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CEI-Bois General Assembly  - Eliasson and Döry confirmed as CEI-Bois Chairman and Vice-Chairman<br>
trade associations

29 November 2007

CEI-Bois General Assembly - Eliasson and Döry confirmed as CEI-Bois Chairman and Vice-Chairman

On invitation of the Associaçăo das Indústrias de Madeira e Mobiliário de Portugal (AIMMP), the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries gathered all its members and stakeholders for its Annual General Assembly in Guimaraes, Portugal, on November 12th. The leading topic of this year’s General Assembly was “Competitiveness”.

Competitiveness of the woodworking industries
Competitiveness is crucial for the European woodworking and furniture industries as they are a key player in the global European economy generating an annual turnover of € 230 billion and employing almost 3 million workers across Europe within over 340.000 companies, mainly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Action Plan 2008-2009
At the General Assembly the action plan for 2008/2009 was presented. CEI-Bois actions will be based on 3 key strategic areas: competitiveness, security in wood supply and the contribution of the woodworking industries to a better climate. These 3 areas are in line with the general vision of the sector to play a key role in a sustainable society, comprising a competitive, knowledge-based industry that fosters the extended use of renewable resources while striving to ensure its societal contribution in the context of a bio-based, customer-driven and globally competitive European economy.
In order to remain competitive in a global market, the framework conditions for the industry should be right. CEI-Bois will, therefore, follow policy developments at European (and international) level most closely, and act upon them when and where required. Whilst working towards support from public authorities for key R&D activities, the sector has to invest in its future too, implying identifying its own opportunities and needs, next to making funds available. To this end, support will be given to develop more efficient business platforms for the woodworking industries.
Security in wood supply and future wood availability are keys to the future development of the sector. CEI-Bois will support activities that see to it that the availability is guaranteed for all market players and aim at having reliable data available to allow for policies to be drafted on a good basis.
With respect to the contribution of the sector to a better climate, the positive role of wood and wood products in mitigating climate change and their overall positive environmental contribution needs to be carried out more widely. Furthermore, the special position taken by wood products should be considered also in environmental policies at European and national levels as these are likely to continue having a major impact on how the industry can operate in future in Europe.

Eliasson and Döry confirmed as CEI-Bois Chairman and Vice-Chairman
A special topic on the agenda was the election of chairman and vice-chairman for CEI-Bois. The members unanimously confirmed Mr Mikael Eliasson, Director Development of the Swedish company Setra group AB, as chairman for a second term of office. Current Vice-Chairman Laszlo Döry of the Austrian ISO-Constantia AG was equally confirmed in his position.
Messrs Eliasson and Döry have been heading CEI-Bois since their nomination in Latvia in 2005. During their second term of office, they will be supported by the following Board members:
• Mr. Dieter Betz (CH);
• Mrs Ana Garcia (Su In Plas – ES);
• Mr. Pertti Laine (Finnish Forest Industries Federation - FI);
• Mr. Hans Michael Offner (Johan Offner Holzindustrie GmbH - AT);
• Mr. Fernando Rolin (AIMMP – PT)
• Mr. Roberto Tengg (Agrifor International Srl – IT);
• Dr. Erich Wiesner (WIEHAG GmbH - AT);
• Mr. Gil Covey (Unit Pallets Ltd – UK);
Mrs Ana Garcia and Mr Fernando Rolin were elected into the Board for the first time.
Job opportunity The objectives described in the action plan, can, however, only be achieved if CEI-Bois organisation, structure and work procedures are adapted to the needs. To this aim, staffing at the CEI-Bois secretariat will be strengthened with a Research Advisor to allow for a better communication and information flow and to increase the competitiveness opportunities for the sector, using all available technical means. The candidate will have a degree in the field of woodworking and forestry, or, by extension, in technology, science or engineering. A good knowledge of the wood products industry and experience in industrial research & development activities, be it within industry or the research community, would enhance the eligibility for this function. The complete description and application info can be found on the website:

http://www.cei-bois.eu