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Seven woodworking technologies have been named winners of the 2026 IWF Challengers Distinguished Achievement Awards, highlighting innovations in automation, machining, sanding, finishing, gluing and panel processing on display this week at IWF in Atlanta.
The winners were selected from 84 entries submitted by 65 IWF 2026 exhibiting companies. Finalists presented live, in-person demonstrations to the judging panel before the seven winning technologies were selected based on their potential to advance woodworking technology, manufacturing and industry performance.
The winners were announced Aug. 25 at the Georgia World Congress Center during the opening day of IWF 2026.
2026 Challengers Award Winners:
Con-Vey's patent-pending Edge Damming System is designed for plywood repair lines, providing a new approach to addressing manufacturing and material-handling challenges within panel production.
Felder Group's Creator 1250 was recognized among this year's winning woodworking machinery technologies.
The Sand-R-Light PRO from Kouros Tools earned recognition for its approach to sanding applications.
Kundig's Regent is a large-scale planing and sanding system developed for glulam and timber elements, reflecting continued technology development for the growing engineered timber sector.
Northtech's iGlueSRCD automates glue application for stile-and-rail cabinet doors, targeting greater efficiency and consistency in cabinet component production.
SCM's ACCORD 500 EDGE machining center was recognized for its flexible approach to woodworking production, combining multiple machining capabilities within a single platform.
The Venjakob VEN AIR Vortex focuses on improving coating quality while reducing filter costs, addressing both finishing performance and operating efficiency.
The Challengers Awards are presented during the biennial International Woodworking Fair to recognize developments that advance woodworking machinery and manufacturing technology or contribute to environmental improvement.
For the surface and panel industry, this year's winners point to several of the major technology trends evident across the IWF 2026 show floor, including increased automation, more flexible machining, improved material utilization and new approaches to sanding, gluing, coating and panel production.
Attendees can see each of the seven winning technologies at the exhibitors' booths throughout IWF, which continues through Friday, Aug. 28, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
