WOOD 100 - Raising the Bar

The median growth from this year’s crop of WOOD 100 companies is the largest percentage in the report’s 17-year history.

Take note, North America. The 2006 WOOD 100 companies are flexing their muscles.

Like last year’s elite group, this year’s crop of fast-growing companies have all achieved double-, or in some cases triple-, digit growth, ranging from 16.0% to 217.3%. In addition, the median growth for these companies — 96 U.S., four Canadian and one Mexican — was the highest ever at 39.3%, an increase of 11.8% from last year.

And the future only looks to get better. When surveyed, more than 80% say they anticipate another double-digit growth year for 2006, and almost all companies predict 2007 will be a better-than-average year.

Wood 100: Products by Category
Cabinetry for Kitchens & Other Rooms	51%
Architectural Woodworking & Millwork	20%
Commercial Casework	18%
Casegoods & Components	13%
Residential Furniture & Accessories NEC	13%
Office Furniture	8%
Closets & Home	6%
Organization Store Fixtures	5%
Due to companies manufacturing multiple items, total is more than 100%.

As expected, the strength of the economy will play a decisive role in this success. Many of the companies in this year’s survey rely heavily on the new construction and remodeling market trends, particularly those in the cabinet, closet/home organization and architectural woodworking/millwork segments. It is not surprising, therefore, that more than half the companies in the report cited the economy as a concern, with 38% ranking it number one.

Consumer spending in the hot home organization market helped propel Arizona-based PremierGarage Systems into the number one spot for the 2006 report. With 217.3% growth, this year’s top-ranked company has two factories to supply its 76 franchise locations with garage organization systems.

Each of the next top five companies also posted more than 100% growth last year. In fact, No. 2 Advanced Woodwork enjoyed 137.2% growth after nabbing the No. 16 spot last year with a 57.4% increase. Rounding out the top six are: True 32 Custom Cabinetry (118.8%), Vantage Woodwork (105.2%), Precision Hardboard Components (102.7%) and Cabcor Inc. (100.8%).
Regardless of their “rank,†all of the WOOD 100 companies have sustained solid growth records this year. Twenty-three percent of them point to increased productivity as the number-one reason for their high profit margins, although employee skills and dedication ranks a close second.

More WOOD 100 Facts
• Twenty-nine of the WOOD 100 firms were featured in last year’s report; 46 of this year’s companies have appeared in the WOOD 100 at least once since the report’s inception in 1990.
• Oak Craft (No. 31) is making its 12th overall and third consecutive appearance; Appalachian Wood Products (No. 77) also is making its 12th appearance; and 16 additional companies are making at least their fourth appearance in the WOOD 100.
• Thirty-two states are represented in this year’s WOOD 100; California leads the way with nine of this year’s WOOD 100 companies, followed by seven each from Utah and Missouri, and five each from Illinois and Wisconsin. Three are from Canada and one is from Mexico.

	What are your sales growth projections for 2006? Percentage Respondents 1-10%.................................... 14 11-20%.................................. 35 21-30%.................................. 25 31-40%................................... 9 Over 40%.............................. 10 No Growth.............................. 6 N/A........................................ 1