tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:29:38 +0000Closet IndustryPerformance and PressingHealthcare IndustryMarket InfoStore FixtureSales and MarketingArchitectural SpecificationKitchen Cabinet ManufacturingKitchen Bath retailingManagement and MotivationProduct InfoCabinet RefacingThis blog is dedicated to discussing topics regarding design, sales, marketing and manufacturing of components, store fixtures and kitchens using 3D Laminate Thermofoils.http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)Blogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-7756892496290030949Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:53:00 +00002011-12-22T17:25:45.963-05:00There are many different tips and tricks to pressing. Often I am asked for formulas however I often find that each company may require different settings based upon the material they are pressing, the profiles, glue type, stage height and so on. One common issue that all companies have or will eventually face are blow outs. During the press cycle you can hear a blow out occur by a pop and a http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2011/12/pressing-3d-laminates-and-blow-outs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-8376516501265234972Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:10:00 +00002011-10-06T13:37:25.407-04:00Product InfoFeel good with B2L. As a manufacturer or designer, you have more influence than you realize. Simply by offering B2L to your clients and giving them the green 3D surfacing option you are doing your part to help the planet.B2L or Bottle to Laminate recycles 2 PET water bottles for every square foot of laminate produced. In the US, approximately 50 billion water bottles are consumed yearly which http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2011/10/introducing-b2l-or-bottle-to-laminate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-5869538151190084435Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:27:00 +00002011-09-23T18:50:34.706-04:00Market InfoSales and MarketingIf your company markets components, melamines, laminates, kitchens, store fixtures or even consumer products, I think you will find this article "THE MARKETING of COLOR" to be of interest. Since we are all in the business of figuring out what consumers want, exploring the history of color, how trends are created and how distribution affects color develop is highly relevant. Its hard to be a http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2011/09/marketing-of-color.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-9039064629577886687Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:29:00 +00002011-09-14T10:14:49.320-04:00Healthcare IndustryPerformance and PressingSales and MarketingWhat's the next bubble? According to Gordon Gekko in the second edition of Walstreet: Money never sleeps its "Green Energy". A bubble or economic bubble suggest that prices are odds with the intrinsic values. The biggest phenom that surrounds bubbles are the herd mentalities of humans. People often follow trends irregardless of their truth or values because they feel safer with the herd. http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2011/07/pvc-versus-pet-forming-laminates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-6604735552265069931Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:36:00 +00002011-06-01T15:05:41.996-04:00Store FixtureAs you know, its been many months since my last post. I do deserve a strong smack on the wrist for not posting sooner and I have received many calls asking when the next post would be. Since January we have launched 20 new colors and it has taken much more time than expected. I do plan to continue be more frequent with the articles from this point forward.Now on to the post....The other month I http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2011/03/should-you-start-making-store-fixture.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-8887120900715258066Wed, 01 Dec 2010 13:25:00 +00002010-12-03T23:30:55.800-05:00Market InfoIn the past two weeks I have been asked twice either about the size of the US or about the size of the global market of 3D Laminates. In one specific instance a consulting firm inquired. At least once or twice a year I get a call from a consulting firm and typically the way it works is that they cannot divulge who they are paid from but that if they want information they also must provide me withhttp://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/11/global-consumption-of-3d-laminate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-6235110052373330075Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:06:00 +00002010-12-03T23:32:37.779-05:00Performance and Pressing<!--StartFragment--> <!--StartFragment--> IntroductionAs a manufacturer of 3DL Doors or components you are probably used to seeing color matches of solids and woodgrains. On occasion you may have even had a manufacturer to color match some item for you. In this article I will delve into the technical side as it relates to color matching and color control. I will explain more about why http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/10/color-matching-of-3d-laminates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-6155544758343006814Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:42:00 +00002010-12-03T23:30:11.337-05:00Sales and Marketing <!--StartFragment--> DACKOR introduced Leather White Alligator. Many said that they believed that this would be extremely modern however, as you can see from the picture below it works well in a Transitional environment. As you are aware, Transitional Style refers to Traditional or Classic style but with a Contemporary Twist. Transitional style works in the urban cities as well as the mid-westhttp://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/10/leather-white-aligator.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-1841067013215652008Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:19:00 +00002010-12-03T23:31:24.514-05:00Market InfoRecently I have been speaking with Ken McFadden with Stiles Machinery and they have introduced a new Wemhoner users forum. Although all of the readers of this blog do not have a Wemhoner you may find their forum to be a good source of information about pressing.The most recent postings in their site discussed sourcing membranes and comparing rubber membranes to silicone membranes. If you press 3Dhttp://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-wemhoner-forum.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-1945649978773274065Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:08:00 +00002010-12-03T23:34:23.372-05:00Kitchen Bath retailingWe all aware that North America has deep roots with woodworking. With our past abundance of low cost wood and forestry, natural woods have been the driving force for KB Retailers in North America. Since the 90s, most of the larger Kitchen & Bath manufacturers have had a large wood line up with only white thermofoil being their only laminate line. The reason most of these manufacturers were early http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/10/kitchen-bath-retailers-and-3d.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-4474015556852258605Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:58:00 +00002010-12-03T23:35:04.997-05:00Performance and PressingMarket InfoThe question is often asked "Does your product qualify for LEED Points?"LEED doesn't certify actual products however the use of certain products may qualify the project to earn these LEED points.Of course 3D Laminates is a great product for large projects. Read more at: http://www.dackor.com/3DLaminatesaregreen.html3D Laminates:- Reduce the use of exotic hardwoods- Utilize MDF which is uses http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/10/leed-points-for-3d-laminates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-1775465100102351405Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:04:00 +00002010-12-03T23:35:31.074-05:00Performance and Pressing<!--StartFragment--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--StartFragment--> Occasionally I receive questions about Self Cleaning ovens and their affect on thermofoil doors. This article is specifically focused on the heat affect in a thermofoil kitchen. If you are reading this article then I assume that you either have had an experience or that you are concerned about the affect of heat as it relates tohttp://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/08/self-cleaning-ovens-affect-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-1511619889066179976Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:15:00 +00002010-12-03T23:35:53.199-05:00Sales and MarketingIn the past I have written a lot of articles pertaining to refacing, to independent reps, about colors, and as well as Sales & Marketing. This post is about how the "Words we Choose Matter" while selling or dealing with customers.Since I was a kid I've always been interested in Marketing. Most people think of marketing as just "advertising" however Marketing involves so much more than advertisinghttp://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/07/words-we-choose-matter-selling.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-4479892223972443334Sat, 29 May 2010 18:15:00 +00002010-12-03T23:36:16.577-05:00Performance and PressingWhat does it take to get a high quality High Gloss membrane pressed door?As most professional component producers will tell you, the key to pressing High Gloss is to lower the temp, increase the preheat and increase the pressure.Throughout most of North America, most membrane presses have only a 6 bar maximum pressure capability whereas in Europe it has been reported that some presses are http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/05/pressing-high-gloss.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-6148004208133968054Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:10:00 +00002010-12-03T23:38:25.756-05:00Cabinet RefacingWe are all familiar with peel and stick films. Peel and stick films are typically used in a variety of products such as window tint films and also for shelving liners. The advantage of peel and stick is that this allows material to be applied by hand on the job site.Rigid Peel and Stick woodgrains are available from DACKOR (www.dackor.com/reface) and are suitable for a wide variety of http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/03/peel-and-stick-for-refacing-cabinets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-8862650647938095476Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:01:00 +00002010-12-03T23:39:21.029-05:00Market InfoKitchen Bath retailingIf you manufacturer or use 3D Laminate, thermofoil doors and drawers you should prepare yourself for a customer shift in 2010, 2011. In this article I will give market conditions and observations that I believe will convince you of a coming shift in thermofoil component buyers. As the market slowly rebounds, its my belief that you will find many customers WILL NOT come back because they will http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/01/if-you-produce-thermofoil-components-be.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-2003762103819004890Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:50:00 +00002010-12-03T23:40:08.951-05:00Closet IndustryAs many of you may know, DACKOR stocks Leather Brown 3D Laminate and in early December we will also have Leather Black. Recently I was on a long flight from Canada back home to Orlando and thinking about different and unique ways to promote the Leather series. Just as I was about to be served my small cup of water and miniscule bag of pretzels it hit me. "What if component producers made a drawerhttp://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2009/11/leather-closet-drawer-organizer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-7163565418765178479Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:54:00 +00002012-01-09T10:29:38.076-05:00Sales and MarketingFor a limited time offer, DACKOR will be offering FREE Marketing services in exchange for your company adding new colors from our company.Its important to promote new colors.... why not get world class marketing assistance?Packages prices are:BASIC: $2500Includes basic website and search engine optimization. With this option you simply order five or more 55 yard rolls of new colors and receive ahttp://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2009/11/let-dackor-build-your-website-logo-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-3700892305309879746Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:38:00 +00002010-12-03T23:41:01.272-05:00Healthcare Industry3D Laminates are the ideal surface for Dentist Offices, Hospitals and Doctor's offices. This market segment is obviously known as "Healthcare".In the Healthcare environment cleanliness is the key factor in consideration for surfaces. Typically specifiers choose traditional High Pressure Laminates for the casework because they are unfamiliar with 3D Laminates. Unlike traditional laminates which http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2009/09/3d-laminates-are-ideal-for-healthcare.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-7501005676854001035Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:33:00 +00002010-12-03T23:41:29.218-05:00Sales and MarketingLast month I spoke about linear wood designs and outlined the difference between rift cut oak and quartersawn. Often as I speak to our customers about the design elements we incorporate in our 3D Laminates I use terms such as cross-firing, pine knots and so forth. For this month's blog I'd like to list a complete dictionary of common used terms in regards to the design of wood grains. 3D http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2009/08/wood-terms-for-veneers-or-3d-laminates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-7068063679010175369Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:36:00 +00002010-12-03T23:42:21.089-05:00Sales and MarketingThis month I will be discussing the concept of Linear printed designs:1. Why are some woodgrains Linear?2. How are Linear woodgrains relative to the market?WHY ARE SOME WOODGRAINS LINEAR?:Have you noticed that some woodgrains appear linear or "straight grained"? This is typically due to the cut such as in quartersawn and rift cut. There are also some species such as Zebrawood that are linear or "http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2009/07/linear-wood-design-trends-and-how-3d.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-2661093577271258132Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:17:00 +00002010-12-03T23:43:03.166-05:00Sales and MarketingFrom my past articles you probably are aware that in Europe 3D Laminates have a much better appeal. The personal perception of Kitchens using 3D Laminates are that they are stylish, modern, durable and easy to care for.In North America, white thermofoil has been the low cost option to a solid wood Kitchen and the sales pipeline still does not have a solid grasp on how exactly to market Kitchens http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2009/06/de-filter-yourself-to-sell-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-5611022191867768247Wed, 20 May 2009 18:51:00 +00002010-12-03T23:47:51.890-05:00Performance and PressingMy name is Craig Thomas, Project Manager for Daubert Chemical Co., and I have worked with companies helping them with the thermoforming process for 20 years. Mark Viers and I have known each other for years as friends and associates while we both serviced the thermoforming market from different sides of the supply chain. So when Mark called me and asked if I had any tips for companies that spray http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-spray-thermofoil-doors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-8027785641538093884Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:07:00 +00002010-12-03T23:56:41.253-05:00Management and MotivationAs a producer of 3D Laminate components, when should you bring in a new color?First let me say that I'm clearly bias because I promote 3D Laminates, secondly its almost impossible to speak of pricing and have it pertain to everyone.... I hope that as you read this article that you are able to pull out some ideas or perspective regarding the importance of new colors while not focusing too much on http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-calculate-profitability-of.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6835126467828584497.post-2791683258465375659Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:58:00 +00002010-12-03T23:45:10.426-05:00Market InfoAs a producer of 3D Laminate components, when should you bring in a new color?First let me say that I'm clearly bias because most of my time is spent trying to convince customers to add more colors. But let me see if I can be unbiased as I write this article. I'd like to address the following issues in this article:1. COST CALCULATIONS OF MATERIAL: Here I'll calculate the average costs of http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2009/03/when-should-i-bring-in-new-3d-laminate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Viers)0