76. Classic Woodworking Inc.
ST. LOUIS, MO
‘07: $2,117,000
‘08: $2,299,000
Growth ‘08: 8.597%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1973 Employees: 18

High-end custom architectural millwork
Classic Woodworking Inc. credits its increased growth to the dedication and skills of its employees, as well as the many repeat customers, architects and designers whom also refer the company to others, according to Lisa Showers, office manager. The company is making its second consecutive — and sixth total — appearance in the WOOD 100, and recently purchased new equipment that includes a sander, compressor, table saw, copier and software to aid in continued growth.

77. Witmer Furniture
ABBOTSFORD, WI
‘07: $3,700,000
‘08: $4,000,000
Growth ‘08: 8.108%
Projected ‘09: 10%
Est.: 1981 Employees: 40

Solid wood furniture
WOOD 100 first-timer Witmer Furniture cites its marketing program for driving the company’s growth in 2008. “We have increased the size of our market area to service a larger customer base in more states,” says President Kevin Schlinkmann, who adds that the company also has reorganized its manufacturing plant for better product flow. Witmer Furniture is expecting sales to continue to grow in 2009, and recently obtained new finishing equipment, more hand tools per work cells and a Unique door machine.

78. Superior Cabinets
SASKATOON, SK
‘07: $38,285,000
‘08: $41,300,000
Growth ‘08: 7.875%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1980 Employees: 205

Custom cabinetry
Superior Cabinets, a manufacturer of kitchen, bathroom and custom cabinets, points to its skilled and dedicated workforce when giving reasons for its growth last year. “Our dedicated employees consist of skilled craftsman and experienced design consultants,” says Pam Graves, marketing manager. “Many of our employees are also long-term.” The company plans to take inititives to work with suppliers on pricing strategies that will ensure continued product quality, while giving it the ability to be price competitive in its markets.

79. MCS Woodworking LLC
MILWAUKEE, WI
‘07: $617,000
‘08: $661,000
Growth ‘08: 7.131%
Projected ‘09: 10%
Est.: 1995 Employees: 5

Architectural millwork and custom cabinetry
In citing customer service as a significant factor in its growth, Owner Mike Schmidt says that building and maintaining relationships is very important to MCS Woodworking, which makes its second consecutive appearance in the WOOD 100. “Our competition does good work, so we have to set ourselves apart by meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations,” he says. “We try to stay ahead of our competition by meeting our deadlines and taking care of problems that may arise.”

80. Designcore Ltd.
BROOKLYN, NY
‘07: $27,951,000
‘08: $29,896,000
Growth ‘08: 6.959%
Projected ‘09: 12%
Est.: 1978 Employees: 315

Interiors for banking retail, hotel and commercial offices
“Making the customer more comfortable with your company for on-time delivery, LEED credits, eco-friendly products and the understanding of what makes a job get done, is so important in today’s economy,” says Frank Ianno, president of Designcore, who credits customer service for the company’s recent growth and second consecutive WOOD 100 appearance. “Taking the time to ‘listen’ also helps.” The company purchased a Biesse CNC machining center and a Biesse panel saw in 2008, and is expecting another sales increase in 2009.

81. Charles Gemeiner Cabinets
LOS ANGELES, CA
‘07: $2,962,000
‘08: $3,157,000
Growth ‘08: 6.583%
Projected ‘09: 4%
Est.: 1982 Employees: 25
Custom cabinets and millwork
Owner Charles Gemeiner says his company’s growth — and first WOOD 100 appearance — is due in a large part to its customer service. “Seventy-five percent of our business is return from contractors, the other 25% is from word-of-mouth,” he says. “We do no advertising, so we make customer satisfaction our number one goal.” The company expects increased sales again in the next year, and plans to keep striving to keep its clients happy and make it through the tough economic times without too much damage.

82. TB’s Custom Woodworking Inc.
CHICOPEE, MA
‘07: $509,000
‘08: $542,000
Growth ‘08: 6.483%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1995 Employees: 5

Commercial millwork and store fixtures
Increased productivity was key in driving sales growth in 2008 for TB’s Custom Woodworking. “All employees were cross-trained,” Owner Tom Brogle says of the past year. “We also instituted assembly lines for all multiple items.” The company, which is making its second consecutive appearance in the WOOD 100, also upgraded its CNC machines, as well as its spray equipment to finish speaker boxes.

83. World Panel Products Inc.
RIVIERA BEACH, FL
‘07: $3,200,000
‘08: $3,400,000
Growth ‘08: 6.250%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1994 Employees: 12

Decorative panels for the boating industry
New product development proved profitable for World Panel Products in 2008, helping the company make its fourth consecutive — and seventh overall — appearance in the WOOD 100. “We are developing new decking panel options for customers to help eliminate the labor costs in installation of decking on boats,” says Jeff Davies, president. The past year saw the company purchase new forklifts and racking, and the next year will see the company “being creative and going after every shred of business,” according to Davies.

84. Knoll Inc.
EAST GREENVILLE, PA
‘07: $1,055,814,000
‘08: $1,120,147,000
Growth ‘08: 6.093%
Projected ‘09: N/A
Est.: 1938 Employees: 4,000

Contract furniture
Headquartered in East Greenville, PA, Knoll Inc. serves its clients in North America through a network of more than 300 Knoll dealerships and 100 showrooms and regional offices. Knoll operates four manufacturing sites in North America: in East Greenville, PA; Grand Rapids and Muskegon, MI; and Toronto, ON. All the company’s manufacturing facilities in North America are ISO 14001-certified, a mark of commitment to environmentally responsible practices, and Knoll says it reaches out and aligns with third party certification organizations, including the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and THE GREEN STANDARD.org, that share its commitment to sustainability.

85. Cleora Sterling Corp.
MEBANE, NC
‘07: $5,564,000 ‘08: $5,892,000
Growth ‘08: 5.895% Projected ‘09: 17.5%
Est.: 1976 Employees: 57

Architectural millwork
Chip Cappelletti, company president, points to increased productivity as a result of the company’s relocation, for its strong sales growth in 2008. “The relocation in August 2007 continues to reduce our labor costs as we fine-tune the plant layout and our procedures,” he says. The company is making its second WOOD 100 appearance, and it recently purchased a second panel saw and a profile sanding machine to aid it in its expected sales increase in 2009.

86. SMI Architectural Millwork
SANTA ANA, CA
‘07: $7,505,000
‘08: $7,947,000
Growth ‘08: 5.889%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1998 Employees: 52

Commercial cabinetry and millwork
Providers of millwork and cabinetry for primarily commercial markets, with a focus on hospitality and medical, SMI Architectural Millwork credits an increase in productivity for pushing the company’s 2008 growth and placing it in the WOOD 100 for the second year straight. “[Although] passing on the purchasing of new equipment this year, we have focused more on increasing our productivity in all areas of our manufacturing,” says Tim Stolo, vice president. The company is looking at outsourcing of finishing, as well as the purchase of water-based finishing lines, in the future.

87. David Edward Ltd.
BALTIMORE, MD
‘07: $27,000,000
‘08: $28,400,000
Growth ‘08: 5.185%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1967 Employees: 300

Contract furniture and public seating
The need to keep current with market trends pushed new product development, which aided in the sales growth in 2008 of David Edward Ltd., according to Hal Darr, inventory/purchasing manager. The contract furniture company recently purchased a rapid air make-up unit for its finishing system, and plans to put an emphasis on developing new products for an improving economy.

88. Herman Miller Inc.
ZEELAND, MI
‘07: $1,918,900,000
‘08: $2,012,100,000
Growth ‘08: 4.857%
Projected ‘09: N/A
Est.: 1923 Employees: 6,478

Contract and office furniture
Herman Miller is a global company with operations, sales offices, dealers, and licensees in more than 40 countries in North America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Its manufacturing facilities are located in the United States, China, Italy and the United Kingdom, and the company sells its products and services through a global dealer network of independent and company-owned businesses.

Commercial Millworks Inc. (No. 91) credits its employees, which Vice President/General Manager Gayle King calls “some of the most skilled craftsmen in the industry,” with helping the company shine in 2008.

Family-owned and operated Diamond Case Designs Inc. (No. 89) entertains customers with more options at less expensive price points, according to Co-Owner Steve Hartfelder.

89. Diamond Case Designs Inc.
ANAHEIM, CA
‘07: $1,784,000
‘08: $1,862,000
Growth ‘08: 4.372%
Projected ‘09: 5%
Est.: 1991 Employees: 6

Home theatre furniture and entertainment centers
Steve Hartfelder, co-owner of Diamond Case Designs, says that customer service is what sets his company apart, and also helped it achieve a growth in sales in 2008. “We are large enough to offer a very large selection of products, but small enough to personally work with each and every client and tailor their furniture to be perfect for their needs,” he says. “We are a family-owned and operated business where each of the principals of the business directly interact and service our customers.” The company invested in a new 8,000-square-foot showroom in late 2007, and has continually upgraded it. Hartfelder adds that continuing into the future, Diamond Case wants to give its customers more options at less expensive price points. “[It] makes them comfortable that you understand their situation and have their best needs in mind.”

90. Custom Cupboards Inc.
WICHITA, KS
‘07: $33,140,000
‘08: $34,558,000
Growth ‘08: 4.279%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1981 Employees: 206
Custom kitchen cabinetry

Lance Johanson, vice president of operations for Custom Cupboards Inc., points to the company’s marketing program, as well as its quality built products, competitive pricing and on-time delivery, as factors in its 2008 sales increase. “We offer an incredible array of selections and customization at our price point,” he adds. Making its sixth WOOD 100 appearance, the company plans to concentrate on refining its processes through lean inititives in manufacturing and work with its vendors on raw material costs, in the year ahead. The company purchased equipment in the past year that includes a Mereen-Johnson gang ripsaw, a 20 section glue wheel and a single-end tenoner, as well as integrated a new software production tracking system.

91. Commercial Millworks Inc.
ORLANDO, FL
‘07: $1,748,000
‘08: $1,814,000
Growth ‘08: 3.776%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1992 Employees: 10

Commercial architectural millwork
The skills and dedication of its employees helped drive the success of Comercial Millworks Inc. in the past year. “Our employees are everything to us,” says Gayle King, vice president/general manager. “Most of our employees have been with the company for 10+ years, and are some of the most skilled craftsmen in the industry. High-end work is our specialty.” The company, making its first appearance in the WOOD 100, has increased its marketing efforts during the slow economy to help sales for 2009.

92. Alpha Cabinet Components Inc.
NORTH SALT LAKE, UT
‘07: $1,758,000
‘08: $1,815,000
Growth ‘08: 3.242%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1998 Employees: 10

RTA casework and slab doors
Improvements in quality control are to credit for Alpha Cabinet Components’ sales jump in 2008 and its third WOOD 100 appearance. “Fewer mistakes equals higher profit margins,” says President Evan Roth. “We take a little extra time, if necessary, to do it right the first time.” The company recently obtained a Schmalz panel lift and a new forklift. Roth adds that though the company can’t change the current economic environment, it can “change the way we do business to fit the needs of our customers.”

93. L.L. Johnson Lumber Mfg. Co.
CHARLOTTE, MI
‘07: $9,544,000
‘08: $9,816,000
Growth ‘08: 2.850%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1909 Employees: 40

Hardwood lumber products
Customer service was the key for L.L. Johnson Lumber Mfg. Co.’s sales rise in 2008. “We offer next-day delivery to our custom wood products-making clientele,” says Mark Johnson, president, “from flooring to trim, to cabinets, to musical instruments, to wooden boat manufacturers and restorers across the United States and Canada.” The 100-year-old company purchased new equipment recently, including CNC routers, an insert-tooth planer head and a gang ripsaw, as well as built a hardwood veneer plywood inspection station. Plans for 2009 include a focus on quality control, including training and testing of the company’s entire existing and new hire staff.

94. ALC-Collegedale
ROUND ROCK, TX
‘07: $63,527,000
‘08: $65,115,000
Growth ‘08: 2.500%
Projected ‘09: 3%
Est.: 1951 Employees: 222

Laboratory furniture and millwork
New product development is credited for bringing an increase in sales to ALC-Collegedale, last year’s “Best of the WOOD 100,” and making its second consecutive appearance following the merger of Collegedale and Advanced Lab Concepts. “In our business we are selling projects, not products,” says President Chip Albright. “As such, we bid on an entire laboratory space. Having non-wood products such as metal casework and fume hoods has allowed us to be successful on more wood projects.” Recent equipment purchases include an automated stain line, flatline finishing system and dust collection. In addition to another sales increase in 2009, the company also expects to introduce new products to allow entry into additional market segments.

95. Amherst Woodworking & Supply Inc.
NORTHAMPTON, MA
‘07: $6,450,000
‘08: $6,587,000
Growth ‘08: 2.124%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1975 Employees: 40

High-end residential custom architectural millwork, custom mouldings and doors
David Short, president of Amherst Woodworking & Supply Inc., cites the dedication and skills of the company’s employees as the driving factor for its 2008 sales growth and first-time appearance in the WOOD 100. “Plain and simple, we made a decent margin on the projects in 2008, with better estimating and better execution,” he says. In 2009, the company plans to call on current customers, seek out new customers and develop into new markets. “[We’re] looking for opportunities to offer customers the best value, not the lowest price.”

96. Minot Sash & Door Inc.
MINOT, ND
‘07: $4,044,000
‘08: $4,120,000
Growth ‘08: 1.879%
Projected ‘09: 10%
Est.: 1957 Employees: 40

Architectural millwork, casework, staircases and institutional cabinetry
Making its first appearance in the WOOD 100, Minot Sash & Door’s President Richard Feist credits its marketing program with spurring its sales jump in 2008. Diversification, quality on-time work, and the company’s relations with architects, designers and contractors also had a positive impact. To continue on its successful path, the family-owned company says it plans to provide quality training and good treatment to its existing employees. Minot Sash & Door has been a recipient of the Premium Quality Certification Status and Guarantee from the Architectural Woodwork Institute.

97. California Woodworking Inc.
OXNARD, CA
‘07: $2,930,000
‘08: $2,978,000
Growth ‘08: 1.638%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1989 Employees: 10

Commercial cabinets and countertops
“Our increased productivity has played a major role in our recent overall success,” says Luke Vickery, vice president of California Woodworking Inc. “With the use of our nested-based router [by Komo] we have been able to perform a large majority of machining on one single machine, which has reduced the amount of handling of individual components.” The company, which is making its third consecutive WOOD 100 appearance, fabricates and installs cabinets and countertops for the commercial building industry, including medical, dental, educational, retail and financial segments.

98. OFS Brands
HUNTINGBURG, IN
‘07: $251,673,000
‘08: $255,152,000
Growth ‘08: 1.382%
Projected ‘09: 25%
Est.: 1937 Employees: 1,512

Upper-end casegoods, and healthcare and hospitality furniture
New product development played a significant role in OFS Brands’ sales increase for 2008. “Our new product development has continued to escalate in order to capture market share and increase sales,” says Chris Rogers, director of design. “We are developing solutions across a wide variety of market segments.” The company, which is appearing in the WOOD 100 for the second time, plans to continue to introduce new products that meet pricepoints required and provide solutions to customer requests.

99. Trinity Crafted Doors Inc.
WHEATLAND, OK
‘07: $248,000 ‘08: $251,000
Growth ‘08: 1.210%
Projected ‘09: 2%
Est.: 2000 Employees: 2

Custom raised panel cabinet doors
Trinity Crafted Doors Inc. makes its second consecutive appearance in the WOOD 100, a move which President Roger Phipps credits to the dedication and skills of the company’s employees. “We cater to the customers,” he says. The company makes its products to order and provides a measuring guide on its Web site to ensure customers get the exact sizes they need.

100. Allegheny Store Fixtures
BRADFORD, PA
‘07: $5,658,000
‘08: $5,682,000
Growth ‘08: 0.424%
Projected ‘09: 0%
Est.: 1994 Employees: 40

Custom store fixtures and interior millwork
Making its fourth overall appearance in the WOOD 100, Allegheny Store Fixtures says that customer service was a significant factor in the company’s rise in sales last year. According to Darcy DiFazio, vice president, “we provide customers with the personal attention they want and deserve. All management personnel and owners are accessible for quick answers.” Allegheny also has implemented cost-savings policies throughout the company while agressively pursuing alternative profit centers, she says.