1. Welcome to the 25th Bluewater Wood Alliance Quarterly Networking Event
Conestoga College
Sept. 29, 2017

2. Agenda 12:30– 12:50 Introductions: Who is in the Room? BWA UPDATE
Welcome New BWA Members
Informal Wage Survey Results
WSIB Small Business Program
Project Update: High Point, NC, IMM Cologne
Upcoming BWA Events and Training/Consulting
BWA Benefit Plan
BWA Outreach
BWA Funding Project for Tech Investments
New BWA Website Registration
Next BWA Networking Event Nov 22, 2017

3. Agenda (2)
12:50-1:15: New Anti-tipping by-laws Sadoon Mohiuddin of Canmade
1:15-1:45 Networking Break-
1:45 - 2:45: Lean Principles for Wood Processing: Sepp Gmeiner and Brad Cairns
2:45-3:15 Networking Break-
3:15-4:15: Increasing Sales: Strategies for Marketing and Branding: Andrew Wall of Sandler Training
4:15: Demo of Conestoga College Spray Simulator and tour of Woodworking Centre of Ontario
Networking following the event: Edelweiss Tavern, 600 Doon Village Rd, Kitchener

4. Welcome New BWA Members!
New BWA Manufacturing members Canadian Green Design, Toronto, ON
Bramm’s Custom Kitchens, St Thomas
Paradigm Electronics, Mississauga, ON
Pinehurst, Orangeville, ON
Elmwood Kitchens, St Catharines, ON
Laurentide Kitchens, Hamilton, ON

5. Welcome New BWA Members!
New BWA Associate members
Valspar
SCM Group
CanMade
Freedom 55 Financial

6. BWA is Growing! Current: 72 Manufacturing member companies
35 Associate member companies
Total 107 current member companies
Expanded Cluster Region to SWO

7. BWA Cluster Map

9. WSIB – Small Business Health & Safety Program
This three day program helps you develop a health and safety program that includes:
A return to work program
A health and safety policy and action plan
Developed and manage an effective health and safety program
Identify and managed hazards in your workplace
You could qualify to receive a 5% rebate on your WSIB premium (one time only) after participating in the program. 
Let us know if your company is interested in participating. 
For all the details visit

10. BWA Collaborative Projects Gov Partners NRCan, MNRF
High Point Furniture Market, North Carolina
2 BWA member companies collaborated April market project. Possible Project 2018.
IMM Cologne Jan 2018: Approved project for IMM Cologne Furniture show: January 2018
Nrcan and MNRF Funded project
2018: Possible ICFF New York
Market Studies Coming: Asia, Mexico

11. BWA Finishing Training
2 rounds of Finishing training took place during May, 2017
Partnership with Conestoga College
Funding available through Canada Ontario Jobs grant

12. Upcoming BWA Events and Training
October: 26th and November 9th: Tours of Toyota Cambridge
Nov 22: Quarterly Networking Event
Plant Tour Focus Groups: January and February 2018
Training and Consulting programs to be developed for BWA members with preferred Vendors for themes of Lean Manufacturing and Sales and Marketing, Human Capital Development

13. BWA Benefit Plan
BWA is currently surveying member interest and preparing to request quotations on a group benefit plan.
Stay tuned for announcement in fall
Cost savings by leveraging the BWA total # numbers of employees

14. OUTREACH
The BWA wood manufacturing cluster is only one of its kind in Canada, and the USA
Managed/Facilitated industry lead clusters are rare
BWA Executive Director Mike Baker has been an invited speaker in the USA, Thunder Bay, Toronto, and Ottawa to tell the BWA story

15. Globa Buyers Mission, Whistler BC
Two BWA members took part in the Global Buyers Mission at Whistler BC
Buyers from across Asia and Mexico for wood products
Annual event every September

16. Global Buyers Mission

17. BWA and Post Secondary Linkages for Workforce Development
FYI: BWA Executive Director Mike Baker is a member of the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) for Conestoga College Woodworking Programs, Kitchener, ON
Is the Chair of the PAC committee for Georgian College Cabinetmaking Program in Barrie, ON
Beginning role to include Humber College
Role is to provide industry input to the programs
BWA has been bringing members to these meetings to provide input

18. BWA Funding Project for Technology Investments
BWA is at the table with several sectors for a Manufacturing Supercluster
If approved BWA portion: $30 million over 5 50% funding ($15 million)
Current members in good standing first eligible
Confirmation by January, 2018
So pay your dues!

19. BWA Cluster Website Enhancement Project
Be sure to register on the new site!
s with username and passwords sent
On the main page of the site click on the button on the bottom of the screen to request access
Access to the buy and sell, Job postings and group discussions.
Become a blog channel contributor by ing Tara

20. Some Website Features Include
Members Directory  
Blog Page 
News
Buy & Sell 
RFQ
Jobs Board
Events page 
Member Group Discussions
Analytics 

21. Welcome Guest Speakers!
Sadoon Mohiuddin of Canmade
Sepp Gmeiner, Lignum Consulting
Brad Cairns, Centre for Lean Learning
Andrew Wall, Sandler Training

22. Join us ! ….after the meeting Some of us will meet at the
Edelwiess Tavern
600 Doon Village Rd, Kitchener
Join us !