Vermont honors its own

The Vermont Wood Manufacturers Association selected Dave Laforce, owner of Built by Newport, as its 2015 Woodworker of the Year.

Built by Newport is a manufacturer of furniture components, founded in 1963

“Laforce has continued to be innovative and resourceful during a hard economic time for the wood products industry,” the trade group said in a statement. “He recognized that the company had challenges involving company culture, customer service and operational inefficiencies and faced those challenges head on by working with the Northern Forest Center. NFC matched the company with Dovetail Partners who was able to assist them in transforming the company culture, developing a strategic plan and vision, and improving teamwork and internal communication, all of which contribute to a better manufacturing operation and improved customer service.

For information, visit www.vermontwood.com.