Thursday, November 12, 2020
Cefla North America, Inc. hosted its inaugural open house event, known as ‘CeflaLive Charlotte,’ in its state-of-the-art Finishing LAB October 14-15, 2020. The event was positioned to provide woodworking professionals with educational opportunities featuring live demonstrations and breakout sessions across the spectrum of finishing technologies, as well as one-on-one access to 15 exhibiting industry suppliers. Attendance exceeded expectations, attracting participants from all regions of the United States to learn about the latest tools, techniques, and technologies that can automate their finishing process. The event turnout gives the team at Cefla North America a positive outlook for what’s to come for the Woodworking Industry.
Cefla’s finishing LAB buzzed with the humming of reciprocators, rollers, sanders, the spray of pumps and guns, and the chatter of participants exploring the breadth of technology right at their fingertips. Every technology housed in the LAB was utilized with tests taking place every 15 minutes – there was something to see and learn for attendees no matter the time of their arrival.
Each finishing technology featured an exclusive application and an assigned set of suppliers – not only to highlight the technology, but also the vendor’s product(s). On the CFS Compact Flooring System, a roll-coating technology, a creative ‘chalking’ technique gave floorboards a distressed, weathered look. The J-Print MP industrial digital printer output beautiful, high-resolution images onto pressed board that were sequentially top-coated with clear lacquer using the Smartcoater PRO. Cefla North America is excited to house many of these coatings and fluid management tools in LAB, which will remain there for future testing and demonstration.
The event’s contributing suppliers, each paired with a different finishing technology, collaborated in live demonstrations and were provided a vendor table. Suppliers included industry-leading coating and fluid management suppliers: AkzoNobel, Axalta, Binks Carlisle, Graco, ICA Group, Krautzberger, Osmo Woodborn, Renner, Sames Kremlin, Teknos, Tigital Inks & Powders, Wagner and MB Machinenbau.
Keeping the pandemic in mind, safety was a priority to the Cefla North America team, who developed a plan that kept all guests safe and confident in their ability to educate themselves on the latest finishing technologies. Prior to entry, all attendees underwent a wellness check and were required to wear a mask. Social distancing signage was placed throughout the facility as a reminder to all participants. Lunch and espresso bar areas were monitored for the safety of all guests.
Tags: AKZONOBEL, Axalta, Binks Carlisle, CEFLA, Ceflalive, Graco, ICA Group, J-Print, Krautzberger, MB Machinenbau, open house, Osmo Woodborn, Renner, Sames Kremlin, Smartcoater PRO, Teknos, Tigital Inks & Powders, Wagner
