WMIA Keeps Members Informed

Knowledge is power in today’s business climate, and WMIA membership keeps the Edward B. Mueller Co. informed about the woodworking industry, says Tom Reisert, president of the company.

“Even just standing around at a dinner or a cocktail party and talking with my peers, I’m always learning different things,” Reisert says. “Whether it’s about salary compensation, or about a good (machinery) line that I don’t know about, everyone just speaks freely.”

The Edward B. Mueller Co. is a third generation, family-run business that sells and services woodworking machinery in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. It has been a member of the WMIA since the organization merged with the Woodworking Machinery Distributor Association and began including distributors. The company stays active in the association to gain valuable knowledge through a variety of WMIA offerings, including sales and technical training for staff members, access to industry statistics and surveys, and networking opportunities, Reisert says.

“We usually send salespeople that are relatively new to the industry to the seminars,” he says. “It gives them some insight into what they’re dealing with and also gives them a little bit of product knowledge. It’s always good to have sales people getting sales training.”

He adds that educational sessions at the Woodworking Industry Conference, which is sponsored in part by the WMIA, provide further value for the company.

“We have all sorts of speakers there, whether it’s motivational, or how to work with your sales force or how to run your business,” Reisert says. “I think I’ve put all those to use.”

Industry statistics, surveys and studies compiled by the WMIA have also increased efficiencies. One example is the Employee Compensation Study, which is available for free to members who participate. It draws data from 3,000 wholesale distribution firms in 25 commodity lines to help owners establish a fair compensation system for employees. Reisert says the study gives his company guidelines for compensating employees and keeps the company in line with its peers.

The best benefit of membership, however, is how the association facilitates networking with fellow distributors as well as importers, he says. Members take contact tables along with other networking opportunities at the annual WIC conference.

“Anybody who goes to WIC, and does the networking the way it’s set-up for them to do, will gain some bit of knowledge that will pay for their trip,” Reisert says.

Those industry contacts pay off down the road at other major woodworking trade shows such as IWF in Atlanta and the AWFS Fair in Las Vegas, he adds.

WMIA - The Benefits of Membership.

Members of the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association immediately get access to a toolbox full of business boosting connections and opportunities. For more than 30 years, both machinery importers and distributors have gained a competitive advantage through active membership in the WMIA.

Importers who become members get big discounts on International Woodworking Machinery & Furniture Supply Fair exhibit space, as well as inclusion in the WMIA’s popular Technology Resource Guide and the power of WMIA’s marketing, which drives potential buyers to your Web site.  Importer members also get first notice of changing laws and requirements, access to statistics and surveys, and can network with distributor members, among other benefits.

Distributors, meanwhile, can network at forums, attend educational seminars for future sales and service techs, and get involved in shaping national issues and regulations. Distributor members can also participate in the Woodworking Industry Conference, which includes contact tables and educational sessions, among other benefits.