EMI Industries Blog

Thanks to attending an informative Webinar hosted by A.R.E. (Association for Retail Environments), of which EMI Industries is a current member, EMI management staff acquired additional information on the hottest topic for wood product manufacturers.  C.A.R.B. (California Air Resources Board) will begin regulating the quantity of formaldehyde, a toxic air contaminant, emitted from composite wood sold, or used to make finished products in the state of California.  The new regulation will be phased in starting January 1, 2009.  As this only stands for wood shipping into California, not all manufacturers are required to adhere to these new regulations just yet.   

Continually at the forefront of the industry, EMI Industries is taking the initiative to comply with C.A.R.B.'s regulations, for all of the wood products it manufactures not just those shipping into California. The materials used by EMI Industries used to make finished products which will be compliant by January 1, 2009 include melamine, particle board and laminate.  Additionally, C.A.R.B. compliant products will be tagged accordingly prior to leaving EMI facilities.  This ensures that manufactured wood products emit no additional formaldehyde into the air. 

The primary benefits of the new regulations are the reduction in formaldehyde emissions, total public exposure, and excess cancer risk in California.  EMI Industries is pleased to contribute to the overall well being of workers and the environment. 

A cool thing happened last week.  A representative from the Rachael Ray television show - Yes! Rachael Ray, the daytime cooking show with spunk - contacted EMI Industries to inquire about our checkstand products. 

The show is planning on airing an episode featuring the National Grocery Bagging contest. Recognizing EMI Industries and a leading checkstand manufacturer, they looked to us for the 6 identical grocery collection and bagging end units required for the competition. Of course you can imagine we were excited and open to this unique opportunity.   Unfortunately, the timing of the call, coupled with the fact we are having our best two months (back-to-back) ever in sales and revenues had all of our plants filled to capacity. The Rachael Ray show needed the baggers in 3 days. That just wasn't feasible as customers were counting on us. We had to decline.  Nevertheless, Rachael Ray will keep us in mind for upcoming opportunities.  So, thanks for thinking of us Rachael Ray!