding specific job functions are unique to our industry and the goals of the project is to harnes common tasks and data sets to develop AI agents to make work easier and more efficient for workers, all driven and defined by folks like you.
WMCO also did a live survey to see what companies are already doing with AI.
Here are the results:
|
Metric |
Result |
|
Companies currently using at least one AI tool |
97% |
|
Most-used AI platform (ChatGPT/OpenAI) |
78% |
|
Companies actively using AI in business operations |
62% |
|
Top current AI use case: Document writing & reporting |
84% |
|
Companies expecting moderate or transformative AI impact within three years |
91% |
|
Top opportunity for AI Agents: Estimating, quoting & takeoffs |
39% |
Fifteen member companies signed up for the project on the spot and there is an opportunity to comment on the kind of AI agents companies are most interested in.
The pilot group is set to meet in July to move on to next steps.
New board members
WMCO also added several new board members, thanked outgoing ones and welcomed new board president Holly Clayson.
Photos: Woodworking
WMCO Mike Baker with new incoming WMCO President Holly Clayson of Allstyle Retrofit and incoming Vice President Dave Van Dam of CCW Millwork.
New board members are Michael Laurysen, Laurysen Kitchens; Robin Rooker, Woodlore International and Troy McMann, Blum Canada with Mike Baker, CEO, WMCO.
WMCO CEO Mike Baker with outgoing board members Chacko John, Mobel Cabinetry; Mark Corker, Seredex Cananda; LavernMartin, Woodland Horizons and Chuck Pelletier, Milestone Millwork.
