SCM championing the cause of U.S. companies in Georgia’s woodworking community

SCM, a producer of woodworking machinery, recently welcomed Congressman Rob Woodall, the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s seventh congressional district, to its branch in Duluth, Ga.

The Republican congressman participated in SCM North America’s “Meet and Greet” event on June 1, illustrating to local organizations and businesses in his district (companies, law firms and training institutions) the current manufacturing-related priorities on the political agenda.

The visit was an opportunity to discuss the main concerns of companies operating in this area of the United States. In Georgia alone there are over 2,500 companies operating in the woodworking industry, producing furniture, doors and window frames and woodworking machinery. SCM, with its record double-digit growth rate in the U.S. market, now speaks for the entire industry, which asks the Trump legislative to offer proper support again to the manufacturing sector and to allocate federal funds to boost technical and professional training, according to the company.

“Our U.S. revenues have more than doubled over the last four years,” Andrea Aureli, SCM Group’s CEO, said in a statement. “Today, the American market accounts for 20 percent of the Group’s exports, and the first half of this year shows a double-digit growth rate, higher than the average in the Woodworking District. Hirings are also on the rise. We are opening new offices with commercial personnel and technical assistants and are looking for enterprising and dynamic young people, because despite the numerous job applications we receive we always need more.”

“The scarcity of specialized technicians – to work on the production floor, provide maintenance service and develop software applications – who are familiar with the new Industry 4.0 digital developments, is a very serious problem, also in the United States, and especially in the woodworking industry. An industry which due to its economic and industrial importance, with 2,500 companies operating in Georgia alone, should be supported by the government, just as the automotive and aerospace industries are for example,” added Giuseppe Riva of SCM North America. “Woodall pushed for the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, which the United States Congress passed and which calls for allocating considerable federal funds for improving technical and professional education meant for the manufacturing sector. Now, American colleges should offer more courses focused on woodworking.”

To learn more, visit booths 6753, 6953, 7121 and 7153 at IWF 2018.