WOOD 100 Strategies for Success 2014: Business Plans
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WOOD 100 Strategies for Success 2014: Business PlansThe path to success is not the same for every wood products company. Business strategies used by this year’s WOOD 100 range from outsourcing to insourcing, to expansions and training of workers.

Custom Millwork & Display Inc., South Bend, IN — Sales for the architectural millwork and custom products manufacturer rose 3.2% in 2013, and the company looks to grow even more as it plans for 2015. Among the decisions undertaken to improve the company’s profit margins was to outsource more components. Read more about Custom Millwork & Display's strategies.

Wisconsin Built, Deerfield, WI — The architectural woodworking and restaurant/retail fixture firm attributes its success to its employees, including customer service and productivity skills. 2013 sales rose 5.8% and the custom manufacturer looks for sales to be even higher this year. Read more about Wisconsin Built's business strategies.

More Master Plans

RiverCity Cabinets Inc., Austin, TX
Business is flowing at the residential cabinet firm, which saw sales jump 45.3% in 2013. RiverCity purchased its leased space and expanded the production area. “The additional production space will enable us to virtually double our throughput capability and should carry us through the current market surge nicely,” says Randy Hardin, co-owner/VP. RiverCity also hired and trained additional employees: CAD personnel, project managers for faster customer service, and field service technicians to reduce warranty wait times.

Closets by Design Seattle, Fife, WA
Doing business as a Closets by Design franchise “and following their marketing plan,” resulted in a sales jump of 118.8% in 2013, says Truman Jepson, manager/member of Manufacturing Group LLC. The firm designs, manufactures and installs panels and shelving for closets, home offices, entertainment centers, wall bed cabinets and garage systems.

Millwork 360 LLC, Tampa, FL
General Manager Mike Williams credits the 42.4% jump in sales to the door and moulding maker’s “dedicated and experienced employees” as well as a focus on on-time delivery and customer service. Aiding productivity were purchases of a Weinig moulder and shapers. Millwork 360’s products are sold through retail lumberyards and dealers.

Wood Masters Enterprises, Fort Collins, CO
“We survived the recession by managing debt, cash flow, reducing shop staff and expenses,” says Brian Tormey, general manager. The architectural millwork and casework firm’s sales grew 7.2% in 2013.

Red Star Cabinet, Farmingdale, NY
Specializing in custom medicine chests, the cabinet firm stays “future proof and ahead of the curve” by attending trade shows; its sales grew 36.4% . “We [also] try to manufacture as much as possible in-house to manage quality control and strict deadlines,” says President Robert Edelbach. “We are always updating our machinery to help reduce production times and raise quality.” 2013 purchases included a glass beveling edger and Brandt edgebander.

The Stow Co., Holland, MI
The closet and home organization firm’s growth strategy included maximizing its manufacturing capacities and leveraging a centralized, national shipping point. “Our 200,000-square-foot Holland facility is readily able to absorb additional volume, and will positively impact our industry-leading quality and turnaround times,” Randy Tallman, executive vice president of operations, said at the time.

Wewoka Window Works, Wewoka, OK
Having a system in place for “precise quality control” has the window firm on a steady path of success, says Dennis Myers, owner.

Colony Cabinets, Longview, TX
The firm added a new warehouse, part of a $1.3 million capital expansion program resulting from its growing healthcare casework.

Lakeside Cabinets & Woodworking, Nowthen, MN
Investments in new equipment, plus programs such as a 401k and cross training, helped grow the custom firm’s bottom line 33.3%. Says Owner Troy Bednarz, “My goal is to continue to work with each of my coworkers and make sure they know they are important to the company. Cross training our employees, especially in the office, will ensure the company will be able to operate and be profitable. Having complete transparency is the most important facet of this.”

Woodtronics Inc., Yorktown Hts., NY
The architectural millwork and cabinetry firm streamlined production to help meet deadlines, spurring a 13.2% sales growth in 2013. “Last year, most of our products was casegoods for the commercial market,” adds Jan E. Efraimsen, president.

Closet & Storage Concepts,West Berlin, NJ
The home organization firm got even bigger with its acquisition of More Space Place. “[Their] retail stores expand our markets and give us the decisive edge for Murphy beds,” said Bob Lewis, president and CEO, of the deal.

Patrick Industries, Elkhart, IN
The components and building products producer went on an buying spree in 2013, purchasing: John H. McDonald Co., Westside Furniture, Frontline Mfg. and Premier Concepts.

GW Hartisan, Lachute, QC
Owner G. Williams Houle attributes the cabinet firm’s 10.4% growth to employee training and importing special woods for projects.

RSI Home Prod., Newport Beach, CA
One of the largest cabinetmakers got even bigger, acquiring full ownership of sister firm Professional Cabinet Solutions. Operating as separate units, they will take advantage of supply chain and cross-selling synergies.

Read more 2014 WOOD 100 Strategies of Success

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